The 23 Best Gifts for 11-Year-Old Boys in 2020

These picks will keep him engaged and active

By Melissa Quintero

Updated 10/21/19

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Our Top Picks

Best STEM: Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronic Discovery Kit at Amazon

"Think of this set like LEGOs but with (safe) electricity, with 100 electronics circuit projects and over 30 electronic parts."

Best for Groups: Capture the Flag REDUX at Amazon

"This updated take on the traditional capture the flag game sets a goal to steal the other team’s 'orb' without getting tagged."

Best Game System: Nintendo Switch at Amazon

"This console can be used either solo in handheld mode or hooked up to your TV in single or multiplayer mode."

Best Creative: Klutz LEGO Make Your Own Movie Activity Kit at Amazon

"This fun, intro to animation kit allows your child to create his own stop-motion video using a tablet and 36 LEGO pieces."

Best Slime Kit: National Geographic Mega Slime Kit at Amazon

"This slime kit is perfect for any 11-year-old boy who wants to get dirty—but it won't make a mess in your kitchen."

Best for a Birthday Party: Fortnite Jumbo Loot Llama Pinata at Target

"This Fortnite-themed pinata is pre-filled with nearly 100 items, including everything you need to build the iconic Clock Tower."

Best Outdoor: Hover-1 Transport Electric Scooter at Walmart

"This battery-powered scooter goes up to 10 miles per hour and can go 5 miles on a single charge."

Best Tabletop Game: Beyblade Championship Clash Battle Set at Target

"Each set comes with a Beystadium, two right/left-spin launchers, six battling tops, and bracket notepad to track the winner."

Best Science: National Geographic Dino Dig Kit at Target

"The kit comes complete with a colorful learning guide to spark your child’s curiosity and teach him about fossils as he digs."

Best Clothing: Fantastic Zone Beanie at Amazon

"This beanie will keep your kids' ears and neck warm whether he's waiting for the bus or snowboarding down a mountain."

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    Best STEM: Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronic Discovery Kit

    Excellent

    If your 11-year-old loves to work with his hands, he will love this Snap Circuits Exploration Kit. Think of this set like LEGOs but with (safe) electricity. Each kit comes with 100 electronics circuit projects and over 30 electronic parts so your kid can make everything from a flashing light to a siren with his own hands. It requires no soldering and is safe for children to do on their own. 

    Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Exploration Kit Review
  • 02 of 23

    Best for Groups: Capture the Flag REDUX

    Capture the Flag REDUX is a great group activity to encourage outdoor play. It’s an updated take on the traditional capture the flag game where the goal is to steal the other team’s “orb” without getting tagged by the territory lights. Each game can accommodate between four and 20 players and the lights can be used across 12 different game modes. 

    Owners love that Capture the Flag REDUX can be played both indoors and out and offers so many varieties of play that it never gets boring.

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    Best Game System: Nintendo Switch

    If you want to splurge on your 11-year-old, consider the Nintendo Switch. This game console is on many kids' wishlists and for good reason. It can be used either solo in handheld mode or hooked up to your TV in single or multiplayer mode. It features a battery life of approximately five to nine hours (depending on the game) and you can easily set up parental controls to monitor games and purchases. 

    Here are even more great gifts for the gamers in your life.

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    Best Creative: Klutz LEGO Make Your Own Movie Activity Kit

    If you want to encourage your kid’s creative side, consider the Klutz LEGO Make Your Own Movie Activity Kit. This fun intro to animation allows your child to create his own stop-motion video using a tablet and 36 LEGO pieces. A short video takes just an hour to create and can be easily shared across social media with friends and family. Reviewers love that this activity kit can be used again and again with any LEGO set and is easy to set up and use.

    For more ideas for LEGO fans, check out our list of the best LEGO sets available today.

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    Best Slime Kit: National Geographic Mega Slime Kit & Putty Lab

    Ask any kid and they will tell you: Slime is incredibly popular. This National Geographic Mega Slime Kit is one of the best gifts for 11-year-old boys who want to get dirty (without making a mess in your kitchen). This kit comes with four types of slime and four types of putty, including magnetic putty, fluffy slime, and a DIY glow-in-the-dark slime lab. Every jar is non-toxic and the set comes with an activity guide.

    Here are even more gift ideas if your child is obsessed with slime.

  • 06 of 23

    Best for a Birthday Party: Fortnite Jumbo Loot Llama Pinata

    Fortnite Jumbo Loot Llama Pinata
    Jazwares

    If you’re planning a birthday party for your 11-year-old, he’ll love the Fortnite Jumbo Loot Llama Pinata. This 25-inch, Fortnite-themed pinata is pre-filled with nearly 100 pieces of Fortnite fun, including two 4-inch figures, weapons, back bling, and everything you need to build the iconic Clock Tower. Reviewers say their children had loads of fun breaking and unboxing the pinata and building the entire set.

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    Best Outdoor: Hover-1 Transport Electric Scooter

    scooter

    Hover-1

    Want to gift your 11-year-old fun a way to zip around the neighborhood? Hover-1 Transport Electric Scooter is a battery-powered scooter that goes up to 10 mph. It easily folds for simple storage and can hold up to 150 pounds of weight. The scooter goes 5 miles on each charge and is fully adjustable to fit your child’s height. 

    Looking for more ideas? Check out our list of the best gifts for 11-year-old girls.

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    Best Tabletop Game: Beyblade Burst Turbo Championship Clash Battle Set

    Battle Set

     Beyblade

    The Beyblade Burst Turbo Championship Clash Battle Set is a high energy tabletop game for multiple players. The goal of the game is to face off against your opponent with a Beyblade top. Each player spins their top until it crashes and defeats the other player. Each set comes with a Beystadium, two right/left-spin launchers, six battling tops, and bracket notepad to track the winner. 

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  • 09 of 23

    Best Science: National Geographic Dino Dig Kit

    Fossil toy

    National Geographic

    If your child is into science and dinosaurs, he’ll love this National Geographic Dino Dig Kit. Your child can dig up three dinosaur fossils, including a mosasaur tooth, bone, and stool. Plus, the kit comes complete with a colorful learning guide to spark your child’s curiosity and teach him everything he wanted to know about fossils.

    For even more great dinosaur gifts for your child, check out this list.

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    Best Clothing: Fantastic Zone Beanie

    Whether he's waiting for the bus or skiing down a mountain, the Fantastic Zone Beanie is a great gift to keep him warm all winter. Each beanie comes with a matching scarf made from acrylic knit and lined with fleece. It comes in ten different colors and designs and will fit a variety of sizes. 

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    Bit Coding Robot

    The Bit Coding Robot is a great way to help teach your 11-year-old the basics of coding without it feeling like homework. The robot can be programmed either screen-free using drawings and color-coding or through an app with a drag-and-drop programming editor. Each robot comes with a robot, stickers, color-code markers, a dice, two DIY skins, and an activity book with 25 games. 

    Looking for more ideas? Check out our list of the best STEM gifts you can buy online.

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    WisToyz Hover Soccer Ball

    A fun upgrade on a traditional soccer ball, the WizToyz Hover Soccer Ball is hours of fun, no matter the weather outside. This soccer ball uses air to hover slightly above the ground. Each set comes with two goals and a second, inflatable soccer ball and can be safely used in your living room or your backyard. A foam bumper around the ball protects your furniture from scuffing and LED lights make it safe and fun to play in the dark.  

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    Car Guardiance Walkie Talkies

    There’s just something about talking to your best friend or your brother from across the house via walkie talkie that never gets old. These Car Guardiance Walkie Talkies are an affordable set of walkie talkies with a three-mile range and 22 channels for long-distance play. Each walkie talkie features an LCD screen and a built-in flashlight to help on super-secret missions.

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    LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon

    This impressive LEGO set is perfect for big fans of Star Wars. Using over 1,300 pieces, your child can recreate the iconic Millennium Falcon. The final product measures 5 x 18 x 12 inches and is perfect for placing on a dresser for display. The kit also includes a variety of popular characters, such as Han Solo and Chewbaca, to complete the kit. 

    Check out more from our list of the best toys for Star Wars fans.

  • 15 of 23

    Fire HD 8 Tablet 8" HD Display

    A tablet can be a great gift for an 11-year-old because it allows him to watch his favorite shows or play his favorite games, even on the go. The Fire HD 8 Tablet 8" HD Display comes in four colors and can be programmed with parental controls so you can protect your child while he’s online. It features ten hours of battery life and comes with 16 or 32 GB of storage. 

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    Beats Solo2 Luxe Edition Wired On-ear Headphones

    Beats Solo2 Luxe Edition Wired On-ear Headphones

     Beats

    If the 11-year-old in your life loves music or video games, the Beats Solo2 Luxe Edition Wired On-ear Headphones are a great gift. These super trendy Beats headphones are perfect for long road trips or bus rides and are wired so you never have to worry about charging them. They come in four colors and feature a carrying case for protection when they're not in use. 

