Cool non-candy Halloween gift for a cynical tween or teen? Reader Q & A

When Lisa asked us for cool non-candy Halloween gift ideas for her tween/teen nieces and nephews, I was on the case! I checked with my own Halloween-loving but decidedly…particular teens to see what kinds of things they would think are cool.

I mean, of course they said “candy, duh Mom.” So it’s easy to find that. And you can always hit your local Halloween store for creepy decor, animatronics, wigs, face paint, and other fun Halloween gifts.

But here are some other non-candy Halloween gift ideas we all agreed were pretty cool too. These are perfect for kids with allergies, those who skip trick-or-treating for any reason, or for kids like mine, basically live for Halloween and start planning their costumes on November 1 for the next year

This post updated for 2022

Cool Halloween gifts for teens, tweens, and anyone who likes things a little edgier

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Gothic 3D-Printed Skull Planter
($16.20, Meow3D)
I own a Totoro planter from this cool little Brooklyn shop — which has since turned into a cool pencil case — and we love it. Next on our list: this cool skull that comes in lots of colors. Want an alternative? Check out their black cat planter, also shown at very top.

Pumpkin Spice Bath Bombs
($5.50, Neptune Bath and Body — currently 20% off.)
Bath bombs are still hot with all kinds of kids and so of course you can find the ultimate fall flavor — pumpkin spice — available as a bath bomb, making it a cool tween or teen gift for Halloween. Want something even creepier? You have to look at their blood-red skull shaped bath bombs (shown at very top) aptly called “Happily Never After.”

Funko Pop Nightmare Before Christmas Figures
($15.95, Amazon)
My teen is obsessed with Funko Pop figures of her favorite characters, and I think Sally, Jack Skellington, Vampire Teddy, and Dr. Finkelstein all make perfect non-candy Halloween gifts that kids will love.

Halloween Temporary Tattoos
(Prices vary, Tattly)
Though you can find Halloween-themed temporary tattoos everywhere, we’ve long loved the illustrations from independent illustrations on Tattly tattoos, perfect for hard-to-impress tweens and teens. With everything a giant black beetle to a cartolina skull and crossbones to a friendly ghost, kids will be covered. (Ha.)

Stranger Things Colored Pencil Set
($14.99, Pop Colors Co)
We’ve been sharing gifts for Stranger Things fans for a while now, (4 seasons to be exact) and these fun pencils are a terrific non-candy Halloween gift for teens, or fans of any age.

Black Vampy Holographic Nail Polish
($10, Amazon)
Funky, vampy, witchy nail polish is always cool, especially one from cruelty-free non-toxic brand INLP. Whether or not it’s part of a costume. And if you’re not dealing with a nail polish kid? A tray of professional quality face and body paint is always welcome in any Halloween-loving home.

Skull and Rose Baseball Cap
($25.50, Riot Society shop on Amazon)
Like what could be more perfect than a skull for Halloween? A skull you wear on your skull I guess. Love it on this “dad hat” which is decidedly not just for dads.

Spider Necklace
($16, Charm Philosophy Gifts)
This one is named “Nope” based on an internet meme that your kids might recall — but if spiders are a YES for you, you can get the box made without it. Great for tweens + tweens who’ve outgrown the cute pumpkins and smiling ghosts.

Creepy Rat-Shaped Soaps
($7.25/ea, Audrey E Soaps)
Don’t worry, they smell like a blend of bergamot, caramel, vanilla, amber, patchouli and musk — not actual rats. Browse the shop for cool Halloween gifts for teens — they have some pretty cool skull soaps too.

Zombie Cookie Cutter
($15.69, The Fussy Pup on Amazon)
This copper cookie cutter is sure to yield cookies more delicious than brains. Or…are they? BWAHAHAAHAHA.

Acrylic Paint Marker Set
($12 and up, Amazon)
Permanent markers are such cool non-candy Halloween gift, because they’re perfect for pumpkin decorating, and drawing projects of all kinds — on rocks, on wood, on ceramic, on canvas. Great Halloween gift for crafty kids.

Your Favorite Stephen King Book
(Varies, Amazon or visit your local independent bookstore)
Are they finally old enough for It? Or Carrie? Or Pet Sematary? Or Salem’s Lot? Or The Shining? Or Misery? Or Night Shift? (Can you tell I’m a super-fan?) Then gift it! You can even get a 3-book Stephen King box set for new fans . PS The books are all still better than the movies. Fight me.