When it comes to gifts, a young teenager has outgrown the little guy’s toys. As gift-givers, we like to find something age-appropriate, fun, challenging…and cool. If the gift can draw a teenager away from screen time, that’s even better. With four teens currently living in our home, I have been personally motivated to search for the best indoor and outdoor gifts for this age group.
So, enjoy browsing the list to find the best gift for the 14-year old boy in your life!
| The Best Gifts for 14-Year-Old Boys | Why It's Best | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ArmoGear Laser Tag Kit | 4 laser guns, 4 vests, high quality | ♥♥♥♥♥ |
| Apple AirPods with Charging Case | Automatic connection via Bluetooth, play and skip-forward by tapping | ♥♥♥♥♥ |
| Spikeball Standard 3 Ball Kit Game | Play outside, inside, at the beach, etc., similar to volleyball rules | ♥♥♥♥♥ |
| Nintendo Switch Console | 3 ways of playing (TV, tabletop, or handheld), 4.5-9+ hours of battery life | ♥♥♥♥♥ |
| Fascinations 5 Metal Models | Small metallic, 5 models, inexpensive | ♥♥♥♥♥ |
| GlowCity Light Up Basketball | Glows in the dark, automatically shuts off and turns on | ♥♥♥♥♥ |
The Best Gifts for Young Teenage Boys
ArmoGear Infrared Laser Tag
Summary
For guy gifts, you can rarely go wrong with noisy, glowing weapons. ArmoGear Infrared Laser Tag has these features and more. The set is an exciting gift for teens, but is safe for many ages since child sensors have been built in. We recently visited a local laser tag arena and it wasn’t cheap. With this handy set, you can have the active fun of laser tag right in your own backyard.
Each player needs six AAA batteries to be armed with LED armed blaster and light-up vest. Take note that ArmoGear is still a toy, and doesn’t offer the accuracy you’d find in a bona fide blaster. And, although it can be played in the house, ArmoGear Laser Tag makes a generous racket; best to let the warriors bring it outside to have a blast.
Pros:
- Good exercise
- Multi-player, multi-ages.
Cons:
- Needs six batteries for each player
- Requires outdoor space
What we love about it:
This laser tag set keeps the fun in your own backyard.
See our selection of the best laser tag toys here.
Apple AirPods with Charging Case
If you trust your 14-year-old boy to not lose one or two small earbuds, the Apple AirPods with Charging Case is a gift that he will use over and over and over. They automatically connect via Bluetooth when you remove them from the charging case. Tapping the AirPods allows you to play or skip-forward songs and podcasts. When they’re done being used, simply place the AirPods back into the case to be recharged.
Pros
- Wireless earbuds
- Automatic connection via Bluetooth
- Play and skip-forward by tapping the AirPods
- Great sound
- Charges within case
Cons
- Charging case is wired, not wireless
- Not noise-cancelling
What we love about it:
We love the ease and convenience of popping these AirPods out of the case to use them and back in to charge them. Plus, no wires!
Spikeball Game
Spikeball is a trending game that is so versatile, your 14-year-old boy can play it outside, inside, at the beach, and really, wherever! With two people or four, players take turns spiking the ball to gain points, similar to volleyball. Not only is this a fun game to play, but Spikeball will make players sweat as they work on their hand-eye coordination.
The net can be adjusted to change up the gameplay. Tighten the net for more bounce (advanced) and loosen the net for less bounce (for beginners). Some say that assembly is a bit difficult but once you get it assembled, it’ll all be worth it!
Pros
- Similar to volleyball rules
- For 2 or 4 people
- Play outside, inside, at the beach, etc.
- Helps hand-eye coordination
- Can adjust net for difficulty
Cons
- Assembly can be difficult
What we love about it:
We love how versatile this game is and that you can play with just one other person or 3 other people for teamplay. Also, any game that keeps your 14-year-old boy active is a great game in our eyes!
Nintendo Switch
What 14-year-old boy isn’t going to love playing video games on the newest Nintendo Switch? This neon blue and neon red handheld game includes 3 ways of playing: TV mode, tabletop mode, or handheld mode. It features a 6.2-inch touch screen and the battery life lasts about 4.5-9+ hours.
Unfortunately, you’ll have to buy the games separately. Even so, the Nintendo Switch is guaranteed to be a fun and long-lasting gift that the whole family can enjoy together.
Pros
- 4.5-9+ hours of battery life
- 6.2-inch touch screen
- 3 ways of playing (TV, tabletop, or handheld)
- Neon blue and neon red design
- Portable for travel
Cons
- Have to purchase games separately
- High price
What we love about it:
At a high price, the Nintendo Switch may be worth the purchase if your 14-year-old boy is a big gamer or if the whole family will be playing together. It is also a good idea for those who travel frequently and need help keeping their kids busy in the back of the vehicle.
GlowCity Light Up Basketball
The GlowCity Light Up Basketball is a great way to get that teen outside — day or night. Since this official and weight number 7 basketball lights up when it bounces on the ground, it’s easy to find. An automatic shutoff helps to not waste the battery when your child is done playing.
