Shop The Story
Nine going on 13. That’s what parenting your fourth-grade child may seem like. While 9-year-olds are still kids, they are seriously coming into their own. So yeah, get ready for the moodiness and occasional sassiness. The good thing about having a child this age? They are truly independent. In fact, by 9, kids can even start taking on some responsibilities around the house. Other than eating you out of house and home!
25 Best Gifts For 9-Year-Olds
- SMITCO Journal For Girls
- Wonder
- Choose Kind Journal: Do One Wonderful Thing Every Day (A Wonder Journal)
- Dork Diaries- 12 Books Collection Set
- 155 Harry Potter Facts: The Ultimate Trivia Book For Wizards And Witches
- XPRIT Hoverboard With Bluetooth Speaker
- Not Parent Approved Card Game
- Franklin Sports Over The Door Mini Basketball Hoop With Rebounder And Automatic Ball Return
- Hathaway Hat Trick 4-Ft Air Hockey Table
- Skee-Ball The Classic Arcade Game
- Mini Hornet Bike Accessory
- Minecraft Starter Collection For Xbox One
- Betheaces Hover Soccer Set
- Learning Resources Botley The Coding Robot Activity Set
- SensoryMoon Jellyfish Lamp
- Mookie Reflex Soccer Game
- Diggin Slimeball Dodgetag
- 3 Bees & Me Deluxe Magic Kit Set
- Made By Me Create Your Own Sand Art
- Mr. Sketch Scented Markers
- Crayola Crayon Melter
- Slime Kitchen Mega Slime Factory Kit
- Fujifilm Instax Mini 9
- Creativity For Kids Day At The Spa Deluxe Gift Set
- Scientific Explorer Crime Catcher Spy Science Kit
Being 9 can feel heavy. Kids may start to experience fears stemming from what they see on TV. Their friends are influencing how they think about the world around them, beyond just the classroom or sleepover. Bullying may be an issue. Modern-day big kidding isn’t easy! Especially since school is becoming more demanding. I mean, holy math homework (thank God for YouTube!).
Parenting an older child is far from a walk in the park, either — beyond just the math homework! By now, your child has probably begged you for their own phone. Daily. Because, “All of my friends have one!” And keeping tabs on their activities both on and offline can feel like a full-time job. But along with bigger worries comes the opportunity to connect with your more mature kiddo on a deeper level many parents find extremely rewarding.
Meanwhile, kids this age are spending a ton of time looking at screens on their phones, video game consoles, tablets and computers, both at school and at home. It’s a great time to consider buying gifts that peel their eyes off of screens, and engage them in writing, reading, creating and being physically active.
Here’s a roundup of awesome, screen-free gifts for 9-year-olds. Of course, we added some tech ideas and a few that require kids to go online. Either way, you’re sure to find just the perfect gift for any 9-year-old. Even the sassy ones.
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
1 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
SMITCO Journal for Girls
Emblazoned with emojis, this journal will be your 9-year-old girl’s BFF. It comes with a secret message-writing pen and a UV light to uncover the deep thoughts she shares with its invisible ink. There’s also an LED book light for late-night confession sessions. Diary contains 100 pages and comes with 30 stickers.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Super cute diary for little girls! What a wonderful find! Thought it was the coolest thing ever.
2 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
Wonder
Six million people can’t be wrong about R.J. Palacio’s New York Times bestselling book, which is now a movie. It’s an important and poignant story for 9-year-olds dealing with bullies, fitting in at school and learning to accept differences.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This book should be required reading for every human being who lives on the planet! inspiring and uplifting. I am 9 and i liked the book.
3 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
Choose Kind Journal: Do One Wonderful Thing Every Day (A Wonder Journal)
Inspired by the book Wonder, this journal encourages kids to choose kindness every day through writing prompts. Because couldn’t we all use more kindness?
What Reviewers Are Saying:
[My son] really connected with the book Wonder and think this will be great to build on that and keep the kindness going! This journal is just amazing.
4 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
Dork Diaries - 12 Books Collection Set
Rachel Renee Russell’s uber-popular graphic novel series follows Nikki Maxwell, her crush Brandon and her frenemie MacKenzie Hollister as they navigate middle school and all the drama that comes with it. Nine-year-olds will relate and LOL too.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My daughter loves these books. Great series. Dork diaries is a very funny and cool book series!
5 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
155 Harry Potter Facts: The Ultimate Trivia Book for Wizards and Witches
Kids who have read the entire Harry Potter series, or are just big fans of all things Harry Potter will love this trivia book. Contains facts about the books and movies!
