The 21 Best Toys for 9-Year-Olds of 2021

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No longer little kids but not yet tweens, 9-year-olds are in a toy sweet spot. Some are so deep into specific interests like sports, art, and science, and others just love to play outside all day. No matter what type of kid you’re thinking of, there’s a toy out there that will spark joy and bring more fun into their lives.

Here are the best toys for 9-year-olds.

Our Top Picks

BEYBLADE Burst Evolution at Amazon

Kids can face off against an opponent with these interchangeable spinning tops.

MindWare Deluxe Bath Bomb Making Lab at Amazon

Contains Epsom salts, beakers, measuring spoons, and a secret ingredient to make eight bath bombs.

POWER UP 2.0 Electric Paper Airplane Kit at Amazon

This easy to use conversion kit transforms plain old paper airplanes into high-flying machines.

MindWare Dig It Up! Dinosaur Eggs at Amazon

Using the excavation guide and included tools, kids can identify up to 12 unique dinosaur species.

Magna Tiles MagnaTiles at Amazon

Using STEM principles, MagnaTiles provide endless possibilities of fun for ages 3 and up.

Marky Sparky Blast Pad Pro at Amazon

Kid-powered rockets that blast high into the sky, recommended for ages 8 and up.

Exploding Kittens LLC Exploding Kittens at Amazon

Silly 9-year-olds will love the concept, and parents will love the fun game and quick pace of play.

LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Deep Sea Creatures at Walmart

This deep-sea creature set for kids 7 years old and up gets great reviews because it’s easy to build and fun to play with.

adidas Soccer Ball at Amazon

Soccer fans ages 8 to 12 years old will love adding this kid-sized, colorful soccer ball to their soccer game.

LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall at Walmart

This Toy of the Year award-winning set is crafted out of over 850 LEGO pieces and is perfect for all Harry Potter fans.

Face off against an opponent with these interchangeable spinning tops, recommended for ages 8 and up. The set comes with a Bey stadium for epic battles, two launchers, and two spinning tops, so your kiddo is set for some exciting battles and can easily add in other Beys to the mix.

Get ready to learn the science of chemical reactions through spa-themed chemistry experiments. Brimming with ingredients and tools, this kit includes Epsom salts, beakers, measuring spoons, and a secret ingredient to make eight bath bombs, perfect for kids ages 8 years old and up.

Up the air time on your paper airplanes with this easy to use conversion kit that transforms plain old paper airplanes into high-flying machines. It’s engineered to work with a variety of paper plane designs and comes with a number of simple designs to get kids ages 8 and up (or adults) started.

Enjoy the excitement of the discovery as kids excavate 12 unique dinosaur eggs. Using the excavation guide and included tools, kids can identify each unique species. There are 12 individually wrapped eggs, tools, and guides, so they’re also perfect for sharing with friends or siblings. Approved for ages 4 and up, these are fun for kids of all ages.

Whether adding on to current MagnaTiles sets or just starting a new collection, these magnetic building toys are a hit with most kids. Using STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) principles, MagnaTiles provide endless possibilities of fun for ages 3 and up.

Completely kid-powered, your 9-year-old will love jumping on the pad and watching the rockets blast into the sky. Since they go so high, launch them in a tree-free area or open field. The game is recommended for ages 8 and up.

This fast-moving, wacky game is quick to learn and easy to play. Most games only last about 15 minutes and require two to five players. Silly 9-year-olds will love the concept, and parents will love the fun game and quick pace of play. It’s for ages 7 and up and does involve some reading.

The LEGO Creator series is recommended for ages 7 years old and up—kids should be able to build the sets by themselves. This deep-sea creature set gets great reviews because it’s easy to build and fun to play with. Included are directions for building three options: a toy shark in addition to a crab with a box of treasure, a flexible toy squid, or a giant-mouthed angler fish.

Soccer fans will love adding a brand new, colorful soccer ball to their soccer game. Choose between a few kid-appropriate sizes and outlandish color combinations to make their next ball stand out from the crowd. A size 4 ball is best for ages 8 to 12 years old.

The ultimate in fandom, this Toy of the Year award-winning set is crafted out of over 850 LEGO pieces. With stunning detail, the four-level model of the great hall has a moving staircase, image changing pieces, 10 mini-figures, and so much more. Completed, the building measures over 15 inches high, 14 inches wide, and 8 inches deep. The set is recommended for ages 9 to 14 and will likely require some help for LEGO newbies.

A funny family game for four or more players, this party game requires players to draw pictures with their nose while teammates attempt to guess what is being drawn. Best for ages 8 and up, the game fosters bonding, cooperative play, quick thinking, creativity, and communication skills.

Outside play just got a whole lot more fun with this fan-favorite pogo stick. Made specifically for ages 9 years old and up, this version can handle weight up to 160 pounds. The wide tip and stable, non-slip foot pegs ensure a comfy and safe bounce.

Dubbed “the most entertaining bike horn on the planet” for good reason. With 25 sound effects and five light settings, this kid-approved bike horn is sure to draw attention and get your little cyclist to have fun outdoors. Now, go warn the neighborhood!

Perfect for quiet time at home or to stash in a travel bag, these sticker pads are a great way for kids to develop fine motor skills while completing a relaxing creative project that promotes concentration and focus. The pad includes 12 lushly drawn scenes, over 850 stickers to complete each page, and is approved for ages 7 and up.

Be a rockstar anywhere you go! Bring concerts on the go with a built-in karaoke microphone and Bluetooth speaker. Simply connect the kid-friendly microphone to your smartphone, tablet, or computer. The five built-in audio settings (high pitch, bass, volume, reverb, and accompaniment) will make any kid a star.

By 9 years old, many kids are both coordinated and motivated enough to learn a new skill like juggling. Recommended for ages 8 and up, this classic book has crystal-clear instructions to help kids learn. Three aerodynamically sound bean bags are the perfect size for small hands to master this lifelong party trick.

Ubongo is a fast-paced, easy-to-learn, fun-to-play geometric puzzle game that can be played alone or with up to four people, ages 8 years old and up. Players must race against time and each other to solve a puzzle of interlocking shapes. The game can be played over and over again and is just as fun to play alone or with others.

Kids will love how easy these step-by-step illustrated instructions are, resulting in truly impressive face paint designs. The set comes with a book brimming with ideas, along with paint, sponges, brushes, and more. While recommended for ages 5 years old and up, older kids with more dexterity will be able to paint friends and family more easily.

The fast-paced tile game is perfect for kids to play with friends, grandparents, or anyone else. Players must take turns placing their numbered tiles in runs or groups, Rummy style. It’s recommended for ages 8 and up, but there’s no reading involved, so younger kids may be able to play as well. The game reinforces sequencing, pattern recognition, and planning skills.

This classic word-play game is an amazingly silly way to reinforce grammar rules. Kids will understand verbs, nouns, adjectives, and more like they never have before. MadLibs do require reading and writing, so they're best for kids ages 8 years old and up or for those who feel comfortable with these skills.

A kid-tough fitness/activity tracker that’s perfect for active kiddos ages 4 through 9. The 24/7 wearable strap is waterproof with one-size-fits-most sizing. There’s a compatible parent app that includes fun and educational mobile adventures for kids and chore and behavior management for parents, all for free.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Maya Polton 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.

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