October 2024 By age 9, a lot of kids are ready to take on increasingly grown-up roles and responsibilities. Prior to this age, many kids pretend to cook meals in a toy kitchen, but at 9 they may be able to follow a recipe and prepare a real home-cooked meal. Advertisement SKIP ADVERTISEMENT When it comes to presents, you might consider giving kids this age more adult art projects and grown-up toys and tools. Real tools can increase engagement with a hobby and are likely to last longer than their toy counterparts. Most 9-year-olds are also deepening their friendships and spending more time socializing with other kids, so sports equipment and games that encourage group fun can be good choices too. We asked child-development experts and members of our staff for gift recommendations. And we offer more gift ideas for kids here.