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Great supplementary reading material to the Harry Potter series. This was a great purchase for my nine year old daughter. fun, accurate and entertaining
6 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
XPRIT Hoverboard with Bluetooth Speaker
The future is here. Available in multiple colors, this balancing scooter will keep your kiddo entertained as they try to master it with the Buetooth-enabled tunes. Plus, there’s LED lights on the wheels, so the coolness factor is, like, totally huge. As far as safety, the hoverboard features anti-slip foot pads, but your child should wear safety gear at all times.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Lights are great, tread is great! I love this product so much! The kids love it.
7 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
Not Parent Approved Card Game
Inspired by Cards Against Humanity, this kid-appropriate game is fun for the whole family. The fill-in-the-blanks-style card game is kinda like Mad Libs but edgier. So if topics like wedgies and burping aren’t cool with you, this game may not be either. Comes with 455 cards.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
there are endless options for funny combinations and answers. great family game. the boys and hubby were rolling around laughing their heads off.
8 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
Franklin Sports Over The Door Mini Basketball Hoop with Rebounder and Automatic Ball Return
Every house with a 9-year-old boy (or girl!) needs an over-the-door basketball hoop. This one is a bestseller, and features electronic scoring and an automatic ball-feeding system so kids can work on their speed. Adjustable height; fits most doors; 1 foam ball included.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Perfect gift for a boys room. This thing is a blast. Great gift.
9 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
Hathaway Hat Trick 4-Ft Air Hockey Table
For an awesome addition to any rec room or finished basement, consider this air hockey table, which features a powerful fan and weighted pucks for realistic play and fierce competition. Since it’s 4 feet tall, the table is the ideal size for kids, but parents, you are totally normal if you get in on the action.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
It was fairly straightforward to put together, and worked right away. Perfect size. good family fun.
10 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
Skee-Ball The Classic Arcade Game
This tabletop Skee-Ball game is the remedy for video game overload. The set includes solid wooden balls and can be transported easily. Take it on your vacation to the family cabin or to a sleepover. Great for game night or any night.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Great game for any kids party. My kids love playing it and it is durable enough to stand up to kids playing with it. Well made game.
11 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
Mini Hornet Bike Accessory
An easy-to-attach winged toy will have your kiddo biking or scootering around in style. This horn actually features 25 different sounds, from a trumpet to a police siren, and lights for showing off, er, safety purposes.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
OMG, I love this thing! It's a lot more fun than a traditional horn or bell. The light is not good enough to shine on the road but provides excellent visibility for others. Fun, fun, fun.
12 of 25 Image Credits: Best Buy
Minecraft Starter Collection for XBox One
Unless you’ve been living under a giant block, you’ve heard kids talking about Minecraft. It’s basically an adventure game kids can play with their friends online. If they haven’t been sucked in yet, try gifting this starter set, which includes a Minecraft base game, 700 Minecoins and the Starter Pack DLC. XBox sold separately.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Great game for the whole family. It’s a tool all beginners should purchase to become knowledgeable on how to master on how to play the Minecraft. Great for someone getting into the Minecraft world for the first time.
13 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
Betheaces Hover Soccer Set
Google the top sports toy for kids, and this best-selling item will come up again and again. It includes 2 portable goals and an LED hover soccer ball that allows your child to turn any floor surface (even carpet!) into a soccer version of air hockey. So they won’t destroy your house during play, the ball is even foam-encased. Cool, huh? At least that’s what kids think!
What Reviewers Are Saying:
It is absolutely a blast to play with! This hovering soccer ball was a huge hit with my kids! I absolutely love this soccer set...and so do my kids.
14 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
Learning Resources Botley the Coding Robot Activity Set
This toy won the Innovative Toy of the Year Award. Parents love how Botley the robot teaches early STEM skills and coding, 100 percent screen-free. Right out of the box, kids can program their robot to avoid obstacles (25 are included) and follow commands. Batteries not included, FYI.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Easy to set up. The set includes such a nice variety of pieces. Botley was an answered prayer just when we really started cracking down on tablet usage. My daughter is learning the basics of coding with an adorable little robot and a kid-sized remote.
15 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
SensoryMoon Jellyfish Lamp
Fourth grade means more homework, and this fun, color-changing LED lamp will liven up any desk or study space. It’s kinda like a lava lamp but with jellyfish shapes. And kids get to make it themselves. You’ll need water, dish soap and the little jellyfish shapes that come with the lamp. It also makes a cool night light. Remote control included.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This thing is really cool! The jellyfish are fun to watch. Truly unique.
