40 Best Gifts for Boys of All Ages, According to Toy Testing
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From toddlers to teens, the trick to impressing boys is knowing what they're into. For the kid who spends a lot of time outside, try a remote-controlled stunt car that'll zoom through grass. For the dinosaur-obsessed boy, there's an inflatable megasaurus he can drive around in a pickup truck. If you're shopping for a tween or teen boy , we always recommend fun games he can play with friends (like the laser tag vests our readers can't stop buying).
Our top picks:
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Best overall: Magna-Tiles Rail Racers
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Best for toddlers: Fisher-Price Little People My Mario Adventure Playset
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Best for tweens: LEGO SMART Play: Darth Vader's TIE Fighter
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Best remote control: Monster Jam Chomping Megalodon RC Monster Truck
The Good Housekeeping Institute tests toys throughout the year—we get feedback from kids of all ages and their parents. We also invite a group of kids into the office for in-person testing and take note which ones they gravitate towards (hint: a hilarious butt face toy was a hit). Of course, we also include editor favorites and products our readers always buy.
1) Threeking RC Stunt Car
He'll love the thrilling double-sided stunt driving with 360-degree flipsthat this best-selling remote-control car is designed to achieve. It's available in eight colors and designs—both with and without headlights. Ages 6+
2) MYNT3D Super 3D Pen
They can get a feel for 3D printingwith this pen, which melts a special plastic filament that they can layer to make shapes in three dimensions. This comes with the pen, which has controls that let users adjust the speed of the flow, plus three colors of filament. If they like it, you can also get them more colors or a mat and pad set that help them design and make different geometric shapes. Ages 13+
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3) Winyea Tag Rechargeable Laser Tag Set of 4
Him and his friends can turn the backyard or playroom into a laser tag arena. They are different ways to play, whether they choose teams or go every man for themselves—either way they can shoot opponents from an impressive 150 feetdistance. A ges 8+
4) KOMBOID Ball Bouncing Skill Game
He can play solo or turn it into a friendly competition with his siblings.The object is to bounce the ball on specific symbolsto create a sequence (the playing cards will direct him). Ages 12+
5) Magna-Tiles Rail Racers
Every year, magnetic tiles are one of the most popular toys. This set comes up 33 pieces that can be built into racetracks, ramps, bridges, and more. It's a great way to test his imagination. They're age graded from "3 to 99" and in our experience, kids play with them from preschool to middle school. Ages 3+
Related: Best Magnetic Toys
6) Goliath Butt Face: Chester Cheeks
This gag giftis boy bait for sure: A butt that dances, makes fart noises, all of it. "I think the humor and shock of it all is a big factor here!" said a parent whose kid loved it. ages 8+; three AAA batteries included
RELATED: Meet Butt Face: The Most Unhinged New Toy of the Year
7) Chillbo Shwaggins Inflatable Lounger
This lounger is lightweight and portable, and needs no breaths or pumps to inflate,making it ready for his next camping or backyard adventure. It's available in a dozen prints—from cool camo to a psychedelic pattern—and there's an inflatable lounger perfect for him.
8) PAW Patrol The Dino Movie Megasaurus Dino Vehicle
This is a 2-in-1: A fun truck with front claws, and an incredible inflatable dinosaurthat can pop up in seconds, then be taken off the truck to be played with separately. It comes with Rocky, who can drive the truck.
"We love PAW Patrol and dinosaurs, so this was a definite hit," said the mom of a 3-year-old son. "He loved that the dinosaur blew up from the truck and that he could remove it and use the truck on it's own." Ages 3+; requires 4 AA batteries, not included.
9) Rock Paper Scissors Wizard Croc Card Game
We're in the golden age of card games, and this new one rockets to the top of the charts thanks to a fun, inventive take on the classic game of Rock Paper Scissors.Added to the mix are wizards and crocodiles, and some wild cards too. This means there's an equal amount of strategy and laughter whether he does battle with his best friends or family members. Ages 7+
10) Air Hogs Zero Gravity Laser Race Car
This race car, a winner of a Good Housekeeping Toy Award , gives new meaning to the phrase "you drive me up the wall." Kids can use a laser pointer to guide it, and it'll drive on the floor, up walls and even on the ceiling! Ages 8+
11) Jazwares Pokémon Pikachu Puppetronic by RealFX
Simply put, this is the coolest melding of plush and puppet.He can control the 16-inch Pikachu with his hand, and set off movements, lights, and sounds. There are more than 120 built-in effects, and then also your kid can act out whatever he dreams up.
Deputy Editor Marisa Lascala , who tested this with her tween, said, "I love this toy! It makes you look like a professional puppeteer even if you have no puppeteering skills. The mouth looks animated." Requires three AAA batteries (not included); ages 8+
12) TOSY Flying Disc
With 16 million LED color combinations,smart motion sensors, and a fast rechargeable battery (per the brand), this flying disc takes Frisbee-style outdoor fun to a whole new level. Ages 10+
13) Monster Jam Chomping Megalodon RC
When put in "beast mode," this remote-control shark-shaped monster truck will break its chain, do wheelies, and otherwise go crazy.It can run for about 20 minutes on its rechargeable batteries.
"My kid played with it for hours and didn't get bored," said the mom of a 5-year-old. "He drove it on grass, the street, the sidewalk, hardwood floors, and even carpet without any problems." Ages 4+; controller requires 2 AAA batteries, not included.
14) Thames & Kosmos My Robotic Pet: Tumbling Hedgehog
First, kids build this robot, assembling more than 170 pieces. Then, they can program it to respond to a series of claps, so that it does things like tumble, roll, spin around, and bristle its spines. Ages 7+
15) Roku 4K+ Streaming Stick
The portable Roku Streaming Stick HD is a must-have for the young man in your life! Whether used at college with his dorm mates or in his bedroom alone, this Roku stick gives him access to a massive library of shows, movies, and live sports, all in HD,plus easy voice search from the remote. Two AAA batteries included
RELATED: Best Gifts for Teen Boys
16) WowWee Untamed Raptor
These life-like dinos wrap around fingers and respond to sound and touch, per the brand. Blaze (the orange dino) has a hot temper; he roars, chomping his jaws, and hisses, unless they calm him down. Ages 5+
17) Everest Toys Crazy Forts
Blanket forts are nostalgic, but building crazy forts is next level! The building set comes with rods and connectorsto help him make a cave, igloo, castle, and even a pirate ship to hide out inside. Each structure is finished off with the sheets and blankets you already have at home. Ages 3+
18) Klutz LEGO Gravity Drop Activity Kit
This activity kit has everything he'll need to build a towering 18-inch (45 cm) tall marble maze, plus 160 LEGO piecesto make over 20 extra contraptions like a labyrinth, gravity drop tower, and plinko board. Testers at the Good Housekeeping Institute appreciate the clear, accurate and easy-to-follow instructions. Ages 8+
19) Illuminated Apparel Interactive Glow-in-the-Dark T-Shirt
This shirt doubles as an activitybecause he'll be able to use the included light pen to draw, doodle, or write silly glow-in-the-dark messages on the front panel of his newest piece of clothing that he'll never want to take off! Sizes 3T–14
20) X Rocker Floor Gaming Chair
This chair has Bluetooth speakers mounted into its headrest,so he'll really feel like he's immersed in his favorite games. The chair also rocks and reclines for comfort, and it also folds up so he can put it away when he's not using it (which will be never).
21) Shashibo Shape-Shifting Box
It looks like a box, but this fidget toy can be unfolded and snapped into new shapes through the power of magnets. There are more than 70 3D shapeshe can mindlessly shift twist it into when he needs something (quiet!) to do with his hands. Ages 8+
22) Educational Insights Kanoodle Pyramid
Kids can't get enough of Kanoodle , and Good Housekeeping Institute testers liked the extra bit of challenge that Kanoodle Pyramid gives.To play, challengers draw a card that offers the beginnings of a shape, and players have to figure out how the remaining pieces fit. It's a brain workout that anyone can pick up whenever they have a spare moment. Ages 7+
23) Fisher-Price Little People My Mario Adventure Playset
Mario for toddlers! Nostalgic parents are going to want to play with this, too. There are lights and sounds: Send Mario down the pipe to hear warp noises, press a button to make the chain chomp hop and bark, move shells, collect coins, and more. It only comes with Mario, but you can buy other figures separately . Ages 18 months+; two AA batteries included
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24) Chronicle Books Search for a Giant Squid
First, kids pick their pilot. Then, they pick a sub. Then they choose their own path through the book, which has them hunting for a giant squid (and learning about marine life along the way). Good Housekeeping testers reported that once this one was over, kids wanted to re-start it immediately. Ages 6–9
25) Govee Smart LED Strip Lights
With these smart LED light strips, he'll be able to transform any space—from bedroom to den, basement to dorm room, into the coolest hangout ever. He can change color, brightness, and sync to his musicfrom his phone.
