8th Grade Graduation Gifts Your Teen Actually Wants

Blame it on the popularity of Stranger Things, but kids are really into bikes. And not just any bikes; the vintage-looking ones, which is why we love this cute cruiser.

This tablet and state of the art digital pen – compatible with a PC, Mac, and some Android phones – will help take your young artist’s drawing and photo editing skills to the next level. It’s also great for visual learners to take notes and engage more meaningfully in their schoolwork.

Sure, phones are convenient for taking pictures, but there’s nothing quite like a physical photo, right? This cute camera comes with a carrying case, photo album, selfie lens, and film for 60 photos, which will perfectly accessories their new locker in high school.

We love how multi-functional this gift is and we’re willing to bet your teen will as well. Not only does this Bluetooth speaker serve as a wireless phone charger and holder (perfect for streaming their favorite shows), it’s also a cute nightlight.

If your teen loves a good couch nap (and who among us doesn’t) then they need this blanket. At 10 feet by 10 feet, they’ll be able to completely cocoon themselves for a truly perfect rest.

Summer is long, and if you don’t want to hear “I’m bored” a million and seven times a day then why not consider this iconic gaming system? It can be used on their TV or on the go for gaming whenever and wherever they want.

This chair is the ideal spot to spend a relaxing summer or spot to get some reading done once high school starts. Appropriate for indoor or outdoor use, the chair comes with everything you need to hang it up.

Teens have so much future in front of them — why not let them use a tarot deck to try to see it coming? This is a gorgeous deck of tarot cards with an easy-to-follow guidebook that's perfect for beginners.

If your teen has pierced ears, you can’t go wrong with a classic set of studs, which can be styled just about any way you can think of. These moissanite stones are more affordable than diamonds, but have the same clarity, color, and sparkle.

Charles Dickens isn’t for everyone, teen or not, but if your teen is the type to appreciate “the classics” this gorgeous set is perfect for summer reading and looking simply stunning on their shelf.

Why are these the preferred headphones of young Gen Z? One word: TikTok. Apparently, the microphone on these earbuds is way better for recording, but it's not a whole set of regular white earbuds.

Don’t worry — we didn’t know either. The quality of the sound is every bit as good as you'd expect from a Beats device, and the battery is long-lasting as well.

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Did you know that many high schoolers just drag all of their books around all day? It sounds awful, frankly, but at least with this backpack by Fjallraven, they'd be doing it in style. And there's a super protective area for a laptop or iPad, depending on which they use in school. You seriously cannot bust this backpack, although your soon-to-be high schooler will almost certainly test those limits.

The number of kids who told me that this is the only thing they care about was staggering. Honestly, we didn’t think kids were into them, but we asked around and apparently nothing is cooler than an Apple Watch.

Just make sure they’re allowed at your kids’ school and that your child is using the “schooltime function” while they’re in class.

Vinyl is cool — and high school is a great time to get into it. Start your kiddo off on their vinyl journey with this affordable turntable. It has built-in speakers and an arm that’s intuitive for first-time vinyl listeners. Before you know it, you’ll be hitting up second-hand shops and swap meets to get just the right copy of Nirvana’s “Nevermind” album.

Sometimes you just want to watch a movie on your phone, and you don't want to hold it — and that's where the bed mount comes in. It connects to a headboard, runner, or desk and holds the phone in place so your teen can just lie back and relax.

And yes, you should definitely get one for yourself as well. It's just so darn convenient.

We can almost guarantee you that if you have a teenager, they have let their phone die when they're at school or out with friends. And they hate it — they feel disconnected and cut off. Not to mention, it's a serious pain for you as well. This iPhone charger will fully charge your iPhone, and it's no bigger than a tube of lipstick. Just make sure they remember to charge the charger!

Some version of this was mentioned over and over by the kids we asked. Nameplate necklaces aren’t just for a ’90s Carrie Bradshaw anymore, they’re now apparently all the rage for the rising Freshman group.

This one is a mid-priced and well-made version of the iconic necklace, and the combination of the script and the chain length makes it a runaway winner.

Whether your child grew up riding a tractor or the subway — there’s a good chance they want a Carhartt hoodie. (The brand is having a moment.) Pro-tip: apparently kids like them to fit on the baggy side!

FYI: Teens are still very into LED strip lights for their rooms — which makes this the perfect eighth grade graduation gift. This specific strip is great because you can operate it from your phone and you can sync it up to music or set it in a rotating pattern of color. This might over-stimulate a more low-key adult, but teens apparently love having their bedrooms lit up like a runway.

Apparently, 14-year-old girls have spectacular taste in perfume. Sure, it might be because Glossier is a popular brand in the teen set, but this perfume is heavenly. (Way better than the sweet pear and “cloud” perfumes of the early-2000s.)

It's not quite a warm floral, not quite a gourmand — it's reminiscent of a field of wildflowers in a forest canopy.