What skills should a 10-year-old be learning?

At school, 10-year-olds are hard at work mastering advanced mathematics involving geometry and early algebra including multiplication, division, and fractions. They’re learning to use reliable resources for research and to synthesize their findings, all with increasing independence. Ten-year-olds are also learning how to communicate their opinions and persuade others to accept their viewpoints—one reason why they might sound more like teenagers and less like children every day.

How do I choose the best toy for my 10-year-old?

The best way to make sure your gift is a home run is to ask your 10-year-old what toys are on their wish list. Otherwise, keep an eye on the toys your child tends to play with most or ask about what toys they most appreciate when playing at friends’ homes.

What should I get for a bored 10-year-old?

Oftentimes boredom stems from lack of ideas, not lack of toys. Games, crafts, puzzles, and sports equipment can all occupy a 10-year-old. Refreshing their collection of any of these items should help them beat boredom.

The 45 Best Toys for 10-year-olds of 2023

When it comes to toys, the joy of 10-year-olds is that they can play with most toys alone or with friends. Game nights, family craft projects or other group activities are wonderful team-building activities for children this age. Plus, since most 10-year-olds are proficient readers, they can even read directions, assemble toys, and independently set up and play with their toys.

When picking out a toy or game for the 10-year-old in your life, something they can play within a group setting or is an interest of theirs is likely to be a hit. We carefully considered, design, value, toy safety, age recommendations, and entertainment value when reviewing products.

Here are the best toys for 10-year-olds.

Our Top Picks

Original Stationery Unicorn Slime Kit at Amazon

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Educational Insights Artie Max: The Coding Robot at Amazon

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Kids Against Maturity Card Game at Amazon

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Good for You Girls Gift Set at Goodforyougirls.com

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Raddish Kids Monthly Kit at Raddishkids.com

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Singing Machine SML385BTBK at Amazon

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Slackers Ninjaline Intro Kit at Amazon

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Clixo Rainbow 42 Piece Pack at Amazon

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Silk and Sonder Kids Monthly Subscription at Silkandsonder.com

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CreateOn The Beatles MagnaTiles at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
How We Selected the Best Toys for 10-Year-Olds
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Family

Amazon

The Original Stationery Unicorn Slime Kit is high on our list because this kit is a slime lover's dream thanks to all the included accessories. Perfect for 10-year-olds, this kit includes glue, unicorn beads, inks, textures, slime containers, and more. While older kids will likely be able to do it all by themselves, we suggest keeping an eye on them to avoid slime ending up in the wrong place.

Price at time of publication: $35

Courtesy of Amazon

Artie Max is a coding robot that comes pre-programmed and ready to teach kids how to code with Blockly, Snap!, JavaScript, Python, and C++. Clear instructions, built-in tutorials, and video how-tos help kids get started quickly. Parent reviewers praise this toy as easy to use, fun, and educational.

Price at time of publication: $110

Kids Against Maturity

This game gets lots of laughs but does include some gross-out humor. Easy to play and fun for a crowd, it’s like a kid version of Cards Against Humanity. If your family isn’t a fan of potty talk, it’s best to skip this game since off-color comments are unavoidable.

Price at time of publication: $30

Courtesy of Good for You

Since 10-year-olds are in the tween zone, they’ll love their own skincare gift set made just for kids who are in the early stages of puberty. Produced in the U.S. with all-natural ingredients, the giftable set comes with lotion, wash, toner, deodorant, lip balm, and much more.

Price at time of publication: $83

Courtesy of Raddish Kids

Amazing for kids who like to cook, or eat, a membership to Raddish Kids is a thoughtful gift. The monthly subscription service comes with three themed recipes, a kitchen tool, culinary skills lessons, table topic conversation starters, and more. Since food is not included, families can shop together and prepare the meals at a convenient time. Select shipments from one month up to a full year.

Price at time of publication: $28 monthly

4.6

Amazon

"Learning to play an instrument can encourage a child's growth,” says Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a NYC-based neuropsychologist and school psychologist, and director of Comprehend the Mind, and of course, the voice is an instrument. You can easily connect it to your TV or smartphone to watch the lyrics stream, and it has exciting features like a light-up speaker.

