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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Lifestyle
Katie Gregory

Best gifts for 9 year olds 2022: Toys and games they will love

Ah, the nine-year-old. With one foot firmly in childhood, and the other tiptoeing into early adulthood, a child of this age is brilliant fun to buy for. Mostly because they’re still little, even if some days they think they’re not.

The average nine-year-old will still love a well-chosen plush toy to snuggle, for example, and will relish the chance to get their hands dirty with arts and crafts. Developmentally, nine-year-olds can master complex activities like science experiments and STEM learning sets and will often be able to follow instructions independently if you choose a gift that’s right for their age.

On the flip side, they’ll also be delighted to receive a present that’s a bit more grown-up, so don’t limit your options purely to toys. Cool clothes are a yes – maybe just don’t call them cool out loud – and something for their bedroom will appeal to their growing sense of ownership over their space.

If you’re craving some time with your ever-independent nine-year-old, look for something you can do together. Both the Cricut Joy and Haynes Hybrid Engine kit on our list make excellent buy-it-for-them-but-secretly-for-yourself gifts.

If you’re still stuck for ideas, we’ve picked out plenty more gifts for nine-year-olds below including everything from outdoor toys to books and blankets. Price-wise, these range from cheap stocking fillers to blowout big-ticket gifts, so there’s a perfect present for every budget.

Shop below

Spirograph Mandala Maker

Remember Spirograph? Originally invented in the 1960s and a big hit in the 1980s, this enduring drawing tool is back with various incarnations for the 2020s.

Among them is the Spirograph Mandala Maker, which includes everything you need to make geometric mandala patterns while gently encouraging mindfulness and calm. Once your paper is locked into the circular frame you click the stencil wheels into place on top of it, then rotate as you draw.

There are six Spirograph wheels included as well, and if – like us – you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing, there’s an idea guide to help.

Buy now £25.00, Selfridges

Among Us Sticky Note Plush

Kids obsessed with Among Us? They’ll instantly recognise this Among Us Sticky Note Plush toy. It’s a 30cm replica of a crewmate with a sticky note on its head, on which kids can write a message using the pen included. The note comes off with Velcro and we found it took a bit of a scrub to wash the message off, but our testers didn’t care and loved the novelty of it.

As with all branded merch, it seems expensive for a soft toy, but this gift will get you massive brownie points for being cool enough to know what it is.

Buy now £30.99, HMV

Waboba Moonshine Ball

This light-up Waboba Moonshine Ball makes a great stocking filler, and it’s ideal for outdoor play in the dark winter months. Made from lightweight foam, it bounces brilliantly – often in a totally random direction thanks to the angled surface of the ball.

It lights up when it hits the floor and the illumination is pretty impressive, even in a big open space like a park. Just bear in mind it will only glow for seven seconds, so that’s precisely how long you’ve got to retrieve it before you’re blindly searching on your hands and knees through the grass.

Buy now £8.66, Amazon

Dunelm Grey Stars Glow In The Dark Fleece Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set

New bedding is one thing, but new bedding that’s made from super-soft polyester fleece and covered in stars, clouds, and moons that glow in the dark is another thing entirely.

We love everything about this Glow In The Dark Fleece Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set from Dunelm, from the extra-warm winter fabric to the unisex, silvery colour. Ours washed well on a 30-degree cycle and came out soft and fluffy. Plus, it’s also available in double size if you can’t resist one for your own bed.

Buy now £24.00, Dunelm

Cricut Joy + Essentials Bundle

If ever there was a gift to buy for your child but secretly covet for yourself, it’s the Cricut Joy machine. This clever bit of kit is a cutting and writing machine in one, and it’s remarkably user-friendly. With a bit of parental help – there is a small blade in the machine, so this is essential – our testers got to work personalising anything and everything within reach with custom vinyl decals.

They made cards for friends, named their school water bottles, and even created bedroom wall decals. It doesn’t take up much space when you’re not using it, and if you choose the essentials bundle you get a whole bunch of extras to get you started. Great fun and well worth splashing out on.

Buy now £208.99, Cricut

Johnny Loves Rosie Personalised Carrie Bag

If you’re looking for a special gift that will last them into their teenage years and beyond, this personalised Carrie cross-body bag from Johnny Loves Rosie is a lovely option. Neat and compact, it measures 14.5cm high x 20.5cm wide x 5cm deep, which turns out to be the perfect size for an aspiring teenager – especially when you team it with the adjustable strap.

