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Original poster

What are you buying your 9 year olds?

32 replies

LadyJCB · 14/10/2025 20:25

I know it’s early. Please forgive me. But my baby is due in December so we’re trying to be as prepared for Christmas as we possibly can so we can enjoy that newborn bubble without the last minute shopping!!!

what is everyone buying their 9 year old children for Christmas?
May 9 year old step son doesn’t play with toys, and I don’t want to buy things for the sake of buying them. But I equally don’t want to just buy him clothes!! He has almost everything and doesn’t understand the gift of a ‘day out’ or ‘zoo pass’ etc.

fully stuck and would appreciate all and any ideas!!

as a note… he still has gifts from his birthday in August sat in gift bags in his room containing crafts, books, Lego etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
LadyJCB · 15/10/2025 20:34

ITSSSSCHRISTMASSS · 15/10/2025 00:24

This is the Christmas board, it’s never too early!

This age is hard especially when they have outgrown toys.

I know days out are out but what about experiences?
Race car driving
Off road driving
Helicopter ride
Amazing race style experience

Tickets to an event, concert, comic convention ( big hit in our house).

Tickets for a night away somewhere where he gets to see or do something like a football tour, go somewhere for an experience he wouldn’t normally get to go to.

Last year I bought my 10yo tickets to a show she wanted to see in another city, she got to pick DH or me to go with her, we went on the train had a night in a hotel basically got spoilt rotten and got to see her favourite show. We presented the tickets in gift boxes with clues she had to solve.

This is great advice! Thank you.
we will look at some experiences. It’s something we haven’t tried yet.

it’s hard at this age and he’s almost too young for some bits and he feels too old for other stuff.
navigating parenting at these ages are difficult.

thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
LadyJCB · 15/10/2025 20:36

Brightmoments · 15/10/2025 12:49

I have 2 boys (12 & 9 year old).

Things the 9 year old has requested include:

  • a new tablet
  • Fortnite theme Lego
  • squishmellow teddy
  • exploding kittens game
  • comics like monkey Vs bunny & dogman
  • Chocolate & sweets
  • slime

Things that have gone down well for his older brother include wireless headphones, bath bombs, coding toys, yoyos, tamigotchi , oodies (mine specifically wanted the branded version), Nintendo switch games, blox fruit plushies (which have the gamer code in them), board games (these have to be something funny or novelty based to hold their interest), smart watches, colouring sets/novelty pens, hover boards with go kart attachment, gaming chairs, bikes/ scooters, themed bedside lights.

If they get Lego we tend to set time aside in the evenings to complete. That way they each have some time to themselves with mum or dad.

I'm also considering tickets now for the older one for days out like the HP tours, monster trucks show etc as he's getting to the age where he doesn't want a lot and is not interested in toys, clothes or sports.

Oh gosh! Tamagotchis!!!
i ca relive my childhood through him.

some great advice here, thank you. its such a difficult age. Almost too yo in for some bits and too old for others.
trying to navigate through the next birthday and Christmas is going to be a joy.

OP posts:
MiddleAgedDread · 15/10/2025 20:37

Is he into football? a stadium tour went down well here.

Original poster
LadyJCB · 15/10/2025 20:38

Needspaceforlego · 15/10/2025 07:46

Op you say Stepson, does he spend a lot of time at your house?

Does he have a bike or scooter something to play outdoors with?
So he can ride while you walk to the park and things?

Yes we have 50/50. We have a great relationship with his mum too. Who bless her heart is also struggling.

he does absolutely love his scooter and we did consider upgrading it but it’s relatively new.

OP posts:
Original poster
LadyJCB · 15/10/2025 20:41

Alyah · 15/10/2025 03:23

I totally get where you’re coming from — 9 is such a tricky age! They’re sort of in between still liking toys but also not quite ready to appreciate experiences. My eldest is the same; half the time, gifts just sit untouched.
A few things that have gone down well for us: a smartwatch for kids (not too fancy, just something with games and step tracking), a beanbag chair for his room, or a proper set of wireless headphones. One year we did a “room upgrade” theme — new bedding, LED lights, a poster of his favourite football team — and he loved it.
I’ve stopped feeling guilty about not filling the tree with toys. At that age, it’s more about picking a few things they’ll actually use or think are cool, rather than loads of stuff that ends up forgotten.

Edited

ahhhh! Smartwatch! What a great shout. I am certain he will love this. Such a good option.

you are right, the age is such a difficult one. And I also need to let go of the parent guilt of having a lot of nonsense under the tree just for the sake of it.
I think for me a lot boils down to me not having a lot of anything growing up. So to compensate I want my children to have the most magical experience always.

OP posts:
Needspaceforlego · 15/10/2025 23:01

What about a bike, or skateboard?

Is there any particular themed Lego he'd like?

How about a Nintendo Switch that is easy to move between houses, as a sort of joint gift?

DutchTeenyPixie · 15/10/2025 23:16

How about an outdoor ramp for the scooter? Or a trampoline scooter?

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