The last thing I searched for online was ideas for what to buy a teenage boy for back-to-school. I’m part of a gift exchange group, and I was paired with a woman who has a 15-year-old son and an 18-month-old. As a mom of all girls, it was quite interesting to step into the shoes of a teenage boy, trying to figure out what he might like or find useful. I wanted to find something that would be both cool and practical for his back-to-school season, and it was a fun challenge to explore different ideas and trends that would appeal to someone in his age group.
After some research, I decided on The Pocket Scientist High School Edition. It’s a compact, laser-etched reference tool designed for teenagers interested in STEM, covering math, chemistry, physics, and engineering essentials.
I also got him an engineering book that explains different ways of creating and making electronics. I thought these would be a perfect blend of cool and practical, providing him with tools and inspiration as he starts his school year.
I also wanted to include something for the 18-month-old, so I got him a cactus learning shapes toy which has the boy’s name as well and a basket of different shapes and numbers for him to learn. I thought these gifts would be both fun and educational for both kids as they head into the new school year!
The Dappled Odysseys 