26) Spin Master Rubik's Phantom
Just when you thought a Rubik's cube couldn't get any harder! Here, the colors on each square are obscured—until body heat makes the colors visible. Then, there's only a limited amount of time before they disappear again! Ages 8+
27) LEGO SMART Play: Darth Vader's TIE Fighter
The addition this year of rechargeable SMARTBricks to some Star Wars LEGO sets, including this one, means the set is infused with light and sound. It can also sense a SMART Minifigure, and when the figure is placed on top, it will talk.
A parent said her 11-year-old found the whole thing really neat. "It also makes a sound when you 'refill the gas,'" she said. Ages 8+
RELATED: I Tried LEGO's New Smart Play—Here's What Surprised Me
28) Steve Jackson Games Zombie Dice
This game is perfect for family gatherings and vacations: It's small, portable, can be learned quickly, and can be played in 15 to 20 minutes.The players are the zombies—and when they roll the dice, they're looking for brains to earn points. Footprints means the prey has gotten away, and three shotgun blasts means the turn is over. Ages 10+
29) ThinkFun Gravity Maze
Part-marble run, part-board game, Gravity Maze gives kids different tower setups, and they have to figure out how to get the marble to fall from one tower to the red cup in at the end. The 60 included challengeswill really get their brains working. Ages 8+
30) Marvel Miles Morales Zip-Up Hoodie
If Across the Spider-Verse has him longing to be the hero of Earth-1610, help him live out his Spider-Man dreams with this hoodie. It also comes in Peter Parker and Venom designs. Sizes 2T–16
31) Cryptic Killers Unsolved Murder Mystery Game
Every boy loves a good whodunnit mystery. With this cold case investigation kit, he'll use detective clues to crack the casesolo or with the help of family or friends. Ages 14+
32) Holy Stone Mini Drone
Good Housekeeping Institute experts were impressed by this drone because of how easy it was to control—they said that kids as young as 8 were able to fly it with adult guidance.(It's really aimed for kids 14+.) The flight is so stable, it can even be used indoors. Ages 14+
33) Crayola Light-Up Tracing Pad
This kit gives him images and parts of images (backgrounds, facial features, etc.) to trace, which he can layer and combine into endless new scenes.Once he traces the outline—which is made easier through the illuminated board—he can color it in with colored pencils. The set comes with a graphite pencil for tracing, 12 colored pencils for filling in, 10 tracing sheets (though you can always get more ), and 10 blank pieces of paper. Ages 6+
34) Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope
Ecologically minded kids will love looking at these slides and hearing the voice of Bindi Irwin offer facts about biology and botany. There are 60 full-color slides,and you can use them in two modes of play (fact mode and quiz mode). Ages 3+
RELATED: The Best Educational Toys for Kids
35) Hearst Home Kids 'Good Housekeeping Amazing Science' Book
Follow along with easy, at-home experiments, led by the scientists from the Good Housekeeping Institute! This book goes room by room through the house explains scientific concepts behind household phenomena, like why flavor is more enhanced when you add salt, or why mirrors get foggy. Then, there are 83 hands-on experiments to try at home. Ages 7+
36) Hasbro Chatter Back Chopper Animatronic Toy
If he's ever wanted a droid of his own—and is okay with one that's maybe a little misbehaved?—this is the gift for him. The animatronic Chopper has 40 different sound and movement combos:It waves its arms, turns its head, and generally acts pretty sassy. Ages 4+
37) BATURU Double-Sided Magnetic Dart Board
Super strong magnet dartsand a double-sided hanging board with two different dart games equals hours of fun for him in his room, basement, or college dorm.
38) Upbounders Be You Rainbow Wooden Puzzle
This 14-by-10 inch puzzle comes with a trayto help keep it contained and to give your young guy a sturdy surface to work on. Ages 4+
39) Hasbro Bop It! Leonardo Edition Game
Kids can get sucked into this TMNT- themed Bop It game without realizing that they're actually partaking in two different kinds of '90s nostalgia.In this version, you swing Leo's sword to twist, pull his leg, or bop a part of his shell. Testers found it extremely engrossing—they couldn't put it down! Ages 8+
40) Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket LED
Every kid loves jumping on a Stomp Rocket to make it soar, but the Ultra LED version comes with its own illumination, so you can make it light up the night sky. (Batteries are required.) The rockets fly to a height of up to 150 feet. Ages 6+
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