Are you buying gifts for a special 14-year-old boy this year? Well then, you’ll know it comes with certain difficulty! Boys at this age have a variety of interests, from those who are avid readers, to those that love sports or desire the latest and greatest video games. There’s no single gift that will please them all.
Quite naturally, they’re complicated humans. By this age, boys will have developed their unique personalities, along with their likes and dislikes. Giving a gift to them that they don’t like, or have any interest in, can be somewhat uncomfortable.
Fret not, because that isn’t going to happen. We’ve created the ultimate list of the best gifts for 14-year-old boys so you can rest easy this year. There’s something for everyone on our list, no matter their wishes, dreams, and passions, from light-up alarm clocks to Nintendo Switches.
Top Gift Ideas for 14-Year-Old Boys
1. Nintendo Switch
Sure to be one of the hottest gifts this year, and even the next, the Nintendo Switch allows you to play the latest Nintendo-developed video games. The killer twist? You can play these games on your TV, and at any time you can undock the Switch, allowing you to enjoy full console games on the go. If that wasn’t mind-boggling enough, the Switch features small, detachable Joy-Con controllers so you can play with a friend at any time. It’s joy in a box — they’ll love it!
2. NBA2K
The NBA 2K games continue to improve every year, and this new installment is no different. In fact, critics think NBA 2K19 is the best in the series so far. The simulation game enables you to play as your favorite basketball heroes with an excellent career story mode and the exciting open-world “Neighborhood” mode. Experience real-life basketball thrills in the comfort of your home. Perfect for young sports fanatics.
3. Spikeball
Imagine playing your own version of volleyball and foursquare wherever you want. Well, that’s Spikeball in a nutshell. It’s a fun and active sports game that’s easy to learn. Four people (2 on 2) and some open space are all you need to get going. The aim is to hit the ball into the net in the middle, making it impossible for the opposing team to counter your serve! Guaranteed to make you laugh and sweat in equal measure, it’s an ideal gift.
4. Portable Bluetooth Speaker
This small and stylish Bluetooth speaker allows you to experience the pleasure of having music with you, no matter where you travel on your journeys. The high-quality speaker offers a rich bass with a 360° sound and even comes with a built-in microphone. Teens will love being able to play their favorite tunes out and about.
5. KD11 Basketball Shoes
These are the latest sneakers in basketball player Kevin Durant’s signature series. The Nike KD11 are lightweight shoes with an excellent feel when in play. With rubber soles, breathable Flyknit upper wraps to secure your foot, and traction for almost all surfaces, they’re a top buy. The Nike Kyrie 5 and Nike Lebron 16 are also popular with teens.
6. Ace Bayou Gamer Chair
The Ace Bayou X Rocker II is a chair created for some hardcore lounging. Whether it’s playing video games, watching TV or reading and relaxing, it offers an immersive experience with wireless audio transmission and two speakers located at the headrest. There’s even a subwoofer built directly into the chair — just think about that for a second! Ergonomic, sensory, and seriously cool, your teen will appreciate the immersive gaming experience.
7. Apple AirPods
Apple is known for designing some of the sleekest products out there. Their Apple AirPods continue that trend. With a simple tap, the Apple AirPods provide superb wireless audio, whether using them with an iPhone, iPad, or trusty Mac. They have access to virtual assistant Siri too, which can play music just by asking it. This version comes with a convenient charging case.
8. Capture the Flag Redux
We all love to play Capture the Flag, yes, even us grown-ups. So take that concept and add to it glow-in-the-dark lights. Now we’re talking! Capture the Flag Redux offers 25 light-up game pieces, over 12 hours of batteries, and 12 different ways to play. The game aims to get the new generation off their phones and outside into the fresh air — just like the old days. It’s a wonderful interactive gift.
9. CMON Zombicide: Black Plague
CMON Zombicide: Black Plague is a cooperative board game for 1 to 6 players. Think of the fun the gang had in Stranger Things, and you’ll quickly see the appeal for teens. You control a party of survivors as they fight to rid the land of an invasion — of course — featuring flesh-eating zombies! You’ll learn skills, find weapons, and will gain experience on your journey.
10. Creative Whack Ball of Whacks
Roger von Oech’s award-winning creativity tool is a gift for the thinkers, the artists, and the writers of the new generation. The Ball of Whacks is made up of 30 magnetic design blocks and can be taken apart and arranged in seemingly endless ways. It’s all about getting those creative juices flowing. It’s a lovely little gift that is sure to be cherished.
11. Ecosphere Closed Aquatic Ecosystem
The EcoSphere Closed Aquatic Ecosystem offers a delightful aquarium experience without the hassle and fuss that consistent maintenance brings. The enclosed water world features marine shrimp, microorganisms, and algae. Indirect light and a comfortable room temperature are enough to keep everything running smoothly. The shrimp eat the algae and organisms, and they do their part by breaking down the shrimp’s waste. It’s the perfect little ecosystem to observe and learn from.
