Tween Boys Will Love Driving This RC Around the Inside of Your House (and It Won't Break Your Stuff)
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Tween Boys Will Love Driving This RC Around the Inside of Your House (and It Won't Break Your Stuff)
When it comes time to shop for holiday gifts for kids, boys can be something of a mystery. That's why we put together testing notes from the Good Housekeeping Institute's Parenting Lab tests, checked bestsellers on Amazon, rounded up the editors' picks and came up with a list of the best gifts for boys, no matter where his interests lie.
Here's what to look for when shopping for gifts for boys.
When the Parenting Lab evaluates toys for its annual Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards, it looks for items that are safe to use and well constructed. It also looks for toys that offer some kind of developmental value, be it through fostering imaginative play, helping with fine or gross motor coordination, teaching things like STEM concepts or inspiring creativity. Then, there's the all-important fun factor, since no toy is worth the money if kids won't want to play with it.
What are some of the trends for gifts for boys this year?
Looking over the hottest toys coming out this year, STEM and STEM-related toys still are a huge winner, as are sensory toys and fidget toys that give kids with busy hands something to do. Families are still gathering around the table for family game night, so board games and other party games are a trend. And toys that help kids unlock their creativity — especially when it comes to TikTok — are on the rise.
amazon - 2/62
Zero Gravity Laser Race Car
Air Hogs
amazon.com
$26.99
This race car, a one-time winner of a Good Housekeeping Toy Award, gives new meaning to the phrase "you drive me up the wall." Kids can use a laser pointer to guide it, and it'll drive on the floor, up walls and even on the ceiling! (And don't worry, it won't damage your walls.) Ages 8+
Air Hogs - 3/62
Washed Ashore: Making Art from Ocean Plastic
Millbrook Press
amazon.com
$17.99
Art appreciators and budding ecologists alike will enjoy this book, which features sculptures of different sea creatures, all made out of items found on beaches or in oceans. In addition to information about each animal, there's a seek-and-find element that challenges readers to find different objects in the sculptures. Ages 6+
Millbrook Press - 4/62
Real Bugs Nanos
HEXBUG
amazon.com
$24.99
These robotic bugs move with real, lifelike movements, even scampering around objects. (Ew!) The package comes with a cicada, a cockroach, a Japanese beetle, a water scorpion and an assassin bug for your amateur entomologists. Ages 3+
HEXBUG - 5/62
Rubik’s Phantom
Spin Master
amazon.com
$14.88
Just when you thought a Rubik’s cube couldn't get any harder! Here, the colors on each square are obscured — until body heat makes the colors visible. Then, there's only a limited amount of time before they disappear again! Ages 8+
Spin Master - 6/62
Treasure X Minecraft
Treasure X
amazon.com
$17.02
Treasure X is known for making surprise collectible toys that involve digging through different layers of adventure to find different bits and pieces. Now, its new Minecraft collaboration brings Overworld to the real world. Kids get a Minecraft pickaxe to start with, and then have to dig through sand or lava to find the included character, treasure chest and other fun surprises. Ages 5+
Treasure X - 7/62
John Deere Build-a-Buddy Johnny Tractor
John Deere
amazon.com
$20.98
When it's assembled, kids can zoom this unmistakable John Deere tractor along just like any of their other favorite vehicles. But the real fun comes when kids break out the tot-sized, battery-powered drill, which lets them take it apart and put it back together again. It's a push toy and a building toy in one! Ages 18 months+
TOMY - 8/62
Jurassic World Dominion Atrociraptor Dinosaur Bike Chase
LEGO
amazon.com
$19.99
Kids don't have to have seen Jurassic World Dominion to appreciate how cool this LEGO set is, since it comes with lots of accessories for role-playing fun. The 167 pieces include an Owen Grady figure, a Rainn Delacourt figure, a tranquilizer gun, a posable Atrociraptor and two small dinosaur toy figures. Ages 6+
LEGO - 9/62
Roll-Up Drum Pad
