Gifts for 11 Year Olds: 8 Picks That Don’t Feel Babyish
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Shopping for gifts for 11 year olds can be tricky. Some still love toys, while others want projects, games and hobbies that feel a little more grown up.
The gifts that land at this age feel real: real circuits, real games the adults play, real projects that end with something to show off. We matched eight gifts to eight kinds of 11 year old, and every one is rated 11 or younger by its maker.
Quick answer: For a kid who takes things apart, Snap Circuits Classic builds over 300 projects, including a working radio. For a builder, the LEGO Technic Ford Bronco has steering and suspension that actually work. For sleepovers, Crack List keeps the whole group racing to think of answers.
Find the Right Gift for Your 11 Year Old
| If your 11 year old… | Try |
|---|---|
| Builds for hours | LEGO Technic Ford Bronco SUV |
| Takes apart old remotes | Snap Circuits Classic SC-300 |
| Loves anything gross | National Geographic Gross Science Kit |
| Likes puzzles and codes | ThinkFun Hacker |
| Makes something out of everything | Kid Made Modern Arts and Crafts Supply Library |
| Has strong opinions about outfits | Klever Kits Fashion Design Kit |
| Plays card games to win | Doomlings |
| Lives for sleepovers | Crack List |
The 8 Gifts at a Glance
| Gift | What They Do | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Bronco | Build a working SUV | 9+ |
| Snap Circuits | Snap together 300+ circuits | 8+ |
| Gross Science Kit | Make fake vomit and slime | 8+ |
| Hacker | Solve solo coding puzzles | 10+ |
| Craft Supply Library | Invent their own projects | 8+ |
| Fashion Design Kit | Style mini mannequins | 8+ |
| Doomlings | Build a silly species | 8+ |
| Crack List | Race to name things | 10+ |
For the Builder: LEGO Technic Ford Bronco SUV (42213)
Suspension That Really Works
This 943 piece Technic set builds a red and black Bronco with front and rear suspension. Turn the spare tire on the back and the front wheels steer.
The doors open, the hood lifts to show a V6 engine, and it comes with a roof rack and two traction boards. Reviewers say it looks just like the box.
A Few Days of Building
One reviewer says it took about three days to finish. It’s a project, not a quick build.
Future Mechanics
A kid who wants to know how the car works, not just how it looks.
Snap Circuits Classic SC-300, for Kids Who Take Things Apart
A Radio, an Alarm and 300 More
Color coded parts snap onto a plastic grid, with no soldering or tools. The included instructions and available online manuals cover more than 300 projects, including an AM radio, a burglar alarm and a doorbell.
Some projects are electronic games to play with friends. Reviewers say the diagrams are easy to follow and kids stay interested.
Buy the Batteries Too
It runs on 4 AA batteries, which aren’t included.
Little Inventors
A kid who has already unscrewed the back of an old remote to see what’s inside.
National Geographic Gross Science Kit, the Grossest Gift Here
Boogers, Vomit and Farting Slime
Kids boil fake boogers, make test tube vomit, dissect a squishy brain and mix farting slime. Glowing worms, creepy eyeballs and goo that defies gravity are in there too.
The kit has materials for 15 experiments, plus a booklet of 30 more using things from around the house. A picture guide explains the science behind each one.
Some Kitchen Supplies Needed
The bonus experiments use household items, and a few reviewers mention missing supplies. Plan on raiding the kitchen for a few things.
Gross Out Champions
A kid who laughs hardest when everyone else says “ewww.”
ThinkFun Hacker, a Coding Puzzle With No Screen
Break In, Then Lock It Down
Players lay out tiles to program two agents to grab data chips and reach the exit. Then they change the program to unleash a virus, and secure it against the next attack.
There are 120 challenges from beginner to expert, plus a solution booklet. One reviewer says it keeps adults busy too.
The Hard Levels Are Hard
Some reviewers find the later challenges overly complicated. Starting at the beginner cards helps.
Puzzle Solvers
A kid who loves logic puzzles and likes the idea of being a hacker for a day.
Kid Made Modern Arts and Crafts Supply Library
A Craft Closet in a Box
It’s packed with pipe cleaners, pom poms, popsicle sticks, sequins, beads and googly eyes. Scissors, needles and glue are included, so they can start right away.
Everything packs into a sturdy box with a handle. Reviewers love the variety, and one says it kept kids busy for days.
Ideas Come From Them
There’s no project book. It’s made for kids who like inventing their own creations.
Born Makers
A kid who turns cardboard, tape and leftovers into something new every weekend.
Klever Kits Fashion Design Kit, for the Future Designer
Three Mannequins, 40 Outfits
The kit has three mini mannequins, 21 fabrics, ribbons and trims, enough for more than 40 looks. No sewing is needed.
Grooves on the back of each mannequin hold the fabric in place as they tuck, tie and wrap.
Tuck and Tie Works Best
A few reviewers say the double sided tape doesn’t always hold. Tucking and tying the fabric works better for most outfits.
Style Setters
A kid who plans outfits the night before and redesigns them by morning.
Doomlings: The Card Game for Strategists
Evolve Your Creatures
Players build a silly species of Doomlings with trait cards, and every card has its own power. Catastrophe cards force players to steal or discard.
After the third catastrophe, the highest score wins. It plays 2 to 6 in 20 to 45 minutes, and reviewers love the art and the many ways to win.
First Game, Lots of Reading
With 167 different cards, the first game takes some reading. It speeds up once everyone knows the cards.
Combo Builders
A kid who plans three moves ahead and loves a clever combo.
Crack List, the Sleepover Game
Name It Fast
Pick a category, like animals or foods. Everyone starts with eight letter and action cards, then takes turns naming something in the category that starts with a letter on one of their cards.
Each player has 20 seconds to answer or play an action card. The first to empty their hand wins the round, and special cards can change the category, reverse play or make someone skip a turn.
Rounds Get Loud
With everyone thinking of answers and reacting to each turn, rounds get loud. Reviewers compare it to Uno with a twist.
Sleepover Hosts
A kid with a crowd of friends and a sleeping bag always ready.
Gifts for 11 Year Olds: Questions Parents Ask
My 11 year old says they’re too old for toys. What should I get?
Go for gifts that work like the real thing. Snap Circuits builds working electronics, and Doomlings and Crack List are games adults play too.
Are any of these screen free?
All eight are. Even Hacker, the coding game, uses tiles instead of a tablet.
Which gifts work for a group?
Crack List plays 2 to 8, and Doomlings plays 2 to 6. The rest are solo projects.
Do any need batteries?
Only Snap Circuits. It takes 4 AA batteries, not included.
Looking for more ideas?
For more gifts, see our gifts for 10 year old boys, gifts for 10 year old girls, LEGO sets for 10 year olds and board games for 10 year olds. For a 12 year old, see our gifts for 12 year olds.
