Cool Gifts for 11-Year-Old Boys

Ready for my favorite gift ideas for 11-year-old boys including books, games, toys, and technology?

ALSO VISIT: Best Books for 11-Year Olds

Cool Gifts for 11-Year-Old Boys

Fjallraven Kanken Backpack
These have been all the rage for years now according to my tweens. Tons of people love these, and they’re perfect for back to school because they’re cool and functional!

Explosive Combustion Science Lab
Make a colorful explosion, fizzy bombs, and plenty more with this exciting, hands-on science kit made for kids who want to discover more about STEM!

Ali Cross by James Patterson
ADVENTURE / MYSTERY
If you want an enthralling adventure & mystery that you can’t put down, read this one next. It’s Christmas Eve and Ali’s friend Gabe is missing, his FBI agent dad is falsely accused of murdering an old man, and someone broke into their house while they were at church and stole his dad’s service weapon. Ali knows he has to try to fix things, starting by finding his friend Gabe. Don’t miss book two, Like Father, Like Son.

Super Sphere STEM Experiment Kit
Not only will you build a robotic sphere, but you’ll also get directions for six more robot models. Program the robot to do different things and use a remote control to make your models move.

PlayStation 5
Tons of games are available on this popular gaming system! Some of the more popular games on this platform include: Miles Morales, FIFA 23, NBA 2k23, Ratchet & Clank, and more!

Madden NFL ’22
Consistently one of the most popular games, get the newest version of Madden for your teen son this year! Compatible with both Xbox and PlayStation gaming consoles.

Gone to the Woods by Gary Paulsen
This is a compelling, disturbing, and hopeful childhood story of hardship and survival with moments of kindness and time in nature that sustain the neglected, determined young boy. If you love Gary Paulsen’s stories or just enjoy survival and growing up stories, DON’T MISS this powerful book!

LEGO Speed Champions Mopar Dodge

LEGO Star Wars Boba Fett’s Starship
From the Mandalorian season 2, build the airship of Boba Fett. Plus, get Boba and Mando with the ship so it’s a cool building option for under $50.

Brick x Brick by Adam Ward
LEGO
I highly recommend this engaging book for any LEGO loving kid! Adam Ward of YouTube fame writes with so much personality and pizazz. Not only does this book show you cool, step-by-step builds, but it’s also filled with facts, tips, history, stories, & more.

LEGO Star Wars The Child
This is a detailed rendering of The Child from The Mandalorian with 1,073 pieces!

LEGO Star Wars Imperial Light Cruiser
Mandalorian fans, now you can build the Imperial Light Cruiser and get 5 mini figures with it.

13 Dead End Drive
If you like CLUE, you’ll love 13 Dead End Drive. Channel your inner murderous tendencies, knock off the other players, and inherit good old Aunt Agatha’s fortune.

BENGOO Gaming Headset
Yes, another gaming item. I know not everyone’s sons are gamers but for those who are, this is a must have for the best gaming experience. They have several color options to choose from!

littleBits Avengers Hero Inventor Kit
Marvel fans, make your own gauntlet! Snap together the electronics to build circuits the customize your gauntlet. Videos for over 18 in-app activities, wearable Tech sensors, in-app block coding, customizable LED Matrix light design, and authentic Marvel Avengers sound effects.

The Ruins of Gorlan: Ranger’s Apprentice book 1 by John A. Flanagan
Will is apprenticed to become a Ranger, a job he’s unsure about. But as he develops a relationship with his master and learns what being a Ranger is all about (spying for the kingdom), and comes to embrace his new life. When an old enemy of the kingdom sends out dangerous beasts to attack Will’s master, Will is instrumental in getting help and killing the creatures. Action, fantasy, adventure, friendship, excellent writing — this book has it all! Ranger’s Apprentice is a must-read, mesmerizing epic fantasy.

Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret by Trudi Trueit
This is National Geographic’s first fictional STEM book series with full-color illustrations that hits the spot with an exciting mix of science, technology, adventure, and mystery. Newly accepted into the prestigious Explorer Academy for science and exploration, Cruz realizes that someone is trying to kill him; someone who doesn’t want him finding out about his mother’s mysterious research and untimely death. There’s tons of cool tech, amazing friendships, plot twists, plus an intriguing premise! It will make a great gift for any child who is reading chapter books.

Bluetooth Light Up Keyboard
These kinds of keyboard are fantastic! They work for desktops, laptops, as well as phones, and tablets. I find these are much easier to type on and are honestly just fun.

Apple AirPods
These are sure to be a hit with any tween!

Words Over Easy
A family game with letter eggs for making words. The object of the game is to write as many words as you can. But here’s the twist. Put the eggs in the sorter. You must only use ALL  the letters in the green section to write words — and none of the letters in the red section. Fun!

Awesome Achievers in Technology by Alan Katz, illustrated by Chris Judge
Kids will zip through this excellent middle-grade biography because the author makes the information relevant and relatable.   The writing is conversational, the author is totally hilarious (especially when he talks about his own ridiculous inventions or the questions he asks Siri) plus there are illustrations, quizzes, fast facts, activities, and a wealth of fascinating information about each inventor’s life. Read about the inventors of video games, the television remote control, the cell phone, windshield wipers, the first web browser, and the microwave oven.

Crystal Growing Experimental Kit
Put those science skills to use by growing these amazing, eye-catching crystals that come with their own display cases!

LEGO Forest Machine
Build a durable Forest Machine with a motorized pneumatic crane boom and grabber with this advanced building set. This is a 2-in-1 model that can be rebuilt into a Log Loader both logging equipment toys are powered up with LEGO Power Functions.

Gaming Chair
Leather game chair compatible with a control panel for playing video games and more.

