35 Best Gifts for 9-Year-Old Boys

Any remote-controlled car can tear down the sidewalk, but this one can actually drive up walls and even onto the ceiling! Point the laser anywhere and the car will follow, even if it seems to defy gravity. Ages 8+

How good is their memory? How fast are their fingers? This game tests both recall and reflexes in one, fun package. The game lights up a series of colored lights, and players have to try to repeat the sequence. One Good Housekeeping Institute parent tester loved how it encouraged her kids to do independent play. Ages 7+

With this robot the size of a ping pong ball, kids can play games, learn to code and drive around your house. He can also use the Sphero app and the included cones and bowling pins to build an obstacle course for his robot. There's also the option to purchase the Sphero Mini Activity Kit, which comes with a 28-piece construction set in addition to the robot. They come in a variety of different colors, but the shells are all interchangeable, so you can purchase new shell colors separately. Ages 8+

True, it's a game of skill — but the real talent is trying to stifle your laughter as you fling your fowl toward the target. Be warned: The chickens bounce and roll, making hitting the bullseye more of a challenge than you may think! Ages 6+

We've come a long way since bean bag chairs were just blobs that just sat there on the floor. He'll love lounging in this one, which comes with a back and arms, plus a handle so he can drag it around his room. Best yet: It even has a drink holder and a pocket where he can stash his books and magazines! It also comes in a few different colors. No age recommendation given

There's no soldering needed for this electronics kit, which has pieces that just snap together to make anything from a musical doorbell to a voice-controlled lamp. There are enough parts and pieces to make 100 projects, but the UFO was a clear favorite of the Good Housekeeping Institute testers. Ages 8+

GraviTrax sets are famous for building mind-bending marble runs with lots of tricks and features. Kids use their STEM skills to engineer the courses and account for the effects of gravity. Once you get then rolling, you can also get expansion sets that let them add in things like marble bridges and zip lines. Ages 8+

Kids as young as 4 can get the hang of flying this drone — it's operated with hand controls, not a remote — but older ones like grabbing the "trick stick" and getting it to do stunts. Good Housekeeping Institute testers also appreciated that this is much more affordable than other drones, but noted that more expensive ones might be sturdier. Ages 4+

RELATED: The Best Drones for Kids

If he likes to draw, this is just what he'll need to make pictures with more depth. First, he can layer and arrange the included images on top of each other and trace them, then he can color in his design. It comes with more than 100 tracing sheets, plus a graphite pencil for tracing, colored pencils for filling in the image and a board that lights up so he can see what he's tracing better. Ages 6+

Perfect for older kids who love playing with LEGOs, this car building kit is very detailed, since it includes four tailpipes and low-profile tires. Once he's done playing with it, he can use the same pieces to build a replica of a Hot Rod. Ages 9+

Kids can learn about STEM concepts like engineering and robotics while getting a lesson in sustainable energy when they make their own solar robot. When they finish this kit, they'll have made a robot that can walk on its own, powered by the sun's rays. There are also ideas for how to use recycled materials (like cardboard) to turn the robot into a monster or a dinosaur. Ages 5+

This is the ultimate fidget toy in one small package. Its six sides have buttons to push, gears to spin, a joystick to swirl and surfaces to knead, plus you can turn on or off the clicking sound. It's a great one to keep at his desk while he's trying to concentrate! Ages 6+

Regular paper airplanes might be fun to make, but kids can take it to the next level with this kit, which makes paper planes fly by using an app-controlled device. It's easy for kids to build and connect via Bluetooth. It'll help promote STEM learning by teaching your 9-year-old the basics of flight, lift and aerodynamics. Ages 8+

He'll be able to practice his touchdown passes long after sundown with this football, which uses two LED lights to stay illuminated. Just tap the football to watch it glow, and the lights shut off automatically when not in use. You can also get him a soccer ball, volleyball, tetherball or basketball to go with it. Ages 3+

This book puts kids in the detective's seat, and they have to use their logical reasoning and deduction skills to put the clues together and solve the mystery. The answers to each one are carefully hidden beneath a flap. Ages 8+

If your 9-year-old is a Pokémon card collector and wants to learn how to play the game, this board game is the best trainer. It walks players through the first few turns until they get the hang of it, then gives them three decks to use and test out their new strategies. Ages 6+

RELATED: The Best Pokémon Gifts for Fans of All Ages

The classic science kit moves to the 21st century with this STEM set, which has augmented reality capabilities. Step-by-step instructional videos, narrated by science celeb Bill Nye, and on-page pictures come to life when you use it in conjunction with a phone or tablet; the kit comes with enough material to make 30 projects (though some household items are required). Ages 8+

Nee Doh is taking over TikTok because it's just so satisfying to squish. And while you can get many shapes of Nee Doh, from the large to the kitschy, there's something pleasant about having 18 tiny "groovy globs" to hold in your hand. Ages 3+

Bring Minecraft adventures into the (screen-free) real world with this set, which features an Ender Dragon statue that shoots lava blocks from its mouth and into a lava pit. The set also comes with figures of an End warrior, a dragon archer, an Enderman and a Shulker for more imaginative play. Ages 8+

Honestly, this is a gift for the whole family. He can play his music, games or tablet as loud as he likes with these headphones. They also connect to devices wirelessly, and fold up into a small carrying case. No age recommendation given