12. Apple iPod Touch
Apple’s iPod Touch has been a popular product for people of all ages, and for a long time too. It’s easy to see why. With its 4-inch Retina display, the Touch allows you to play your favorite music and gaming apps wherever you go. You can group FaceTime with family and friends, and this model features 32GB of space. Music lovers are in for a treat.
13. 1000-Piece Astronaut Puzzle
If your teens enjoy outer space, puzzles, and a good challenge, then this is the gift for them. It’s a puzzle created from a high-resolution NASA photo of an astronaut floating peacefully above the stars. Did we mention that there are 1000 pieces to put together? Good luck. Great fun for teens, and let’s be honest, the whole family!
14. Arduino Starter Kit
This one is for those that enjoy programming and tinkering around. The Arduino is a starter kit that features flexible and easy-to-use hardware and software. It features a guidebook and 15 different projects to complete, taking you from beginner to expert before you know it. Sure to be a hit with those that love to experiment and play.
15. Fire HD 10 Tablet
There’s a huge selection of tablets these days, and Amazon’s offer is no slouch — as you might expect. With 64GB of internal storage, and with the ability to add 512GB with a microSD card, the Fire HD 10″ tablet can do almost anything you ask of it. From hands-free Alexa to 720p video recording, to watching your favorite TV shows and playing games, your teen will be thrilled. It’s a capable tablet at a very reasonable price!
16. Holy Stone RC QuadCopter Drone
We all wish we had one of these when we were a kid. The Holy Stone RC QuadCopter is a beast of a mobile drone that features an HD camera for taking pictures. It features headless security, can hover at its current height, and can be flipped in 4 different ways. The drone’s range is around 50-100 meters, and you’ll get a flight time of around 7-9 minutes from it. Loads of airborne fun for the holiday season!
17. LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Robot Kit
This codable robot from LEGO is sure to bring a few smiles to faces, and pretty quickly too. The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 is a great gift that emphasizes building, coding, and interaction. Teens will love it. With 601 pieces, 3 servo motors, and even touch and IR sensors, the robot is capable of performing all sorts of actions. From walking to talking to grabbing and shooting targets, it’s both creative and educational at the same time. Highly recommended!
18. Beats EP On-Ear Headphones
For a slick pair of on-ear headphones, look no further than the Beats EP. With a durable and lightweight design, these impressive on-ear headphones can take calls, control music, and have adjustable vertical sliders for a custom fit. Your teens will get some great sound from them, and you can be sure they’ll last for a long time to come.
19. Big Life Journal
Some people would say we live in a dark and cynical world these days. We say it comes down to your mindset. The Big Life Journal is all about developing a positive mindset that encourages resilience, gratitude, and positivity. With this, teens can learn how their mindset is shaped by their thoughts and experiences. It also teaches them that, with practice, they can overcome anything. Inspire, create goals, and breed positivity — the Big Life Journal is a beautiful gift.
20. Light Up Bluetooth Alarm Clock
Forget regular alarm clocks — this one can do it all. With a touch control table lamp, Bluetooth speaker, and micro SD card input, this is undoubtedly an alarm clock with more features than you might expect. Teens will love the LED lights with 48 available colors, and brightness adjustment. Along with that, there’s the ability to play music, and of course, it can wake you up too!
21. 142-Piece Art Kit
This one is for the up and coming artists in the family. With a rather grand deluxe wood case, it’s an art kit that gives you options. It features a removal drawer for art supplies and three types of mediums, including pencils, watercolors, and crayons. We also love the protective and sturdy wood case it comes in, and we’re sure your teens will as well!
22. GlowCity Light Up Basketball
What’s cooler than a basketball? One that lights up, of course. GlowCity’s basketball uses two LEDS and is a durable and fun gift idea that people of all ages will enjoy. Ideal for games in the night, this basketball shuts after automatically after use. It’s a particularly great option to get your teens exercising and socializing at the same time.
23. Teens Cook: How to Cook What You Want to Eat
Your teens want to eat what they want to eat, but don’t always know how to actually make their meals. A good counter to this is teaching them how to cook food for themselves with a dedicated cookbook. With over 75 recipes, Teens Cook: How to Cook What You Want to Eat is a valuable gift that teaches not only cooking skills, but also promotes independence for when your teen one day becomes the head chef of their own home.
24. National Geographic Geodes Kit
This National Geographic geodes science kit is sure to go down well with budding geologists. It features four geodes — from mines all over the world — for your teen to crack open. By breaking open the rocks, you can see a range of beautiful minerals inside. It’s a thoughtful gift that encourages an early appreciation of geology and the beauty of nature. It includes a full-color learning guide packed with information.
25. ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run
The ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run is suitable for kids and teens. Playing through the challenges is an excellent way to build planning, reasoning, and key spatial skills. The gravity maze offers 60 challenges, from basic to advanced, nine towers, one target piece, and three marbles. The aim is to get the marble across the grid and to the target via the towers. Quite simply: hours of fun await in this box of logic that enhances critical thinking.
Related Resources
For more interesting and unique gift ideas, be sure to check out our other gift guides below:
