The Best Toys for 9-Year-Olds

Our sweet 9-year-olds have left tothood far behind but are not quite to teen status. These tweenagers that fall in between being oh-so little and grown-up still need a lot of play in their lives (even if they think they're too old for it). But they also need the opportunity for independence with friends and to explore their own interests. Now for the challenge: find the just-right gift that will excite, entertain and maybe even teach them something.

We've pulled together a list of the top gifts for 9-year-olds that combine play with independence and, of course, a ton of fun.

Best Gifts for Creativity

Every age group needs activities to expand their imagination, make messes and simply be creative. Tie-dye has made a major comeback in the last couple of years, and the all-in-one kits from Tulip make tie-dying shirts, bags and shoes a cinch. We also love the idea of letting kids experiment with hair color through easy-to-wash-out hair chalk, and they can show off their BFF love with a friendship bracelet kit.

Best Gifts for Being Active

School days are long and kids need to get their energy out after spending the day reading, writing and sitting at desks. Let them hit the sidewalk with a scooter or hoverboard, have a friendly game of laser tag or tackle their own ninja obstacle course.

Best STEM Gifts

The importance of STEM fields grows every year, and if your kid is interested in science, technology and mathematics, it's easy to find gifts that are fun and will help build their skills. From slime-creating kits and brain-twisting games to creative building sets or their very own Star Wars Tamagotchi, we've got you covered with smart gift ideas.

Best Game Gifts

Although your 9-year-old may act like they're getting too cool for you, they're not. And most importantly, they still need an abundance of family time for reassurance, love and companionship. Gift your tween these fun games to encourage much-needed family play.