Pros
- Glows in the dark
- Automatic shutoff
- Turns on when the ball hits the ground
- Full size/weight number 7
Cons
- Does not include ball pump
What we love about it:
This glow-in-the-dark basketball allows your 14-year-old boy to keep the games going even after the sun has gone down!
Razer Basilisk X HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Mouse
With 12K+ reviews and an almost 5-star rating overall, this Razer Basilisk X HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Mouse offers dual-mode connectivity, Bluetooth, 6 programmable buttons, and up to 450 hours of battery life. The “HyperSpeed” feature means that this gaming mouse performs 25% faster than competing gaming mice.
Pros
- Wireless
- HyperSpeed performance
- Up to 450 hours of battery life (with Bluetooth)
- 6 programmable buttons
- Bluetooth-enabled
- Almost 5-star rating
Cons
- Right-hand orientation (if you’re left-handed)
- Some buyers say it’s glitchy
What we love about it:
For a really great price, you can get a quality gaming mouse that offers many hours of battery life and is said to be faster than 25% of its competitors.
LEGO Ideas Ship in a Bottle Expert Building Kit
Most boys have been messing with LEGO since they could be trusted not to choke on them. If you want a challenging, cool, and still somewhat affordable LEGO set, the LEGO Ideas Ship in a Bottle Expert Building Kit is a great choice.
This 953-piece set comes together to form a bottle on a stand with a realistic ship inside. The ship features cannons, mast, crow’s nest, sails, and so much more. As for size, the full assembled bottle on the stand measures over 3″ high and 12″ wide.
This is a really neat and unique LEGO set to put together but also to display afterward. Guests probably won’t realize at first that the whole thing is made from LEGO!
Pros
- Unique LEGO set
- Great to display afterward
- 953-pieces
Cons
- Can be difficult to see where clear LEGO bricks should go
What We Love About It:
Legos are always a perfect gift for any teen! You can expect quality and at least a couple of hours of entertainment.
Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations
The best promo for this book comes from a 14-year old reader, who says: This book is one I would recommend to any of my friends, teen or not. If it doesn’t help you, you are lying.
Do Hard Things is an inspiring book that challenges teenagers to rebel — against low expectations, bad attitudes, and cultural lies that limit their potential. Though written from a Christian perspective, readers say that it’s a solid, interesting read for teens of different world views.
For some 14-year old boys, simply picking up a book and reading it may be one of those “hard things.” If so, this powerful book is also available as an audiobook.
Pros
- Inspiring
- Adds to character development
- Comes in hard copy and audio formats
Cons
- None!
What we love about it:
This book, if taken to heart, may inspire, encourage, and change the course of a life.
YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler
Gift your 14-year-old the most popular YETI product on the market: the Rambler 20 oz Tumbler. These tumbers are double-wall insulated to keep drinks fresh and cold or hot and toasty. It’s designed with some fun features like a MagSlider (magnetic drink lid to keep it in place) and a Dracut exterior (doesn’t fade, peel, or crack). Choose from over 20 colors!
Pros
- 5-star rating with over 80K reviews
- Stainless steel exterior
- Double-wall insulation
- Dishwasher-safe and BPA-free
- Shatter-resistant
- MagSlider and Dracut features
- 20+ colors to choose from
Cons
- Some say it doesn’t keep beverages hot for long
What we love about it:
The YETI is a classic tumbler that has benefited many who want to maintain the temperature of their beverage for longer periods of time. With 80,000+ reviews and 5-star ratings, we can’t deny the durability and greatness of the Rambler!
LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian Razor Crest Building Kit
If your 14-year-old is a big Star Wars fan, look no further. This Mandalorian Razor Crest Ship Building Kit from LEGO is guaranteed to excite. Included within this 1023-piece kit are 4 LEGO minifigures (The Mandalorian, Greef Karga, Scout Trooper, the Child), an IG-11 LEGO figure, plus weapons. The Razor Crest is 5.5″H x 15″L x 11″W once fully built.
Pros
- 5-star rating
- 1023 total LEGO pieces
- Includes The Mandalorian, Greef Karga, Scout Trooper, the Child, and 1 IG-11 figure
- Spring-loaded shooters
- Detachable escape pod
- Cockpit
- Carbonite bounty
- Cargo hold
Cons
- None that we could find!
What we love about it:
This LEGO building kit boasts 5-star ratings from a wide range of ages, making this a top gift among Star Wars fans. You may even want one for yourself!
Throw Throw Burrito
Imagine mixing dodgeball with a card game with burritos… sounds fun, right? With Throw Throw Burrito, you and your 14-year-old are going to crack up as you battle each other with quick speeds and burrito throwing. This game is created for 2-6 players and is guaranteed to make everyone chuckle with fear.
Pros
- Can throw burritos at people without the mess
- Funny artwork on cards (e.g. MeowCow, BarkySharky)
- Fast-paced card game
- Active gameplay
- Creates excitement and fun-loving fear
- For 2-6 players
Cons
- May get a burrito to the face
- Burritos can start to crack after hard use
What we love about it:
This is a game that gets everyone’s hearts pounding and makes you “FEAR THE BURRITO!” For an extreme version of the game, check out Throw Throw Burrito – Extreme Outdoor Edition!
