What should a nine-year-old be able to do?

By middle childhood, nine-year-old children have developed both gross and fine motor skills. As a result, they generally exhibit greater ability (and enjoyment) of sports like soccer and basketball, but also have an increased attention span for crafts and DIY projects. By this age, most girls can ride a bike, complete a project without adult supervision, and may be able to learn new skills, like sewing or basic woodworking.

What is popular with 9-year-old girls?

Girls in this age bracket generally enjoy social activities with their peers and spend less time in imaginary play and more time creating or engaging in hands-on activities or games. It's no surprise then that bracelet-making and similar activities are popular with 9-year-old girls. Board games are also fun for children in this age bracket, along with solo games that challenge critical thinking abilities or teach new skills, like coding.

What kinds of toys are appropriate for a 9-year-old?

To find appropriate toys for 9-year-olds, keep in mind that girls in this age bracket may have moved past toys aimed toward young kids but still may not be mature enough for toys and activities geared towards teens. When picking a gift for a tween , look for toys and activities that will engage and challenge your pre-teen, without being overly difficult or too mature in subject matter or content.

The 10 Best Toys for 9-Year-Old Girls of 2023

While they're growing from pretend play and games that have become more predictable for them, that doesn’t mean that your 9-year-old girl doesn’t appreciate a thoughtful toy: think sports-related toys, card games, unfinished kits where they can create their own projects, or science kits that help improve their building skills.

We researched the best toy options from top brands, keeping in mind the recommended age, educational value, and safety features of each. While every 9-year-old girl has different interests, we love the Klutz Clay Charms Kit. It helps girls express their creativity by creating unique charms for bracelets, necklaces, and more with a few simple instructions.

Here, the best toys for 9-year-old girls.

Our Top Picks

Klutz Make Clay Charms Kit at Amazon

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BONAOK Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone at Amazon

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ThinkFun Gravity Maze at Amazon

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Crayola Light-Up Tracing Pad at Amazon

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OUTREE Kids Pod Swing Seat Hammock at Amazon

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Rainbow Loom The Original at Amazon

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Funko Pop! Peggy Schuyler Collectible Vinyl Figure at Amazon

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Insect Lore Butterfly Garden at Amazon

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Razor A Kick Scooter at Amazon

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Ravensburger Pusheen Purrfect Pick Card Game at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
FAQ
Why Trust the Spruce

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

Easy to follow
Great for beginners

What We Don't Like

Clay is a little dry

When looking for a toy for a 9-year-old girl, the Klutz Make Clay Charms Kit is a nice combination of a hands-on activity and a cute keepsake. The kit includes a charm bracelet, a rainbow of modeling clay, a shaping tool, finishing glaze, and a collection of cute charms you can make using Klutz’s guidance. Or, free-thinking children can let their creative juices run wild and make their own unique designs. Either way, parents and children alike agree that the Clay Charms Kit from Klutz is easy and fun.

Users love the included tools and hours of fun that this set provides. One thing to note is that the clay can be a little dry or not harden fully, which can sometimes lead to breaks. Still, you can always add in more clay for more creative play.

Price at time of publish: $22

_{Dimensions: 8.8 x 10.2 x 9.6 inches | Material: Clay | Recommended Age: 8 years and up}

BONAOK Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone

Amazon

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What We Like

Can be paired with your phone or TV
Perfect for group hangouts or parties

What We Don't Like

Speaker isn't that loud

Truth be told, most 9-year-old girls love to sing, even if they're just jamming in the shower. This microphone lets her sing any song she can access via Bluetooth, i.e. songs saved on an SD card or dramatic Disney instrumentals she finds on YouTube perfect for birthday party venues. She can also toggle the echo control, mic volume, or music volume with the simple push of a knob.

Price at time of publish: $50

_{Dimensions: 11.02 x 4.29 x 3.9inches | Material: Aluminum alloy | Recommended Age: Not listed}

Thinkfun

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What We Like

Improves logic and problem solving skills
Can be played solo

What We Don't Like

Pieces are easy to knock over

This logic game is perfect for solo play or can be enjoyed with friends. There are 60 cards that challenge you to build different configurations, with the goal of finding a path from the starting point to the Target Tower each time. Parents love that it challenges the mind and provides practice with engineering principles at the same time, and when she gets bored she can donate it to toys for tots.

Price at time of publish: $29

_{Dimensions: 9.38 x 3 x 10.5 inches | Material: Paper, plastic | Recommended Age: 8 years and up}

Amazon

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What We Like

Paper locks in so it won't slide around
Provides LED lighting

What We Don't Like

Not feature rich

She doesn't need out-of-this-world drawing abilities to enjoy this Crayola Light Up Tracing Pad. It features a soft LED light that lets your 9-year-old girl better see the sketches she's tracing. The set comes with 20 tracing paper sheets and colored pencils, but note that you can use your own computer paper at home in case you run out.

Price at time of publish: $30

_{Dimensions: 15.06 x 12.38 x 2.38 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 6 years and up}

OUTREE

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What We Like

Makes for a great sensory toy
Sturdy swing

What We Don't Like

If not washed before use, dye can transfer onto clothing

Kids can pop in and out of this swing seat, which is made of cotton-canvas that's warm and breathable. It's a great little swing to relax or cool off in by herself, and it can easily be taken down and stored away when not in use. The set provides hardware, so you can screw it onto wooden furnishings, indoors or outdoors.

