The 10 Best 11 Year Old Boy Gifts
This wiki has been updated 33 times since it was first published in September of 2015. When a boy turns 11, he may still enjoy playing with toys, but he’s also probably starting to develop some of the interests of a typical teenager. This can make him hard to shop for, but our selection of gift ideas is here to help, as it features options that are sure to keep him active both indoors and out, as well as educational games that are both fun and challenging. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Schwinn High Timber
2. Razor RipStik Brights
3. GlowCity Light Up Basketball
Editor's Notes
December 08, 2020:
Today we added the Schwinn High Timber, which comes from one of the most well-known names in bikes, and this reliable mountain bike holds up well on many types of terrain, thanks to a durable aluminum frame and sturdy alloy rims. It can grow with your child, thanks to an easily adjustable seat, and is available in a dozen colors, so there’s one to suit just about every personality. You can purchase it with confidence, thanks to its lifetime warranty. It joins the Razor RipStik Brights and the EzyRoller Classic Ride On, which are two other fun sets of wheels for getting around the neighborhood in style. For any of these, be sure your child is outfitted with a helmet and other protective gear, as noted in our last round of updates.
We also added the Lego Star Wars Boost Droid Commander, which is as educational as it is cool. This 1,177-piece set comes with everything needed to build R2-D2, Gonk Droid, and Mouse Droid, as well as tools and weapons they’ll need to complete missions. Speaking of which, you can guide them interactively through 40 missions using the included hub and the companion app that’s downloadable to a mobile device like a tablet. Just insert the hub into any of the three droids, and your drag-and-drop actions with the app allow them to shoot targets, dodge barriers, and more. The app can be used to play authentic sounds and music from the movies. This set replaces the Simon Memory Game, a classic fun family activity, but which was removed from here to make room for something a bit more challenging. Also leaving the list today is the Perplexus Epic 3D labyrinth game, due to issues with availability.
November 20, 2019:
The eYotto Kids Sports Watch comes on board in this update, as a nice option for kids who are into activities like swimming, hiking, cycling, and more. Its waterproof, breathable build helps it to withstand rough wear, so your child won’t need to bother removing it during sports. It comes with a handy alarm and stopwatch (which of course is essential for anyone who needs to time their running or swimming), and is available in an array of eye-catching color combinations.
Also joining the list today is the GlowCity Light Up Basketball, which is sure to make your driveway the place everyone gathers each night when your kids start up an after-dark game. My boys loved getting this ball for the holidays a couple of years back, and couldn’t wait to go outside and shoot hoops on a snowy Christmas night. No matter the weather, this ball is a great way to extend your kids’ playing time after the sun goes down.
Leaving the list today is the Elenco AmeriKit Learn to Solder, which is a tad out of the age range we’re focusing on here, as well as the Meccano Construction Set, which reportedly often does not come with all of the parts that are supposed to be in the box.
For safety’s sake, be sure to outfit your son with a helmet and other proper protective gear when he’s using the Razor RipStik Brights and the EzyRoller Classic Ride On.
Eleven years of age is when many kids’ interest start to evolve rapidly. If your son is into electronics and coding, check out our list of the best robots for kids.
Special Honors
My Comic Book Kit This set is great for any aspiring young (or old) comic book artist, as it comes with everything you need to turn your original drawings into a bound book, including instructions, inspiration, and helpful tips. Just create your story on the pre-formatted blank pages, then seal it in the pre-paid envelope and drop it in the mail. Soon, you’ll receive your professional-bound copy of your comic book, which includes an “About the Author” page about you. uncommongoods.com
Cannondale Quick 24 This high-performance on- and off-road bike features fast-rolling tires, wide-range gearing, and stable handling. It’s made of durable aluminum, and its acid-red color helps ensure high visibility. It’s equipped with seven gears, steel spokes, lightweight alloy rims, and 24-inch wheels. cannondale.com
4. EzyRoller Classic Ride On
5. eYotto Kids Sports Watch
6. Lego Star Wars Boost Droid Commander
7. Snap Circuits Extreme SC-750
8. SZJJX Rock Crawler
9. Sport Squad HX40
10. Nerf CS-18 N-Strike
Developmental Milestones For 11 Year Old Boys
They will be evaluating many of these things on the basis of what their peers will think.
