25 Terrific Gifts That Will Engage 9-Year-Old Boys

By age nine, boys are a bit too old to be considered children, but a bit too young to be teenagers, and are instead somewhere ‘in between’. They have almost reached adolescence and the term ‘tween’ or ‘tweenager’ is very much applicable. Some parents find this a very challenging stage of parenting whilst others cruise through it with very few problems.

In many ways, 9-year-olds still need the support, comfort and structure that they had from their families as children but they are also becoming much more independent and able to carry out a wide range of activities without so much adult support. When you are buying a gift for a 9-year-old this new-found independence means that an even wider range of options are available as they can have a go at more complex tasks by themselves. This list has been put together to support you in choosing a gift for a 9-year-old boy.

1. Electronic DJ Mixer Board

If you’re shopping for a nine-year-old that loves music, this DJ Mixer by KidiStar is going to unleash a whole new level of creative expression. This mixer allows young aspiring DJs to mix their own music, create unique beats, add cool sound effects and record their own creations. With over 2,000 built-in songs, rhythms and instrument sounds, this high-tech toy encourages musical exploration and fosters a love for different types of music.

The KidiStar DJ Mixer is designed with kid-friendly features, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. It comes with a colorful interface, easy-to-use buttons and a sturdy build, suitable for the hands of a nine-year-old. Not only will experimenting with different genres and tempos be fun, but it will also help develop a sense of rhythm and refine auditory skills. Fine motor skills and dexterity are also improved by manipulating the various buttons and controls. Get the dance party started with this impressive gift.

2. GraviTrax XXL Starter Set

Marble runs are great for increasing children’s creativity and construction skills. The GraviTrax XXL Starter Set Marble Run is a modern version of a classic marble run, incorporating elements that allow children to experiment with gravity, magnetism and kinetics to make the ball keep moving. This toy is great for developing scientific and engineering understanding and skills which are becoming increasingly in demand.

9-year-olds naturally love to experiment with different concepts and are able to think much more critically than younger children so the GraviTrax XXL Starter Set Marble Run is an ideal gift for this age group. There are also expansion packs available to add further different elements to the marble run, so this could be purchased in conjunction with an expansion pack.

3. Lego Technic Top Gear Rally Car RC

Lego is a toy that lasts through childhood, but as children get older their sets get more complex and they demand more from their toys. The Lego Technic Top Gear Rally Car RC is ideal for 9-year-old boys as it is a sufficiently challenging build that can also be linked to and controlled by an app.

Featuring both movement and sound effects the Lego Technic Top Gear Rally Car RC can help to build or develop an interest in engineering as well as improving technology and construction skills. This is a great gift for a 9-year-old who has enjoyed playing with Lego throughout childhood but is now in need of something a little more challenging.

4. Klutz Lego Gear Bots

Budding engineers will love creating a collection of kinetic bots that snap, walk and spin using real Lego Technic bricks. The 64-page book provides step-by-step instructions for builds like a chomping shark, waddling penguin and more. It also explains key engineering principles like gears, axles and cams.

As they follow along, 9 year olds will gain hands-on experience with physics, mechanics and design thinking. This hands-on building kit sparks STEM learning and problem solving skills. And the finished bots with motorized motions make playtime fun and interactive. With all the Lego elements included, it makes a great tech-inspired gift for creative kids.

5. Fortnite Royale Collection Battle Bus

The Fortnite computer game has been extremely popular with teens and tweens and a 9-year-old boy is likely to have come across the game even if he hasn’t yet had the opportunity to play it himself. The Fortnite Royale Collection Battle Bus is based on the popular Fortnite game and stands 13 inches tall.

The Fortnite Royale Collection Battle Bus is ideal for using in imaginative play if the 9-year-old you’re buying for has any of the Fortnite collectible figures and enjoys small-world role-playing games, or can alternatively be used as room décor.

6. National Geographic Dual LED Kids Microscope

Budding scientists will love exploring the microscopic world with this fully loaded kit. It features two microscopes in one – use the lower lights to view slides or the upper lights to study 3D objects up close. With 50+ accessories like prepared slides, petri dishes and tweezers, curious kids can conduct endless experiments.

