Yahoo Finance This At-Home Ninja Obstacle Course Is a Fail-Proof Gift for Kids
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This At-Home Ninja Obstacle Course Is a Fail-Proof Gift for Kids
By the time they're 10 years old, boys have fully entered into tween territory. That means they're ready to leave all the "kid stuff" behind. When the holidays or birthdays roll around and it comes time to buy gifts for kids this age, they want building sets that are more complex, STEM kits that explore more sophisticated concepts and art supplies that are more creative. But buying gifts for tweens is not the same as buying gifts for teens, and the fun factor is still very, very important.
It's hard to find gifts that thread that particular needle, but the Good Housekeeping Institute has figured out what 10-year-old boys like. It evaluates hundreds of toys and gifts each year, keeping track of trends, then evaluating the cream of the crop for safety and quality every year. Then, and most importantly, it hands the toys over to real 10-year-olds, who offer their own feedback on the fun factor. That means we have the best insight on the best toys to gift for all ages (and we put our favorites in the Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards). This year, these are the best toys and gifts for 10-year-old boys in 2022.
In 2022, STEM sets still rule the day. Whether it's putting together electronic circuits, building robots ore trying at-home science experiments, science-themed toys rated highest. Similarly, construction toys also scored high marks, including the ever-popular LEGO, which is a hit with kids all ages. And then, when it comes to those just-a-little-something gifts, fidget toys are still pretty popular for every 10-year-old boy on your list.
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1) Shape Shifting Box
Shashibo
amazon.com
$25.00
This is what you get when you mix a brain puzzle and a fidget toy. The brightly-colored cube unfolds to reveal new shapes, colors and patterns, and then it becomes a challenge trying to get it back into its cube shape. It'll leave everyone mesmerized. Ages 8+
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2) Washed Ashore: Making Art from Ocean Plastic
Millbrook Press
amazon.com
$16.99
Kids who are fascinated with the ocean will enjoy the 14 sculptures of sea creatures included in this book — and they'll be wowed when they realize that all of the sculptures are made from reclaimed ocean plastic, so they'll have a little lesson in sustainability. Each page also challenges readers to find items hidden in the sculpture, like lib balm or hangers. Ages 8 – 10
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3) Dino Dig VR
Abacus Brands
amazon.com
$34.99
If this year's Jurassic World Dominion has them excited about dinosaurs all over again, this science set lets them explore the world of dinos IRL and in virtual reality. First, it comes with a fossil they can use tools to dig out. Then, they can don the VR goggles and see what it was really like when the creatures roamed the Earth. Ages 8+
Abacus Brands - 5/41
4) Burst QuadDrive Interstellar Drop Battle Set
Beyblade
amazon.com
$66.00
Beyblade fans will thrill to battling on two different levels: an upper level, and one that can be accessed after they fall into the Warp Hole. It also comes with a lot of accessories: two tops, two right/left-spin launchers and two armor tips. Ages 8+
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5) Comic Book Making Kit
Lulu Jr.
amazon.com
$29.99
If he dreams of becoming his own comics creator, he'll be so excited to see his artwork turned into a bound book! The kit comes with a blank book, markers and a booklet with helpful tips about how to set up comic. Then, you put it in a pre-paid envelope and send it in to get bound, complete with an about-the-author page. Ages 8+
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6) Elenco Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100
Elenco
amazon.com
$19.59
With just a few snaps, they'll be making their own electronics projects — no soldering necessary! The kit comes with enough components and pieces to make 100 projects, including an adjustable-volume siren or a photo sensor. It's a perfect gift for budding electrical engineers. Ages 8+
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7) Start+ Essentials 3D Pen Set
3Doodler
$49.99
If they're interested in getting into the world of 3D printing — or if they just want a new way to explore their art — this kit comes with everything they need to make their own 3D creations. They can follow along with the included instructions for guided builds, or they can make their own designs. Bonus: The pen doesn't get too hot, so you don't have to worry about burning fingers. Ages 6+
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8) Scoot Hand-Operated Drone
Force1
amazon.com
$25.99
He won't have to master any complicated remotes to use this drone — instead, it's entirely operated by hand. He just ahas to toss it in the air and it'll hover around his hands. And, with a little practice, he can master flips. It also has LEDs to look cool at night. Ages 8+
RELATED: The Best Drones for Kids
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9) Newton's Laws Construction Kit
Engino
amazon.com
$26.99
While your child builds catapults, gravity fans, moving cabins and collision cars, he'll be learning about the fundamental properties of potential and kinetic energy. The included manual also comes with a quiz section, which could help make studying for school tests more enjoyable. Ages 8+
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10) DoodleJamz JellyPics - Sensory Drawing Pads Filled with Non-Toxic Squishy Beads and Gel – Includes Stylus, Removable 2-Sided Emoji Backer Card (Pink, Purple, Green Beads)
