If it seems like what’s trending for teens does a 180 every few weeks, you’re not losing your mind — well, unless you’re trying to buy a gift for your 13 year old girl. Stylish accessories, new tech gadgets, and games to share with friends are classic standbys, but the options definitely don’t stop there. If you’re not sure what’s hot right now, check out our VERY picky list of gifts for 13 year old girls. These are guaranteed to be a hit.
Our picks of the best uniquely awesome gift ideas for 13 year old girl
#1
Our opinion
If your girl is constantly snapping photos on her phone, we bet she would love to have a real camera that prints actual pictures. Lightweight and stylish, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 (check price on Amazon) itself is simple to set up. It runs on two AA batteries, features an integrated flash, and has a built-in selfie mirror. Since teens and selfies go together like bread and butter, we figure this will be a great selling point for the camera itself. But you don’t just get the camera with this kit.
You also receive a matching case, two packs of film, snap-on color filters, and a ton of materials for DIY photo projects. No way your girl scoffs off this present!
Why She’ll Love It
- Your girl will have a blast making her own scrapbooks, decorating her bedroom, and adding a personal touch to her school locker.
#2
Our opinion
The lightweight 8-Tune Steel Tongue & Hang Drum (check price here), inspired by traditional Chinese music, will allow your girl to play eight traditional tunes. The unique musical instrument bundle includes two drumsticks, a carrier bag, a manual, finger covers, and, of course, the drum.
Your teen girl can rock the skins to her heart’s content — this drum is durable and stands up to heavy play. It’s available in a range of attractive colors, so it’s easy to find something that fits with your teenager’s style..
This quirky drum set may be a blessing in disguise for your girls stuck at home during the quarantine, as it provides an opportunity to learn a new skill and engage in self-expression..
Why She’ll Love It
- Your girl can produce melodies and tunes using the manual or come up with her own compositions. Also, she can show off her artistic skills in front of her friends.
#3
Our opinion
Need an outside-the-box gift for your artsy teen? Look no further! The 3Doodler 3D Printing Pen (check price on Amazon) is lightweight and built with an ergonomic design for easy handling. It’s relatively easy to get the hang of (more so than other models),so she’ll be creating three-dimensional masterpieces in no time.
Easy to read indicator lights guide your teen through the process of heating the device and loading in plastic filaments. Once the plastic has sufficiently melted inside the pen, your girl is free to begin crafting. Parents should note that some customers have noted the possibility of filament jams, this is a common issue in toys of this type and the 3Doodler 3D Pen has a better reputation than its competitors.
Why She’ll Love It
- This pen allows her to create anything her heart desires, so her living space is always uniquely customized to suit her personality. As we all know, few things are as important to teenage girls as expressing themselves.
#4
Our opinion
The Oculus Go (check price on Amazon) is one of the newest, most popular, and most highly acclaimed Virtual Reality units on the market. It will provide your 13-year-old with some incredible experiences, both gaming and educational.
This VR set is incredibly immersive and its built-in spatial audio drivers provide 3D soundscapes without the need for separate headphones. State-of-the-art graphics and top-of-the-line optics give your girl a high-grade personal theater experience. If she wants to meet up with friends around the globe, watch concerts, TV or sports together, the Oculus Go controller is just the vehicle.
#5
Our opinion
The teenage years can be hard. You might find that your girl is having a tough time with her changing body,, getting into dramatic squabbles with her besties, or experiencing difficulties with her growing academic responsibilities. As the adult figure in her life, you might be finding it hard to give the right words of wisdomfor your sensitive girl as she tackles new challenges. This one size fits most “Braver” bracelet (check price on Amazon) comes with an empowering message and is handmade from recycled materials.
Why She’ll Love It
- Whenever your girl is having a bad day and feeling like nothing she does is enough, she can look down at her wrist and remember that she is loved. A bonus: latching metal charm bracelets like these are quite trendy!
#6
Our opinion
If the girl who was once content to spend all summer in cartoon t-shirts is suddenly begging to go shopping, the teen years have officially arrived. She’ll be looking extra cool when she sports these round Ray-Ban Gold and Lilac Sunglasses (check price on Amazon), which coordinate well with colorful teen wardrobes.
They feature legendary Ray-Ban quality, including crystal glass lenses for a clear view and high contrast visibility if lights get dim. They include a carrying case that will keep the glasses safe when they’re not in use as well as a microfiber cloth that can be used to keep the pretty lilac lenses free of smudges and debris.
Expressing her personal style is a big deal to your thirteen-year-old, and these unique sunglasses are a gorgeous investment she can grow into and continue enjoying for years to come.
Why She’ll Love It
- Ray-Bans are high quality, durable sunglasses that offer superior clarity and comfort, and this pair features shiny gold frames and bright lilac lenses that are stylish and ideal for teen girls.
#7
Our opinion
Pandemic (check price on Amazon), a multi-award winning board game, is a rarity in the game world; it involves cooperative play to solve common and significant problems. Young teen girls can be great at working together in groups, but they have few outlets to encourage this important skill. Pandemic is a two to four player game that is a great choice for improving just this.
In the game, four dangerous plagues threaten the world. A team of specialists must find the cures for these diseases before the end of humankind. The game is card-driven, and a player as a Scientist needs only four cards of an illness to effect a cure. An Operations Specialist can help by building research stations. There’s an essential role for all.
Why She’ll Love It
- A cooperative game is very different from the standard card games. The stakes are high; the costs are extreme. No one player wins or loses. The entire team is either victorious or fails at the cost of humankind. Pandemic will provide a unique game experience, plus excellent hands-on training for the corporate world.
#8
Our opinion
The My Audio Pet mini Bluetooth speakers (check price on Amazon) are a great (and adorable) way to get your girl to take a break from those headphones. They easily pair to any Bluetooth device, are rechargeable with a USB cord, and come with a lanyard so your special girl can attach them to anything. Don’t let their size fool you; although these speakers can easily fit in your hand, they still offer nice sound quality. Plus, they come in sixteen designs, so you are sure to find one that resonates with your teen’s style.
Why She’ll Love It
- These mini speakers not only look stylish in her room, they deliver great audio for listening to all of her favorite tunes. You can even get her two so that she can link them together for stereo sound that will blow her away!
#9
Our opinion
Personalizing their living space is a significant way that 13-year-old girls express themselves. She won’t have to raid the closet for strands of Christmas lights when she has this extra-long strand of trendy Ambient Fairy String Lights (check price on Amazon) to illuminate her bedroom. They’re mounted on flexible copper wire which can be safely shaped and bent, making it easy to mount and hang.
The 66 foot length of these lights means there won’t be any visible mid-strand plug connectors that can break up the look of decor – one strand offers full coverage for just about every bedroom. These ambient lights can be plugged in via USB port or electrical outlet, and they feature a convenient on/off switch that makes unplugging unnecessary. They’re also low voltage, so bulbs remain a safe, touchable temperature.
Why She’ll Love It
- They’re not just cute and trendy, they add a soft ambient light to her room that sets a relaxing tone for homework, reading or just chilling out; they also let her take a role in personalizing her bedroom
#10
Our opinion
If your girl is into music, performing, or anything media related, she will swoon over this gift. With a glowing LED screen, 4 – 6 hours of singing time, and built-in sound effects, the BONAOK Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke (check price on Amazon) is much more than a karaoke toy.
It can wirelessly connect to Bluetooth devices, be used as a speaker for music, record the music she makes, and more. Weighing in at not quite a pound, this microphone is an all-inclusive media gift that will provide your teen, and her friends, with hours of amusement.
#11
Our opinion
The Shuttle Deluxe Art Set (check price on Amazon) features a myriad of supplies, including oil pastels and colored pencils in an array of gorgeous tones and shades. The wooden carrying case is sturdy and fashionable, and all of the included supplies are of high quality. She’ll get to practice classic drawing and perfect her colored pencil skills, while also learning about new mediums like oil pastel and watercolor — just don’t forget to include a pad of paper to get her started!
Why She’ll Love It
- This kit is great for an established artist, but can also be enjoyed by a young person who has yet to find their passion — they might be inspired by a decent set of art supplies.You’re never too old to doodle and draw!
#12
Our opinion
The journey into and through the teen years can be a bumpy one, especially for girls. As she navigates friendships, relationships, school, and personal changes, being armed with the tips in The Teen Girl’s Survival Guide (check price on Amazon) can help your teen make positive, informed decisions. Teen-focused psychologist Lucie Hemmen’s unique book offers her guidance on forming friendships, dodging dramatic situations, and dealing with the social stress that can go hand and hand with the teen years.
It also includes feedback from real-world teens with experience in the current social climate, so it skips the disconnected feel of some by-adults-for-teens content. It’s an accessible guide to boosting her social confidence that’s based in cognitive behavioral therapy, so it encourages her to think deeply about herself and her actions and offers insightful quizzes for the purpose of self-development.
Why She’ll Love It
- Teens can legitimately benefit from this book, as it’s real self-help in a format she can engage with and relate to; it’s also grounded in CBT, which is a therapy technique that’s often successfully used to change behaviors.
#13
Our opinion
If you’re tired of hearing your teen complain about rapidly draining electronic devices, this gift won’t only please her – it will make your life easier as well. The BONAI phone charger (check price on Amazon) is a handy jack-of-all-chargers.
