As we enter crunch time for holiday shopping, you may be wondering what to get for the pre-teens who are left on your list. These kids may be getting older, but there are still plenty of toys out there that they will love as they enter the double-digits! At this age, kids are ready for challenging board games, console-based video games, advanced STEM toys, and complex construction sets. Check out our picks for the best toys and games for kids ages 9 or kids ages 10 and up below.

DISNEY: THE HAUNTED MANSION — CALL OF THE SPIRITS GAME

Explore all the classic rooms of the ghost-infested manor in order to contact spirits. Players must beware of the Hitchhiking Ghosts, who are notorious for “following you home,” and try to avoid becoming too haunted. Explore all the classic rooms of the ghost-infested manor in order to contact spirits. Players must beware of the Hitchhiking…

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  • MSRP:
  • $24.99
  • Age:
  • 9+

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K’NEX ARCHITECTURE

Kids can discover their inner architect by snapping together rods and connectors to build designs including the Golden Gate Bridge, the Eiffel Tower, and the London Eye. Each set comes with historical information about the landmark and detailed easy-to-follow, step-by-step building instructions. Kids can discover their inner architect by snapping together rods and connectors to…

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  • MSRP:
  • $49.99-$59.99
  • Age:
  • 9+

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MARBLEOCITY MINI COASTER

Kids can build their own working roller coaster model made of real wood. The Mini Coaster takes approximately one to two hours to build, and measures 6 inches when finished. Tinkineer's Marbleocity introduces children to engineering principles and physics concepts with STEM model kits made of precision-cut wood. Each kit includes easy-to-follow assembly instructions in…

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  • MSRP:
  • $29.99
  • Age:
  • 9+

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SHADOW KITTY

In this card game follow up to Sparkle*Kitty, players must find their furry familiars and figure out which spell combinations will free them from their precarious position. The first player to regrow their tree totem tower wins the game. In this card game follow up to Sparkle*Kitty, players must find their furry familiars and figure…

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  • MSRP:
  • $20
  • Age:
  • 9+

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HUES AND CUES

With the help of one- and two-word hints, players try to guess a specific hue from the 480 vibrant colors on the gameboard. The closer players' guesses are to the hue, the more points they earn. With the help of one- and two-word hints, players try to guess a specific hue from the 480 vibrant…

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  • MSRP:
  • $24.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BREAK OPEN 10 GEODES KIT

Geology is downright exciting when kids are breaking open rocks and finding crystal treasures! Geodes can form with a variety of crystals inside and National Geographic has searched the globe to bring kids the best variety of geodes in this earth science kit. The included display stand is perfect for showcasing the crystals that kids…

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  • MSRP:
  • $24.99; $39.99 CAD
  • Age:
  • 8+

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PAPER MARIO: THE ORIGAMI KING

Players help Mario and his new partner Olivia battle evil Folded Soldiers, repair the damaged landscape, and try to free Princess Peach's castle from the clutches of King Olly in this new adventure for Nintendo Switch.

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  • MSRP:
  • $59.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

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STAR WARS THE MANDALORIAN THE CHILD BLUETOOTH SPEAKER

This Bluetooth speaker features the adorable character from The Mandalorian series and has powerful speaker volume and bass. It also has a rechargeable battery and is compatible with all Bluetooth devices. This Bluetooth speaker features the adorable character from The Mandalorian series and has powerful speaker volume and bass. It also has a rechargeable battery…

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  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

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STARLINK

In Starlink, 3-6 players can create their own constellations by connecting the stars together in the night sky. The drawing game encourages creativity as players attempt to represent secret words by drawing straight lines between stars in the night sky. In Starlink, 3-6 players can create their own constellations by connecting the stars together in…

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  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

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THE #UPSIDEDOWNCHALLENGE GAME

Compete in challenges while wearing glasses that flip your vision upside down. Simple tasks such as writing your name and giving a high five become difficult. Share new challenges with #UpsideDownChallenge on social media. Compete in challenges while wearing glasses that flip your vision upside down. Simple tasks such as writing your name and giving…

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  • MSRP:
  • $19.99; $29.99 CAD
  • Age:
  • 8+

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BACK TO THE FUTURE DELOREAN TIME MACHINE PLAYSET

The Playmobil Back to the Future DeLorean Time Machine is a 64-piece set that represents the iconic time-traveling ride as it appeared through much of the original film. After a bit of assembly that might require a bit of grownup assistance — particularly with placement of a few important decals — kids will be ready…

