The 30 Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Boys in 2022

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Ten is a transitional age for boys. They’re starting to dress and act older as they head into the tween years, but they’re still young enough to enjoy many toys and games. This in-between stage can make finding a gift a bit of a challenge as there are so many different ways to go—functional, fun, or cool, to name a few. Plus, 10-year-old boys may suddenly reject toys they used to love if they decide the items are too "babyish."

However, there are many surefire options to choose from. Shoes and science kits, books, sports equipment, and sunglasses are possibilities that can fill a 10-year-old boy's need for fun while also satisfying their interest in being more like older kids. And many 10-year-olds will still appreciate a range of toys, such as building blocks, games, or pretend play items like costumes and Nerf guns. Tying the present to their passions, whether that's sports, art, history, science, or music is key.

Here are the best gifts for 10-year-old boys with every interest.

Our Top Picks

Uncommon Goods Sound-Activated Light Blocks at Uncommon Goods

Stack this set of blocks into a nightlight, skyscraper, or robot, and watch your creation light up.

Air Hogs Gravitor with Trick Stick at Amazon

Wave-control technology senses when something is underneath the Gravitor and then hovers above it.

Adidas Badge of Sport Hoodie at Dick's

Keep your tween cozy with a classic sporty hoodie, featuring a kangaroo pocket and a front graphic.

3Doodler Start + 3D Pen Set at Amazon

Safe for children ages 6 years old and up, this 3D pen doesn't need any heat to work, making it safe for kiddos to use.

Vans Old Skool Checkerboard Backpack at Nordstrom

Vans’ canvas backpack securely fits all the essentials as your 10-year-old travels from home to get-togethers to practice.

Gray Switch at Walmart

Portable on-the-go gaming with two removable controls for two-player games and a rechargeable headset.

Crocs Kids' Classic Marbled Clog at Crocs.com

Crocs have made a major comeback with many new designs, like these marbled shoes that come in four different color themes.

Ray-Ban New Wayfarer Junior Sunglasses at Amazon

The junior version of the classic Wayfarer, this pair can be worn year-round with its lenses that offer full UV protection.

Nintendo Labo Variety Kit at Amazon

With five different projects, children will love customizing their own Toy-Con creations, like a fishing rod, house, and more.

The North Face Resolve Reflective Jacket at Amazon

Features an attached hood, zip-up pockets, and a breathable fabric that makes it ideal for year-round wear.

If they like LEGO, they will love a set of these building blocks that light up. Available in packs of either 50 or 240, these blocks are rechargeable and can be lit up constantly or set on sound-activation mode to help extend charge life. Kids as young as 6 years old can safely play with these.

Your kiddo has all of the power in their hands with the Air Hogs Gravitor. Defy gravity without a remote by placing a hand underneath the Gravitor. Wave-control technology senses when something is underneath the Gravitor and then hovers above it. There's even a trick stick for tossing and catching.

Hoodies are a lounging staple and never go out of style. With a cotton fleece-like fabric, this pullover sweatshirt is soft and cozy and is safe to toss into the washer and dryer. It has a kangaroo pocket and a screen-printed logo on the front. This hoodie is available in six color options and in youth sizes extra-small through extra-large.

Watch your kiddo's imagination and creations soar! Safe for children ages 6 years old and up, this 3D pen doesn't need any heat to work, making it ideal for kiddos to use. With this variety kit, kids will get a 3D pen, doodlemat, and many more pieces.

Your 10-year-old can use this backpack for school, sleepovers, or for just toting their things along with them when they're out. It has a carrying handle at the top as well as two padded shoulder straps that can be adjusted for the right fit. The bag has a zipper closure, a lined interior, and an interior laptop sleeve.

With the Nintendo Switch, your kiddo can download all kinds of games. The handset is rechargeable and just has to be docked to power back up (and can be played on the TV while it’s docked). It also comes with two removable controls for two-player games. It’s basically the gaming system of every kid’s dreams.

Crocs have made a major comeback and it's obvious to see why. There are many new designs, like these marbled Crocs. Kids can pick from four different color themes. And, if they want to add their own flair, check out charms called Jibbitz that fit into the holes of Crocs for additional style.

Wayfarers never go out of style, so your 10-year-old will love wearing the youth-size version of these classic shades. The lenses offer 100% UV protection, and the glasses come with a case to keep them safe when they’re tossed into a backpack between outdoor adventures.

With five different projects, children will love customizing their own Toy-Con creations, like a fishing rod, house, and more. Customize with sticks, markers, paint, and other supplies to make creations come to life.

Since it’s waterproof and lightweight, this reflective jacket can be worn throughout most of the year. It comes with an attached hood, has pockets with zippers, and is made from a breathable fabric. The jacket zips closed and has an extra velcro covering to keep it secure. It’s available in youth sizes extra-extra-small through extra-large.

ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Logic Game

If you’re looking for a gift with some educational value that requires critical thinking or engineering skills, go with this. It comes with instructions for 60 different challenges with varying levels of difficulty, nine towers, a game grid, three marbles, and one target piece. This STEM toy is best for kids between 8 and 15 years old.

Your 10-year-old will keep cozy in these drawstring sweatpants made with soft, fleece fabric. They have a standard, relaxed fit, ribbed cuffs, and side pockets to keep them functional. The pants come in a variety of color options and in youth sizes 6 through 20.

For the 10-year-old who loves to ride their bike, these waterproof wheel lights will be a hit. There are 10 color options available (including multi-colored), and the lights can be set to be constantly on or flashing. The lights fit wheels between 12 and 29 inches. With the set, you get two packs of lights (one for each wheel), clips to hold them into place, battery packs, and batteries.

