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The Spruce / Crea Taylor
It may be hard to keep up with the ever-changing interests and preferences of the 9-year-old in your life, but there are tons of toys out there that even the pickiest boy will love. Pro tip: Be sure to tailor the toy to their interest, whether it be STEM concepts, sports, cars or tech gadgets.
When researching toys for a 9-year old boy, we looked for picks that are age-appropriate, have adequate safety measures in place, and help them learn about the world around them. Some of our favorite options include a challenging STEM-based toy from ThinkFun, a Marvel themed guessing game from Skillmatics, and an archeology set with real fossils from National Geographic.
Here are the best toys for 9-year-old boys.
ThinkFun Gravity Maze
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Thinkfun
Great for kids who love puzzles
Single player game
Pieces don't snap in perfectly
The good times will roll with the Think Fun Gravity Maze Falling Marble Logic Game that’s as challenging as it is fun. This award-winning toy comes with 60 challenges in levels that range from beginner to expert.
The object is to build a tower that will take the marble from the starting point designated on the challenge cards to the target tower. To do so, it takes spatial reasoning, visual perception, planning, and other important engineering skills, which kids will build as they have fun building these mazes.
Price at time of publish: $29
Dimensions: 9.38 x 3 x 10.5 inches | Material: Plastic, paper | Recommended Age: 8 years and up
FOM Mania Fomilator
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Fom
Gets kids outside and active
Great for parties
Multiple ways to play
Requires batteries and additional solution
Turn your backyard into a foam-filled battlefield with these blasters from FOM. Simply pour the foam concentrate into the blaster, add water, and start playing. With a touch of the trigger, kids can blast thick, fluffy foam at up to 15 feet. Grab a few blasters for a new take on laser tag, or add in some food coloring for a colorful explosion. Purchase the foam concentrate on its own for additional hours of fun.
Price at time of publish: $35
Dimensions: 8.75 x 15.5 x 4 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 5 years and up
Razor Jetts Heel Wheels
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Courtesy of Amazon
Fit to any shoes
Suitable for indoor or outdoor use
Sturdy
Can be tricky for kids to get the hang of at first
Get your kids up off the couch and out the door with these fun Heel Wheels from Razor Jetts. Simply strap them onto the heels of any shoes, and off they go. For an extra cool kick, they also come with spark pads that leave a shimmering pop of flames in their dust. Kids can zip and zap around the neighborhood or local park with ease and look oh so cool while doing so.
Adults can even give them a whirl as they fit shoe sizes from youth 12 to adult 12 and will support up to 250 pounds. Note that the spark pads are removable and refills are sold separately.
Price at time of publish: $40
Dimensions: 13.66 x 8.9 x 5.79 inches | Material: Not listed | Recommended Age: 6 years and up
Toysmith Magnetic Dart Board
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Toysmith
Realistic looking
Affordable
Safer alternative to traditional darts
Smaller than a real dartboard
A toy that blends seamlessly into your 9-year-old's bedroom decor ensures he can enjoy it every single day in his own space. This realistic dartboard hangs easily on the wall without damage and comes with magnetic darts for a safer alternative to the traditional game. He can practice his aim or invite friends over for a tournament. Either way, this pick would make a great addition to any game room so the whole family can get involved in the fun.
Price at time of publish: $11
Dimensions: 12.5 x 12 x 1.5 inches | Material: Not listed | Recommended Age: 6 years and up
K'NEX Thrill Rides Web Weaver Roller Coaster
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Courtesy of Amazon
Durable materials
Inexpensive
Fun and challenging
Easy to lose track of pieces
Little thrill seekers will love building their very own amusement park rides with this roller coaster building set from K’NEX. With more than 430 pieces, it allows kids to build huge roller coasters as tall as 2.5 feet high. Color-coded instructions come with the set to build one coaster, while online directions are available to build another. Glow-in-the-dark tracks make for ultra cool thrills when the lights go down, too.
Not only will kids have a blast building the coasters, but they’ll be building on important STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills as they play. Once the thrill rides are built, they can send the air-propelled, motorized coaster car (included) soaring around the tracks.
Price at time of publish: $96
Dimensions: 21 x 3 x 14 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 9 years and up
Micro Kickboard Cruiser
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Micro
Sturdy and long-lasting
Great for beginners
Easy to assemble
Handlebars can be a bit low for tall kids
This long-lasting scooter makes the perfect gift for active 9-year-old boys who want a new way to get around the neighborhood. Micro Kickboard prioritizes a smooth ride with their lightweight yet sturdy scooters. Thanks to its weight capacity of 220 pounds, this pick can follow your 9-year-old as they grow and learn new skills. When not in use, this scooter folds in half for easily bringing to the park or to a friend's house. If your child is just transitioning to a two-wheel scooter, this pick provides easy balance and support as they race through the streets.
Price at time of publish: $145
Dimensions: 27.72 x 12.6 x 5.12 inches | Material: Aluminum | Recommended Age: 8 years and up
Lucky Doug Solar Robot Kit 12-in-1 Science STEM Robot Kit
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Courtesy of Amazon
STEM-based
Multiple different builds included
Can be difficult for young kids
With over 200 pieces and 12 builds included, your 9-year-old boy is guaranteed to have hours of fun creating their own robots with his STEM-based kit. Once assembled, the bots run on solar power, which mean no batteries or charging required! Kids can watch their robot crawl and roll as long as the sun is out.
After all of the 12 robots are built, disassembly is easy so kids can start all over again and use their imagination to create even more innovative and completely customizable bots. Perfect for independent play or for fostering collaboration with friends and siblings, this fun and challenging set secretly teaches young ones about scientific concepts as they imagine and create.
Price at time of publish: $29
Dimensions: 11.06 x 7.2 x 2.64 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 8 years and up
Skillmatics Marvel Card Game : Guess in 10
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Skillmatics
Fast paced
Portable
Great for Marvel fans
Can get repetitive after all the cards are used
Spoil the superhero-obsessed 9-year-old boy in your life with this fast-paced card game designed to test his Marvel knowledge. Players take turns asking up to 10 questions to guess the mystery character on the card. They can break off into teams or play with two people going back and forth.
Even if you don't guess the character, you learn awesome trivia about your favorite heroes and villains, guaranteeing a great time each round. Even better, this game easily slips into a purse or backpack for playing in the card, on a picnic, or on the go.
Price at time of publish: $20
Duration: Not Listed | Number of Players: 2-6 | Recommended Age: 8 years and up
V.I.P. Epoch Air Remote Control Car
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Courtesy of Amazon
Suitable for various ages
Easy to control using remote
Perfect for independent play
Battery can deplete quickly
Crazy adventure awaits with the EpochAir Remote Control Car that literally takes fun to new heights. Not only can it do amazing tricks and turns on the ground, but it can climb walls, windows, and even drive on the ceiling.
An infrared remote control lets kids send the car racing forward, backward, and in 360-degree spins. Lights make for fun nighttime driving, too. It’s all the action of a traditional remote control car, with amplified add-ons that make it super cool.
Price at time of publish: $20
Dimensions: 6.69 x 4.25 x 3.9 inches | Material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | Recommended Age: 3 years and up
Nintendo Switch
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Walmart
Can play solo or with friends
Multiple game options
Portable
Expensive
If your 9-year-old boy loves video games, opt for the bestselling Nintendo Switch for their next gaming console. He can play solo or with friends with a few more controllers. When playing solo, the handheld device fits within a backpack or purse for gaming in the car, on a plane, or while waiting in line at the supermarket. Best of all, he can customize his experience by choosing his favorite games.
Price at time of publish: $300
Dimensions: 14 x 8 x 3.5 inches | Material: Not Listed | Recommended Age: 6 years and up
Gamewright Dragonwood A Game of Dice & Daring
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Courtesy of Amazon
Fun for the whole family
Detailed design
Clearly written and illustrated instructions
Can get repetitive after a few games
For a board game that’s anything but boring, there’s Dragonwood from Gamewright. Full of mythical creatures, adventure, and enchantment, it’s designed for up to four players and is fun for the whole family.