Price at time of publish: $50

_{Dimensions: 7.48 x 3.54 x 10.63 inches | Material: Cotton, canvas | Recommended Age: Not listed}

The 30 Best Outdoor Toys of 2023

Amazon

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What We Like

Fun activity for a group of friends or siblings
Gift that keeps on giving (includes tiny gift bags)

What We Don't Like

Instructions aren't clear

Equipped with a loom, hook, and 600 rubber bands, this kit from Rainbow Loom includes everything needed to make about two dozen bracelets. It makes a fun activity for when she has friends over. While there is a little bit of a learning curve for the rubber band loom, there are many video tutorials available online if the included instructions don’t give enough detail. In no time at all, this toy will turn into dozens of cute, functional bracelets.

Price at time of publish: $14

_{Dimensions: 12 x 5 x 1.75 inches | Material: Plastic, metal, rubber | Recommended Age: 8 years and up}

Broadway: Hamilton - Peggy Schuyler Collectible Vinyl Figure

Funko Pop!

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What We Like

Comes in great condition
Perfect for Hamilton fans

What We Don't Like

More for collecting or display versus play

Only musical lovers will appreciate these Funko Pop! figures, which come in a series of Hamilton characters, including Peggy Schuyler. Each vinyl figure measures up to 4 inches tall and can be displayed freely on any shelf or side table. Users report that the figures come in great condition, despite slightly bent packaging.

Price at time of publish: $12

_{Dimensions: 2.5 x 2.5 x 3.75 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 3 years and up}

Insect Lore Butterfly Garden With Live Cup Of Caterpillars

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

Encourages patience and nurturing skills
Rewarding experience

What We Don't Like

Hit or miss product

The kit provides a window into the life cycle of the painted lady butterfly. It is delivered with live caterpillars, food, a chrysalis station, and a reusable mesh habitat. The process is fascinating according to parents and kids to watch— just be sure that you’ll be around for the approximately 3 weeks it takes to raise the caterpillars into ready-to-release butterflies.

Price at time of publish: $37

_{Dimensions: 16 x 12 x 12 inches | Material: Net fabric | Recommended Age: 4 years and up}

Courtesy of Target

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What We Like

Easy to assemble
Attractive design

What We Don't Like

Some users complain it's too small

The Razor A Scooter will take her from point A to point B in no time at all. It's available in five different colors and has adjustable-height handlebars, making it the perfect ride for any 9-year-old girl. For parents concerned about storage, the scooter features a compact folding design. Despite costing less than $30, people find the construction and quality of components on this scooter to be excellent.

Price at time of publish: $40

_{Dimensions: 21.5 x 7.5 x 4 inches | Material: Aluminum | Recommended Age: 5 years and up}

Ravensburger

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What We Like

Great game to play with family
Board features two sides for double the fun

What We Don't Like

Tricky to learn at first

Whether or not your 9-year-old is familiar with Pusheen, this game is the purrfect activity for cat lovers. It includes a Pusheen figure game piece, cute, illustrated game cards, and a double-sided game board for a fun free gameplay sleepover experience. Your 9-year-old girl and her friends or family can take turns collecting essentials and stars until someone wins the game.

Price at time of publish: $25

_{Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 1 inches | Material: Cardboard | Recommended Age: 8 years and up}

The 20 Best Card Games for Kids That Are Fun and Easy

Recommended Age

As a new tween, the 9-year old girl in your life wants a toy that will allow her to exercise some independence and that is fun for her to do with friends. Kits are great for crafty 9-year olds because they are hands on and give her the chance to create something of her own. Stuffed animal party games are another great option because you can play with her and take advantage of the time together.

Safety

It’s important to stress the importance of safety to 9-year old girls, since they are usually gaining more independence and autonomy at this age. Set limits for certain activities, such as cooking or chemistry, so that your child knows when they can do things on their own and when they need some additional supervision.

For toys with online access, you can also set alerts that notify parents if the child accesses material that is too mature. Having conversations about media can also help. Teacher and literacy coach Alicia Sordillo Drozd recommends starting these conversations at an early age. “We do a lot in school about interpreting messages and talking about how you can’t just consume without thinking about it. It’s all about teaching them to be smart consumers.”

Educational Value

There are so many great ways to have fun and learn something new that your 9-year old girl may not even realize that she’s learning while playing with her new toy. Look for a kit that allows her to learn or practice a new skill. You can also find a toy tailored to her favorite subject in school, such as a STEM kit for those who love science or math. Outdoor toys are another great way to teach her the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

FAQ

What should a nine-year-old be able to do?

By middle childhood, nine-year-old children have developed both gross and fine motor skills. As a result, they generally exhibit greater ability (and enjoyment) of sports like soccer and basketball, but also have an increased attention span for crafts and DIY projects. By this age, most girls can ride a bike, complete a project without adult supervision, and may be able to learn new skills, like sewing or basic woodworking.
What is popular with 9-year-old girls?

Girls in this age bracket generally enjoy social activities with their peers and spend less time in imaginary play and more time creating or engaging in hands-on activities or games. It's no surprise then that bracelet-making and similar activities are popular with 9-year-old girls. Board games are also fun for children in this age bracket, along with solo games that challenge critical thinking abilities or teach new skills, like coding.
What kinds of toys are appropriate for a 9-year-old?

To find appropriate toys for 9-year-olds, keep in mind that girls in this age bracket may have moved past toys aimed toward young kids but still may not be mature enough for toys and activities geared towards teens. When picking a gift for a tween, look for toys and activities that will engage and challenge your pre-teen, without being overly difficult or too mature in subject matter or content.

This article was written by Erica Puisis, a writer specializing in interior design and plant care. She writes about home products for The Spruce and has also contributed to Forbes and leading smart home blogs like Smart Home Solver and TechDigg.