Price at time of publication: $75

Courtesy of Amazon

Train like a ninja with this intro slackline kit that has everything to transform your backyard into an amazing obstacle course. Easy to set up, the line stretches to 36 feet and includes seven obstacles. Change the skill level by increasing or decreasing the distance between, and order of, the obstacles.

Price at time of publication: $119

The Best Indoor Toys and Games for Active Play

Courtesy of Amazon

Flexible, durable, and portable, these open-ended building toys are fun for kids (and adults) of all ages. Simply click, snap, stack, and flex to create anything that you can imagine. They store flat for easy storage or to take on the go.

Price at time of publication: $70

The 13 Best Construction and Building Block Toys of 2023

Courtesy of Silk and Sonder

For more introverted kids, celebrate their personality with a Silk and Sonder monthly subscription. Each month your kiddo will receive a monthly wellness journal, geared toward kids from 6 to 12 years old. There’s a fun theme each month, interactive activities, coloring pages, recipes, and much more.

Price at time of publication: $25 monthly

The 12 Best Backpacks for Kids of 2023

Courtesy of Amazon

Music-loving kids are never too old to enjoy the wonder of Magna Tiles, the magnetic, open-ended building blocks. The set features 53 blocks, decorated with unique images that can be created in the shapes of the Magical Mystery Tour Bus, The Beatles album collage, a bass drum, and much more.

Price at time of publication: $135

The 13 Best Construction and Building Block Toys of 2023

Courtesy of Amazon

Fans of squishies and projects will love this innovative kit. They can show off their creativity by painting their very own alpaca, cactus, and smiling sun squishy. Along with the blank squishies, the set includes paint, brushes, and decorating accessories.

Price at time of publication: $19

10 Nature Craft Ideas Your Kids Will Absolutely Love

Courtesy Snifty Shine

Fun for school, play, art, or fun, this Shine Bright bundle features a pencil pouch journal, a matching set of six pencils, a unicorn twist pen, and sweet-scented erasers. This sweet set is perfect for any note-loving 10-year-old.

Price at time of publication: $22

Courtesy of American Girl

Older kids who still love dolls may treasure their very own American Girl doll. Choose from dozens of dolls or design your own to create a mini-me. While a splurge, these dolls are well-made and sure to last a long time. Be prepared to enter a world of dolls and accessories if you go this route.

Price at time of publication: $115

Courtesy of Amazon

Fun and foldable, this soccer goal is perfectly portable. Great for one kid or a crowd, all your kiddo needs to do is add a soccer ball, and they’re ready for non-stop fun. If you prefer a full field game, order two.

Price at time of publication: $30

Courtesy of Mondo Llama

Roll out the beautiful 34.5 by 19.5-inch poster and your kiddo will love matching the 400 plus stickers in the right spot to create a beautiful tiger. A perfect rainy day or quiet time activity, this project is fun and satisfying, and builds hand-eye coordination.

Price at time of publication: $7

Courtesy of Tactic

Brush up on world geography with a beautiful 1000-piece world map puzzle. Made of high-quality cardboard pieces, this puzzle is an appropriate mix of challenging and educational. Once the puzzle is done, you can identify the different parts of the world.

Price at time of publication: $19

The 8 Best Puzzles for Kids of 2023

Courtesy of Amazon

Ideal for two to five players, this game is quick to learn and takes just 15 minutes to play. The goal is to grab the best combination of sushi dishes as they whiz by. Kids learn strategy and probability in this fun foodie pick.

Price at time of publication: $13

Amazon

With a one-touch selfie mode and a shutter that automatically adjusts for optimal lighting, this camera allows children to get creative photographing the world around them–without having to wait long to see the results. Within minutes, they’ll have pictures they can display on their wall, in their scrapbooks, or swap with friends.

Price at time of publication: $76

Courtesy of Amazon

Toss a 10-year-old this oversized kickball and see how much fun they’ll have. Sized just right to kick, throw, bounce, or play, a kickball is a welcome addition to any backyard, park, beach, or anywhere else playdate.

Price at time of publication: $19

Courtesy of Amazon

BeyBlades let it rip! This set includes everything you need to battle, including a Beystadium, two right/left spin launchers and two spinning tops. A great set for either seasoned BeyBladers or newbies, this toy is tons of fun.

