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25 Best Toys & Gift Ideas for 9-Year-Old Boys: 2024 Picks
Looking for ideas? Check out these 25 great gift ideas for 9-year-old boys.
Are you trying to find the best gift for a 9-year-old boy? It can be a tough one. They’re no longer little kids, but they’re not teens yet, either.
We’ve experienced the same challenge many times, so we set out to find the best products on the market to help excite and entertain the 9-year-old boy in your life. These toys have passed our criteria of being well-made, unique, educational, and fun, and they come highly recommended by the 9-year-olds in our lives.
Check out this list of the 25 best gifts for 9-year-old boys. The hardest part will be choosing just one.
Our Top Picks
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To make your choices easier, we’ve categorized the products we think are the best gifts for 9-year-old boys. Here are our top 25 picks.
Technical and Electronic Gifts
Boys love to explore technology and electronics. At this age, they’re starting to discover and master new things all the time. Learning about robots, engineering, and electronics will be exciting and interesting.
Exploring these experiences in a fun way will hold their attention and give them hours of enjoyment.
Let your child’s imagination run riot with this kit, which lets them power electric model cars, build doodling robots, add motors to Legos, and more.
This introduction to electronics comes with challenge cards to give your tweenager ideas of what to build.
Personal Experience
After purchasing this product for my young son's birthday, I've noticed that it has been a fantastic way to inspire creativity and enhance his STEM skills, while still allowing him to be independent in completing most tasks. This product seems to cater well to children around the age range of 7 to 11, as my friends' kids have also expressed their love for it. The projects included with this product not only keep the children entertained but also have educational value, making it an excellent gift for kids in gifted programs as well. While the kids seem to enjoy it quite frenetically, it's also important to provide some oversight and assistance when necessary.
Boys of all ages enjoy creating with Legos. This kit lets them use it to enter the world of coding by creating fun robots.
Instructions for five different robots are included in the free app, suitable for iOS or Android. Because of this, the set requires access to a tablet or smartphone.
Personal Insight
This LEGO Boost kit has been a fantastic learning experience and source of entertainment for my kids, especially my 7-year-old. The variety of intricate projects right out of the box, such as a standing robot, guitar, and factory, offers endless fun and creativity. The accompanying app provides guidance on building and programming each robot, while the Bluetooth setup is incredibly painless. However, there are some drawbacks, such as the need for an iPad or Android tablet, limited accessories, and a sometimes confusing app. Despite these issues, LEGO Boost has proven to be both enjoyable and educational, teaching my kids about coding, problem-solving, and creativity.
This educational set from the world of K’NEX introduces kids to basic engineering and technology skills by creating a fully functioning fairground ride. There are three amusement park ride models to choose from and build.
It comes with all the pieces you need, plus a battery-operated motor.
Community Review
Got this product for my granddaughters and they absolutely loved it! The instructions were easy to follow, and though the assembly took some effort, the excitement of seeing the motorized swing spinning made it all worthwhile. My nephew tried it too and enjoyed the motorized feature. However, we did encounter some missing pieces and found the smaller parts quite difficult to assemble, so be prepared for that challenge.
Wonder Workshop brings us this robot, which can be coded to follow mazes or race around a track. Once your child masters basic coding on paper or a tablet, they can begin block-based coding with the free Blockly app.
This award-winning coding robot toy is sure to be a hit with any 9-year-old boy.
Individual Opinion
My experience with this Dash Robot has been overwhelmingly positive, as it offers both fun and educational experiences for kids. I got it as a gift for my 5-year-old son, and he has been fascinated by its interactive movements and engaging games. The construction is sturdy and well-designed, with powerful motors that can navigate through various terrains and a fantastic battery life. The companion app is truly impressive, providing an intuitive and responsive interface that teaches programming concepts in an enjoyable way. Furthermore, I appreciate that the robot doesn't require any personal information or account sign-up, and the price is reasonable compared to other products on the market. However, I would have appreciated a user manual or quick start guide upon unboxing, as it took some time to figure out how to set it up and use it properly.