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11) Robotics Smart Machines
Thames & Kosmos
amazon.com
$129.00
This smart machine kit introduces your 10-year-old to the world of robotics, giving him the chance to program robots he built himself. He just needs a tablet to use the app, which connects to the robot via Bluetooth. Ages 8+
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12) Moon Lamp
LOGROTATE
amazon.com
$20.99
If he's looking for a room upgrade, this moon lamp might be just what he needs. It's 3D printed to look like the lunar surface, and it lights up in 16 colors. It comes in four sizes, and it has a timer mode to shut off automatically. No age recommendation given
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13) Ninjaline 36' Intro Kit
Slackers
amazon.com
$84.95
With 10 obstacles included, this kit makes sure he has everything he needs to become the ultimate ninja. He can swing from one ring to the next and build both upper body strength and imagination. This intro set works for many fitness levels — from beginner, intermediate and advanced training. All obstacles include steel hanging safety clips that hang between two sturdy posts. Parents, make sure to follow the included instructions for proper safety installation! Ages 5+
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14) Zero Gravity Laser Race Car
Air Hogs
amazon.com
$31.99
Remote-controlled cars are already a blast, but this race car is controlled by a laser, making for double the fun. Just point the laser on the floor, the wall or even the ceiling, and the car will storm after it. It also comes in blue. Ages 8+
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15) Drop It
Thames & Kosmos
amazon.com
$34.95
The goal of the game is to build the highest stacks and earn the most points while avoiding having any matching shapes touch, so there's lots of strategizing to be done. The player with the highest points at the end wins. Ages 8+
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16) DIY Squishies
WATINC
amazon.com
$15.99
The squishies craze is still going strong, and this gives kids something to do with them beyond just collecting them. The set comes with 10 blank squishies, and kids can color them in and make them their own. Ages 3+
WATINC - 18/41
17) Laser Tag Set
ArmoGear
amazon.com
$129.99
No need to go to a laser tag arena when you can get this set of laser tag set with enough gear for four people to play. You can duck through backyards, neighborhoods or even around the house for epic battles. The guns have a 150-foot shooting range, and vibrations make it really clear when you've been hit. Ages 8+
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18) Gravitrax Marble Run
Ravensburger
amazon.com
$55.99
When designing his own marble runs, he'll learn physics concepts by experimenting with gravity and magnetism. The kit offers an assortment of tiles, levels and features that all do neat tricks so he'll have endless possibilities to work with. If he takes to it, you can move on to bigger sets and other expansion packs for higher, faster and more complicated action. Ages 8+
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19) Hacker Cybersecurity Game
Think Fun
amazon.com
$29.99
Inspired by today's world of cyber crime, your 10-year-old boy takes on the role of a coder, hacker and security engineer in a set of 120 challenges in this game. The goal is to help kids learn how hackers work so they can learn how to better secure their information from future attacks. Ages 10+
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20) Digimon X
DIGIMON
amazon.com
$14.97
Kids can hatch, raise, feed and train their digital monster and prep for the ultimate Digimon showdown. These devices connect to others, so he and his friends can challenge one another. This latest launch of the Digimon offers a slew of new features like the Random Attack Generator, New Quest mode, Digimon facial expressions and much more. Ages 8+
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21) Splatoon 3
NIntendo
walmart.com
$57.88
Families love gathering around the Nintendo Switch and just absolutely covering everything in colored ink. The game, which was released in September, has different modes of play, including Story Mode, which takes a character through various levels and missions, and Turf War, where people play against one another online. Parents appreciated that even though this is a shooting game, it's more about covering the environment in your color, which makes it less violent and more bloodless than other shooting games. Ages 8+
RELATED: 20 Best Video Games to Play in 2022
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22) MasterChef Family Cooking Game
Wilder Games
amazon.com
$19.99
Yes, players really cook when they compete in this game. (And Good Housekeeping Institute testers said the kids actually tried their creations, too.) The game gives teams challenges like trying to identify a mystery ingredient while blindfolded, and if they nail it, they get points. The team with the most points at the end wins! Ages 7+
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23) Spin Chromebook
Acer
amazon.com
$159.90
This flexible Chromebook comes with built-in virus protection for safety and all the basic Google apps he needs to get started. The best part? This tablet is safe in the hands of your 10-year-old because it can withstand drops and resist water. No ages specified
RELATED: 8 Best Tablets for Kids, According to Parents and Tech Experts
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24) Model Building Set
K'NEX
amazon.com
$38.11
What makes this building kit stand out is that his creations can actually move thanks to included wheels, rotors, wings and tracks. This set develops hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, imagination and spatial awareness while still being fun. Ages 7+
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25) Just Between Us: Mother & Son: A No-Stress, No-Rules Journal (Mom and Son Journal, Kid Journal for Boys, Parent Child Bonding Activity)
amazon.com - 27/41
26) Super Mario Team-Up Bundle
LEGO
lego.com
$119.98
Testers love the exciting interactive elements of this Super Mario LEGO set. Featuring the Mario interactive LEGO set and the Luigi interactive LEGO set, kids can team up via Bluetooth to complete real-life exciting challenges and collect coins collaboratively. The figures have LED screens in their eyes and bellies that respond to the bricks kids put them on. Ages 10+
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27) Bedside Lamp With Bluetooth Speaker
MRCOOL
amazon.com
$57.99
Whether he needs a reading lamp, a night light or a speaker to help him play his tunes, this bedside unit can do it all. The light works on four levels of brightness, and can also make a range of colors. Then, the speaker connects to his music with Bluetooth (or even plays FM radio). No age recommendation given
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28) Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Begins
Hasbro
walmart.com
$26.86
Ease him into the world of D&D with this starter game, which is designed for a quicker entry and faster gameplay than a traditional Dungeons and Dragons game. Players work together to defeat a fantasy threat like Felbris (Beholder), Orn (Fire Giant), Deathsleep (Green Dragon) or The Kraken. Ages 10+
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29) Bill Nye's VR Science Kit
Abacus Brands
amazon.com
$59.99
This STEM set takes the old chemistry kit to the next level with augmented reality capabilities. Kids watch step-by-step instructions and scientific videos with VR goggles, then do the experiments themselves. There are enough ideas in the set for 25 projects. Ages 8+
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30) Webb's First Deep Field Custom T-Shirt
Svaha
svahausa.com
$34.99
All things galactic and celestial are cool, so this t-shirt will fit right in among the fashions in his class. But the pattern is cooler than it even seems at first: It's made from some of the first full-color images released from the James Webb telescope, showing a part of space that has never looked clearer to the human eye.
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31) Technic McLaren Senna GTR
LEGO
amazon.com
$71.97
For those little speed racers in your life, this 830-piece LEGO model of a McLaren Senna GTR will have them racing around the room with joy. Featuring iconic dihedral doors and a V8 motor, this model is so realistic you might even believe it will start up and drive away. Ages 10+
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32) Food Network Magazine: The Big, Fun Kids Baking Book
Hearst Home Books
amazon.com
$19.99
Packed with over 100 simple recipes and inviting photos of foods kids love to eat, this kids baking book is "the perfect way to entice budding young chefs into the kitchen," says one reviewer. Some recipes even follow a choose-your-own-adventure method, the book includes other activities like fun food trivia, tips and crafts. Ages 7+
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33) Sleuth & Solve: History
Chronicle Books
braveandkindbooks.com
$18.99
He'll need to sharpen his critical thinking skills to solve the 20 mysteries included in this book. The events take place in different eras, so maybe he'll absorb some historical knowledge, too, but there's also a non-historical version he can do next. Ages 8+
Chronicle Books - 35/41
34) Razor A5 Lux Kick Scooter
Razor
amazon.com
$99.99
Scoot around the neighborhood on this super smooth ride. Its adjustable handlebar means your little one can find a comfortable grip without wearing out his ride too quickly. Plus, the rear brake makes for an easy transition into a stop. Ages 8+
Razor - 36/41
35) iD Race Portal
Hot Wheels
amazon.com
$30.56
Once he scans his Hot Wheels id car into the app, he'll have access to virtual games, tracks and cars to race. And when he's not playing mini-games on the app, he can attach the physical race portal to another Hot Wheels track he owns (sold separately) for extended play. Ages 8+
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36) Create Your Own Secret Langage
Odd Dot
braveandkindbooks.com
$12.99
If he's into making codes, breaking codes and generally trying to keep secrets, this book will lead him through how to make codes, cyphers and even, eventually, entirely new languages. It's written by David J. Peterson, a language consultant for things like Game of Thrones and Doctor Strange. Ages 10+
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37) Star Wars Droid Commander
LEGO
walmart.com
$289.99
Once he learns to build and code his droid with the included app, he can start going on missions, tackling obstacles and building his own tools. Each droid has its own personality and set of skills for a unique play experience. Ages 8+
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38) Inspiration Art Case
Crayola
walmart.com
$30.86
Keep all his art supplies in one, easy-to-transport case. This art set comes with 140 pieces, including crayons, colored pencils, markers and paper. All he needs to bring is his creative ideas! Ages 5+
Crayola - 40/41
39) Word-A-Round Board Game
Think Fun
amazon.com
$11.68
This board game positions words in a way that's tricky to read, so players compete to see who can figure out where each word starts and ends first. (It's actually more challenging than you'd think.) The game is great for building language development and improving concentration. Ages: 10+
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40) ICECREAM Billionaire Boys Club Clothing Men Hats Jade Knit Caps
amazon.com
