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Finding the best toys for 10-year-olds is tricky: kids this age have outgrown most “toy aisle” stuff, but they still love to build, tinker, compete and make things. For this holiday gift guide we compared specs, expert testing from this year’s big toy awards and owner reviews to pick nine gifts across LEGO, STEM, games, outdoor play and crafts, from stocking stuffers to a showpiece splurge.
Part of our Baby & Kids Buying Guides.
Quick picks
| Product | Best for | Price range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEGO Star Wars SMART Play: Throne Room Duel & A-Wing (75427) | Best LEGO splurge | $$$$ | See price |
| Thames & Kosmos V8 Race Car | Best engineering kit | $$ | See price |
| Snap Circuits Soccer Shot | Best STEM build-and-play | $$$ | See price |
| Stickerbox | Best creative tech toy | $$$ | See price |
| Giant Tower Stack | Best outdoor game | $$ | See price |
| Blooms by Play-Doh | Best art and craft kit | $$ | See price |
| Catan On The Road | Best travel strategy game | $ | See price |
| National Geographic Mammoth Dissection Kit | Best science kit | $ | See price |
| Hex Bots Explodapede | Best remote-control toy | $ | See price |
Price tiers: $ under $30, $$ $30-$75, $$$ $75-$150, $$$$ $150+. Holiday sales move toy prices a lot, so check the current price.
1. LEGO Star Wars SMART Play: Throne Room Duel & A-Wing (75427): Best LEGO Splurge
LEGO’s new SMART Play system adds lights and sounds that react to special minifigures and tags, and this Star Wars starter set landed on The Toy Insider’s 2026 Hot 20 list. It is a big, exciting gift for a LEGO fan who has done plenty of standard sets. Because it is a starter set, it includes the SMART Bricks that later add-on sets rely on.
Key specs
- Ages: 9+
- Pieces: 962
- Includes 2 SMART Bricks plus charger (about 45 minutes per charge)
- 3 SMART minifigures (Luke, Palpatine, Vader) and 5 SMART Tags
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Early reviewers like the interactive play but note the A-wing is more of a playful model than a display piece, and some kids need help discovering all the triggers.
2. Thames & Kosmos V8 Race Car: Best Engineering Kit
This kit is rated for exactly this age and teaches real mechanical concepts. Kids build a race car with a clear V8 engine block so they can watch the pistons move, plus a working four-speed gearbox, differential and double-wishbone suspension. It is a great pick for car-crazy kids who like to know how things work.
Key specs
- Ages: 10+
- Pieces: 233
- 40-page illustrated manual
- Motor runs on 2 AAA batteries
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Reviewers say it is a genuinely educational build that gets kids interested in how cars work; expect a longer project than a typical snap-together kit.
3. Snap Circuits Soccer Shot: Best STEM Build-and-Play
Snap Circuits sets have long been a favorite for teaching electronics, and Soccer Shot turns the circuit build into a head-to-head game. Kids snap together the circuits with no tools, then play with a motorized kicker, goalie and scoreboard. Shop TODAY named it a 2026 award winner for build-and-play toys.
Key specs
- Ages: 7+
- Players: 2
- Build time: about 1-2 hours, no tools
- Power: 3 AA batteries
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Testers enjoyed the moving kicker and goalie and the race to nine goals; it is new for 2026, so long-term owner feedback is still limited.
4. Stickerbox: Best Creative Tech Toy
Stickerbox is a small voice-powered printer: a child describes a picture out loud and it prints a black-and-white sticker to color in. It uses thermal paper, so there is no ink to buy, and it includes kid-focused safety filters. It is a great creative gift for kids who love drawing but want something new.
Key specs
- Ages: 5+
- Includes printer, 3 paper rolls (about 180 stickers) and colored pencils
- Inkless thermal printing
- Needs Wi-Fi; plug-in power
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Reviewers say it handles long, rambling prompts well and that adults want one too, though some prompts produce fairly generic drawings.
5. Giant Tower Stack: Best Outdoor Game
A giant block-stacking game gets 10-year-olds off screens and playing with the whole family. This set’s weather-resistant plastic blocks stack up to about four feet tall, and it comes with a balance board and carrying case for parties, camping and tailgates.
Key specs
- Ages: 8+
- 50 blocks plus balance board and carry case
- Stacks up to about 4 ft
- All-weather plastic
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners like that it is light, durable and a hit at family gatherings; the main complaint is the occasional warped piece.