Blank Comic Book – Draw Your Own!
Kids can come up with their own comic-book style stories with this exciting blank journal, where they can take their imagination to new heights!

Allies by Alan Gratz

Written from many different voices about one day in history, readers easily can see the massive amount of cooperation, planning. and troops from different countries involved in D-Day (when the Allies invaded France at Normandy.) We hear from an American teenager soldier who was born in Germany, a French Algerian girl whose mom is a recently captured spy,  a Canadian paratrooper who lands in the wrong spot, and an American black medic. It’s violent and disheartening yet despite terrible losses, racism, and injuries, the fighters persist despite everything to accomplish their goal — to take back the area for the Allies. What an incredible retelling of this day, appropriate for middle grade readers.

Almanac 2023 National Geographic Kids
With schooling at home and more families homeschooling, the National Geographic Almanac is a must-own resource for families. Practice your nonfiction reading comprehension skills as you learn about animals, space, science, history, geography, and much more. Each page is designed to entertain and educate with stunning layouts and eye-popping photographs.

Go Pro Hero
Ready to start making movies with a GoPro HERO8 camera. Includes a head strap, 32GB SD card, and 2 rechargeable batteries. Who do you know that would want this gift? Because I know a bunch of boys who want this for Christmas.

iPad Pro + Apple Pencil
Both the Pro and the Apple Pencil have been much-used gifts for both my kids. They’re loving the pencil for drawing apps and think the functionality of the Pro rocks.

Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker
My kids LOVE their portable mini-speakers and so will yours. Something about kids — they need their music, right? This Bose provides amazingly high-quality sound in a waterproof, silicone exterior. Charge up to give yourself 8 hours of play time on the go. (It’s compatible with Google Now and Siri.)

Charlie Hernandez and the League of Shadows by Ryan Calejo

NFL Jersey
Wear your favorite player’s jersey– this is a popular gift for boys who love football.

Cahoots
If you like cooperative card games, give this 2019 choice a whirl. You’ll be working on a team to complete a series of goals matching colors or numbers during a timed session of play.

Apple Watch
Built-in cellular lets you do it all on your watch — even while you’re away from your phone. It’s an amazing mini-computer on your wrist.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
This book is so well-written, it’s a modern children’s book classic. Bod lives in the graveyard with an assortment of ghosts and other cemetery creatures who raise him after his parents are killed when Bod is only a baby.  Bod’s main guardian is Silas who cares for him, feeds him, and teaches him about the human world. The ending is bittersweet (my daughter yelled at me for making her read a sad story) but perfect. Despite the scary-sounding title, the scariest part is in the first chapter when Bod’s parents get murdered and I suspect most 5th graders can handle that part.

LEGO Chain Reactions Design & Build Amazing Moving Machines KLUTZ
Make machines that spin, swing, pivot, roll, lift, and drop and do these functions IN CHAIN REACTIONS! You’ll receive a 78 page book, 33 LEGO elements, 6 LEGO balls, 6 feet of string, 8 paper ramps, 2 paper pop-up signs, 1 paper funnel ramp, 1 paper flag, 1 paper bucket, and 1 platform.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
On his way to visit his dad, 13-year-old Brian’s plane crashes in the Canadian wild. All alone with only a hatchet, he’s forced to grow up quickly in order to survive each harrowing day. Readers will quickly imagine themselves in Brian’s perilous situation. Award-winning, compelling narrative.

Magic Penny Magnet Kit (updated)
You’ll be able to perform astounding feats of magnetism (44 activities included) as you playfully explore magnetic forces, motion and stability. Fun!

The Settlers of Catan
Players must trade for resources to build roads, settlements, and cities for points. The first to ten points wins. It’s easy to learn but the strategy requires some practice but 11 year olds can master this with no problem. A very popular game for families and friend groups!

Christmas Light Charger
If you’re going to charge a device, why not make it cool?

The Monster Book of Sudoku for Kids by Will Shortz
Easy (number-based) sudoku puzzles for kids starting with 4 x 4 grids. These will keep your kids brains working hard — and maybe you, too if you want!

Mastermind 
Two players. Strategy. Logic. Enthralling! (And was one of my favorites as a kid, too.)

Slackline Kit
The slackline stretches between two trees like a tightrope but is stretchy and bouncy. You can ratchet the line so it fits the distance. We also use the guided teaching line above so the kids can hold on when they lose their balance.

Fitbit 
Get a Fitbit for your kids that will tell time and help you calculate steps, calories, distance, and sleep. It’s a great way to motivate healthy living.

One by Wacom Digital Drawing Tablet
The original Wacom tablets cost $500+ so this is a more affordable option at $60 for kids who want to get started with digital art. Plug into your computer and start drawing!

Gift Guides by Age

Best Gifts for 3 Year Olds

Best Gifts for 4 Year Old Boys
Best Gifts for 4 Year Old Girls

Best Gifts for 5 Year Old Boys
Best Gifts for 5 Year Old Girls

Best Gifts for 6 Year Old Boys
Best Gifts for 6 Year Old Girls

Best Gifts for 7 Year Old Boys
Best Gifts for 7 Year Old Girls

Best Gifts for 8 Year Old Boys
Best Gifts for 8 Year Old Girls

Best Gifts for 9 Year Old Boys
Best Gifts for 9 Year Old Girls

Best Gifts for 10 Year Old Boys
Best Gifts for 10 Year Old Girls

Best Gifts for 11 Year Old Boys
Best Gifts for 11 Year Old Girls

Best Gifts for 12 Year Old Boys
Best Gifts for 12 Year Old Girls

Gifts for 13-Year-Old Girls
Cool Gifts for Teen Girls