Curiosity and learning go hand-in-hand. Being curious leads kids down the path of learning and the more they learn the more curious they get. So, for the parents of your most curious 9-year-olds out there, we have put together a list of 20 educational games for curious 9-year olds that they will love.
Not only this, the toys and games we have included also hold a whole load of educational benefits too.
So, let’s begin our list of 20 Educational Toys and Games for Parents of Curious 9-Year-Olds.
20 Educational Games for Curious 9-Year Olds – Our List
1) Electronics Snap Circuits
We all know that kids are very curious when it comes to electrical appliances. But, as adults we sometimes need to draw the line when it comes to allowing our kids the freedom to discover and explore.
Hence why this electronic set is perfect for curious 9-year-olds. It allows them to investigate how electrical circuits work in a safe way. The toy is powered by double AA batteries and all the wires and components are insulated to keep your budding electrical engineers safe.
With 60 parts and 300 different combinations of circuits, kids can spend hours exploring how circuits work.
2) Beginner Microscope STEM Kit
If your curious 9-year-old just can’t get a close enough look, this microscope will be sure to satisfy his or her need to see things up close.
Made of metal, this toy microscope is durable and hard to break even when an excitable 9-year-old gets their hands on it.
The set includes pre-prepared slides of plant material, insects, and animal cells, plus blank slides.
So, with detailed instructions on how to prepare the slides, kids will be able to take their scientific investigations in whichever route they want.
3) Mega Gemstone Dig Kit
What is it with kids and rocks? From filling their pockets and school bags to stashing a collection of rocks under their beds. It’s clear that kids absolutely love rocks.
For this reason, the NatGeo Gemstone Dig Kit is the perfect toy for those avid rock collectors.
The set includes a dig brick, which acts as the gem mine. Plus, a chisel, brush and magnifying glass. All the essential tools required for mining gems.
Within the dig brick, kids will discover real gemstones such as quartz, obsidian, amethyst, and more.
The book that accompanies the set provides lots of information on rock formation and how to classify rocks. Therefore, taking a kid with an interest in rocks to the next level and a step towards becoming the next famous geologist.
This set rocks!
4) Magnetic U.S. Map Puzzle
The puzzle connects by magnets, making it an instant hit by adding a level of interest and intrigue.
Another reason this puzzle is a big hit is due to the fact it is a map. Kids love exploring maps and this puzzle allows them to do just that – well once they have completed it that is!
This edition is a magnetic puzzle map of the US. Puzzlers must piece together the map state by state. Once completed kids will be able to learn some US geography. Each state contains images of plants, wildlife or landmarks linked to the area.
It would also be great to use magnetic whiteboards to display in class.
5) Professor Maxwell’s VR Universe
Pondering the universe is a common pastime for curious kids. Give them the key to answering some of these big questions orbiting their heads.
This virtual reality space science book takes them on a journey to outer space, as well as educating them on the fundamentals of space science. Covering topics such as the planets, stars, magnetic fields, orbits, and much more.
Read the book, complete the experiments and activities suggested, then finally don the virtual reality goggles for a chance to blast into space, orbit the earth, and land on the moon.
The set includes the VR book and goggles, plus materials for the suggested experiments.
So, if your 9-year-old dreams of going to space, give them the next best thing!
6) Medium LEGO Creative Brick Box
Construction play is known to enhance kids thinking and development in a number of areas. That is why we recommend Lego as a great toy for 9-year-olds.
The Creative Brick Box contains 484 pieces, including wheels, windows, different shapes, a base plate, plus 35 different colors.
Like many Lego toys, the Creative Brick Box is open-ended, which helps 9-year olds look beyond one-directional thinking. With no specific end goal, the imagination is left to the kids.
We should also mention the benefits to kids fine motor skills. Playing with the small parts is a time for kids to practice their hand-eye coordination, improve their precision and help build dexterity in their hands. All of this is really important in completing day-to-day tasks and helps improve handwriting.
7) LEGO 3 in 1 Deep Sea Creatures
Lego Creator sets are great too. This set provides kids with instructions and pieces to make deep sea creatures.
Following instructions is a reading and comprehension skill that 9-year-olds can practice while building.
This isn’t the only benefit. Construction play changes the way kids think. It encourages them to use their problem-solving skills to figure out how and where the pieces fit. It also develops their spatial thinking, as they must think about shape, size, and space.
The Deep-Sea Creatures is a 3-in-1 set. Kids can either make a shark, giant squid or an anchor fish. They can also use these ideas as a springboard for their own deep-sea designs.
8) LEGO Mighty Dinosaurs
Another Lego set now, this time with the ever-popular theme of dinosaurs. This set has instructions on how to build a Pterodactyl, Triceratops, and T Rex.
Although the set comes with instructions for 3 dinosaurs, it is important to remember that Lego is dynamic. And these dinosaurs are just the start. There are endless options for kids to redesign and create their own.
Going off-script from the original designs should be encouraged. Kids will get the opportunity to plan and test ideas, experimenting with what works and what does not. It will teach them that sometimes plans fail and that sometimes these failed plans can lead to great discoveries.
9) Crayola Jumbo Crayons
Encouraging some kids to write can be a struggle. So, tap into their curiosity and get them writing with these Crayola Jumbo Crayons.
Providing your kids with different writing tools plays on their curious nature. It makes them want to experiment with them and encourages them to get writing.
The added variety makes the writing process much more exciting and will increase engagement. Crayola Jumbo Crayons are just the start. There is a whole heap of writing devices out there that kids will love to get their curious hands on.
