You don't have to empty your savings account to make the holidays special. For $25 and under, you can score some of the coolest gifts for 9-year-olds [1] (including some very exciting new toys of 2018 [2]!) this holiday season. From board games to toys, there's a gift on this list for every 9-year-old in your life.
Check out some of our favourite picks of the year [3] ahead.
Project Mc2 Lava Experiment
A STEAM toy with a '90s vibe, the Project Mc2 Lava Experiment [4] ($10) has everything your kid needs to create their own bedside lava lamp.
Escape Room in a Box
A twist on the in-person room escape challenges, Escape Room in a Box: The Werewolf Experiment [5] ($22) is a strategy game for teens that involves solving puzzles and finding codes to escape the room.
PooPeez Toilet Launcher Playset
If collecting PooPeez's line of collectible figurines isn't enough for you, try its new Toilet Launcher playset [6] ($7). The goal of the game is to fling the poop into the toilet bowl using the toilet seat launchers.
Pimple Pete
Spin Master collaborated with Dr. Pimple Popper to create Pimple Pete [7] ($20), a two-player Russian-roulette style game with water-filled "pimples."
Connect 4 Shots
This Connect 4 Shots [8] ($20) is the classic game with a twist — you have to bounce balls into the slots!
Basic Fun Arcade Classics Ms. Pac Man
Basic Fun is expanding its line of Arcade Classics to include the always popular Ms. Pac Man [9] ($18). The mini version of the classic game is just as fun as the one Mom played with at the bowling alley as a kid.
Don't Step in It!
Engage in some blindfolded, poop-dodging fun with your kids by grabbing Don't Step in It! [10] ($14, originally $20) to add to your family game night stash.
Twisty Petz
These bejeweled Twisty Petz [11] ($10) turn into bracelets!
Pomsies Patches Plush Interactive Toy
Pomsies Patches Plush Interactive Toy [12] ($15) will tell your child when they feel tired, cold, or hungry with adorable light-up eyes, purring, and cute sounds.
The Original Tiny Hands Challenge Game
Get ready for some laughs when you play The Original Tiny Hands Challenge Game [13] ($15, originally $20) at your next family game night.
Fizz 'n' Surprise
Consider Fizz 'n' Surprise [14] ($18) Mermaids and Dinosaurs bath bombs for kids. Place the mysterious ball in a bowl full of water and wait while it fizzes and dissolves to reveal the mermaid or dinosaur kids can add to their collections.
FOLD: Origami Brain Teaser
Get those wheels turning with a big book of Origami Brain Teasers [15] ($15) designed to get them thinking outside of the box while improving fine motor skills at the same time.
Dos
The world's No. 2 card game has arrived in the form of Dos [16] ($10), a twist on Uno that has a few new surprises.
Tenergy 2-in-1 Salt Water/Solar Powered Robot Car Kit
Kids will learn about alternative energy sources when playing with and building this Tenergy 2-in-1 Salt Water/Solar Powered Robot Car Kit [17] ($20).
Crystal Growing Experiment
This Crystal Growing Experiment [18] ($12) has enough materials for seven different experiments!
Klutz Lego Make Your Own Movie
This Klutz Lego Make Your Own Movie [19] ($20) is the perfect gift for your budding filmmaker (especially if they love Lego!).
Harry Potter Magical Places & Characters Colouring Book
Harry Potter-lovers will love keeping busy with this Magical Places & Characters Colouring Book [20] ($13).
Creativity For Kids Make Your Own Lip Balm Kit
Make your kid feel like a beauty entrepreneur with this Creativity For Kids Make Your Own Lip Balm Kit [21] ($22) that produces some sweet, customizable products.
Monopoly Cheaters Edition
The Monopoly Cheaters Edition [22] ($20) lets players follow, bend, or break the rules to win.
Hasbro Games Don't Step in It
Unicorns and poop are the main stars of Hasbro's Don't Step in It: Unicorn Edition [23] ($20); it has us saying, "If you can't beat 'em (the kids who love the poop craze), join 'em."
Round Table Puzzle
They can learn about geography and world landmarks when trying to put together this Round Table Puzzle [24] ($11).
