Best Gift Ideas for 9-12 Year Olds | Holiday Gift Guides

Finding the perfect gift for kids aged 9 to 12 can be a fun challenge, especially during the holiday season. This age group is at an exciting stage where their interests and hobbies are blossoming, making it easier to choose gifts they will truly love.

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Not quite little kids that are only interested in toys, this age group is a fun group to consider hands on activities and experiences as gifts. Whether they are into science, art, sports, or technology, there are plenty of options that can spark their imagination and bring holiday magic into your home.

In our 9-12 year old gift guide, you’ll discover a variety of ideas that cater to different tastes and preferences. From engaging books and cool gadgets to creative craft kits and outdoor games, there’s something for every child. You’ll find gifts that can make their holiday season memorable while also encouraging learning and play.

Found in photo:

Game of Life / Digital Camera / Slime / Snap Circuits

Bracelet Kit / Cat Squishmallow / Bitzee Interactive Toy / Smart Globe

With so many choices available, you want gifts that are not only fun but also meaningful. Our list of the best gifts to give this age group will help you find the right presents that are sure to inspire the 9-12 year olds in your life.

Top Picks for Engaging Entertainment

Finding engaging entertainment for ages 9-12 can be exciting. Some of the best toys to give as gifts will be inspired by their favorite activities or characters. Here are some great ideas that will capture their interest, from reading adventures to musical exploration and gaming.

Bring Stories to Life

Books can ignite imagination and encourage a love for reading. Look for popular series like Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. These stories are not only entertaining but also help develop critical thinking skills. My younger daughter loves the Harry Potter series and has recently been reading the books alongside watching the movies. 

Bookmarks are always a great idea for avid readers. A good reading light can make nightly reading more enjoyable. Consider options like clip-on lights, which provide just the right amount of brightness without disturbing others. Adding a cozy blanket can create a perfect reading nook.

If your child is immersed in one of these series, you can plan a movie night to go along with the theme. Incorporate themed snacks, decor, and activities from the series. This is an awesome experience gift that incorporates their favorite stories.

Also, immersive book adaptations like audiobooks can bring stories to life. They allow kids to experience tales in a new way while enhancing listening skills. And our kids also loved graphic novels in this age range as well!

Fandom Fun

By the ages of 9-12, many older kids will have found a favorite character or particular fandom they are fond of. In our house, we of course love Disney! There are lots of great fandom gifts to consider, other popular series like Star Wars and Marvel offer merchandise in practically every category. 

Knowing your child’s favorite fandoms can be a great gift idea if you combine it with items they will use, like a toiletry bag, necklace, or room decor. 

Music and Rhythm for Aspiring Musicians

For kids who love music, consider beginner instruments such as keyboards or ukuleles. These items can spark creativity and keep your young musician engaged.

You can also look for music-themed toys like karaoke machines or interactive music games. These products allow kids to explore rhythm and melody while having fun.

Next-Gen Gaming Options

Many older kids will have an interest in video games and already have a preferred gaming system. Our girls have used the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lites for years, and love games like Animal Crossing, Pokemon, and Mario Kart. 

If you’re looking for a new kind of game system for an older child, the Meta Quest 3S is a fantastic choice for interested gamers. This VR headset offers a variety of engaging games that promote movement and interactivity. It features a 128GB memory option to download multiple games.

Games like Beat Saber require rhythm and coordination, making the experience both fun and educational. Many titles like RecRoom encourage problem-solving and teamwork, which can be great for social interactions. Both of my girls love using our Meta Quest VR headset and it is an interesting option for kids that love to game!

If your kids already have all the gaming options they need, you can also give gifts that enhance your game room, like a beanbag chair for a hangout area or snack station to keep them fueled up.

Family Games

Board games are a great family gift that are perfect for families with kids in this age range too! We have rounded up some of our favorite family game night suggestions, and even have shared our favorite board games for tweens and teens as well. 

Found in photo: Ticket to Ride

Games are a fun idea to have an experience as a family. A card game like Kids Against Maturity is a great fit for the 9-12 years age range, or consider a strategy game like Ticket to Ride. We also love combining our favorite fandoms with board games, and getting games like a Disney themed Clue, Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit, or Pixar Monopoly. This is a great way to get all of your family members involved in a gift! 

Creative Gifts for Crafty Kids

Finding the perfect gift for kids aged 9-12 can be fun and enhance their creativity. Here are some craft ideas and educational gifts that creative kids are sure to enjoy. Crafts that kids put together can encourage their fine motor skills and DIY kits are also a great activity for them to complete over holiday break too. 

One of the most popular crafting items right now are friendship bracelets. Made popular by Taylor Swift concerts were concert goers exchange them in the audience, this timeless classic for 9-12 year old girls has had a resurgence of interest and there are tons of DIY kids on the market for kids to make their own bracelets. You can find a wide variety of bracelet kits available, from making your own clay bracelets, to bracelets with charms, and classic letter bracelets. 

We also love craft kits like making suncatchers, gem art, and crochet kits that are age appropriate for their age ranges. Check out this recent review that we did on YouTube of a Diamond Gem Art Kit. 

These hands on ideas are engaging gifts for kids and give them fun DIY projects to make on their own. 

STEM Gifts for Kids

We love science themed gifts in our house and they are a great way to give a hands on educational set. There are tons of great ideas that would make unique gifts – STEM toys that include science concepts, building toys that encourage creativity, and for older kids, even gifts like digital cameras and coding toys that encourage developing different life skills. 

Found in photo:

Amazing Reactions / Earth Science / Gemstone Kit / Mini Garden / Snap Circuits

Find the top rated science kits on Amazon.

For younger kids, you can consider playsets that introduce science basics. We love science kits by National Geographic and Kinetic Sand playsets to give hands on opportunities for learning.

Older children can get more advanced, and my older daughter has loved hands on kits like Snap Circuits which teaches introductory electronics principles. 

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