The holidays are just around the corner and the best Christmas gifts for teens can be very tough to choose.
Whether they love problem-solving or exploring their creativity, here’s our Christmas gift guide packed with fun present ideas that will also help them level up their learning in the new year.
1. For logical thinkers: an Escape Room game
Escape Room experiences are having a moment, and there are now lots of similar games you can play together at home. By following a series of challenges, these games test problem-solving skills including logic, language and Maths.
Try Escape From the Grand Hotel (£18) or the Trapped Bank Job Escape Room (£14.99).
2. For budding astronomers: a telescope
If your teen loves Science, this Astronomical Telescope (£40) from the Science Museum shop is for them. It enables 18X or 90X magnification of the night sky and it can be packed up easily to take travelling or camping.
3. For fantasy lovers: the Waterstone’s Book of the Year
Recently hailed as Children’s and Teenage Book of the Year by Waterstones, Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell is a must-read.
Often compared to Tolkien and Pullman, Rundell is excellent at conjuring magical worlds and fascinating characters. She’s an inspiring writer for literature enthusiasts – making it one of the best Christmas gifts for teens.
And, for dyslexic or reluctant readers, there’s a whole section of suggested reads on the Waterstones site.
4. For crafty creatives: a DIY craft kit
For teens who love to make things, this Craft Kit subscription (from £80) is perfect. The subscription includes a different craft kit from embroidery to woodwork to inspire them each month. Or, try Sculpd a crafty brand that offers everything from pottery kits (£49) to abstract painting kits (£39).
5. For avid readers: a magazine subscription
If your teen always has their nose in a book, why not encourage them to mix things up with a magazine subscription? Teen Breathe Magazine (from £30 for 6 issues) covers all things mindfulness and wellbeing, to help your teen cope when the going gets tough.
Or, The Week Junior (£33.99 for 19 issues) is packed full of science, nature, amazing places and people to help spark their natural curiosity and help them see different viewpoints (and form opinions of their own).
6. For culture vultures: an experience at their favourite museum or gallery
Whatever they’re into, there’s probably a unique cultural experience they’ll love. You could book tickets to the Out of Hours Dino Tours (adults £25, children £17) at the Natural History Museum or gift a National Art Pass (from £33.75) that grants them (and you) free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic houses across the UK.
7. For young travellers: the Atlas for Curious Minds
If your teen is a visual learner and loves the idea of exploring the world, Granta Book’s new title, Brilliant Maps – An Atlas for Curious Minds by Ian Wright (£12.99) pulls together fascinating statistics and facts, illustrated using an incredible array of maps.
8. For active enthusiasts: the latest activity tracker
To encourage your teen to set healthy habits, stay active and even help them practice a bit of mindfulness, a FitBit tracker might be a good idea. The Independent recently hailed the FitBit Inspire 2 (£49.99) as the best for older children and teens, which offers new mindfulness and sleep features.
9. For hands-on learners: an adventure experience
Experiences are sometimes better than material gifts, especially if your teen is practical and likes to get stuck in. Virgin Experience Days offer lots of experiences to suit every budget, like this Bee Keeping and Honey Tasting Experience (£55) for two at the Bee School in Scotland or the Lemur Feeding Experience (£45) for two at Hoo Farm in Shropshire.
10. For nature lovers: a Woodland Trust gift
If your child loves the environment and the outdoors, the Woodland Trust online shop has an amazing selection of gifts. From bee and bug sanctuaries (£21.99) to garden bird starter packs (£34.99), there’s plenty to spark their curiosity and encourage them to go slower.
And to help ignite their passion for all things climate change and activism, the new book Things You Can Do by Eduardo Garcia (£16.99) is the perfect educational gift.
11. For future photography students: a Polaroid camera
Sure, most teens take all their photos on their phones nowadays but there’s nothing like the authenticity of a Polaroid snap. The new Polaroid Go (£79.99) is an indulgent gift but will help your teen bring new meaning to the selfie. And hopefully, it will encourage them to go in search of new perspectives and harness their creativity!
And there you have it – our pick of the best Christmas gifts for teens that will help their learning.
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