Shimmeez
How cute are these Shimmeez [25] ($10), a line of plush dolls whose colouring changes as you rub their sequins?
Little Kids Slick Tricks
Kids won't just be blowing bubbles into the sky anymore; they'll be building bubbles within bubbles, stacking bubbles, and amazing their friends with Little Kids's new line of Slick Tricks [26] ($14).
Hasbro Fantastic Gymnastics Vault Challenge
Little gymnasts 8 and up can get some serious air while playing Fantastic Gymnastics Vault Challenge [27] ($15). Compete head to head to make sure you stick that landing.
Crayola Fabulous Art Kit
This Crayola Fabulous Art Kit [28] ($23) has everything your budding artist needs to create masterpieces.
Flushin' Frenzy
An interesting toy theme this year comes in the form of, well, poop. Flushin' Frenzy [29] ($20) combines reflexes and plunging toilets in this Russian roulette-style game for silly little ones.
Hasbro Blindfolded Twister Game
Hasbro's Blindfolded Twister Game [30] ($15) definitely puts a new spin on an old classic. Players 8 and up use textured squares to feel around and see if they're in the right spot all while totally in the dark.
Monster Bath Bombs
Your bath-loving child can make four Monster Bath Bombs [31] ($22) with this kit.
Lego Minifigures Series 18: Party
It's time to party, and the 18th series of Lego Minifigures [32] ($5 per each blind bag) is here to have fun.
ESPN Future Pro Baseball
Kids who want to play like the pros will get a leg up on the competition with the new ESPN Future Pro [33] ($5) line of baseballs, footballs, soccer balls, and softballs. The balls are marked to show kids where to grip them, kick them, etc., so they can move like the pros!
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Book
Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory [34] ($8), about the famous and wild chocolate factory and the five lucky children who are allowed inside, is as delightful as it is candy-filled!
Emoji Smiley Plush Pillow
Sometimes it feels like emoji were created just for kids — it's the only way they communicate! Top Trenz's Heart Eyes Emoji Pillow [35] ($8) will be hit on your child's bed, or as the star of their selfies!
PooPeez Capsules
The poop trend continues with PooPeez's line [36] ($11) of collectible — you guessed it — poop blind packs. Each toilet paper roll comes with two of 36 characters that are hidden in the roll.
Project Mc2 Gummy Jewellery Science Kit
Your kids can make their own edible jewellery with the Project Mc2 Gummy Jewellery Science Kit [37] ($17), out now.
You've Got Crabs
The You've Got Crabs Card Game [38] ($25) is a family-friendly game kids ages 7 and up.
Plunge It!
A challenge game, Plunge It! [39] ($20) requires kids to pass around the plungers until it's time to plunge the poo — first person to plunge it wins the round!
Helix Sling Stix
Your game of catch is about to get a lot more interesting. Meet Helix Sling Stix [40] ($22), an outdoor game in which players 6 and up use sticks with suction cups on the end to pass a superbouncy ball back and forth.
Basic Fun Arcade Classics Skee Ball
Basic Fun will add Skee Ball [41] ($20) to its line of Arcade Classic games. The mini version of the boardwalk favourite is perfectly sized for kids' desks.
Yummy World Shake Shack
The Shake Shack fiends in your life will want to get their hands on Yummy World's plush Shake Shack Burger [42] ($17).
Geek & Co. Science Gross Gummy Candy Lab
Everyone loves a weird experiment, and this Gross Gummy Candy Lab [43] ($19) lets you eat the results by making your very own sour worms and spiders, all while learning about the properties of natural polymers.
Ben 10 Omni-Launch Battle Figures
Transform Ben's aliens in midair from launchable discs into figures with Omni-Launch Battle Figures [44] ($18 each).
Intex Inflatable Blossom Chair
This Intex Inflatable Blossom Chair [45] ($25) is the ultimate spot for kids to sit and read a book or just listen to some music.
Watch Ya' Mouth Throwdown Edition Card Game
While playing Watch Ya' Mouth Throwdown Edition Card Game [46] ($25), players must attempt to speak out phrases with cheek retractors in place.
Lego Pteranodon Chase
The Pteranodon Chase Set [47] ($16) has 126 pieces, as well as a little minifigure Chris Pratt (aka Owen Grady).
