Shopping for gifts for 11-year-old boys can be tricky. Where do you even start? Do they even like toys at this point? What do they wear? Listen to? What do they enjoy doing when they hang out with friends?

　　When buying your pre-teen a gift, the most important thing to remember is boys never really stop being interested in toys — you just need to find the right toy. And there are plenty of “Big Kid” toys your 11-year-old will love. The key, though, is to make sure you don’t call them toys.

　　Seriously, avoid calling them “toys” at all costs, or you might be met with the dreaded tween eye-roll. Instead, call them video games, technology, gadgets, Lego sets, whatever they are. Let’s be real, they’re just like toys because they’re fun and they’re entertaining. But unlike toys, your 11-year-old can enjoy them while holding on to all their Cool Kid street cred.

　　In choosing these gifts, we wanted to select a variety of books, games, and toys (that we will not be calling toys!) that encourage fun and continued learning for 11-year-old boys. We also made sure to take a look around our circles to see what the tweens in our lives are getting the most use out of. Check out the best gifts for 11-year-old boys below.

　　1For a Fun Spin on Lawn Games

　　Tactic Games US Molkky Bowling Game

　　In this outdoor game, players win points by knocking down pins. If they topple more than one with the throwing pin, they get that many points. But if they’re accurate enough to get just one, they score the number listed on the pin (1 through 12). The first player to get exactly 50 points wins.

　　2For the Gamer

　　Nintendo Wario Ware: Move It Game

　　This collection of micro-games (Nintendo was deliberate in that wording; each takes fewer than 10 seconds to play) come at you rapid fire. Wario Ware takes full advantage of the Switch’s unique joy-con controllers and their motion-sensing tech to have your kid striking poses and performing actions to progress. You can join them too for multiplayer — if they’ll let you.

　　3For the Strategic Thinker

　　SmartGames Cats & Boxes Game

　　This game requires critical thinking and no small amount of spatial intelligence. Players set up cats and move around the boxes (set in puzzle pieces) to get all the kitties in the boxes. The 60 prompts for board arrangements increase in difficulty as you go on.

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　　4For the Cozy Kid

　　Nike Kids Sportswear Club Fleece Pullover

　　We know giving kids clothes as a gift is a risk. But honestly, once you have an 11-year-old boy, it’s less risky because they’re actually getting to an age where they care what they wear. And this hoodie is equal parts cozy and cool.

　　5For Independent Thinkers

　　Winning Moves Games Scattergories 30th Anniversary Edition

　　To win this classic game, you have to think outside of the box, choosing answers for each category on several lists. But careful, if someone chooses the same answer as you, neither of you gets any points!

　　6For the Future NASA Scientist

　　Gskyer Telescope

　　With a 70 millimeter aperture and 400 millimeter focal length, this astronomical refracting telescope is great for star gazers of all ages. It even comes with a travel bag and phone adapter, both for a better view and to capture amazing astronomical images.

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　　7For the Musician

　　PAXCESS 7 Pads Electronic Drum Set

　　Perfect for learning drums or upping his game, but set includes a snare, 3 toms, a crash, a ride, a high hat, and 2 foot pedals (for a bass drum sound). And yes, of course there's an earphone jack, so his practice doesn't have to be part of the household soundtrack.

　　8For the Kid On The Go

　　Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bike

　　If he's been riding the same bike since he was 8, there's a pretty good chance it's time to upgrade, size-wise. Depending on his height, this sturdy, shiny mountain bike will probably last him for as long as he wants to keep riding it!

　　9For the Comfy Kid

　　L.L. Bean Men's Scotch Plaid Flannel Sleep Pants

　　For the 11-year-old boy who just wants to lounge around the house in his pajamas all day, these cozy flannel ones, available in a variety of styles, are just the thing. Note these are men's pants, but (and we're sorry to tell you this) there's a good chance your child will fit in them.

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　　10For the Curious Mind

　　Delacorte Books for Young Readers A Really Short History of Nearly Everything

　　For the tween who loves asking questions and sharing interesting facts, this book by Bill Bryson is filled with fun scientific tidbits. Your curious boy will learn about everything from atoms to dinosaurs to the rise of civilization. Be prepared — you may just find him asking, “Did you know...?” over and over.

　　11For Family-Friendly Outdoor Fun

　　pindaloo Juggling Game

　　Play this game on your own or with a friend by tossing and juggling a ball through a U-shaped tube. While it may look simple, this game will quickly become addictive and hold the attention of your tween. Play it in the backyard, take it on the go with you, or play it indoors if you're careful.

　　Made of plastic, you can even use it in the pool. What your 11-year-old won't see is that this game is helping them engage both sides of their brain and fine motor skills.

　　12For Animating Any Toy

　　HUE Stop Motion Animation Studio

　　Your 11-year-old boy will love this kit that will help them animate Lego, modeling clay, action figures, or whatever else they want to bring to life.

　　It includes a camera with a microphone, a 60-page animation activity book, a mini stage with a background and green screen, and stop-motion software with time-lapse features, sound effects, and backdrops.

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　　13For Engaging, Customizable Fun

　　Smartivity DIY Pinball Machine

　　As if playing pinball isn't fun enough, now your tween can build their own pinball machine. This exciting game doubles as a STEM activity. With 375 pieces, your 11-year-old will enjoy hours of completing the puzzle of building the game.

　　Unlike other build sets, this one can be enjoyed over and over and over after it's built.

　　14For Zero-Gravity Play

　　Air Hogs Laser-Guided Race Car

　　If your bored tween is driving you up the wall, give them something to drive up the wall literally, with this laser-driven car. Designed to drive up walls and even upside down on the ceiling, just point your laser, and the car will follow in whatever direction it moves.

　　15For Showing Their Gaming Pride

　　Pottery Barn Teen Super Mario Mushroom Wall Light

　　You may have noticed your 11-year-old boy has reached an age where he’s spending way more time in his room, so you might as well make it a space he loves. This LED light decor is perfect for the boy who loves gaming.

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　　16For the Nerf Fanatic

　　JoyX Tactical Vest

　　Let’s be honest: Your kid needs another Nerf gun like you need to find another foam dart under your couch (why do they all wind up under the couch?!). But you can’t deny it: He loves those things. So make the most of his epic battles with this fun vest, which holds all his ammo and accessories.

　　17For the One Who Loves a Challenge

　　Hasbro Gaming Simon

　　This classic memory game relies on sight and sound to master – carefully study the flashing lights and distinct sounds and recreate the pattern. Can you beat Simon?

　　18For the Gadget-Lover

　　RADCLO Mini Camera Drone

　　Whether he wants to capture cool video and pictures from the sky or just fly around a cool new gadget, this sturdy drone is perfect for beginners and will provide hours of high-flying fun.

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　　19For the Future Detective

　　CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform “Difficult Riddles For Smart Kids” by M. Prefontaine

　　These classic-style riddles are perfect for the 11-year-old boy who likes to challenge himself and think outside of the box. Perfect for reading solo or bringing to the dinner table for some lively family discussion.

　　20For the Budding Artist

　　Color More 175 Piece Deluxe Art Set

　　This 175-piece set is perfect for the 11-year-old boy with artistic aspirations. Includes 24 acrylic paints, oil pastels, color pencils, watercolor cakes, paintbrushes, drawing pencils, a drawing pad, and much more. The supplies are all tucked in a handsome wooden carry case, which lets them take their art anywhere they go.