10) Paint by Sticker Kids: Unicorns & Magic
Many 9-year-olds love experimenting with paint and need the opportunities to express themselves creatively. Sometimes it just isn’t the right time or place to get the paints out.
Avoid the mess with this Paint by Sticker book. It’s a handy alternative to painting and can be done anywhere from the classroom, playground, or even the school bus.
Use the colored stickers to fill the pre-printed drawing.
This particular book contains pictures of a magical theme and a whole load of unicorns. Sticker sheets are provided, and there are even some glitter stickers to add some sparkle to their creations.
11) I Am Confident, Brave & Beautiful: A Coloring Book for Girls
Life for a curious 9-year-old can be hectic. And, sometimes those busy little heads need a rest.
Mindfulness is a great way to slow down and create some calm.
Coloring is known to be a great mindful practice. Kids can focus on the task of coloring between the lines.
The added bonus that this coloring book offers is that it subtly challenges stereotypes through the coloring pictures provided. It also delicately communicates messages and affirmations to raise self-esteem for your 9-year old girl. Coloring in this book presents concepts like bravery, beauty, strength, creativity, and independence.
12) Rubik’s Cup for Kids
A take on the best-selling Rubik’s cube. This Rubiks will test your 9-year-old’s problem-solving skills with every twist and turn.
Calling on kids strategic thinking too, this is a game with many educational benefits. They will be forced to plan ahead and remember patterns. A real brainteaser!
In addition to the benefits it holds in terms of thinking skills, the cube is also a great way for kids to tune out and relieve stress.
13) Kanoodle
Another puzzle that enhances thinking skills is Kanoodle. Players select a challenge card and they must complete the puzzle by connecting the oddly shaped pieces together.
There are 200 different challenge cards which increase in difficulty depending on the level you choose. The puzzle can be used in 2D or 3D mode. The 3D mode stretches spatial thinking even further.
These puzzle challenges require plenty of determination and resilience.
The pocket-size travel case keeps the pieces safe and means it is a great game to be played on the move.
14) Harry Potter 550 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Despite all the advanced puzzles on the market, many kids are still drawn to the traditional style puzzles and perhaps your 9-year old is too.
This traditional puzzle has even more of a draw because it depicts a scene for the popular Harry Potter movie, The Sorcerer’s Stone.
With 550 pieces, it provides kids the opportunity to work on a project over the course of a few days. Teaching them that not everything can be solved quickly.
Kids will have the chance to develop their focus, paying close attention to detail and lose themselves in the magical world of Harry Potter.
15) Wooden Geoboard
Your 9-year-old will spend hours experimenting with shape while playing with this age-old favorite.
It comes with, one wooden geoboard, plenty of elastic bands, and 30 challenge cards.
The aim is to create pieces of art by stretching the bands over the nails in the geoboard. Kids can complete the challenge cards, or they might choose to create their own recognizable shapes. Some might even take it one step further and create intricate patterns using the bands.
A toy that allows creativity to flow and dexterity grow.
16) Rock ’em Sock ’em Robots: Batman v Superman
Even the greatest scientists, engineers, and artists need a little lighthearted fun. Rock-em Sock-em does the job.
A boxing game where the players push buttons on a joystick to make their characters swing punches. The winner is the character left standing.
Good fun and a distraction from all those busy thoughts, it is also useful for building strength and muscles in the hands and fingers.
17) Coogam Wooden Puzzle Blocks
A mathematical puzzle that develops the type of thinking required to succeed in the STEM world. This tangram puzzle is therefore a great resource for teachers or parents teaching the STEM curriculum.
This set includes 40 irregularly shaped pieces in multiple colors which kids must maneuver into place to make the puzzle. It bears a striking resemblance to the all-time-favorite game Tetris. Kids can also use the shapes creatively to make their own artistic tangram patterns.
18) Light-up Ant Habitat for Kids
Take a look at life below ground and explore the world of ants.
Your curious 9-year-old will love this light-up Ant Farm. Watch as they become biologists and study the behaviors of this captivating species.
The LED lights within the tank help kids get an even more detailed look at colonies in action.
After studying these fascinating creatures, kids are bound to have lots of questions about ant civilization.
The book included should be able to answer some of these questions.
19) Magnifying Glass with LED Light
A must-have for yours and every 9-year-old that loves investigating. The magnifying glass with light will satisfy their need to see things up close.
Look at the patterns nature creates or study creatures up close. Kids can play at being scientists or become detectives searching for all-important clues to solve a mystery.
The magnifying glass is lightweight making it great for your 9-year-old to hold comfortably and use for hours.
20) Leonardo da Vinci Catapult Kit
Model making is a super way to keep those budding engineers occupied. If your kids are curious about mechanisms and desperate to find out how they work this toy is a great place to start.
The Leonardo da Vinci Catapult Kit comes with all the pieces pre-cut and ready to fix together. The glue is also included.
The kit has links to history and kids can learn about how and why catapults were used. The gruesome stories of how they were used in medieval times will certainly capture the attention of your 9-year-old.
Once complete, your kids will have a great time catapulting various items across the room. Just watch out for your prized possessions!
Educational Games for Curious 9-Year Olds – Final Thoughts
As parents or educators, we must accept that we don’t hold all the answers to our kids’ questions, and we can’t do the learning for them. However, it is our duty to allow them to investigate and explore on their own.
We can guide them in the right direction and provide them with the opportunities they need to make their own discoveries.
By selecting toys and games from this list of 20 Educational Toys & Games for Parents of Curious 9-Year-Olds, you can ensure they are getting the opportunities they need to satisfy their curiosity and learn through exploration.