The great thing about picking from the best toys for 9 year olds is that there are so many options. Yes, this can make choosing a toy as a gift or present can be tough, which is why we’ve rounded up the best toys for 9 year olds in 2020 below to help you choose.
From constructions toys to card games, books to baking, we’ve got all bases covered…
What are the best toys for 9 year olds?
Research Psychologist Dr Amanda Gummer explained to us that because of a child’s development at this age, the type of toys the like to play with also change as their skills develop and their understanding of the world evolves.
She laid out three major changes you might see in children of this age and what the best toys for 9 year olds are based on this:
- Child of this age moving from trial and error to making predictions, reasoning, and more abstract thought. The best toys for 9 year olds based on this are: construction toys, science kits, board games and card games.
- A child’s understanding of morality is also changing from ‘rule-based’ to ’empathy’. Small world play can help them better understand social situations. So think of toys such a Playmobil, Lego, or other play sets that reflect real world locations and scenarios.
- Logic and strategy games can be fun for children as they are able to deal with more abstract scenarios and hypothetical situations at this age.
How do you entertain a 9 year old?
Even if you’ve got the best toys for 9 year olds at home, it can be difficult to know how to entertain them, as they can appear disinterested in everything.
Catherine Lynch, senior manager at PlanBee and a qualified Play Therapist, explains that this is normal for children of this age:
“9 year olds tend to be concrete and logical. They are often self-determined, self-motivated and can appear detached and disinterested in their parents/caregivers, preferring to do things in their own way and own time, often working slowly and methodically.
Catherine suggests that one of the best ways to entertain 9 year olds is to allow them to play with their peers when possible and give them room to play independently if they want to:
“Parents and caregivers of 9 year olds can support children by providing opportunities for them to be independent and have social interactions with friends. Try not to take it personally or feel rejected when the child wants to have their own space and privacy. “
My First Cook Book: Bake, Make and Learn to Cook
Age suitability: 9 and up | Batteries required: None | Price: £11.24
Help your child develop a sense of increased responsibility by taking a lead in preparing a meal. Maybe they help read each recipe step, measure out ingredients or prep some of the food if they can do so safely. Children will always need to be supervised in the kitchen but this is a great way to help get them started on learning to cook.
Buttonbag Bumper Sewing and Embroidery Carry Kit
Age suitability: 9 and up | Batteries required: None | Price: £35
This bright and pretty children’s sewing and embroidery kit contains everything you need to discover a world of creativity. The pretty and practical carry case includes plenty of fabric, felt and embroidery thread to make dozens of different projects. The simple instructions will show you how to make bookmarks, a picture, a phone case and lots more. Cross stitch essentials such as scissors and needles are also included.
LEGO 31058 Creator Mighty Dinosaurs Toy
Age suitability: 7 – 12 years | Batteries required: None | Price: £35
From Hogwarts castle to Lamborghinis, kids can build almost anything with Lego these days and the possibilities are endless. Children at this age will probably show an interest in a certain topic or section of the Lego world and want more sets that build on their growing collection, but if you’re not sure, click the link below for a selection of the best selling Lego toys online that always prove popular with kids.
National Geographic Earth Science Kit
Age suitability: 8 years and up | Batteries required: None | Price: £37.99
Kids at this age love getting stuck in and science kits will really feed their curiosity and desire to make things (and make a mess!) Great for learning through play, whether it’s making slime or creating a rocket in the garden, kids will get a kick out of science kits.
Fortnite Battle Royale Collection Battle Bus
Age suitability: 8 – 16 years| Batteries required: None | Price: £49.99
Love it or hate it, your child will probably have been introduce to Fortnite by the age of 9 and they may well be completely obsessed with the computer game. Limiting screen time is still important, so buying toys that can be played with off-screen, but still feed their interest in the game, is a good alternative.
VTech Secret Safe Treasure Chest
Age suitability: 6 and up | Batteries required: None | Price: £27.98
This beautifully designed Treasure Chest is great for protecting your treasures. Unlock the Treasure Chest with your very own 4-digit password to keep your secrets safe inside. Use the built in alarm clock to help you wake up just in time to head off for the day. Play 9 great learning activities that cover spelling, maths, logic and more!
