If you are searching for the best gift ideas for boys, I am here to help. Whether you need gift ideas for Christmas or a birthday, I have you covered. This is a list of my boy’s favorite things that are still being used even 10 years later. This list is geared towards boys age 12 years and under.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own.
The Ultimate Gift Guide for Boys
Magnatiles: we have had two sets of these since the kids were babies and they are still pulled out and used every week.
Airfort: These are so fun because they come in so many different themes. All you have to do is Velcro the tunnel to a box fan and it will blow up to make a big fort in a matter of seconds. The best part is that they easily pack away when not in use.
Metal Detector: The kids love the idea of searching for treasure. There are loads of different metal detectors to choose from with a huge price range. We had a really cheap one that never worked. I just bought this one for Andrew and it has great ratings on Amazon. I loved the accessories that you can purchase to go along with it.
Playmobile: I hope my kids never age out of Playmobile, because I love them. The boys are currently obsessed with the Novelmore series and are slowly turning our house into a medieval fortress.
LEGO: just a classic toy that any boy would love. My boys love the Minecraft series and the Star Wars sets.
Forest School Activity Cards: we found these in the bookstore and my 9 year old has been having so much fun with them. The deck is divided into four suits; Team Games, Survival Skills, Forest Crafts and Connecting to Nature.
Nerf guns: My kids love a good Nerf war. The simple ones work better than the high tech ones. They like this one because it can hold multiple Nerf bullets at once without having to reload.
Treasure X: Not gonna lie… I hate these toys. They are messy and there is so much plastic but the boys love them. This is high on their wishlist. Defeat the Kraken and his jaw will pop open, coins will fly out and the Treasure Chest will be revealed.
Dojo Battle Game: Fight like a hi-tech ninja with this action-packed electronic battling game. I don’t have much feedback on this game because this was a new request, but my boys like any game that requires them to hit each other.
The Best Fidget Toys for Boys:
Speks: My kids love these! They are essentially tiny magnetic balls that can be molded into different shapes. Speks comes in tons of different color combinations. They are small enough to keep in your purse or in the car when they are bored.
Shashibo: This fidget box features 36 rare earth magnets for an innovative design that transforms into over 70 shapes. It fits comfortably in the hand for hours of mind-challenging fun.
The Best Games for Boys:
Kids on Stage: This simple game of charades is SO much fun. It is great because kids as young as 3 years old can play. The cards have pictures as well as words so they don’t even have to read. We have laughed so hard playing this and it is one that they always beg to play.
Battleship: the boys love this classic game and we play this weekly. This retro edition has a fun vintage vibe.
Lite brite: This toy brings me right back to my childhood. Lit-Brite inspires creativity and helps develop fine motor skills & hand-eye coordination! This lives by my son’s bed and he plays with it almost every night.
Kids Against Maturity: With age-appropriate toilet humor and funny innuendos for the adults, it can be enjoyed by all ages. Best results when played with 4 players or more. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
The Best Cooking Gifts for Boys:
Kids cooking utensils: Harry loves to bake. The other day, I got him a kids knife and asked him to help me with dinner. He ended up cooking our entire meal and has asked to help every night since. The best part is that when he makes the food, he is much more willing to try it. They can develop such good life skills helping out in the kitchen.
Don’t forget the cookbook! We like The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs and Kids Can Cook.
The Best Music Gifts for Boys:
Ukulele: After music class, all of the kids came home asking for one of these. I was actually happy to purchase this because I would love my kids to learn an instrument. This brand came highly rated.
The Best Science Gifts for Boys:
Science Kit: Your kids will have hours of fun as they explore the fizzy and bubbly reactions they create, just like a real scientist in a lab! This kit comes with everything you need to do 45 different experiments.
Massive Erupting Volcano: What kid doesn’t like exploding something? With this set, they have to actually build the volcano before erupting it. Andrew is going to go crazy for this!
Geosafari Jr. Talking Microscope: This beginners microscope is geared for kids 4 – 8 years old. There are 60 different slides kids look at while Bindi Irwin teaches them facts about animals and plants. After their lesson, they can take a quiz to test their knowledge.