This is one of many kits from Engino that help your child discover the world of technology and mechanics. Your child can use it to create 16 different working models while learning how levers and linkages work.
As well as a full instruction booklet, there’s online support via the company website or a free app.
First-Hand Impression
Love the engaging and educational aspect of this STEM building kit, as it truly stimulates young minds and encourages creativity. My grandchildren and I have had a blast constructing various bridge designs, even testing their strength with weights. The quality and durability of the blocks are impressive, but the instruction booklet could be improved with larger, clearer illustrations and a more organized layout.
Games and Toys
Just because your little boy is growing up doesn’t mean he won’t still enjoy games and toys. It seems all boys, even grown-up ones, love cars and similar toys, and who doesn’t like the challenge of a good board game?
Some of the games and puzzles we’ve selected might be more advanced but are still suitable for this age group and will provide lots of fun.
Skillmatics Guess in 10 States of America Card Game
This guessing card game lets you and your kids enter the exciting world of city exploration within the United States. It’s suitable for two to six players ages 8 and over.
We particularly like that this learning game allows parents to interact with kids away from today’s technology. It’s getting back to the basics. Plus, you get to teach your child about geography in a subtle and fun way!
Personal Experience
As a parent, I found that this game keeps the kids engaged and encourages friendly competition while learning about each state's trivia. My 4-year-old is not only learning to identify states on a map but also improving their reading skills with these cards. This product is particularly excellent for kids aged 8-14 who are studying US States and Geography, as it provides a perfect balance of challenge and entertainment. The game's quality is also impressive, being easy to clean and having straightforward directions for everyone to follow.
Is your 9-year-old son a fan of the video game phenomenon Minecraft? Are they also still into their Lego kits? If so, this is the ideal gift.
With this set, your child can build a Minecraft-based farm, use their imagination to help Steve maintain it, and fight off the skeleton and his bow.
Personal Insight
My experience with this Lego Minecraft The Farm set was truly delightful, as it brought together the family's Minecraft enthusiasts, young and old alike. The detailed pieces, like the cow and sheep, added a unique touch and fueled the imagination of the children during playtime. With easy-to-follow instructions, this set was perfect for kids of all ages (who won't put pieces in their mouths), providing a fun and engaging way for them to take a break from screens and work together on a creative project.
Hone your skills by navigating a ball through this 3D maze enclosed in a clear plastic sphere. There are 22 feet of track and 125 obstacles to keep your child focused for hours.
This puzzle game will develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills while enhancing hand-eye coordination.
Community Review
I'm a puzzle enthusiast, and I recently tried out this fascinating toy. Although it can be entertaining at first, I found myself losing interest after a few tries. The design could be improved by painting the numbers and arrows black for better visibility, as I sometimes struggled to see the correct path. This toy is great for those who enjoy a challenge, but it can also be frustrating at times. If you have patience and enjoy maddening puzzles, this may be a worthwhile addition to your collection.
Release your boy’s inner Criss Angel with this 56-piece magic kit. There are instructions for 100 easy-to-learn tricks that they can use to wow family and friends.
The set even includes a magic top hat and wand to add to the theatrics of the magic show.
Individual Opinion
I recently purchased this magic set for my child, and we have both been thoroughly enjoying it. The kit includes a variety of tricks that cater to different skill levels, making it suitable for beginners and more experienced young magicians alike. Although some tricks require a bit of practice, the learning curve is manageable and adds to the fun. The quality of the props is decent, but the collapsible hat leaves something to be desired. My only suggestion for improvement would be the inclusion of a more durable storage container, as the current cardboard box doesn't seem like it will withstand the test of time.
It’s time to leave the kiddie cars behind and enter the world of battery-operated, radio-controlled action. This car has three motors (one for steering, two for driving), front and rear suspension, and a 3-channel transmitter.
It can be used indoors or outdoors and is rugged and tough enough for all terrains.
First-Hand Impression
For someone who's new to RC vehicles, this toy truck is a fantastic starter option. Its fully articulated multi-link suspension and coilover shocks make it highly capable of handling rocky terrain, and it has impressive torque for being powered by six AA batteries. However, the steering can be a bit inconsistent and the pistol grip controller might not be to everyone's preference. Despite these minor drawbacks, this truck is perfect for those who want to test their interest in hobby RC without breaking the bank.
Sports and Outdoors
Outdoor activities are a must for a 9-year-old boy to burn off some of that excess energy. This could be playing ball games, chasing friends around with Nerf guns, or riding a bike or scooter.
Any toys that enhance an outdoor experience for your kids will be a bonus.
This lightweight skateboard has been crafted with kids in mind. The shorter wheelbase is good for a tween’s smaller size, but it still performs at the skatepark.
It has 360-degree inclined casters with high-grade urethane wheels. The board has a concave deck for increased control when carving turns.
Personal Experience
For the past four months, my kids and I have been enjoying these RipStiks, and they've held up impressively well despite our rough play. Learning to ride them was a bit challenging at first, but once we got the hang of it, we couldn't get enough of the fun and agility they offer, especially in smaller spaces. Just bear in mind that this RipStik is geared more toward kids and teenagers, and might not be ideal for taller or heavier people seeking a more stable ride.
The Nerf N-Strike Elite is a massive hit amongst 9-year-old boys. With six darts they can fire in quick action, this gun will satisfy any Nerf war addict. It’s quick and easy to load.
If six darts aren’t enough, you can purchase extras separately.
Personal Insight
Definitely a worthwhile addition to any Nerf collection, these blasters are not only fun but also durable and reliable. With soft tips, they cause zero damage and are perfect for family Nerf battles, providing endless entertainment and memories. Although smaller kids may find it a bit challenging to pull back initially, they quickly adapt and are soon able to participate in the action. The blasters are surprisingly accurate up to distances of 10-15 feet, making them an ideal choice for indoor play. While there are more advanced models on the market, these blasters still hold their own in terms of performance and longevity.
Keep active by jumping on this blast pad to launch a rocket over 200 feet into the air. Your boy can play with friends to see who can launch the highest rocket.
Once the kids have finished having fun with this outdoor toy, everything packs neatly into the base. This is the perfect solution for storage and keeping everything together for the next playtime.
Community Review
Great toy for kids and adults alike, the Marky Sparky Blast Pad Advanced Missle Launch System is a fun and educational outdoor activity. This well-designed toy is easy to set up and use, and its soft rubber stomp pad can handle even the heaviest stomping. I was impressed with how high the rockets flew, even when launched by the smaller kids. The Blast Pad also helps teach kids about physics concepts, such as gravity and inertia, while providing them with a fun way to exercise outdoors. The rockets themselves are colorful and sturdy, and the launcher has a clever safety feature that prevents accidents.
Franklin Sports Electronic Baseball Pitching Machine
If you have a boy who likes baseball, but you aren’t always around to pitch for him to practice, go electronic. This battery-operated pitching machine will launch one of the six plastic balls every 20 seconds.
We like that this is height adjustable, so you can set it just right for your kid’s swing.
Individual Opinion
I've been using this pitching machine with my 7-year-old son, and despite its inconsistencies, it has actually helped improve his batting skills and confidence. The machine can be a bit unpredictable with its pitches, but this teaches him which ones not to swing at. We did have to place it on a bucket to get the pitches more in the strike zone, but it still shoots high or low occasionally. The balls themselves are quite durable, and the machine is a great starter tool for young players learning the basics of the game.
Your 9-year-old will be whizzing off to the store for you on this battery-powered scooter. It’s one way to get them to volunteer to run an errand.
This best electric scooter for kids has a throttle in the handle and a hand-operated front brake. Just push off to kick start it and get to a thrilling speed of up to 10 miles per hour.
First-Hand Impression
As a parent, I found this electric scooter to be a well-built and affordable option for my kids. My 9-year-old enjoys zipping around the neighborhood, and it has impressive battery life. However, I do wish it had an adjustable bar and a throttle to control the speed, as it can be quite fast and takes off suddenly. Despite this minor issue, it has provided hours of fun and is perfect for kids who are starting to explore powered vehicles.
Educational and STEM Gifts
There are so many good toys on the market that teach our kids through play. Kids don’t even realize they’re learning as they use these genius toys and games. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) toys are designed to fit in with a child’s curriculum.
These types of toys are great for developing a child’s interest and enthusiasm for the world around them.
Cozmo is the ideal robot buddy for a 9-year-old boy. Apart from all the games he can play straight out of the box, some simple programming with a free app lets him control Cozmo to do his bidding.
We love the simple drag-and-drop coding method, as it makes it quick for new coders to use and see results.
Enjoy 60 different challenges that get progressively harder to create a maze that carries a marble from the starting point to a target tower.
This game combines building and engineering and comes with clear and easy-to-follow instructions.
Personal Insight
In my experience, this learning toy has been a fantastic tool for engaging my 10 and 7-year-old grandsons in STEM learning. The older one spent over an hour fully engrossed in it right away, while the younger one had a blast trying to "beat" the game for at least 30 minutes. They both continued to make progress on subsequent levels and enjoyed the challenges it presented. My 8-year-old nephew also uses it as a building set and has played with it almost daily since his birthday. This toy not only sharpens their problem-solving skills, but also provides quality family time as the whole family enjoys figuring out the puzzles together.
This game for two to four players over the age of 8 covers all sorts of science subjects. Kids can learn about chemistry, biology, astronomy, anatomy, zoology, and physics.
It’s family-friendly learning made fun. Just stretch your line of gross slime to the end of the board to win.
Community Review
My family and I had a blast playing the Totally Gross board game, which is filled with hilarious and educational questions about science. Even the younger kids enjoyed participating, and it quickly became a game night favorite for everyone. The slime used for moving around the board was a bit tricky, but we found a workaround by moving a blob of slime instead of stretching it.
Kids love video games. This gift lets them create their own game, test it, and then play it. They can even share it with friends, which is really cool.
The free app that enables this game can be downloaded to a compatible device, which will have to be available for use.
Individual Opinion
My experience with this product has been a mix of positives and negatives. The creative potential it offers for kids is incredible, giving them a chance to truly engage with their imagination and build their own unique projects. However, the technology interface has its drawbacks, such as inaccuracies in color recognition when using the app's camera feature and the app being resource-heavy on tablets. Despite these issues, I believe the product is worth considering for children who are bright, motivated, and patient, as the concept of building their own game can be highly rewarding.
Anyone for candy? This kit has a complete instruction book for 40 different experiments your kids can follow to make different types of candy. They can learn about food science and then eat the end results.
While the kit includes 27 tools and ingredients, you’ll need to add some pantry staples for the experiments.
First-Hand Impression
Bought this edible candy kit for my preschool-aged kids, and they absolutely loved pouring and tasting the candy, although they needed some help with the microwave and reading instructions. However, I was a bit disappointed to find that many of the required items were not included in the kit, so I had to supply some of my own ingredients. My 8-year-old daughter enjoyed making the gummies and learning the science behind them, but my 12-year-old found the activities a bit underwhelming and too childish.
The Best of the Rest
There are gifts that either don’t fall into the categories we’ve covered or which we feel are worth a mention. After all, arts and crafts, books, and exploration of the world are still of interest to many 9-year-old boys.
Lighthearted and fun, this box set of books from award-winning author Jeff Kinney are favorites with kids worldwide. Easy to pick up but hard to put down, they’ll provide lots of laughs and encourage your 9-year-old to read.
You might even find yourself sneaking one out of the box to read yourself.
Personal Experience
My experience with this book series has been fantastic for both my seven-year-old son and the rest of the family. This set not only offers great value but also inspires a love of reading through humor and engaging graphic art. Although the covers were paper instead of hardcover, it didn't detract from the overall enjoyment of these entertaining books. These books are suitable for kids aged seven and above, and even my teenagers find them enjoyable, making it an excellent gift for various age groups.
This microscope is ready to be used out of the box and will enchant boys who love looking into what things are made of. There are three different magnification levels and easy-to-use focus knobs.
