Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids 9 - 14 years - Gift Guide 2020

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As out children get older it can become increasingly difficult to find Christmas gifts for them. This is especially true as our children head into their teenage years and they are all about technology and cash! Now I don't know about you but tech can be expensive and I still love being able to give my eldest some other types of gifts to open on Christmas morning too. Whilst it can be tricky to find great gift ideas for older kids, there are definitely lots of gifts out there.

So today I have put together a comprehensive list of gift ideas for kids age 9 years +, it is full of games, quirky gift ideas and even some cool fashion too. I have tried to limit the amount of tech gifts as I know this is mostly what my eldest asks for but when I surprise him with other gifts too he often finds things he loves but wouldn't have thought of! 

The Floor is Lava Game

Many of us will have seen our kids leaping from various pieces of furniture to avoid touching the floor, or will have seen the hilarious YouTube videos of people leaping into various places, shouting THE FLOOR IS LAVA. Well this fun game from Endless games is inspired by that game and is great fun for the whole family. 

NOW, with The Floor is Lava game, the furniture gets a break! The box contains A Spinner, 25 colored foam tiles, and 27 action cards to ramp-up the fun on this classic game of imagination and adventure. The game can be played with 2 - 6 players and all you will need is a little space to play as everything else is included in the box. 

The game is available from Smyths, Argos and Amazon and is priced at £14.99.

Build Your Own Telescope

You are never really too old or too young to be fascinated by space right? So this kit which enables your child to create their very own, working telescope makes a great gift for any child intrigued by space. The box contains everything you need to start exploring space and everything you need to create your own telescope including pre-cut parts, lenses and mirrors. 

The telescope offers 16x magnification and even allows you to be able to adjust the angle and focus to ensure you get a clear view. The telescope can be used in both the day time and nighttime too. And since it is mostly made using cardboard and minimal plastics it is a sustainable gift option that is fun, engaging and environmentally friendly too. 

This kit (and many others like it) are available from the Build Your Own website and the telescope is priced at £19.99.

L.O.L Surprise O.M.G Doll

There is no denying that over the last few years L.O.L Surprise dolls have become increasingly popular for kids of all ages and the O.M.G dolls seem to be more popular with slightly older children as they are such lovely "fashion" dolls. 

The L.O.L Surprise O.M.G Dolls follow the same style as the previous smaller dolls in that they require you to unbox them to discover lots of surprises. However unlike the "surprise dolls" in the balls, you can see exactly what OMG doll you will get on the box to save purchasing any duplicates! Each doll covers with over 20 surprises and their own fab style. As you slide the pack apart to see doll's picture and open garment bags to reveal surprises. Then open the dressing room, where your new OMG doll is ready to be dressed in her fierce fashions. The dressing room even becomes a reusable playset to strut her stuff. Each doll is fully articulated and so is great to be played with or beautiful just to be displayed. 

There are a range of series of O.M.G dolls now out and so therefore prices vary but start at around £30.00 per doll. They are available from a range of toy stores and supermarkets including Smyths, Tesco, Asda and Argos as well as online at Amazon. 

FOURFIT Mini Fitness Band

Fitness bands have become a popular choice for older kids and teens recently and the FOURFIT mini is a fitness band and activity tracker that is designed specifically for children aged 8+. But don't be fooled but the fact this band is designed for kids! It features a bright and clear OLED screen and has the ability to track steps, sleep, heart rate and ever set activity reminders.  

Unlike other fitness trackers on the market, the FOURFIT Mini works independently without GPS, meaning it doesn’t always need to be connected to Bluetooth. Ideal as a lot of children will not have a phone or be allowed it in school. The FOURFIT band will transfer all activity data once it is reconnected to the phone so it is not lost. The device can also alert the wearer of calls and messages on the connected smartphone if required. The FOURFIT Mini is available in four colours, black, blue, pink, purple and features built-in rapid USB charging capability.

The FOURFIT Mini Fitness Band is priced at £31.99 and is available from the FOURFIT website.

GEMEX Deluxe Creation Station 

Crafts are always a winner but as kids get older some crafts can seem a little "babyish" for older kids. However the GEMEX Deluxe creation station combines a fun craft with product that can be transformed into cool jewellery or accessories! 

Kids can make their own unique gems with the GEMEX Deluxe Creation Station! The Deluxe Creation Station has everything you need to make up to 100 gorgeous gems and then turn them into hairclips, necklaces, keychains and much more, perfect for older kids who can make items that they can actually use. Using the special trays, kids can create gems by carefully squeezing the liquid magic into the shapes and adding decorations. Then put the tray into the shell light and let it work its magic. After 3 minutes you can simply pop the gems out of the mould and admire your creations!

The GEMEX Deluxe creation station is priced at £29.99 and is available from most toy stores including Smyths, Argos, Toy Master and online at Amazon. 

L.O.L Surprise - Outfit Of The Day Set

The L.O.L. Surprise! Outfit of The Day is the perfect gift either for Christmas or as a way to countdown the 25 days until Christmas. The set includes an exclusive L.O.L. Surprise! doll, Tricksta B.B., who is ready to mix it up with fierce mix & match looks. There are also 24 other surprise boxes that could be used as an alternative advent calendar. 

Pull up to pop up the new 3-tier packaging, then follow the numbers to unbox Tricksta B.B., her fashions, her shoes, and her accessories with bold patterns that make her stand out on any runway. There are 24 fabulous fashion pieces to unbox in, including fabulous dresses, glam accessories and cute shoes. Mix 'n match for endless fashion combos!

The L.O.L Surprise OOTD is priced at £29.99 and can be used as a gift or an advent calendar. 

BBC Blue Planet 2 Book from Puffin

Books make a great gift idea and I have found that as my children have got older they have become more fascinated by books about nature, the world and non fiction books. And this BBS Blue Planet 2 books is not only a great read but has some beautiful illustrations too. 

Within this book you can take a deep breath and dive into the mysteries of the ocean. Our understanding of ocean life has changed dramatically in the last decade, with new species, new behaviours, and new habitats being discovered at a rapid rate. Blue Planet II, which accompanies an epic 7-part series on BBC1, is a ground-breaking new look at the richness and variety of underwater life across our planet. 

This book is a must read for anyone interested in nature or our planet or someone who loves watching the Blue Planet tv show, the pictures in this book alone are worth the purchase! The book is priced at £25.00.

Zimpli Kids - Rainbow Cloud Baff Bombz

You are never too old for a bath bomb, especially one that creates a rainbow in your bath water! These super fun and colourful "Baff Bombz" from Zimpli kids are a cool stocking filler idea and are sure to make anyone smile. From the outside the product looks like a simply white cloud, but when dropped into the bath a rainbow trails out of the cloud and into the water. 

Baff Bombz from Zimpli kids are available in both a rainbow and rocket design and are non toxic, 100% safe for skin and biodegradable. They are priced at £3.99 per pack of 1. 

Jar of Hearts - Bath Gift Set

What better way to show your child how much you love and care for them than with the gift of a bit of a pamper and relaxation. This beautiful Bomb Cosmetics set comes in a stunningly wrapped gift set and contains fabulous love themed bath blasters, bath mallows, bath melts and soap to soak your aches and tiredness away, perfect after a hard day at school or when your child just needs some chill time. 

Every product in this set smells amazing and as they are all individually wrapped, can be kept safely until ready to be used. This set is priced at £15.00 and is available from the Silhouette website. 

Nerf Bunkr - Inflatable Battle Zones

Nerf battles are always fun, regardless of age! In fact I am certain even my husband has just as much fun as the kids when it comes to Nerf games and play. There is a huge range of Nerf products out there now, even with a water range! 

But these fun packs of inflatable bunkers and barricades can take your Nerf fun to the next level. The Nerf Bunkr Battle Zone pack contains 3 large inflatable obstacles which create an exciting game zone for any garden, outdoor space or even a hall or large indoor space. When using outside the bases can be filled with water to make them more sturdy and strong but they can also be used without this too. Each obstacle features classic combat and Nerf designs and will definitely enhance any play. 

There are a variety of Nerf Inflatable packs available that can be used separately or together, prices will vary depending on the size and design on the pack. The pack shown below contains 3 obstacles and is priced at £19.99.

Mainline Menswear - Nike Training Hoodie

For older kids clothes are often the perfect option as you know they will be used, are practical but also make a great gift. I often try to splash out on a few named brands or things I know the kids would love but I wouldn't buy day to day. My eldest recently spotted this amazing Nike training hoodie over on the Mainline Menswear website and so I knew it would be a winner for Christmas. 

The hoodie is a Nike Training Dry Logo Hooded Sweatshirt In Black and constructed in Dri Fit technology. An all-over colour block design in white, grey and black with a large hood featuring a high collar and woven drawstrings in white. It features ribbed cuffs to the long sleeves with a ribbed waistband and a large kangaroo style pouch pocket on the waist, perfect for the ultimate in comfort when wearing. The signature Nike Swoosh logo is printed across the chest in black.

This hoodie is priced at £48.00 and is available from Mainline Menswear.

Fab Lab Nail Art Deluxe Set

Everyone loves a bit of a pamper and making your nails look all pretty is definitely something older kids love to do. So this Deluxe Nail Art set makes the perfect gift as it contains everything you need to create beautiful nails time and time again. The kit contains several solvent free nail varnish colours including some great colours to create beautiful ombre looks using the special ombre sponge and nail masks that are included. 

The set also contains a variety of sticks to finish off the look and toe separator, emery board and brushes. If you are stuck for ideas you can always watch some of the amazing Fab Lab nail art tutorials for helpful tips and inspiration! The set is priced at £20.00 for the set and contains plenty of product to use time and time again. 

HyperX Cloud Stinger Wireless Headphones for PS4/PS5

Whilst I have listed lots of non tech items here there is no escaping that most older kids and teens love tech and so it is always great to consider some great tech gifts for your kids that they can use with their consoles etc. These headphones from HyperX are perfect for older kids who use a PS4 or PS5 and love gaming with friends as they are compatible with both consoles. 

The wireless HyperX Cloud Stinger™ Core is a lightweight, durable headset that allows the user wireless freedom and at a really fair price too. Kids can chat with your friends online and enjoy clear communication thanks to its noise-cancelling microphone. They can get immersed in their gaming and lose themselves in the audio entertainment with Cloud Stinger Core’s rich sound. It also features onboard audio controls on the earcup and a convenient swivel-to-mute mic. It is available to purchase from Argos and is priced at £74.99.

The Super Bendy Light 

As kids get older they prefer to spend time in their room or to take some time to catch up on a book before bed and these super bendy lights are perfect for just that. The flexible, grippy coated legs are multi-positionable and obligingly bendy, wrapping round, under and through virtually any horizontal or vertical surface. The super bendy light has three bendy tactile legs that are each 9cm long and his head can rotate 360 degrees so the light can shine wherever you need it! 

The super bendy light can be bent and shaped in almost any shape and is perfect attaching to a book, phone or even desk or computer. Each light is priced at £9.95 and comes complete with batteries. 

Smiggle Stocking Fillers and Toys

Stocking fillers can be tricky to find since you want a good range of gifts but don't want to break the bank simply filling the stocking right? Well fear not as Smiggle have this covered, from water bottles to tech, slime to stationary they have a huge range of gift ideas and toys that are perfect for filling any stocking. 

Below are some of our favourites which include the Smiggle Goo Gloppers, Galactic Goo slime, Fluffy Sand (with 8 different coloured compartments) and a pretty cool ball and vase magic trick set. All of the below are under £5 each and are perfect for boys or girls and kids of all ages. 

Smiggle Pin Art 

I remember having a silver pin art set as a teen and I loved it, I would spend hours pushing random objects into the pins and seeing if my sister could see what it was or just admire my handy work! But I love these updated and super colourful ones from Smiggle and have already added one to my cupboard for James and I know this is something he will love having on his desk space! 

Made from plastic and lots of colourful pins, you simply push your hand or an object into the pins and see it recreated on the other side in 3D via the pins. These are great boredom busters or for those who like fiddling with things and will make a great gift this Christmas. There is a blue version as shown below as well as a rainbow version too and they are priced at £12.00 each. 

HyperX Solocast USB Microphone

Gaming online and even streaming has become a popular hobby for many older kids now thanks to many Youtubers and if this is something your child is into or enjoys a good quality microphone is a must have and would make a great gift this Christmas. 

The HyperX Solocast usb microphone is perfect  for video editors, streamers, and gamers looking for a USB microphone with great sound quality. It’s Plug N Play, makes it simple to use, with some great conveniences like the tap-to-mute sensor and LED mute indicator. The versatile microphone has a flexible, adjustable stand and is also compatible with most boom arms, so it can either sit on a desk or work mounted. Certified by TeamSpeak and Discord and compatible with OBS, XSplit, Streamlabs OBS and a number of other programs, it’s an extremely streamer-friendly microphone and great for beginners or those who have some experience too. It is available from Amazon and is priced at £64.99.

So whilst older kids are notoriously harder to buy for, hopefully this gift guide has given you some great ideas and suggestions to explore. Those of you with older kids or who will be purchasing for kids within their family or for friends, do any of the gifts above catch your eye? If so let me know in the comments below. 

xXx

**This post includes items in which I received for the purpose of inclusion within this gift guide. However all words, opinions and images are my own and I retain full control of this post.**