Amazon Holiday Gift List 2017: 14+ years

Amazon.com has released their 2017 Holiday Toy Guides! I've gone through them and I'll share my best picks with y'all. I'll try to sort them by price, but remember Amazon prices are subject to change at any time. Here's the list for 14+ year olds. 

Under $10:

Starting off our list is the classic Yahtzee game. Roll it to the limit for the ultimate win with the Yahtzee Classic game. With a sleek shaker and 5 dice, you're ready to roll! Take turns rolling dice to try to score combos. You get a total of 13 turns and may roll up to three times on a turn. At the end of each turn, you must fill in one empty box in your column on the score card. The player with the highest grand total at the end of all 13 rounds wins. It's up to the player whether they hustle for a full house or risk it all for a Yahtzee roll. Show it off, and let the dice fall where they may. Game includes 5 dice and shaker that doubles as storage for easy clean up and travel.

Under $15:

I was intrigued by the Suspend game since the first time I saw it. This award-winning 'teetering, wobbling, shifting, tipping, unbalanced, balance game' is a must-have for family game night! Take turns hanging the notched, rubber-tipped wire pieces from the tabletop stand. With each added piece, the balance shifts and the sculpture transforms. But watch out! One wrong move could send it all crashing down! Suited for 1-4 players, this game is guaranteed to appeal to kids and grownups alike! Besides being a fun game to play, Suspend helps promote important developmental skills. Retrieving and placing the wire pieces helps refine fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, while the strategic thinking and logic involved in deciding where to place a piece helps brush up those problem-solving skills. Playing games also helps children make social-emotional connections and learn important concepts like taking turns, playing fair, and winning and losing gracefully. 

My friends and I used to play Cranium all the time in high school, especially at parties and sleepovers. The Cranium Game includes 600 mind (and body) challenges. Players team up and complete hilarious activities from 4 categories. Since the activities span talents, every player can have a chance to show off what they're good at -- whether it's spelling, sculpting, puzzling, acting, or humming. The Cranium Game is outrageous fun for everyone. Simply cruise around the gameboard completing color-coded activities within the 1-minute time limit. Reach the Cranium Central space and complete one final challenge to win. The Cranium game lets players show off their individual talents. Want to be center stage? Then act and hum in the Star Performer category. For those with an artistic flair -- sketch, sculpt, and draw stick-figure masterpieces with activities in the Creative Cat category. The Data Head category is for players who know all sorts of facts. Last but not least, clever wordsmiths can show their stuff with the Word Worm questions. Pick a category, complete a challenge, and win! The Cranium Game can be great for parties because players team up to win. With 4 categories to choose from, every player can have the chance to show off their skills. Spelling a word backwards, drawing with their eyes closed, and solving a puzzle are just of few of the activities they might do. It's hilarious and outrageous fun! 

Under $20:

This is one of those items where the first thing I thought was: 

but curiousity won out. This card game is called Exploding Kittens. In this highly-strategic, kitty-powered version of Russian Roulette, players draw cards until someone draws an Exploding Kitten, at which point they explode, they are dead, and they are out of the game -- unless that player has a Defuse card, which can defuse the Kitten using things like laser pointers, belly rubs, and catnip sandwiches. All of the other cards in the deck are used to move, mitigate, or avoid the Exploding Kittens. Exploding Kittens is a card game for people who are into kittens and explosions and laser beams and sometimes goats. In this highly-strategic, kitty-powered version of Russian Roulette, players draw cards until someone draws an Exploding Kitten, at which point they explode, they are dead, and they are out of the game -- unless that player has a defuse card, which can defuse the Kitten using things like laser pointers, belly rubs, and catnip sandwiches. All of the other cards in the deck are used to move, mitigate, or avoid the Exploding Kittens. Exploding Kittens is the most-backed crowd funded project ever, the most-funded game in the history of Kickstarter, and has paved the way for peace and tranquility in the modern world. It is EXTREMELY well rated, at 4.5 stars after a whopping 6594 reviews, so it really may be worth looking into! 

