Traveling is a remarkable opportunity for teens to explore the world, gain independence, and create memories. Whether embarking on an adventure abroad, going on a school trip, or visiting family, teens travel more than ever. This trend highlights the need for thoughtful travel gifts combining practicality and fun. Parents, travel enthusiasts, and family travelers seek the perfect gifts to enhance a teen’s travel experience, ensuring they are both enjoyable and meaningful. In this guide, we’ll explore over 20 travel gift ideas that teens will use and love.
Teens are tricky to buy for. After polling the experts, i.e. my traveling teens, for this list of practical and fun gift ideas, and after the usual chocolate, candy canes, and sour patch, here is what they came up with.
25 Travel Gifts for Teens They Truly Want for Their Travel
1) Kids Travel Journal ~ Custom travel journals are perfect for teens who love documenting their adventures. These journals can be personalized with names, travel quotes, or artwork, making them a special keepsake. Encourage teens to write about their experiences, sketch scenes from their travels, or paste mementos like ticket stubs and photos.
2) Kindle PaperWhite ~ I bought this for my husband for Christmas last year. My 13-year-old promptly hijacked it. The Kindle PaperWhite is compact and lightweight. With a glare-free display, it reads like actual paper, even in bright sunlight. Plus, it is waterproof so you can read and relax at the beach, by the pool, or in the bath.
3) Teens are never without their devices. Add some fun lenses to their cell phone to help them become insta-famous.
4) Remember the Polaroid? Well, it is back. Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera in Ice Blue, as well as a multitude of fun colors.
Essentials for Every Teen Traveler
5) Samsonite Freeform Spinner Luggage in this fun lilac. It’s ultra-light and comes in twelve fun colors, including lilac, tangerine, navy, pink rose, merlot, and mint green. Choose either a carry-on or checked bag size. It’s important to choose bags that can withstand the rigors of travel. Opt for features like 360-degree wheels for easy maneuverability and expandable compartments for added space. Brands like Samsonite, Herschel, and Away offer trendy and functional options.
6) Travel-sized toiletries are another must-have for teen travelers. Compact and convenient, these items ensure that teens have their daily essentials without taking up too much space. Look for TSA-approved kits that include mini versions of shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and deodorant. You can find great travel kits at stores like Sephora or online at Amazon. Packing these in a transparent bag or case can make security checks a breeze.
7) Rest is crucial on long journeys; a high-quality travel pillow can provide the comfort needed for a good nap. Memory foam pillows that mold to the neck’s shape offer excellent support and can help prevent stiff necks. Some even come with a cooling gel layer to regulate temperature.
8) Fjallraven Mini Backpack with fabric that is dirt and water-resistant and comes in lots of fun colors.
9) Packing cubes — they will keep the teens organized. When they unpack their suitcase in the hotel room, the packing cubes can be used as drawer liners.
10) Super cute character luggage tags. Luggage tags can be personalized for teens. Not only do they help identify luggage, but they also add a pop of color and fun to travel gear. Consider tags with their initials or favorite colors to make them easily recognizable. Brands like Shutterfly allow for easy customization with various styles and materials.
11) Binoculars are the best, especially for kids who love exploring the outdoors.
12) Burt Bee’s Lip Balm ~ Y’all know I had to include Burt Bee’s; it’s my fav!
13) Travel games and apps are fantastic for keeping teens entertained during long trips. Compact games like “Monopoly Deal” or “UNO” can be played with friends or family. Mobile apps like “Heads Up!” or “Words with Friends” offer interactive fun that can be enjoyed solo or with others. These games not only provide entertainment but also create opportunities for bonding.
Tech Gadgets and Accessories
14) Headphones are the type of gift travelers don’t even know they need until they use them. Drown it all out and listen to tunes, an audiobook, or watch Netflix. Perfect for long flights or road trips. In our tech-driven world, gadgets are integral to travel, especially for teens who enjoy staying connected and entertained. Noise-canceling headphones are perfect for drowning out the noise of a busy airport or a loud plane cabin. These headphones allow teens to fully immerse themselves in music, podcasts, or audiobooks. Consider brands like Bose or Sony, known for their superior sound quality and comfort.
15) We prefer headphones, but some like the Air Pods. I am quite sure my kids would lose them.