The unit can handle four USB devices and can charge iPhones XS, X, Max XR, 8, 7 and 6. The Galaxy S8, S7 and Note 8 can also get juiced up at the BONAI bar. The BONAI iPhone Charger comes in Rose Gold. It has a one-year limited guarantee and 30-day money back guarantee.
Why She’ll Love It
- In this age of electronic devices, having a means to recharge on the go can be essential. The Bonai charger will allow her to keep posting to Instagram and SnapChat hours after her friends’ phones have died!
#14
Our opinion
Keeping your skin looking great can be a challenge, but when the opponent is teenage hormones, the fight sometimes feels unfair. Clarisonic Mia Prima brushes are often recommended by dermatologists for their unique method of sonic cleansing, which uses oscillating bristles to deep clean pores, remove impurities and offer clearer skin.
The Mia Prima (check price on Amazon) is a perfect first Clarisonic brush for your thirteen-year-old – more advanced models have multiple modes and can be more complex to operate, but the Mia Prima has one-button, one-mode operation that’s foolproof. It’s great for getting rid of oil, dirt and product buildup, and it removes even the most stubborn makeup 89% better than expensive disposable wipes.
It provides light exfoliation that helps to create an even, glowing skin tone, and can help to reduce breakouts, making it a great addition to her personal care routine.
Why She’ll Love It
- Clarisonic brushes are favored by dermatologists for their capacity to deep-clean skin without damaging it, and the Mia Prima is especially easy to use for a first-timer thanks to single-button single-mode operation.
#15
Our opinion
Making friendship jewelry for pals and showing off new styles is a quintessential part of being an artsy teen girl. With easy to follow instructions, your creative teen can design her own necklaces. She can choose from over 200 images and pick the appearance of her pendant from the included square, oval, heart, or circle shaped bases. The Pinwheel Pendant Jewelry Kit (check price on Amazon) set also includes glass covers and chains, so she won’t need to hunt for any extra materials.
Why She’ll Love It
- Teenagers love finding things to do with their friends, and this jewelry kit fits that bill easily. There are plenty of materials to go around so everyone can add a unique flair to their necklace.
#16
Our opinion
If you’ve recently realized that your girl is taking over your kitchen, enjoy your newly found free time, because you might just have a master chef on your hands! Master Chef Junior is all about nurturing the talent of young cooks, and they’ve taken their mission from screen to page with the Master Chef Junior Cookbook (check price on Target).
It features 100 recipes which were inspired by the culinary efforts shown on-air by past contestants of the show. There’s also a helpful guide that includes tips for success, culinary techniques to perfect, and advice that will help aspiring chefs to improve their mastery of the craft. Get ready to chow down on the exciting dishes your teen serves up, from homemade gnocchi to savory beef tenderloin, and look on the bright side – now you never have to learn to make risotto.
Why She’ll Love It
- This cookbook delivers memorable recipes from Master Chef Junior that the whole family can enjoy, plus it’s a legitimate source of cooking tips and techniques that anyone who wants to learn can benefit from.
#17
Our opinion
Himalayan salt lamps have become fixtures in modern decor; they cast a soothing pink light, and the negative ions that the ancient salt releases are suggested to trap air pollutants, allowing the lamps to absorb dust and act as air purifiers. This d’aplomb Himalayan Salt Rose Lamp (check price on Amazon) makes a lovely addition to her desk, dresser or bedside table, casting a warm, relaxing light that’s great as either an accent or night light.
She can choose the intensity of her salt lamp thanks to a dimmer switch, keeping things bright when she’s working on homework or reading and lowering the lights as bedtime draws close. It’s sourced from the Himalayan Mountains, the only legitimate source of the salt, and is over 250 million years old. The lamp has a stately wooden base that prevents salt staining on furniture or tabletops, and is about 7.5″ tall when displayed.
Why She’ll Love It
- Although we can’t say for sure if this pretty lamp has any veracity as an air filter, the rose design is a fun addition to a teen girl bedroom, especially if she’s a lover of all things pink.
#18
Our opinion
If your teen is the reigning queen of selfies, she will adore this twist on the classic selfie stick. It extends up to 49 inches, so your gorgeous model will have the option of a close-up or a fun action shot.
Compatible with smartphones, digital cameras, and GoPros, the Fugetek FT-568 (check price on Amazon) mount is secure, and the handle is made from rubber so that your girl can easily get a grip. It connects to devices via Bluetooth and offers controls that include an easily reachable zoom function. It can even be attached to a tripod if she doesn’t want to risk the handle getting in the frame.
Why She’ll Love It
- Lightweight and full of options, she can easily fit her whole group of friends into the camera frame when the stick is fully extended.
