All Grown Up: 40 Birthday Gifts for 18 Year Olds

by Alice Harper | Last Updated

A boy’s eighteenth birthday serves as the symbolic event during which he leaves boyhood and becomes an adult. Of course, things aren’t quite that simple in reality, but the occasion has undeniable importance. With that being said, it’s easy to find the perfect gift that carries as much meaning as the date itself does.

Children are growing more and more independent by the year at this point, and it’s possible that they have certain areas of interest that they’re obsessed with, while other hobbies that they practiced in recent years have fallen by the wayside. The most important step is to understand what he really loves. The next is much easier: we’ve gathered the best gifts for eighteen-year-old boys on this list, so all that’s left is to thoughtfully consider his personality and choose the gift that matches it best.

1. Aisuo 5-in-1 Night Light

Night lights aren’t just for little boys, and this one proves it. In addition to casting a safe and gentle glow in your teen’s bedroom throughout the night, this night light also features Bluetooth speakers, a digital calendar, an alarm clock, a charging station, and an mp3 player. For 18 year-olds juggling busy lives, this versatile night light rises to the challenge of helping them unwind after a hectic day of being awesome. It makes a perfectly sleek addition to any nightstand or bedside table, showing that you don’t have to sacrifice form for function as you get older.

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From Amazon.com
2. CASOFU Giant Burrito Blanket

Turns out you can have an 18 year-old burrito in the house that isn’t a biohazard. This cozy flannel flour tortilla-shaped blanket gives breakfast in bed a whole new meaning. For those who are absolutely stumped when it comes to shopping for the 18 year-old boy in your family, there’s no better gift that blends humor, comfort, and tastiness than this awesome gag gift that’s more than a little cheesy. Seeing as it’s 71 inches in diameter, there’s also plenty of room for “tall” orders, so to speak--and perhaps a few extra lettuce shreds or crumbs of ground beef!

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From Amazon.com
3. 12-Piece Acrylic Painting Table Easel Set

If your 18 year-old has an artistic side, this is a great beginner painting set to kickstart their creative dreams. This state-of-the-art painting set comes with professional-grade, 100% cotton, triple-primed stretched canvas over ¾”-thick, kiln-dried wooden stretcher bars that were consciously sourced from protected forests. Additionally, the set comes with 12 acrylic paints made with top-quality pigments, so you know these colors will stay vivid for years to come. Naturally, a paint mixing palette is included to get your Picasso into high gear as well.

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4. KLIM High-Precision Gaming Mouse

Help your gamer maximize his playing capabilities with this cutting-edge gaming mouse that touts a 2 millisecond response time. Compatible with both PCs and Macs, you can configure all seven buttons as you please and even create your own macros. You won’t have to worry about how much DPI you’re working with, either, as this mouse will visibly display your current DPI level--the maximum of which tops out at 4000. If that still doesn’t satisfy you, then you can rest easy knowing this mouse has a five-year warranty (more than twice the legally-required minimum of two years) and a speedy customer service response in under 24 hours.

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From Amazon.com
5. Lady Sandra Face/Butt Towel

Who said bath time has to be a bore? When it comes to which side of this towel goes where, there’s no ifs or ands, but there is a pretty prominent “butt.” Don’t be deterred, though; the soft 100% cotton material lends a taste of luxury to your 18 year-old’s post-shower experience. But why limit this hilarious towel to just the bathroom? Take it with you to the pool or the beach and give people a chuckle or two. Whether you wear it the right way or from the “bottom up,” your 18 year-old is guaranteed to get a kick out of this wholesome, yet cheeky towel--pun intended!

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From Amazon.com
6. Multi-Tool Pen

18 year-old boys seem to have an insatiable curiosity--or is it just plain nosiness? Whatever you want to call it, you can keep them occupied with this fascinating pen that conceals several different tools, including a ruler, Phillips-head screwdriver, touch screen stylus, pocket clip, and spirit level. While it most certainly may discourage paying attention in class, it’s a useful little tool to have in times of need--no matter if that need is for studying or goofing-off purposes. This pen also comes with four ink refills, so it’s guaranteed to last your teen well throughout the school year.

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From Amazon.com
7. ‘Do Not Disturb, I’m Gaming’ Socks

Give your 18 year-old a reason to take a load off his feet as his game loads on screen. These hilarious socks come with a cheeky message on the soles warning passersby to let their wearers be; after all, they’re too busy gaming! These cozy foot warmers are made of a cotton, polyester, and spandex blend, making them suitably stretchy for just about any size adult foot. The text on the bottom, however, is made of latex--so steer clear of ‘em if your gamer has a latex allergy.

