5 Useful Gifts for Older Teens

Keeping up with teenage trends is tough for parents and grandparents, which makes it tricky for them to choose the right gift for a teenager's birthday. One solution is to buy teens practical gifts that they can use in their everyday lives. Here are five practical gift options that are sure to please even the pickiest teen boys and girls.

1. Driving Lessons

Australian teenagers can get a learner's permit at age 16 (or 15 years, 9 months in the ACT). To upgrade this permit to a full driver's licence, teens need to pass a driving test. Although you can teach kids the basics by taking them out on the road yourself, driving lessons from a professional driving school can teach teens the rules of the road and help them establish the good driving habits they'll need to pass their test on the first attempt.

2. Second-Hand Car

If you want to splash out on a significant gift for your teenage child, a set of wheels is sure to be appreciated. Used cars are not only more affordable to buy, but also cheaper to insure in many cases. Always have a mechanic or family friend who knows about cars look over the vehicle before you buy to ensure it is in good condition.

3. Sturdy Backpack

Whether your teen attends school, college or university, they will need to carry heavy textbooks and other items between classes. Take a load off your teen's shoulders by providing them with a sturdy backpack that provides good lumbar support and padded straps, so they can comfortably carry their belongings throughout the day. A backpack with a separate padded pocket for a laptop is appreciated by many of today's tech-savvy teens.

4. Solar Charger

Teens love their technological devices, but a dead battery can soon put an end to the fun. Help teens keep their phone and tablet batteries topped up with charge by gifting a solar charger. As long as your teen has access to a light source, they won't be stuck with a dead phone.

5. Raspberry Pi

For teens that are interested in coding, a Raspberry Pi is a fantastic gift for sparking creativity. This inexpensive yet powerful computer encourages teens to create practical programming projects, such as building a robot or setting up a home server. The Raspberry Pi may only be the size of a credit card, but its potential is almost limitless.