Best Gifts for 9 Year Old Boys

With the holiday season just around the corner (It always creeps up on you, right?) you may want to start gift shopping sooner rather than later, especially if you plan to nab the hottest new toys on the market.

Of course, nothing beats good, old-fashioned family bonding and homemade gifts, but if you want to gift the youngsters in your life something tangible and extra special, we have ideas! Between the best kids’ bikes on the market to the best trampolines for kids, these gifts make the parent-approved toys list for boys.

Our top tip is to shop early. “Most parents start shopping in November to take advantage of Black Friday deals, which can be hit or miss depending on when and where you decide to go,” says Dana Oliver, Founder and CEO of Adventure Kids Playcare. As a play space owner, she keeps an eye on what items kids around ages six to nine gravitate towards.

“Between late November and early December, the season’s most coveted toys and video games may already be out of stock at your local brick and mortar.”

Now, are high-tech tech items recommended for boys? That’s up to parents, but if you choose to gift technology to a young boy this holiday season, prioritize safety and learning. “The right parental controls can help parents learn more about their kids,” says Agya Garg, Head of Product at Aura, an online safety family platform.

“Seeing the apps your kids spend the most time on or the websites they visit gives you great insight into what they value and can serve as a jumping-off point for important conversations about technology and the internet.”

However, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to rush your little ones into full tech immersion, adds Garg. “Some parents may be tempted into giving in to repeated requests for a first phone, but it may be better to ease into this life transition with a watch or kid-focused tablet.”

Scoop these top-sellers up before they’re gone!

This polyester lounger has more than 7,000 online reviews, comes in 15 different designs and even has special straps to secure it down on windy days! When inflated, it holds up to 440 pounds and it has pockets on the side to hold drinks and snacks.

The best part? You don’t need a pump to blow the lounger up—just wave it in the air, and it magically inflates by itself! There’s a video on Amazon that shows you how to do it. It’s a great gift for little ones who love to chill out.

These groovy light-up gloves come in small, medium and large—each sold separately. For kids around nine years old, the small size is recommended. When activated, the gloves light up in five different colors and six modes, including flashing and steady lights.

They’re made of breathable, lightweight material that stretches comfortably over their hands, so kiddos can move and groove without any problems. They come equipped with batteries, and are such a hit at parties!

This glowing soccer ball is a game-changer for sports fans and has over 8,000 reviews from customers impressed by its cool features. Two bright LED lights activate when the ball is kicked or bounced, and the lights automatically switch off when not in use.

Made of a tough rubber exterior to secure the lights, setting up the ball is simple—instructions and batteries are included. All you need is a pump to inflate the ball, and your kid is ready to score some goals!

This origami-themed book is authored by professional crafter and airplane enthusiast Andrew Dewar. Inside, you’ll find 48 easy-to-fold paper airplanes that are not only sturdy but fly if constructed properly. Kids learn the specific airplane designs like the Hammerhead, Space Cruiser and Belly Button.

It’s educational and clever with detailed instructions for each plane! The book also includes a pull-out runway for completed planes to make their smooth landing after launch.

Kids can take their musical experience to the next level thanks to this rubber drum set. Here’s what it boasts: a complete range of beats including nine electric drum elements such as bass and cymbal pads, built-in demo songs to follow, Bluetooth connectivity and more.

Seven distinct drum styles and accompaniments help your budding musician add fresh sounds to their rockstar-style performance. It runs for three hours on a rechargeable battery and its mat-style shape folds nicely for easy storage and travel.

Parents, we hope you have a good sense of humor. This one is a bit loud.

The design of this blaster is inspired by the gear from the popular video game Fortnite and features the game’s Converge Wrap design. Players activate the blaster’s motor for a rapid-fire experience, launching up to 10 darts in succession.

This NERF blaster includes a detachable dart clip and 10 soft Official Nerf Elite foam darts, ideal for both indoor and outdoor play.

Your kiddos will get their adrenaline pumping during the ultimate game of Laser Tag!  This set includes four high-tech blasters in different colors, with matching vests. Each blaster offers four firing modes and, most importantly, emits safe Child Safety Infrared Signals for the eyes.

With a 100 ft. range, these blasters provide realistic shooting sensations and gripping vibrations for intense battles. Set up is simple – just add batteries (not included), assemble your team, and you’re good to go!

This pixel art puzzle set comes with 768 pieces and includes color-coded templates featuring Street Fighter II characters. With detailed backstories and original artwork, young artists can craft both 2D and 3D pixel art creations using the puzzle’s patented one-piece design.

The interlocking, colored bricks feature a unique connecting system, so little ones can build structures in horizontal, vertical, and diagonal directions.

This modern, multi-functional Smartwatch has it all: a selfie cam, 24 games and puzzles, a flashlight feature, voice recording options, an MP3 player and even a pedometer for tracking steps. With a long-lasting battery life of up to seven days, this silicone watch requires no SIM card or special apps that need to be downloaded.

