Shopping for teenagers is never easy, but knowing that they’re obsessed with all things automotive makes it at least a little easier.
The auto industry has never encountered a merchandising opportunity it didn’t like, but beyond the obvious hats, polo shirts, and beach blankets, there’s a whole world of car and truck tie-ins that resonate with young people whose cerebellums have been soaked in high-octane ever since they first heard the roar of a V8 engine.
Here are 15 of the coolest, most interesting, and most rewarding gifts you can give to teenagers for any occasion, but especially for the holiday season.
lego technic car kit
LEGO’s Technic series is aimed at builders who want to go beyond the basics with sets that aim to more faithfully recreate the world around them. The list of automotive-themed LEGO Technic sets is endless, ranging from ultra-detailed replicas of the Ferrari FXX K and Bugatti Chiron supercars to more realistic models like the Ford Bronco from the Fast and Furious movies and Brian O’Connor’s Nissan Skyline. These are the perfect gift for LEGO kids who have moved on to the next stage of their lives. It also allows for customization by creative minds who want to see how much they can improve the design of an existing car.
Forza Horizon 5
The latest installment in the long-running Forza series isn’t a winner just because it’s available on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. It also offers a great mix of traditional racing competition, vast open-world exploration, and a very comprehensive set of licensed vehicles that will satisfy both enthusiasts and those who just want to drive around at a more pedestrian fare. Add in off-road driving, extensive online play, and the ability to create your own tracks, and Forza Horizon 5 is the kind of game that will keep teens hooked, at least until the next game comes out.
game simulator cockpit
When you’re serious about your lap times, or at least appear to be serious, there’s nothing like a gaming sim cockpit that puts your steering wheel, pedals, and shifter where you need them, rather than relying on the buttons and D-pad on a console or PC game controller. If you get one with enough adjustability to accommodate all the upcoming growth in your teenager’s life, this is the kind of gift they can enjoy for years (at least until they get behind the wheel of their own car and start hitting autocross courses).
car mechanic simulator
If the teenager in your life is more interested in disassembling cars than racing them, you’re in luck, there are video games for them too. In Car Mechanic Simulator, players leverage unlimited parts and tools to repair, restore, and modify dozens of real-world vehicles while learning the fundamentals of how engines, suspensions, body panels, and electrical systems work together in both modern and classic automobiles. Part strategy game, part puzzle box (just like real-life car repair), this simulator is an easy way for young people to get hands-on digitally before tackling their first real car project.
DIY engine replica kit
If Technic isn’t detailed enough and your teenager is bored with online simulators (but you can’t afford to undertake a full-scale teardown and rebuild in your garage), engine replica kits are a great way to fill the gap. Whether you want to start simple with a lifted pushrod V8 from an original Ford Mustang or delve into the intricacies of a boxer flat-six design, these DIY kits provide hands-on engine assembly experience that reveals the secrets of the internal combustion engine, without the risk of skinning your knuckles. Most of these models are electrified and offer a complete experience that understands the hows and whys of internal combustion.
car model kit
The budding teenage car designer in your life may be more interested in sheet metal than engine blocks. That makes scale model kits a much more attractive proposition. For decades, these brightly colored boxes of carefully sorted plastic and metal parts have delighted those who want to see how every panel, pane of glass, and interior piece fits together. It’s also a great opportunity to customize to your heart’s content and create the car or truck you wish it had left the factory with (you can even paint it your favorite color). There are kits on the market for just about every car you can think of, including this John Wick 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle. All you need to get started is a little modeling cement, a trimming knife, and spray paint.
mechanic tool kit
When model kits and simulators fall by the wayside and your shopping teen is itching to start turning real wrenches, it’s never a bad idea to give them the tools they need to get the job done. To ensure durability and avoid the frustration of unstable ratchets, pay a little extra and look for a trusted brand name like Craftsman or Dewalt when purchasing an entry-level maintenance tool set. If treated with respect, a well-equipped kit of metric and SAE gear can last a lifetime, just as it teaches lessons.
