‘Tis the season… to stress over holiday shopping. But fear not! These airplane-themed items have been tried and tested by my own family and make the perfect gifts for any aviation lover. See below for ideas for your teen copilots!

(Of note, these are not affiliate links or ads, just brands and products I personally love and have used.)

Jet Engine Kit | $70

This Smithsonian STEM kit teaches mechanical structure, engine operating principles, and the process of energy conversion. It’s fun to put together but has an educational element ideal for teens with an interest in the physics of flight.

$70 on Engine DIY

Neon Airplane Sign | $300

The perfect addition to a teenager’s bedroom... It’s available in multiple airframes, colors, and sizes, and it frequently goes on sale. I recommend choosing the teen’s dream airplane and their favorite color.

$300 on Aircraft Vibes

Remove Before Flight Bow | $18

Red “remove before flight” tags are prevalent in the aviation world; they attached to pins that must be pulled from an aircraft before flying. 99.9% of pilots have “remove before flight” keychains, but these bows are WAY cuter and much more useful for someone too young to be trusted with car keys. Bonus: they’re handmade by a female aviator and portion of the profits go to the Mile High Women in Aviation Chapter Scholarship Fund.

$18 on Etsy

Remove Before Flight Keychain | $9

…But if they are old enough for a driver’s license and can be trusted with car keys, this keychain is a must-have!

$9 on Amazon

Plush Airplane Blanket | $29

This cozy blanket comes in multiple different sizes, and it can be used as bedding or a throw. There are different aircraft available.

$29 on Lil Posh Shop

Flight of Passage book | $15

This memoir follows two teenage brothers as they buy an old airplane, restore it, then become the youngest duo to fly across America. It’s a sweet story of adventure, family, and coming of age… “Huckleberry Finn meets The Spirit of St. Louis.”

$15 on Amazon

Fly Like a Girl Poster | $40

Melaine "HALO" Valentin, an F-16 pilot, created the original Fly Like a Girl artwork, and it has become the unofficial logo for female military aviators. This poster has multiple options available for skin color, eye color, and hair color, and it’s printed on premium museum-quality matte paper.

$40 on Plane Old Art

Intro Flight | Prices Vary

There are General Aviation flight schools at the majority of regional airports, and they are always taking on new students and offering intro flights. Students can fly with an instructor at 15-years-old and can fly solo in an aircraft at 16. To see what’s available in your area, first search for “regional airports near me,” then contact the location’s flight school directly. If your teen loves their experience and is interested in flying for the Air Force, they can learn more about the process here.