Best Gift Ideas and Toys For a 9-Year-Old | 2022
25 Totally Awesome Gifts For the 9-Year-Old in Your Life
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If you're shopping for a 9-year-old this holiday season or know one with an upcoming birthday you need to snag a gift for, we're here to help. Finding unique and cool gifts for kids isn't always an easy task, especially for a generation of juniors whose interests are constantly evolving. This age can be especially hard because they're precariously straddling the line between kid and tween, with interests that change day to day.
That's why we've rounded up our favorite toys and presents for all 9-year-olds to help them feel more grown up without quite leaving the world of toys completely behind. From nightlights to help them fall asleep to outdoor play toys and even choices that are more educational and will get them excited to learn, there are so many gifts on the market. Whether they're into music, photography, building things hands-on, or gaming, we found a ton of fun and practical picks for them to use. Take a look ahead.
Find the best gifts for the babies, toddlers, and kids in your life with our gift guides, including for infants, 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds,4-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, 7-year-olds, 8-year olds, tweens, and teens.
— Additional reporting by Krista Jones and Rebecca Gruber
1 Bag For 9-Year-Old: Redbubble Let's Go Drawstring Bag by thepapercrane
The adventurous 9-year-old will love this Redbubble Let's Go Drawstring Bag by thepapercrane ($25, originally $34) for all their experiences. The bag comes with a wide drawstring opening that's easy for them to access. We love how spacious and sturdy it is — it's perfect for holding a tablet or notebook.
2 Personalized Gift For 9-Year-Old: Script Monogram Wall Jewelry Storage
Jewelry-lovers are always looking for a fun place to store their earrings. This mint-green Script Monogram Wall Jewelry Storage ($149) has spaces for earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and more. Plus, you can customize it with their initials. It comes available in five additional color options as well.
3 Nostalgic Game Gift For 9-Year-Old: Tamagotchi V5 Game
You might remember this Tamagotchi V5 Game ($30) from your childhood or teenage years, and now you can get them one, too. You can share this nostalgic gift with them and teach them how to care for their pet. It contains a ball-chain loop so that they can hook it onto their keys or backpack.
4 Artistic Gift For 9-Year-Old: World Map Coloring Tablecloth
This cool World Map Coloring Tablecloth ($30) will become an awesome creation. You can gift it to them with a set of markers, too, to make it even more fun. The 100 percent cotton tablecloth is illustrated with hand-drawn countries, landmarks, and animals from around the globe and even includes fun facts. Once it's washed in warm water, the ink disappears, so they can get crafty with it again and again.
5 A Gift For Tweens: Smoko Tayto Potato USB Heated Slippers
How adorable are these Smoko Tayto Potato USB Heated Slippers ($26, originally $38)? They're perfect for embracing their inner couch potato. These USB-powered slippers can be plugged into any compatible USB port, like their laptop. If they want to walk around, they can just unplug them and take the warmth all around their room.
6 Creative Guide For 9-Year-Old: "You've Got This!" by Jessica MacLeish
POPSUGAR's latest book, "You've Got This!" ($10, originally $13) by Jessica MacLeish, is the perfect gift to give to any young person embarking on a new school year. The book is filled with writing prompts, inspirational quotes, and mindfulness techniques to help the reader stay focused and channel their creativity in positive ways.
7 Relaxing Gift For 9-Year-Old: Moon Pal Anti-Anxiety Weighted Stuffed Animal
Take the magic of weighted blankets to the next level with the Moon Pal Anti-Anxiety Weighted Stuffed Animal ($70, originally $108). The adorable pal offers companionship, and the five-pound weighted design is made to help optimize sleep, alleviate stress, and reduce anxiety. Plus, it's just really cute! It's great for all ages, but we think your tween will love it.
8 Interactive Gift For 9-Year-Old: Simon Air Game
This 1970s memorization game gets a modern makeover with Simon Air Game ($66), which kids of all ages will love. It's so fun, you might even want to play it too. The game works by following light patterns and repeating them in order to win. It's can be played solo or with two players.
9 Personalized Gift For 9-Year-Old: Personalized Retro Gamer Pint Glass
Get them Personalized Retro Gamer Pint Glass ($32-$160) as a fun customizable present. They'll love drinking out of their very own glass. The glassware pays homage to classic arcade games by allowing you to design friends and family into eight-bit characters. You can even list each avatar's capabilities for extra detail. Without a doubt, gamers will love this gift.
10 Creative Gift For 9-Year-Old: Cinema Light Box Changing Led Cinematic Set
Display fun messages with this remote-controlled Cinema Light Box ($33). It features fun emoji characters and a color-changing background with the use of a remote. The board comes with 170 letters and character images to make a noticeable statement in their bedroom or playroom.
11 Photography Gift For 9-Year-Old: Fujifilm Instax Mini Camera
If they love to take pictures, treat them to this Fujifilm Instax Mini Camera ($80). They'll be able to collect their memories and hang them in their room. The camera comes in eight colors and patterns so that you can choose one that suits your 9-year-old best.
12 An Outdoor Gift For 9-Year-Old: Triumph 2-in-1 3 Bag Toss/ Washer Toss Combo
They'll enjoy competing with friends when playing this Triumph 2-in-1 3 Bag Toss/ Washer Toss Combo ($42, originally $50). It's so fun, you might even need to get in on a game or two. The set includes six toss bags, six washers, and two boards with detachable legs for easy storage.
13 A Musical Gift For 9-Year-Old: DIY Ukulele Kit
Before you invest in the electric guitar your tween is begging for, why not let them try their hand at this DIY Ukulele Kit ($26)? The DIY kit includes an unfinished preassembled body, a ukulele neck, and strings. Once they've put the four-string ukulele together, they can customize it with paint or other decorations.
14 An Under-$25 Gift For 9-Year-Old: Creativity For Kids Make Your Own Lip Balm Kit
Make your kid feel like a beauty entrepreneur with this Creativity For Kids Make Your Own Lip Balm Kit ($23) that produces some sweet, customizable products. They can make some fun creations for their friends and family. The kit includes lip balm, flavoring, containers, mixing cups and tools, stickers, and a carrying case.
15 A Sweet-Tooth Gift For 9-Year-Old: ICEE Slushie Making Machine
Treat them to this fun ICEE Slushie Making Machine ($125, originally $150). It looks and operates just like the ones you see in stores. The machine is perfect for having friends over for movie nights. All that's needed is water, ice, Icee flavoring syrup, and salt for a slushie they can't resist.
16 Educational Gift For 9-Year-Old: Remote Control Robot
You can't go wrong with a gift that'll challenge them. The STEM Remote Control Robot ($33 originally $40) will teach them new skills and makes for a fun group activity. The robot toy includes 358 building blocks that can be put together in a couple of hours. This toy is great for problem-solving and encourages imagination and creativity.
17 Affordable Gift For 9-Year-Old: 3D Galaxy Moon Lamp
If they love space, we have a feeling they'll be into the 3D Galaxy Moon Lamp ($25). The lamp is crafted with a specific 3D printing process to ensure its surface replicates NASA's gorgeous telescope images. Its faint glow also makes for the perfect nightlight.
18 A Motivational Gift For 9-Year-Old: ThinkMax Money Maze Puzzle Box
Make them work for their gift with this ThinkMax Money Maze Puzzle Box ($9). Simply place money inside the brain teaser, and they have to solve the mystery. The only way of opening it is by maneuvering its bead through the maze, which is the perfect challenge. Its circular lid has a slot for inserting either coins or cash.
19 Brain-Teaser Game Gift For 9-Year-Old: Rubik’s Connected
If they like Rubik's cubes, the cool Rubik's Connected ($60, originally $80) will help them learn the technique and even compete with friends virtually. It connects to a phone or tablet through Bluetooth and allows them to learn how to solve it, play minigames, and battle other players. It's a great STEM gift, too.
20 A Tech Gift For 9-Year-Old: Disney Star Wars BB-8 Bluetooth Speaker iHome
Star Wars fans will have a blast with this Disney Star Wars BB-8 Bluetooth Speaker iHome ($29, originally $35). They can listen to music and dance with their favorite friend. It connects via Bluetooth and can play any song you'd like — including the Star Wars theme song.
21 Thoughtful Gift For 9-Year-Old: Earth and Space Nightlight
There's something about getting a gift with your name on it that just makes it feel more special. We love this fun Personalized Earth and Space Nightlight ($68). Choose from a rocket ship shooting past Saturn or a globe illustrated with animals. It's powered with a USB cord, so make sure you include a wall adapter.
22 An Outdoor Toy For 9-Year-Old: Lifetime Geometric Dome Climber Play Center
Get this Lifetime Geometric Dome Climber Play Center ($230) for kids who are always climbing everything. The dome is sturdy and easy to put together with two adults. It comes in a few different sizes and color choices with a weather-resistant design that's said to last for years.
23 A Brain-Teaser Game For 9-Year-Old: Kanoodle 3-D Puzzle Game
They'll never tire of playing with the Kanoodle 3-D Puzzle Game ($14). It comes with a 48-page illustrated book and can do over 200 puzzles. It's the perfect brain-teasing game, and its small size makes it easy to take on the go.
24 A Bike For 9-Year-Old: Joystar Gemsbok 20 Inch Kids Bike
Treat your kid to their first grown-up bike with this Joystar Gemsbok 20 Inch Kids Bike ($240). Its sturdy and reliable frame will last them for years. We're loving the iridescent color choice, but it also comes in green and black. The bike comes mostly assembled, only requiring the front tire, seat pegs, and handlebar to be installed.