First Act
target.com
$44.99
This makes it possible for him to practice his drum rhythms — without driving the rest of the house up the wall. (Hello, volume controls!) It has four drum pads, and it comes loaded with six rhythms for him to play along with. Ages 6+
First Act - 10/62
Bicycle Noise Maker
Spokester
amazon.com
$11.99
Kids today don't remember the feeling of sticking a baseball card into bike spokes, but you can give them the same joy with the Spokester Bicycle Noise Maker (without sacrificing a precious collectible card). The Spokester snaps on by hand, makes the bike sound like a motorcycle, and comes in a variety of colors. Ages 5+
Spokester - 11/62
Shape Shifting Box
Shasibo
amazon.com
$25.00
It looks like a box, but this fidget toy can be unfolded and snapped into new shapes through the power of magnets. There are more than 70 3D shapes he can mindlessly shift twist it into when he needs something (quiet!) to do with his hands. Ages 8+
RELATED: 10 Best Pop Fidget Toys of 2021
amazon.com - 12/62
Dino Dig VR
Abacus Brands
amazon.com
$34.99
Now, kids can learn about dinosaurs in both the real world and the digital one. This set comes with a dig-out fossils and tools that can be used to unearth it. Then, VR goggles give kids a sense of what it was really like when these creatures lived on Earth. Ages 8+
Abacus Brands - 13/62
L0-LA59 (Lola) Animatronic Edition
Star Wars
target.com
$84.99
The breakout character from Obi-Wan Kenobi? No, not Reva, the conflicted Inquisitor. It's Lola, the droid! And if your kids want one of their own, this animatronic version responds with more than 45 light, sounds and movement combinations, making it feel like the real thing. Ages 4+
Star Wars - 14/62
My Robotic Pet - Tumbling Hedgehog
Thames \u0026 Kosmos
walmart.com
$45.27
First, kids build this robot, assembling more than 170 pieces. Then, they can program it to respond to a series of claps, so that it does things like tumble, roll, spin around and bristle its spines. Ages 7+
Thames & Kosmos - 15/62
Super Mario Bros. Mushroom Light
Paladone
amazon.com
$25.90
Level up his room with this light-up mushroom, inspired by Super Mario Bros. When he flicks the light on, it'll make a sound instantly recognizable from the game. The light is battery-operated, or you can opt for one in shell or Yoshi egg shapes instead. Ages 6+
Paladone - 16/62
Untamed Raptor by Fingerlings
WowWee
amazon.com
$14.99
These dinos are interactive, responding to sound and touch. Kids can play with them in "tamed" mode, or rile them up and get them to hiss, growl and roar — then calm them down by petting them again. Ages 5+
amazon.com - 17/62
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Action Figures
Marvel
amazon.com
$24.99
Now, you can add the Dora Milaje to his crew of action figures working to save the world! This Okoye figure is posable in a variety of different ways and comes with her signature spear. In addition, there are figures for Nakia, Namor, Ironheart and Shuri. Ages 4+
RELATED: Cool Marvel Gifts
Marvel - 18/62
Crazy Forts
Crazy Forts
amazon.com
$49.95
Time to upgrade those blanket forts! This set comes with rods and connectors, which you can then drape your own sheets and blankets over to make cool structures. Use them to build towers, castles, pyramids and more. Ages 3+
Crazy Forts - 19/62
DoodleJamz JellyPics
Sky Castle
amazon.com
$9.99
It's so simple, yet so satisfying: This board has gel with beads suspended in it, and kids can push the beads around to decorate the pictures. You can even print and replace the background image, too. Ages 5+
Sky Castle - 20/62
Stunt Shot Indoor Remote Control Vehicle
Air Hogs
amazon.com
$24.88
The big, so foam wheels of this remote-controlled truck are designed to be used indoors. They're rugged enough to drive over carpets but won’t damage your walls or furniture. Ages 5+
Air Hogs - 21/62
Digimon X
DIGIMON
amazon.com
$11.49
The '90s are back, and so is Digimon! This digital monster pet is just as you remember him, and you can feed it, train it and send it into battle! But, refreshed for now, it has fun new modes of gameplay. Ages 8+
DIGIMON - 22/62
Mini Helicopter Drone
DoDoeleph
amazon.com
39.99