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    Harry Potter Paperback Box Set

    Even though it's been out for years, Harry Potter is still a must-have gift for children. This complete box set includes all seven paperback books and a colorful display case. It’s a great gift for any kid who hasn’t discovered Harry Potter yet, especially 11-year-olds, who are the same age as Harry is when he starts his first year at Hogwarts. 

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    Timex Expedition Digital Watch with Fast Wrap® Nylon Strap

    watch

     TIMEX

    No matter the adventure, a digital watch is a must for active boys. The Timex Expedition Digital Watch is the perfect first watch gift for your child. Made from resin and nylon, this watch is easy to clean and easy to wear for any kid. It doubles as a stopwatch and allows your child to set alarms and reminders so you don’t have to drag him out of bed every morning.  

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    Crazy Forts

    Remember just how fun building a fort was when you were a kid? Crazy Forts is like that, but better. This kit comes with 69 balls and 44 sticks that easily click together to create the craziest, wildest fort that can be covered with pillows and blankets when your child is done. It is perfect for siblings or sleepovers and is a great STEM gift to inspire an interest in designing and engineering. 

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    Nike Air Force 1 LV 2

    Nike Air Force 1 LV 2

    The Nike Air Force 1 LV2 is a great gift for kids who are sneaker-obsessed. Perfect for everyday wear, these trendy sneakers provide support and comfort as well as style. You can even switch out the swoosh with three different colors, so he can personalize is shoes to his outfit day-to-day.

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    Spalding Basketball

    Looking for a classic gift perfect for any child? This Spalding Basketball comes in intermediate size (28.5 inches) or official size (29.5 inches) and looks and feels professional. It does require a pump (sold separately) to keep it inflated but comes fully inflated when you order it. 

  • 22 of 23

    Rubik's Race Game

    Rubik's game

    University Games

    Perfect for the kid who loves solving puzzles, the Rubik's Race Game is a two-player game based on the classic Rubik’s Cube puzzle. To play, you shake the mini cube to create a new pattern. Then, each player races to recreate the pattern on his or her own Rubik’s cube. 

  • 23 of 23

    Educational Insights Kanoodle

    The Educational Insights Kanoodle features 200 logical thinking puzzles to keep your child entertained for hours. Your child will create both 2D and 3D puzzles using 12 different pieces to match different challenges. It comes with a carrying case for on-the-go play and a 48-page guide for solving all of the brain teasers.  

Products Tested by

Our Process

Our writers spent 4 hours researching the most popular gifts for 11-year-old boys on the market. Before making their final recommendations, they considered 50 different gifts for 11-year-old boys overall, screened options from 50 different brands and manufacturers, and read over 100 user reviews (both positive and negative). All of this research adds up to recommendations you can trust.

How We Tested

Our reviewers spent 14 hours testing one of our readers’ favorite gifts for 11-year-old boys. To get the most comprehensive results, they used it several times over the course of a couple weeks. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using this gift, from age appropriateness to entertainment value. We've outlined the key points here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.

What to Look for in Gifts for 11-Year-Old Boys

Age appropriateness Most 11-year-old boys probably think of themselves as teenagers, but they’re not quite there yet. It’s important to ensure the gift you pick is appropriate for a tween, as many teenage books, movies, and video games have mature themes that this age group isn’t ready for.

Individual interests Eleven-year-old boys have a wide variety of interests, ranging from sports to comic books to science. When shopping for a gift for a boy this age, you should definitely take his particular interests into account. When in doubt, you can always consult him (or his parents) to see what he’s into.

“Cool” factor During the tween years, kids start to develop opinions on things that are “cool.” Naturally, you’ll want to get an 11-year-old boy a gift he will think is trendy. Get an idea of what the kids are into these days by browsing social media or researching the best-selling toys of that year.

Test Results: Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Discovery Kit

Excellent

What We Like

  • Nice variety of projects

  • Teaches STEM skills

  • Perfect for individuals and groups

What We Don't Like

  • A few fragile pieces

  • Batteries are required

Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Discovery Kit
Snap Circuits Jr. Electronics Discovery Kit
Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Discovery Kit
Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100
Snap Circuits Jr. Kit

Our testers loved how this kit was both educational and entertaining for 11-year-old boys. The emphasis on STEM skills, a quick and easy cleanup, and the variety of projects to keep “kids of different abilities” engaged were all major pluses, according to our reviewers. “I like how kids feel successful after completing a project and that this is something that kids can do independently or with someone else,” one of our testers revealed. While one reviewer mentioned that a few pieces seemed fragile, he still thought the kit would “last through years of usage.” Overall, our testers thought the gift was a win for both parents and kids: “I like how educational the toy is, yet it doesn't feel like that to a kid,” one said.