code scanner
Starting any modern auto repair often requires diagnosing exactly what the problem is. Deploy a reliable code scanner. This is an invaluable tool in the teenage mechanic’s arsenal, a tool that can not only read trouble codes to figure out the daily driver’s latest problems, but also reset check engine lights and often capture data that can be analyzed on the way to fully understanding how to set everything up properly. A scanner is an affordable gift for young car enthusiasts that will help them avoid having to go to the auto parts store or local repair shop every time a yellow icon lights up on their dashboard.
oil change gift card
Regular maintenance is essential to keep cars, especially older models, running, but daily drivers often end up poor when teenagers juggling part-time jobs and school have to share the limited amount of money they earn. Oil change gift cards that can be redeemed at either a local shop or a national chain are a great way to provide maintenance assistance to young drivers. It also ensures that those funds are not diverted from the all-important purpose of keeping you from having to hail a ride because a commuter train breaks down.
Fast & Furious 10 Movie Collection
Physical media is making a comeback, and there’s no better series to gift your teen professionals than the movie that gave us thousands of catchphrases (and poorly planned mods). All 10 films in the Fast and Furious series are available on both Blu-ray and 4K discs. This is more than enough nitrous action to indoctrinate the next generation into the world of Domenic Toretto, his family, and all the early 2000s aftermarket luxuries that existed in the early days of the Fast and Furious phenomenon. Let them live a quarter mile at a time in the safety of your home theater room.
car detailing kit
The world of car detailing can seem like a never-ending rabbit hole of cleaners, waxes, and polishes (and of course applicators and towels). Get your favorite teenager started on the spiral of keeping their car sparkling with a comprehensive starter kit from a reputable detailer like Chemical Guys. This cleaning gear assembly includes all the products you need to remove dirt and grime, as well as products to fix that clean, wet look after washing. It also comes with a bucket and foam blaster that can be used without a pressure washer, making it perfect for beginners.
Street Survival Teen Driving School
Let’s be honest about the current state of modern driver education. Young pilots are very often taught the bare minimum necessary to pass their license exams, which means they know the rules of the road, how to read signs, and how to park, but they are usually not taught what to do if they encounter an emergency on the road. Fortunately, at Tire Rack Street Survival Teen Driving School, you can receive instruction from experienced professionals on how to deal with wet or snow-slick roads, what to do when a wild animal jumps in front of your car, how to safely deal with a skid or loss of traction, and more. It’s a smart investment that will pay off over a lifetime of safe driving, and it’s available nationwide.
Detailed information: tire rack street survival
drive recorder
The public roads can sometimes feel like the Wild West. Furthermore, the same goes for parking. By gifting your teen a dash cam, you can ease your own fears and give your insurance agent some breathing room. Continuously recording the world through the windshield might give young drivers pause before engaging in the kind of impulsive shenanigans that plagued all of us older drivers when we first got our licenses, but it’s also a useful tool in case someone tries to fender-bend an upset teen trying to dispute his version of events. Dash cams provide the ultimate “just the facts” when dealing with unexpected interactions on the road.
tile key finder
Losing your keys can be more than just a nuisance, especially for teenagers who are at risk of losing their after-school jobs or failing exams because they can’t get out the door and get into their cars on time. Tile key tracker uses Bluetooth technology to find your lost key ring within seconds. And we do it at a very affordable price. Available in a variety of colors, from discreet black and gray to look-at-me pink and purple, your child can decide whether they want to stand out or make a fashion statement.
inflatable pickup truck pool
In some cases, you should deliver gifts to car-loving teenagers, especially in the fun field. This simple inflatable pool turns your humble pickup truck into a portable summer hot spot, perfect for tailgating, summer picnics and parties, or just cooling off after school. This is a better idea than a homemade tarp-based pickup pool, trust us. After you splash all the water out of the back of this device in the first 10 feet of driving, you won’t have to worry about anyone trying to bathe you on the highway.
Photo provided by manufacturer. Illustration: Ryan Lugo