16) Portable Charger ~ Always be prepared with an extra charge. There’s nothing worse than a dying phone. A portable charger is another essential tech gadget for teen travelers. With so many devices to power, from smartphones to tablets, having a reliable power source is crucial. Look for chargers with multiple USB ports and a high mAh capacity to ensure they last through long travel days. The Anker PowerCore Lipstick Size Portable Charger is small enough to fit in your pocket, recharges in 3-4 hours, and it comes with a handy travel pouch.
17) Capturing memories is a big part of the travel experience; a quality camera or smartphone lens can elevate those memories. This lens kit from Amazon includes so many lenses they won’t even need a fancy camera: wide-angle, macro, fisheye, telephoto, Kaleidoscope, and starburst. Lenses attached to smartphones can help teens improve their photography skills and take stunning photos.
18) Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers ~ Take them to the beach or the pool. No worries about spills or even immersion in water. Your teens may make lots of friends with an impromptu dance party.
19) I would be remiss if I didn’t include an iPad on this list.
20) Waterproof Camera with a floatie ~ We are Caribbean travelers, lots of snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, cave tubing, beaching, you get the picture. The camera needs to be waterproof. I have drowned three of them, so I am banned from the expensive underwater cameras. The Fujifilm FinePix XP Waterproof Digital Underwater Camera hasn’t drowned yet, and it cost only a little over $100. Don’t forget to purchase a floatie.
21) If your kids love a day at the beach, add this paddle ball set to their gift list. It’s fun to get their competitive juices flowing and burn a few calories.
22) VSCO Basket ~ If you have teen girls, you know what I mean by VSCO. Gather up these items and stuff them in her stocking. She’ll love it.
- Hydroflask
- Scrunchies
- Crocs or Birkies
- A White Jeep Replica
- Shell Necklace
- Stickers for Hydroflask
- Beaded Bracelets
23) Herschel Travel Backpack ~ The Herschel Backpacks are sturdy, rugged, and stylish. Your kids will love how they look and they last forever. Plus, they fit plenty of their travel gear.
24) Books for the Long Journey ~ Long journeys can be tedious, but they become part of the adventure with the right entertainment. Engaging books are a fantastic way to pass the time and escape into new worlds. Consider gifting popular titles like “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green or “The Hunger Games” series by Suzanne Collins. These books will surely capture a teen’s imagination and keep them entertained for hours.
25) Lonely Planet Travel Book ~ Journey through 230 countries with 850 images; each country features details of when to visit, what to see, and do. Plus, how to learn more about the country’s culture from its film, music, food, and drink. Every entry has a map and statistics about the country.
Bonus Travel Gift for Teens: The Gift of an Experience.
Give the gift of an experience. I love this idea for my kids: Take them to a concert or sporting event, a Broadway show, or even book a Disney Cruise. Kayak in the springs, zipline, or have a travel adventure.
Why the gift of experience?
- Memories last a long time, way longer than a material gift.
- It is a gift you can enjoy together.
- Provide an experience based on your teen’s passion: a surf vacation, an NFL or NBA game, or a trip to the theatre to see a Broadway show.
The Perfect Travel Gift Awaits
Thoughtful travel gifts can significantly enhance a teen’s travel experience, providing them with essential tools, entertainment, and stylish accessories. By focusing on practicality, personalization, and fun, you can find the perfect gift your teen will love and use on their journeys. Whether for a birthday, holiday, or just because, these gifts show that you understand and support their adventurous spirit.
We hope this guide has inspired you to find the ideal travel gift for the teen in your life. Feel free to share this list with friends and family, and don’t forget to join the conversation by sharing your gift ideas and experiences. Safe travels and happy gifting!
If you need even more inspiration, here are 90+ Travel Related Gifts for everyone in the family, including the pup.
Happy gifting!
My girls are not teens yet but we grabbed UNO, lip chap and hair ties as stocking stuffers. So many great ideas in this post. I read it before we went shopping and so glad I did! Have a merry Christmas Jenny!
Thank you, Jenn. Same to you!
I love your suggestions here. And that they have been “brought to you by the teens themselves” makes it even better. My choice the Polaroid or Kindle or fun lenses. Brilliant ideas thank you!
Thank you. My kids are great travelers, but they have entertainment and creature comforts that they love.
Some great ideas!
Thank you for checking them out! They are great.
I love every gift that’s on this list because they can be a great present not only for teens, but also for adults! I would be very happy to receive something from this list because I am also a traveler! You made really good list!
I agree. I want them all!