Gift ideas for kids age 9-11

Children in this age group – in their late- to middle-elementary years – are developing stronger personal interests and more independence, and they’re beginning to develop hobbies. Gifts that help them explore their passions or develop skills they can be proud of work well. They’re also starting to care more about having “cool” things that their friends might notice.

Kids age 9-11 can handle more complex games, crafts, and activities. Here are some gift ideas for them.

Advanced creative and crafting

• Advanced art sets with professional-quality colored pencils, markers, and sketchbooks.
• Jewelry making kits with beads, wire, and tools to create bracelets, necklaces, and earrings.
• Sewing machines designed for beginners with simple projects and safety features.
• Pottery wheels or clay sculpting sets with glazing supplies.
• Embroidery hoops and floss for more complex stitching projects.
• Scrapbooking supplies, including decorative papers, stickers, and photo albums.
• Painting sets with canvases, acrylic paints, and easels for more serious artwork.
• Origami paper and instruction books for complex folding projects.

STEM and engineering

• Advanced building sets such as LEGO Technic, architectural sets, or engineering kits.
• Robotics kits that require actual programming and building (VEX, LEGO Mindstorms).
• Chemistry sets with more sophisticated experiments (still age-appropriate).
• Electronics kits for building circuits, radios, or simple devices.
• 3D puzzles of famous buildings, vehicles, or anatomical models.
• Coding games and apps that teach real programming languages.
• Engineering challenges such as bridge-building kits or marble run systems.
• Telescopes for stargazing with detailed star charts.

Sports and outdoor activities

• Skateboards or longboards with safety gear.
• Advanced bikes such as mountain bikes or BMX bikes.
• Sports equipment for organized sports they’re joining (cleats, gloves, helmets).
• Camping gear such as their own sleeping bag, flashlight, or backpack.
• Archery sets designed for kids with safety features.
• Pogo sticks or more advanced jumping toys.
• Swimming gear such as goggles, kickboards, or pool games.
• Hiking equipment such as kid-size hiking boots or water bottles.

Books and learning

• Middle-grade novel series.
• Graphic novel series.
• Nonfiction books about their developing interests and hobbies.
• Biography books about inspiring people in kid-friendly formats.
• Poetry and writing journals for creative expression.
• Educational magazine subscriptions.
• How-to books for skills they want to learn (cooking, sketching, sports).

Advanced games and puzzles

• Strategy board games.
• Complex jigsaw puzzles with 500-1,000 pieces.
• Brain teaser games and logic puzzles.
• Trading card games.
• Chess sets with instruction books for learning strategy.
• Escape-room games designed for home play.
• Video games (age-appropriate) for gaming systems they have.

Technology and electronics

• Digital cameras with better quality than little-kid versions.
• Tablets with educational apps and creative software.
• Good quality headphones for music, audiobooks, or gaming.
• Smartwatches designed for kids with GPS and communication features.
• Bluetooth speakers for listening to music in their rooms.
• Digital drawing tablets for kids interested in digital art.

Personal interests and hobbies

• Musical instruments such as a ukulele, a keyboard, or a beginner guitar.
• Sports trading cards or collectibles related to their favorite teams.
• Model kits for planes, cars, or ships that require patience and skill.
• Garden starter kits with seeds, pots, and tools for their own plants.
• Cooking kits with kid-safe tools and easy recipe books.
• Magic trick sets with more sophisticated illusions they can master.
• Collectibles related to their interests (rocks, coins, stamps).

Room and personal items

• Desk organizers and supplies for homework and projects.
• Room decorations such as posters, string lights, or wall decals.
• Personal storage such as jewelry boxes or collections display cases.
• Quality backpacks for school that reflect their personal style.
• Alarm clocks or other items that help them develop independence.
• Personalized items with their name or initials.