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From Amazon.com
8. Interactive Game and Light Ball

Put the fun back in function with this highly colorful and wonderfully interactive High Ball. With eight different levels of increasing difficulty, you can put your teen and his friends’ mental and physical prowess to the test. The battery can last for up to two hours and comes with a charging cord, so the fun doesn’t have to stop when it runs out of juice. Once they’re all tuckered out, they can set the ball down and simply switch it to ambient mode, where the colors blend seamlessly into one another on a relaxing, continuous loop.

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From Amazon.com
9. Temporary Tattoo Sleeve Set

Finally--a way for young men to play around with the “bad boy” look without giving their mothers a heart attack. The best thing about these sleeve tattoos is that they’re quite literally sleeves; you can simply peel them off after a night out at the clubs (ah, the joys of youth!). These sleeves are unisex and will fit most arms, making them perfect for Halloween costumes, harmless pranks, or somewhere in between. With three different sets of designs to choose from, your teen won’t be at a loss for creative ways to decorate his arms for the night.

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From Amazon.com
10. Vipospoon LED Finger Light Gloves

Some say it’s hard to keep kids entertained these days, but they’ve obviously never played with these mesmerizing LED finger light gloves. Add a dose of fun to your teen’s bedtime with these gloves’ three different colors and six flashing modes. Each fingertip is outfitted with a top-quality LED light that creates some pretty amazing effects. Even though it’s geared towards younger kids, people of all ages--especially hard-to-please teens--will thoroughly enjoy these engaging and comfortable gloves that prove fun has no age limit.

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From Amazon.com
11. Foldable Mini Nano RC Drone

Now that they are getting older, they need to upgrade their toys to things that are for the big boys. After all, fun and excitement don't have to stop when they get older. For an 18-year-old boy who still wants to have playtime outside the house, but something fit for the big guy that he is, then you might want to give him a foldable mini nano RC drone for his birthday. What is cooler toy than a drone? Whether they are pro drone flyers or first-timers, this drone would be perfect for them with its one-button feature for takeoff and landing. And there's no worry about losing the drone when it goes out of its range from the controller, too. It has a headless mode that allows the drone to come back to you automatically.

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From Amazon.com
12. Mega Prank Kit

What would make the cut for the best birthday gifts for 18-year-old boy who has always loved having fun with family and friends on any given day? Perhaps, it would be something that can keep the fun going and get excitement starting, as a prank kit. If they enjoy finding ways to prank family and friends, then they are going to love if you give them this mega prank kit full of new impressive pranks. They will have a blast using this kit for sure. It has 35 pranks, including Shocking Gum, Whoopee Cushion, and many more. Just make sure they aren't going to use these pranks on you.

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From Amazon.com
13. Lightning Reaction Reloaded Shocking Game

Just because they are getting older, doesn’t mean that the games, fun, and excitement has to stop. So, if they love having fun with family and friends, something playful would make awesome birthday gifts for 18-year-old boy. This Lightning Reaction Reloaded Shocking game, for one, would make an excellent game that an 18-year-old can enjoy with his group of friends. As much as it will help develop his social skills and improve his reaction times, this game brings loads of laughter too. This game can get super intense, but it's completely safe. Everybody will enjoy it for sure.

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From Amazon.com
14. Smart Fitness Watch

They aren’t getting any younger. So, if you are looking for birthday gifts for 18-year-old boy, you have to look for things that will perfectly fit the big boys that they are. Gone are the days of them running around the backyard chasing the rabbits. Now, they are running in the treadmill or on the trails in the neighborhood or the park. For the 18-year-old who takes being active and physical fitness seriously, or for them who wants to have a more active and healthy lifestyle, this smart fitness watch would make an incredible gift. It's the dedicated watch to help them through their fitness endeavors with its tracking features for the calories they've burned, the distance they've traveled, the number of steps, and many more.

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From Amazon.com
15. Leatherman Multitool

Forget the days you've been gifting him plastic tools when they wanted to be a handyman. Now that he is turning 18 in no time, he needs the real deal. Especially if he likes staying outdoors and enjoys activities like hiking, camping, boating, or fishing, he's going to need a handy tool he can always carry with him wherever he goes. For an outdoorsy 18-year-old, this leatherman multitool is a must-have. It's a small piece that has various tools for countless uses. It has a wire cutter and scissor, a needlenose, pliers, knife, ruler, screwdriver, bottle opener, and more. Having this multitool handy can make sure he gets away from any bend.