The 20x and 50x magnification opens up the science of cells, plants, crystals and more. Easy to use and packed with extras like a brine shrimp hatchery kit, it provides hours of STEM learning fun. This high-quality microscope encourages critical thinking and problem solving in kids. It’s the perfect gift to let a 9 year old boy’s inner scientist shine.

7. Instax Mini 9 Camera

9-year-old boys love to have fun and experimenting with photography, taking pictures of nature, landscapes, themselves and their friends is one way that they can do this. This also boosts creativity and allows for some artistic expression and experimentation with photography skills.

The Instax Mini 9 Camera is a camera that produces prints instantly and is available in a range of colors so there’s sure to be one that fits the personality of the boy you are buying for. It has a built-in flash and comes with a selfie mirror and a close-up lens.

8. Ravensburger Bugs in The Kitchen Board Game

The Ravensburger Bugs in The Kitchen Board Game is an exciting family-friendly board game that includes a Hexbug Nano toy to add interest to the board game. The Hexbug will move around the board and the goal of the game is to be the one who traps it. Like all other board games, this will help to encourage important social skills like turn-taking, following the rules and winning and losing with emotional self-regulation.

The Ravensburger Bugs in The Kitchen Board Game is a fast-moving game that can be played in approximately 20 minutes with 2-4 players. It also features 3D elements to add interest to the gameplay. This is an ideal gift for a 9-year-old boy who likes to play board games.

9. Glowing Regulation-Sized Basketball

Shopping for an aspiring athlete? Don’t let the sun put an end to the game with this glow-in-the-dark basketball. Designed to be a regulation-sized seven ball, it’s the perfect gift to shoot hoops for fun or to practice for the next school team tryouts. It feels, dribbles and shoots like a regular ball but when the lights go down, it’s like a party-themed sweat session.

Not only will this ball encourage physical activity and skill development, but it will get nine-year-old boys outside playing instead of sitting on their computer playing video games. This would be a great gift to play with friends or to challenge the family to a friendly game of ball. Unlike lesser-quality balls that light up, there are no switches on this one. The internal LED lights turn on when it’s bounced and shut off automatically when it’s not being played with. When lit, it will glow for an impressive 30 hours of game time. This gift is swish!

10. Self Propelling Seated Scooter

Scooters are all the rage, but the nine-year-old fella you’re shopping for is going to have the coolest scooter on the block if you get him this gift. Traditional scooters require standing on a footboard but this one, made by EzyRoller, allows riders to sit down in comfort as they ride in style. The scooter doesn’t require any motors or pedals. It’s propelled forward by moving feet from left to right, forcing the wheels to spin.

This scooter will get the adrenaline flowing as young boys pump the foot bars to pick up speed. The built-in hand breaks keep the fun safe though, allowing for easy speed control and fast stopping if there’s oncoming traffic. This gift isn’t just about speed and physical activity. It will enhance gross motor skills, improve coordination and strengthen stability and balance. This amazing scooter would be great for cruising around the neighborhood or, due to the compact design, tossing in the car and taking it along for a fun family day out at the park.

11. Lego Star Wars Darth Vader Buildable Watch

Buying a watch for a 9-year-old can be a tricky business; whilst you want it to be something that he likes and can use to tell the time, little kids watches will have been outgrown and lost their appeal whilst more adult watches can be difficult to read the time from and are less likely to stand up to the rigors of childhood.

The Lego Star Wars Darth Vader Buildable Watch is a fun, robust watch that is adjustable to suit a wider age range of children and is fully customizable. With a Star Wars theme to appeal to Star Wars fans, this watch can be constructed by clipping together different colored pieces of the strap.

12. Ozobot Bit 2.0

The Ozobot Bit 2.0 is a great robot toy which is recommended by teachers for its educational value. As the world moves on and becomes more technologically advanced skills with technology, like programming and coding, are becoming more and more in demand. This robot toy helps to develop coding skills.