Price at time of publication: $55

Courtesy of paperplayandwonder

An instant download, simply purchase and print this multi-cultural paper doll set. Fun alone on a rainy day or with friends, older kids have the patience and dexterity to cut out and then play with these dolls.

Price at time of publication: $25

Courtesy of Kido

This mini puzzle only measures eight inches in diameter and features 70 tiny puzzle pieces that will challenge and delight older kids. Fun on the go or at home, kids will love completing the sugary sweet image.

Courtesy of Amazon

Homemade ice cream is yours in 30 minutes with this all manual ice cream maker. Producing a pint of ice cream at a time, kids will get hands-on experience learning about the properties of movement, freezing, and ice cream science.

Price at time of publication: $57

Amazon

This craft comes with a sneaky side of education, offering hours of entertainment for the child who loves to color (and learn!). The famous global landmarks are marked, but the continents aren’t labeled, so when curiosity spikes, they’ll be inspired to research what they’re drawing, and they can write their own notes. Then, when they’re done, after a warm water wash, they’ll have a black-and-white canvas to fill in again, which means they won’t have to worry about precision the first…or 7th time around. Our tester, who gave this product a 5-star review, said it’s also comfortable enough for your child to actually sleep on.

Price at time of publication: $20

What Our Testers Say

"Each marker is double-tipped, providing a thin point and a blunt point. We found that it was easy to doodle with these markers, and the ink washed out easily. However, kids should be careful with the blunt points, as they tended to bleed through to the other side of the pillowcase."—Kelly Hodgkins, Product Tester

4.9

Amazon

This silly, super fun two to five-player card game will engross the entire family (parents included) while also putting a 10-year-old's strategic thinking skills to the test, which makes it a great inexpensive gift for a pre-teen.

Price at time of publication: $20

What Our Testers Say

"You don’t buy a game called Exploding Kittens if you’re easily offended. And you won’t want to pull it out to play with someone who will frown upon gross-out humor. But most people attracted to this game will love the ridiculous drawings of bats farting or cats shaped like hairy potatoes, all in Matthew Inman’s signature humorous style."—Danielle Centoni, Product Tester

Amazon

An exciting twist on the classic game of Jenga, in this version, a player pulls a card with a description of what the tower should look like, and their teammate races against others to build the structure based only on the instructions from their partner. Not only does it foster communication and cooperation, but it’s also downright fun.

Price at time of publication: $22

While this science kit will teach your 10-year-old about geology, it’s also an excellent exercise in patience as they way for their seven stunning crystals to grow. The set also includes domes so they can display their creations.

Price at time of publication: $26

4.6

Amazon

According to one Spruce tester, this “thoughtfully designed kit,” which comes with over 65 science projects, is super engaging, but the experiments aren’t so challenging that your child won’t be able to entertain themselves if you’re not there to help them fashion a soda geyser, make quicksand, or create a rainbow in a tube.

Price at time of publication: $50

What Our Testers Say

"The instructions are written clearly so our 10-year-old and her friends were able to work independently, and the scientific explanations are perfect for the age group–not too simple but not too complicated." - Kelly Hodgkins, Product Tester

4.6

Courtesy of Amazon

Our tester gave this educational kit excellent marks for including more than 100 unique projects that allow your child to build circuits to create a flashing light, a voice-controlled lamp, and more, using a handy plastic grid.

Price at time of publication: $37

What Our Testers Say

"The pieces are well made, including the surprisingly sturdy plastic base, which seemed resilient enough to withstand some abuse. One downside is that the kit requires two AA batteries, which aren’t included. If you’re giving this as a gift, make sure you buy those before you start wrapping."—Sarah Wassner Flynn, Product Tester

The ultimate, time-honored strategy game, this beginner’s chess set features handy teaching tools like "action cards" to help guide players along the way. Included in the set you'll find a two-sided chess board, 16 black pieces and 16 ivory pieces, 56 action cards, a black plastic card tray, and of course, instructions.

Price at time of publication: $20

4.2

Amazon

While the manufacturer says Telestrations is particularly suited for those 12 and up, this convivial marriage of telephone and Pictionary will be fun for 10-years-olds as well–particularly those looking for a hilarious activity to pass the time with up to 8 of their friends.

Price at time of publication: $30

What Our Testers Say

"This is great when you’re playing with restless kids or just trying to squeeze in a little fun before dinner is ready. We can see Telestrations being a great game for holiday gatherings because it’s so flexible." — Danielle Centoni, Product Tester

Amazon

Bring the Child to life with this adorable 1,073-piece Star Wars LEGO set that includes a head you can pose, plus an adjustable mouth and ears. You can team up with your child for a fun activity to share, though reviewers say that the instructions are clear enough for a 10-year-old to follow.

Price at time of publication: $90

Amazon

Although this personal planetarium–which comes in the form of an adorable astronaut–is recommended for kids, adults looking for an intergalactic escape will also enjoy the soothing, rotating projections it casts. Choose from a variety of nebula colors and brightness levels to let your child’s imagination soar.

Price at time of publication: $50

Amazon

This DIY hanging garden kit includes colorful gemstones, rocks, sand, and an amethyst that 10-year-olds can style however they like, plus lavender and lemon essential oils are included. When the craft is complete, they’ll have a pretty terrarium to display in their bedroom or over their homework space.

Price at time of publication: $25

Amazon

If you wish you’d paid more attention in home ec, here’s your chance to live vicariously through your 10-year-old. This needle and thread-free sewing machine comes with supplies to make five projects like a rainbow marker holder, a stuffed rose, and a cute pouch, which all have oh-so-popular ‘90s motifs.

Price at time of publication: $34

Amazon

Your child can make rainbow-colored friendship bracelets for everyone they know–including you-thanks to this budget-friendly set. And what’s better than a little arm candy designed by your own 10-year-old? The $10 kit comes with 600 latex-free rubber bands, twenty-four C clips, and clear instructions.

Price at time of publication: $21

Amazon

The Nintendo Switch doubles as both a handheld system, or you can connect it to the TV so family and friends can get in on the fun. Choose from role-playing games like Pokemon Diamond, trivia, old-school Mario classics you’ll remember from when you were their age, and countless puzzles and other brain games that’ll challenge them to think critically, such as Pikmin 3 Deluxe.

Price at time of publication: $350

Amazon

At 10 years old, as children are becoming more expressive, a diary can help them improve their writing skills, says Dr. Hafeez. This DIY journaling set will allow them to tap into their creative side before they even put pen to paper thanks to the stickers, gems, frames, and other decorative elements that’ll come together to create a 70-sheet, totally personalized notebook.

Price at time of publication: $25

Amazon

They’re never too young to learn the importance of hydration. This craft kit comes packed with seven sheets of rhinestone stickers, plus a DIY paracord bracelet kit, so they can proudly hit the water fountain in style.

Price at time of publication: $16

4.2

Courtesy of Amazon

A more dynamic spin on the game of catch, the Djubi SlingBallClassic, which combines two unique rackets with nets, allows players to test their tossing and foam ball launching skills. Since the balls can fly up to 125 feet, meaning you’ll be doing some quick pivoting, it’s a fun way for kids (and adults) to sneak in some exercise.

Price at time of publication: $25

What Our Testers Say

"The design for the Djubi SlingBall Classic is simple. All you need is a racket and a slingball. The set comes with two of each, which made it a perfect game for partners." — Sarah Wassner Flynn, Product Tester

Amazon

You know how satisfying popping bubble wrap can be? Think of this toy as a never-ending roll. Said to be a calming tool, fidget spinners may help alleviate anxiety, but potential benefits aside, they’re massively popular among 10-year-olds and this set comes in pretty metallic tones–perfect if your child is trading them with friends.

Price at time of publication: $18

Amazon

Of course these tiny Disney character replicas all have their own backstories, but kids can use their imaginations when they play with these joyful minis that are popular on TikTok.

Price at time of publication: $16

Courtesy of Walmart

Introduce your 10-year-old to the whimsical world of stop-motion animation (if they haven’t already been indoctrinated) with this LEGO make-your-own movie kit that comes with hyper-detailed instructions to get them started, plus several figures, props, and backgrounds to help them set the scenes.

Price at time of publication: $25

Thinkfun

Puzzles and other toys that stimulate cognitive and strategic thinking are encouraged for this age range, says Dr. Hafeez, and this logic game will challenge your 10-year-old to crack each of the 60 mazes.