Good Housekeeping Institute testers found the small size of this drone made it easier to control — in fact, they said it could even be flown indoors. It can also hover, do 360º flips and flash its LED lights. Ages 14+
Related: Best Drones for Kids
DoDoeleph - 23/62
Gravity Maze
Think Fun
amazon.com
$29.99
Part-marble run, part-board game, Gravity Maze gives kids different tower setups, and they have to figure out how to get the marble to fall from one tower to the other. The 60 included challenges will really get their brains working. Ages 8+
ThinkFun - 24/62
Building Bath Pipes
Boon
amazon.com
$16.49
Toddlers ask for extra bath time when they have these pipes at their disposal. They suction cup to the side of tub, and then do surprising things when you pour water to them. Pieces spin, others divide one water stream into two or more and they can be combined to make chain reactions. Ages 1+
Boon - 25/62
Draw Your Own Comics
CreateSpace
amazon.com
$5.99
This notebook is full of blank comic pages, so he can imagine and draw his own superhero stories, just like the ones he loves reading or watching on screen. It comes with 100 pages divided into panels for him to fill in. Ages 3+
CreateSpace - 26/62
LEGO Chain Reactions
Klutz
amazon.com
$23.05
LEGO fans get even more STEM experience with this book. It shows 10 ways to build moving machines (elevator ramps, funnels, hammers and more) that can be combined in dozens of fun ways. Ages 8+
Klutz - 27/62
Bill Nye's VR Science Kit
Abacus Brands
amazon.com
$59.99
Little scientists don VR goggles for experiments in virtual and augmented reality, led by science fave Bill Nye. Each kit comes with step-by-step videos along with lab equipment like beakers and brushes. Ages 8+
Abacus Brands - 28/62
Choose Your Own Adventure Boxed Set
Chooseco
amazon.com
$23.39
Since everything you liked as a kid will eventually become cool again, check out these retro Choose Your Own Adventure stories. The boxed set comes with four volumes: The Abominable Snowman, Journey Under the Sea, Space and Beyond, and The Lost Jewels of Nabooti. Ages 7+
Chooseco - 29/62
Magical Felt Pens
OMY
kidochicago.com
$17.00
Take his art projects to the next level with these felt pens. Not only will he get 14 bright colors, he'll get two "magic" pens that either erase or change colors. No age recommendation given
OMY - 30/62
Pokémon Battle Academy
The Pokémon Company
amazon.com
$13.99
If your boys are curious about the Pokémon trading card game, this will help them learn: It gives them a simplified version of the rules, and even walks them through the first few rounds step-by-step so they can pick up on how the game is played. As they learn, they can move on to an advanced version with a fuller version of the rules. The game also comes with three full decks, so they can get started right away. Ages 6+
The Pokémon Company - 31/62
Good Housekeeping Amazing Science
Hearst Home Kids
amazon.com
$17.11
Follow along with easy, at-home experiments, led by the scientists from the Good Housekeeping Institute! This book goes room by room through the house explains scientific concepts behind household phenomena, like why flavor is more enhanced when you add salt, or why mirrors get foggy. Then, there are 83 hands-on experiments to try at home. Ages 7+
Hearst Home Kids - 32/62
LED Strip Lights
MINGER
amazon.com
$13.99
Let him deck out his room with a new light show. This comes with more than 16 feet of lights, which can change color, brightness and modes at the touch of a remote control.
MINGER - 34/62
Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket LED
Stomp Rocket
amazon.com
$26.99
Every kid loves jumping on a Stomp Rocket to make it soar, but the Ultra LED version comes with its own illumination, so you can make it light up the night sky. (Batteries are required.) The rockets fly to a height of up to 150 feet. Ages 6+
amazon.com - 35/62
Bluetooth Beanie
HANPURE
amazon.com
$18.98
Now he doesn't have to figure out the best way to wear both headphones and hat in tandem, since this cable-knit beanie comes wired with bluetooth earbuds. The hat also allows him to take calls, too.
HANPURE - 36/62
Table Tennis to Go
Franklin Sports
amazon.com
$34.99
Game time is all the time. This on-the-go table tennis kit, which comes with a retractable six foot net, two ping pong paddles, two ping pong balls and a mesh carry bag, is proof.
