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Foolproof finds for birthdays, holidays, and beyond DIY Assembly Toys
Nine-year-olds are pretty great, aren't they? They're so close to claiming double digits and, quite possibly, rolling their eyes at every single little thing you say, but for now—for this (mostly) blissful moment—they are still such elementary-school angels. (No, seriously, please take a quick second to savor this pre-teen paradise. We'll happily wait......)
Whether the nine-year-old in your life is into sports, theater, the great outdoors, or a hodgepodge of this and that, we've rounded up an editor-, expert-, and child-vetted assortment of great gifts for birthdays, holidays, and just because. You'll also find presents at every price point (starting at just $6!), including classic no-fail favorites (a kickball set! a six-foot fort!) and trendier of-the-moment mainstays (pickleball paddles! axe-throwing sets!). Lastly, there are some very specific learnings from the nine-year-olds we surveyed that are worth sharing:
(1) They love anything that lights up/glows in the dark
(2) They're very into riddles and gag gifts and anything else that involves tricking adults
(3) They still love Bill Nye, the Science Guy (Who knew?!)
(4) They have likely already devoured The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series so don't bother with the box set
Psst: While you're shopping, you may also want to check out our best gifts for 10-year-old girls and 10-year-old boys as well as the best gifts for 8-year-old kids.
Friendship bracelet kits are good in theory until your child winds up with nothing to show for their efforts other than a tangle of thread. This pin-spired alternative makes crafting easy, offers more bang for your bead, and can be used to embellish both clothing and backpacks.
With the Chance brand, there's no such thing as one-ball-fits-all. With a variety of colors and patterns—camo! flowers!—you're sure to find the gifting equivalent of a slam dunk. This glow-in-the-dark option is pretty fun too.
Related: The Best New Toys in the Country Living Toy Chest
Watch their eyes light up as they realize it's all marshmallows and none of those good-for-nuthin' whole-grain oats.
If you haven't noticed, birding is having a bit of a moment (yes, even with younger hatchlings!). This lightweight telescoping twosome comes in 12 fun colors and will also appeal to spies-in-training.
When you're a kid, there's just something so special about owning a piece of jewelry with your name on it—even more so when your name is not commonly sourced on the souvenir rack. (We see you, Madilyn!)
When they want a drum set but you're not a) ready to invest or b) willing to give up the square footage, this roll-up alternative (complete with—praise be—headphones!) is a sound choice.
This 6 1/2-foot-wide fort, which comes in 16 styles (including a barn!) and inflates in less than 30 seconds, is a serious upgrade from the sheet-draping tactics of old. (Note: You'll need a square box fan; not included.)
Available in 13 colors, this handy instrument will take karaoke singalongs from ho-hum to Eras-Tour epic.
Axe and ye shall receive! This backyard version of a popular bar game will appeal to the little lumberjacks in your life.
Thanks to the handy remote, this soon-to-be slumber party/dance party staple can cue up more lighting options than any European nightclub: red, green, blue, red/green, red/blue, green/blue, or all the colors at once, which we refer to as "Ibiza mode."
Let the good times roll! Featuring a non-slip deck, cool holographic finish, and sturdy aluminum frame, this electric scooter has close to a perfect five-star rating (!!!) after 30,000 Amazon reviews, which is truly a feat on this here internet where people tend to be cranky.
Introduce them to America's fastest growing sport with this stylish beginner's set of pickleball paddles suited for all ages.
There's nothing like waking up to snowfall and realizing you're gonna have to resort to riding out the day on (say it isn't so!) trash can lids. Make sure your favorite Winter Olympian wannabes are prepared for the powder with this fast-inflating sled that comes in six not-boring styles and holds two riders (or up to 250 pounds.)
Note: For roughly the same spend, this two-pack could also come in handy if siblings would rather not share.
We surveyed a few nine-year-olds to see what emoji they'd give this classic-with-a-twist card game and the results are in: 60 percent smiling emoji, 25 percent heart eyes emoji, 14 percent thumbs-up emoji, and 1 percent unicorn for no clear explainable reason.
It's not a bird. Nor is it a plane. Rather, it's a super thoughtful gift that allows budding authors to write and illustrate their own 18-page professionally printed comic book. Just go ahead and work out your royalties should they become the Dav Pilkey of their generation.
Our friends over at Good Housekeeping named this drone their favorite for beginners and who are we to argue with the purveyors of the time-tested GH Seal?
Is this the most aesthetically pleasing gift? No. Will it last them through the year? Also no. But they're going to love this 100-pack so much that none of the rest matters, really.
If your happy lil' camper doesn't already own one, maybe it's time?! While there are plenty of trendy patterns to be found, we are unapologetically partial to this unisex style that feels plucked from a Wes Anderson movie set. (Coonskin hats and vintage binoculars optional, but always encouraged.)
If you've ever attempted to pick up hundreds of rubbery plastic bits from the yard after a water balloon fight, you're likely already sold on this sustainable silicone set.
For a beach boardwalk-inspired bundle, pair this old-school arcade favorite with cotton candy and a stuffed seagull that may or may not steal your French fries.
Rachel Barrett is the Editor-in-Chief of Country Living. She can't pass up a vintage seascape, drives an '89 Woody Wagoneer (that is, when it'll start), and hopes to buy you a lemonade at a future Country Living Fair.
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Party Favors Toys Kids Rachel Barrett is the Editor-in-Chief of Country Living. She can't pass up a vintage seascape, drives an '89 Woody Wagoneer (that is, when it'll start), and hopes to buy you a lemonade at a future Country Living Fair.