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When I was six, I remember telling my dad I couldn’t wait for my next birthday because turning seven is when I’d officially be a “big kid.” I have no idea how I knew this, but a lot of experts consider seven “the age of reason,” a milestone when common sense and a conscience set in.
Of course, no two seven-year-olds are alike. But one thing almost all of them have in common is that they love to play, and nothing excites a kid much more than receiving new toys and gifts to replenish their collection. Choosing the best toys for them: now that’s an art. Well, I suppose you can say that about gift-giving itself. The easiest way to nail it is to observe the person you’re shopping for. What are they interested in? What are they curious about? And what are they good at?
Best Gifts for 7-Year-Olds at a Glance
Best for Girls: Polly Pocket Otter Aquarium Compact, $17
Best for Boys: Masters of the Universe Origins Turtles of Grayskull Shredder Action Figure, $20 (originally $30)
Best for Families: Throw Throw Burrito by Exploding Kittens – A Dodgeball Card Game, $25
Best for Friends: OOLY Paper Games: Joke Decoder Activity Cards, $8
Best Throwback: Pokemon Trading Card Game: Twilight Masquerade Elite Trainer Box, $50
Best Artistic: Playmobil Color with Crayola – Fashion Design Set, $30
Best Musical: Otamatone Japanese Electronic Musical Instrument, $40
Best Sporty: Lifetime 32” Rookie Youth Portable Basketball System, $100 (originally $150)
Best STEM: Stomp Rocket NASA Collection, $28
Best Educational: Refasy Piggy Bank Cash Coin Can, $20 (originally $26)
What Do 7-Year-Olds Like to Play With?
“The most important thing to remember when shopping for kids of any age is that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach,” says James Zahn, senior editor of The Toy Insider. “Kids have different interests and maturity levels, and this has accelerated over the last 10-15 years. A seven-year-old today could be very into toys and games or they might be tethered to digital devices. Action figures, dolls, plush, craft kits, vehicles, and creative learning kits remain popular for kids this age.”
Along those lines, a kid who’s active might like something sporty, while those “tethered to digital devices” could truly thrive with a STEM or STEAM toy that challenges their mind. The creative type is most likely to love something that lets their creativity flourish, plain and simple. And here’s a pro tip: if it ties into a current trend, movie, or anything timely, it’s probably front and center on that seven-year-old’s radar.
What to Get a 7-Year-Old Who Has Everything
The best way to ensure your gift is something your seven-year-old doesn’t have yet is to pre-order something hotly anticipated but not quite launched yet. Zahn cites the Real FX Disney Stitch 18” Amazing Animatronic Toy as a perfect example. It’s an interactive collector’s toy of the beloved Disney character Stitch, and is currently not even available for pre-order in the U.S. yet.
“This one doesn’t hit stores until June 26 (aka 626, or “Stitch Day”) but it’s already poised to be one of the biggest toys of the years for kids and collectors of all ages,” says Zahn. However, the Unicorn Academy 12″ Rainbow Light-Up Wildstar Doll, another buzzed-about toy that suits seven-year-olds, can be pre-ordered (see our list of toys below for more info).
Another tactic for a kid who has everything is to hop onto something very current and new, like the Polly Pocket Otter Aquarium Compact — a nod to the upcoming Polly Pocket movie — and the just-released LEGO 3-D puzzle of Simba from The Lion King.
What Are the Best Educational Toys for 7-Year-Olds?
STEM toys or any toy that promote skills like reading, math, art, music, building or problem-solving make great educational toys. One of the coolest educational toys Zahn recommends is the National Geographic Glow-in-the-Dark Gecko Dissection Lab. “Kids can learn about dissection without harming any real animals,” he says.
Another is a STEM toy called Air Toobz. “Don’t let the 3+ age grade fool you, Air Toobz are captivating kids of all ages — and adults,” notes Zahn. “This fun set teaches kids about airflow and the laws of motion.”
We gathered 21 more of the best toys for seven-year-olds below — all surefire hits for every kind of kid there is.
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Mattel is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
Polly Pocket Otter Aquarium Compact
This Polly Pocket Otter Aquarium Compact unfolds into a vibrant, miniature underwater wonderland teeming with the cutest and most colorful marine life and hidden treasures (the pieces are safe for kids ages 4 and up). And, of course, Polly and her mermaid friend, who are ready to explore things like a rotating octopus ride and a seashell slide. It’s easy to close and carry anywhere, like on a road trip or to summer camp.
