The Best Gifts 10-Year-Old Boys Really Want This Year

Kids who love playing video games can go even deeper by learning how to make their own video games. They can draw characters, levels, objects, and hazards with different colored markers, then scan them into an app that turns the drawings into mobile games that are actually playable (iOS or Android device required). "I love that the notebook guides you through every single step," said one 11-year-old tester. "That made it very, very easy to use.” Ages 10+ (or 6+ with parental help)

They're getting closer to the teen years, when lounging around and hanging out are just so important. Wherever they go, they can find a comfy spot for this couch, which fills up just by swooshing it around in the air. That means it's easy for him to take out and pack away again. It also comes in more than a dozen patterns. No age recommendation given

This affordable toy can keep him entertained when he's alone—it's designed to return the ball after each throw. It's perfect for on-the-go fun and can secretly help improve his hand-eye coordination.

Whether he's doing some solo sleuthing or playing a team sport like Capture the Flag, these spy goggles will help him see in the dark. They have two LEDs that illuminate up to 25 feet. Ages 6+

If he's bugging to ride his bike with friends, these LED lights will help make him more noticeable—especially at night. These bike lights are super cool, according to my 10-year-old nephew and his classmates, plus they're available in eight different colors.

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. Ages 8+

With this top-tested STEM toy, he'll experiment with electricity and circuitry as he makes different flying machines. There's a paper-airplane launcher, flying saucer, and a fan that can keep balls levitating. During our toy-testing event, kids loved launching the flying saucer high enough to hit the ceiling. Ages 8+

RELATED: 20 Best STEM Toys That Make Science Fun

This book kicks off a new fantasy epic, a la How to Train Your Dragon, and Good Housekeeping Institute kid testers couldn’t get enough of it. It follows a boy name Youngest who doesn’t like what The Deciding has told of his future, so he sets out with a friend—and a talking pig that walks on two legs!—to prove The Deciding wrong. (The pig was a hit.) “It’s really funny and makes you want to keep reading,” said one 11-year-old tester. Ages 8 to 12

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Another item topping my nephew's list this year: a silent basketball, so he can dribble indoors without getting in trouble. Its high-density foam construction is entirely safe for indoor use, according to the brand.

Kid testers love this strategic card game that involves building, trading, and managing resources on the uninhabited island. The best part? You can play a complete game in as little as 15 minutes, perfect for when he asks for one more activity before bedtime. Ages 10+

With seven 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 to 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+

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+

When he’s bored in his room, he can shoot some hoops and this mini machine will cheer him on and keep score. There are three basketballs, so he can play with a friend, sibling, or parent, too.

This Beyblade battle set is designed to amp up the action; gears that fit into the X-Celator rail send the tops to a higher elevation. “My 10-year-old has played with Beyblade toy sets before, so he was familiar with it and excited to test this one,” one parent noted. “He noticed there are new items in this set that he hadn’t seen in others.” Ages 8+

Once he sets it up (folds the paper, adds the propeller and motor, and connects it to his phone with Bluetooth), this paper airplane can travel up to 20 mph and reach up to 230 feet. It can also do loops, barrel rolls, and hammerhead spins.

They'll be able to have fun outside even after the sun goes down with this illuminated flying ring. In addition to cool LED lights, they also have a soft rim for easy catching, and its makers say it can fly 100 feet. One Good Housekeeping Institute tester raved that it was easy to catch and made of good material. Ages 5+

Now that he’s double digits, he’s ready for a video game system of his own. He can connect it to the TV or travel with it as a handheld device. As for games, I recommend Mario Kart or Sonic.

It’s the same game as your childhood, minus the arguments over miscounted or stolen money. I played with my 10-year-old nephew and 9-year-old niece, and we had a blast. I was able to be more strategic without my job as the banker, and they loved “charging” their credit cards.