Price at time of publication: $30

Courtesy of Amazon

There’s a reason this smart toy has been popular since the ‘80s: with 43 quintillion possible moves, the classic 3 x 3 cube provides endless entertainment (and, err, maybe frustration). This version comes with a stand, so when your child solves the almighty puzzle, they can display their work.

Price at time of publication: $22

Final Verdict

Even the most active 10-year-olds will need some down time, so an educational puzzle like the World Map 1000-Piece Puzzle would be a wonderful family activity. For an outdoor toy, a WAKA kickball is always fun.

How We Selected the Best Toys for 10-Year-Olds

We spoke with Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a NYC-based neuropsychologist and school psychologist, and director of Comprehend the Mind, and pediatrician David L. Hill, MD, FAAP, to find out what to look for in toys for 10-year-olds, as well as toy safety guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics.We chose toys that are safe, easy to use, and convenient to transport to and from home to grandma's house or school, by reviewing and researching more than 60 products on the market.

What to Look for in Toys for 10-Year-Olds

Interests

In order for a toy to be well-loved (and used), it needs to play into a kid’s interests. What makes this difficult is that what a child is interested in can change drastically over the course of a year or even a couple of months. “Certainly as kids develop... their interests evolve,” says pediatrician David L. Hill, MD, FAAP. And this evolution can be based on age, education, social development, and more.

By the time a kid is 10 years old, they will likely be putting more emphasis on friendships, teamwork and collaboration, and their general social status. So when picking out a toy or game for the 10-year-old in your life, something they can play within a group setting it is likely to be of interest.

Aside from social status, kids at this age also tend to lean more into toys and games that allow for more exploration, are centered around specific sports, and give them an opportunity to be active.

Milestones

Dr. Hill explains that in the first years of life, it’s easy to find toys that play into milestones because development is pretty straightforward. However, he says, milestones “tend to cluster from ages five to 10” which makes it a little more difficult to identify toys and games that will aid in development for a 10-year-old. That being said, there are some milestones that are fairly common for 10-year-olds, such as:

Increased attention span: Kids around this age can focus on more complex and time-consuming toys and games, like the Educational Insights Artie Max The Coding and Drawing Robot (view on Amazon).
Physical skills: By 10 years old, children typically have improved agility, speed, coordination, and balance, so the Slackers Ninjaline (view on Amazon) makes for a great (and fun) toy.
Self-awareness: Ten-year-olds are putting more emphasis on physical appearance, making toys like the Good for You Ultimate Gift Package (view on Good for You Girls) an appealing option.

Entertainment Value

If you want a toy to get used, it needs to be entertaining enough to keep a kid’s attention and make them want to go back to it again and again. Dr. Hill explains that sometime around age 8, kids stop being as engrossed in imaginative play and, instead, will enjoy toys and games that align with their cognitive development. Look for toys that are more complex and require some critical thinking and exploration, such as STEAM toys or sets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What skills should a 10-year-old be learning?

At school, 10-year-olds are hard at work mastering advanced mathematics involving geometry and early algebra including multiplication, division, and fractions. They’re learning to use reliable resources for research and to synthesize their findings, all with increasing independence. Ten-year-olds are also learning how to communicate their opinions and persuade others to accept their viewpoints—one reason why they might sound more like teenagers and less like children every day.
How do I choose the best toy for my 10-year-old?

The best way to make sure your gift is a home run is to ask your 10-year-old what toys are on their wish list. Otherwise, keep an eye on the toys your child tends to play with most or ask about what toys they most appreciate when playing at friends’ homes.
What should I get for a bored 10-year-old?

Oftentimes boredom stems from lack of ideas, not lack of toys. Games, crafts, puzzles, and sports equipment can all occupy a 10-year-old. Refreshing their collection of any of these items should help them beat boredom.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She's also the mom of a 10-year-old son, 7-year-old son, and 3-year-old daughter. Her kids are super active, so she's always looking for toys that get them outside and playing for as long as possible. She's found that chalk, scooters, and stomp rockets are perfect for one-size-fits-all fun.

More Toys and Gifts for Kids

When it comes to toys and gifts for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top gift and toy picks for every age and stage here: