40 Best Gifts for Boys Our Readers Are Loving Right Now
No matter their age or what they're into, they'll love something on this list.
Reviewed by Marisa LaScalaDeputy Editor
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From toddlers to teens, the trick to impressing boys is knowing what they’re into. For the kid who spends a lot of time outside, try a remote-controlled stunt car that’ll zoom through grass. For the dinosaur-obsessed boy, there’s an inflatable megasaurus he can drive around in a pickup truck. If you’re shopping for a tween or teen boy, we always recommend fun games he can play with friends (like the laser tag vests our readers can’t stop buying).
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Magna-Tiles Rail Racers
- Best for toddlers: Fisher-Price Little People My Mario Adventure Playset
- Best for tweens: LEGO SMART Play: Darth Vader's TIE Fighter
- Best remote control: Monster Jam Chomping Megalodon RC Monster Truck
The Good Housekeeping Institute tests toys throughout the year—we get feedback from kids of all ages and their parents. We also invite a group of kids into the office for in-person testing and take note which ones they gravitate towards (hint: a hilarious butt face toy was a hit). Of course, we also include editor favorites and products our readers always buy.
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He’ll love the thrilling double-sided stunt driving with 360-degree flips that this best-selling remote-control car is designed to achieve. It's available in eight colors and designs—both with and without headlights. Ages 6+
They can get a feel for 3D printing with this pen, which melts a special plastic filament that they can layer to make shapes in three dimensions. This comes with the pen, which has controls that let users adjust the speed of the flow, plus three colors of filament. If they like it, you can also get them more colors or a mat and pad set that help them design and make different geometric shapes. Ages 13+
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Him and his friends can turn the backyard or playroom into a laser tag arena. They are different ways to play, whether they choose teams or go every man for themselves—either way they can shoot opponents from an impressive 150 feet distance. Ages 8+
He can play solo or turn it into a friendly competition with his siblings.The object is to bounce the ball on specific symbols to create a sequence (the playing cards will direct him). Ages 12+
Every year, magnetic tiles are one of the most popular toys. This set comes up 33 pieces that can be built into racetracks, ramps, bridges, and more. It's a great way to test his imagination. They're age graded from "3 to 99" and in our experience, kids play with them from preschool to middle school. Ages 3+
Related: Best Magnetic Toys
This gag gift is boy bait for sure: A butt that dances, makes fart noises, all of it. "I think the humor and shock of it all is a big factor here!" said a parent whose kid loved it. ages 8+; three AAA batteries included
RELATED: Meet Butt Face: The Most Unhinged New Toy of the Year
This lounger is lightweight and portable, and needs no breaths or pumps to inflate, making it ready for his next camping or backyard adventure. It's available in a dozen prints—from cool camo to a psychedelic pattern—and there’s an inflatable lounger perfect for him.
This is a 2-in-1: A fun truck with front claws, and an incredible inflatable dinosaur that can pop up in seconds, then be taken off the truck to be played with separately. It comes with Rocky, who can drive the truck.
"We love PAW Patrol and dinosaurs, so this was a definite hit," said the mom of a 3-year-old son. "He loved that the dinosaur blew up from the truck and that he could remove it and use the truck on it's own.” Ages 3+; requires 4 AA batteries, not included.
We’re in the golden age of card games, and this new one rockets to the top of the charts thanks to a fun, inventive take on the classic game of Rock Paper Scissors. Added to the mix are wizards and crocodiles, and some wild cards too. This means there’s an equal amount of strategy and laughter whether he does battle with his best friends or family members. Ages 7+
This race car, a winner of a Good Housekeeping Toy Award, gives new meaning to the phrase "you drive me up the wall." Kids can use a laser pointer to guide it, and it'll drive on the floor, up walls and even on the ceiling! Ages 8+
Simply put, this is the coolest melding of plush and puppet. He can control the 16-inch Pikachu with his hand, and set off movements, lights, and sounds. There are more than 120 built-in effects, and then also your kid can act out whatever he dreams up.
Deputy Editor Marisa Lascala, who tested this with her tween, said, "I love this toy! It makes you look like a professional puppeteer even if you have no puppeteering skills. The mouth looks animated." Requires three AAA batteries (not included); ages 8+
With 16 million LED color combinations, smart motion sensors, and a fast rechargeable battery (per the brand), this flying disc takes Frisbee-style outdoor fun to a whole new level. Ages 10+
When put in "beast mode," this remote-control shark-shaped monster truck will break its chain, do wheelies, and otherwise go crazy. It can run for about 20 minutes on its rechargeable batteries.
"My kid played with it for hours and didn't get bored," said the mom of a 5-year-old. "He drove it on grass, the street, the sidewalk, hardwood floors, and even carpet without any problems." Ages 4+; controller requires 2 AAA batteries, not included.
First, kids build this robot, assembling more than 170 pieces. Then, they can program it to respond to a series of claps, so that it does things like tumble, roll, spin around, and bristle its spines. Ages 7+
The portable Roku Streaming Stick HD is a must-have for the young man in your life! Whether used at college with his dorm mates or in his bedroom alone, this Roku stick gives him access to a massive library of shows, movies, and live sports, all in HD, plus easy voice search from the remote. Two AAA batteries included
RELATED: Best Gifts for Teen Boys
These life-like dinos wrap around fingers and respond to sound and touch, per the brand. Blaze (the orange dino) has a hot temper; he roars, chomping his jaws, and hisses, unless they calm him down. Ages 5+
Blanket forts are nostalgic, but building crazy forts is next level! The building set comes with rods and connectors to help him make a cave, igloo, castle, and even a pirate ship to hide out inside. Each structure is finished off with the sheets and blankets you already have at home. Ages 3+
This activity kit has everything he’ll need to build a towering 18-inch (45 cm) tall marble maze, plus 160 LEGO pieces to make over 20 extra contraptions like a labyrinth, gravity drop tower, and plinko board. Testers at the Good Housekeeping Institute appreciate the clear, accurate and easy-to-follow instructions. Ages 8+
This shirt doubles as an activity because he’ll be able to use the included light pen to draw, doodle, or write silly glow-in-the-dark messages on the front panel of his newest piece of clothing that he’ll never want to take off! Sizes 3T–14
This chair has Bluetooth speakers mounted into its headrest, so he'll really feel like he's immersed in his favorite games. The chair also rocks and reclines for comfort, and it also folds up so he can put it away when he's not using it (which will be never).
Jeff is the author of the travel book, Street Cats and Where to Find Them. He's a dad of two daughters, an avid traveler, an award-winning photographer, and a freelance writer who lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his wife and their cats. In addition to Good Housekeeping, he's written for the BBC, the Washington Post, Parents, Fodor's, Wine Enthusiast, Real Simple, and Reader’s Digest, among other print and online publications. Jeff is the publisher of the quarterly literary magazine and small book press, Stanchion.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
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