Coming with free apps to code and program, the Ozobot Bit 2.0 has won prizes for being the “Best Robot” at the Consumer Electronics Show and the International Toy Fair. The cool robot toys are also a great way to encourage or develop an interest in robotics and technology.

13. Nerf N-Strike Modulus Blaster

Nerf blasters have been continuously popular with boys since their invention and the Nerf N-Strike Modulus Blaster is a set that allows a 9-year-old boy to put together his own Nerf blaster with over 30 different combinations available, making it highly customizable.

The Nerf N-Strike Modulus Blaster has a targeting scope, and a clip to hold up to 10 darts. A 9-year-old boy will take great delight in testing out all of the different combinations that this set has to offer and launching darts up to 90 feet. As well as being a great deal of fun, this also helps to improve hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness.

14. Air Hogs Supernova

The Air Hogs Supernova Gravity Defying Hand-Controlled Flying Orb is more or less what its name suggests! With no remote control required the Orb appears to fly and hover in the air but is controlled by the user’s hands; improving hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness.

The Air Hogs Supernova Gravity Defying Hand-Controlled Flying Orb is a gift that has a real wow factor for a 9-year-old boy and helps to build an interest in technology. With a 5-7 minute fly time, the orb is suitable for use indoors and will amaze family and friends.

15. Lego Technic Heavy Duty Forklift

An enduring childhood favorite, Lego grows with children and the Lego Technic range is a great next step for children who have enjoyed playing with Lego throughout childhood but are now in need of the next challenge. The Lego Technic range specifically allows children to experiment with important physics and engineering concepts, like movement and cause and effect.

The Lego Technic Heavy Duty Forklift is a suitably challenging build, featuring a piston engine which can be reconfigured into another arrangement, making it a 2-in-1 toy. Ideal for a 9-year-old boy who is interested in vehicles, technology or understanding.

16. Paper Airplane Craft Book

Give a gift that will excite any nine-year-old boy about the aviation world. This paper airplane book by Klutz Book raises the bar on folding airplanes. It’s packed with step-by-step instructions and pre-designed, high-performance paper airplane templates. It’s sure to provide hours of hands-on fun and friendly competition to see who can fold the plane that flies the farthest.

Crafting and flying paper airplanes offer numerous benefits for a child’s development. Fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination improve as they follow instructions and fold the paper. They also learn about the principles of aerodynamics and problem-solving as they experiment with different folds and adjustments to make their planes soar. By trying different designs they’ll learn about lift, drag and other forces that affect flight performance. With each successful flight, they gain a sense of accomplishment and boost their confidence. Whether they prefer a classic dart design or a more intricate glider, this is the perfect gift to spark curiosity, creativity and a love for exploration in young minds.

17. Brio Pinball Game

Brio is a brand synonymous with quality wooden toys and the Brio Pinball Game is no exception. Made with FSC certified wood this toy represents an eco-friendlier, longer-lasting alternative to the huge array of plastic-based toys on the market. Coming from a brand like Brio it is easy to trust that the quality will be high and that this will make a lovely gift.

The Brio Pinball Game is a classic pinball game that encourages hand-eye coordination and improves children’s fine motor skills. This would make a great gift for a 9-year-old boy who likes to challenge himself and play individually.

18. Lego Minecraft The Iron Golem

The Minecraft computer game is very popular with 9-year-old boys and Lego is an all-time favorite with children of all different age groups so the Lego Minecraft The Iron Golem set combines the two to make a fantastic gift for a 9-year-old boy. Including 2 mini-figures and plenty of accessories, the set encourages lots of imaginative play based around the Minecraft game.

The Lego Minecraft The Iron Golem set also helps to improve construction skills and fine motor skills as it needs to be put together following instructions. A great gift for a fan of Minecraft, which doesn’t involve the computer.

19. ThinkFun Gravity Maze Game

The ThinkFun Gravity Maze Game is a challenging board game that can be played with family or friends. It is designed to become more challenging as the game progresses so to begin with it is extremely accessible but becomes progressively more difficult so that players can build up their skills as they play.