The age of 11 is an exciting and scary time for boys. They are embarking on the beginnings of a physical growth spurt that is faster than anything they have experienced since infancy. It is also accompanied by major chemical changes in the body as it produces more hormones in preparation for puberty. There is also a noticeable increase in emotional maturity levels and cognitive skills.
As an 11 year old boy gains an increased capacity for learning, they will look to apply those skills to a range of areas, most notably abstract thinking. It will be easier for them to reason hypothetically and infer motives from the actions or words of another individual.
The age of 11 is also a time when they should be presented with more complex problems to solve. Critical thinking skills are on the rise and they will be able to consider more "what if" possibilities. This means they will be able to evaluate many possible repercussions of their actions before making an actual decision. This kind of thinking should be supported and encouraged by providing them with games and toys that have positive and negative consequences based on their actions.
Since children at this age have a greater ability to understand cause and effect and evaluate the consequences of their actions, they should be encouraged to take more responsibility for themselves. Allowing them to take care of their own routine tasks, such as packing a lunch for themselves and doing their homework with minimal prompting is a good start. This enhanced ability to predict and understand the consequences of their actions also means that many behavioral issues can be resolved through reasoning and calm discussion as opposed to punishment.
At this age, egocentrisim will also be on the rise. Don't be surprised if you child becomes more outspoken about their personal sense of identity, including being more decisive about their clothing and which activities they take part in. They will be evaluating many of these things on the basis of what their peers will think. Generally, 11 year olds will also be acutely self-conscious and begin to spend more time on personal grooming.
Buying The Right Kind of Gifts For 11 Year Olds
It is important to consider the physical and emotional changes an 11 year old is going through when choosing the best gift for them. In addition, one should weigh the child's personal interests as well. Children who are showing an predilection towards a particular subject matter should be encouraged with gifts that support their choices. If your child is fascinated by computers, beginning programming books or even their very own budget laptop to practice on can go a long way towards showing them you understand their interests and encourage them.
This can be a new bicycle, a scooter, razor, roller blades, or any new fad that is currently hitting the shelves.
Since 11 year olds are increasingly gravitating towards peer activities, any kind of gift they can use with friends will generally be a big hit. Just make sure it is age appropriate. Because their bodies are hitting the initial stages of puberty, they will be leery of playing with any toy they feel their friends might perceive as too infantile.
Obesity is an ever growing issue in preteens and teens in America, so any kind of gift that fosters physical activity is always a good idea. This can be a new bicycle, a scooter, razor, roller blades, or any new fad that is currently hitting the shelves. If one of their friends has an item that promotes a high level of physical activity and they are showing an interest in it, it would be a good bet that they would appreciate getting it as a gift. Not only will they be motivated to use it regularly in the hopes of catching up to their friend's skill level, but they will be able to play together fostering social growth.
Fostering Family Time With 11 Year Old Boys
Due to the rise of peer group importance 11 year olds experience, it is natural for them to begin to pull away from family time. It is vital though that you continue to promote it and dedicate specific time to spend with your child.
The goal is to make it fun and engaging for the child so they will see it as a good thing, as opposed to a chore that must be completed.
Family time provides children with a wide range of benefits. It will help parents and children develop a stronger bond, which means there is a better chance they will share any problems they are experiencing with you. It will also give them time to voice their thoughts and opinions about various aspects of life. Performing different activities with your child, such as playing sports, board games, or helping them with their homework is also a great way for parents to see if there are any areas where their child is falling behind.
There are a range of ways to foster family time with an 11 year old child, including preparing meals together, going to events like concerts or sports games, getting involved in an extra curricular activity together, playing games, or even just hiking or watching a TV show together. The goal is to make it fun and engaging for the child so they will see it as a good thing, as opposed to a chore that must be completed. As a parent, this often means involving yourself in activities the child finds interesting even if you don't particularly enjoy it.
Karen Bennett lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not writing, she can usually be found practicing yoga or cheering on her kids at soccer games. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s in English, and her writing has been published in various local newspapers, as well as “The Cheat Sheet,” “Illinois Legal Times,” and “USA Today.” She has also written search engine news page headlines and worked as a product manager for a digital marketing company. Her expertise is in literature, nonfiction, textbooks, home products, kids' games and toys, hardware, teaching accessories, and art materials.