The 26 Best Gifts for 8-Year-Old Boys of 2023

Eight-year-olds are in an in-between phase of childhood. Since they're not quite tweens but not little kids anymore, it can be hard to find gifts that will properly engage them. They will likely appreciate bigger kid toys but still love solo play with some figures or other small toys. The best gifts for 8-year-olds will engage them in one of their hobbies and encourage independence while also building their social, physical, and mental skills.

Even if the kid on your list has developed deep interests in something, expand their horizons with a toy that is new, innovative, or just made for fun. From fidget toys to paint kits to bikes to books, there is a gift out there for every 8-year-old in your life. We carefully considered price, value, durability, design, age recommendations, and functionality when reviewing products.

Based on our research, these are the best gifts for 8-year-old boys.

In This Article

Our Picks
Why Trust Verywell Family

Amazon

A hit on TikTok, we love this sensory fidget toy for its simple yet effective design. Perfect for stress relief and animal lovers, the reversible plushie shows a happy and sad side, so kids can express their moods without saying a word. It's made with super soft fabric, and its small size makes it a perfect travel companion for your child. We also love that it comes in many different colors to suit any child's preferences. If their favorite animal isn't an octopus or they like to collect items, the brand also makes tons of other reversible animals, including unicorns, narwhals, cats, dogs, pandas, and turtles, to name a few. Reviewers note that they're easy to clean and very durable.

Price at time of publication: $15

Amazon

Cozy up on the couch or in a reading corner with this unique Among Us super soft blanket. Kids will love having their own blanket and it’ll look so cool, everyone in the family will want to borrow this cozy cover.

Price at time of publication: $20

Amazon

Use the five included washable colored markers and paper to turn your kid’s hand-drawn concepts and pictures into video games that can be played instantly. Surprisingly simple and easy to use, kids can make 1,600 games with seven included game types.

An important note is that you do need an Android or iOS tablet in order to play and create.

Price at time of publication: $28

What Our Editors Say

"My 8-year-old son is obsessed with gaming and wants to be a game programmer when he grows up, so this was right up his alley. It was really easy to use and pretty fun to create different games and obstacles. There is also a community on the app for him to look at the games other users create," - Latifah Miles, Verywell Family Commerce Editor.

Courtesy of Boogie Board

Encourage writing and creativity with this innovative LCD sketch pad that boasts a hard to lose attached stylus pen. Draw whatever you want and then simply erase the image with the touch of a button.

Price at time of publication: $20

Doodle Hog

The squishy craze just got a whole lot more creative with this kit that includes ready-to-paint all-white squishies. Your little artist can choose from five squishy shapes and each set is stocked with a blank squishy, paintbrush, and paint.

Price at time of publication: $13

Courtesy of Amazon

This game is quick to learn and takes just 15 minutes to play, perfect for two to five players. The goal is to grab the best combination of sushi dishes as they whiz by. A fun foodie pick that’ll teach kids strategy and probability.

Price at time of publication: $13

Amazon

Beyblades let it rip! Your kiddo will have everything they need to battle, including a Beystadium, two right/left spin launchers and two spinning tops. This stadium is designed to keep the fun moving with a motorized disc in the center of the platform that helps to keep the Beyblades spinning and battling, a first in the brand's line of toys! A great set for either seasoned Beybladers or newbies, this toy is tons of fun.

Price at time of publication: $67

Courtesy of Bling2O

The perfect accessory for any shark-loving swimmer, this snorkel features a cute shark fin topper that sticks out of the water when swimming. It comes with a protective case, but you’ll need to supply your own goggles or mask.

Price at time of publication: $18

Courtesy of Amazon

Cooking teaches kids about healthy eating, math, science, and so much more. Make sure they enjoy it safely with a handy three-piece knife set. Sized just right for kids, these knives are safe for little hands but are totally functional in the kitchen when it comes to chopping, cutting, and slicing.

Price at time of publication: $11

Courtesy of OMY Design & Play

Layout this 40 x 28-inch oversized coloring poster and get ready for fun. Perfect alone or with a group, the poster depicts superheroes saving the day. Get your markers, crayons, or colored pencils ready, and have fun!

Price at time of publication: $23

Courtesy of Amazon

Designed to be used outdoors, this gift will get your 8-year-old to turn off their screen and get moving. Sized just right to kick, throw, bounce, or play, a kickball is a welcome addition to any backyard, park, beach, or anywhere playdate. The ball arrives deflated and the brand specifies to only inflate it to 1.5 pounds of air pressure to avoid overinflation.

