35 Cool Gifts for 9-Year-Old Boys Now That They're a Tween
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When it comes time to find gifts for 9-year-olds , they're in a sweet spot. There are a lot of innovative toys for kids, and now that they're a tween, they're becoming old enough to appreciate all the bells and whistles. There are cars that can drive up walls, kits that use virtual reality goggles, and puzzles and brain-teasers aimed right at their growing minds.
Still, it can feel daunting amount to find something that's of high quality, safe to play with, and that kids like and will come back to again and again. That's where the Good Housekeeping Institute comes in. We evaluate toys all year long, first with experts who look at the construction, then with actual kids who assess the fun factor. (The best of the best are crowned with Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards every October.) In addition to the Institute's picks, we added in some best-sellers and parenting editors' selects.
1) Educational Insights BrainBolt Genius
How good is their memory? How fast are their fingers? This game tests both recall and reflexesin one, fun package. The game lights up a series of colored lights, and players have to try to repeat the sequence. One Good Housekeeping Institute parent tester loved how it encouraged her kids to do independent play. Ages 7+
2) ZipString Luma
It's hard to describe what a ZipString is, but when we broke it out during the Good Housekeeping Institute in-Lab testing, kids lined up to take a turn.The long piece of glow-in-the-dark string wafts out into a rigid loop, and then kids can try to learn to do tricks with it. "I was very satisfied how smoothly the string flies out of the gears," said one 9-year-old tester. "It's easy to learn new tricks and easy to use—makes me feel confident playing with it." Ages 8+
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3) Air Hogs Zero Gravity RC Wall Racer
Any remote-controlled car can tear down the sidewalk, but this one can actually drive up walls and even onto the ceiling! Use the remote control and the car will follow, even if it seems to defy gravity. Ages 4+
4) Waboba Bounceback Moon Ball
This wristband lets him throw and catch a ball by himself, without ever having to worry about chasing it down. It's a unique fidget toy, as well as a way to practice hand-eye coordination. Ages 3-17
5) Refasy Electronic Bank
Traditional piggy banks aren't an option at this age because they just aren't "cool" anymore. But an electronic version, that can hold all of their money and keep it safe with a special code, will do the trick to help teach them about the importance of money. No age recommendation given.
6) LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Wild Animals: Majestic Lion
For LEGO lovers, I always recommend the 3-in-1 sets, because they can be re-assembled into different figures to keep kids busy for longer. This 839-piece set can become a lion, lioness, or two cubs, plus there are habitat side builds. The heads, mouths, and legs are posable, so kids can play with the finished project. Ages 9+
7) CONNETIX Pro Constructor Set
This magnetic building set is the one to get when they've outgrown their Magna-tiles. It has more advanced options for connecting the pieces, even allowing them to swivel, as they make complex designs. Even the colors seem to be a fit for older kids. Ages 8+
8) IVOXEX Laser Tag Guns Set
Him and his friends can turn the house into a laser tag arena. The laser guns can shoot up to 130 feet, and the vests will vibrate every time they get hit. Ages 8+
9) CrunchLabs Build Box Subscription
For boys who like to tinker, get them a Crunchlabs subscription. Each kit includes everything they needto build a gadget with an engineering concept (for example, a disc launcher that uses a flywheel). Testers say that this Toy Award winner offers just the right level of challenge for the age range. Ages 8+
10) PRO SPIN All-In-One Portable Ping Pong Set
Turn any table into a ping pong tournament with this retractable net. Everything (two paddles includes) fits neatly in the storage bag, so he can bring it wherever he goes. No age recommendation given.
11) PowerUp Smartphone Controlled Paper Airplane Conversion Kit
Regular paper airplanes might be fun to make, but kids can take them to the next level with this kit, which makes paper planes fly by using an app-controlled device. It's easy for kids to build and connect via Bluetooth, and there are several kits available. It'll help promote STEM learningby teaching your 9-year-old the basics of flight, lift, and aerodynamics. Ages 8+
12) Elenco Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Exploration Kit
There's no soldering neededfor this electronics kit, which has pieces that just snap together to make anything from a musical doorbell to a voice-controlled lamp. There are enough parts and pieces to make 100 projects, but the UFO was a clear favorite of the Good Housekeeping Institute kid testers. Ages 8+
13) NERO SPORT Silent Basketball
This gift is for the kids who are always bouncing a basketball in the house, and for their parents who need a break from that very specific noise. Made of foam, this one bounces like a traditional basketball, but without the sound. Another benefit: It never needs inflating. Ages 6+
14) Force1 Scoot Combo Hand Operated Drone
This UFO-shaped drone certainly looks cool, with LED lights illuminating it as it flies. But operating it is even cooler because you don't need a remote control—you just use hand gesturesto push it up, send it sideways, or toss it forward. It also projects lights onto the ceiling. Ages 8+
15) USAOPOLY Blank Slate
This game will test their quick thinking skills, and how well they know their friends and family. Based on a prompt card, everyone writes the first word that they associate with it. However, the goal is to predict what others will sayand make as many matches as possible. It's a fast-moving, funny game. Ages 8+
16) Monopoly Monopoly App Banking
With this twist on the classic game, kids can control all the transactions through an app, including buying properties and paying rent.(That means no stuffing bills under the game board to hide them, the way my sister did when we were little.) The board also has a fun new look—kids chose the available properties to buy, so instead of Marvin Gardens they can get the moon! The app "saved the players the time and effort of handling and counting out the dollars," and made the game go faster, one parent tester noted. Ages 8+
17) Jianua Rechargeable Walkie Talkies
Give your 9-year-old a set of grown-up walkie-talkies, and watch his imagination take off. Amazon customers say that these are a good value, and report that kids as young as 7 years old were easily able to use them. They're rechargeable (no batteries to keep track of), and have a built-in flashlight. No age recommendation given.
18) Scholastic 'The Cartoonists Club' Graphic Novel
This graphic novel follows four kids who team up to form a club to help each other make comics. Good Housekeeping Institute testers were impressed with the way it blends fiction and non-fiction, courtesy of co-authors Raina Telgemeier ( Smile ) and Scott McCloud ( Understanding Comics ). "The funniest part was when the characters broke the fourth wall and talked to the reader," one parent tester said. Ages 8+
19) Big Joe Bean Bag Chair
We've come a long way since bean bag chairs were just blobs that sat there on the floor. He'll love lounging in this one, which comes with a back and armrests, plus a handle so he can drag it around his room. Best yet: It even has a drink holder and a pocket where he can stash his booksor devices! It comes in a bunch of different colors. No age recommendation given.
20) Taco vs Burrito The Card Game
This is one of those family card games that's easy to learn, and easy to pick up or put down as needed.The goal is to build the tastiest taco or burrito—the one worth the most points—but action cards keep the gameplay "spicy." It's designed to be played in just 15 minutes, so it's the perfect after-dinner activity. Ages 7+
21) TECH DECK Shred N' Blast Motorized Skateboard Toy
Finger skateboards are still popular, so here's a set that kicks up the action a notch. This one has a launcher and a ramp to send the mini skateboarder flying. Our toy testers had fun with this one, and we can confirm that the skater really does get some height! Ages 6+
22) Mooyran Star Projector Galaxy Night Light
Boys at this age may not be into room decor, but we bet they'll get a kick out of this lamp. It fills the room with a choice of eight nebula light modes, including stars, in several colors that he can toggle between with a remote control. Ages 3+
23) GlowCity Light-Up Football
He'll be able to practice his touchdown passes long after sundown with this football, which uses two LED lights to stay illuminated.Just tap the football to watch it glow, and the lights shut off automatically when not in use. You can also get him a soccer ball , pickle balls, or a basketball , among others. Ages 3+