Thames & Kosmos T. Rex Excavation Kit
Children ages 7 and up can go to town using a hammer and chisel to uncover the skeleton of a very scary prehistoric creature from a giant block of plaster with the T. Rex Excavation Kit [48] ($13).
Lego Star Wars Jedi and Clone Troopers Battle Pack
The Jedi and Clone Troopers Battle Pack [49] ($15) will let your Lego-lover stage an epic Star Wars battle.
Hasbro Pie Face Cannon Game
This laugh-inducing Pie Face Cannon Game [50] ($17, originally $25) will up the ante in a serious way. Kids ages 5 and up take turns shooting whipped cream out of a cannon directly into another player's face. But unlike the original game, the person getting pied has a chance to block the attack!
PicWits!
Consider PicWits [51] ($25) the ultimate caption-writing contest. Players have to match photos up with the best captions and submit them to a judge to determine the winner.
Hasbro Jenga's Pass Challenge Game
You know what's harder than regular Jenga? Jenga without a table to play on! The Jenga's Pass Challenge Game [52] ($12) is meant to be stacked and passed, so saddle up for a bumpy ride. This two-player challenge is recommended for game-lovers 8 and up and is already in stores.
Chow Crown
A truly unique game, Chow Crown [53] ($20) requires players to eat the snacks off the forks before music stops playing.
Who Did It?
Blue Orange games will introduce Who Did It [54] ($12) this year. The card game is a race to see who can get rid of their cards so they avoid blame of owning the animal that pooped!
Exploding Kittens Card Game
The Exploding Kittens Card Game [55] ($20) is a family-friendly strategy game for two to five players who love "kittens and explosions and laser beams and sometimes goats."
Snot-It
It's a game of gross-out when it comes to the new Snot-It. Players wear glasses with a "runny nose," spin the dial, and try to collect "snot pieces" with the dangling boogers. The Snot-It game [56] ($20) will keep those kids entertained for hours.
Dog Man and Cat Kid Book
Get your kids excited to read and follow this Dog Man and Cat Kid [57] ($10) on a heroic journey.
Lego Disney Mulan's Training Day
Celebrate the coming live-action release of Mulan with Lego's Mulan's Training Day [58] ($12) set, which is out now.
Build a Bot
Build a Bot [59] ($17) gives little kids the opportunity to build their own robots from the ground up. Once built, the bots react to sound or teases (like a carrot for the rabbit) and the inner workings can be seen while they move.
Crayola Crayon Melter
Put the blow dryer down and pick up the Crayola Crayon Melter [60] ($20), which evenly melts used crayons in minutes to create wax creations on and off paper.
Creativity For Kids Grow 'n Glow Terrarium
For your child with a green thumb, this Creativity For Kids Grow 'n Glow Terrarium [61] ($13) is super cute!
Lego Star Wars Darth Maul
Bring the Phantom Menace baddie, Darth Maul [62] ($18), to life with Legos.
Pikmi Pops Jumbo Plush Llama
Inside the giant lollipop is a Pikmi Pops Jumbo Plush Llama [63] ($20), a sweet coconut-scented furry friend!
Break Away Ballz
Break Away Ballz [64] ($12) are a puzzle and ball toy in one! Smash the puzzle ball against a wall or on the floor and discover the surprise ball inside, then build the puzzle ball over and over again.
Lego Star Wars Yoda's Hut
Construct Yoda's Hut [65] ($24), which comes with a young Luke Skywalker and R2-D2.
Fugglers
These . . . interesting . . . plush toys, Fugglers [66] ($15 for medium sizes, $25 for large), or "funny ugly monsters," feature unique toothy grins and eyes. They're oddly adorable and there's over 50 to collect and "adopt" (each Fuggler comes with an adoption certificate for your child to fill out).
It's All About Us (. . . Especially Me!): A Journal of Totally Personal Questions For You and Your Friends
Girls will have a blast chronicling their tween years in this journal — It's All About Us (. . . Especially Me!): A Journal of Totally Personal Questions For You and Your Friends [67] ($16).
Lego Minifigures: The Lego Batman Movie Series 2
A second series of Lego Minifigures in honour of the Lego Batman movie [68] ($6 each) is out now.