I don’t want to *say* that I’m an authority on buying gifts for boys, but I have three sons ages 9, 5, and 3. Finding gifts for boys 10 and under can seem daunting at first because there are so many options out there. While there are surely some kiddos with rogue interests, I’ve noticed that, overall, certain toys are almost always a hit.
Those are the ones you want to buy: the new favorites. And even though my boys are terrific readers and I’m a former language arts teacher, I’m here to inform you that books usually don’t make the cut. Or underwear. Or socks. So if those things are at the top of your idea list, I’m here to help!
I have been shopping almost exclusively for boys for the past ten Christmases. With that in mind, I’ve gotten pretty great at choosing stellar gifts for the little dudes in my life. I’ve come up with a short list of favorites that have delighted my crew on more than one occasion. I hope this list will help you when you’re working on your holiday shopping for gifts for boys 10 and under this year.
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Here is my can’t fail gift guide for the young boys in your life!
Tents and flashlights
Transformers
I’ve yet to meet a boy or man-child who isn’t intrigued by the intricate workings of a transforming toy. Whether they’ve seen any of the movies or cartoons, boys of all ages seem to enjoy the act of transforming. These toys are on the list every year at my house.
Magformers
My sister-in-love introduced our kids to Magformers, and they are awesome! Everyone loves building with these easy to play with magnets. They come in a variety of shapes and lots of different kits. We have two children who are constantly battling to get to the Magformers first every morning. Literally, battle royales have happened over the Magformers .They are just that cool, and sure to make the boys in your life happy.
Nerf guns
Nerf guns are a quintessential staple at our house and a family favorite, for sure. We have quite an arsenal! Nothing says brotherly love quite like shooting him in the backside as he scampers away from you. I’ve yet to meet a little dude who doesn’t love a good Nerf gun fight!
Board games
This is a new one at our house, but the boys have finally reached an age where we can play quite a few board games together. One of their current favorites is Zingo. It’s a fun twist on traditional bingo that kids as young as 4 can enjoy. Candyland is a fan favorite that even our 3 year old can play, and at less than $15, board games are an inexpensive gift that will surely be enjoyed. And don’t forget about the Monopoly’s sidekick, Monopoly Jr. (also don’t forget to clear your schedule for the day)! There are many different versions now for all ages to enjoy.
Switch/ 3DS
If you’re the parent of a boy under 10, then it’s hard to imagine you haven’t heard of Nintendo’s current consoles, the Switch and the 3DS. These consoles offer a ton of video game options to satisfy the techie in all of us. Even this momma enjoys it when I get the chance! We have a Switch, and I love it because there are so many games to choose from that are cartoon-based, featuring superheroes and the always popular Mario and Luigi. These fun, lighthearted games are great for younger kids. There are safety features to keep our children protected while they play, and the settings are much simpler than some of the other systems (hello, Xbox). From Minecraft to Luigi’s Mansion, to The Incredibles and Snipperclips, there is something for everyone when it comes to Nintendo products.
RC cars
Every year my kids beg for more radio controlled cars. They have a blast with them! We can set up tracks and obstacle courses, and there are cars to fit every budget and age. RC cars aren’t going out of style, ever.
Playdoh, slime, and all things goopy
Tactile and sensory play are extremely important to child development, but more importantly they’re super fun! Playdoh kits, slime kits, water beads, and other squishy things top our list of gifts my boys under 10 love and actually play with every year. These inexpensive gifts are not only fun, they’re great for learning through play.
Building Materials: Legos, Duplos, Knex, Lincoln Logs, cardboard blocks, Bristle Blocks
If there’s one thing on this list that you should consider for the boys under 10 in your life, it’s building materials. Legos and other building blocks offer open-ended play and endless possibilities for creativity. Besides that, they help build lots of educational skills that I won’t bore you with too much, but I will say that you’ll be helping and entertaining the little guys in your life by gifting them building blocks. My preschool and kindergarten aged sons especially enjoy the cardboard building blocks. They make forts, roads, and all kinds of other stuff. And Bristle Blocks are an excellent option for kiddos 2 and up. I highly recommend both for preschoolers!
Imaginative play- play kitchen and grill
Play kitchen, grill, dress-up clothes, storefronts, and more are great for imaginative play and lots of fun. All of my kids will play kitchen together (Chef Ramsay, Masterchef Jr.) and serve up pretend play for longer than five minutes, which is kind of noteworthy around here. They also enjoy playing dressup in super hero costumes of halloween’s past, and using the cash register to buy things with money they don’t have. It’s like our own version of SuperMarket Sweep right at our house!
Happy shopping!
Do you have any tried and true gifts for boys under 10 that you’d like me to add to this list? Shoot me an email or comment below!