They can examine the wings of a fly, see its eye close up, or grow bacteria and examine it.
This lightweight tracing pad has LED lights, making it easy to trace through. It’s really thin and portable. A graphite pencil and 12 colored pencils are included, along with 10 tracing sheets.
Community Review
I'm thrilled with how much my 6-year-old enjoys this drawing tool, as it keeps her entertained with tracing animals and creating outfits. The light-up feature works well, and it even sparked an interest in drawing for my previously uninterested child. Although I wish the outer design was a bit smaller for easier portability, this drawing tool has proven to be durable and fun for both kids and adults alike.
Arts and crafts are an excellent way for a tween to unwind and relax. This kit comes with the puzzle pieces to create nine 3D designs. It also comes with 40 markers for coloring them in.
Your child can assemble houses, buildings, animals, or insects and then get creative coloring them in.
You’ll probably be asking them to share with you, as these projects are good for stress relief.
Individual Opinion
These 3D puzzles have been a fantastic way to keep my children entertained and engaged during our time at home. My kids absolutely loved coloring and assembling the various structures and animals, although it could be a bit challenging for younger ones. The puzzles are not only fun, but also help develop their problem-solving skills and creativity. The pieces were sturdy enough to withstand the punching out process, and any minor imperfections were well-hidden in the final product. While the included markers could be of better quality, the overall experience has been so positive that I will definitely consider buying more of these kits for my children in the future.
No review of boys’ toys would be complete without a basketball hoop. This mini version fits over a door and comes with a mini-basketball. The shatter-resistant backboard has foam backing to prevent damage.
This is great for kids to let off steam on rainy days indoors or just for practicing their skills whenever they want.
First-Hand Impression
I'm impressed with the durability and longevity of this mini basketball hoop, as it has withstood daily use by my kids and even middle school students for years. The glow-in-the-dark feature is a cool addition that my son particularly enjoys. One downside is that it can be a bit noisy and cause scratches on the door, so I recommend placing a towel or felt behind it to minimize damage. Additionally, the backboard may seem flimsy, and it doesn't come with a pump for the ball. Despite these minor issues, this product has provided endless entertainment and has exceeded my expectations in terms of quality and durability.
How to Choose Gifts for 9-Year-Old Boys
Nine-year-old boys are starting out on the stage of adolescence. Some will develop earlier than others; as we all know, no two kids are the same.
In general, your boys at this age will start to become aware of their relationships with others outside the family. You might have to let them go for their first sleepover with friends, which is never easy for a mom. It’s a sign that your baby is growing up.
Their attention span will improve, and they’re more likely to want to see something through to a conclusion. On the other hand, their interests can change quite rapidly. They’ll also be more adept at sports and outdoor activities (1).
Good toys for boys at this age will test their brains and physical capabilities. It could be anything from reading a book that interests them, exploring the world of science and technology, or simply shooting some hoops. They’ll also enjoy age-appropriate board games and toys.
FAQs
What Stage of Development is a 9-Year-Old In?
A nine-year-old is typically in the late childhood stage of development. They have improved coordination, are able to handle more complex tasks and games, and begin to form more concrete thoughts and moral reasoning.
They are also developing a stronger sense of identity and social understanding.
Do 9-Year-Olds Still Like Toys?
Many nine-year-olds still enjoy toys, especially those that challenge them or relate to interests like science, art, sports, or collecting. They might prefer more sophisticated toys like advanced building sets, strategy games, or electronics.
How Many Toys Should a 9-Year-Old Have?
The number of toys a nine-year-old should have isn’t fixed and depends on the child’s interests, space, and lifestyle. Focus on quality and variety, providing toys that engage different skills and can be enjoyed over time.
What Do 9-Year-Old Kids Like to Do?
Nine-year-old kids like to engage in activities that challenge them mentally and physically. They might enjoy sports, creative arts, reading, building projects, and interactive play with friends or family.
What is the Best Game For a 9-Year-Old?
The best game for a nine-year-old might include board games that require strategy like Catan Junior or Ticket to Ride.