#19
Our opinion
If your 13-year-old loves to draw but her art seems to skew one-dimensional, the “How to Draw Cool Stuff” (check price on Target) book might be what she needs to put things in perspective. The cool stuff referenced in the title of this helpful guide includes shading and texture, tools which help artists to create dimension in their work and make drawings “pop” off the page.
She’ll also learn about patterns and optical illusions with this guide, which gives super-simple step-by-step guidelines that start with basic shapes and progress through small additions to a finished product. After she follows the guide a few times, she’ll be able to use these skills from memory, expanding her repertoire. Mastering these skills can add more depth and finesse to her artwork, helping her express her talent in a new way.
Why She’ll Love It
- It offers step-by-step guidance in how to add dimension to her artwork that will become easy to replicate from memory after only a few attempts.
#20
Our opinion
When it comes to gifts for a burgeoning teen girl, it’s hard to miss with an iPad. The iPad Air 2 (check price on Walmart) has a crisp 9.7 inch display and 16 gigs of storage, plus an 8MP iSight camera for snapping selfies and making memories with her pals.
Since it’s an Apple device, FaceTime is built right in – she’ll be video chatting with grandparents in a snap, much to everyone’s delight. This lightweight piece of tech supports all her favorite apps and games, and the addition of educational software can even make it a teaching tool.
Why She’ll Love It
- Not only will the iPad Air 2 run her favorite apps and games, she can stream music and movies, video chat with friends and family, and sync up her email and schoolwork to the device – it’s an easy-to-use pick that’s great for her first serious piece of tech.
#21
Our opinion
If your thirteen-year-old is beginning to experiment with makeup, a good brush set can help her pull off some of the looks her favorite beauty gurus are showing off. The Miss Ocean Mermaid Makeup Brushes (check price on Amazon) features a blush brush, blending brush, eye shadow brush, angled brush, lip brush and others in a fun mermaid design that teen girls will love. The brush handles are iridescent aqua with carved scales, graduating down to a flared mermaid tail tip in a bright royal purple.
The brushes are easy to wash and dry quickly, and their super-soft nylon bristles are gentle against sensitive skin. The bristles are also durable and well-seated, so they won’t often fall out during cleaning or makeup application. It’s a great set for application, blending and shading, and she’ll love that the mermaid theme is expressive, bright and stylish.
Why She’ll Love It
- These brushes are high quality and have a fun theme, so they’re cute to display on her vanity but they also get the job done.
#22
Our opinion
If you have a teen who is open to a less traditional, but totally fun, form of exercise, why not give the gift of a pogo stick? (Btw, we’ve done a whole guide on modern pogo sticks.) They are great for keeping fit, expand on valuable coordination and balancing skills, and are a great conversation piece for your girl when she has friends over.
The Flybar Foam Master (check price on Walmart) is made by a company that has been in the business of pogo sticks since 1918. It features non-slip footholds, a padded frame, padded handlebars, and a wide bounce tip. The Foam Master can support 60 – 180 pounds and, with a little practice, your girl can learn some pretty impressive tricks.
Why She’ll Love It
- On top of all the fun that pogoing can bring, she will be happy to learn that she can burn up to six hundred calories by playing for just one hour. Entertainment and exercise in one package? Heck, sign us up too!
What to expect from your 13 year old girl
Your girl has made it to the teenage years, and is now changing physically and mentally on a daily basis. This is a time of life when experiences vary wildly from child to child. Some mature quickly, some slowly, and some in spurts that can seem totally random. As puberty progresses, she will likely have mood swings, a growing need for independence, and rely heavily on her peer group for both support and entertainment.
At this age, it is best to expect the unexpected, but you can look out for some of these milestones (source):
Body, hand and finger skills
- Growth spurts that may happen all at once or sporadically;
- Bouts of incoordination as the body develops;
- Full height may be reached;
- Enjoyment of physical challenges
Emotional development
- Mood swings (watch out parents!);
- Need for security;
- Self-esteem issues
Cognitive development
- Growing need to solve own problems;
- Forming opinions on fairness and justice;
- Taking part in community activities with more ease;
- May seek out leadership roles in clubs and/or sports
Wrapping up
Sometimes your newly minted teen might make you want to tear out your hair. Do yourself a favor; recognize that there is no shame in feeling that way. We know that you love your girl more than life, but it’s not like it’s ever been easy to live with a hormone-driven girl who has one foot in adulthood and the other firmly planted in childhood.
Embrace both of these aspects in your teen when you are shopping for a great gift. Look for things that are physically challenging, mentally engaging, and/or promote her need for individuality, but that still provide plenty of entertainment.
Just be sure to teach your growing young lady that a little play goes a long way to make life fun, no matter what your age.