Kids can even customize their watch with trendy on-screen patterns and themes. We love great toys that make kids feel like they’re getting the most advanced technology. This one is great for a variety of age groups as well.

With an adjustable headband, plush ear cushions and up to 15 hours of playtime (per charge), these headphones will greatly impress your child. They fold up nicely, create a peaceful audio experience in noisy settings and come with a kid-safe volume limit.

Available in four fun colors, these headphones ensure your child’s hearing is protected. They’re also durable, sweatproof and an Amazon’s Choice recommendation. Check out our helpful guide to the best toddler headphones while you’re at it.

This awesome gaming cube provides kids with a multi-sensory experience. In gameplay, you’ll be guided by spoken instructions and feedback from built-in mission control. Some popular games it includes are: Alien Hunt, Tic Tac Go, Cosmic Rays, Rocket Trail, Space Command and Shooting Star.

Additionally, kids can use it to compose tunes and listen to music—it even turns into a disco “ball” (er, square) complete with blinking lights. One reviewer called it “an amazing little toy,” and we agree!

If your child prefers traditional puzzles, this 500-piece jungle-themed puzzle is the ideal gift. The finished artwork measures a perfect sqaure and features a tropical jungle theme with an elephant, monkey, exotic bird and more.

To see it glow, just turn off the lights! The set includes a durable storage box to keep the pieces organized, and the box also shows the completed puzzle artwork. It’s a great screen-free activity the whole family can participate in! Pair it with some kid-friendly card games for a brilliant screen-free gift set.

If your kid likes the popular online gaming platform Roblox, add this toy to their holiday gift list. Users can team up with six renowned Roblox characters—as figurines—to create exciting adventures and mix and match their parts to craft a personalized,  unique character.

These figures come with accessories and each pack includes three redeemable codes that grant users exclusive virtual items on Roblox.

With over 1,000 reviews, this outdoor boomerang packs an impressive punch for just under $15. Available in seven colors, this soft toy is easy to throw and master a good wrist flick. Made from durable foam, it’s recommended for little ones to toss it at a 20-degree angle for the ultimate “fly the air” results. Did we mention it’s lightweight and waterproof?

It’s fun for kids this age, older—and even parents.

Jumping on a trampoline is a total blast. However, safety should always be at the forefront. Thankfully, this trampoline was designed to meet the American Society for Testing and Materials’ rigorous standards. It features four L-shaped legs for extra stability and includes a safety net around it for added security.

Made from galvanized metal and reinforced plastic, this trampoline is built to last, is rust-resistant and holds up well during heavy-duty jumping sessions. It weighs up to 130 lbs when fully constructed and is an overall favorite from our list.

One of the most in-demand items this holiday season is this sleek-looking tablet. It impressively offers a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, providing access to a wide range of ad-free books, games, videos, apps and Alexa skills from trusted brands.

The parental controls are easy to use and ensure parents approve of all online purchases and downloads their kids request. It has 13 hours of battery life, immersive Dolby Atmos sound, 32 GB of internal storage and expandable storage up to one TB for videos and games.

This 755-piece playset is a fantastic gift for kids who like LEGOs, modeling, and have a passion for rainforest animals! The three animal models included are a tiger, a red panda and a koi fish. Each animal comes with unique details and is posable—it’s these little, realistic details that make LEGO sets so special, and fun!

If you’re looking for a board game that epitomizes the definition of adventure look no further than Jumanji, a total classic. This is a fantastic game for kids who like riddles. This modernized version comes in a real wooden box that opens wide for exciting gameplay.

Ideal for two to four players, each person finds themselves lost in a jungle filled with secrets. Once you start playing, you must intend to finish the quest through the jungle…if you dare! The set includes everything they need including a gameboard, challenge cards and a sand timer.

There are so many bikes on the market—one of our personal favorites is this premium single-speed kids’ bike. Equipped with a reach-adjustable v-brake designed to fit smaller hands, safety and control are top priorities. The handlebar and seat are adjustable to accommodate a growing child.

Customers appreciate the bike’s wide, cushioned tires which promote better balance and easier starts. The Koda Plus is hailed as the best overall bike for children due to its availability in five trendy colors and a reasonable price point. It’s a great bike for any kid who’s ready to hit the road. Don’t forget a helmet!

This RC Polaris RZR XP PRO is an awesome gift for young control car lovers—or in this case, an ATV. It offers forward-reverse driving and right-left steering, with 4X4 all-wheel drive and flex suspension for off-road adventures.

It comes with adjustable, on-vehicle wheel alignment and super-bright LED headlights—talk about a nice touch of realism! Better yet, this 4WD RC vehicle is quite sturdy, tackling dirt and dust along its way. Add to cart!