Best Outdoor Gifts for Teens (Worthy of Their Approval)

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Finding the best outdoor gifts for teens can be complicated. One the one hand, teenagers are more discriminating (not just any shiny new toy will do). But on the other hand, they are honing in on their interests and passions, giving you a better sense of direction for your gift-choosing compass.

And if they’re outdoorsy? All the better! Because not only will their gifts be generally more useful, they’ll also be designed to get them outside. Isn’t that a win-win for all involved?

I currently have a tween and a teen (both boys!) and have put together a list of what I know they like (and already own) and what I think they would appreciate receiving. It’s a balance between wanting them to have things that are useful and finding things they’ll actually find worthy!

(If you find some of these items too boy-oriented, I apologize… The world of teen boys in my current paradigm.)

(This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and purchase the item, I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Jump to:

• gear
• gadgets
• tools
• clothing & accessories
• games
• experiences

best outdoor gifts for teens

GEAR for the outdoorsy teen

 

 

 

headlamps: Headlamps come in handy more than you’d expect! My sons use them for night walks, for scootering to their grandmother’s house after dark, for fixing bikes, for after-dark play. There are so many to choose from, including budget-friendly (Energizer), rechargeable (Foxelli), good quality (Black Diamond).

flashlight: This pocket-sized flashlight has a slide focus lens (from wide-angle flood to bulls-eye spot) and is ready for any adventure your teen has in mind.

lantern: This isn’t your old Coleman gas lantern! This lantern is not only inflatable (easy to pack) and solar (lightweight), it also charges your cell phone!

 

 

 

speaker: A portable waterproof outdoor speaker may be a controversial gift to some (no speakers in the woods, please!), but it could well be a good option for your teen. For music, podcasts and audiobooks in the backyard — instead of holed up in their rooms!

active ear buds: Beats Fit Pro are at the top of many lists for the best sports earbuds, which no doubt is reflected in the price. For a more budget-friendly pair at less than half the price, consider Raycon (which my son loves). They’re not specifically suited for sports, but are a solid pair of earbuds. (They do have a “fitness” version for about $40 more.)

mini projector: Your teen can host an outdoor movie night with this mini projector. Of course we want their outdoor time to be active and/or connected to nature, but it’s also helpful to encourage non-traditional outdoor activities.

 

 

hammock: Encourage your teen to have a little “me” time outside in a hammock — with a book, with music, or just staring at the stars.

slackline: Encourage your teen to get outside whenever they have a few minutes. Bonus, they can practice their balance on a slackline — easy to install and fun for all ages.

 

 

 

skimboard: If your teen is past building sandcastles and prefers to stay active a the beach, consider a skim board!

body board: Another great option for staying beach active is boogie boarding! Body boards aren’t too expensive but can provide endless fun.

spinning balance board: Whether you have a skateboarder, snowboarder, or surfer, practicing balance and agility is always good training. This balance board will help keep their skills sharp during the offseason or anytime.

 

 

 

kayak: If you live near water, a kayak can be an exciting and useful gift! Choose from a molded plastic kayak or an inflatable kayak. (A splurge item!)

SUP: For a bigger splurge, consider an inflatable stand-up

scooter: My boys have gone through several different scooters over the years, upgrading as their skills improved. This scooter is the current favorite, allowing them to work on their tricks at local skateparks and pumptracks, or just scooting down the rail trail.

electric skateboard: Teens are ready to move, and they can get there a little faster (but not too fast) on this electric skateboard. Topping out at 18 mph, it’s definitely not the fastest model out there, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing!

GADGETS for the outdoorsy teen

walkie talkies / 2 way radios: Keep your teen connected with these two-way radios. The long-range walkie talkies have a range of up to 28 miles in ideal conditions, but generally 2-10 miles.

phone mount for bikes: Inexpensive and easy to install, this phone mount helps keep your smartphone at reach. Especially useful when your teen has no pockets!

bike light: In case your teen gets caught in the dark while biking, it’s good to have a reliable bike light. We like our rechargeable NiteRider Lumina, which our sons can easily mount to either their bike or their scooter.

flashlight watch: If your teen likes gadgets, they’ll appreciate this watch + flashlight combo… Keeping a light always at hand — ahem, at wrist. The low pricepoint will help justify its questionable usefulness.

gopro: An action camera is a great inspiration for endless hours outdoors improving tricks, sessioning jumps and making mini movies. This is a slightly older model that shares many of the same features of the newer models — but at a much lower price.

power bank: Although smartphones are by no means necessary for outdoor fun, they sometimes come in handy for taking photos and videos, and using apps, ride tracking, and map apps They may find that videos and maps drain their batteries, so having a portable charger might come in handy.

offroading RC car: This is one of the best outdoors gifts for teens that we’ve purchased in the past few years (other than our kids’ bikes). It’s a great activity to share with friends, a great way of getting them outside together. You don’t have to be athletic or even particularly adventurous to enjoy a walk in the forest with an RC car. We’ve used them on sweltering days, on frosty days, and even in the (hard) sand.

