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40 Best Gifts and Toys for 7-Year-Old Boys to Buy in 2023
Educational, active and just totally cool ideas.
Unlike a toddler, a 7-year-old boy is more able to tell you what type of gift he wants. Most likely, he tells you over and over. But while it's important to follow their passions and interests, 7-year-olds aren't always able to discern quality toys or even toys they'll like for a long time. The best gifts for kids of this age are a combo of what they like and what will actually stand the test of time.
That's where the Good Housekeeping Institute's toy testing comes in. In advance of its yearly Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards, it actually calls in toys and puts them through their paces. It checks for quality of construction and ease of use. But 7-year-olds also have a say, and get to fill out their own detailed feedback and evaluations. We took those suggestions, along with some editor's picks and bestsellers, to come up with the list of the best toys and gifts for 7-year-old boys in 2023.
This year, it was all about STEM toys: engineering kits, at-home experiments and DIYs were all the rage. In addition, remote-controlled toys and active outdoor toys are high on their lists, as are games that get their minds working, or gifts that help them foster their creativity in music and art. Whatever they're into, there's bound to be something for them on this list.
Air Hogs Zero Gravity Laser Race Car
This car will go anywhere you point the laser — even up walls! And yet, it's still easy enough for kids to control and handle. It comes in either red or blue. Ages 8+
Super Mario Piranha Plant Escape Game
Super Mario Piranha Plant Escape Game
Now he can enjoy some Super Mario fun without being glued to a screen. In this game, players land on numbered spaces, which tell them how many times they have to push the trigger button. But they have to stay on guard, because sometimes the button causes the piranha plant to attack! The last player standing, not knocked over by the nefarious plant, is the winner. Even when the game isn't being played, the figures can be used for imaginative play — or the plant just looks cool as a desk accessory. Ages 4+
Start+ 3D Printing Pen
Kids can get a feel for 3D printing technology with this gadget, which melts a plastic filament that can be used to make 3D art projects and sculptures. (Good Housekeeping testers noted that it works best if you keep the nozzle clean.) A booklet will give them some ideas of what to make, or they can go off on their own and build whatever their imagination can come up with! Ages 6+
Stomp Racers
Stomp Racers
Kids can stomp these cards, launch them and watch them go! The pack comes with two kid-powered cars, which can race to see which one will go farthest. There's also a ramp included, and kids can launch the vehicles into the air! A Good Housekeeping Institute parent tester said she loved that her kids were able to set this up by themselves in about five minutes, so it's easy-to-use, too. Ages 5+
Roll-Up Portable Drum Set
Kids can play along with this drum pad set to learn about staying on beat and keeping a rhythm. Then, when they're done, they can roll it up and put it away (or take it along to Grandma's house). In addition to different rhythms, there are also sound effects and loops for kids to experiment with — and a volume control for the adults. Ages 5+
Bubbles of Steel
A little STEM plus a little outdoor fun, this science kit lets kids make bubbles that won't pop. (Amazing!) Then, kids can make bubble stacks, bubble sculptures and just feel a general sense of awe that they can poke the bubbles without them popping. Ages 6+
Teach the 7-year-old in your life about spending, saving and investing — especially the "saving" part — with this bank. It acts similar to an ATM, since kids have to pick a PIN and, more importantly, input the PIN correctly if they want to get their money back out again. It also comes in a range of colors. This is an Amazon user's favorite, earning more than 5,500 five-star ratings. Ages 3+
Crazy Forts
Crazy Forts
Kids can spend the day planning, building and constructing next-level blanket forts with these rods and connectors — all you have to do is add your own sheets. In addition to the basic set, they now come with sets that glow in the dark or have flexible rods. Ages 5+
Dash Coding Robot
This robot from Wonder Workshop helps promote STEM skills and keep kids busy for hours using the included suite of free apps. Kids can get comfortable with all of Dash's functions first, and then they can explore various levels of robotics and coding. Good news, parents: The robot comes charged right out of the box. Ages 6+
He can act out his American Ninja Warrior dreams right in his own backyard with this NinjaLine kit. It comes with 36 feet of line, along with rings, bars and knots to hang from it, testing his strength. When it's time to put the set away, it all fits into a carrying case. Ages 5+
Roller Coaster Challenge
This game incorporates logic skills with roller coaster building for a super fun take on a STEM toy. It comes with 39 tracks, 40 challenge cards (with solutions, too) and a roller coaster car to bring all the loops and drops to life. It's the perfect gift for budding engineers to learn essential reasoning skills that they can use throughout their life. Ages 6+
If your kids have been curious about learning how to play the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the board game takes players step-by-step through gameplay and makes it easy to figure out. It also comes with three decks, so you have everything you need to get started right away. Ages 6+
Gnomes at Night
Gnomes at Night
If you're tired of sibling rivalry, get your kids this game, which challenges players to work together. Players need to cooperate to help their gnomes exit the maze before the clock runs out. Ages 6+
Kanoodle Gravity
Kanoodle Gravity
If your 7-year-old enjoys games, then he'll love this puzzle board. It contains 40 different challenges that work on skills like problem-solving and strategic thinking. The game can be played with two players if he's up for some friendly competition. Ages 7+
Indoor Mini Basketball Hoop
He can channel his inner LeBron with this basketball hoop, which actually keeps track of how many baskets he's scored with an electronic scoreboard. But the real fun comes when you turn the sound on: It makes cheering noises, too, so he can showboat for his adoring "fans." It also comes in a red/black color scheme. Ages 3+
My Comic Book Making Kit
Kids will be able to see a real, live version of their comic-book creations with this kit. It comes with pre-formatted pages for them to fill in with their drawings. When they're done, you mail it in with a pre-paid envelope, and receive a finished copy in return. Ages 6+
Star Wars Folded Flyers Activity Kit
You've heard of paper planes, but what about a paper TIE fighter? This activity book lets kids fold paper versions of six different types of Star Wars ships, from Naboo Starfighters to X-wings to the Millennium Falcon. The set comes with instructions, 4o sheets of specially designed paper, tape and even foldable stands to display the ships when they're not in use. Ages 6+
Glow in the Dark Rock Painting Kit
He'll have a blast painting the 10 included rocks with the groovy, fluorescent paint, then turning the lights off (or stashing them outside at night) to watch them shine! Bonus: When he's done with the rocks included in the kit, you can always send him outside to find more supplies. Ages 6+
LEGO City Gaming Tournament Truck
Bring e-sports into the real world with this LEGO set, which lets kids build their own mobile gaming tournament. IT comes with two figures, locked in competition, and kids can "animate" their games on the big screen or adjust the progress bar. When they're done, the big "screen" can fold down to be the side of the truck, which can old the pieces. Ages 7+
Between Mom and Me
This journal is made specifically for moms and sons to be able to bond and stay connected to each other. It offers different questions, drawing suggestions, writing prompts, lists and memories so neither party will ever be at a loss for words. Ages 7+
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.
Jamie (she/her) is a parenting and pets reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she spends her time testing, researching and writing about pet and family products. Prior to starting at GH in 2021, she worked at BuzzFeed and People, covering a combination of product reviews and lifestyle content. She's a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology and a master’s degree in journalism.
Rachel Rothman (she/her) is the chief technologist and executive technical director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also manages GH’s growing research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. During her 15 years at Good Housekeeping, Rachel has had the opportunity to evaluate thousands of products, including toys and cars for GH’s annual awards programs and countless innovative breakthroughs in consumer tech and home improvement.
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