You get 33 LEGO pieces, six plastic balls, string, and other materials needed to create 10 different moving machines in this kit, which is best for kids 8 years old and up. Each machine has its own complexities, so the kit also includes an instruction book to help guide you through each step of the process.

Children will enjoy sinking into their own beanbag chair. This one is ideal as it's made with a durable fabric that's stain-resistant, water-resistant, and comfy, With five different color options available, this beanbag chair features a handle for easy portability and can be washed by spot cleaning with a damp cloth.

Discovery Kids Mindblown Solar Robot Creation

This STEM kit comes with blueprints and 190 parts that can be used to build 12 different motorized robots. There’s even a solar panel that can be attached to the robots to help give them some energy. Kids 8 years old and up can safely tinker with this fun kit.

Space Jam is back and full of adventure with new characters. This popular 90's movie returned in 2021 which led to the creation of new Pop! figurines. From Bugs Bunny to Lebron James, your child is sure to love any star they receive.

Kanoodle comes with a puzzle instruction book that includes 200 puzzle challenges, each with its own level of difficulty ranging from simple to seemingly near-impossible. The game includes 12 puzzle pieces, a board, a carrying case, and an instruction book. It is made for anyone 8 years old and up.

Great for a kid with a lot of energy, this pogo stick has foam grip handles and foam framing so there won’t be any spring-pinching injuries. It’s also designed with a large, no-slip bottom grip to help kids keep their balance and reduce the risk of falls. You can get this pogo stick in a variety of color options, and it’s best for kids 9 years old and up and between 80 and 160 pounds.

If your child is a fan of gaming, they'll be an even bigger fan of this keyboard designed specifically for gaming. The lettering on the keyboard lights up, allowing children to see their keys in a fun way.

Transform your child's favorite space with some LED lights that are specially made to fit a TV. Made for televisions measuring anywhere from 40 to 60 inches, these LED lights can be controlled via a remote and are 6.5 feet or 14.3 feet long.

Whether they want to go on adventures in the backyard at night or just want an easy way to get a little extra light while they read in bed, this LED headlamp is a fun gift your 10-year-old will enjoy.

It can be set to seven different lighting settings and can last up to 45 hours on three AAA batteries in the low setting (and 3 hours on high). It’s also weather-resistant, has a variety of adjustment options, and is super lightweight.

Marky Sparky Doinkit Darts Magnetic Dart Board

This dartboard set is great because instead of darts with sharp points that can injure someone, these have a safe magnetic tip. Kids ages 6 and up will enjoy the game itself while also further developing their hand-eye coordination. This set comes with one dartboard and six safety darts.

This crystal growing kit has everything needed for seven different crystal experiments. There’s also an app your 10-year-old (or you) can download that provides interactive step-by-step instructions for each experiment. The recommended age for this popular kit is 10 years old and up.

My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish Books Boxed Set

With this box set, you get three paperback "My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish" books, which are great for kids between 7 and 10 years old. The set includes the first three books of the series: "My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish," "The SeaQuel," and "Fins of Fury."

Any 10-year-old with an interest in or curiosity about electronics will love this circuit experiment kit. It includes everything they need for more than 300 experiments. Every part is numbered and color-coded and snaps in and out of the plastic grid for safety—no soldering necessary. It’s a great set for beginners ages 8 and up.

All you have to do is take one look at these shoes to see why they’re such a great gift. Your 10-year-old can easily slip them on and off, but you don’t have to worry about them being too loose because they’re designed with two little elastic pieces on the top to make sure they fit snugly. They have a canvas upper design and a rubber sole, and they are available in big kid sizes 4 through 7.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Mega Slime Kit & Putty Lab

You can’t go wrong with slime, and this kit has eight different kinds, including glow-in-the-dark, magnetic, and color-changing slimes (all of which use only non-toxic ingredients). It also includes all the materials needed for a kid to make their own slime. This set is great for kids who are 8 years old and up.

4.5

This LEGO Creator kit comes with all the blocks needed to build a T-Rex, Triceratops, or Pterodactyl. It comes with detailed instructions for building the dinos and is designed for kids between 7 and 12 years old.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Complete Collection Set

Your kid can have a "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" collection in their library with this box set. You can choose between paperback or hardcover versions of the first 10 to 12 books in the series (depending on which set you buy). These books are written for kids between 8 and 12 years old.

What to Look for in Gifts for 10-Year-Old Boys

Fun

Ten-year-old boys may be almost tweens, but they still get a kick out of gifts geared toward playful fun. So, look for hands-on projects, games, and toys with features like complex challenges, lights, sounds, or tactile sensations, like the slime kit. LEGO bricks, Nerf guns, and sports equipment are other gifts that tend to be a big hit with this age group, too.

Function

Practical items that can be used in daily life also make a good gift. Think backpacks, clothes, or art supplies for school, basketball shoes, team jerseys, or sneakers for athletics, and gaming equipment, headphones, keyboards, or speakers to use with electronics. Some kids may also love a re-stocking of basic items like socks, school supplies, or favorite snacks.

Cool Factor

Anything new, trending, or popular with tweens will likely be appreciated by 10-year-old boys. So, the latest gadget, music, video game, or clothing accessory can be a good choice. Tap into your gift recipient's passions, too, by selecting something that they have a specific interest in, such as merchandise from their favorite sports team, TV show, movie, or musical artist.

Why Trust Verywell Family?

Ashley Ziegler is a staff and freelance writer who covers lifestyle, home, parenting, and commerce content for a variety of platforms. She’s a mom to 1-year-old and 3-year-old daughters, and an aunt to three nieces and two nephews ranging from 5 to 10 years old. In addition to regularly scouring the internet to find the best things for herself, Ashley spends multiple hours a week researching, comparing, and writing about products specifically for kids and families.

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