The objective: To capture creatures and enchantments by rolling dice, collecting cards, and strategizing the best moves. Along the way, you’ll encounter angry ogres, giggling goblins, and other creatures that you must stomp, shriek at, or strike. It comes with 108 cards, six customized dice, and easy-to-follow instructions. Winning requires a good mix of strategy and luck.
Price at time of publish: $23
Duration: 20 minutes | Number of Players: 2-4 | Recommended Age: 8 years and up
Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket
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Courtesy of Walmart
Easy assembly
Suitable for various ages
Affordable
Stand can be a bit flimsy
This classic toy has been delighting kids of all ages since its invention in the early 1990s. To make this rocket shoot into the air, simply stomp on the base as hard as you can. The harder you stomp, the higher your rocket flies. Your 9-year-old can spend hours seeing how high they can soar their rocket and practice the perfect stomp. Parents and siblings can try out their stomp as well with this warm weather staple toy that never goes out of style.
Price at time of publish: $23
Dimensions: 8.57 x 21.27 x 29.53 inches | Material: Not Listed | Recommended Age: 5 years and up
MasterChef Junior Cooking Essentials Set
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MasterChef Junior
High-quality and realistic items
Comes with recipes
Adorable apron included
Not dishwasher safe
Budding chefs will love this set of cooking essentials from MasterChef Junior. The kit comes with an apron, cutting board, mixing bowl, measuring cups, measuring spoon, spatula, spoon and tongs that are all actually usable. For inspiration, look to the three included recipe cards. Once your 9-year-old fins his rhythm in the kitchen, he can write his own recipe on the included blank card. Collect other MasterChef Junior sets based on baking, pizza making, and more.
Price at time of publish: $37
Dimensions: 13.5 x 11.8 x 5.6 inches | Material: Silicone | Recommended Age: 6 years and up
National Geographic Mega Fossil Dig Kit
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Courtesy by Amazon
Includes real fossils
Educational
Comes with tools needed for excavations
Requires patience
Travel back in time with this fossil excavation kit from National Geographic. Each kit comes with 15 fossils to discover and identify using the included tools: a chisel, brush, and magnifying glass. Becoming a paleontologist will require some patience from your 9-year-old, but the end result is definitely worth it. With the 16-page educational guide, kids and adults alike can learn more about dinosaurs, fossils, and archeology for an educational toy that goes beyond just the activity.
Price at time of publish: $24
Dimensions: 7.2 x 2.2 x 10 inches | Material: Not Listed | Recommended Age: 8 years and up
Lego Technic Jeep Wrangler
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Amazon
Suitable for various ages
Detailed and recognizable design
Younger kids may need an adult's help assembling
This Lego set is a great choice for an expert 9-year-old builder or one just starting out with Lego building. The awesome design comes with distinct Jeep Wrangler features, including round headlights, a spare tire on the back, and foldable backseats.
While Lego sets offer a fun challenge for all levels, 9-year-olds may need help from an adult to complete this build, making this a great collaborative activity. The challenge will add to the feeling of success once the Jeep is complete and ready to display or disassemble and build all over again.
Price at time of publish: $50
Dimensions: 15.04 x 10.32 x 2.78 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 9 years and up
Diggin DodgeTag Game Set
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Amazon
Safer alternative to dodgeball
Suitable for various ages
Perfect for active kids
Vest runs small
Keep 9-year-old boys active in a safe way with this alternative to the classic gym class game of dodgeball. While dodgeball is a fun action-packed game, it can often lead to injury or upset. This safer option has all of the thrill of the game without the hard rubber balls.
Kids wear mesh vests with a target on their chest that opponents try to hit with soft and safe balls. Perfect for playing together with friends or family members of various aged, Diggin DodgeTag is a great choice for outdoor play.
Price at time of publish: $24
Dimensions: 2.5 x 10 x 12 inches | Material: Not Listed | Recommended Age: 5 years and up
eKids Star Wars Millennium Falcon Bluetooth Speaker
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Courtesy of Amazon
Recognizable design
Great audio quality
Suitable for various ages
Battery life can be short
Little dudes can jam out to their tunes Star Wars style with this cool Millennium Falcon Bluetooth Speaker. It will connect with any Bluetooth-enabled device, such as a tablet or iPhone, and also has a 3.5 mm headphone jack if they want to plug in. Users report that the music plays loud and clear. The coolest part, though, is that it’s equipped with lights that glow for cool in-the-dark action, perfect for a makeshift nightlight or awesome addition to a Star Wars birthday party.
Price at time of publish: $37
Dimensions: 7.2 x 10.4 x 9.5 inches | Material: Not Listed | Recommended Age: Not Listed
KiwiCo Doodle Crate
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Fosters creativity
Includes materials needed for crafts
Can purchase a subscription
Can't choose the individual projects
For boys who love creating new things, look into KiwiCo's subscription service specifically tailored to crafters. Every month, your 9-year-old receives everything they need for fun and inspiring art projects. Additionally, the box includes art and design techniques to go off of, an instructional booklet, and video tutorials to make the whole process seamless. You can even purchase the products individually to ensure he likes the brand first before committing to a subscription.
Dimensions: Not Listed | Material: Varies by box | Recommended Age: 9-11 years old
Klutz Book of Paper Airplanes Craft Kit
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Klutz
High-quality paper
Multiple ways to play
Engaging
Some instructions may be difficult for young kids to follow
Help your little one build a new skill with this book from Klutz all about paper airplanes. Learn to fold 10 different designs of paper planes with the helpful instructions and high-quality paper. The paper features custom designs that make the folding easily as kids learn more about the art involved and how to fly them. Soon enough, all of the paper in your house will turn into fun and engaging airplanes. Get the whole family involved to see who can fly their creation the farthest.
Price at time of publish: $17
Dimensions: 10 x 0.75 x 12 inches | Material: Paper | Recommended Age: 7 years and up
Londji Discover The World Puzzle
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Londji
Educational
Fun and challenging
Great bonding activity
Can be frustrating for young kids
Puzzles challenge your mind and act as a great bonding activity for the whole family. This one from Londji features a map of the world that your 9-year-old can create using the 200 pieces. After they complete the puzzle, they then search for famous landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, and more. As they build and search, they learn about geography, iconic landmarks, and different cultures, for an educational and engaging experience.
Price at time of publish: $32
Dimensions: 28.3 x 19.24 inches | Material: Recycled cardboard and pape | Recommended Age: 7 years and up
Caliber Games TowerBall
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Caliber Games
Simple to learn
Suitable for various ages
Convenient carrying case
Expensive
Lawn games are a great way to get the whole family together for summer parties or backyard barbecues. This one from Caliber Games will have your 9-year-old hooked (and even the adults in the family as well). Players take turns tossing balls into the four-sided tower to earn points. Play as individual or in groups for large parties.
The best part—this game collapses for easy storage in a convenient carrying case, perfect for bringing to the part or the beach. The sturdy weather-proofed materials are guaranteed to last for years to come, which helps justify the high price tag.
Price at time of publish: $190
Dimensions: 25 x 25 x 29 inches | Material: Polypropylene, Plastic | Duration: Not Listed | Number of Players: 2-16 | Recommended Age: All ages
Pokémon Assorted Cards
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Pokémon
Packaged nicely
Multiple ways to play
Double as surprise toy
Duplicates are possible
Whether your 9-year-old loves all things Pokémon or is just starting out as a trainer, a pack of assorted cards make the perfect toy. In this set, he gets 50 assorted cards, doubling as a surprise toy that adds to the excitement when opening. With this many cards, he can trade with friends, start a collection, or battle other Pokémon. Be sure to grab a box or card organizer as well to keep his new collection safe. This is a great starter option or the perfect addition to an ongoing assortment.
Price at time of publish: $16
Dimensions: 3 x 2 x 0.75 inches | Material: Paper | Recommended Age: 6 years and up
Cra-Z-Art Nickelodeon Super Scented Glitter Slime Studio
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Courtesy of Walmart
Comes with everything you need to make slime
No batteries required
Easy-to-follow directions
Not every batch of slime comes out the same
Making your own slime at home often involves a huge mess and a ton of wasted ingredients. This slime maker from Cra-Z-Art and Nickelodeon simplify the process. With everything you need to make gooey slime, kids simply turn the handle after adding all of their ingredients and watch their squishy creation emerge. The instructions are easy to follow, and all of the ingredients can easily be replenished from any local supermarket. Add in glitter and essentials oils for a sparkly, scented slime that's completely unique.
