Gifts for teenage girls

Faber-Castell first made the Castell 9000 in 1905, and the leads are break-resistant; the pencils are made in Germany. Put each one back in its place in the tin, from soft to hard, and the right grade is always easy to find mid-drawing. A sharp craft knife gives a longer point than a sharpener, for shading with the side of the lead.

• 12 pencils, 8B to 2H
• Comes in a tin
• Break-resistant leads

What owners say: Smooth and easy to sharpen, they suit stippling and line art as much as shading, and the spread of grades and the metal tin win over beginners and seasoned artists alike.

Velcro on the base presses into the trunk carpet, so set against the back of the rear seats it can’t slide forward under braking. Sposuit rates it to about 55 lb, and the 600D Oxford fabric cleans up with any spray cleaner and a damp cloth. It can ride on the back seat for a road trip too.

• 70-liter capacity
• 2 compartments, 11 pockets
• Folds flat

What owners say: Owners say it’s well made and stays where it’s put, and that two full shopping bags fit just right. It works in trucks and SUVs alike, and collapses flat enough to leave the trunk free when it isn’t needed.

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Color stickers on the tines help when learning from numbered tabs, and peel off once the layout sticks. At about 11.5 ounces and 7 inches long, it slips into its flannel bag and a tote for the park or a long car ride, and a cleaning cloth wipes thumbprints off the tines afterward. Finger covers and an instruction book come with it.

• Tuning hammer and instruction book
• Flannel bag included
• Notes embossed on the tines

What owners say: Owners find it well made and easy to pick up, even for complete beginners, and like that it arrives already in tune, with the hammer there for touch-ups. They love the sound and enjoy playing it, and they see it as an affordable instrument.

The 100gsm paper has a light tooth that takes plenty of erasing, and it’s acid-free. Sheets tear out cleanly along the perforations for handing in classwork or pinning up a finished piece, and rigid covers front and back mean a lap or a park bench will do for a desk.

• 100 sheets
• 9 × 12 in pages
• Spiral along the top edge

What owners say: Graphite, colored pencils and watercolor markers all sit well on it, owners say, and the textured surface holds shading without spoiling the line; the size suits daily practice, though a few find the pages thin for heavier media.

Heads up: Fuxi makes it for dry media and says it isn’t for watercolor, alcohol markers or acrylics, so keep wet work for a mixed-media book.

Sakura launched the Micron in 1982 as the world’s first fineliner with water-based pigment ink, and the archival ink resists fading. The sizes go by code, not millimeters: 005 (0.2mm) is the finest, for hatching and tiny details, and 08 (0.5mm) the boldest, for outlines and headings. Give the ink a moment to dry before erasing the pencil underneath.

• Six line widths, 0.2–0.5mm
• Waterproof, fade-resistant ink
• Bleed-free on most papers

What owners say: Zentangle fans, doodlers and watercolorists all rate them: the ink doesn’t bleed or smudge, and the spread of sizes adds depth to a drawing. Durability is the mixed point, with some pens breaking or running dry sooner than expected.

Heads up: Use a light touch: the finest tips are delicate and last longest without pressure.

The sponges are Miracle Complexion Sponges: use them damp for a dewy finish or dry for fuller coverage, and there’s a spare for when the first wears out. Wash the brushes once a week to keep them soft. Real Techniques began as a line developed with makeup artist Sam Chapman of YouTube’s Pixiwoo.

• 4 brushes and 2 sponges
• For foundation, blush, powder, eyes
• Sponges work damp or dry

What owners say: Super soft, with a smooth, almost airbrushed finish, and owners say they blend powder and cream blush alike without shedding. Beginners find them easy to start with and easy to wash.

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Filberts, daggers and a fan join the flats and liner, with a palette knife, for acrylics or oils, and the nylon brushes take watercolor and gouache too. Unroll it flat beside the easel so every shape is in view, and slot each brush back into its pocket only once it’s clean and dry. Mixing colors with the palette knife keeps paint out of the ferrules and the bristles in shape.

• 30 brushes and palette knife
• For acrylic, oil, watercolor, gouache
• 8 brush shapes

What owners say: Thick, soft brushes that keep their shape and stay in one piece, with a spread of shapes and sizes that suits acrylics especially well. The roll keeps the whole set organized.

It holds 32 fl oz in a double-wall bottle with a powder-coated finish, and Hydro Flask backs it with a lifetime warranty. A flex handle on the cap carries it on one finger, and the straw cap isn’t meant for hot drinks. Pull the cap apart before it goes in the dishwasher, as Hydro Flask advises, so the water reaches inside.

• Holds 32 fl oz
• Keeps drinks cold 24 hours
• Straw folds down, clicks shut

What owners say: Owners find it just as advertised and say it keeps drinks cold all day, with plenty of colors to choose from. The price splits them: some are happy to pay it, others think it’s too much.

It comes in four sizes, 25L to 95L: the 41L Small takes a change of clothes and sneakers, and the bigger sizes leave room for pads, a ball or a weekend’s packing. Inside there’s a zipped valuables pocket, with water bottle pockets on the sides. Double handles do for a quick trip from the car, and the adjustable shoulder strap takes over on a longer walk to the field.

• Holds 41 liters
• Ventilated shoe compartment
• Side water bottle pockets

What owners say: Owners single out the separate compartment for cleats, and there’s plenty of space for practice gear or a weekend away. They find it tough enough for rough handling, and kids love using it.

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There are about 4,600 heishi discs, 6mm across with 2mm holes, plus hearts, gold beads and spacers, and they make necklaces, earrings and keychains as well as bracelets. Finish each one with a double knot pulled tight and a dab of clear nail polish, then slide a bead over the knot to hide it. Threading straight from the compartments keeps the colors from mixing.

• About 4,600 clay beads
• 18 colors plus letter beads
• 500 charms included

What owners say: Owners love the bright mix of beads and charms and the trendy flat preppy look, and children stay happily making for hours, with plenty in the box for lots of different styles.

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