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  • MSRP:
  • $49.99
  • Age:
  • 6+

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BREAK-IN ALCATRAZ

In this collaborative gaming experience, players must work together to follow a series of clues and solve puzzles to unfold multiple layers of the game and move deeper into the facility to find a hidden ship. In this collaborative gaming experience, players must work together to follow a series of clues and solve puzzles to…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 10+

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EXIT GAMES

EXIT: The Game is a series of party games for up to four players that offer a unique, unforgettable gaming experience. These games allow you to bring the excitement, intensity, and team spirit of an escape room to your living room. You must solve a series of riddles and puzzles in order to unlock doors…

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  • MSRP:
  • $14.95
  • Age:
  • 10+

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FUNKOVERSE: KOOL-AID MAN

Players can combine this expansion pack with any of the other Funkoverse strategy games in which players go head-to-head as their favorite characters. The Kool-Aid Man's skills include bursting through walls and attacking adjacent rivals with splash-zone abilities. Players can combine this expansion pack with any of the other Funkoverse strategy games in which players…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $14.99
  • Age:
  • 10+

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KODAK PUZZLES

Kids can discover beautiful scenery with Kodak Puzzles. With the 1000 Piece Puzzle, kids can experience the rich, true colors. The jigsaw puzzle is made with European blue puzzle board and cut into uniquely shaped pieces for added fun and enjoyment. The 500 Piece Illuminated Jigsaw Puzzle lights up with 20 LEDs.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.95; $9.97-14.97 CAD
  • Age:
  • 10+

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SMITHSONIAN JELLYFISH TANK

Kids can watch a bloom of “jellyfish” that “swim” in this colorful, LED-lit tank. The tank includes three jellyfish figures and a full color poster. Kids can watch a bloom of “jellyfish” that “swim” in this colorful, LED-lit tank. The tank includes three jellyfish figures and a full color poster.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $24.99
  • Age:
  • 10+

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ICONS – WOMEN WHO PLAY TO WIN

Team up with some of the most inspirational and revolutionary female heroes of all time in this card game! Collect icons along with their associated categories of leadership, human rights, science & innovation, the arts, and adventure to build your team. Be strategic and use special action cards to hinder your opponents and strengthen your…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

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JIMU ROBOT MYTHICAL SERIES: FIREBOT KIT

Build and code a robotic dragon with the help of the step-by-step, 3D directions found in the free JIMU app. The kit includes everything needed to create the fantasy-inspired robot, which utilizes the Blockly coding platform. Build and code a robotic dragon with the help of the step-by-step, 3D directions found in the free JIMU…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $99.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

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MARIO KART LIVE: HOME CIRCUIT

With the help of a driveable Kart and the Nintendo Switch, create courses in your home and race against the AI on your screen. It's available in two styles: Mario and Luigi, sold separately. With the help of a driveable Kart and the Nintendo Switch, create courses in your home and race against the AI…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $99.99; $129.99 CAD
  • Age:
  • 8+

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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC HOBBY TUMBLER

Create incredible, polished rocks, gemstones, and minerals with the National Geographic Hobby Rock Tumbler! This expansive set contains a heavy-duty tumbling machine and rubber tumbler barrel. A programmable timer ensures you get the perfect tumble time. You also get one pound of rough rocks to tumble, 5 jewelry settings, tumbling grit, and a detailed learning…

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  • MSRP:
  • $99.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

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NERF ULTRA THREE

This blaster features pump-action blasting and an eight-dart internal clip that sends darts flying up to 120 feet. Pump the priming handle and then blast eight darts in a row before it's time to reload.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

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POLAROID ORIGINALS ONESTEP 2 VF — STRANGER THINGS EDITION

Take selfies the old-school way with this limited-edition, instant-film camera. The camera features a built-in flash and a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 60 days per charge. It pairs well with the special edition Stranger Things film (sold separately). Take selfies the old-school way with this limited-edition, instant-film camera. The camera features a built-in…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $109.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

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About the author

Madeleine Buckley

Madeleine Buckley

Madeleine Buckley was a Senior Editor at The Pop Insider, The Toy Insider, and The Toy Book. She covered all things toys and fandom, and has appeared on Cheddar and a variety of regional news networks to talk about the latest trends in both. She is a movie score enthusiast, mediocre knitter, proud Syracuse alumna, and Marvel lover. You can usually find her at the movies or hanging out at home with her super-pup, Parker.

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