6. Blooms by Play-Doh: Best Art and Craft Kit
This grown-up spin on Play-Doh uses air-dry clay and flower-shaping tools so kids can make a bouquet that keeps its shape. It is a good fit for crafty 10-year-olds who have aged out of regular dough and want something to display.
Key specs
- Ages: 8+ (per Shop TODAY)
- Includes flower tools, color sticks, a vase and finishing spray
- Air-dry clay
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Crafters like the petal variety and how sturdy the finished flowers are, but some dislike the scent and the long drying time.
7. Catan On The Road: Best Travel Strategy Game
Ten is a great age to start real strategy games, and this card-only spin on Catan delivers the trading-and-building feel in about 15 minutes. It is small enough for a stocking and perfect for road trips.
Key specs
- Ages: 10+
- Players: 3-4
- 120 cards
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Testers like the fast games; it’s a newer release, so there’s less long-term owner feedback.
8. National Geographic Mammoth Dissection Kit: Best Science Kit
Kids “dissect” a woolly mammoth model to uncover 17 glow-in-the-dark bones, guided by a fact-filled learning booklet. It is an affordable, hands-on science gift for animal and prehistory fans.
Key specs
- Ages: 6+
- Mammoth model with 17 glow-in-the-dark bones
- Tools and learning guide included
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Testers singled out the glowing bones and informative guide; it works best for kids with a strong interest in animals or fossils.
9. Hex Bots Explodapede: Best Remote-Control Toy
This remote-control centipede rolls into a ball and then pops open, which makes it a favorite for pranks on siblings. It is rechargeable, so you won’t be digging for AA batteries on Christmas morning.
Key specs
- Ages: 8+
- Remote-control robot centipede
- Rechargeable battery
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Testers loved the transforming trick; as a 2026 newcomer, it has limited owner feedback so far.
How to choose toys for 10-year-olds
- Read the age rating as a challenge level. Toys rated 8+ to 10+ usually hit the sweet spot. Younger-rated toys can feel babyish, while 12+ kits may frustrate without adult help.
- Check batteries and charging. Snap Circuits Soccer Shot needs AAs, the V8 kit needs AAAs and LEGO SMART Bricks need charging. Have power ready before the big day.
- Watch for ongoing costs. Sticker printers need paper refills, and LEGO SMART add-on sets require the bricks from a starter set.
- Consider connectivity and privacy. Some new toys need Wi-Fi. If you prefer screen-free and offline, choose games, kits and crafts.
- Solo or social? Strategy and outdoor games need 2-4 players; build kits are mostly solo projects. Match the gift to how your child likes to play.
- Safety gear for active gifts. If you add a bike or skates to the list, include a helmet. Note that the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that children under 16 should not ride e-scooters, which is why we left them off this list.
FAQ
What do 10-year-olds want for Christmas?
Many 10-year-olds gravitate toward building sets like LEGO, hands-on STEM kits, strategy and party games, creative tech, and active outdoor games. Picking around a current interest, like cars, Star Wars or art, usually beats picking the trendiest toy.
Are LEGO SMART Play sets worth it?
They add interactive lights and sounds to traditional building. Starter sets like 75427 include the SMART Bricks; later add-on sets include tags and minifigures but rely on bricks from a starter set, so buy a starter first.
What is a good STEM toy for a 10-year-old?
Look for kits that explain real concepts. The Thames & Kosmos V8 Race Car is rated 10+ and models an engine, gearbox and differential, while Snap Circuits teaches basic electronics through tool-free builds.
Can a 10-year-old ride an electric scooter?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 16 not ride or operate e-scooters, and some cities restrict them for younger riders. A kick scooter or bike with a helmet is a safer alternative.
Related guides
- The Best Toys for 9-Year-Olds
- The Best STEM Toys
- The Best Building Toys for Kids
- The Best Outdoor Playsets and Swing Sets
- Baby & Kids Buying Guides
Sources
We compared expert picks from The Toy Insider’s Hottest Toys of 2026 (TODAY), Shop TODAY Best Toy Awards 2026, Good Housekeeping’s 2026 Toy Awards (via GMA), Brick Fanatics, The Drive, TechCrunch and HealthyChildren.org (AAP), plus manufacturer pages. Owner feedback is summarized in our own words from public reviews. Photos courtesy of Unsplash.