For kids 8 years and older, this National Geographic microscope is a bit more advanced.
Fossil Dig Kit: These genuine fossils are millions of years old! Dig for dinosaurs, sharks, brachiopods, mosasaurs, ammonites, and more.
Geodes: Break open these rocks to reveal amazing crystals inside! Geology doesn’t get more exciting than breaking open rocks and finding crystal treasures.
Butterfly Garden: This was one of our favorite home school activities. They learned all about the life cycle of caterpillars and were so excited to see their growth each day.
The kit comes with a cup of 5 baby caterpillars and with all the nutritious food they need to grow into Painted Lady Butterflies. A mesh pop up habitat keeps them safe but easy to observe.
I also got this book to go along with the lesson.
The Best Electronics Gifts for Boys:
Nintendo Switch: This latest version of the Nintendo Switch is the toy of the year for sure. It’s great because kids can play together on the big screen or switch it to a handheld device wihich is great for travel. Just a forewarning… these have been pretty impossible to find.
Amazon Kindle: This full-featured tablet is for kids ages 3–7 and comes with a Kid-Proof Case. Kids can watch shows, read books or play their favorite apps. These are also great for travel.
Walkie Talkies: These are so fun for kids to play with in the house or running around the yard. They can also be handy on road trips or camping trips.
BugLit Micro Flashlight: This quirky yet high-quality task light provides hands-free illumination while reading, camping, hiking, or working. The BugLit body is connected to 4 Gear Tie legs that can be bent wrapped and twisted to sit stand or hang wherever you need a little light whether that’s on a backpack, book or tent.
RC Car: similar to the metal detectors, there is a huge price range on these. You do get what you pay for because the cheap ones don’t work well or will just stop working all together. I would head to a hobby store and get some advice for what options are in your budget.
These mini RC cars are pretty cool. When they crash, they just flip over and keep driving.
The Best Sports Gifts for Boys:
Micro Kickboard: This is the best scooter on the market. It is known for its smooth-gliding. The Maxi Deluxe LED scooter offers a stable ride and features two front LED motion-activated light-up wheels. (No batteries required!) Note that the Maxi is geared for kids Ages 5-12 but there is also a Mini geared for kids 2-5.
Bike: I think every kids remembers getting their first bicycle, making it a perfect gift. My favorite bike for boys is by Trek and it’s called the Precaliber 16. It has a handle built into the saddle so you can guide while they ride, and tool-less training wheels that are super easy to install and remove. It’s a great fit for kids ages 4-5.
The Precaliber 20 will have your little rider begging to go out for a pedal on their first real big kid bike. It’s a great transition model from training wheels. It has one speed, a coaster brake, and components that are dialed to fit your kid now and easy to adjust as they grow. For kids ages 6-8.
The Best Art Supplies for Boys:
Blank Comic Book: My son loves doodling and making up stories. He is going to love this blank comic book.
Good Markers: Having good markers makes a big difference. I love this set because they are square in shape which is great for travel. They are less likely to roll off of a tray table on an airplane.
These markers have dual tips for drawing with both thin and thick lines. Most importantly, they are washable.
The Best Book Series for Boys:
Nathan Hale Series: These were the books that made my son fall in love with reading. Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales are graphic novels that tell the thrilling, shocking, gruesome, and TRUE stories of American history.
Misc Gift Ideas for Boys:
Hanna Jammies: Hanna Andersson is known for their legendary pajamas. They are so comfortable, my kids live in them. They are expensive, so I like to splurge on the holidays and get them a pair. I love that the whole family can match, including the dog.
Memberships: I think memberships make the best gifts. Instead of giving someone a toy they will lose interest in, you can give someone an experience. Think of botanical gardens, zoos, nature centers, or science museums. Not only is it fun for the kids but you are helping to financially support a center for learning at the same time.
If you are still searching for the best gift ideas for a boy, I hope that this list gave you some good ideas. What are your kids favorites?
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