16 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
Mookie Reflex Soccer Game
This portable soccer toy is seriously winning with active kids of all ages. You fill the base with sand or water, inflate the ball and your child can practice kicking until they’re worn out. OK, that may never happen, but we tried. There’s a handle on the base, so if you don’t have space at home, you can tote it to a practice field.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This was quite fun to play with, and works pretty well. Love that my son can practice soccer on the patio. Thank goodness I found this so my son would stop kicking the ball into the wall!
17 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
Diggin Slimeball Dodgetag
Kids throw soft, slime-like balls at their opponent’s sticky vest in this modern twist on the game we played, oh, a million years ago. Slimeballs don’t stick to other things, thank goodness. It’s worth noting some parents say the balls lose stick after a while, but you can purchase additional slimeballs.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Kids had a blast. My son’s happy. Kids love it.
18 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
3 Bees & Me Deluxe Magic Kit Set
Aspiring Houdinis can learn tricks to amaze family and friends. The set includes instructions for pulling off basic magic tricks. It’s simple, old-fashioned fun. You get cards, a mind-reading box, a money transformer, a magic water bottle, a levitating wand and so much more.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Lots of tricks! Would highly recommend. My son loved this.
19 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
Made By Me Create Your Own Sand Art
Sand art is a retro toy, but still fun for creative kiddos! Perfect for tearing them away from screens on a rainy day. Foster your big kid’s creativity and help them de-stress. This kit includes 4 bottles, 2 pendants, 8 sand colors, a plastic funnel and more.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Very easy to do and sparks creativity. They look pretty good when they are done and we won't need to worry about 1 of these breaking since they are plastic.
20 of 25 Image Credits: Target
Mr. Sketch Scented Markers
Non-smelly markers are so yesterday! These 12 chisel-tip ones, with scents like watermelon and fruit punch, will delight your 9-year-old. And prove to them how cool you really are.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
They color very well and it's an added bonus that they smell great, too! They smell so good and the colors are bold.
21 of 25 Image Credits: Target
Crayola Crayon Melter
Kids create art from melted crayons with this innovative yet simple craft. Comes with a crayon melter (natch) 8 crayons, 3 pieces of cardstock and a tool needed to complete the project.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Excellent quality and fun to use! My kids love it. Made some cool stuff.
22 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
Slime Kitchen Mega Slime Factory Kit
The slime craze isn’t dying anytime soon. Kit includes a “stovetop work station” and everything else needed to create icky, gooey slime. Which is a good thing, parents.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This toy has it all from the magical stove top workstation to the tiny glitter shakers and the fun mixing pot. Cute kit, easy to set up and make slime which kept the kids entertained and happy for hours!
23 of 25 Image Credits: Walmart
Fujifilm Instax Mini 9
Available in multiple fun colors, this kid-size camera is like the Polaroid version of yesteryear. Kids can print out pics of their friends, take silly selfies, use colored filters and even pop in film that comes preprinted with fun borders. Film sold separately — and FYI parents, it’s not cheap, so be prepared!
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Satisfies the urge we have for instant gratification of a picture-in-hand immediately. Simple functionality makes it easy for kids to use and it's great entertainment for any kind of party or gathering.
24 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
Creativity for Kids Day at The Spa Deluxe Gift Set
By 9, kids so need to get pampered. Well, in any case, this set comes with 30 items your spoiled sweetie and her friends can use to create their own spa-at-home experience. There’s an inflatable pool for pedicures, satin eye mask, toe separators, and even spa slippers and a battery-operated manicure dryer. Sigh. The life of a kid!
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My girls love this gift! It comes with everything you need to be able to do a manicure and pedicure. My daughter loves this and setting up her salon. This is a cute little gift for little girls who love doing their nails.
25 of 25 Image Credits: Amazon
Scientific Explorer Crime Catchers Spy Science Kit
Kids who love to spy on their parents (so all kids) will have fun decoding mysteries with this junior crime-solver kit. It includes everything they need to “test DNA samples” and collect fingerprints. Meanwhile, kids learn the science behind collecting evidence. Parents, time to stop stealing their candy! Comes with supplies for solving two crimes.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This kit is a really fun activity for kids to solve a mystery using forensic science. they had a blast solving the crimes. Nearly everything is provided in the kit with only maybe 3-4 things that you need to provide yourself.