Masters of the Universe Origins Turtles of Grayskull Shredder Action Figure
“It’s taken more than 40 years to happen, but the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (and their villains) are at the center of a mashup with He-Man and the Masters of the Universe,” says Zahn. “Kids can collect a wide range of action figures that incorporate storytelling lore from both lines.” This five-and-a-half-inch villain with 16 articulated joints is the Evil Master of Ninjutsu, and he’s a perfect character to start with.
Throw Throw Burrito by Exploding Kittens – A Dodgeball Card Game
Get ready for a hilarious and action-packed game night (or maybe be careful what you wish for?) with Throw Throw Burrito by Exploding Kittens. This innovative game serves up the fun of playing cards with the thrill of playing dodgeball, making it perfect for family nights (and for anyone learning to bob and weave). Players collect matching sets of cards while giddily hurling soft, squishy burritos at each other in a race to dodge and score points.
Lego – Simba the Lion King Cub
“The Lion King is a timeless film and now kids can build their own replica of little Simba, LEGO-style!” says Zahn of this 222-piece 3-D puzzle. Your little cub can celebrate the beloved Disney classic and recreate iconic scenes from from the classic film by making their own Simba — with movable joints! It’s fun to build, and they’ll be proud to display the final product.
OOLY Paper Games: Joke Decoder Activity Cards
“Now that my son can read, these are really fun,” says Velocci of these Joke Decoder Activity Cards. This light-hearted set of cards combines jokes and interactive decoding fun. Kids can use the special decoder to reveal punchlines, making it a perfect activity for sleepovers and birthday parties. Each card encourages your kids to be sharp and witty.
Hello Kitty x Pusheen Jumbo HK Squishy
Your Squishmallow-obsessed 7-year-old will go gaga for this Hello Kitty x Pusheen Jumbo HK Squishy, essentially a mashup of icons Hello Kitty and Pusheen in one squooshable toy. Made from high-quality, slow-rising foam, this squishy is perfect for stress relief or just looking way too adorable. “She’s adorable and bigger than i thought. she smells like caramel popcorn,” wrote a shopper.
Pokemon Trading Card Game: Twilight Masquerade Elite Trainer Box
Pokemon isn’t going anywhere! “The Pokémon Trading Card Game remains hot and this Trainer Box gives kids new cards to keep the adventures (and battles) going all summer long,” says Zahn. The Twilight Masquerade Elite Trainer Box is perfect for both new players (your seven-year-old) and seasoned collectors (you, possibly). You’ll find high-quality card sleeves featuring a unique Twilight Masquerade design, energy cards, dice, and condition markers. And that exclusive artwork and beautifully designed storage box are real game-changers.
Magformers Tileblox 30-Piece Rainbow Magnetic Construction Set
Unleash your kiddo’s creativity with the Magformers Tileblox 30-Piece Rainbow Magnetic Construction Set, which includes a magnetic board and 30 colorful magnetic tiles that invite kids to build so many different geometric structures. The easy-to-connect tiles are perfect for developing spatial awareness and fine motor skills, and the design possibilities are endless. This set is ideal for kids aged 3 and up, so younger siblings can get in on the action too.
Playmobil Color with Crayola – Fashion Design Set
Arm your budding fashion designer with the toy that’s going to spark their imagination: the Playmobil Color with Crayola Fashion Design Set. The set includes Playmobil figures and Crayola washable markers, letting style-oriented kids design and color their own runway-ready creations. And no worries about kids who color outside the lines: the markers are washable.
Wednesday 1:1 Thing RC Radio Control
Embrace the eerie and timeless charm of the Addams Family with the Wednesday 11″ Thing RC Radio Control, a unique remote-controlled hand toy that’s a must-have for fans of the Netflix series “Wednesday.” Like the character Thing itself, this toy is creepy and silly at the same time. With easy-to-use controls, kids and adults alike can let Thing’s fingers do the walking.
Otamatone Japanese Electronic Musical Instrument
No doubt your child’s seen others playing this Japanese-invented music maker on social media. The playful instrument, shaped like a musical note, is easy and fun for seven-year-olds to play. By sliding their fingers along the stem and squeezing the mouth, they can create whimsical electronic songs. The Otamatone might even parking a love of music in a kid who’s never picked up an instrument.
