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17 Best Subscription Box Gifts for Teens & Tweens

Sanna Chu
BySanna ChuNov 11, 2020 | 9 comments

Updated 10/28/20 to include information about a bonus box Birchbox is now offering with gift card purchases!

Do you always seem to catch your teen or tween stealing goodies from your subscription boxes? Why not get them a subscription box of their own this year? We considered 1000s of subscription boxes and came up with this list of our favorite subscriptions for teenage girls and boys. Monthly subscription boxes are a great gift that keeps on giving. These boxes offer up trendy age-appropriate apparel, accessories, makeup, beauty products, and gifts that teens and tweens will actually think are cool. Plus, there's something for everyone, from beauty subscription boxes for YouTube beauty vloggers to gadget-obsessed tech wizards, and everyone in-between for every type of budget.

Want to know what boxes readers like you voted as their favorites for 2020? Check out The Best Subscription Boxes: 2020 Subscription Box Awards.

 

Affordable & Cool Monthly Subscription Boxes for Teenagers

1. Ipsy

Image via our review.

Cost: $12/month + free U.S. shipping and Canada for $2.95. Sign up here.

What They'll Get: Ipsy is one of our readers’ most-loved beauty and makeup subscriptions! Each month, your teen will get a personalized assortment of deluxe sample- and full-size beauty items from big-name and up-and-coming brands. They'll get new products in skincare, makeup, and even haircare to love. It’s a great way for makeup newbies to explore fun products to express themselves with!

Gift It: Share the gift of Ipsy here!  Note: You’ll need to set up a new account for the gift recipient. They can update their beauty profile later. 

Ships to the U.S. and Canada. Orders ship out mid-month in batches. So your Glam Bag could arrive the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th week of the month. Learn more about shipping here

Check out our Ipsy reviews!

 

2. Maker Crate

Image via KiwiCo.

Cost: $29.95 per month + free U.S. shipping, Canada for $3.95 per month, and internationally from $4.95-$6.95. Sign up here.

What They'll Get: Everything you need to create your own craft project that’s both fun and functional. Maker Crate projects are designed to allow teens (and adults) to experiment with new art techniques and work with different design tools.

Gift It: Send a Maker Crate gift right here!

Shipments within the U.S. and Canada are usually received within 3-5 business days, international shipments spend 8-21 days in transit. You could also send a gift card by email or print it out to gift.

Read all of our KiwiCo reviews right here!

3. Penny + Grace

Penny and Grace October 2018 - 0003

Image via our review.

Cost: $29.99/month + $5 U.S. shipping, $6 for Canada and $10 for international. Sign up here.

What They’ll Get: 3 delicate jewelry pieces in the metal of their choice: 18k gold, silver, or 18k rose gold. All jewelry is 100% lead- and nickel-free and subscribers can choose whether or not to include earrings.

Gift It: Penny + Grace doesn’t offer gift certificates or gift subscriptions, but you can purchase a prepaid subscription and ship it directly to the gift recipient. Click here to sign up.

Your first box ships immediately with orders within the U.S. arriving in 6-1o business days. Learn more about shipping here

Check out our Penny + Grace reviews!

4. Pusheen Box

group of 8 Pusheen items surrounding box

Image via our review.

Cost: $43.95/quarter + $6 US shipping. Sign up here.

What They'll Get: Is there anything cuter than Pusheen, the internet's favorite cartoon cat? How about a quarterly subscription box full of exclusive Pusheen-themed goodies?! This subscription has a slightly higher price point, but we think you get your money's worth in each delightfully unique seasonal collection. Each box contains sooo much to smile about, like wearables, decor, personality-packed figurines, stationery, desk accessories, and even small electronics.

Gift It: Sign your giftee up for the Pusheen Box right here!

The upcoming winter box will ship in early December. Learn more about shipping here

Check out our Pusheen Box reviews!

5. Book of the Month YA

Image via Book of the Month.

Cost: $14.99/month + free shipping. Sign up here.

ACTIVE DEAL: Get 1st book for $9.99
CODE: BOO

 What They’ll Get: The choice of 5 hardcover young adult fiction books each month, and the option to select more than one for $9.99 per additional book. Anytime a month is skipped, a credit is applied to the next month.

Gift It: Book of the Month YA offers gifting plans in 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month increments. Giftees will get to choose from 5 books for each of the months they are subscribed. You can give your gift with an email, a print-at-home card, or an old school gift card. Sign up for a gifting plan here!

Ships to the US only. Gift recipients can redeem their gift code online. 

Check out our Book of the Month reviews!

6. Birchbox

Image via our review.

Cost: $15/month + free U.S. shipping. Sign up here.

What They'll Get: Birchbox offers curated boxes of must-try beauty and grooming samples for girls AND guys, too! Everything's personalized to your teen's tastes and preferences, so they can expect fun new finds that fit their specific needs each month! Grab a grooming or beauty gift subscription to get them started.

