Your 9-year-old boy isn’t that little kid you remember anymore. He has developed emotionally to the point where he’s hoping to get some independence from his parents.-He wants to be recognized as being intelligent and knowledgeable – especially in areas he knows something about. In other words, he’s starting to care what other people think besides his family.
That can mean trouble when you are shopping for the best gifts for him. This isn’t gendered specific – it’s the same situation when shopping for a 9 year old girl.
While shopping for a pre-teen can be intimidating, don’t be fearful.
Have the courage to not only pick a gift that is “peer approved” but also one that reflects how much you care for your 9 year old boy. We’ve selected some gifts that check both the boxes to help you in your quest.
We worked to pick gifts that will last and have some replay value – so your child can get some use from your present and remember you in the years to come. The world doesn’t need your gift to end up as garbage in a landfill come March of next year.
Finally, in acknowledgment that no one gift is “the best” for all kids, we’ve selected a wide variety of toys that should appeal to kids with different interests. Our headings should give you a good idea of what type of kid would love each toy. Hopefully, you find something to match the child you are shopping for.
The Rundown: The Top Toy Picks For 9 year old Boys
The alluring aroma, colors, and BUBBLES of the Two Sisters Spa Bubble Bomb Unicorn Surprise may lure any kid at bath time…plus there is a surprise unicorn toy in each bath bomb.
If your young adult is into art and crafts, this gift will mesmerize them for months to come.
The Unicorn Adventure Scratch and Sketch hardcover art activity book will motivate and inspire creative kids of all ages.
This toy tea set is good enough to eat off of - literally! Made of FDA-approved for food-contact materials, your daughter can play pretend and be safe at the same time.
For boys 3 to 12 Years of age
Pros:
- Dramatic colored water and alluring aromas may intrigue any reluctant kid to the bath.
- The bath bombs are about the size of a tennis ball and make lots of bubbles.
- Inside each bath bomb is a unicorn toy surprise that is released as the bath bomb fizzes and bubbles.
Cons:
- The pieces may be a choking hazard for toddlers younger than three years old.
The Two Sisters Spa Bubble Bath Bombs may entice any kid to bath with all the bubbles…and the fun unicorn gift surprise inside the bath bomb. Yes, inside each bubble bath bomb is a treasure, a unicorn toy, or a unicorn jewelry piece. For little boys, there is the Superhero Kit with fun superhero figurines and keepsakes.
The secret is to use water pressure for the ultimate experience. Drop the bath bomb into the water while the bath is filling with water. Before long, you will have fragrant, colorful bath water with lots and lots of bubbles. Each bath bomb is about the size of a tennis ball…can you imagine the fizzing and bubbles!
Another surprise is the unicorn toy or jewelry that is released from within the bath bomb. It could be a unicorn necklace, a ring, squishies, unicorn horn or finger puppets, lip gloss, or a bracelet hidden within, waiting for an excited kid to have a bath.
The toys and products are created by moms who work flexi-hours because family is important to them. Being moms, they know which unicorn gifts and toys to select that will thrill little girls and little boys, who like all things superhero related.
Pros:
- A challenging game that is easy to learn.
- Players experience the urgency and drama as if they are part of the Pandemic world.
- Cooperative play. Teamwork is essential to save humanity.
Cons:
- Players who prefer playing against other players may find a cooperative concept difficult to grasp
- Need to play a game before players understand the game
If the idea of saving the world interests you, then join the disease control team in Pandemic and protect the world against deadly diseases. You play against time to find the cures before the virus spreads.
It’s essential to work together as a team to find solutions. Pandemic is a great game to inspire teamwork and strategic play. Players must decide which actions to take next. Do they treat the diseases, find a new cure, build research stations, or fly or drive across the globe?
The game starts with nine infected cities. With each round, the number increases, and epidemic cards may re-infect previous cities that may cause chaos if wrong actions are taken.
Easy to understand the board game allows for all ages to play, requiring tactical and strategic moves to save the world. Players control the difficulty level by deciding how many epidemic cards they place in the deck.
Number of players: 2-4
Set up time: 10-15 minutes
Average Playtime: 25-45 minutes
Complexity Level: Medium to High
Recommended ages: 8+ years
Reviewed recommended ages: 8+ years
For boys 9 to 17 Years of age
Pros:
- Perfect gift for kids that love to paint, draw, or show other artistic traits.