UNO Card Game
“My son and his friends are obsessed with UNO,” say Velocci. If your kid’s got a playfully competitive friend group, too, we’ve got their number. The classic UNO Card Game challenges players to match colors and numbers to be the first to get rid of all their cards, and to Skip, Reverse, and Draw Two for unexpected twists and turns, keeping everyone (even the adults) on their toes. Who will get the thrill of shouting “UNO!” when they’re down to their last card? You’ll have to play and see.
Klutz: Mini Bake Shop
Pretending to be a pastry chef: what’s sweeter than that? This Klutz Mini Bake Shop includes all the materials and instructions they’ll need to whip up adorable miniature (clay) desserts. From cute pies to sassy cinnamon rolls, an array of smiling bakery treats are available at this mini bake shop that’s perfect for deliciously imaginative play.
Stomp Rocket NASA Collection
Introduce your kid to the wonders of physics and aerospace courtesy of the Stomp Rocket NASA Collection recommended by Zahn. “Kids can blast off with this trio of rockets that are perfect for outdoor play,” he says. The exciting toy set includes a range of foam-tipped rockets that can soar up to 200 feet in the air, powered solely by the force of kids stomping on a launch pad. Cool, huh? The set is designed to teach children about the principles of force, trajectory, and aerodynamics.
ELEGOO UNO R3 Smart Robot Car Kit
The ELEGOO UNO R3 Smart Robot Car Kit includes everything your child needs to build a programmable robot car, complete with line tracking, obstacle avoidance, and remote control features. Ideal for STEM learning, it encourages problem-solving, coding, and hands-on creativity. The kit comes with detailed instructions and is perfect for young engineers in training.
Refasy Piggy Bank Cash Coin Can
“I got his friend this for his birthday. They are also learning about money in school,” said Velocci about her son and his classmates. The interactive piggy bank — an Amazon number-one best-seller — allows kids to insert coins and bills just like at an ATM, which prompts the toy to play music and light up. It helps kids develop their counting skills and learn about basic financial literacy. It also encourages responsibility and the understanding that money doesn’t grow on trees!
Lil’ Gleemerz Adorbrite Furry Friend Light Up Interactive Talking Toy
Meet your new furry friend, an adorable interactive companion who responds to touch and sound with over 100 reactions, phrases, and sounds — and that’s on top of a pair of glowing eyes and a light-up tail that changes colors to reflect its mood! Adorbrite responds to petting and talking in hangout mode, flashes to the beat of music in light party mode, and challenges kids with fun games in game mode. And this little dude is compact and portable — a perfect travel mate.
Play Day Jumbo Bowling Set
Kids will have a backyard blast with the Play Day Jumbo Bowling Set and its six oversized, colorful pins and jumbo bowling ball. It’s not just fun and games, though: this set is ideal for developing coordination. The pins and ball are made of durable, lightweight plastic, designed to withstand outdoor conditions while being easy for kids hands to hold.
Unicorn Academy 12″ Rainbow Light-Up Wildstar Doll
Inspired by the popular Netflix animated show and best-selling book series, this Unicorn Academy Rainbow Light-Up Wildstar Doll is like My Little Pony for the next generation, featuring light-up rainbow hair and a magical unicorn horn. Designed to respond to touch with glowing lights and playful sounds, it adds a touch of sparkle and fantasy to play time. Pre-order it now to secure yours before its July release.
Lifetime 32” Rookie Youth Portable Basketball System
Help your young athlete get their first slam dunk with the Lifetime 32″ Rookie Youth Portable Basketball System, a beginner-friendly hoop system designed to grow with your child thanks to an adjustable height that ranges from five a half to to 7 and a half feet. The 32-inch backboard is made from durable high-density polyethylene, and the base stays put no matter what it gets put through.
LeapFrog Magic Adventures Microscope
The LeapFrog Magic Adventures Microscope combines the functionality of a real microscope with engaging digital content. It has eight double-sided smart slides that activate over 220 custom BBC videos and images, allowing kids to delve into topics like plant cells and animal structures. With magnification levels from 50x to 200x, the microscope lets kids examine their own samples using reusable slides. The microscope with tiny LCD screen includes fun games like “What’s This?” quiz. Kids can save up to 100 images of their findings, with expandable storage via an SD card.
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