24) Hasbro Star Wars Force N Telling Vader
Vader gets a bad rap, but maybe he had some good insights? Ask this Sith a yes-or-no question and he'll predict the future. It comes with 40 distinct responses, and its eyes are also animatedwhen he delivers the answer. Good Housekeeping Institute testers loved his design. Ages 4+
25) Pindaloo Tube Game
Launch the ball out one side of the U-shaped tube. Catch it on the other. So simple, and yet so satisfying. Kids might get so into it, they won't even notice that they're working on their motor coordination. Ages 9+
26) Ravensburger GraviTrax Marble Run Starter Set
GraviTrax sets are famous for building mind-bending marble runs with lots of tricks and features.Kids use their STEM skills to engineer the courses and account for the effects of gravity. Once you get them rolling, you can also get expansion sets that let them add in things like bridges and zip lines. Ages 8+
27) Vignuto Indoor Basketball Hoop
When the weather isn't cooperating or he just needs a homework break, this indoor basketball net gives him a fun diversion. It hangs over any standard door, has a built-in digital timer and scorekeeper, and comes with inflatable basketballs. Ages 4-12
28) Rubik's Pulse Cube
If they've already solved the original Rubik's cube, they may be ready for this more challenging version (which is one of our Toy Award picks). The cube's colors light up, but only for one minute at a time. The result is a puzzle and memory game all in one. Ages 8+
29) University Games Flickin Chicken
True, it's a game of skill—but the real talent is trying to stifle your laughter as you fling your fowl toward the target. Be warned: The chickens bounce and roll, making hitting the bullseye more of a challenge than you may think! Ages 6+
30) Beyblade X Drop Attack Battle Set
Beyblade battles get an upgrade with this stadium. It has an upper levelfrom which their spinner can drop down onto an opponent, and the entry ramp is designed to give them a speed boost. Our toy testers who were already Beyblade fans enjoyed the new features that come with this set. Ages 8+
31) Sphero Mini Robot Ball
With this robot the size of a ping pong ball, kids can play games, learn to code and drive around your house. He can also use the Sphero app and the included cones and bowling pins to build an obstacle course for his robot. There's also the option to purchase the Sphero Mini Activity Kit , which comes with a 28-piece construction set in addition to the robot. They come in a variety of different colors, but the shells are all interchangeable, so you can purchase new shell colors separately. Ages 8+
32) Hearst Home Kids Good Housekeeping 'Kids Cook!'
Once the Good Housekeeping Institute experts are done with your little chefs, they'll be whipping up dishes like beef and mushroom burgers, meatball-mozzarella pizza, and pretzel bites all on their own. There are 100 recipes to try,each vetted by the experts in the Good Housekeeping kitchen. Ages 6 – 10
33) FUNiOi Gesture Sensing RC Stunt Car
Here's a remote-control car with a twist. The car is actually controlled by hand gestures, via a special glove that communicates with the car (although a traditional remote is included, too). Kids can attempt tricks and take the car on grass, gravel, sand, and even up hills, per the brand. Ages 6-12
34) Crayola Light-Up Tracing Pad
If he likes to draw, this is just what he'll need to make pictures with more depth.First, he can layer and arrange the included images on top of each other and trace them, then he can color in his design. It comes with more than 100 tracing sheets, plus a graphite pencil, colored pencils for filling in the image, and a board that lights up so he can better see what he's tracing. Ages 6+
35) Abacus Brands Bill Nye's VR Science Kit
The classic science kit moves to the 21st century with this STEM set, which has augmented reality capabilities.Step-by-step instructional videos, narrated by science celeb Bill Nye, and on-page pictures come to life when you use it in conjunction with a phone or tablet; the kit comes with enough material to make 30 projects (though some household items are required). Ages 8+
36) Why trust Good Housekeeping?
For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute has provided expert reviews and advice on everything parents and children love, including STEM toys , sensory toys , and more.
This article was written by Marisa LaScala , Good Housekeeping 's senior parenting and relationships editor. Marisa has covered all aspects of the world of parenting, from the postpartum years through the empty nests, since 2015, and she's pitched in with Good Housekeeping 's toy coverage since 2018. She lives in New York City with her husband and daughter, who are both avid toy collectors.
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