Price at time of publication: $19

Amazon

Unlike any other toy, the award-winning fidget cube is a fun and challenging puzzle toy. The shape-shifting cube moves in multiple ways and encourages STEM thinking to solve the puzzles. Similar to the DIY fortune-tellers from the 90s, this toy will bring back some retro memories.

Price at time of publication: $25

Courtesy of Fat Brain Toys

Part puzzle, part toy, this anatomically correct 13-inch great white shark model will teach kids about marine biology all while honing their visual-spatial skills. Made with 20 detachable parts, the shark also comes with an educational guide all about the shark's life cycle, habits, and much more.

Price at time of publication: $34

Courtesy of Fat Brain Toys

Snazz up your child’s bike with these fun lights for their wheels. The LED lights and battery pack mount directly to the wheel spokes and stay lit while riding. Choose from five colors and buy two if you want to decorate the front and back wheels.

Price at time of publication: $15

Courtesy of ï»¿Atlas Book Club

Join the Atlas Book Club and each month your kid will receive a package of age-appropriate books that feature different cultures. The goal is to foster awareness and acceptance by experiencing a new culture firsthand. Each package includes one book plus unique materials relevant to the culture of the country featured in the book.

Amazon

Build hand-eye coordination and counting skills with these creative paint-by sticker books. Each page has a perforated edge, so it’s easy to rip out and display the awesome finished product on the fridge. If Outer Space isn’t your thing, choose from many other themes.

Price at time of publication: $11

Target

Why should parents have all the axe throwing fun? This set is made for kids with lightweight axes and bristle targets. Get the family together for some friendly competition or set up a mini tournament. The axe throw set comes with a carrying case and can be used both indoors and outdoors.

Price at time of publication: $40

Amazon

This game is guaranteed to provide plenty of laughs. It combines a card game with dodgeball, except you're dodging squishy burritos. Collect matching sets of cards, but when those matches say "burrito brawl," you have to think fast and have quick reflexes in order to not get hit by flying food. You also could end up in an old-fashioned duel, but with burritos as your weapon. Fun for family game night or with friends.

Price at time of publication: $25

Target

If your child has expressed interest in music or drumming, this beginner drum pad set is for them. It includes four drums, six rhythms and drum sticks. And don't worry, parents, there are volume controls.

Price at time of publication: $45

Amazon

Get ready to unleash your inner dinosaur. This is not your average remote-controlled toy. This T-Rex is more than six feet tall and it moves, stomps, and roars! The dino fully inflates in 20 seconds and is rechargable.

Price at time of publication: $130

Amazon

The classic card game Uno gets a superhero twist. Uno Ultimate Marvel comes with character-themed decks, special rules and four collectible cards. You can even buy expansion packs for the game.

Price at time of publication: $15

Amazon

Straight from a galaxy far, far away, your kiddo can play dress-up with one of three different costumes from The Mandalorian. They can be The Mandalorian himself, Boba Fett or a Storm Trooper. The kit comes with everything your child needs to become the character.

Price at time of publication: $50

Target

Your child can play this Nintendo Switch game as one of 40 beloved Nickelodeon characters like SpongeBob and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Kids can create their own kart or bike and race on 36 different tracks.

Price at time of publication: $50

Pottery Barn Kids

For your soccer-player who loves to dream about scoring goals. This super-cool sheet set features players making moves and taking shots. Bonus for comfort—the sheets are made from organic cotton.

Price at time of publication: $79 for twin

Educational Insights

A cute little robot for curious minds! Artie 3000 is pefect for beginner coders, and creates simple shapes, tic tac toe boards, or more complex artistic masterpieces.

Price at time of publication: $70

Amazon

For your puzzle-obsesed kid, this table offers an efficient and easy way to assemble and store puzzle pieces. In addition to providing a sturdy surface for all your puzzling needs, it includes six drawers to keep everything tidy when you're done playing.

Price at time of publication: $80

Amazon

This kit includes 10 "magic" science experiments that will amaze any 8-year-old. While each experiment looks like magic, it's actually all scientifically possible, which means kids will learn a few things while they wow friends and family.

Price at time of publication: $13

Amazon

Any crafty kid will love this kit to make mini pom-pom friends. It comes with an instruction book, as well as all the materials you'll need to make 20 different furry critters.