Amazon - 37/62
Boost Creative Toolbox
LEGO
walmart.com
$189.99
This STEM toy for kids combines coding, robots and creative arts in one product. This kit has everything he needs to build and program a robot, a cat. a guitar and other projects. Ages 7+
LEGO - 38/62
Sleuth & Solve: 20+ Mind-Twisting Mysteries
Chronicle Books
braveandkindbooks.com
$17.99
Your young detective must use deduction, inference and logical reasoning skills in order to solve the 20 mysteries contained in this book. If they like it, you can follow up with Sleuth and Solve: History, which offers more mysteries that span different eras. Ages 8+
Chronicle Books - 39/62
Monster Truck Downhill Race & Go Track Set
Hot Wheels
amazon.com
$48.99
The race is on! This track lets players send their cars on a downhill track, trying to avoid obstacles and be the first to land in the trophy cup. When one car hits the finish line, it triggers a mechanism that sends the others flying! Ages 4+
Hot Wheels - 40/62
GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope
Educational Insights
amazon.com
$33.99
Ecologically minded kids will love looking at these slides and hearing the voice of Bindi Irwin offer facts about biology and botany. There are 60 full-color slides, and you can use them in two modes of play (fact mode and quiz mode). Ages 3+
RELATED: The Best Educational Toys for Kids
Educational Insights - 41/62
Make and Colour Paper Planes
B Small Publishing
braveandkindbooks.com
$7.99
Paper planes never seem to lose their popularity. This book includes instructions for making eight classic models, along with scissors and crayons for decoration. Ages 5+
B Small Publishing - 42/62
MasterChef Family Cooking Game
Wilder Games
amazon.com
$19.99
Yes, players really prepare food in this game! (And Good Housekeeping testers say kids really ate what they made, too.) Along the way, teams have to compete in skill challenges, like doing a blindfolded taste-test of a mystery ingredient or prepping food one-handed. Ages 8+
Wilder Games - 43/62
Terra Kids Connectors
HABA
amazon.com
$24.99
This toy encourages kids to go on nature walks before they play, and make use of all the sticks, leaves and other natural materials they collect when they're outside. The kit comes with a hand drill and connector pieces, so kids can find all sorts of new ways to make animals and other figures from their stick collections. Ages 8+
amazon.com - 44/62
Harry Potter Coding Kit
Kano
amazon.com
$99.95
Whether he's into Harry Potter or coding (or both!) this gift shows the magic side of STEM. It lets kids program "spells" that make feathers fly, goblets multiply, fire roar, pumpkins grow and more at the flick of a wand. Ages 6+
RELATED: 40 Best Harry Potter Gift Ideas
Kano - 45/62
Kickboard Sprite
Micro
amazon.com
$104.99
Good Housekeeping Institute testers were pleased with the smoothness and the stability of this scooter's ride. Parents loved that it folds up small for easy storage. Ages 8+
RELATED: The Best Scooters for Kids
Micro - 46/62
Stories of The Three Coins
Peaceable Kingdom
amazon.com
$27.95
This cooperative family board game challenges players to tell a story together and hopefully guide the characters toward a happy ending. Good Housekeeping testers noted that it was a good one for kids of different ages to play together. Ages 5+
RELATED: The Best Family Board Games
Peaceable Kingdom - 47/62
How to Code: A Step-By-Step Guide to Computer Coding
Sterling Children's Books
amazon.com
$10.89
Gift him this book and your future coder will have a website built by the time he gets to the last page. It covers everything from beginner concepts like loops and variables, to more advanced tasks like how to use Logo, build games in Scratch or program projects in Python. Ages 6+
Sterling Children's Books - 48/62
T-Rex 3-D Puzzle
Studio Roof
kidochicago.com
$12.00
If Jurassic World Dominion has him fired up about dinosaurs again, he'll love putting together this 3D dino puzzle. It's made from recycled cardboard and printed with vegetable dye, and, when it's done, it'll make a great addition to his shelf. You can also get a diplodocus and triceratops to go with it. Ages 4+
Studio Roof - 49/62
Buzz Lightyear Figure
Mattel
amazon.com
$19.29
If your kids are anything like Andy, they'll want a Buzz Lightyear figure after seeing Lightyear. This one takes on the galaxy with a shoulder-balanced MR-800M rocket launcher, a laser blade, a handheld blaster and an arm-strapped laser. Ages 4+
Mattel - 50/62
Super Mario Adventures Starter Course
LEGO
amazon.com
$47.49
Nintendo comes into the real world with this set, which lets kids build out different Super Mario Brothers levels in LEGO. Then, kids can play with a Mario figure — which has LCD screens in his eyes, mouth and belly to react in real-time — who can go through a course and collect digital coins and avoid enemies. Ages 6+
