33 Gifts the 16-Year-Old in Your Life Will Adore
Shopping for the 16-year-old in your life can be a real challenge, especially if you're not sure what they're into. From gaming to trendsetting, these growing teens are always honing in on their personalities and interests, and trying to figure out who they are. Whether you're on the hunt for the coolest sweet 16 gifts, shopping for an occasion, or wanting to treat the teen in your life to something special, we rounded up the best gifts you can get every 16-year old in your life.
If they're embarking on their driving journey, get them a cute bag for their newly printed license. The tech-savvy kiddo or gamer teen will appreciate getting some cool accessories, like the Meta Quest VR device or the Nintendo Switch. Shopping for the teen whose closet you want to raid? We found some incredibly stylish fashion and home finds as well. If they're really into beauty, we also shopped out several editor-backed products that will revamp their skin-care routine, from the glam Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Under Eye Patches to the convenient Hey Dewy Portable Cool Mist Humidifier. Plus, we even included a few fun things that will make any teen smile from ear to ear, like an interesting mashup of golf and pool, the cutest frog-shaped plush, heated slippers, and a personalized phone case. Shop our top picks ahead.
— Additional reporting by Lauren Harano and Alessia Santoro
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A Beauty Gift For 16-Year Olds: Le Mini Macaron 1-Step Gel Manicure Kit
Shopping for the teen who loves to do their own nails at home? The editor-favorite Le Mini Macaron 1-Step Gel Manicure Kit ($38) is something they'll use all the time. It has everything they'll need for DIY gel manicures, including an LED curing lamp, gel nail polish, a cuticle stick, mini nail file, and 10 gel polish remover wipes. This kit comes in a variety of colors, like lilac, cherry red, pastel pink, and more. Read our in-depth review of the Le Mini Macaron 1-Step Gel Manicure Kit.
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A Self-Care Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Hey Dewy Portable Cool Mist Humidifier
Make them feel pampered with this editor-favorite Hey Dewy Portable Cool Mist Humidifier ($60). One of our editors said, "the benefits of having one in my home have been endless — from clearing my sinuses to helping me sleep better at night and even making my skin feel better throughout the day." The rechargeable device is portable, so your teen can hydrate their skin during their morning routine, take it with them on the go, or breath a little easier while studying at their desk. It comes in three colors. Check out our review of the Hey Dewy Portable Cool Mist Humidifier to learn more.
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A Beauty Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Under Eye Patches
The Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Under Eye Patches ($22, originally $26) are a self-care find that will give their beauty routine a luxe feel. These eye masks contain calendula extract, hyaluronic acid, a blend of 17 amino acids, and aloe leaf extract to hydrate and calm the under-eye area. Camu extract brightens the eyes for a more awake appearance. One POPSUGAR editor claimed these are the only eye patches on the market that don't slip down her cheeks. They're soaked in a deeply hydrating serum that helps reduce the appearance of puffiness and gives a more awakened appearance. Read our
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Cozy Loungewear For 16-Year-Olds: Athleta Girl RetroActive Joggers
These Athleta Girl RetroActive Joggers ($50, originally $65) are soft, comfortable, and chic. They're made with cotton and polyester, which makes them warm yet breathable. Plus, they're ideal for all kinds of activities, whether she's hanging at home watching her favorite show or out with friends on a walk.
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A Fashion Gift For 16-Year-Olds: JW PEI Women's Mini Flap Crossbody
Add to their handbag collection with a purse that's timeless and high-quality, like JW PEI Women's Mini Flap Crossbody ($80). It's an editor-backed bag that's both convenient and stylish. "This purse has ample room for my wallet, phone, keys, and hand sanitizer — but it's not so big that I have to spend an embarrassing amount of time locating a mere tube of lipstick," our editor said. It comes in plenty of colors, whether you want to get them a staple neutral like black or brown, or something bold like an ombre light green and blue shade or a stunning lavender. Read our editor-review of the JW PEI Women's Mini Flap Crossbody.
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A Self Care Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Stanley Adventure Quencher Tumbler
The Stanley Adventure Quencher Tumbler ($70) is a useful gift for those who love to stay hydrated. It's an insulated stainless steel cup that actually fits in most cup holders. It keeps drinks hot for seven hours, cold for 11 hours, and iced for nearly two days! They can drink it from the straw opening or the wide mouth opening. Peloton instructor, Kendall Toole, and Studio McGee designer and co-founder Shea McGee both are huge fans of it. Plus, it's an editor-favorite; read our review of the Stanley Adventure Quencher Tumbler.
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A Fun Gift For 16-Year Olds: Polaroid Dual Screen Wifi Action Camera
If the teen in your life loves to go on adventures, the Polaroid Dual Screen Wifi Action Camera ($50, originally $60) will help them capture every moment. It's a waterproof action camera that has a built-in rechargeable battery, perfect for vlogging. It comes with mounting accessories as well, like a multi-use bike and helmet mount. It's an easily portable and affordable alternative to high-end action cameras. Read the in-depth review of the editor-favorite Polaroid Dual Screen Wifi Action Camera.
