The 20 Best Toys for 8-Year-Olds of 2023

Best Toys for Eight-Year-Olds — Verywell Family / Danie Drankwalter

Finding the right toy for an 8-year-old presents a unique challenge as kids this age are developing their own interests. Many 8-year-olds enjoy imaginative play, while others may have already developed deep interests ranging from sports, games, arts, music, STEM, or something else.

Reviewed & Approved

The Razor A5 LUX Kick Scooter is a great gift for kids who are becoming more independent and strengthening their locomotor skills. For a fun and silly game to play with friends and family, Exploding Kitten Card Game delivers a whimsical (and easy-to-grasp) spin on game night.

If you know the kind of things the 8-year-old in your life is most excited about, you can choose a toy that directly supports those interests. But this is also a great time to broaden their horizons by offering them something different that you believe they’ll enjoy. When choosing the right toy, consider an 8-year-old’s developmental milestones. Kids this age are becoming more independent and mature. It’s important to support their improving motor and locomotor skills. But keep in mind, they’re not only growing physically, but cognitively and emotionally as well.

To find the best toys for 8-year-olds, we consulted a pediatrician and researched and reviewed a wide variety of products. When choosing the best toys we considered various interests, entertainment value, items that can be played solo or with friends, and age recommendations.

Based on our reviews, these are the best toys for 8-year-olds on the market today.

Our Top Picks

Razor A5 Lux Scooter at Amazon

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Exploding Kittens Card Game at Amazon

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ThinkFun Math Dice Junior Game at Amazon

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Harry Potter: Create by Sticker at Amazon

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Clixo Rainbow 42 Piece Pack at Amazon

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Dan&Darci Light Up Terrarium Kit at Amazon

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LEGO Technic Rescue Hovercraft at Amazon

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Swingball Reflex Soccer Game at Walmart

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4 Fun Giant Kick Croquet at Amazon

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Crayola 72 Piece Outdoor Chalk Set at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
Why Trust Very Well Family?

Amazon

Super-strong, lightweight, and easy to adjust, this kick scooter is our top pick for growing kids. Made with two extra-large wheels, it provides a super-smooth and comfortable ride and a kickstand that keeps the scooter upright when not in use.

Once your child starts kicking, pushing, and coasting all over on their new set of wheels, the scooter's well-built design will be able to keep up. The Razor can be folded for easy transport, and it comes in six bright colors. This scooter is made for kids eight and up and can also handle adult riders up to 220 pounds.

Price at time of publication: $110

4.9

Amazon

Fast-moving, silly, and fun, this game is perfect for groups of two to five players. A simple concept full of kittens, explosions, and laser beams, it’ll take just two minutes for your group to learn to play the game. A quirky addition to your board game collection, this is a game even the grown-ups will enjoy.

Price at time of publication: $20

Amazon

Build your child’s mental math and problem-solving skills with a fun game of math dice. The game moves quickly and is easy to learn, and portable! Fun for ages 8 up to adult, when you’re done playing, the game stores in its own travel bag.

Price at time of publication: $10

Amazon

In this interactive sticker book, kids are challenged to match the puzzle piece like stickers to corresponding images in the book. They’ll reveal amazing scenes from Harry Potter while working on hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

Price at time of publication: $9

Courtesy of Amazon

Fun for open-ended, multi-sensory play, these magnetic building toys are fun for kids of all ages (and adults, too!). Click, snap, stack, and flex these magnetic shapes in all sorts of creative ways to build whatever you want. Easy to stack and pack, Clixo blocks are portable and fun for solo or group play.

Price at time of publication: $70

Amazon

A fun and engaging science-based gift, kids will enjoy creating this terrarium from the minute they open the box. Each terrarium will be unique as kids can decide how to layer the rocks, sand, soil, and stickers that are included in the kit. With the ability to light up at night, this can double as a trusty nightlight, which can help prevent nightmares and night terrors, too.

Price at time of publication: $35

Amazon

LEGO’s 2-in-1 products are double the fun. First, create an amazing model hovercraft complete with authentic details like turning fans. Once that’s done, rebuild the model to create a twin-engine aircraft that’s decked out with moving rudders and more.

Price at time of publication: $60

Courtesy of Swingball

Active kiddos will love the ability to practice their soccer skills, even without a buddy. Simply inflate the ball, weigh down the base with sand or water, adjust the bungee cord, and give the ball a kick. The ball will come right back again and again.

Price at time of publication: $35

Courtesy of 4Fun

A great addition to the backyard game collection, this giant kick croquet set comes with everything families need for lots of fun. Two oversized balls, a hand pump, and the stakes are all you need to set up a game of kick croquet. Choose a traditional croquet set up, a random course, or anything in between for lots of fun.

Price at time of publication: $35

Amazon

Head outside with a 72 piece set of sidewalk chalk. Kids will love that they’ll have nearly every color under the sun and parents will appreciate the portable box. Perfect for a crew of neighborhood kids, this set will keep 8-year-olds very busy.

Price at time of publication: $17

Amazon

Kids will gain exposure to coding while having fun and making 10 adorable key charms that’ll decorate backpacks or to share with friends and family. Choose from 18 designs and use the step-by-step instructions and fuse beads to make awesome creations.

Perfect alone or with a few kids, this STEM toy all packs into the included storage kit.

Price at time of publication: $25

Courtesy of InKidz

Teach kids about other cultures through a curated, monthly subscription box. Choose the frequency and your kiddo will receive a package that features toys, recipes, a flag, family-friendly activities, and more.

The ethically sourced and culturally appropriate books will educate and delight your kid.

Price at time of publication: $149 for Grande Mindful Kit

Courtesy of Cate and Levi

Crafty kids will enjoy this set that includes everything you need to sew your own stuffed owl. Made of 100 percent reclaimed wool, the kit includes step-by-step instructions, pattern, needle and thread, and more. Minimal adult supervision is helpful for younger kids.

