To help narrow your search, we tested and researched the best options on the market, considering various boys’ interests and whether or not the gift encourages new skills or keeps him active. “Educational gifts are a fantastic idea, as it will allow the child to grow, develop and learn to explore the world,” suggests Crystal L. Bailey, director of the Etiquette Institute of Washington. Based on these factors, our favorite picks include a high-energy game from Spikeball, engaging craft kits from Crayola, and Nintendo-themed builds from LEGO, for fostering his critical thinking and STEM skills. Here, the best gift ideas for 7-year-old boys. Price at time of publish: $58 Our tester loved that the intuitive rules were a snap to learn for young kids. The game length is up to you; play one round in five minutes or keep going for hours. Based on the number of players and their ages, the game can get more or less intense. It is easy to customize the game based on the skill levels of the players without sacrificing any of the fun. “I loved that you can play it for 5 minutes or an hour, and it’s still fun. It’s perfect for blowing off steam and can be taken just about anywhere and played on multiple surfaces,” they shared. Price at time of publish: $60 Price at time of publish: $47 Price at time of publish: $19 Price at time of publish: $11 Price at time of publish: $23 Price at time of publish: $50 Price at time of publish: $48 Price at time of publish: $73 Price at time of publish: $150 Price at time of publish: $35 Price at time of publish: $35 Price at time of publish: $54 Price at time of publish: $11 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $14 Price at time of publish: $7 Price at time of publish: $16 Price at time of publish: $26 Price at time of publish: $119 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $319 Price at time of publish: $183 Price at time of publish: $28 Price at time of publish: $22 Price at time of publish: $135 Price at time of publish: $60 Price at time of publish: $31 Price at time of publish: $46 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $24 Price at time of publish: $10 Price at time of publish: $42 Price at time of publish: $31 Price at time of publish: $60 Price at time of publish: $85 Price at time of publish: $85 Price at time of publish: $89-129 Price at time of publish: $26 Price at time of publish: $11 Price at time of publish: $72 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $29 Price at time of publish: $17 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $12 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $12 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $33 “With educational gifts and games, it’s important to provide a gift that is at or just above their educational/activity level,” says Bailey. This ensures they still learn and challenge themselves without attempting something too difficult.
Educational
While an overtly educational product might bore a 7-year-old, you’ll get extra points if you can find an engaging toy that also helps inspire an interest in reading, STEAM, or history. Examples of toys that can help stimulate mental growth and motor skills are board games, drawing tools, and building sets. At seven years old, nearly all toys foster growth and learning in some way, since play and learning are not interchangeable in early childhood, says Dr. Jody LeVos, chief learning officer for HOMER. An educational gift doesn’t have to be expensive, according to Bailey. “I think back on the special gifts that I received as a child and how they impacted my outlook on life. That is something we cannot begin to place a price on,” she shares.
Active
Many 7-year-old boys are bundles of energy, so any product that gets them moving will be a welcome addition to their household. Look for a toy that they can use outside or even with their friends—this type of gift will be a hit both with the recipient and his parents! Our top pick, Spikeball, was a hit with our testers and can be played by various ages for hours of fun.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Ashley Knierim, a freelance writer with over ten years of experience. From interior design trends to decor and more, she’s covered a variety of home topics and knows what makes a product great. To make this list, she considered each pick’s suggested age, as well as how active and educational it is. Expert advice was provided by Crystal L. Bailey, director of the Etiquette Institute of Washington.
