It is hard to find a good gift for a teen. You want them to like it but you don’t want to get them something they don’t need or want. That’s why these gift card ideas for teens are the perfect solution. They let the person pick what they want, and you don’t have to worry about what they like. But some gift cards are better for teens than others, depending on what they like to do, have fun with, and learn.
In this article, we will tell you some of the best gift card ideas for teens, from things to watch, learn, wear, and eat. Whether you need a gift for a birthday, a holiday, or a thank you, you will find something that will make your teen happy and thankful.
Best Gift Card Ideas for Teens to Make Them Feel Special
Gift cards are easy to find in most stores. You can see many kinds of gift cards on big racks. If you want to, you can also buy gift cards online from most shops.
Cool Clothing Store Cards
Each teen has their style, so make sure you understand what kind of clothing or accessories they like to buy before choosing a gift card focused on style purchases.
- Nike gift cards are versatile because they can be used online or in stores for shoes, clothes, or accessories from Nike, Hurley, and Converse. With more than 25 card designs, they even come packaged in a mini Nike shoe box, adding a stylish and unique touch to your gift.
- American Eagle: As one of the most popular teen brands, an American Eagle gift card is great because it can also be used at Aerie stores and features clothing and accessories for teen guys and girls.
- Zappos: The popular shoe retailer has gift cards you can buy online as either emailed gift codes or physical cards mailed to you. There are two designs for physical cards and 10 for e-mailed cards.
Hobby Gift Cards
A major part of the teen lifestyle involves participating in hobbies through school or with friends. A gift card that celebrates their interests feels more personal than cash.
- Hobby Lobby: Available in $10 to $200 amounts, a Hobby Lobby gift card gives creative teens free rein of the supplies they need for everything from clothing design to baking.
- GameStop: Teens who love PC, Xbox, or PS4 video gaming will love getting a Gamestop gift card. Cards come in $25, $50, $100 or an amount you choose. You can buy the cards in a retail store or online with a digital code.
- Nintendo eShop: Teens who love to play their Nintendo Switch, Wii, or 3DS can use this card for $10, $20, $35, or $50 to choose from over 1,000 new games, and you can buy the card in stores or online.
Entertainment Gift Cards
Movies, music, and events are what teens do. Give them the gift of entertainment with one of these gift cards.
- StubHub: Teens who love attending sporting events or concerts can use their StubHub gift card of $25 to $1,000 to purchase tickets for events of their choice.
- Netflix: For teens who love watching movies and shows at home with friends, a Netflix gift card can help pay for the monthly subscription cost. The lowest plans cost about $9 per month.
- Fandango: The movie ticket provider has gift cards with collectible designs based on your favorite movie characters. You can also buy special occasion cards with designs for Mother’s Day, birthdays, or congratulations.
- Spotify: Teen music lovers can use their Spotify gift card to get the Premium version to listen to unlimited ad-free music. Premium plans cost about $10 per month.
- Google Play: Movies, music, games, shows, books, and more are available in the Google Play Store for teens to pick from with this gift card.
- PlayStation Store: Teens who own a PlayStation will appreciate this card that can help them purchase games, game add-ons, and movies through their PlayStation account.
Experiential Gift Cards
Teens don’t always have enough expendable income to do the fun things they want. An experiential gift card gives them the funds they need to have fun.
- Get Air: This trampoline park offers fun events like Club Air, where the park goes dark and turns into a massive dance club party.
- Dave & Busters: The ultimate arcade, Dave & Busters is like Chuck-E-Cheese for teens and adults. Gift cards can be used for food and gaming.
Unique Gift Cards
Teens today are planning for their future and the future of the world they live in. Help them reach their goals with a unique gift card that goes beyond wants and likes.
- Stockpile: Teens can invest in fractional shares of stocks to potentially earn a return on their investment with this gift card. You can choose from gift cards for top brands like Apple and Nike or get the “Choose Your Own Stock” card so the teen makes the choice. Either way, anyone under the age of 18 has to create a stockpile account with an adult to redeem their gift card.
- Gift of College: Help your favorite teen save up for college with the Gift of College Gift Card that can be added to their 529 plan through Gift of College.