Price at time of publish: $42
Dimensions: 14 x 3 x 12 inches | Material: Not Listed | Recommended Age: 6 years and up
ThinkFun Rush Hour Traffic Jam Logic Game
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Courtesy of Amazon
Portable
Teaches patience and problem solving
Suitable for various ages
Only suitable for one person
As the fitting name suggests, ThinkFun's Rush Hour is the perfect mind game to play when sitting in traffic or killing time hands-free. The one person game involves 40 challenges based around clearing a path for one car to get through the others. Nine-year-olds challenge their critical thinking skills and patience level as they try new things, inevitably fail a few times, and try again. Parents love this pick for a battery free activity that gets harder and harder as they go for hours of challenging fun.
Price at time of publish: $22
Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.07 x 2.52 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 8 years and up
pindaloo Skill Game
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pindaloo
Solo game
Easy to store and travel with
Suitable for various ages
Can be a bit difficult at first
In between homework or during commercial breaks, pindaloo is the perfect solo game to get your body and mind moving for even just a few minutes. The juggling game tests your hand eye coordination as you watch the yellow balls go in and out of the yellow tube, without it falling on the floor. Take turns with other family members to see who can last the longest. The pindaloo game comes with stands to hold the two balls and the whole set is easy to travel with and take on the go. There's even an option with LED balls to play in the dark.
Price at time of publish: $30
Dimensions: 8.6 x 3 x 6.5 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 9 years and up
What to Look For in Toys For 9-Year Old Boys
Recommended Age
Ensuring your toy or gift is age-appropriate for your 9-year-old boy is a must. This guarantees the toy is safe, challenging, and fun. A game aimed at a younger age group may be too easy for boring for him, while something older than this age group can cause frustration. Be sure to check your product's recommended age before buying for best results.
Safety
Channel your 9-year old boy’s energy into an active, outdoor toy to encourage a healthy lifestyle. Just make sure to encourage appropriate safety habits while you are at it, by including a helmet, knee pads, or other protective gear with your gift.
Educational Value
Learning through play is great for any age, but especially 9-year old boys. They can play a game that is tailored to their interests or favorite subject in school to learn new facts. They can also benefit from puzzles and design challenges that engage their mind and imagination without ever feeling like school. Great toys for 9-year old boys incorporate learning right into the fun.
Your gift may also spark a new interest in your child. Chuck English, Virginia STEM Coordinator at the Science Museum of Virginia, likes open-ended toys. “For me the best ones are the ones that don’t have an automatic answer or can be solved in multiple ways. They should lead the child to a sense of curiosity where he wants to learn more.”
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What size bike do you get a 9-year-old boy?
In general, a 9-year-old boy will fit well on a 20-inch wheel bike. This will accommodate a height of 4’0-4’5 inches. If the boy in question is on the shorter or taller side, adjust accordingly.
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What should you do for a 9-year-old’s birthday?
By the time a child is nine years old, birthdays become a big deal that they will remember when they are older. Tailor the birthday celebration to the personality of the child as well as available resources. A birthday celebration can be as simple as a family meal, a birthday cake, and a movie night. Plan a sleepover with three best friends, a pool party with the whole class, or a trip to an amusement park, the natural history museum, or an aquarium.
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What do you give a 9-year-old boy for Christmas?
Boys develop at different paces and have individual personalities, so do your best to tailor your gift to his current interests. Nine-year-olds are generally at a stage where they have moved beyond toys and can use more grown-up tools to explore their passions. So if you’re looking for a gift for an avid baker who is practicing to audition for a kids' cooking competition show, offer him a grown-up set of utensils and baking molds, or an electric mixer.
Why Trust the Spruce?
This article was written by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce and The Spruce Crafts, covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, crafts, and the holidays.