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From Amazon.com
16. Capture the Flag Nighttime Outdoor Game

Bring out the fun for the fun-loving 18-year-old during his birthday, and for more days he wants to have an exciting and full of a fun game with family and friends. Outdoor games are perfect for boys who love getting out of the house, plus, it keeps them active. But, make sure that the fun will not end as the sun sets by getting him this Capture the Flag nighttime outdoor game. With its glow in the dark feature, the fun can go well until the evening - there's no reason to cut the excitement anytime soon.

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From Amazon.com
17. Diver Stainless Steel Watch

Watches make a classic gift for boys of any age. But, for his 18th birthday, you might want to level up the gift-giving game by getting him a classic watch gift, but something that he might not have before. As much as it looks great and would be a perfectly stylish accessory to get the sporty look he always goes for, this diver stainless steel watch isn't just about looks. It's the most functional watch he can ever use for any occasion or activity whether it's for everyday use or use when he's diving underwater up to 100 meters below. There would be no worries if he forgot to take off his watch before going in the shower or swimming because this one is hardcore and water-resistant.

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From Amazon.com
18. Assorted Metal Wire Brain Teasers

There are fun games that he likes when he was a little boy. But now that he's turning 18 before you know it, fun and excitement can mean a different kind of games. Brain teasers might be more appropriate for his age. And while these kinds of games are exciting and would pick his interest without a doubt, they are also excellent in improving his concentration and other mental abilities and skills. So, how about you get him this assorted metal wire brain teasers for his birthday? The set comes with 30 pieces of wire brain teasers, and he's going to get countless of fun and mental exercises from it.

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From Amazon.com
19. Remote Control Monster Truck

There is something that always takes a boy’s attention no matter what their age is. When he was young, he would always want a new toy car for his birthday. But for his coming 18th birthday, any toy car wouldn’t do. He needs something bigger, but not necessarily a real car like his father. Maybe, just something smaller but still as cool and impressive like this remote control monster truck. If he likes monster trucks but can’t get the real one, this smaller version would do for now. It has features like a 4-wheel drive, 180-degree flipping, and 360-degree rotation. He can take it off the road like a real monster truck, but a much safer option than the real one.

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From Amazon.com
20. LED Light Rope for Camping

Anything fun and playful would make a nice gift for a young boy. But when it’s his 18th birthday in no time, something more practical and functional would be the best choices for birthday gifts for 18-year-old boy. So, if he loves spending time in the outdoors or likes going camping with family and friends on weekends, there are some great functional pieces you can get him. Every boy scout or a boy scout at heart would love this LED light rope for camping. It's a portable and flexible light they can carry around with them. They can also charge it easily using a USB cord.

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From Amazon.com
21. Architecture Skyline Building Blocks Set

If you think building blocks are just for the young boys, you’ve got it all wrong. There are a lot of building blocks set that offers the level of difficulty and complexity that older boys will love to accomplish. So, if he’s into building things and doing puzzles, or if he would like to be an architect, then this architecture skyline building blocks set would make a cool gift for his 18th birthday. It comes with 444 puzzle pieces that will take so much time for him to build. But, it will be a fun and exciting activity nonetheless. Plus, you can choose what building puzzle you want to give him. There is the Willis Tower, the Cloud Gate, Big Red, John Hancock Center, and more.

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From Amazon.com
22. Shot Tracker for Basketball

If your teenage guy's dream is to be part of the NBA, or if he likes playing basketball with his dad, his coolest uncle, or his buddies after school, then you can gift him anything that will be perfect for his favorite sport. So, for his 18th birthday, and before he goes to the court, get him his shot tracker for basketball. It’s a handy device that can help so much in tracking his games. Just let him download the app on his mobile phone, wear the tracker, and it will automatically record the shots he made and missed on his smartphone.

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23. Steam Link

What does he like to do during his free time or days? Well, if he loves playing video games and has a Steam account, there are a lot of choices for cool birthday gifts for 18-year-old boy that he will surely hug you with countless thanks. As much as it is great for them to play his favorite games on his computer, how much more fun could it be if he can play those games on a much bigger TV screen at home? Get them that possibility by gifting them this Steam Link on his birthday. It's very portable, so they can go anywhere and play their games, as long as there is a television in sight.

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From Amazon.com
24. Bluetooth Speaker

Any gadget or device for entertainment would be a cool gift for the 18th birthday of a fun-loving and playful 18-year-old boy. Whether he likes listening to music when he's lounging inside his room and wants to blast his favorite metal band, or plays video games in his computer, this Bluetooth speaker will make his experience more immersive. He can connect the speaker on any smart device, whether it's his computer, mobile phone, tablet, or laptop. Plus, this speaker is also lightweight, so if he wants to party with friends on the beach, he can easily carry the speaker with him.

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From Amazon.com
25. Metal Detector

Treasure hunting can be so much fun, especially for boys who love to explore the outdoors. You don't know what they might find out there during one of their excursions in the woods or the park. So, for the 18-year-old boy who loves to go hunting even after Easter, you might want to get him this metal detector for his birthday. It's a series from National Geographic and would be a perfect companion when he goes exploring in the outdoors. He can use it to find various items like coins, jewelry, metal tools, and any other thing that the detector can pick up.

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From Amazon.com
26. Butt Putt Farting Golf Putter Game

Boys will always be boys. Even as they grow older, the fun-loving kid inside them will still live and prosper. So, if you are looking for a cool gift for his 18th birthday, something fun and playful that will undoubtedly bring so much laughter for him and his friends would make an awesome gift option. If you want to get him laughing, then get him this Butt Putt farting golf putter game on his birthday. If he loves golf, then this will make every game of golf so much more fun and full of laughter. And you know how boys are fascinated with farting, this will be right up their alley.

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From Amazon.com
27. Breakfast Sandwich Maker

He's 18 in no time, and that might mean living in the dorms, and you know what kids their age are eating when they are not in the house with you making meals for them. It's frozen pizza and Chinese takeouts. That wouldn't make do, especially if you want healthier choices for them but they don't have a lot of time or the drive to cook their meals. So, why not get them this breakfast sandwich maker for their birthday? Forget those takeouts and day-old pizza when they can easily whip a healthier breakfast sandwich in a couple of minutes. Nothing beats a hot breakfast to start the day right. The sandwich maker has non-stick coating too, so it's fairly easy to wash and clean, which is always a plus for a teenager who doesn't enjoy washing the dishes.

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From Amazon.com
28. Wooden Puzzle Mechanical Dog Craft Kit

If you are looking for cool and awesome birthday gifts for 18-year-old boy who is artistic and creative, a craft kit that will further their imaginative side will make be a surefire present. Improve his creative thinking skills while making the activity so much fun as well by getting him this unique wooden puzzle mechanical dog craft kit. If he likes puzzles and building things, this craft kit will give him the complexity that lets him focused for a long time. Also, this puzzle kit will be excellent for helping improve their attention span, which is something that some boys don’t have in heaps.

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From Amazon.com
29. Minecraft Favorites Pack

Something fun and entertaining would make a surefire present for him. Especially if you choose something that he has always loved to do, or enjoy playing like Minecraft. Whether you know the game or has not even the slightest idea what it is all about, but if you have heard him praise the game, then he’s going to thank you if you give him this Minecraft favorites pack. This kit is complete with seven different add-ons that will make crafting easier and so much faster. It will keep him entertained for long hours or with his friends since the pack can be played up to four players.

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From Amazon.com
30. World Traveler Scratch Off Map

Everybody wants to travel the world. Whether it's to see the wonders in every country or to taste the dishes all over the world. If he is a wanderer at heart and wants to circumnavigate the world when he's able to do so, then this World Traveler Scratch Off Map will get him exciting and counting the days when he can have breakfast in one country and eat lunch in another. He can scratch off all the places he's been and look forward to scratch off places some more. But if he can't travel the world just yet, this map will be perfect for studying geography as well, so he can be ready for school or future adventures.

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From Amazon.com
31. Men Care Everyday Gift Pack

His 18th birthday is looming around the corner, and he's growing every day. The days he spends tat home will be far in between, especially if he's going to live in the dorms during school. But wherever he goes, get him smelling fresh like he just got out of the shower at home by getting him this Men Care everyday gift pack. It's a very practical gift for the growing boy that he is, and a self-conscious one too. After all, he would want to smell good and clean when he goes out meeting girls. Rest assured that with this pack, he won't go smelling like a little boy who has spent the afternoon under the sun.

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From Amazon.com
32. Electric Longboard

If he likes spending his time hanging out in the skate park near your home or enjoys skateboarding with his buddies, then you might want to get him this electric longboard for his 18th birthday. This remote controlled longboard will level up his skateboarding game and will be the talk in the skate park. It would make the perfect alternative too if he doesn't have a car yet. This electric longboard can go as much as 11 mph in just a push of the button. That would be a cool ride he's going to have there wherever he goes. It's technology and skateboarding in one awesome board.

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From Amazon.com
33. The Dungeon Building Card Game

Game nights and weekends with family at the house or with his buddies in their dorm rooms are always fun, especially if they have some new games to explore and experience. So, how about you keep the friendly competition and excitement going any day of the week by getting him a new game like this The Dungeon Building card game? It’s a unique game that will be an instant hit for him and his friends. It’s also the perfect game to lure them out of their video games and from their mobile phones. It’s fun and exciting as they race to build their dungeon, find treasures, kill heroes, and more.

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From Amazon.com
34. Air Hockey Table

Everyone loves playing air hockey. If he's a huge fan of the game, he can now experience it at home or wherever he goes when you gift him this portable air hockey table. Imagine having a weekend party at home with his buddies or the whole family, and there's an air hockey table setup that they can play with. It's the perfect entertainment for a party. And because of its compact design, he can easily transport to the beach or his dorm room. It's the perfect setup too if there's not enough space in the room to put a permanent air hockey table.

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From Amazon.com
35. Remote Control Helicopter

He might have outgrown making paper airplanes, but you bet he's not done flying things. After all, boys will always be boys no matter their age. So, how about you buy him this remote control helicopter for his birthday? Now, that's a lot better than a paper airplane and a whole lot more impressive and exciting than a remote control car. If you think drones are cool, this fancy helicopter with three frequencies will take the cake. Whether he's a first-time flyer or not, flying this remote control helicopter will be a lot of adventure for him.

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From Amazon.com
36. Overdrive Starter Kit

Whether it's in his video games or the arcade place, racing cars have always been a fascinating choice for boys. As much as he would love to race cars in real life, that can be a little too dangerous without proper training. But the good thing is, you can get him this cool Overdrive starter kit which can level up car racing for him. It comes with an app he has to download, then he can charge the cars and start building his auto track. Now, he's ready for more exciting car racing ever. He can also keep his cars running as smooth as ever since the kit comes with a tire cleaner too.

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From Amazon.com
37. Tactical Backpack

He's not getting any younger. A big boy that he needs some things that fit his age and the activities and adventures he gets himself in. So, if he likes chasing new adventures in the outdoors like going camping and hiking trails, then he's going to need this tactical backpack before his next outdoor excursion. It's the perfect backpack with enough compartments and space for everything he has to carry and more pockets for other things as well. What makes this bag even better is its water-repellant feature, so his things will stay dry no matter the weather.

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From Amazon.com
38. Stratocaster Electric Guitar

Get him something that keeps his passion growing and flowing. Whether he likes playing the guitar, dreaming of being a part of a band, or wants to learn how to play the instrument, this Stratocaster electric guitar will make a cool gift for his 18th birthday. It’s one of the most beautiful looking guitars you can ever find. Plus, it is comfortable with a luxurious feel to it. This guitar is an all-around professional instrument which will be perfect for beginners and pro guitar players alike.

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From Amazon.com
39. Digital SLR Camera

For his 18th birthday, get him something that is not just cool, but also functional and practical, especially for the things he enjoys doing or his passion. So, if you are looking for brilliant birthday gifts for 18-year-old boy who loves taking impressive photos, level up his photography skills by getting him a professional camera like this Digital SLR camera. If he can take some cool shots using his mobile phone, he will love taking photos better with this camera in his hands. It has a lot of cool features that only a professional camera has.

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From Amazon.com
40. Hard Tail Mountain Bike

If he likes going outdoors, then he’s going to need a cool ride. You don’t have to get him a car for his 18th birthday. That can be very expensive, but you might want to consider getting him this Hard Tail mountain bike as a birthday gift. It has all the cool features he needs to make trail riding so much better from some big tires that can hold its own in whatever kind of terrain to disc brakes and 24 varying speeds to choose from. Now, he can go riding in his favorite trails like a pro. It can be an excellent exercise if he wants to have a more active lifestyle too.

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