Price at time of publication: $30

Courtesy of Super Smalls

Get your bling on with this kid-sized jewelry collection that will dazzle any gem lover. Five statement-making rings come in the set, so there’s a ring for every school day. All the rings are adjustable and pack into the gift box when not being worn.

Price at time of publication: $28

4.8

Courtesy of Amazon

Magnatiles are amazingly creative magnetic blocks that can provide hours of open-ended play. This set of 100 pieces is perfect alone or as an addition to other sets. Safe, durable, and built to last for years, they are expensive, but worth the investment.

Price at time of publication: $120

Amazon

Kids will have a blast recreating Harry Potter’s home at 4 Privet Drive with this awesome LEGO set. With six minifigures included, this LEGO set is fun to build and then serves as a perfect spot for imaginative play once it’s built.

Price at time of publication: $80

Kid Made Modern

Artsy kids will stay busy with this set that includes everything jewelry designers need to make charms and baubles. Color the charms, bake in the oven to shrink and attach the jewelry hardware. Included are accessories to make earrings, necklaces, key chains, and more.

Price at time of publication: $36 for Christmas Kit

Courtesy of Wireless Express

Sing your heart out with this 2-in-1 toy that’s both a microphone and Bluetooth speaker. It works with all karaoke apps by connecting to a smartphone, tablet, or computer and works with both Android and Apple systems. And when the kids retire to their rooms at night, the grown-ups can take over.

Courtesy of PoolCandy Giant Inflatable Tic Tac Toe

Fun for the pool or backyard, inflatable tic tac toe puts an innovative spin on this classic game. When deflated, it’s easy to pack up and when inflated, it's 48 inches big.

Price at time of publication: $15

4.5

Walmart

An amazing splurge of a gift, the Nintendo Switch can be played solo or with a group and used handheld or on a TV. The versatile device allows for multi-player gaming over wifi and there are tons of games available for all age ranges.

Don’t be surprised if Mom or Dad snags the Switch after bedtime.

Price at time of publication: $299

Final Verdict

Selecting the right gift for an 8 year old kid can be overwhelming, but it’s hard to go wrong with the expensive but worth it Magnatiles, especially if they have younger siblings that will enjoy them too. For a less expensive option that focuses on open-ended play, Clixo is an awesome choice. For a splurge gift that’ll be used outdoors, the Razor scooter is always fun.

What to Look for When Shopping for Toys for 8 Year Olds

Interests

When it comes to shopping for toys for an 8-year-old, keeping their interests in mind is essential for success. Pediatrician David L. Hill, M.D, FAAP., tells Verywell Family, “Around age 8...reality testing really sets in, so the ability to just become completely lost in imaginary play starts to wane,” meaning an average 8-year-old is going to be less interested in playing dress-up and start getting into games and toys that embrace the here-and-now.

By this age, kids typically have more obvious interests (or are at least starting to). Some may be really into sports, others into video games, and others into all things STEM. Whatever it is they are being drawn to, try to find games and toys that align so that they can foster that interest and develop it even further.

Milestones

There are all kinds of developmental toys and games designed for babies and toddlers because they’re growing at such intense speeds that it’s hard to keep up. However, Dr. Hill explains that by the time they are around 6 years old, milestones aren’t quite as obvious and grand as they are for younger kids, but there are still ways you can support an 8-year-old's development through toys and games.

At 8 years old, kids have strengthened their motor and locomotor skills, allowing them to master jumps, spins, and other large movements. For this milestone, the Razor A5 Lux Scooter (view on Amazon) is a great toy.
Kids tend to show rapid mental development at 8 years old, which makes Exploding Kittens (view on Amazon) a great game, as it requires strategic thinking and planning.
Friends and relationships are becoming more and more important around this age, so games that allow them to play with a number of people are excellent choices like the Nintendo Switch (view on Amazon).

Entertainment

While keeping a kid’s interests in mind when shopping for toys is important, it doesn’t end there. The toy has to also entertain a kid in order for them to really enjoy it. For example, just because an 8-year-old is really into video games doesn’t mean they will be happy with just any video game you get them. In this case, you’d want to find a game that will hold their interest, give them a challenge without being impossible, and be age-appropriate.

Admittedly, the entertainment value is probably one of the more difficult things to keep in mind when you’re shopping for toys for 8-year-olds, but whatever it is that you end up buying them won’t get much use if it doesn’t keep them entertained and engaged.

Why Trust Very Well 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, an 8-year-old son, and a 4-year old daughter. Maya’s kids are super active and love so many toys, including BeyBlades, Magnatiles, and their beloved Nintendo Switch. For quieter moments, art kits and sticker books are fun for some (much-needed) downtime.

Additional reporting by Ashley Ziegler

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:

Razor A5 Lux Scooter

Exploding Kittens Card Game

ThinkFun Math Dice Junior Game

Harry Potter: Create by Sticker: Hogsmeade

Clixo Rainbow 42 Piece Pack

Dan&Darci Light Up Terrarium Kit

LEGO Technic Rescue Hovercraft

Swingball Reflex Soccer Game

4 Fun Giant Kick Croquet

Crayola 72 Piece Outdoor Chalk Set

hand2mind Coding Charms

InKidz Subscription Box

Cate and Levi Hoo's The Maker Owl Stuffed Animal Kit

Super Smalls Power Lunch Gift Set

Magna-Tiles 100-Piece Clear Colors Set

LEGO Harry Potter 4 Privet Drive

Kid Made Modern Shrink Art Set

Wireless Express Sing Along Karaoke Microphone

PoolCandy Giant Inflatable Tic Tac Toe

Nintendo Switch