- Projects can be completed in a weekend so they don’t have to dominate your house.
- This crate introduces unique crafting materials and interesting techniques.
- Non-traditional gift can be perfect for kids that crave their uniqueness.
Cons:
- Not all kids will be interested in these projects – you’ll know if it’s right for your boy.
- Crates are given out randomly so there’s no guarantee which project you’ll get next month. Can be good or bad.
The Doodle Crate makes our best toy and gift list for 9 year olds because it’s different than the average gift. It’s not for every young adult, but those with an artistic bent will really appreciate your thoughtfulness once they receive it.
Every month, a “crate” is mailed to your child. Inside are numerous projects based around the theme of the month. It’s not just painting or drawing – projects require working in different materials including wood, clay, and resins. Different styles of artistic expression are explored each month. There are also written and video resources provided to allow inclined kids to explore the subject more thoroughly.
Not every 9 year old boy will love this gift – but it’s the perfect gift for the kid that’s shown an interest in art in the past. I know in my family, my youngest son had a blast working on his project. I’m confident your creative kid will enjoy the Doodle Crate as well.
For boys 5 to 99 Years of age
Pros:
- The versatile art activity book has something for all kids irrespective of their art skills; they can trace and scratch-off, color the drawings, or create their doodles and drawings.
- The sturdy wire binding and hardcover protects the pages inside and endure kids’ handling.
- It is perfect for traveling and for keeping kids occupied.
Cons:
- Not for kids under 5 years that may inhale the scratch coating particles.
The Unicorn Adventure Scratch and Sketch, an art activity book, is one of the best unicorn gifts to give a creative child and budding artist…and a unicorn fan. What is hidden behind the black-coated scratch-off art board pages? Even boys and girls who don’t think they can draw could be inspired to follow the tracing and drawings in the activity book. Tracing with the wooden stylus strengthens hand-eye coordination.
Kids of all ages are invited to join Polly with the unicorn on an adventure to the unicorn’s castle. Scratching the black-coated art board pages reveal rainbow swirls and glittery foil unicorn-related images. The hardcover activity book contains twenty drawings and descriptions of unicorns and friends, twenty pages for doodling, and the twenty black-coated scratch-off pages. Kids may use crayons, markers, or colored pencils to create their unique unicorn artwork and their unicorn adventure stories.
It’s not only a drawing book; it combines the story with the drawings taking kids on an adventure. Boys and girls may build confidence in their art skills and create new experiences for the unicorn combining imagination and creativity.
The hardcover activity book with its wooden styles is convenient for road trips and to keep kids occupied in restaurants and waiting rooms. It gives kids the freedom to sketch on pages at the back or for the less daring to trace and color in the drawings.
Pros:
- Made in the USA of BPA-free, recycled milk jugs.
- Easy to clean – it’s dishwasher safe so cleanup is a breeze!
- Your 9 year old boy will build both fine and gross motor skills playing with this set.
- Great for tub play as well.
- Built to last for years of play.
Cons:
- You pay extra for the Earth-friendly construction.
If your young ::age:: boy is looking for a toy tea set to go along with tea time, the Green Toys Tea Set is a great choice. he can play while being nice to the environment at the same time. You see, these tea cups, pots, plates, creamer and sugar bowl are all made of food-grade recycled materials. This is awesome because it means you can actually drink from the set without worrying about hot water melting plastic or leeching and undesirable chemicals.
This tea set is wonderful. The toy items are sturdy while still being small enough for little hand’s to easily handle. It is safe to eat and drink from, washes easily, and quite resistant to scratches and blemishes. Some people aren’t aware that toy manufacturers now have to put little holes to prevent suffocation in any toy a young boy might jam in their mouth. The sugar bowl is the one in this set with the holes – so if you pour a powder in the bowl, it won’t stay there!
These cups are kid-sized, not doll-sized – so they’ll be able to drink more than a sip when playing make-believe. It’s one of the best tea sets out there for kids!
For boys 5 to 99 Years of age
Pros:
- With the design on both sides, it doesn’t matter in which hand your child holds the mug.
- Add hot water and see the unicorn tail change color.
- The unicorn mug, with its unique trademarked design, is decorative on its own and earns a position with the other unicorn collectibles.
Cons:
- You’ll have to wait for your turn because everyone will want to drink out of the mug.