SoundBot® SB210 Bluetooth Headset Beanie
Teens love music. And a lot of teens love hats. Put them together and you get the SoundBot® SB210 Bluetooth Headset Beanie.
This soft knit hat has built-in headphones on each side for wireless listening. This makes it perfect for bike rides, skateboarding, or even getting outside chores done. There’s a control panel attached to the hat that looks like a leather tag, not a remote control.
It’s got a slouchy fit that your teen is sure to love. And best of all, when it gets dirty, you can remove all the electronic components and wash it!
Pros
- Wireless listening
- Super warm and stylish
- Control panel built into the hat
- Washable
- 1 year warranty
Cons
- Fits snugly on some people
What We Love About It:
The price is just right on this gift! It’s a perfect gift for a teen that is picky or has a lot of things already.
Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock
There are days to run around with a blaster and then there are days to take it easy. The Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock is ideal for camping or relaxing in the backyard.
Constructed of strong, soft nylon, it can be set up quickly on poles or sturdy trees, and it packs down into the size of a grapefruit.
A hammock isn’t only for nature lovers, it’s also a great way to relax alone, or enjoy a nap under the stars.
Pros
- Sturdy and high quality
- Use at home or away
- Great for outdoor lovers
Cons
- Not a lot of bells and whistles — it’s just a relaxing outdoor bed.
- Used seasonally
What we love about it:
It’s easy to assemble and can be used for a lifetime.
Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction
Believe it or not, your kitchen may hold all the supplies necessary to create pocket-sized weaponry. Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction teaches how to create fun and (mostly) harmless mini-weapons out of household items.
The supplies needed include things like: pens, clothespins, toothpicks, and plastic utensils. It’s an easy read that offers instructions to create 35 devices such as: darts, catapults, crossbows, and slingshots.
The book may be an entertaining way to learn about physics and mechanics, all while you’re planning mischief and mayhem.
Pros
- Great for hands-on play and learning
- Simple directions
- Creative
Cons
- Take care with sharp pieces
- Not for young children
What we love about it:
This book inspires creativity (using a boy’s intrinsic love of weapons) and the projects use easily found materials.
Altair Aerial AA300 GPS Beginner Drone
The Altair Drone is an affordable drone considering the variety of features.
It is called a “beginner” drone, because of its ease of use, not because it lacks sophisticated features.
It has GPS technology that enables it to do some really cool things:
- It can follow you around taking video
- It can return home on autopilot
- It can fly by itself to a point of interest
As a photography tool, this helps you take high-resolution photos and videos. It has an altitude hold for clearer shots and shoots in 1080p. When taking pictures, you can connect your phone to the drone camera if you are within WiFi range.
The battery life lasts about 15 minutes and there are no additional batteries included with this model. However, you can buy them at an extra cost if you would like.
This model can travel up to 150m from the remote control, so you do not have to worry about lagging if the model is far away.
For teenagers who are recently interested in flying drones, this is perfect as a beginner model. Though it is designed lightweight, it is also sturdy enough that it can handle touching down on the ground and there is a low-risk of breaking if it crashes. Altair customer service excels, so if there is any damage, they’ll be happy to help.
The instructions are clear and it is simple to assemble the drone out of the box. As most teens have their own cell phone, this works well. Even though there aren’t a lot of reviews on this new 2022 drone, the existing reviews are very positive and Altair has a strong reputation across its product line.
Pros
- Lightweight but sturdy design
- High-quality camera works with your smartphone
- Greater customer service
- Instructions are very clear
- Easy to fly
- GPS
- Bonus battery
Cons
- SD card not included
What we love about it:
This affordable drone is loaded with features that make it easy to fly for a beginner. From GPS functions to an incredibly powerful camera, it is surprising they are not charging more for the Altair Drone. A great alternative to video games.
Adidas Pure Game Spray for Men
Now that your 14-year-old is well, 14, he probably has started smelling like a 14-year-old boy too. Gift him an athletic cologne spray from Adidas – the Pure Game Spray for Men. This popular spray has a manly guaiac wood and citrus scent to it that your teen can wear every day.
Pros
- Developed by athletes
- Great price
- Manly scent that’s light and clean
- Great for everyday wear
Cons
- We couldn’t find any!
What we love about it:
Colognes are expensive, so we love seeing a great-smelling spray for men that’s not overly priced. This scent is light yet manly and can be worn every day, so your 14-year-old doesn’t have to smell like sweat (and who knows what else) all day long.
Gifts for Similar Ages
- Best Gifts for a 12-Year-Old Boy
- Best Gifts for a 13-Year-Old Boy
- Best Gift for a 15-Year-Old Boy
- Best Gift for a 16-Year-Old Boy
Wrap Up
This may be obvious, but take time to consider the unique qualities of the teen gift recipient. Ask parents, siblings, and friends to see what they like and don’t like. Ask open-ended questions to uncover their preferences. Then, start shopping for the best gift for a 14-year-old boy. Remember to always include a gift receipt!
