By the time your child is 9 years old, they’ve reached this overlap where they are still young enough to get away with being a little child, yet old enough to morph into an argumentative tween. They’re becoming more independent now, they’re building their social circles and they’re starting to solve life using their formulae. So buying Christmas gifts for 9-year-olds can be tricky.
So, what do you get nine-year-olds for Christmas to assist their development, yet still be ‘young’ enough to pass off as a toy? Whether you have armed your kids with an activity kit, a gift card, a science lab, video games or even walkie-talkies, be sure to check out our Christmas gift guide this year (the ultimate gift guide of all gift guides) with unique educational toys for 9-year-olds from stores like Wicked Uncle and Amazon.
What do 9-year-olds enjoy?
9-year-olds are imaginative and creative. They like playing games and they like strategy, so get them something which burns the brain cells a bit. Here are some great Christmas gift ideas for 9-year-old kids.
Get them lots of books to read
Great gift ideas for 9-12-year-olds must include books, especially blockbuster series like Harry Potter and Hunger Games, as well as non-fictional bestsellers related to your child’s hobbies. Here are some top bestselling gifts for 9-year-olds as books:
Check the price on Amazon here*
Check the price on Amazon here*
A bluetooth speaker is just the right tech for a 9-year-old
Kids love music, so you can find them a device which can connect to your phone and play music. There are tons of options out there. We love the Amazon Echo which doesn’t just attach to our Bluetooth devices, but it’s connected to the internet and it can provide a myriad of games and skills to help with your child’s learning. Currently, my boys use their Amazon Echos to talk to each other at night and to learn about new words.
Check the price on Amazon here*
Best building and crafts sets for 9 year olds? Try subscription boxes
Subscription boxes take the pain out of finding something educational and fun for your child to do by arriving through your mailbox with everything usually packed for you. We are a subscription box family, but our favourite so far for 9 year olds is Little Passports* and the MEL Science Kit, which is not just a fun box for kids, but a pack which includes real science experiments for inquisitive kids.
The MEL Science Kit
My then 9-year-old is a huge fan of science and so I wanted to find something that appeals to him in an educational but fun way. We found The MEL Science kit*, which is one of the most elaborate subscription boxes we’ve ever witnessed! The MEL Science kit includes a Starter Kit and VR headset with your first box and 2 – 3 experiments every month.
You can find a full review of the MEL Science Kit here
What are good Christmas gifts for 9 year olds? An activity book is fun and secretly educational
Good toys for 9-year-olds can include activity books, especially those which enhance learning without your 9-year-old realising they’re learning. You can get spy codeword detective books which actually help kids prepare for their 11 plus. Our favourites are:
Check the price on Amazon here*
Check the price on Amazon here*
Best games for 9-year-olds who like to compete – A strategy game encourages healthy competition
At around nine years old, kids learn logic and strategic thinking in real life and in games, so it’s important to implement strategy games in their development to enhance this way of thinking. Some great games include:
Check the price on Amazon here*
Check the price on Amazon here*
Check the price on Amazon here*
Check the price on Amazon here*
What are good gifts for 9 year olds? A simple card game always does the trick
Gifts for a 9-year-old should include card games, which are old favourites but oh so effective to keep 9-year-olds amused and thinking strategically. Some great games include Blackjack, Uno and Go Fish. Or you can simply play Snap or the solo Solitaire. Try these fancy playing cards as Christmas gifts:
Check the price on Amazon here*
Check the price on Amazon here*
Check the price on Amazon here*
9 year old birthday gift ideas – Jigsaw puzzles are timeless
Jigsaw puzzles are so much fun and they can be as easy or as hard as you want. My eldest was completing 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzles for fun at 9-years-old but my second has a short attention span so he could stomach a max 500 pieces. Whatever the size, opt for a picture that relates to your child’s interests and you’ll have them hooked – it’s also a great family activity at Christmas time.
Here are some great jigsaw puzzles ranging from 500 to 1,000 pieces:
Ravensburger Pokémon 1000 Piece Challenge Jigsaw Puzzle for Adults and Kids Age 12 Years Up. Buy from Amazon here*Check the price on Amazon here*
Check the price on Amazon here*
Check the price on Amazon here*
Check out my review of Ravensburger Big Ben Silhouette Puzzle
Check out my review of Ravensburger Jigsaw Puzzle and Puzzle Handy
Best gifts for 9-Year-Olds for birthdays and holidays – Lego keeps everyone busy!
Gifts for 9-year-old boys and girls should always include Lego because of its multitude of benefits to the brain. Plus, there are limitless possibilities with Lego, so it’s definitely a gift you should have in your toy arsenal. Here are our firm favourites:
Check the price on Amazon here*
Check the price on Amazon here*
What are good toys for 9-year-olds? Robotic toys are so much fun
The Teksta Micro-Pets Adventure Park Playset* is a great example of robotic toys that help teach kids to manage interaction. Kids will enjoy invoking and inviting response from these robotic toys and it’ll keep them amused for hours.
Find the full review of the Teksta Micro-Pets Adventure Park Playset here*
The best gifts for tweens who have grown up too fast – A smartwatch will go down well
Cool toys for 9 year olds can include smartwatches and there are tons of fitness watches for kids on the market but few track where your child is and allow an opportunity for your child to call when they’re in an emergency. It may be too early to give your child a phone, but you can arm them with a smartwatch that has mobile phone and GPS tracking capabilities to ensure they’re as safe as possible when they’re out and about.
The XGO2 Xplora watch offers all three at a fraction of the price, and is completely GDPR compliant, so you know your kids are safe in the digital world. Other features include G Sensors which accurately tracks your child’s steps and which earns them Xplora coins that can be used in the built-in Gplay platform. Plus, your child can take pictures with the built-in camera and make and receive calls to pre-approved contacts. Your child can receive and respond to text messages, voice messages, and emojis.
You also get a SIM plan and a choice of four colours, as well as additional accessories like a screen protector and an extended warranty.
FEATURES
- 4G, 3G, 2G
- Android 4.4 OS
- #GOPLAY Compatible
- 0.3MP Camera
- Waterproof IP67
- 700 mAh Battery
- 1.4” TFT
Check the price on Amazon here*
Check the price of the Xplora XG02 Watch on Amazon here*
Best toys for 9-year-olds who like outdoor games – try ball games
Gift ideas for 9 year olds should include ball games and the best toys for 9 year olds are ones which get kids’ blood pumping. Here are our favourites:
Check the price on Amazon here*
Best gift ideas and toys for a 9 Year old – SGILE Toys
SGILE is a leading toy brand which primarily sells entertaining boys and girls’ toys on Amazon. SGILE cultivates kids’ physical and mental development, so they are constantly updating and improving their products to ensure maximum enjoyment!
Click here to check out SGILE’s range of toys on Amazon*
The best gifts for 9 year olds are presents which are thoughtful and come from the heart. Learn what your 9 year old likes and cater towards their interests while considering how best to enhance their development. The above ideas are by no means an exhaustive list, but food for thought when you do get stuck for ideas.
FAQ
Best unique gifts for 9 year olds
You can get unique and unusual gifts from Wicked Uncle. This T-shirt is awesome!
Gifts that’ll last forever or extremely close?
This article has some great ideas for gifts that will last forever, or extremely close.
What are some Christmas gift ideas for kids who like sport?
Ball games are great because they’re versatile. See above.
What are some birthday gifts for 9 year olds who like music?
Get your child involved in music by buying them an instrument. I would recommend starting with a piano first or drums and then follow their music choices to see where they naturally flock to.
What are good presents for 9 year olds who like colouring?
Get them lots of colouring and activity books. You can find loads on Amazon here*
What are the best secret Santa Gift Ideas for Christmas?
Check out this article on the best Secret Santa gifts for the family.
What is the best Christmas gift for my daughter who likes makeup and dressing up?
Other questions asked were:
- best presents for 9 year old girls
- best gifts for a 9 year old girl
- Gifts for 9 year old girls
- Top gifts for 9 year old girls
Toys for 9 year old girls can definitely include makeup sets and costumes to help them with imaginative play. You can find loads on Amazon here*
*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
*Collaborative feature post