The Color Changing Unicorn Mug is a great unicorn gift for kids and adults who enjoy their coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and other hot drinks that works the magic. There’s a reason the unicorn face looks like it’s smiling as if it has a secret. When you pour hot water into the unicorn mug, the unicorn’s hair changes into beautiful rainbow colors.
The design is on both sides of the mug, so it doesn’t matter whether your child is left-handed or right-handed; they will see the color-changing effect. The manufacturer, Infloatables, guarantees a quality ceramic mug with their trademarked Unicorn Mug Design that won’t scratch off.
With a one-of-a-kind design, the 3D mug is decorative enough to earn a particular spot on your desk, in your bedroom, office, or a special place among the other unicorn collectibles. Display it empty or use it to store your pencils, markers, or pens.
It is one of the best unicorn gifts for kids or adults who adore unicorns. They will be delighted with such an original unicorn gift but wait until you offer them a hot drink in their new unicorn mug. It’s a jaw-dropping experience the first time they see the hair of the unicorn change into rainbow colors.
For boys 5 to 99 Years of age
Pros:
- The unicorn garden is portable and can be displayed indoors or outdoors.
- Five unicorn-related figurines decorate the garden. Your child may move them around depending on their imaginative role-playing story at that moment.
- Kids learn gardening skills while having fun.
Cons:
- The seeds and soil aren’t included in the package.
Your child may not have a unicorn in the garden, but they can create their unique unicorn garden with Creative Roots Create Your Own Unicorn Garden kit. The 10-inch plastic planter is a nice size for a sustainable garden project for kids indoors or outdoors.
Each child creates a unique garden by planting or decorating with the flowers, herbs, or plants they wish to have in the garden. You don’t even have to buy seeds; they can also use plants from your backyard or flower bed. Some unicorn gardens may well have daisies, pansies, and violets. Other may have more tropical effect with ferns and ground covers. For some, a quick-growing herb garden could be a great idea. It’s up to your child!
The five hand-painted figurines create a personal touch and inspire imaginative play. Your kid may move the castle, two unicorn figurines, the toadstool, and a butterfly around depending on how their creative story unfolds.
Gardening is a soothing exercise that provides delayed gratification after you see the plants grow and flower. Start by layering the planter with soil (seeds and soil not included in the package). Place the garden accessories as desired. Add the plants or flowers and display your garden for all to see.
If your kid doesn’t want to create a live garden, they can use fake moss, and toy trees and shrubs to develop their unicorn garden.
Pros:
- A strategic game for two players.
- Tile pieces are durable with beautiful designs.
- Portable with a pouch for storage and travel
Cons:
- Some players don’t like to have to continually concentrate during a game.
Hive is a two-player board game that requires strategic thinking like when playing Chess. The objective of the game is to protect your queen bee that she isn’t locked in by opponent bugs.
The game is quick to grasp but requires strategic thinking. Set up time is fast because you don’t require a board; a flat surface will suffice to place the tiles.
Each tile is decorated with one of the five types of bugs — each bug hast its rules of how it can move.
A portable game that can travel with you wherever you go.
Number of players: 2
Set up time: 5 minutes
Average Playtime: 15-30 minutes
Complexity Level: Medium
Recommended ages: 8-15 years
Reviewed recommended ages: 8+ years
Pros:
- Relaxing yet competitive game for two players
- Quick but engaging game
- Ideal for kids, teenagers, and couples
Cons:
- Not for gamers who want complicated, integrated games and not a relaxing game
Patchwork may look straightforward, but there’s a catch. Uneven pieces of fabric require strategic planning and the ability to solve problems. When you’ve placed your fabric piece on the board, you can’t move it.
Created by game designer Uwe Rosenberg, this classic board game inspires creativity, problem-solving, and healthy competition. The competitive game challenges players to create the highest score with their patchwork quilt design.
A game could take up to 45 minutes, depending on the competitive play. The idea is to complete as much of the quilt as possible with the unique shapes. Kids who like solving puzzles will enjoy that element in the game. Creative kids who want to become textile designers will enjoy the idea of creating a quilt with odd pieces.
The secret lies in the buttons, which is the money currency and gives the quilt that final touch.
If you enjoy Tetris, then you may enjoy this engaging quilting game with its strategic puzzle-solving element.
Number of players: 2
Set up time: 5 minutes
Average Playtime: 15-30 minutes
Complexity Level: Easy
Recommended ages: 8-15 years
Reviewed recommended ages: 8-adults
For boys 4 to 10 Years of age
Pros:
- Included experiments are age-appropriate and fun for the family to work together.
- Great for bathtub and sandbox play when younger, but grows into science experiments as your child ages.
- High replay value since equipment can be used to do other experiments available for free on the internet.
Cons:
- While most are common household items, you need to provide the ingredients for the experiments.
Encourage interest in science and experimental learning with this award-winning lab set. The Learning Resources Primary Science Lab set comes with a ton of kid-friendly science tools. All 12 pieces are correctly sized for 9 year old children to be able to handle.
Younger boys might just use the toy to play make-believe unless you or another adult take them step by step through the instructions. On the other hand, older children can use the included experiment cards to learn more about the physical world around them. Once you’ve gone through all the included experiments, you are free to use the equipment to tackle other experiments about the world around you.
Pros:
- A card-theme board game for a variety of ages.
- Easy to learn and fun to play.
- Teaches kids card game principles.
Cons:
- Too many players fill up the board too soon.
Sequence is a two-player board game that requires strategic and decision-making skills. The object is to create a row of five pieces while simultaneously blocking your opponent from creating their rows.
The board shows two packs of cards. Each card lies with its image face up. Each player is dealt seven cards. When it’s your turn, you select a card in your hand to play by placing a chip on one of the two options on the board. That’s where the strategy and fun start, choosing the right one that will enhance your play.
There’s always the wild card to benefit a player and have a negative impact on the opponent. The Jack can be played as any card, or you could remove an opponent’s chip from the board.
The player who scores the required number of sequences wins.
Number of players: 2-3 or up to 12 in three teams
Set up time: 5 minutes
Average Playtime: 10-30 minutes
Complexity Level: Easy
Recommended ages: 7+ years
Reviewed recommended ages: 6+ years
For boys 8 to 99 Years of age
Pros:
- Teach kids to save with the piggy bank shaped like a unicorn head.
- The ceramic material is durable and beautifully designed to display it in your unicorn-crazed child’s bedroom.
Cons:
- It’s easy to remove the stopper to reveal the savings content.
The Beriwinkle Ceramic Unicorn Piggy Bank is the best unicorn gift to teach kids about finances. After all, if you want to go on adventures or enlarge your unicorn toys collection, you need to start saving.
The glazed ceramic unicorn head is available in six different colors to complement the décor in a child’s room. With more than one unicorn fan in the household, the different colors will avoid mixing up the piggy banks. If you have an avid saver, why not collect all the colors and have a unicorn display in their bedroom?
With dimensions, 7.5 x 9 x 4.5 inches the unicorn piggy bank isn’t too large for the dressing table or a bookshelf. The base is sturdy so that it won’t topple over and break. Then it is within arm’s length when kids want to add money to their piggy bank through the slot at the top.
When the unicorn piggy bank is full, or there’s a new unicorn toy to buy, the stopper at the bottom opens the bank and reveals the content. Note that it’s easy to remove the stopper, which means curious eyes may want to see how much money was saved.
Although it’s a piggy bank, the design is so tasteful, that it could be a great birthday or Christmas gift for any unicorn fan who collects unicorns or for people who enjoy unique décor.
For boys 8 to 99 Years of age
Pros:
- The soft-tip nature of darts means there is virtually no chance of damaging property or other children while playing with these toys.
- Gun is lightweight enough that most school-aged children can participate in the fun.
- Real camaraderie is built up among teammates.
Cons:
- Darts are easy to lose. They especially seem to find their way into the vacuum cleaner. You’ll want to buy some extras.
- There are many Nerf Blaster choices – so your child may prefer a toy for a different playstyle.
Nerf dart blasters are a perennial favorite of boys and girls everywhere. The N-Strike Elite Strongarm Blaster is no exception to this rule. With this blaster gun, you’ll be able to fire 6 darts in a row up to 90 feet. Just slam the slide to reload and you are on your way. That’s right, this blaster doesn’t require batteries.
While fine to shoot at targets by yourself, the real fun comes when a group of boys organize into teams and play tag or other games. Kids learn to implement strategy, cooperate with teammates and burn off a ton of energy running around outside while working to tag opposing team members.
For boys 8 to 13 Years of age
Pros:
- Quick enough to be fun, but not as fast as some bigger models.
- Soon will become a child favorite for expressing growing independence
- Will last for years with proper maintenance.
- Easy to transport – handlebars detach easily with a tool.
Cons:
- The handbrake by itself can be inadequate – so teach your child to steer out of harms way along with braking.
- Your child needs to be mature enough to understand the road laws in your area to use this toy.
Electric scooters for kids are a fast and simple way to get around. The Razor E100 Electric Scooter is a nice tradeoff of speed and handling for a 9 year old rider. You’ll get a scooter, battery and battery charger all included in the box. Assembly is minimal – just charge up the scooter overnight and go.
Since this scooter can go as fast as 10 mph, it’s a good idea to find a protected area for your boy to practice. It’s not quite like riding a bike – it will take a little while to master. Check your local laws to see if it’s legal to ride on the street near the curb or on the sidewalk. Different towns have different rules – and unless you want to give your kid an introduction to the legal system at this age, it’s better to find out ahead of time!
The build is solid. Younger and smaller riders will be able to easily fit both feet side-by-side on the base. Length or riding time will depend on how many hills you ride, how much your child weighs, and how hard they ride – but 30 – 50 mins seems to be about average before needing a charge.
Pros:
- A quick but intense game for those with limited time who enjoy the action.
- Word game fans will enjoy the frantic competitive element
- Very portable game for traveling
Cons:
- Players who don’t like thinking on their feet may find the game too stressful.
Bananagrams adds additional competitiveness and excitement to traditional two-player board games like Scrabble. In Scrabble, players take turns, not so in Bananagrams. With this game, each player races to see who can finish all the letters building a grid.
All you need to play is the banana-shaped carrying pouch containing 144 plastic letter tiles and two players. No board, pen, or scoring devices are necessary.
Each player creates a word grid, trying to deplete all their tiles. When that happens, players take another tile. The game continues until all the tiles are taken.
The game is easy to play and teaches kids spelling and new words during play. Bananagrams pouch is compact and convenient for traveling.
Number of players: 2-8
Set up time: 5 minutes
Average Playtime: 15 minutes
Complexity Level: Easy
Recommended ages: 7+ years
Reviewed recommended ages: 8+ years
For boys 4 to 10 Years of age
Pros:
- Both camera lenses have an 8-megapixel photo resolution to take high-quality photos.
- The camera is designed for kids and is easy to operate.
- The screen is 2.3 inches, which is larger than most camera screens for kids.
Cons:
- SD memory card isn’t included in the purchase.
The Joytrip Kids Digital Camera is a dual-lens camera with 8 Megapixels and a camcorder with FHD 1080P video resolution that’s perfect for little 9 year old boy hands! With a 2.3 inches screen, budding photographers can show off their photography skills. The automatic face tracking feature recognizes faces to capture the best smiley moments.
Replaying the videos or look at the funny photos created with the 21 frames creates hours of fun. The 1000mAh lithium rechargeable battery won’t cut the fun-time short because it lasts for 4-6 hours. Recharging takes 4-5 hours.
Hanging the camera around the child’s neck with the lanyard will help keep the camera from falling. If it does fall, don’t sweat it too much. The camera is made of soft silicone material that is safe against a child’s skin and is also shockproof should the camera fall.
The USB charger and a micro SD card reader are included in the package but not the SD card. The camera supports up to a 32 GB card.
For boys 9 to 99 Years of age
Pros:
- Active noise cancellation makes them great for car or air travel.
- Long battery life means they can be used all-day.
- Fold-able for easy storage
- Also comes with a 3.5mm cord for wired use.
Cons:
- While better for noise reduction, ear-cup design can make some ears uncomfortable.
- Plastic headband designs are nearly always weaker than metal ones. These won’t be indestructible.
Everyone likes to listen to their music, videos and games with a good set of headphones. These active noise-cancelling headphones are a good deal for the price. You get dual microphone cancellation technology, along with the option of either using a Bluetooth or wired connection to your device. That’s nice because kids (and adults) will forget to charge these headphones on occasion, but you’ll still be able to use them.
These aren’t going to compete with $400 headphones – but at well under $100 you’ll have trouble finding anything better. The plastic headband is well made, but might eventually break if you have a large head. A nice hard case will help ensure your boy doesn’t accidentally break the headphones by stepping on them.
I like the noise-canceling feature because it’s really handy when trying to study or traveling by plane – and with how well constructed these headphones are your child will likely end up having a chance to do both while owning them. They also function as a headset for talking on the phone as well.
For boys 6 to 99 Years of age
Pros:
- Jumping helps your 9 year old boy develop muscles and balance while burning off energy.
- Tramp comes with a long list of safety features to make jumping as safe as it can be.
- Your kid’s friends will always be over at your place when you are the ‘trampoline house’.
Cons:
- Parents need to supervise play – there are dangers involved if instructions aren’t followed.
- This isn’t a small toy. You need to have dedicated space in your backyard to set up and jump.
As we mentioned in our outdoor trampolines review, we think this toy is a winner. Safety is a prime concern in the design of this model. It’s so important, Skywalker has made sure this model exceeds all American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) requirements.
We like the ‘W’ supports – they give more stability to the trampoline. The padded poles and enclosure net are well-made and help to keep your 9 year old is safe. The basketball hoop is a nice touch – it has a breakaway rim and even comes with 2 basketballs. It’ll keep your children and friends entertained for hours at a time. A great gift.
For boys 3 to 9 Years of age
Pros:
- Adjustable height means it will grow with your boy.
- Folds down easily for quick storage.
- The different sizes of chalk and markers help develop fine motor skills.
- A great way to share a love of drawing with friends or family.
Cons:
- This toy requires assembly which can be a deal breaker for some.
If your child is stoked to draw but you don’t want the hassle of buying and throwing away reams of artwork-filled paper, this easel is for you. Both the chalkboard and dry-erase sides are erasable – so when your artist moves on to a new work the board will follow. It can be used on both sides at teh same time so your boy can use this toy to play with a friend at the same time.
The adjustable height is a great feature – your child will be able to use this for years to come without having to hunch over to draw. It comes with chalk and an eraser, along with a brush – but you’ll want to make sure you get more chlak on your own. With how fun this toy is, you’ll need it!
What We Like About The NextX Kids Adjustable Easel
For boys 7 to 99 Years of age
Pros:
- The included cloak is an EXACT replica of the movie prop on display in the official Warner Bros studio tour in London.
- It’s going to be THE GIFT for Harry Potter fans in 2024.
- The cloak, standalone, is of nice construction. The added invisibility effect is a nice addition!
Cons:
- Phone must be still in the tripod to get the “invisible” effect to work.
- Deluxe version is nice and completely true to the movie, but can be a bit pricey. The standard version doesn’t include the tripod either.
What kid hasn’t at some point wanted to be invisible? I know I thought the Invisibility Cloak from the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone would have awesome to own. And now you can!
This 2020 Toy of the Year finalist is an exciting augmented reality toy. This official Warner Bros. Invisibility cloak costume perfectly replicates the cloak from the Harry Potter series’ magical properties.
How does it work? It works with an associated phone app – so you can save – and share – your invisible scenes. It’s easy to save stills or videos to your devices’ camera roll for later viewing fun. If you or your children haven’t played with a “green screen” before, you are in for a treat.
In addition to the A-R aspect of this gift, it’s also a great Harry Potter toy and collector item on it’s own. If your 9 year old boy is into Harry Potter dress up or Cosplay, he’ll appreciate this gift!
Our Process For Selecting The Best Toys And Gifts For 9 year old boys
We spend weeks writing all of our toy review and gift guides. We know you rely on our input, and we take that trust seriously. Our writers and editors have spent approximately 27 hours researching and testing the most popular toys for 9 year old boys that you can find on the market in December 2024.
All of this time and resources are spent to bring this toy guide to you – we’ve put in the time to make sure our recommendations are ones you can trust.
We also update these lists daily. That’s because we don’t want to provide you with toys that are no longer in-stock – a gift you can’t buy isn’t worth much to you, no matter how cool it might be. We have reviewed many more toys than we list in this guide – and many of them are good but not quite as great as the ones that made the cut.
As toys move in and out of stock, the list will change. We want this list to help you get the best toys you can for your 9 year old this Holiday season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Toys for Nine-Year-Old Boys
What is the best toy for a nine-year-old boy?
Your son is growing up, and buying the best toy for him could be challenging. At nine-years-old, he isn’t a baby anymore; he doesn’t want to be treated like one and doesn’t wish to receive baby gift toys either. Neither is he a teen or a tween that knows what he wants. He is, however, an adventurous, energetic little boy that likes to have fun.