- Charity Choice: Teens don’t have a lot of money to give, so this card allows them to donate to the charity of their choice.
Getting Gift Cards Online
Many shops have a website and sell eGift cards and codes that you can use to buy things online. These gift card ideas for teens are good because you can send the gift card to your email, print it to give to your teen or have it sent to them when you want. Remember that most of these online gift cards can only be used online and teens may need to pay extra money for delivery.
STEAM Digital eGift Card
On STEAM, teens can buy games and software to do this, like custom animation, and hardware. If you’re a teen or gamer giving a STEAM Digital Gift Card to a friend and you already have a STEAM account, simply log in and choose the friend you want to give a gift to. Once you complete the transaction, it goes directly into their STEAM account. STEAM Digital Gift Cards provide a wide range of options for entertainment and creativity.
Cloud 9 Living Experiential eGift Card
If a true adventure is what you want to give, the Cloud 9 Living eGift card allows your favorite teen to choose from hundreds of activities near them. Browse through their available experiences, then load the eGift card with an amount that pays in full for at least one of the options. Gift cards like Cloud 9 Living provide a range of exciting experiences. There are 7 card design options available, and you can include a personalized message to make the gift even more special.
Uber eGift Card
Since many teens don’t have transportation, an Uber gift card can come in handy when they want to head out for a movie or shopping trip. The gift card can also be used for Uber Eats. Teens who have the Uber app can upload their gift card, and then use it to pay for a ride from an Uber driver. Gift cards like Uber offer convenience and flexibility for various activities.
Uncommon Goods eGift Card
Teens love to be unique, and Uncommon Goods is an awesome place to shop for one-of-a-kind items. They even have a teen section loaded with fun accessories, games, and decor items. You can email a Teen Gift Card Ideas certificate for any amount from $5 to $1,000, giving them the freedom to choose something truly special.
Creative Packaging Options for Teen Gift Cards
Gift cards may feel like impersonal presents, but you can personalize the packaging in creative ways to make it feel more thoughtful. Consider unique wrapping or presentation ideas to add a personal touch to the gift card.
- Put it in a puzzle box so they have to solve the puzzle before finding their gift.
- Buy a gift card box that’s made to hold these little plastic cards.
- Wrap the card in a small box, then wrap that in a bigger box and continue this way until you have a giant box filled with smaller boxes.
- String up a mini clothesline at the teen’s birthday party where guests can hang their gift cards using mini clothespins.
- Make a mini gift basket that shares themed items and includes the gift card.
- Use accessories like new gloves or socks to hold the card.
- Place the gift card inside a book, like a bookmark.
What are the benefits of buying a gift card?
Buying a gift card might seem easier than buying a tangible present, but that’s not necessarily true. There are many factors to consider before purchasing a gift card, too. Take the time to think about the recipient’s preferences and interests to ensure the gift card is well-suited for them.
Benefits of Gift Cards Over Goods
Have you ever bought a teenager a gift only to never see it again? It’s probably because he or she didn’t like it or had no need for it. Not only does this hurt your feelings, but it’s also not money well spent. This is why people everywhere are turning to gift cards instead of buying an item. It ensures that the recipient can choose something they truly want or need.
Benefits of Gift Cards Over Cash
When considering a present for a teenager, you may think of just giving him or her cash. However, with cash, the teen can buy something that you may not necessarily be proud of. With a gift card, you know where the recipient is using it and have some idea of what he or she will buy. It provides a more thoughtful and controlled way to offer a gift.
Choosing the Gift Card Amount
The amount you put on the gift card depends on what you want to give. While it may seem like you need to spend more on a card than on an item because the person will know exactly how much you spent, consider that you are giving the teen something he or she will use, which means your money is better spent. It allows the recipient to choose exactly what they want or need.
The Gift That Keeps Giving
Gift card ideas for teens are the best because they let them pick what they want and need. When you give a gift card, you make them happy two times: when they get it and when they use it. Make sure your gift card has enough money and is from a good store for what they can buy with it, so the teen can have fun with their gift. Also, make sure the gift card matches what they like and want, so they feel more special.