Price at time of publication: $18

Maisonette

Your little artist will love "painting" with these nifty markers. It's just like watercolors, except no dipping in paint. Your kid can add water directly to the brush tip, or drip some water on the paper and swirl the marker through it—the options are endless.

Price at time of publication: $23

Amazon

Hang this hoop over the back of a door and encourage your basketball star to shoot some hoops! Just make sure to move any breakables away from the "court" before they start practicing free throws.

Price at time of publication: $30

Amazon

This workbook and journal will help a child process their emotions and teach them positive ways of handling big feelings. Each page is filled with fun prompts and activities, so the kid won't even realize they're learning emotional coping mechanisms.

Price at time of publication: $26

Amazon

If your family loves Master Chef, the whole family won't be able to get enough of this board game! Teach an 8-year-old different cooking techniques under the guise of competing for the top prize. The game includes 22 recipes to work through.

Price at time of publication: $20

Target

Two games in one = two gifts in one! This inflatable dart board has two sides and can also be used as a soccer target. It is definitely for use outdoors, but can be put up and taken down with ease.

Price at time of publication: $109

Amazon

This tabletop game uses magnets underneath to control the "players" in the soccer game. Players can go head-to-head to try to score goals. There's a score keeper on the side of the "field" as well.

Price at time of publication: $30

JC Penney

This offers a new twist on the classic Connect 4 game. Now when you put in your piece, you spin the column and see where it ends up. But you're still trying to Connect 4! There are also two ways to play: beginner or expert mode.

Price at time of publication: $16

Walmart

For your little explorer and astronomer! This telescope offers 90x magnification, perfect for star-gazing as well as checking out birds and other wildlife in the great outdoors. It includes two eyepieces and a tripod, making it the perfect gift for beginners.

Price at time of publication: $37

Amazon

Turn any table into a ping-pong match! Suitable for both indoor and outdoor fun, this set can help keep kids busy at the family picnic, or to amuse them on rainy days stuck inside.

Price at time of publication: $40

Why Trust Verywell Family?

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of an 11-year-old son, 8-year-old son, and 4-year old daughter. Maya is finding that 8 year old boys are VERY active and love to play outside, so a new kickball is an amazing gift. All her kids love their BeyBlades and bring them on tons of outdoor playdates.

More Toys and Gifts for Kids

When it comes to toys and gifts for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top gift and toy picks for every age and stage here:

TeeTurtle The Original Reversible Octopus Plushie

Among Us Kids Blanket

Pixicade Mobile Game Maker

What Our Editors Say

Boogie Board Sketch Pal

Octopus Squishy Paint Kit

Gamewright Sushi Go! Card Game

Beyblade Burst Surge Speedstorm Motor Strike Battle

Bling2O Misty Shark Bit Fin Snorkel

Tovla Jr. Knives for Kids 3-Piece Set

OMY Design & Play Super Hero Coloring Poster

WAKA Official Kickball

Shashibo Shape Shifting Box

Fat Brain Toys 4D Vision Great White Shark

Fat Brain Toys Wheel Brightz Bike Lights

Atlas Book Club

Paint by Stickers Kids: Outerspace

Ultimate Hatchet Toss REC-TEK Axe Throw Set

Exploding Kittens Throw Throw Burrito Game

First Act Roll up Drum Pad

AirTitans Jurassic World Massive Titanic Inflatable T-Rex RC

Mattel Games UNO Ultimate Marvel Card Game

Jazwares Star Wars The Mandalorian Child Dress-Up Trunk

GameMill Entertainment Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway - Nintendo Switch

Pottery Barn Kids Vintage Organic Soccer Sheet Set & Pillowcases

Educational Insights Artie 3000 Coding & Drawing Robot

PlayVibe 1500 Piece Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle Table

National Geographic Magic Chemistry Set

Klutz Mini Pom-Pom Pets

Ooly Chroma Blends Watercolor Brush Markers

SKLZ Pro Mini Basketball Hoop

Big Life Journal For Kids

Wilder Games MasterChef Family Cooking Game

HearthSong Giant Inflatable 2-in-1 Darts and Soccer Game

GoSports Magna Ball Tabletop Soccer Game

Hasbro Gaming Connect 4 Spin Game

Novashion Telescope for Kids

Pro Spin All-in-One Portable Ping Pong Paddles Set