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Gifts for a 9-year-old: ideas for Christmas 2026

Gifts for 9-year-olds: Switch games, hands-on science, big builds and games for the whole family.

By Sam · Updated 4 November 2026

Our picks

Our top pick
Researched
£45.48 at Amazon
as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
In stock
Runner-up
Researched
£36.99 at Amazon
as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
In stock
Also good
Researched
£37.99 at Amazon
as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
In stock

All 13 compared

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Our top pick
£45.48 at Amazon
as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Our verdict
Our verdictResearched

A reliable family game for a Switch owner.

Good
    Worth knowing

      Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if they have it already: it's very popular.

      £36.99 at Amazon
      as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
      Our verdict
      Our verdictResearched

      A good gift for a child or adult who likes relaxing games.

      Good
        Worth knowing

          Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if they want action: it's slow and gentle.

          £37.99 at Amazon
          as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
          Our verdict
          Our verdictResearched

          A gentle game for a child or family.

          Good
            Worth knowing

              Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if they want a challenge: it's easy.

              £35 at Amazon
              as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
              Our verdict
              Our verdictResearched

              A good gift for a Mario fan of any age.

              Good
                Worth knowing

                  Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if they want a challenge: it's gentle.

                  £16.99 at Amazon
                  as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
                  Our verdict
                  Our verdictResearched

                  A good gift for a child who loves dinosaurs.

                  Good
                    Worth knowing

                      Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you dislike mess: it makes dust.

                      £55.95 at Amazon
                      as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
                      Our verdict
                      Our verdictResearched

                      A good present for a child or adult who likes building.

                      Good
                        Worth knowing

                          Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if they need a very simple toy, as the setup takes patience.

                          £19.99 at Amazon
                          as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
                          Our verdict
                          Our verdictResearched

                          An easy first model for a child who loves planes and doesn't have the patience for glue.

                          Good
                            Worth knowing

                              Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if they want a detailed display model: this is a simple model that clips together.

                              £12.49 at Amazon
                              as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
                              Our verdict
                              Our verdictResearched

                              A good card game for a family.

                              Good
                                Worth knowing

                                  Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a short game: it takes a while.

                                  £12 at Amazon
                                  as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
                                  Our verdict
                                  Our verdictResearched

                                  A quick, simple card game for a family.

                                  Good
                                    Worth knowing

                                      Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a deep game: it's light, and luck plays a part.

                                      £17.99 at Amazon
                                      as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
                                      Our verdict
                                      Our verdictResearched

                                      A good gift for a child who loves Nerf.

                                      Good
                                        Worth knowing

                                          Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you dislike darts around the house: they scatter.

                                          £37.99 at Amazon
                                          as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
                                          Our verdict
                                          Our verdictResearched

                                          A good gift for a Mario fan.

                                          Good
                                            Worth knowing

                                              Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if they have it already: it's a well-known game.

                                              £13.32 at Amazon
                                              as of 4 Nov 2026, 23:24 GMT · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
                                              Our verdict
                                              Our verdictResearched

                                              A lively party game for a group.

                                              Good
                                                Worth knowing

                                                  Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you only have two players: it needs more.

                                                  Our verdict
                                                  Our verdictResearched

                                                  A good fidget or desk-toy present for a curious person.

                                                  Good
                                                    Worth knowing

                                                      Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if they want a puzzle with a single right answer.

                                                      ⓘ Some links are affiliate links: a purchase may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes our recommendations. Prices shown may have changed since they were checked.

                                                      Before you buy
                                                      Check the age rating on games, and the age on the box for kits with small parts.
                                                      How we choose

                                                      We unbox and build what we can at home, hand it to someone the age it's sold for, and check prices and stock at UK shops through the day. Every pick is labelled: Tested at home when we've had it in our hands (bought, or sent free by the brand, and the review says which), Researched when we haven't. Commissions never change a pick or its place on the list. Read our full methodology →

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