Best Gifts for Teens and Tweens
You'll score major cool-mom points with these awesome gift picks.
By Jennifer R. Beck and Jonna Gallo Weppler
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It's hip to be square with the 80's Cube Clock, inspired by (flashback!) Rubik's Cube. Rotating the top row of this iconic block switches among time, date, alarm, and temperature displays (fredflare.com, $22).
Photo by Michael Kraus
If getting something engraved feels a little old-school, opt for Sound Style headphones with Swarovski crystals -- they'll have the recipient singing a different tune (thingsremembered.com, $10 plus engraving, from $6).
Photo by Michael Kraus
Fujifilm's 10-megapixel FinePix Z20fd automatically corrects ugly red eye, and its built-in blog mode allows images to be resized right in the camera before uploading (walmart.com, $170).
Photo by Michael Kraus
BFFs one minute, frenemies the next -- the Doodlebook Frame can keep up with a teenager's ever-changing mood and revolving cast of buds. It's made from an 80-page sketch pad and can be changed on a whim (umbra.com, $16).
Photo by Michael Kraus
This next-gen webcam is far better than the first-wave cameras with their often fuzzy images. The QuickCam Orbit AF has a motorized tracker that senses motion, and autofocus that keeps the picture sharp at all times (logitech.com, $130).
Photo by Michael Kraus
The bus ride to camp or a cross-country plane flight will be a lot comfier for your kid with a Nap Sac Travel Blanket and Pillow. Stashed in the case is an ultrasoft blanket and inflatable pillow (spoonsisters.com, $28).
Photo by Michael Kraus
Any eco-conscious teenager will get a kick out of the Keen Twenty-Six computer bag -- it's made partly of recycled rubber and polyester. The tote hugs a laptop securely and offers plenty of room for books too (zappos.com, $76).
Photo by Michael Kraus
Talk about being in the swim -- Liquid Image's Underwater Digital Camera Mask is a hands-free 5-megapixel camera that works in the ocean or pool to record still pictures or video. Back on dry land, users upload everything to a computer with the included USB cable (amazon.com, $100).
Photo by Michael Kraus
The I'm Not Bored Anymore Art Jar is filled to the rim with creative jump-starts like pom-poms, construction paper, beads, and wavy scissors. There's plenty to keep kids from being, well, bored (landofnod.com, $29).
Photo by Michael Kraus
Sharpen a tween's knowledge of geography, vocabulary words, even math with these portable cards -- each comes with fun, age-specific puzzles and quizzes (chroniclebooks.com, $10).
Photo by Michael Kraus
A Dopi Video iPod Karaoke System transforms a video MP3 player into a karaoke machine. Just download specially formatted songs (three freebies included) to the player, then connect to a TV with the included cable; lyrics stream across the screen (fredflare.com, $60).
Photo by Michael Kraus
Sound the alarm for Cygnett's GrooveToons clock -- it works with any generation iPod nano. The speakers pack a punch for the price and will help get a dawdler out of bed (cygnett.com, $50).
Photo by Andrew McCaul
In the wish-we'd-thought-of-this category, here's a mouse pad that's actually a pad -- as in, made of paper for jotting. Love the Random Dawdle version and the Daily Mood Tracker too (knockknock.biz, $11).
Photo by Andrew McCaul
When a superhero or princess lunchbox just doesn't cut it anymore, Light My Fire's LunchBox comes to the rescue. Available in eight colors, it's made of eco-friendly polypropylene and even comes with a handy spork (lightmyfireusa.com, $10).
For the kid who desperately wants his own handheld gadget, try a Children's Talking Dictionary and Spell Corrector. You'll love that it works phonetically -- as in, turns "nolij" into "knowledge" -- and he'll enjoy the five fun built-in games (franklin.com, $50).
Talk about beauty and brains. Gateway's stunning M-Series notebook features a multimedia control touch panel, a comfy keyboard, a big 15.4-inch screen, plus integrated WiFi and built-in webcam (gateway.com, from $700).
Listen up if your kid won't go anywhere without an iPod: noise-induced hearing loss is on the rise in children and teens, according to doctors. Consider lower-volume earpieces especially sized for smaller heads and sensitive young eardrums. Sony's Children's Headphones come in the traditional over-head style (bestbuy.com, $15).
Photo by Andrew McCaul
Leave it to the whizzes at LeapFrog to come up with a device that offers totally customizable learning games. With the Didj Custom Gaming System, kids can use their own spelling lists, math problems, and more to connect digital play with schoolwork. Nine games are available, including Star Wars: The Clone Wars. For kids in grades 1-5 (leapfrog.com, $90).
Text by Jennifer R. Beck and Jonna Gallo Weppler. Originally published in the June 2008 and September 2008 issues of Family Circle magazine.
