[Raven]

I am doing a toys for tots drive this holiday season. The staff sergeant I spoke to said that the main things they need are things for ages 13-17.

I am trying to get frugal ideas on what kids these ages like so I can let people know who are willing to donate. Thank you.

[Nikki]

Ear buds
Body Spray
Nail Polish
Fun Socks

Earrings
Gift Cards
Art Pens
Sharpies

Couch Blankets
Jenga
Uno

[Shelley]

I often tell my group that teen girls would like makeup kits, nail kits, hair dryers, curling irons.

Teen boys would like soccer/basket/footballs, hair cut kits, headphones… stuff like that.

[Lindsey]

TJMaxx and Marshall’s are great places to help the $$ stretch. There are always cool games and electronics and HOODIES!

That age loves hoodies!

[Melissa]

For my teenage foster kiddos (me being their caseworker) when asked, the girls always wanted gift cards for their nails and hair.

The boys always wanted hoodies and sneakers.

[Sarah]

I’ll just say I’m all about frugal and it’s good to be mindful of that when buying gifts, but for toy drives that are being given to those less fortunate, I’ll try to find a nice item on sale or something of decent quality.

Nail polish from dollar tree isn’t great quality and that is probably what they are used to getting for themselves at that price point.

So, if you can spend a couple dollars extra on a nicer bottle of polish or something similar, I think that goes a long way to the recipient.

[Noelle]

Read the list, I have a 19 and 20 year old… things I didn’t see:
Fuzzy socks, pjs

Bracelets (not everyone has pierced ears)
Gel pens and journals

Grown up coloring books and colored pencils
Rope lights, other lights to do up their rooms
Fuzzy pillows, cute bedding
Glue on nail kits

Polaroid camera
Baseball caps (local teams)
Shoes

If they can do consumables: takis, sour candy, hot cheetos, doritos
Manga or graphic novels

Chargers (and wall plugs)
Pop sockets
Power banks

[Bethany]

Good smelling body care stuff. Shaving kits. Hair tools (blow dryer, curling irons, ect). Makeup kits.

Basketballs, footballs, playing cards. RPG dice sets. Bluetooth headphones.

Phone battery chargers. Gift cards for coffee/fast food.

[Teresa]

-Soft cozy blankets to curl up in mabe with a mug and got chocolate mix
-Hoodies
– Backpack
-wallets
-Fast food gift cards

-Movie popcorn and a softdrink gift certificate

– if you live somewhere cold gloves that you can still use your cel phone with and a toque( beanie)

-body wash/ deodorant/nail clippers/ toothbrush or other self care stuff

[Renae]

I donate an American Girl Doll every yr. At $140/doll it is challenging, but I never really had much growing up, plus I have 3 grown boys.

I study the catalog before selecting a doll and love doing this.

It is so much fun and the thought of a little girl getting such a great toy makes my day.

As a mom, it is heartwarming.

[Marie]

I was once told that for homeless or foster kids of that age, a roller bag was often appreciated.

You may know people who have good condition bags that they aren’t using.

You’ve inspired me to clean out my closets again.

[Georgiann]

For this age there prob. nothing frugal, kids want items their friends have, not stocking stuffers.

[Kristel]

If you do self care items, get smaller versions of good quality items vs low quality items.

Also consider different skin types and hair types, as most things are not good for various hair textures and types.

Get good lotions that are friendly for skin types, as those are hard to come by and very cherished.

Guys seem to love axe… and I see them at dollar tree sometimes.

If I were a teen, I’d be pretty stoked to get a shave kit with some extra blades.
Wallets

Cell power bank and extra charging cable/block.
Blank journals
Makeup case
Wallets
Hair chalk

Nail polish in trendy colors
Crew socks, Nike socks, silly socks
Anything nike or Adidas
Movie theater gift cards

Art supplies… especially the fine line black markers and the various shades of gray pencils with a small sketch book
A small lighted led mirror

Speed cubes
Blue tooth speaker (5 below)
Makeup brushes set

*adult* fidgets like the magnetic putty and bucky balls etc
The light up signs you put the letters in (5 below)

[Sherry]

Gift cards, “champion” brand wear, socks, shirts, hoodies. Under Armour brand, draw string bags, hoodies, winter hats, gloves.

Collegiate, or NFL hats/shirts etc. For region your in. Subway, walmart, mcdonalds, burger King, gift cards.

Mall gift cards for older teens.

Deodorant,
Face cleanser wipes, good smelling shampoo- conditioner.

[Allison]

My mom used to do a Christmas for teens program. We had a lot of teens asking for blankets, hats and gloves along with the fun stuff like nail stuff, earbuds, games and gift cards

[Jill]

Teen girls would like self-care items. There’s a lot at Dollar tree.
I buy a container there and fill it for my nieces birthday each year.

She loves it.

[Beth]

For girls definitely make up and hair goodies, nail polish, cozy pants, fun socks and pjs, plus of course edible fun treats.

Also, jewelry and craft kits, stationary supplies like gel and glitter markers, teen coloring books… squish mallows any size, teen girls still love them and things like string kites and glowy bedroom and desk items, wireless speaker, travel mug,etc.

Boys are harder for sure… beanies and definitely snacks, nice manly flashlights axe deodorant stuff, gift cards for in and out or McDonald’s or tacos, movie tickets with snacks.. nerf stuff

[Michele]

Hoodies, kids only want robucks cards even in small amounts. Computers are everything ti that age. Socks and t shirts mostly black, girls are easy boys not so much.

Ear buds, jeans, coats and Cologne, electric razors for hair cuts and shaving, deodorant and combs, nascar anything, sports anything, baseball hats and running shoes, watches, men’s chain silver, snacks and wallets.

[Traci]

I buy things that catch my eye on Amazon when there’s coupon codes or double stacked codes and save them for donating.

I grabbed some bracelet making sets, craft stuff, clay kits, science and gem kits, bath/body sets, ear buds, men’s hygiene kits, things like that for some of the older kids.

[Author]

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