Gift Cards for Teens: 7 Gift Card Ideas For Special Teens in Your Life
Ask any parent, aunt, or grandparent and you'll hear the same thing: teenagers are impossible to shop for. Their favorite thing changes with the season, half of it you've never heard of, and the rest they'd be mortified to unwrap in front of you. Granny's honest advice, when in doubt, give a gift card and let them pick. It's the one gift a teen won't shove in a drawer. Below are the most popular gift cards for teens, sorted by what they're into, and every one is on Gift Card Granny, most with cash back on select brands (rates rotate, so peek at the card's page before you buy).
For the one who games nonstop
If there's a console or a phone welded to their hands, gaming credit is the move. It gets spent the day it shows up, and they'll know exactly what to do with it.
Roblox for Robux, the in-game currency behind half the worlds they play in.
Xbox for games, add-ons, and a Game Pass membership on console or PC.
GameStop for games, consoles, accessories, and the collectibles they swear they need.
Best Buy for when it's time for the real hardware, a headset, a monitor, or a new controller.
For the bottomless appetite
Granny has never met a teenager who wasn't ten minutes from their next snack. A food card is a safe bet every time.
DoorDash for whatever they're craving, delivered, which is a lifesaver for the teen without a license.
Chipotle for the standing burrito order, good in store, in the app, or online.
Dunkin' for the iced coffee that somehow fuels the whole friend group.
For the style-obsessed
A lot of teens sort out their look one outfit at a time, so a card to a store they already wear rarely misses.
American Eagle for jeans, tees, and everyday basics.
Aerie for loungewear, activewear, and comfy staples, same family as American Eagle.
Target when you'd rather cover clothes, tech, and everything in between.
For the skincare-and-makeup obsessive
If they've got opinions about serums and a wish list a mile long, point them here.
Sephora for makeup, skincare, and fragrance across hundreds of brands.
Ulta for the same, plus drugstore favorites and a salon under one roof.
For the one always making plans
Half of being a teenager is getting out of the house with your people. Give them somewhere to go.
AMC Theatres for movie night, popcorn and all.
Dave & Busters for an afternoon of arcade games and food in one place.
Uber for the ride there and back, handy for the crew that can't drive themselves yet.
For the reader and the media lover
Not every teen is glued to a game, and the ones who aren't have their own thing.
Barnes & Noble for books, manga, and the stationery and merch they linger over.
Google Play for apps, games, music, and subscriptions on any Android phone.
When nothing else fits
Teens change their minds by the week, and that's alright. When you can't keep up, let them do the choosing.
A Visa or Mastercard gift card works nearly anywhere those are accepted, so a teen can put it toward clothes, games, food, or a Friday night. Toss in a photo or a message and it feels thoughtful, not like handing over cash.
That's Granny's rundown. Whatever your teen is into this month, one of these will suit them. Shopping for a specific age? Granny's got guides to gift cards for teen boys, gift cards for 16 year olds, and gift cards for 18 year olds too.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best gift card for a teenager?
One that fits what they're into. For gamers, Roblox or Xbox; for food, DoorDash or Chipotle; for style, American Eagle or Aerie; for beauty, Sephora or Ulta. If you're not sure, a Visa or Mastercard gift card lets them choose anything.
What are the most popular gift cards for teens?
Gaming cards like Roblox and Xbox, food and delivery like DoorDash and Chipotle, and store cards like American Eagle, Sephora, and Ulta are consistent favorites. A Visa or Mastercard gift card is the most flexible option of all.
How much should you put on a gift card for a teen?
For most occasions, $25 to $50 is a comfortable range; for a birthday or a bigger milestone, $50 to $100 feels generous. Many brands on Gift Card Granny go up to $250 or more.