The Ultimate Toy Guide For Boys of All Ages

It's never easy to shop for children, especially when it comes to toys, no matter what age they are. What works for one child may not work for another and trying to find that ideal toy can be hard. You never know which one will be the best one for your kid, and which one will be better than another.

It's also important to remember that every child is different and they all have different learning styles, toy preferences, unique personalities, and when it comes to education, boys and girls learn differently, which may also be reflected in their toy choices.

In general, boys tend to be more movement-driven and prefer kinesthetic learning. As a result of their different learning styles, their toys and toy preferences may also differ. If you're the parent of a boy, and to help you in your toy selections, we present the ultimate toy guide for boys of all ages as well as information on their development at each stage. 

Best Toys for 1-Year-Old Boys 

One-year-olds come with a ton of developmental milestones. At this age, they are preparing to, or already starting to, walk around the house. They also may be speaking certain words and recognizing objects around their home. During this time, your baby boy will be increasing his communication and language skills, as well as his reasoning and thinking.

So, you will want toys that assist in teaching fine or gross motor and vocabulary skills. Some great toys for your one-year-old boy are LeapFrog Learning, animal jigsaw puzzles, and moveable construction toys. Here are 9 of the best toys for 1-year-old boys. 

Best Toys for 2-Year-Old Boys 

Two-year-old boys are increasing their skills and their energy levels. They are gaining new independence, enjoy being around other children, and can follow simple instructions. Two-year-old boys are very active and are beginning to enhance their fine motor skills through exploration and movement.

For this age group, you want to purchase toys that allow them to strengthen their cognitive and motor skills. Some great examples of toys for boys this age are interactive tables and building blocks. Here are 8 of the best toys for 2-year-old boys.  

Best Toys for 3-Year-Old Boys 

Three-year-olds are more easily navigating their surroundings, drawing shapes, saying a handful of words, and developing increased movement milestones like the ability to kick balls. With all of the progress that happens at this age, it is important to be more involved in their development at this time.

Also, you want to find toys that feel rewarding and further sharpen the skills that they are developing. Things such as train sets, mini kitchens, or doctors' offices are great toys that can be used independently by your child or with you and your support. Here are 6 of the best toys for 3-year-old boys. 

Best Toys for 4-Year-Old Boys 

At four years old, your child’s curiosity about the world is growing. They are beginning to express their likes and dislikes and are interested in imaginative play. Also, your child will do much better with cooperative play at this developmental stage. Great games for this age range are interactive games or activities. Here are the 4 best toys for 4-year-old boys. 

Best Toys for 5-Year-Old Boys

Reaching the age of five is a huge milestone, not only because your child enters Kindergarten but because of all of the new skills that come with this developmental year. At this point, your child is speaking clearly, showing increasing independence, seeking to please their peers, and seeking new experiences. With all of those changes, it can be overwhelming to select a toy for them.

The best toys for this age group are interactive and imaginative, things that will encourage their sense of play. Here are 10 best toys for 5-year-old boys. 

Best Toys for 6-Year-Old Boys 

At six years old, your child will be entering first grade. At this age, your child will have a deeper understanding of STEM and crave more intellectual stimulation. Additionally, they will crave fun and excitement. Educational games or toys that involve simple engineering are great options for boys at this age. Here are the 15 best toys for 6-year-old boys. 

Best Toys for 7-Year-Old Boys 

By seven years old, your child is beginning to enter middle childhood. They can express their ideas more clearly, have more mature conversations, and think more complexly. They are beginning to understand time, are better at articulating their feelings, and are more competent in physical skills. Toys for this age should be able to handle rough play and should encourage the growth of intellectual skills. Here are the 11 best toys for 7-year-old boys. 

Best Toys for 8-Year-Old Boys 

At eight years old, your child is growing, and so is their intellectual capability. You want to look for toys that create opportunities for mental growth or that provide an outlet for their newfound energy. At eight years old, your child will also be more creative and have specific interests.

Besides finding toys that fit your particular child’s interests, you want to also look at toys that allow them to be creative and build confidence. Great examples of toys for eight-year-olds are legos, memory games, and an electronic drum set. Here are the 7 best toys for 8-year-old boys. 

Best Toys for 9-Year-Old Boys 

At nine years old, your child will be well immersed in their interests and social groups. While they may still engage in imaginative play, they are becoming more emotionally and cognitively advanced. They will speak more like an adult and have better literacy skills. They will also have an increased attention span and better spatial intelligence.

Additionally, they are stronger and more coordinated, making sports and outdoor activities easier. Boys tend to be a little rougher with their toys than girls, so you may want to select more durable toys. However, each child is different, and you should select your toys based on your child’s interests. Here are the 4 best toys for 9-year-old boys. 

Best Toys for 10-Year-Old Boys 

At ten years old your son should be able to use his fine motor skills to engage in activities of his interest. Those activities could include painting, skateboarding, or sports of his choice. Additionally, he will be developing stronger relationships with his friends and maybe becoming more competitive. He should also be showing more responsibility.

While your child is growing older, their love of toys will not diminish. It is important to provide them with toys that correlate with their interests and allow them to showcase their skills. Some great toy options for ten-year-old boys are robot toys, logic puzzles, or remote control cars. Here are the 10 best toys for 10-year-old boys.

Best Toys for 11-Year-Old Boys 

As your child reaches 11 years old, it can become increasingly difficult to shop for them. They are now starting to become their own person with their own unique personality and interests. With those ever-changing interests, honing in on the best toy can be hard. At 11 years old, you are beginning to enter the “tween” years with your child.

They now understand that thoughts are private, and they are experiencing growth spurts. Also, they begin to exhibit better decision-making skills and dedicate more time to their hobbies. At this stage in your child’s development, it is important to gear toys towards their particular interests.

However, there are some generic toys that most 11-year-old boys would love. Some of those toys include a Nintendo Switch and a bike. Here are the 6 best toys for 11-year-old boys.

Best Toys for 12-Year-Old Boys 

While playing may look different at your pre-teen stage of life, it is still important to encourage creativity and imagination. 12-year-old boys will become better at problem-solving, they will be able to think abstractly, and they will begin to play sports effectively.

Purchasing toys that align with their interests and encourage them to strengthen their skills can be a great way for you to bond with them. Some ideas for great toys for 12-year-old boys include mini drones, power robots, and a science kit. Here are the 10 best toys for 12-year-old boys.

Final Thoughts

While gift-giving can seem overwhelming, it can be made so much simpler when you understand your child’s interests and current developmental state. Begin by looking at the age of your child and the skills they should be developing at that stage.

Next, consider your child’s particular interests and try to gear the toys towards them. We hope this guide helps inspire you if you are stumped and helps you feel better prepared when staring face to face with the countless toys on the market today. Happy toy shopping! 

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