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A Fashion Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Jenny Bird U-Link Earrings
If the 16-year-old in your life is getting into jewelry, get them these stunning Jenny Bird U-Link Earrings ($98). It's perfectly dainty and can elevate a variety of looks, whether it's a homecoming dress, a cute top with jeans, or even sweats. These timeless earrings are also an editor favorite and featured in this review of Jenny Bird jewelry. You can never go wrong with giving someone a jewelry gift!
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A Beauty Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Tower 28 Beauty Clean ShineOn Jelly Lip Gloss
Get the budding beauty enthusiast in your life the Tower 28 Beauty Clean ShineOn Jelly Lip Gloss ($16). It's a bestselling nonsticky lip gloss that they can throw on for a cute lip. The lip gloss has a hydrating formula that will practically replace their lip balm. It's just pigmented enough to give them a flush of color. It comes in 12 flattering shades, and at only $15, you can get them a few so they have options. Read the in-depth review of the Tower 28 Beauty Clean ShineOn Jelly Lip Gloss.
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A Fashion Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Fifth & Ninth Ainsley 68mm Cat Eye Sunglasses
The Fifth & Ninth Ainsley 68mm Cat Eye Sunglasses ($30) are a stylish pair of sunnies teens will want to wear all the time. They'll instantly look cool and trendy in the most effortless manner. These sunglasses go with any style or aesthetic as well. And while they look luxe, they're actually pretty affordable; you'll want to get a pair for yourself too. Plus, Kate Hudson cited a similar pair as one of her must-have items.
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A Beauty Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Too Faced Born This Way Sunset Stripped Eyeshadow Palette
Get the makeup enthusiast this staple Born This Way Sunset Stripped Eyeshadow Palette ($52), for all their simple to glam looks. The product contains 16 shadows ranging from warm-toned neutrals to pops of shimmers, pinks, and golds. Any beauty-lover will have so much fun incorporating this palette into their routine.
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A Fun Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Game of Phones
This modern take on the classic scavenger hunt requires your teen's favorite possession: their smartphone. Game of Phones ($22, originally $25) asks players to engage in a smartphone scavenger hunt with their friends, with only the fastest players racking up points. They'll play this game with their friends all the time.
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A Fun Gift For 16-Year-Olds: DIY Mochi Ice Cream Kit
If they love to cook and experiment with new recipes, they'll love trying out the DIY Mochi Ice Cream Kit ($35). It's the perfect treat: sweet and chewy on the outside, cold and creamy on the inside. It makes four batches of eight in total. They can flavor them with the included cocoa and matcha-green-tea powder or try out jams and other spreads they have at home.
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A Fun Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Smoko Frankie Frog USB Heated Slippers
The Smoko Frankie Frog USB Heated Slippers ($26, originally $38) are one of the most adorable yet genius products on the internet. They're perfect for the 16-year-old who loves to collect cute things. These heat up and keep feet warm, perfect for the colder months. Plus, the slippers are so plush, it'll feel like heaven for their toes.
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For Harry Styles Fans: "Harry Styles: And The Clothes He Wears" By Terry Newman
If you're shopping for the ultimate Harry Styles fan , the "Harry Styles: And The Clothes He Wears" By Terry Newman ($30) is something they'll obsess over. It's a book that has fun facts about Styles' ionic looks along with pictures.
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A Home Gift For 16-Year-Olds: UO Mood Mini Candle Set
If you're shopping for the budding interior decorator who loves candles, get them the UO Mood Mini Candle Set ($20, originally $30). They can set the vibe of their space with three different candles. Nirvana has notes of patchouli, tonka, sweet jasmine, and tropical nectar; lucid Dreams has notes of sun-warmed wood, balsamic amber, tonka, and earthy hay; nomad has notes of patchouli, sandalwood, moss, and amber.
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A Tech Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Disco Ball Light Up Wireless Speaker
The Disco Ball Light Up Wireless Speaker ($50) will be such a fun addition to their room. The disco ball-shaped speaker spins and colorful lights illuminate as their favorite playlist streams from their phone via Bluetooth.
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A Fun Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Fujifilm Fujicolor QuickSnap Flash 400 35mm Camera
Get the photography enthusiast this Fujifilm Fujicolor QuickSnap Flash 400 35mm Camera ($24). It's pre-loaded with 24 exposures of 35mm color analog film. It has a built-in dual-flash system and large viewfinder for perfect framing, every time. It's such a fun stocking stuffer they can use to capture memories, then and there.
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A Tech Gift For 16-Year-Olds:: Apple AirPods Pro
Get these Apple AirPods Pro ($235, originally $249); they're the number one bestseller on Amazon. They'll get good sound quality and up to 24 hours of listening with the MagSafe charging case. These are perfect for those who already have Apple products — they block out noise for immersive sound and operate in transparency mode if the wearer needs to know what's happening around them. They're also sweat and water resistant.