LEGO - 51/62
Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet
Amazon
amazon.com
$119.99
This kids'-edition tablet comes with a year of Amazon Kids+, which offers access to more than 20,000 family-friendly apps, games, books and videos. Parents can also create screen-time limits, set educational goals and filter content from an adult dashboard. Ages 3+
RELATED: The Best Tablets for Kids
Amazon - 52/62
DC Super Friends Transforming Batmobile
Imaginext
walmart.com
$51.59
Another previous Good Housekeeping Toy Award Winner, this remote-controlled vehicle is easy to control when it's driving, then stop for a "battle mode" where kids can get it to shoot plastic discs. Any superhero friend would approve. Ages 3+
Fisher-Price - 53/62
Soccer Goal
Franklin Sports
amazon.com
$21.24
Ready to raise a soccer star? Get him started early with this indoor/outdoor soccer goal, which also comes with a ball and pump, and work on that gross motor coordination. Ages 3 months+
Franklin Sports - 54/62
Rabbit Moneybox
Janod
kidochicago.com
$20.00
Teach him the basics of saving and spending with this bank, which has a see-through face so he can track his progress. It has a magnetic back that makes it easy to get the money out again. Ages 3+
Janod - 55/62
Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Begins
Hasbro
walmart.com
$26.59
If Stranger Things 4 has your kids looking to get into Dungeons & Dragons, the Adventure Begins game offers a shorter, faster gameplay. But the cooperative game still offers all the fantasy adventures that veterans love. Ages 10+
Hasbro - 56/62
Color Chemistry Set
Crayola
walmart.com
$36.72
Little scientists can do 16 fun science experiments right out of the box when they get this kit. Then, there are instructions for 50 total science activities you can do with the kit plus a few household items. Ages 7+
Crayola - 57/62
SNAP SHIPS Forge Maul FT-12 Assault Mech
SNAP SHIPS
amazon.com
$13.00
Good Housekeeping testers love Snap Ships because each set comes with pieces that can make a few different builds. This one has features like rotating shoulder cannons, claws and joints that can be combined in all sorts of creative ways. Ages 8+
Snap Ships - 58/62
Robo Alive Roaring Ice Dragon
Zuru
walmart.com
$44.70
This icy blue dragon charmed enough to receive one of 2019's Good Housekeeping Toy Awards. In Lab tests, kids kept wanting to play with this one, going back again and again to watch the blue LED light up in its mouth as it roars. Ages 5+
Zuru - 59/62
Splash Park Puzzle
Upbounders
amazon.com
$16.00
Feel the hot sun on your face as you put together this summery scene as a family. At 15" x 20" this jumbo floor puzzle is large enough to keep kids entertained, but tough enough to be manhandled by preschoolers. Ages 4+
Upbounders - 60/62
Botley the Coding Robot Activity Set
Learning Resources
walmart.com
$57.91
Botley gives kids an intro into coding, without any screens or apps required. Kids can program 120 steps for the cute, cubed robot to follow, advancing up to loops or if/then commands. Ages 5+
Learning Resources - 61/62
Galaxy Explorer Play Set Mystery Adventure
Ryan's World
walmart.com
$29.97
If he's a fan of pint-size YouTube star Ryan Kaji, he'll be itching to get his hands on the newest Walmart-exclusive Ryan's World adventure set. It comes with four mystery figures, a star fighter vehicle and other fun surprises. Ages 3+
Ryan's World - 62/62
Shop more toys and gifts for kids
Looking for more great gifts for kids? Let the experts do all the hard work for you! The Good Housekeeping Institute's Parenting Lab has expert-tested, kid-approved picks for the best toys and gifts for kids of every age, including:
- Best Gifts for 1-Year-Olds
- Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds
- Best Gifts for Toddlers
- Best Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers
- Best Gifts for 3-Year-Old Boys
- Best Gifts for 3-Year-Old Girls
- Best Gifts for 4-Year-Old Boys
- Best Gifts for 4-Year-Old Girls
- Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Boys
- Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Girls
- Best Gifts for 6-Year-Old Boys
- Best Gifts for 6-Year-Old Girls
- Best Gifts for 7-Year-Old Boys
- Best Gifts for 7-Year-Old Girls
- Best Gifts for 8-Year-Old Boys
- Best Gifts for 8-Year-Old Girls
- Best Gifts for 9-Year-Old Boys
- Best Gifts for 9-Year-Old Girls
- Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Boys
- Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Girls
- Best Gifts for 11-Year-Old Boys
- Best Gifts for 11-Year-Old Girls
- Best Gifts for Tween Girls
- Best Gifts for 12-Year-Olds
- Best Gifts for 13-Year-Old Boys
- Best Gifts for 13-Year-Old Girls
- Best Gifts for 14-Year-Olds
- Best Gifts for Teen Girls
- Best Gifts for Teen Boys
- Best Stocking Stuffers for Teens
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