Not only is it fun to play, but it also helps to improve critical thinking skills and develops an understanding of physics as well as encouraging problem-solving skills. Playing together with family or friends can also help children to work on their social skills, learning to take turns, remain calm under pressure and express frustration appropriately.

20. Star Wars Millennium Falcon Bluetooth Speaker

With a design based on Star Wars, this Bluetooth speaker would make a great gift for a 9-year-old boy who loves Star Wars. Around about age 9 children start to develop their personal taste in music and may have a selection of favorite songs, or enjoy a particular genre or band. The Star Wars Millennium Falcon Bluetooth Speaker has both wireless Bluetooth technology and the opportunity to plug a line in.

A 9-year-old can use this speaker indoors or outdoors and can stream music from up to 30 feet away. With rechargeable batteries, children can use the speaker to listen to their own music and express their personality.

21. Uno Extreme Card Game with Electronic Launcher

Playing games with friends or family is a great way for children to have fun with others whilst also improving their social skills as they learn to win, lose and play fairly. The Uno card game is very popular with families as it is relatively easy to understand and fun for all ages whilst also increasing mathematical skill and logic.

The Uno Extreme Card Game with Electronic Launcher is a pack of the traditional Uno card with a card launcher that spits cards out to add excitement and interest to the game. Children will love the fast pace of the game and the novelty of seeing the cards launched out. This set makes a great gift for a 9-year-old who loves to play games.

22. Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Express Train

Based on the popular Harry Potter books and movies the Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Express Train is a challenging build, including mini-figures, which will encourage imaginative play. Children can act out scenes from the movies and books or can create their own imaginative scenarios.

The Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Express Train will help to encourage construction skills, concentration and perseverance as well as improving a 9-year-olds ability to read and follow instructions. This set would make an ideal gift for children who are fans of the Harry Potter series.

23. 3Doodler 3D Printing Pen

The 3Doodler 3D Printing Pen is a novel concept for creative work and play allowing children to essentially draw in the air and create 3D models. Similar to 3D printing, this pen is completely child safe as it has no hot parts and the plastic cools very quickly.

Allowing children to get creative in this new way encourages an interest in technology and innovation as well as improving their craft and fine motor skills. The 3Doodler 3D Printing Pen makes an ideal, unusual gift for a creative 9-year-old boy.

24. Lego Creator 3-in-1 Pirate Roller Coaster

The Lego Creator 3-in-1 Pirate Roller Coaster is a challenging Lego set to build so it is perfect for a 9-year-old looking for something a bit more difficult. It is also a 3-in-1 set meaning that there are three different models that can be built using the same pieces. In addition to this, it is compatible with other Lego sets so play and building can be extended as required.

With four mini-figures included, the Lego Creator 3-in-1 Pirate Roller Coaster allows for the construction of fairground rides which are a popular play motif with children this age and encourages plenty of imaginative play both individually and with friends.

25. Stiga NHL Stanley Cup Rod Hockey Tabletop Game

Take the opportunity to develop or build upon an interest in sports through the Stiga NHL Stanley Cup Hockey Game. This high-quality tabletop game uses a series of rods and fine motor movements to control players on the board which helps to build physical strength in the fingers, hands and wrists which will help with improving handwriting.

The Stiga NHL Stanley Cup Hockey Game comes in official NHL colors and logos, so it is perfect for a 9-year-old boy with, or developing, an interest in the NHL. It is a game that can be played socially too encouraging positive interaction, and the opportunity to learn to win and lose gracefully!

Final words

As 9-year old boys are developing a more independent, self-sufficient approach to activities and there is such a wide range of options available, choosing a gift for a 9-year-old boy can be a real joy. As you have browsed this list you have hopefully found some options that suit the skills, interests and personality of the boy you are buying a gift for.

Some of these suggested gifts may not have been something they would have considered or asked for, but at 9-years-old most boys are interested in new experiences so they will be pleased with the opportunity to try something out for the first time.

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