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There’s no better time to be a big kid than right now. When we were young, adults had few outlets to carry over their enthusiasm for tinkering or fervent interests from childhood. Nowadays, however, there are countless brands that make toys, gadgets, and collectibles for the young at heart. We all need an escape sometimes — especially back to our youth — and there’s no better time to explore those outlets than during the time of year that was always synonymous with getting new toys. For guidance when shopping for the man-child in your life, check out our guide to the best gifts for the big kid.
Polaris Outlaw 110 EFI
It’s never too early to get your youngster experienced out on the dirt. The 2023 Polaris Outlaw 110 Youth ATV can help bridge the gap between your own passion and the burgeoning curiosity of your child. For kids 10 and up, the vehicle sports a 110cc EFI engine and comes equipped with beginner features such as a speed limiter and easy handling to build confidence. What’s more, the range of add-on accessories ensures they won’t grow out of the ride any time soon.
Spalding x Stranger Things Hawkins Basketball
With the penultimate season debuting this past summer, Stranger Things has partnered with SPALDING for an exclusive basketball collection with design cues taken from the show. This limited-edition Hawkins variant features the Hawkins High color scheme and tiger mascot.
Nerf Pro Gelfire Mythic Blaster
NERF hopped on the gel blaster wagon with this Pro Gelfire Mythic Blaster, capable of firing 10 rounds per second in either automatic or semi-automatic mode. With a hopper capable of holding up to 800 rounds, the rechargeable blaster comes with 10,000 total rounds and protective eyewear.
Polaroid Music Players
Polaroid entered the portable speaker space with this quartet of stylish music players with an aggressive retro edge. Available in several attractive colors, the units range from the super-portable P1 to the boombox-esque P3.
Little Building Co. DIY Guggenheim Museum Architectural Model
If you never achieved your dreams of building iconic structures (or perhaps you did), the next best thing is putting together a 1:500 scale model of one of the most iconic buildings on the planet. This DIY kit of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim Museum is made of aspen and cherry wood and features a detailed interior and exterior.
PowerUp F22 Raptor Remote Controlled Airplane Kit
PowerUp’s F22 Raptor takes the paper airplanes from your childhood to a whole new level thanks to the nylon-reinforced motor capable of a 10-minute flight time and speeds up to 20mph. Assemble the foam body and use the smartphone app as a remote control via Bluetooth.
SEGA Genesis Mini 2
SEGA just came out with the newest version of its popular Genesis Mini from 2019. The updated system features a six-button gamepad this time around and ups the game selection from 40 to 60, with hits like Sonic 3D Blast and Streets of Rage 3, as well as 7 previously-unreleased titles and 12 from SEGA CD.
Rotate Watches Build Your Own Watch Movement Kit
Despite it being the era of smartwatches, the wonders of mechanical movements still have us enamored. Thanks to this Watch Movement Kit from Rotate Watches, you can try your hand at constructing a hand-wound caliber movement with over 40 pieces, regardless of skill level.
Jumanji Board Game Collector Replica
Remember the flimsy home version they made of the Jumanji board game back in the ‘90s? Well, this official replica edition is about as close to what the game really looked and felt like on screen in the 1995 film — sans real-life rhinos.
Arcade1Up Turtles In Time Countercade
Not all of us have the space for a full-sized gaming cabinet. This new Countercade from Arcade1Up can be set on your desk or bartop for hours of endless fun, featuring both Turtles In Time and the original TMNT arcade game.
miniAlley Booknook
Adding a truly outside-the-box flair to your home library, these Booknook dioramas are highly-detailed miniature alleyways that rest between your books on the shelf. Taking you across the globe to Italy or Japan, or even to medieval times, it’s the ultimate conversation piece and provides a brief escape amidst your stressful day.
LEGO Ferrari Daytona SP3
Part of its meticulously-detailed Technic collection, LEGO’s new Ferrari Daytona SP3 build was released earlier this year, consisting of 3,778 pieces and featuring a working 8-speed gearbox with paddle shifters and butterfly doors. Purchasing the set even unlocks specific rewards for those fortunate enough to own an actual Daytona SP3.
Dowdle What a Wonderful World Puzzle
If you’re a big puzzler, see how long it takes you to complete Dowdle’s What a Wonderful World puzzle — the largest in existence. This super-detailed 60,000-piece jigsaw of the world features original artwork and fantastic images of landmarks from across the globe. Take on the task alone or host a puzzle party to let your friends help out.
Robosen Optimus Prime
The ultimate grail toy for any ‘80s kid, this 19-inch animatronic Optimus Prime speaks and moves with 60 microchips through 27 different components. You can control the robot via your smartphone, which allows more features and commands to be downloaded through updates.
Meta Quest Pro Headset
Amidst a crowded augmented reality tech market, Meta’s Quest Pro promises to be its most advanced to date. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2+ allows the headset to have supreme AR resolution to enhance the immersive experience and offers benefits for architects and designers who long to see the finished product before even breaking ground.
Vesaro I Racing Simulator
Why play a racing video game when you can buy a racing simulator for your home? Sporting Corbeau bucket seats, tactile and force feedback, and 5.1 THX surround sound, these all-in-one units from Vesaro are the brand’s entry-level range, utilizing PC architecture and a totally-upgradable format.