Knowing what your son likes and what his interests help in buying the best toy for your nine-year-old son. An energetic boy may enjoy riding his bike or exploring the neighborhood on his electric scooter. A Nerf blaster is another kind of toy he could play with friends or keep his backyard safe from sibling ‘intruders.’
If you need to buy a gift for a nine-year-old boy, you don’t know very well, buy a trusted brand toy and toys recommended for the age group. Select fun toys that inspire his adventurous spirit, a book from a popular book series, or science experiment kits and other STEM-related toys.
Is $25 too little or too much to spend on a gift for a nine-year-old boy?
You may find great gifts for $25 or less for nine-year-old boys. People tend to spend more on gifts for family and close friends than your child’s school friend. Don’t overspend when purchasing birthday gifts for school friends. It may cause an uncomfortable situation if the gift is more expensive than what family members bought the child.
Obviously, you would like to buy a special gift for your best friend’s nine-year-old son or nieces and nephews. Although you tend to spend more for these kids, you don’t want to buy gifts that make parents and other family members uncomfortable because of its extravagance. A reasonable price is about $50.
It doesn’t mean you should never buy a child an expensive gift. The parents of the nine-year-old boy may appreciate it if you would discuss it with them first. Talking to the parents first may avoid buying a toy the boy already has or duplicating a gift someone else was also planning on buying for the boy.
Another good reason to talk to the parents first when buying an expensive gift is that value systems in households differ. Some toys parents may deem not appropriate for their son. You would like to honor the parent’s wishes and buy the nine-year-old boy a toy his parents approve. You don’t want to place the parents in a situation where they must take the toy away from the boy after he opened your present. It may embarrass you and the parents, but the boy may suffer the most.
Are these toys for nine-year-old boys only, or can a nine-year-old girl play with them too?
Most toys in a recommended age group are for boys and girls to enjoy. If your nine-year-old girl likes playing with Nerf blasters or flying kites, there is no reason why she shouldn’t play with those toys and vice versa. Your boy may enjoy soft toys or likes baking with cooking toys.
STEM-related toys are other examples of non-gender toys. Interest in science, technology, engineering, or math isn’t gendered specific either. Siblings tend to mix up their toys during play. If your children are having fun, does it matter what type of toy they like to play with?
When buying toys for nine-year-old boys or girls, the best toys are the type of toys that interest the child.
Do nine-year-old boys appreciate experience gifts?
Your nine-year-old boy may enjoy going to a game with dad but could be too young to understand the benefit of the experience gift. Maybe he would’ve enjoyed kicking a ball in the backyard with his dad as much?
An experience like going to a game, the aquarium or zoo exposes him to exciting adventures. As a nine-year-old boy, however, he may not understand that experience could replace a wrapped gift. Combining a wrapped toy with the experience may make more sense to your nine-year-old. For example, giving him a pair of binoculars will mean much more in combination with a birdwatching field trip. Give him a team shirt and cap and then take him to the ball game. Combining a physical gift with the experience may create memories he will tell his grandchildren about.
Could I combine a book and a toy as a gift for a nine-year-old boy?
A nine-year-old boy may appreciate a book gift on a topic he is interested in. He may love the present even more if it is combined with a toy.
If he likes science, you could give him a science experiment kit as a toy and a gift about science. A pair of binoculars with a book about local birds may help him identify the birds in his backyard. Another great combination of the gift idea is an experience and a book. For example, he may enjoy the outing to the aquarium. Combine the aquarium visit with a book about sea creatures may have a lasting impact on your nine-year-old boy. Now he can read interesting facts about the sharks and fish he saw at the aquarium.
What is best, a gift card or a physical toy for a nine-year-old boy?
If you’re totally at a loss of what to buy a nine-year-old boy, a gift card could be the best option. It is an excellent alternative to purchasing a toy for a nine-year-old boy you don’t know. A gift card, however, maybe the most straightforward solution but isn’t necessarily the best gift from a nine-year-old boy’s perspective. Sometimes it’s just the most convenient option.
Kids, like adults, enjoy unwrapping a present. Opening a present is part of the excitement of receiving a gift. A nine year old boy may prefer receiving a wrapped toy on his birthday, even if it isn’t the perfect gift, as opposed to receiving a gift card.