Gift It: Choose a 3-, 6-, or 12-month subscription gift card. You can choose to send the card directly to your recipient or to yourself. Shipping is free but there is a $2.95 service fee for gift cards. Nab a Birchbox gift card right here! For a limited time, Birchbox is adding a bonus Beauty box to any 3, 6, or 12-month gift card purchase (no coupon code, just link here to purchase). Brands featured in the box include Benefit, Sunday Riley, and bareMinerals.

Ships to the U.S. only. Gift recipients can redeem their gift card online and start receiving boxes anytime. 

Check out our Birchbox reviews!

7. Creation Crate

Image via our review.

Cost: $29.99/month + $4.99 U.S. shipping and $8.99 for international. Receive bonus items with longer subscriptions. Sign up here.

 

What They’ll Get: Everything you need to build your very own electronic gadget. Creation Crate projects are a combination of building hardware and programming software with a focus on helping you understand how it works. Each month, you'll be given a new project that's slightly harder than the last.

Gift It: Creation Crate offers gifting options starting with 1 project for $29.99 + shipping, and the opportunity to create project bundles. Click here to send your gift.

Shipments within the U.S. and Canada are usually received within 3-5 business days, international shipments spend 8-21 days in transit. You could also send a gift card by email.

Check out our Creation Crate reviews!

8. Pura Vida Bracelets Club

Image via our review.

Cost: $14.95/month + free U.S. shipping and $5 for international. Sign up here.

What They'll Get: Help your teen stock up on cool accessories and free stickers with this monthly bracelet subscription! Each monthly package includes three boho bracelets from the Pura Vida collection. The best part? Pura Vida supports 800+ artisans worldwide and has donated over $2.6 million to different charities!

Gift It: Deck out your giftee in Pura Vida Bracelets right here!

Orders ship out within 4-5 days of purchase. 

Check out our Pura Vida Bracelet Club reviews!

9. Doodle Crate

Image from our review.

Cost: $19.95/month + free U.S. shipping, $3.95 for Canada, and internationally from $4.95-$6.95. Sign up here.

What They'll Get: Crafty kids and teens will love the monthly projects they get from Doodle Crate! Each box includes everything you need to create a unique DIY project, such as candle-making, book-binding, or fiber art. Everything is tailored to the skills and interests of 9-16+ year olds, so it's a great pick for creative tweens.

Gift It: Spark your favorite artist’s creativity with a Doodle Crate gift subscription right here!

Orders ship within 1-2 business days with an estimated 5-8 business days for transit. You can also send a gift card by email, or print it out to give to your recipient. 

Check out our Doodle Crate reviews!

10. Darn Good

Darn Good Yarn of the Month Review: July 2018

Image from our review.

Cost: Starting at $20/month + $3.95 for domestic shipping. Sign up here.

What They’ll Get: Darn Good offers four different monthly boxes: Yarn, Beads, Fabric, and Skirts. Along with a sampling of materials specific to its theme, each Darn Good box includes a pattern or instructions, as well as other small pieces you might need to complete one project. This is the perfect gift for the crafter in your life!

Gift It: Grab a Darn Good e-Gift Card here!

Gift cards are delivered by email and have no additional processing fees.

Read all our Darn Good bead reviews here & our Darn Good yarn reviews here!

11. Quirky Crate

Quirky Crate

Image via our review.

Cost: $36.95/month + $8.50 U.S. shipping, Canada for $11.30, and internationally for $17.25.  Sign up here.

What They'll Get: Cute, colorful, cheeky, delightful—you'll find all that and more in each installment of Quirky Crate! From socks and stickers to playful accessories and home decor, your teen or tween will find plenty to smile about in this subscription box. Each box is guaranteed to include a pair of super unique socks and an enamel pin designed by an indie artist. Beyond that, it's an awesome surprise!

Gift It: Send a Quirky Crate gift right here!

Ships worldwide from the U.S. around the 15th of each month. Must order by the 13th of the month. If you'd like your gift subscription to ship right away, email Quirky after placing order.

Check out our Quirky Crate reviews!

12. Say It With A Sock

Say It With A Sock Womens April 2019 socks with bag

Image from our review.

Cost: Plans start at $12.99/month + free shipping. Sign up here.

What They'll Get: If you think socks are a boring holiday gift, think again! Say It With A Sock is changing the game with bold, colorful, head-turning socks from awesome brands like Stance Socks, Richer Poorer, and Happy Feet. Choose a one-, two-, or three-pair-per-month subscription and whether you'd prefer socks patterns or graphic designs, and set your teen or tween up to receive a sweet new shipment of comfy socks each month!

Gift It: Give Say It With a Sock as a gift here!

According to the FAQ, "You can choose when you want your recipient's gift subscription to begin. You'll receive the first month's shipping confirmation email. After that, the recipient will receive the subsequent shipping confirmation emails." You can also print out a gift certificate here

Check out our Say It With A Sock reviews!

13. Eureka Crate

Image via our review.

Cost: $29.95 per month + free U.S. shipping, Canada for $3.95 per month, and internationally from $4.95-$6.95. Sign up here.

What They'll Get: Each month, you receive all the material and instructions needed to create a functional, lasting object with a focus on engineering. Eureka Crate projects use science and math to solve real-world problems while inspiring the teens to become creative innovators.

