Think back. High school. It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. A time that's all about discovering who you are, making new friends, and experiencing more firsts than you ever will again -- all while preparing for a vast, unimaginable future ahead. It’s such a momentous time in life, and that’s worth preparation, celebration and commemoration.
What can we do to ready teens and tweens for another year of milestones and memories? Here at Cratejoy, curators create an array of subscription services that make great gift ideas for high school-age teens. And, there's something for all types of teens! Are they bookworms? Hands-on learners interested in the sciences? Or maybe they’re fashionistas ready to make every hallway a runway. The short of it -- there’s something amazing to unbox for every kind of high schooler.
For crafty teens who DIY all of their gifts,
Paletteful Pack Monthly Premier
Art-loving high schoolers will enjoy the creative freedom of Paletteful Packs. This monthly doodle crate brings high-quality art supplies directly to the front door. Your teen will discover new brands and get introduced to old favorites––without once having to hit a craft supply store or scroll through Amazon.
Read a staff review of Paletteful Packs by Allie Cesario, our Marketing Coordinator: I Tried Paletteful Packs and Yeah, It's Worth It.
For teens who post Instagram stories of poetry,
Scribbler Box Subscription
Perfect for teen writers developing their skills and honing their craft, Scribbler sends inspiration for writing one’s own bestseller with writing prompts, tips from successful writers, and insider looks at the publishing process. For teens looking ahead at a writer’s journey through life, this perfect gift is a beautiful place to start.
For the whimsical writers,
Paper Bliss
Whether your teen prioritizes passing notes or passing class, they’ll love Paper Kitty. This stationery subscription adds whimsy to the daily to-dos with high-quality, groovy paper goods, along with pens, staplers, and school supplies for all those study sessions.
For teens who are committed to allyship,
The BlackLIT Box
Black is beautiful, and BlackLit celebrates and empowers the Black community with the direct intention of closing the literary gap. Each box, curated by a Black author, includes a collection of items and a new book that all support Black-owned businesses and authors. Plus, each box includes discussion questions so you and your teens can engage in thoughtful dialogue together.
For teens who recharge with a book,
Unplugged Adult Fiction Monthly Box
Enforce screen-free time and veer teens towards more cerebral pursuits with this amazing book-of-the-month club. Created with the understanding that modern tech has its drawbacks, this monthly subscription box encourages subscribers to turn off and turn inward via oh-so-essential self-care, and a great book, too!
For teens who need a nudge to grab one,
Peruse - Mystery/Suspense Club
Put reading into a teen’s wellness equation with Peruse. This monthly curated book box expands on your bookworm’s innate reading enjoyment with a selection of hand-picked items (think snacks, jewelry, decorative items, and more) plus discussion questions to fuel her very own book club. What a great way to connect with her best friends!
For busy goddesses who need time for self-care,
Goddess Provisions Subscription Box
Early womanhood is a magical time of life, that's fraught with stressful new terrain. Invite young women to a monthly wellness and self-care sesh with the Goddess Provisions Box. This centering subscription helps her embrace her inner goddess and hone her spiritual practice with a gram-worthy curation of crystals, aromatherapy, spiritual tools and more.
For teens always losing their lip balm,
Balms Pack of Two (2) All Natural Lip Balms
Talk about beautiful. The two lip balms delivered in this beauty subscription from Jersey Shore Cosmetics are all-natural, organic, and vegetarian-friendly. Plus, each lip-loving delivery includes a random selection of age-appropriate tinted and non-tinted options, making every month a delicious surprise.
For the teens you can't keep out of Bath & Body Works,
Cratejoy Fruit For Thought Subscription
Nothing invigorates the doldrums of teenagehood like a splash of citrus or a watermelon wow. Fruit For Thought is a care package that delivers a sensory experience around a fresh, fruity theme with every unboxing. Think self-care, snacks, T-shirts, decor, and more.
For the teens who hoard masks from CVS,
FaceTory: K-Beauty Subscription Box
Did someone say slumber party? FaceTory is self-care in a box that your teen can share with her friends or explore on her own, delivered every single month. Each shipment includes an epic selection of Korean skincare masks, perfect for addressing teen skincare probs, or just getting her glow on before a big selfie session.
For the kids who loved Tinker Toys,
Creation Crate: 12 Electronic Projects Annually
Engineers in the making will love Creation Crate. Packed with tutorials and all the tools needed to complete monthly projects, this subscription box delivers illuminating STEM projects directly to a curious kid’s doorstep. It’s perfect for summer learning, homeschooling, and screen-free fun (no gadgets needed).
For gamers who could be great coders,
For science-curious, hands-on kids,
MEL Chemistry — Science Experiments Subscription Box for Kids DIY Educational Kit Learning & Education Toys for Boys and Girls STEM Projects Ages 10+
Here’s a fun way to disguise learning as a whole lot of fun. MEL Science is a STEM subscription box that brings engaging experiments and STEM projects directly to a teen’s door. It’s a great way to expand on interests they’re discovering in class already. And yes, these experiments are totally safe, easy, and make learning STEM irresistible.
For the kids who had three different collections,
Box of Matter
Bring the museum home and treat teens to some of the coolest artifacts with Box of Matter. Each month, subscribers get interesting items from around the world, like fossils, scientific tools, historical artifacts, and other objects that spark fascination. It’s the perfect way to get them to unplug from brain-draining apps and turn your teen into the brightest on the block.