Made from vegan leather, it’s also available in loads of colours from hot pink to metallic silver, but it’s the personalisation options that makes this even more special to give as a gift. As well as embossing their initials in metallic gold foil, you can add things like an initial keyring and colourful bow to really make it theirs. Or, buy them a gift voucher and let them design their own bag for the ultimate grown-up gift.

Buy now £50.00, Johnny Loves Rosie

Machine Works Haynes Hybrid Engine Kit

Got kids obsessed with cars? Or looking for a STEM activity to do together? This 4-cylinder hybrid electric engine by Machine Works will keep everyone busy. There are more than 100 bits of kit to construct your model engine, plus all the tools you’ll need to do it. And while it’s not an exact replica, it’s a great way to learn about the concept of how a hybrid engine works, with decent instructions and diagrams. Technically it’s for kids aged 10+, but with parental supervision our tester loved it. Clear a big space for all the bits and bobs, and get stuck in.

Buy now £49.99, Amazon

I Am Coco: The Life of Coco Chanel

Did you know Coco Chanel’s name was actually Gabrielle, and that she was orphaned at the age of 12? The fashion designer’s inspiring story comes to life in I Am Coco, a new hardback book that makes a lovely gift.

Our tester was able to read this story to herself, but it’s packed with biographical info and insights into the designer’s most famous creations. Every page is a wash of colour thanks to Isabel Pin’s quirky illustrations, and Coco’s inspiring quotes are peppered throughout the book.

Buy now £10.18, Amazon

VOITED Mini Traveler Blanket

If you’re buying for a child who loves outdoor adventures, this clever Voited Mini Traveler Blanket made from recycled plastic makes a great gift. Not only is it lightweight, insulated, water repellent and washable, but it doubles as a pillow or sleeping bag – so it’s a good option for camping trips.

There are two designs to choose from, and our 9-year-old tester plumped for the ‘camp vibes two’ design with a mountain scenery motif and retro colours. The sherpa lining inside is ridiculously soft even after multiple washes, without the synthetic feel of a standard sleeping bag against your skin.

Buy now £78.00, VOITED

Lee Contour Pullover Hoodie

Denim brand Lee has just launched a kidswear range for the first time in the UK, starting with an AW22 collection for boys. So if you’re looking to tick the ‘something to wear’ box, the Lee Contour Pullover Hoodie is a great option their friends probably haven’t yet got their hands on.

Our 9-year-old tester loved the all-over wiggly graphic, nice big hood, and roomy front pocket to stash sticks, stones and sweetie wrappers in. Sizes run from age 3-4 up to 15-16 and are suitably baggy. Plus, because it’s black and white, this hoodie goes with absolutely everything and doesn’t show the dirt quickly – two big ticks for parents.

Buy now £54.99, Zalando

TreatBox 7-Day Birthday advent calendar

Buying for a birthday? The TreatBox 7-Day Birthday advent calendar makes a really special gift and a great excuse to prolong the fun. The package includes seven individual gifts wrapped and numbered, so your recipient can open a new present every day for a week before the big day.

Items include things like eye masks, cute socks, and jewellery, so it’s ideal for a pre-teen girl. When you order – which you can do up to a year in advance if you’re liable to forget – you can add their birthday date and get your package dispatched 14 days beforehand. Add a message and their address, and hey presto, your work here is done.

Buy now £38.95, TreatBox

Next Soft Touch Fleece All-In-One

It doesn’t get much more snuggly than this soft-touch fleece onesie from Next, and our 9-year-old tester gave the blue camo design the seal of approval, so it must be good. The fit is nice and slouchy, so it goes over warm winter PJs easily. And it’s super soft inside and out, with deep front pockets and a nice big hood for them to hide in. Sizes go all the way from three to 16 years, and the design works well for all ages. If they’ve put a onesie on their wish-list, you can’t go far wrong with this one.

Buy now £23.00, Next

Verdict

The Spirograph Mandala Maker took the top spot for gifting – it’s affordable, calming, and really good fun. The Cricut Joy was our favourite big-ticket gift and makes a brilliant activity for kids and parents to do together, and the Treatbox 7-day birthday advent calendar is an extra-special way to count down to their big day.

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