Under $25:

One of my favorite toys in my preteen and teenage years was my K'Nex set. This is a 486 piece set. Explore STEM concepts while building a motorized Swing Ride! Using the materials included in this set, middle-school aged children will be engaged and energized as they further their knowledge and understanding of the science, technology, engineering and math concepts associated with a real-life amusement park ride. The set includes over 470 parts plus a battery-powered motor for a single child or team of 2-3 children to build a working Swing Ride, plus 2 additional models: a Ferris Wheel and a Boom Ride (each model can be built one at a time). Once built, a downloadable booklet guides students through 3 hands-on, inquiry-based experiments on each of the models. The Experiment Guide is aligned to national STEM standards and is appropriate for grade levels 5-9. Requires 2 'AA' batteries, not included.  Watch kids turn your living space into an amusement park with the K’NEX Education STEM Explorations Swing Ride Building Set. Children can build a working swing ride with this educational building set. Each package contains 470 brightly colored pieces, including variously sized connectors, and multiple styles of rods: short, long, straight and curved . Parts can be connected together to create constructions that actually move, thanks to a battery-powered motor that uses two AA batteries. This engineering set can also be used for building two other rides — a boom ride and a Ferris wheel. Playing with this educational toy will unleash children’s imaginative skills by letting them build amazing structures with their own two hands. This toy also promotes growth in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) subjects, thanks to its complex and cognitive approach to entertainment. Not only does it offer kids a fun playtime session — it also helps develop their natural curiosity and creativity, and lets them learn not only by thinking about concepts but through hands-on experience as well. This set can also be used in schools, allowing students to find solutions and turn parts into whole constructions. An experiment guide walks children through the process of building the amusement park ride models. The manual contains complete details on the three inquiry-based engineering projects that are easy for kids to follow and implement. This STEAM toy is specially designed for children in grade levels 5‒9, ages 8 and up. It is best used by one to three children at a time, promoting camaraderie, teamwork, and social skills. Let children have fun while learning with the K’NEX Education STEM Explorations Swing Ride Building Set. It's rated well at 4.7 stars after almost 100 reviews! 

Under $30:

This is an item I even put on my personal Christmas wish list! Roller Coaster Challenge Logic & Building Game looks to be right up my alley. I've always really loved roller coasters as well as physics. Buckle up and get ready to twist and turn your mind as you attempt to solve 40 exhilarating roller coaster challenges. When you think you’ve constructed a successful ride, give your car a little push and watch it glide down the track. Your mind will bend in loops as it stretches to solve the leveled challenges. When you’re ready for a little free-form play, get creative and use the tracks to build your own elaborate gravity-defying thrill rides. Your Goal: Create a roller coaster track that will carry your car from start to finish. Select a Challenge Card and set up the Posts and Tracks as shown. Determine where to add the indicated pieces to the grid. When your Car successfully rides the Track from Start to Finish – You win. So far after about 32 reviews, it's got a 4.2 star rating. My husband has the Gravity Maze game by the same creator and we've all had a lot of fun with it! 

This Nerf N-Strike Elite Hyperfire Blaster is the only type of gun other than Supersoakers I will allow in my house. Experience the excitement, energy, and attitude of the Nerf brand, and find out why It's Nerf or Nothin'. Nerf N-Strike Elite blasters from Hasbro deliver the ultimate in blaster performance for Nerf battles. Take aim with the motorized HyperFire blaster and challenge opponents with awesome speed! This is the fastest-firing Nerf dart blaster, unleashing up to 5 darts per second (with fresh batteries)! The Nerf N-Strike Elite HyperFire blaster is the fastest-firing Nerf dart blaster. This fully motorized blaster unleashes up to 5 darts per second with fresh batteries, so kids can rain down a deluge of darts onto targets. Press the acceleration button, pull the trigger, and let the rapid-fire action begin! The drum holds up to 25 Elite darts, giving battlers plenty of firepower to stay in the game. Take opponents by surprise with the dart-firing speed of the Nerf N-Strike Elite HyperFire blaster! Blast Elite darts up to 90 feet (27 meters) with the Nerf N-Strike Elite HyperFire blaster. As the fastest-firing Nerf dart blaster, this N-Strike Elite blaster rapidly sends the darts flying across the battlefield. It comes with 25 Elite darts that load into the 25-dart drum. The acceleration button fires up the blaster’s motorized mechanism as kids choose their target. Capable of launching up to 5 darts per second with fresh batteries, the HyperFire blaster is a powerful addition to every Nerf arsenal. Challenge the competition with the fastest-firing Nerf dart blaster! The motorized HyperFire blaster fires up to 5 darts per second with fresh batteries and has a 25-dart drum. Kids can show their targeting skill as they take advantage of the blaster’s speed and dart capacity to blast their way to victory! 