My boys really enjoy this offroad RC truck — definitely the fastest and quietest they’ve ever owned! It crawls well over rocks and roots and can go incredibly fast on a flat surface. The speed makes it more suitable for older kids, since it needs a deft hand to control the steering. And it’s rechargeable! (N.B. The price has gone up significantly since we purchased it, so keep your eye out for sales in the holiday season.)

Not really gadgets per se, but these custom trail signs will remind your teens of some of their favorite outdoor experiences. Whether it’s a blue trail on a ski slope or a double-black tech trail at a bike park, tell us the name of your favorite and we’ll turn in into unique wall art.

clothing & accessories for the outdoorsy teen

flannel jacket: It’s a truth universally acknowledged that teenagers generally don’t like to wear jackets. Change the game with this flannel jacket! It takes your old flannel up a notch by making it both insulated, hooded and zipped (no pesky buttons). It’s a favorite in our family! This lighter weight shirt (still lined) is another great option — and it has snaps (still no pesky buttons).

sunglasses: Goodr sunglasses are a great example of a product that is affordable, stylish and functional. At only $25, they cost a fraction of other trendy sunnies.

vest: If you can’t convince your teen to wear a jacket, you can always try a vest! This one is inexpensive and packable, easily squished into its own pouch (which is easily sneaked/snuck into your teen’s backpack).

gloves: Teens don’t like any thing bulky and would prefer to not wear gloves than to wear ones that are too restrictive. Running gloves are a good compromise when it’s too cold for bare hands, but they want to be active outdoors for short periods of time. (With tech touch, of course.)

fanny packs: Fanny packs are still in the “cool or not cool?” category, but you can’t deny their usefulness. Consider a camo fanny pack that can be worn crossbody, an inexpensive lulu(youknow) dupe or the muted colors of Fjallraven.

hydration packs: When you don’t want the bulk of a backpack but need your water to be hand-free, hydration packs are a great option. Osprey makes a stylish and sleek hydration pack (men’s or women’s) that is worth a look!

trail helmet: Safety first! Keep them safe on their scooter or bike with this helmet from Fox Racing, one of the coolest mtb brands out there. Both of my sons have this one and love it!

full face helmet: For downhill mountain biking or motorized skateboard/helmets, full face helmets are a must. We really like Fox Racing’s Proframe helmets (we have several in our family).

bucket helmet: For safety on skateboard, scooters, bmx or rollerblades, consider this helmet.

outdoorsy tees and hoodies: Visit my ‘sister’ store — Big Air Gear Co and check out the range of outdoorsy t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts. In both youth and adult sizes, you can kit out your entire family! Currently geared mostly towards mountain bikers, more designs will soon be added (hiking, camping, etc.).

tools for the outdoorsy teen

pocket knife: If your teen is ready to graduate from a junior swiss army knife, this simple pocket knife is a possible next step.

multitool: Outdoorsy kids like outdoorsy tools, and what’s better than a multitool?

hatchet: If your teen has read Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet, they’ll understand the potential of the humble hatchet.

games for the outdoorsy teen

frisbee: Another classic game for all ages, this sport disc can be used for a casual game in the backyard or an ultimate frisbee match.

light-up disc: Keep the fun going after dark with this light-up disc.

Kanjam: Take disc golf with you wherever you go with Kanjam, a new outdoor game that can be played anywhere from the backyard to the beach to the park.

extreme water gun: Take your water gun game up a notch with this “incognito” blaster with a reach of up to 32 feet!

pickleball: You don’t want your kid to miss out on the hottest ‘new’ sport, do you? Then a pickleball set is a perfect gift! And with 4 paddles, they can drag a few friends into the fun.

Spikeball: Spikeball is an outdoor lawn game that can be played in almost any setting and is great for all ages!

experiences for the outdoorsy teen

Outdoor gifts for teens don’t necessary have to mean things. If your teen doesn’t need any more stuff (which is more than likely), consider gifting them an experience! From lessons to passes, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few initial ideas:

• season’s pass to bike park (we’ve already purchased ours!)
• kayak rental
• ziplining session
• rock climbing
• bike lesson
• white water rafting session
• surfing lesson
• horseback riding lesson
• rock-climbing session or lesson

Choosing outdoor gifts for teens can be seen as a service — you’re helping them get outside! Of course they don’t need things for outside time… but sometimes teenagers can do with an extra spark of inspiration!

Here are a few more lists to consult when researching outdoor gifts for your teens:

• non-fiction books
• fiction books
• nature-inspired gifts under $35
• stocking stuffers (under $15)
• outdoor toys

And when it comes to actually getting your teenager to spend time outside, don’t miss my post, “25 Simple Strategies for Helping Teenagers to Spend More Time Outdoors“.