The Best Gifts and Toys for 9-Year-Old Boys and Girls

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Once kids reach 9-years-old, they have a strong sense of what they like — whether that’s art and DIY projects, toys and board games, fashion and accessories, or utilizing STEAM skills. Their developing sense of self can make shopping for gifts for kids easier (by getting them what you know they like!) or harder (by missing the mark completely).

But have no fear! We're here to help. Our list of the best gifts for 9-year-olds includes dozens of ideas with options for every child's preference and personality type. Most of the items on our list ring in at budget-friendly prices, such as gifts under $20, gift ideas under $25, and gifts under $30 — with a few splurge items included in the mix.

When shopping for the best toys for 9-year-olds, keep in mind this one pro tip before adding the item to your cart: If you aren't the parent, make sure you ask whether it's OK to gift something potentially objectionable, like slime or digital tech, in case these things are unwelcome in the household.

If you're searching for gifts and toys for kids of other ages, be sure to check out our complete list of toy gift guides for every age, at the end of the article.

Ice Cream Slime Kit

Nothing captivates the 9-year-old set like slime. This 31-piece kit includes all the fixings for screen-free fun, including butter slime, cloud slime, and foam slimes. Ages 7+

Craft 'n Clay Jewelry Dish Making Kit

This DIY kit includes everything they need to make three clay jewelry or trinket dishes — just the way they like them. Ages 8+

9th Birthday Bracelet

This sweet bracelet has nine crystals: one for each year. It comes already wrapped in a classic jewelry gift box. No age listed

Marbling Paint Art Kit

This cool kit lets kids create unique artwork on paper by layering paint, smearing it, dragging it and transferring it for a cool — frame worthy — marbelized look. Ages 6+

Karaoke Machine

This compact karaoke machine lets kids play music — and sing along — from any smartphone app. Ages 3+

Snackle Box

Create a custom snack box with all of their favorite goodies. This 100-percent food-safe plastic box has 12 individual snack compartments and three removable dividers for treats in various sizes. No age listed

Mini Drone

This eye-catching flying orb lights up, spins, and soars through the air at the user’s command — then returns like a boomerang. Ages 6+

Shape-Shifting Box

This colorful printed box features 36 magnets and a super-cool shape-shifting form that transforms into 70 shapes. Ages 8+

Subscription Box

Bring cultural education right into their own kitchen — and help them gain confidence and cooking skills along the way. Each country box comes with recipes, non-perishable ingredients, an explorer guide, cooking tools, educational activity sheets, and shopping list. No age listed

Plus 3 Kids Smartphone

A mobile phone won’t be the right gift for every 9-year-old. But for a kid who needs to stay connected, kid-friendly tech tool Pinwheel eliminates browsers and social media use while still offering nearly 1,000 age-appropriate apps. Ages 8-18

Pogo Trick Ball for Kids

Think of this Flybar Pogo Ball as a mix between a balance board, pogo stick, and jump ball — it’s endless hours of high-energy fun. Ages 6+

Ultimate Science Kit

This packed science kit includes everything kids need for 135 fun and exciting experiments ranging from glowing water to underwater volcanoes. Ages 8+

Personalized Photo Puzzle

Transform a favorite image — like the family pet or a birthday party snapshot — into a puzzle customized just for them. This 24-by-18-inch puzzle has a challenging 500 pieces. Ages 6+

Kids Bow and Arrow Set

It’s like regular archery, but more exciting: This set is outfitted with LED lights that allow them to track the path of the arrows. The kit includes 10 suction cup arrows, plus the bow, quiver, and target. Ages 3+

Would You Rather Book For Kids

This book is filled with thought-provoking questions kids can ask themselves and their friends. Ages 7-10

5,000 Awesome Facts (About Everything!) Book

This hefty book is packed with eye-popping facts on all sorts of topics, alongside lively photo illustrations to spark curiosity. Ages 7-10

Rocket Launcher

This rechargeable, motorized rocket toy flies up to 200 feet in the air with up to 20 flights on a single charge. Ages 8+

3-in-1 Creator Set

LEGO fans will love this kit that is perfectly sophisticated for 9-year-olds. This three-in-one set includes three animal toys for kids to build: a posable tiger, red panda, and koi fish. Ages 9+

Light Box

This light box comes with 220 letters and 180 emojis for customizing over and over again. Age not listed

Friendship Bracelet Making Kit

Friendship bracelets are all the rage among the 9-year-old set right now. With this kit, they can make seven different cool styles to share. Ages 8-12

Game Set

This modern twist on traditional darts is going viral, with more than a million TikTok followers. To play, just stick the orange target marker on a smooth surface and take turns throwing towards it. Ages 3+

Paint by Numbers, Butterflies + Blooms

Paint by numbers is as calming as it is creative. This kit includes a deep canvas to hang or stand, 16 colors of paint, two brushes, and a pull-out tray that becomes a workstation. Ages 8+

What Do You Meme? Family Edition

This social media-inspired game is sure to be a hit with all ages at family game night. Ages 8+

Rechargeable Game Activity Cube

This compact gadget is packed with a ton of games for one or two players at a time. It lights up, buzzes, beeps, plays music, and offers voice-guided instructions. Ages 6-14

DIY Journal Kit for Girls

This kit includes everything they need to make their own journal — a perfect gift to inspire writing and self expression. Ages 8+

Magnetic Tiles

Magnetic tiles are a hit with kids of all ages — and they encourage STEM creativity and fun away from screens. Ages 3-14

Dotzies Pretty in Pink Cactus Dotting Kit

The popular adult pastime of diamond dotting also comes in a version for kids called Dotzies. Using a special tool and sticky sheet that tells them where to place each colored dot, they can create a fun image to hang on their wall or the fridge. Ages 6+

Super 3D Pen

With this futuristic 3-D printing pen, kids can turn their everyday drawings into three-dimensional artworks. (The future is now!) No age listed

Portable Foldable Photo Studio Box

Encourage their creative, educational — even entrepreneurial — pursuits with their very own at-home photo studio. No age listed

Kids Waterproof Camera

This 8-megapixel waterproof camera lets kids capture cool photos and videos not just while swimming but also skating, biking, and any other outdoor activity in rainy or wet conditions. No age listed

Air Dry Clay Kit for Kids

This modeling clay is soft, smooth, easy to shape, and air dry-able within 24 hours. The complete kit allows kids to mold it into creative fridge magnets — no kiln or oven required. Ages 8+

Shop More Toys & Gifts for Kids

Looking for more of the best gifts for kids?

Check out our guides for every age:

Gifts for babies: Best Baby Gifts | Baby Boy Gifts | Baby Girl Gifts | Best Gifts for 6-Month-Olds

Gifts for toddlers: Gifts for 1-Year-Olds | Gifts Toys for 2-year-olds

Gifts for preschoolers: Gifts for 3-Year-Olds | Gifts for 4-Year-Olds | Gifts for 5-Year-Olds

Gifts for big kids: Gifts for 6-Year-Olds | Gifts for 7-Year-Olds | Gifts for 8-Year-Olds | Gifts for 9-Year-Olds | Gifts for 10-Year-Olds | Gifts for 11-Year-Olds | Best Gifts for Girls | Best Gifts for Boys

Gifts for teens: Best Gifts for Teens | Best Gifts for Teen Girls | Gifts for Teen Girls on Amazon | Best Gifts for Teen Boys

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