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A Fun Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Impala Quad Skate Skates
They'll want to use these retro-inspired Impala Quad Skate Skates ($100-$110) all the time. They come in a variety of different colors, so you can get them their favorite shade. It's a cute and fun find, especially for the adventure seeker.
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A Beauty Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Glow Recipe Glowy Skin Prep Besties Set
If the teen in your life is a skin-care enthusiast, they'll love the Glow Recipe Glowy Skin Prep Besties Set ($52). It's perfect for beginners, adding radiance back into the skin. It comes with a full-sizes of the bestselling Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops that are all over TikTok and the hydrating Guava Vitamin C Bright-Eye Gel Cream. It's great for those who have dry or sensitive skin and want a glowy, hydrated, and plump look.
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A Tech Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Nintendo Switch
Get the gamer in your life something they'll obsess over, such as the Nintendo Switch ($300) system. It has three modes of playtime — TV mode, tabletop mode, and handheld mode — for gaming whenever, wherever. It has a battery range of four to nine hours, depending on software usage and conditions. It can even connect over WiFi for multiplayer gaming.
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A Tech Gift For 16-Year-Olds: BaubleBar All the Beige iPhone Case
Sixteen-year-olds are notoriously known to be glued to their phones. If you're shopping for the iPhone user in your life, get them something cute and personalized like this BaubleBar All the Beige iPhone Case ($68). You can fit up to 12 characters, so customize it however you like. It features raised acrylic letters with a pearl-like finish for a luxe 3D effect. It's perfect for someone who loves a neutral vibe.
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A Home Gift For 16-Year-Olds: LED Photo Clip String Lights With Remote
You can't go wrong with these LED Photo Clip String Lights With Remote ($20, originally $27) for the teen in your life. They can decorate their room and set the ambiance with these smart lights, adding a sparkly touch. They can hang pictures of their friends, family, fun moments, and more. Plus, they come with eight different modes that they'll love putting on display and adjusting to better fit their mood.
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A Fun Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Mini Golf Pool
The Mini Golf Pool ($70, originally $119) is truly unique gift, perfect for the teen who loves to have their friends over all the time. Whether they love golf or pool, it's truly the best of both worlds. Everyone will love playing this interesting mashup, even adults. It comes with 16 golf balls and two putters.
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A Tech Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Fujifilm Wide Link Smartphone Printer
Their Instagram feed isn't the only place for cute pictures: they can print out their favorite memories with friends and family and even show off their photography skills with this Fujifilm Wide Link Smartphone Printer ($150). It lets them print out any picture they want from their smartphone in a polaroid-inspired style, and it can connect to their phone wirelessly.
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A Home Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Crescent Moon Mirror
If they love a celestial vibe, get this Crescent Moon Mirror ($39). The luxe, frameless piece is 10-inches wide and 14-inches tall. It comes in a stunning mirrored gold shade. It would look great in any space, especially their bedroom or living room.
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A Tech Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Meta Quest 2
This Meta Quest 2 ($399) is one of the coolest gifts out there. It's a virtual-reality headset that will let them play games, watch concerts, and more as if they've been transported there. They can experience a whole new world with these. It's perfect for the gamer in your life, and something they won't get bored of.
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A Fashion Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Crystal Pavé Link Band
The Crystal Pavé Link Band ($148) is a glam option that's perfect for fancier events, such as prom. Embellished with approximately 820 brilliant crystals, it's a statement piece that will make their smartwatch look more like jewelry. It comes in gold with champagne crystals, rose gold with clear crystals, silver with clear crystals, and gold with clear crystals. You can get this in sizes ranging from 38 mm to 45 mm.
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A Tech Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Marshall Emberton Bluetooth Speaker
With more than 20 hours of playtime per charge, the Marshall Emberton Bluetooth Portable Speaker ($120, originally $150) is a must for avid music listeners. Resilient, waterproof, and lightweight — and with a rich, clear, and multidirectional sound — it's perfect for all your adventures. The stylish design is a huge plus.
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A Home Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Sunset Projection Lamp
The Sunset Projection Lamp ($25, originally $28) takes mood lighting to a whole new level — its head can be rotated 180 degrees to adjust the size and shape of the projected light. It's perfect for the one who is obsessed with all things TikTok and wants to revamp their space.
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A Home Gift For 16-Year-Olds: Diana Ring Holder
Ring storage has never been cuter — we love this Diana Ring Holder ($18, originally $24). It's perfect for the budding home decor enthusiast and a practical find for someone who loves to accessorize. It comes in three colors: black and white, maroon, and blue.
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A Home Gift For 16-Year-Olds: The Alphabet Vase
Pretty up their night table or desk with the Alphabet Vase ($50), which holds blooms, pens, or anything else they'd like to have handy. You can get the letter of their first initial, a pair of letters (such as "XO"), or even the cute ampersand. It's perfect for new plant parents.