2018 Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for teens

Shopping for the teens on your gift list may feel like a guaranteed fail, but you can improve your chances of a win by upping the cool quotient of anything you choose. When basic just won’t make it, consider these options for the teens in your life.

ExploreMarble Tic-Tac-Toe Game Set, $40, Crate and Barrel

Take this classic game to the next level with a white marble game set. The 8- by 8-inch playing board has a carved grid. The game pieces are crafted from solid marble. Available online or in-store at Crate and Barrel, Shops Around Lenox, 3400 Around Lenox Drive, Atlanta, and Crate and Barrel, Avalon, 1110 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta.

ExploreCircuit Scribe Drone Builder Kit, $100, shop.circuitscribe.com

Anyone can fly a drone, but how many teens can build their own? This kit lets them build and power a drone using conductive ink doodles, four motors, eight propellers and the drone hub. Once they build it, they can fly their DIY creations from a tablet or smartphone. The drone features a 480p onboard camera so users can see the view.

ExploreRose and Rex Calm Mind Kit, $75, roseandrex.com

The teen years are confusing times. This kit, designed for anyone over age 3, helps introduce mindfulness and meditation in a playful way. Teens learn how to focus, self-regulate, and build confidence. Each made-in-the-USA kit contains three handcrafted toys and a deck of Calm Mind Activity Cards explaining how to use the toys for meditation, movement and breathing exercises.

ExploreHunter Original Play Tall Rain Boots, $110, hunterboots.com

Rainy days and festivals are the perfect match for these lightweight, waterproof boots suited to teens. They feature elements of the original Hunter boot but in a simplified design complete with a pull tab for easy on and off. The boots come in styles for boys and girls.

ExplorePhilosophy Gingerbread House Set, $42, Ulta

This gingerbread house is sure to please the teen beauty lover. It includes Philosophy’s Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath, Sugar Sprinkles High-Gloss, High-Flavor Lip Shine, Peppermint Stick Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath, Coconut Frosting High-Gloss, High-Flavor Lip Shine, Hot Cocoa Body Lotion, Fresh Cream Body Lotion, Snow Angel Hand Cream and Cranberry Medley Hand Cream.

ExploreSmartphone Projector 2.0, $14, Walmart.com

Teens can first assemble this novelty cardboard projector, then use a smartphone to project images or movies onto a wall for screening. A silicone grip pad holds the smartphone in place with no additional power required. Turn up the phone brightness to 100 percent, use in a dark room and project onto a smooth white surface.

ExploreSoundsoul Dancing Water Speakers, $35.99, Amazon.com

Get clear sound and a light show with these speakers that can be connected to a phone or computer. The LED light fountain is a soothing visual. The speakers connect to devices via Bluetooth and come with a music control button. They are available in three colors — pink, white or black.

ExploreJ.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World Subscription Box from Loot Crate, $40 every other month, lootcrate.com

Fans of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts will get a kick out of this subscription box, which includes five to seven officially licensed items. Every other week, the box includes surprises ranging from T-shirts and figurines to pens, notebooks and more.

ExploreBubble iPhone case, $24, Urban Outfitters

Who doesn’t love popping bubble wrap? This iPhone case features a pop-able texture that feels just like the real thing. It fits iPhone 6, 6s, 7 and 8 and is available at Urban Outfitters. Shop online or in-store at Urban Outfitters locations in Midtown, Lenox Square, Perimeter Mall and Avalon.

ExploreMake Your Own Neon Effect Sign, $18.13, Amazon.com

This kit by Fizz Creations includes 3 meters of neon flex, 3 meters of shaping wire and 1 meter of fixing wire. Teens can use the materials to form the flex into shapes or sayings. The sign requires two AA batteries and comes in pink or blue neon.