At 9, a boy wants toys for observing and toys for collecting: binoculars that really magnify, a Rubik's Cube, a 1/43 model car to join the others, a BrainBox on animals or the world, a skill game for the garden. The gifts that work carry a challenge, are mastered through practice, and find a place in a collection.

What a 9-year-old loves

This is the age of passions: horses, cars, planets, dinosaurs, he picks a subject and wants to know everything about it. He collects, sorts, compares, and holds an expert conversation with adults. Knowledge and skill games motivate him because he can beat his parents at them. He practises alone to master a move, Rubik's Cube or skill game, and he loves objects that feel real: binoculars, models, faithful figurines. Soft toys stay, with a name.

Our gift ideas

To observe and understand

The Expert binoculars are real binoculars for nature, Human Body is assembled organ by organ, and Natural Phenomena makes volcanoes and tornadoes. See our arts and crafts.

To compete

The Rubik's Cube Phantom changes colour with the warmth of the fingers, the BrainBox Animals and the BrainBox Around the World test memory in ten seconds, and the Star Wars Scrabble plays with the words of the saga. All our board games.

For outdoors

Tossit is a skill game played indoors or out, throwing cones at targets. See our outdoor toys.

To collect

The 1966 Ford GT40, the gendarmerie Bugatti Chiron and the Facel Vega III carry on the 1/43 and 1/87 collection. The Schleich Lusitano stallion, Mustang stallion and the Horse Club Mia and Spotty set are true to real horses. See our cars, boats and planes and our figurines.

To build and read

The Mi House Rosie kit is a miniature house model built over several evenings, the 3D Hedwig trophy is built from cardboard, and The Shooting Star in English gets Tintin read in the language of school. Our books.

To cuddle

Mulshi, the Fawn fluffy rabbit and the Steiff Batman bear prove that at 9 a soft toy still lives on the bed. All our soft toys.

What budget?

Under 20 euros: the 1/43 model cars, the Schleich figurines, the diary, the Tintin album in English or the knight's dagger. Between 20 and 50 euros: the BrainBoxes, the Rubik's Cube, the binoculars, Human Body, Natural Phenomena, Tossit, the Mi House kit, Mulshi and the Fawn rabbit. Above 50 euros: the Star Wars Scrabble, the Batman bear, the birthday cake bag or the Snoopy trolley, for a gift that leaves a mark.

Frequently asked questions

Which binoculars for a 9-year-old?

Light binoculars, with 6 to 8 times magnification and a focus wheel he can handle alone. Beyond that, the image shakes and the child loses interest. The Expert binoculars are designed for this use.

Is a Rubik's Cube at 9 too hard?

No, this is the age for learning the method: one face in a week, the whole cube in a month with a tutorial. The Phantom adds a fun twist, the colours only appear with the warmth of the fingers.

Can the gift be wrapped?

Yes, gift wrapping is free: tick the box on the product page before adding to cart. Delivery to a pick-up point is free from 80 euros in mainland France, and you can collect your order in our shop at 211 boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris.

See also

• Gifts for a 9-year-old girl
• Gifts for an 8-year-old boy
• Gifts for a 10-year-old boy
• All toys for ages 8 to 12
• All our gift ideas by age

Advice from the team at L'Oiseau de Paradis, a toy shop in Paris since 1932.