Under $50:

Anyone remember that fun Battling Tops game that was popular like 40 years ago? I used to play my dad's old game at my grandparent's house! It looks like they've brought it back, but only to the EXTREME! This is the BeyBlade Burst Avatar Attack Battle Set. Beyblade Burst tops bring wild fun to the Beyblade Burst Beystadium. Beyblade Burst tops can 'burst' into pieces, resulting in 2 points for the other player (burst rates vary). First player to earn 3 points wins! The Beyblade Burst Avatar Attack Battle Set top’s components included in this set are interchangeable with most Beyblade Burst tops except Beyblade Burst Rip Fire tops. Collect, customize, and compete!  The Beyblade Burst Avatar Attack Battle Set includes 2 Avatar Attack Beystadium accessories that let bladers engage avatars in battle. Launch tops into the Beyblade Burst Avatar Attack Beystadium designed for awesome battle patterns. This pack also comes with 2 Beyblade Burst launchers and 2 Beyblade Burst tops. Only use Beyblade Burst tops with a Beyblade Burst Beystadium. This Beyblade Burst Avatar Attack Battle set includes 2 Beyblade Burst tops [consisting of Valtryek V2 (aka Victory Valtryek) Energy Layer, D01 (aka Boost) Forge Disc, & TA06 (aka Variable) Performance Tip; Kerbeus K2 (aka King Kerbeus) Energy Layer, D04 (aka Limited) Forge Disc, & TD04 (aka Press) Performance Tip]. Scan the code on Beyblade Burst tops’ Energy Layers to unleash the tops in the Beyblade Burst app. The app allows for play with combinations of Performance Tips, Energy Layers, and Forge Discs within stadium atmospheres. Battle in the app with these awesome creations. Let it rip! 

This is the Makey Makey Invention Kit. Find a free virtual piano from the web. Instead of using your keyboard to play the piano, connect the keys on the Makey Makey to bananas. The bananas then become your piano keys! Load up your favorite game or find a new one online. Draw the controls on a notepad with a pencil. Alligator clip the buttons, ground yourself, and play! Make life-size game controllers you can jump on! When your foot touches water in a tub, or aluminum foil on the floor, you can play a dancing game or make your character jump! et up a conductive pad (silver foil) and a water bowl for the kitty. Hook them up to set off your laptop camera when he comes to have a drink! Hundreds more examples on the official website. After over 300 reviews, it's rated very well at 4.5 stars. 

Under $75:

This Scooter is another item that I've even added to my wishlist! The popular kick scooter in a deluxe size. With its extra-large urethane wheels, the A5 Lux is the smoothest ride around. Easy to fold and ready to go, the A5 has a super strong aluminum t-tube and deck to comfortably support riders up to 220 pounds. With its extra-large urethane wheels and a cool profile, it’s the the smoothest ride around! Easy to fold up for convenient storage for riders to carry on the go! Handlebars adjust for the prefect fit. Retractable kickstand only available on the blue model. After over 2400 reviews, it's got a stellar 4.7 star review! 

I would have LOVED to have this microscope as a teenager. I was a total science nerd. Easily switch between 20x and 50x with our interchangeable lenses. This durably constructed microscope is easy for children to use and this kit is especially designed to inspire your child with a love of science and biology. Now you can explore specimens prepared in slides or interesting specimens found in your own backyard! This stereoscope will provide an in-depth view of bugs, leaves, moss, sea monkeys and more. This versatile microscope is guaranteed to be a favorite for every young scientist! Teach your child about the history of microscopes, proper slide preparation, cell types, biology, and more! Enjoy the thrill of discovery with National Geographic’s Dual Microscope Science Lab. This STEM kit includes over 50 accessories and is the perfect introduction to microscopes. The high-quality scope features upgraded glass optics and high powered lights - illuminating slides from below or 3D objects from above. This 2-in-1 microscope does it all, serving the same functions as 2 traditional microscopes. This Kit Includes: Optical glass lenses in metal housing providing 20x and 50x magnification, 10 prepared slides and a mini geode for examination, slide storage box, 10 blank slides, 10 slide covers, 10 slide labels, brine shrimp eggs, brine shrimp hatchery station, tweezers and eye dropper for slide prep, petri dish for plant labs, instructions, and learning guide written by teachers. Using this microscope, kids can dive into the world of brine shrimp and watch them as they grow! With this kit, your child will learn how to conduct experiments, distinguish a variety cell types, and so much more! Compare the prepared slides to the slides you prepare using samples collected at home. Inspire a love of science in your child. Providing endless hours of fun, this kit is a perfect gift for children of all ages. 

