If you have teens in your life, you know they can be really hard to shop for. Here are 14 DIY gifts to make for teens they will love (even if they don’t say so). 

I have 3 kids who are teens/young adults. And I know how challenging it can be to find gifts teens really like. They eat A LOT more than they did as little kids ($). They seem to outgrow their clothes the second you turn around ($). And then they start college ($$$$). With all that, money can be pretty tight.  

So here are some easy (and awesome) DIY gifts you can make for the teens in your life.  I have 2 girls and a boy. They have a wide range of interests, from anime and superheroes to Minecraft and fun accessories. So, this list is all over the place.  But, then again, so are teens, which is why I didn’t split this up into items for boys or girls! 🙂

So, here are 14 DIY gifts to make for teens!

1. Marshmallow shooters.

Made from PVC pipe.  Our whole family would love to play with these.  Especially, my biggest kid, my hubby! 🙂

I love the design of this one, but the link to the website was broken.

So here is one that is very similar in design – from frugalfun4boys.com. See the directions HERE.

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2. Comic book magnets.

These are so simple. Use glass “pebbles” from the dollar store for small pictures. Glue on the picture and a magnet to make great magnets for their locker! Or for larger pictures or different shapes, you can use acrylic blanks. They are pictured below in this tutorial, and also very inexpensive.

By the way, are your craft supplies a jumbled mess? Get a FREE copy of my top ways to organize them below. 👇

3. Superhero shoes.

These use paper napkins (!!!) and Mod-podge.  So easy, and endless ways to create different designs.

4. Galaxy shoes.

These are simply painted and look very easy to make.  Love the stars made by flicking paint from an old toothbrush! My oldest daughter loves Dr. Who, so I can see adding a Tardis on these, too!

5. Cute smart phone speaker.

This is so easy!!! A toilet paper tube wrapped with decorative washi tape (although scrapbooking paper would work great, too). The feet are push pins! It really does work as a great speaker, too!!

6. Earbud holder.

I saw this on Pinterest and knew I had to make it!

My kids are constantly tangling up their earbuds.  They still use these, even though they have AirPods. So, I made one of these for each of my kids for Christmas!!! See how I did it here.

7. Friendship bracelets.

Even if they aren’t Swifties, all kinds of bracelets are back in style.

This one has a complete tutorial, and your teen will love it! Get the directions HERE.

Here are even more easy DIY bracelet designs from DIYProjects.com.

8. DIY Pop Sockets.

Make one for them and then let them customize their own to switch out. Tutorial HERE.

9. Bath bombs.

All 3 of my kids (yes, even my son…shhh) love soaking in the tub. These bath bombs are fun and easy to make!

10. Minecraft light-up blocks.

My son has been into Minecraft for years, and I know he would love these.

11. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles signs.

TMNT is my daughter’s favorite.  She’s 16 and still uses her TNMT sandwich holder…  I guarantee if you have a TMNT-loving teen, they will love these easy signs in their room.

(TMNT bonus.)

The turtles are made out of golf balls.  Add an eye hook at the top. Turn them into an awesome key ring or attach them to their backpack. (And I think they are just darned cute!!!)

12. DIY candy wrapper pouches.

I think this is such a clever idea!  They can be made from your teen’s favorite candy wrappers.  The wrappers are reinforced with clear tape. It’s a very easy sewing project of adding the cloth lining and zipper.

13. Cellphone holder.

This is made from an old lotion bottle.  What a great way to keep the phone and charger neatly stored while the phone is charging!

14. And, finally, CASH!

I wanted to share this one because teens appreciate using some good old cash to buy things they really want. This picture is actually one of the gifts we gave to our college-bound kid at her graduation party in May. See the ideas here. But, it would be a fun gift under the tree, too! And it’s easy as can be.  Her “pizza” is 25 dollar bills taped down in the middle of the box with double-sided tape. There are quarter pepperonis attached with double-stick tape, too. Hubby made the sign for inside the lid.

Bonus: Gifts teens can make for mom 🙂

And while we are on the subject of teens and gifts… Here is a list of ideas THEY can easily make for YOU, mom. For Mother’s Day, birthday, or Christmas. You can casually pass this post on to your teen (by text?). And I guarantee – not a macaroni frame in the bunch! 🙂

So, I hope you got some great ideas on DIY gifts to make for teens.

(And remember, even if they don’t always say thanks, they do appreciate getting gifts! 😉 So, hang in there, parents! )

Happy crafting!

P.S. Got a teen heading off to college soon (or one already there)? Are you looking for practical gifts for them? Or are you in search of just plain fun gifts for their dorm room? This ultimate college student gift guide is full of both.