Grown-up but not quite adults yet, teenage-hood is the best time for exploring any whim. We've found the best gear to accompany whatever they fancy.

The Musician

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
The third installment of the classic rock game is the best. Battle in your living room or online. Plus, the game features Slash, Bret Michaels, and Tom Morello as in-game characters.

$50
Available at: Amazon.com

Squier Bronco Bass
This bass is the most basic bass you can find. It should be given to an absolute beginner who wants to play bass but might quit in three months.

$150
Available at: Sam Ash

Roland V-Drums Lite
This is a great state-of-the-art electric drum system. But the best part about these drums? Headphones.

$800
Available at: Roland

The Eco-Maniac (Teen)

givingTree Charity Gift Certificates
These certificates will set your grandchild on their path to save the world.

Available at: Giving Tree Life

 

Loomstate Organic Jeans
Give back in style with these jeans from socially-conscious Loomstate.

$70
Available at: Blue Fly

 

Solio Universal Hybrid Solar Charger
Renew. Reduce. Recycle. This little gadget keeps all of your grandchild's gadgets charged and off the grid. A must-have for any energy conscious kid.

$100
Available at: Amazon.com

The Artist (Teen)

Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencil Set
Professional quality pencils, made of cedar, are break resistant for the budding Picasso.

$60
Available at: Dick Blick

 

5-Shelf Best Art Organizer
For the right-brained grandchild who needs an easy way to keep supplies organized.

$125
Available at: Dick Blick

 

Adobe Photoshop CS3
This is the design industry standard.

$650
Available at: Adobe

The All-Star (Teen)

Glove Radar
No, this is not a song by Golden Earring. That's Radar Love. This is Radar Glove. And it's very, very cool.

$80
Available at: Glove Radar

 

KickSpeed Radar
They can learn to bend it like Beckham. Using Doppler radar technology, this nifty devise measures kick accuracy and power.

$125
Available at: Kickspeed Radar

 

Basketball Summer Camp
Future Iversons get their start at this preeminent intensive summer program in sunny Florida.

$1225
Available at: IMGAcademies.com

The Chef (Teen)

Teens Cook: How to Cook What You Want to Eat
Written by two foodie teens, this book teaches confidence, safety, and the joy of a well-made meal.
$20
Available at: Amazon.com

 

One-Day Class at the Culinary Institute of America
CIA holds Saturday classes specifically for young chefs and food enthusiasts. Enroll your grandchild and yourself and make a day of it.

$180
Available at: CIAChef.edu

 

KitchenAid Tilt-Head Stand Mixer: Custom Metallic Series

Mini Martha (or Mario) will love it. You'll want to borrow it.

$520
Available at: KitchenAid

  The Techie (Teen)

New York Times Touch Sudoku
Addictive, mind-stretching puzzles right at your grandchild's fingertips.

$20
Available at: New York Times Store

 

Roboquad
Take control of this award-winning toy robot, with buttons that can change his awareness, activity, and aggression levels.

$100
Available at: WowWee

 

Gateway One
Every techie could use a new computer. This version is made for budding designers, editors, musicphiles, and everyone in between.

$1300-$1800
Available at: Gateway

The Entrepreneur (Teen)

Teens and the Job Game
A comprehensive guide to the workforce that helps grandteens ultimately succeed in business.

$6
Available at: iUniverse

 

DC Skatebag Skateboard and MacBook
Teens are all about their gear. Help them to carry around their stuff in style.

$130
Available at: Incase

 

Numark iDJ iPod DJ Mixer
If your teen grandchild is making a few extra bucks as a party DJ, she'll need the best new decks.

$150
Available at: American Musical

 The Adventurer (Teen)

Redington Crosswater Fly Rods and Outfits
Even a skilled fly-fisher needs top of the line gear to reel them in.

$60
Available at: Cabelas

 

Wilderness Skills and Survival Clinics
Grandchildren into Survivor? Send them to Santa Cruz, Calif. for a mini version that'll have them figuring out what to do without modern conveniences.

Available at: Adventure Out

 

REI Base Camp 6 Tent
A lightweight, durable construction makes it easy to lug up a mountain. Superior floor space and a waterproof interior make it comfy as a log cabin.

$359
Available at: REI.com
 

The Animal Lover (Teen)

White Elephant Tee
The gentle giant makes himself known, big-time, on this soft, luxe cotton design.

$35
Available at: Built By Wendy

 

Planet Earth DVD
This spectacular, 11-part BBC series, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, covers every geographic region on Earth and its animal inhabitants.

$54
Available at: Amazon.com

 

Kenya & Maasailand Safari
This trip of a lifetime has participants exploring the African savannah on foot, accompanied by Maasai warriors. Plenty of time to discuss world concerns with elder tribesmen.

$4295
Available at: Wild Land

The Pulitzer Winner (Teen)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The perfect book for your teen writer.

Available at: Libraries in Cooperation

 

Online Fiction Writing Workshop
If your grandchild is too cool for school... try more school. These classes are superb.

$420
Available at: WritingClasses.com

 

Underwood Vintage Typewriter
There's no better way for your young scribe to commune with their heroes.

$450
Available at: MyTypewriter.com