Raising Kids The 19 Best Gifts for 8-Year-Old Boys of 2022 Fidget toys, plushies, paint kits, card games and more keep kids entertained By Maya Polton Maya Polton LinkedIn Maya has more than 15 years of experience in digital media and communications and specializes in writing about family, food, and lifestyles. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 07, 2022 Fact checked Verywell Family content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Emily Swaim Fact checked by Emily Swaim LinkedIn Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Verywell Family / Michela Buttignol 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. Reviewed & Approved We love the TeeTurtle The Original Reversible Octopus Plushie for its simple yet effective design that allows kids to express themselves without using words. If you're looking for something more challenging, try the Pixicade Mobile Game Maker, which allows kids to make their own video games. 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. Our Top Picks TeeTurtle Reversible Octopus Plushie at Amazon Jump to Review Among Us Kids Blanket at Amazon Jump to Review Pixicade Mobile Game Maker at Amazon Jump to Review Boogie Board Sketch Pal at Fatbraintoys.com Jump to Review Octopus Squishy Paint Kit at Amazon Jump to Review Looney Tunes Long John Pajamas In Organic Cotton at Hannaandersson.com Jump to Review 4 Fun Cosmic Mini Golf at Amazon Jump to Review Gamewright Sushi Go! Card Game at Amazon Jump to Review Beyblade Burst Surge Speedstorm Motor Strike Battle at Amazon Jump to Review Bling2O Misty Shark Bit Fin Snorkel at Hivepalmbeach.com Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks Why Trust Verywell Family TeeTurtle The Original Reversible Octopus Plushie Courtesy of Amazon View On 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. Among Us Kids Blanket Amazon View On 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. Pixicade Mobile Game Maker Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Learningexpress.com 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. 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. Boogie Board Sketch Pal Courtesy of Boogie Board View On Fatbraintoys.com 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. Octopus Squishy Paint Kit Doodle Hog View On Amazon View On Doodlehog.com 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. Looney Tunes Long John Pajamas In Organic Cotton Courtesy of Looney Tunes View On Hannaandersson.com Get cozy with Bugs Bunny and the crew in these long-john style two-piece pajamas. Made of organic cotton, they’re available in sizes up to 12 years old, so you can match all the siblings, cousins, or ToonTown friends. The 10 Best Kids' Pajamas That Are Soft and Durable 4 Fun Cosmic Mini Golf Amazon View On Amazon Fun indoors or out, the whole family will enjoy this gift. Easy to set up, each time you play it’ll be different. The whole kit includes a green felt mat that’s wrinkle resistant, plastic borders, five obstacles, five holes and flags, five tee mats, two LED light up golf balls, a putter, score card, and handy storage bag to hold it all. The Best Outdoor Games That Everyone Will Want to Play Gamewright Sushi Go! Card Game Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart 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. The Best Family Board Games for Some Friendly Competition Beyblade Burst Surge Speedstorm Motor Strike Battle Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart 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. Bling2O Misty Shark Bit Fin Snorkel Courtesy of Bling2O View On Hivepalmbeach.com View On Sillymunchkins.com 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. The 10 Best Kiddie Pools of 2022 Tovla Jr. Knives for Kids 3-Piece Set Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart 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. OMY Design & Play Super Hero Coloring Poster Courtesy of OMY Design & Play View On Maisonette.com 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! WAKA Official Kickball Courtesy of Amazon View On 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. The 11 Best Sunscreens for Kids of 2022 Shashibo Shape Shifting Box Courtesy of Amazon View On 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. Fat Brain Toys 4D Vision Great White Shark Courtesy of Fat Brain Toys View On Fatbraintoys.com 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. Fat Brain Toys Wheel Brightz Bike Lights Courtesy of Fat Brain Toys View On Fatbraintoys.com 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. The 9 Best Bikes for Kids of 2022 Atlas Book Club Courtesy of Atlas Book Club View On Atlasbookclub.com 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. Best Book Subscriptions for the Whole Family in 2022 Paint by Stickers Kids: Outerspace Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart 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. SkyZone Gift Card Courtesy of Gift Card View On Skyzone.com If your guy has a SkyZone trampoline park nearby, a gift card is a wonderful present. A perfect spot to jump, bounce, and blow off energy, just make sure it’s close by since no 8 year old can drive! Final Verdict It’s hard to go wrong with Beyblades (view at Amazon), since they are fun alone or with a crowd. For a quieter best bet, the Paint by Stickers Kids (view at Amazon) books are fun at home or on the go and are oh so satisfying when each page is complete. 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. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit