A collection of 20 handmade gift ideas for teens. These handmade gift ideas for teens are perfect for gifting or making!
This blog post originally appeared November 16, 2017 on The Birch Cottage blog and has been updated with current links and even more handmade gift ideas for teens.
I've compiled a list of 20 handmade gift ideas for teens to help you with your holiday gift giving. If you're a DIY-er like my husband and me, then you've probably already begun to make Christmas gifts. Although, coming up with new ideas every year can sometimes be difficult. (Men seem to be especially difficult, followed closely by picky teenagers.)
I just shared a few weeks ago my 25 Handmade Gift Ideas for Men. Of course, some of those gift ideas would make great handmade gifts for the teens on your gift giving list as well! Like the soap on a rope, hand warmers or even the super hero coasters.
20 Handmade Gift Ideas for Teens
1 - Sailors Knot Bracelet
You can make this trendy and stylish sailor's knot bracelet out of a variety of materials: twine, rope, yarn or strips of fabric. Our youngest daughter is a sailor in the US Navy, so I'm a little partial to nautical themed gifts.
2 - Wire Wrapped Pendants
Although these wire wrapped pendants are made using petrified wood, you could use drift wood, stones, gems, glass or use your imagination to make these very unique, cool and beautiful wire wrapped pendants.
3 - DIY Tube Bead Necklace
The Lovely Drawer calls this necklace "neck candy". I like that description, don't you? And I'm sure if you made this DIY Tube Bead Necklace your teen will think of it as neck candy, too!
4 - Sharpie Decorated Mug
I'm thinking you don't really need a tutorial to decorate a coffee mug with a colorful Sharpie marker, but just in case, Pop Sugar has you covered! You can decorate the mug with the recipient in mind.
5 - Hemp Macrame Friendship Bracelet
I know kids think friendship bracelets are a new trend, but they've been around in some form or fashion forever. When I was a little girl, we made them out of gum wrappers or embroidery bread. Do you remember the gum wrapper bracelets?
6 - Twisted Cord Bracelets
I really like these twisted cord bracelets. You could embellish them with so many different decorative items! Be sure to read through the tutorial so you know exactly what to look for in your decorative elements for your twisted cord bracelets.
7 - Earphone Holder
Learn how to make an earphone holder from a mint container. You know, I have a couple of these empty mint containers at home. I'm gonna have to give this a try. They will probably end up in a couple of the grandkids stockings.
8 - Chapstick Keychain Holder
Don't you hate having to hunt around for your chapstick? Well, make this chapstick keychain holder and you or your teen will never have to hunt for your chapstick or lipstick ever again!
9 - DIY Washi Tape Wooden Bracelets
I seem to be sharing a lot of DIY bracelet ideas with you. But this DIY Washi Tape Wooden Bracelet is the perfect gift for the DIYer teen. Make them a bracelet and then gift it with a few rolls of washi tape so your teen can re-decorate and re-decorate and re-decorate until their hearts content!
10 - DIY Hammock Chair
If you're feeling a little adventurous in your handmade gift making journey, you might want to give this DIY Hammock Chair a try. I mean, what teen or child (or adult) wouldn't love a hammock chair in their room?!
11 - Easy Button Crocheted Boot Cuff
Boots are all the rage these days - or at least they are here in Ohio. These stylish button crocheted boot cuffs would make any boot wearing teen happy to accessorize!
If you're interested in other crochet projects, be sure and check out my crochet dishcloths here and here.
12 -DIY PVC Bow and Arrow
Now, this seems like what clever DIY project. You know, if our oldest son had had a PVC bow and arrow when he was in college, he would have been the hit of his dorm! They had to settle for Nerf guns. On second thought, skip that idea. I can just imagine what they might try to affix to the arrow. Anyway, this is a fun project that will keep your kids busy for hours.
13 - Skateboard Sling Tutorial
Our youngest son thought for sure he was going to grow up to be a professional skateboarder? But, didn't everyone who watched and attempted some of Tony Hawk's stunts? Skabeboarding is one of those timeless sports that never seems to go away - like football, basketball, baseball. I don't know that Owen would have used the Skakteboard Sling, but I love the concept and who wouldn't want an easy way to carry their skateboard?
14 - Easy T-Shirt Art
I have a bin full of my daughter's t-shirts from sports, band and other activities that she participated in. I have plans to make a quilt out of them someday. But, this Easy T-Shirt Art project is a great way to incorporate t-shirts into your child's décor.
15 - DIY Skateboard Shelves
These DIY skateboard Shelves are perfect for the skateboard or sports loving teen. You can re-purpose old skateboards, find them at yard sales or used sporting goods stores really cheap. Of course, you can buy inexpensive ones for around $10, too.
16 - Superhero Comic Book Magnets
Do you have a teen that loves superheroes or comic books? These magnets are sure to be a big hit! They're easy to make and super customized! Be sure to also check out these coaster ideas that incorporate the superhero theme.
17 - PVC Pipe Marshmallow Blow Gun
Okay, even if you're not a boy or a teenager, you have to admit this PVC Pipe Marshmallow Blow Gun is pretty cool, right? I can just see my grandson and his buddies having a great time with these marshmallow blow guns!
18 - DIY Stamped Washer Necklaces
Number 18 on my 20 handmade gift ideas for teens has got to be one of my favorites. My husband gives our daughters and our sons wives jewelry every year for Christmas. I wonder if I can convince him to give them these DIY Stamped Washer Necklaces? I think each of the girls would absolutely love them! As for the boys, don't forget about the Stamped Key Chain idea.
If you like to make jewelry or are interested in steampunk type DIY projects, be sure to check out the O'Neil Sisters YouTube Channel. It's full of fun DIY projects, like these easy to make memory wire bracelets.
19 - Easy Sew Fleece Fringe Scarf
This is an easy to sew project. No sewing machine required, in fact. You can use whatever color fleece and yarn combination you want to make this easy fleece fringed scarf.
20 - Homemade Peppermint Lip Balm - Eos Refill
It's easy to make your own lip balm and you can easily refill empty Eos lip balm containers. These little homemade lip balms make great stocking stuffers, too!
BONUS: Sugar Hand Scrub
By the way, this sugar scrub makes a great handmade gift, too!
I'm not sure how many of these 20 handmade gift ideas for teens will end up under my Christmas tree this year, but it really boils down to how much time I have to make everything I want to make.
Hopefully, this list of 20 handmade gift ideas for teens will help to at least inspire you to give handmade gifts to your teens this year. If you have other handmade gifts that you make for your teens, I'd love to hear about it! If you need more handmade gift ideas for teens, be sure to check out my Handmade Gift Ideas Pinterest board.
Merry making! Til next time...