Gift It: Send a Eureka Crate gift right here!

Shipments within the U.S. and Canada are usually received within 3-5 business days, international shipments spend 8-21 days in transit. You could also send a gift card by email.

Check out our Eureka Crate reviews!

14. Enjoy Leggings

Enjoy Leggings

Image from our review.

Cost: $16.95/month + free U.S. shipping and internationally for $10.  Sign up here.

What They'll Get: Up your leggings game with oh-so-cozy and cool styles from Enjoy! These snuggly leggings are perfect for school, hanging out on the weekend, or spending a lazy Sunday doing homework on the couch. Enjoy caters to sizes 2-18 and donates a portion of their proceeds to charities that help promote positive body image. We love a gift that gives back!

Gift It: Give the cozy gift of Enjoy Leggings right here!

Ships worldwide from the U.S. on the 18th of every month. Order by the 15th to get the current box.

Check out our Enjoy Leggings reviews!

15. CampusCube

Campus Cube

Image via our review.

Cost: Plans start at $29.95/month + $6.95 U.S. shipping. Sign up here.

What They'll Get: If your teen goes to school away from home, treat them to a care package courtesy of CampusCube! This subscription curates a monthly mix of cool gifts, yummy treats, and personal care finds. Help them feel special and remember to make time for self-care throughout their busy school schedules! Gluten-free options available.

Gift It: Send a CampusCube care package right here!

According to CampusCube, "If you order the current box mid-month we will ship it same or next day via the flat rate shipping service we use for monthly boxes. Boxes for future months typically ship to arrive the first week of the respective month unless an option to choose delivery week was provided."

Check out our CampusCube reviews!

16. OwlCrate

Image via our review.

Cost: $29.99/month + $8.99 US shipping, Canada for $14.99, and internationally from $19.99. Sign up here.

What They'll Get: Ravenous readers will love the YA novels AND the book-inspired surprises such as stickers and figurines inside this monthly box. Teens will get exclusive goodies for their room and desk, cool collectibles, and literary extras like bookmarks and notes from the featured author. The standard OwlCrate box is aimed at teens and college-age readers, but they also offer OwlCrate Jr., which is specially curated for 8-12 year olds! Gift the subscription level that fits your favorite book lover.

Gift It: Gift an OwlCrate subscription to your favorite YA reader right here!

Ships worldwide from the U.S. between the 15th-20th of the month. According to OwlCrate, "If you purchase a gift before the 21st of the month, the gift recipient will be sent that month’s box. If you purchase a gift after the 22nd of the month, they will receive the following month’s box."

Check out our OwlCrate reviews!

17. Tinker Crate

Image via our review.

Cost: $19.95 per month + free U.S. shipping, Canada for $3.95 per month, and internationally from $4.95-$6.95. Sign up here.

What They'll Get: All the materials and detailed instructions your teen needs to complete innovative hands-on STEM projects. You’ll also get a “Tinker Zine” full of educational information and additional activities.

Gift It: Send a Tinker Crate gift right here!

Shipments within the U.S. and Canada are usually received within 3-5 business days, international shipments spend 8-21 days in transit. You could also send a gift card by email.

Check out our Tinker Crate reviews!


If you enjoyed this round-up, check out our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide for the best subscription box gifts for everyone on your list!


Best Subscription Box Gifts for Teens & Tweens

Sanna Chu
Sanna Chu
Sanna joined the MSA team in 2020. As a reviews editor, she reads about all different types of subscription boxes and it’s hard not to keep adding to her subscribe list. She’s a true believer in the joy of discovery, great value, and convenience that subscriptions can bring. Her current subscription obsessions are Facetory and Lovevery. When she’s not writing or editing, she loves hanging out at the park, trying new restaurants, and exploring her little corner of Brooklyn.

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9 comments

Kele

For those looking for subscriptions for boys, I got my teenager a soap subscription from Dr Squatch. He loves it

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TheTinTiara

We have been through several of these…pure vida, birchbox, ipsy, pusheen, doodle box, boodle box, tinker crate etc. but we outgrew or grew tired of them….currently my 14 year old is loving quirky crate and my 16 year old loves her owl crate!

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Serena

Pretty sure Book of the Month doesn’t offer a YA option anymore. But OwlCrate Jr is a great one for this category too.

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Beatrice

Unfortunately 90% of these are girl specific. Whoever comes up with a box aimed at teen boys and does a good job of it will have essentially a monopoly. Even the book boxes are very girl-focused. It’s so difficult to come up with creative gifts for guys, and they have birthdays / Christmas etc. Too… Not sure if there are no options out there or they’re a secret??

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Randie

Agreed. I checked out this list for my 10-year-old son and most of these are far from appropriate.

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carol

Mighty Nest, for the eco-conscious!

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Molly

No Strong Selfie??

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Nich

Thanks, great list, will share with my friend who has a teen!

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h

Perfect list! Thank you for suggestions, because this is a hard age to choose gifts, and there are some fun subscriptions that you have listed to make it easier!

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