This nifty contraption is the DropMix Music Gaming System. DropMix lets you play music like never before! This fast-paced music mixing game gives you a new way to collect, discover and combine favorite tracks. Compete with your friends (up to 4 players) and create unexpected song mixes! Keep the music pumping with 3 ways to play: Freestyle, Clash, and Party. DropMix is a music mixing game unlike anything you’ve experienced before. Every card you drop activates a track, and every track blends seamlessly with others to create incredible sounding mixes. With cards featuring artists in genres from electronic music to hip-hop, and millions of possible combinations, every play you make amps up the mix to new levels. The DropMix Music Gaming System includes the DropMix board and 60 DropMix cards including top artists: Bruno Mars, Childish Gambino, Disturbed, Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, Sam Hunt, Sia, The Weeknd, and more. Look for Discover Packs and Playlist Packs to expand the mix possibilities with more DropMix cards! Download the DropMix app to your mobile device and wirelessly link to the DropMix board to get the party started. Powerful music mixing technology detects every card you play, changing the mix and keeping the beats pumping. Three game modes -- Freestyle, Clash, and Party -- let you compete against friends, team up against the app, or just play cards to create amazing mixes. Hear something you like? The DropMix app can record and play back your mixes. Killer mixes are just part of the experience. Music makes a party, and when it's you and your friends making the music, you run the show. Look for Discover Packs and Playlist Packs to expand your collection, create new mixing possibilities and build a deck that gives you the best options for turning up the fun. (Each sold separately. Subject to availability.) Whether you’re looking for the ultimate music gaming experience, or just want to crush some awesome tracks and amp up a party, DropMix has you covered! 

Under $100:

This is a really awesome drone! Anyone can masterfully fly a drone thanks to Aura’s advanced technology and kid-friendly features: Auto Takeoff, takes off with the push of a button; Auto Hover, maintains a steady height; Auto Landing, brings Aura in for a safe landing; and Headlock Mode, maintains orientation for perfect flight. With a flick of your wrist, perform a cool, 360-degree Flip Trick. Show off your piloting skills and up your game by building a drone obstacle course to challenge yourself or race your friends. Precise glove control makes it easy for Aura to maneuver through and around most objects. Flashing LED lights on the glove controller respond to your hand gestures as you fly, adding to the magic. The red and black superhero-inspired glove is made of stretchable fabric to fit most hand sizes, while the glove controller’s adjustable strap ensures the perfect fit for almost any pilot (including those who are left-handed). 

If you have a Star Wars fan in your household, this Droid Inventor Kit might be right up your alley. Kids can create their own custom Droid and bring it to life using littleBits electronic blocks! With the free Droid Inventor app, they’ll give their R2 Unit new abilities and take it on 16+ missions. Then they’ll level-up their inventor skills, reconfiguring parts to design any Droid they can dream up. The Droid becomes a loyal sidekick kids can customize and make their own. Kids can reconfigure it for new functionality (like the Delivery Droid or Intruder Alarm!), give it new shapes with household items, and even decorate it to show their unique personal style. With littleBits, kids use their brains and their hands to engineer innovative Droids. They can add functionality - and hours of playtime - by expanding their littleBits collection with additional kits and Bits. Kids can guide their Droid using Force Mode, and take their new sidekick on galactic adventures.Create interactive inventions using your engineering and problem-solving skills. Droid-driving is easy with controllers waiting to be unlocked in the app, including a joystick, sliders, and tilt mode. The Droid can detect obstacles in front of it and change course like it has a mind of its own. 

Over $100:

I really wish I had a Metal Detector growing up. Heck, I wish I had one now! This professional metal detector is easy to use and fully adjustable. It’s light enough for the kids to operate but built with the advanced technology and powerful searching features desired by the pros. Take it to the beach, park, or on a hike and find treasure everywhere you go! This telescoping design makes this detector so portable you’ll never want to leave it at home. It has high-quality performance & simple operation and a highly portable telescoping design – no assembly required. It also has a 10” waterproof detection coil, audio alert detection with volume adjustment and headphone jack, 3 detection modes to filter out “garbage” metals, and 4 sensitivity modes to detect treasure as deep as 10 inches underground. It's got pinpoint function for added precision and an easy to understand LCD display. This is a quality gift for any boy or girl and will provide years of excitement. Get your PRO Series Metal Detector today and discover the wonders hidden right below your feet.

Bonus Pick: 

I really want a Hoverboard!. Push the limits of swag and step on the brand new SWAGTRON T580 personal transporter electric scooter with Bluetooth speakers and app. Riding the dual wheel self balance scooter is as simple as start, steer, and stop. Step on the non-slip foot pedals to activate the sensors and the powerful dual motors. Through dynamic equilibrium, you’ll control where you go and how fast you ride with just a shift of your weight! Then, to instantly check the battery and internal systems, all you have to do is glance down at the two integrated LED lights.The hoverboard self balancing scooter has all the tools needed for daring adventures while still ensuring ample traction and smooth rides. At only 20 lbs, the IPX4 rated T580 features a durable casing, zero emissions motors, and a splash-proof design. It’s both lightweight and ultra-sturdy. You can zig-zag all the way to the park, venture down city lanes, and even splash through muddy puddles! With the SWAGTRON T580 personal transporter scooter, fun and adventure are limitless! 

I think that about does it for this gift list! What things are YOU asking for this Christmas?