Toys & Gifts Kids & Teens The 22 Best Toys for 8-Year-Olds of 2023 These toys for 8-year-olds are fun for kids with varying interests 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 and Ashley Ziegler Ashley Ziegler LinkedIn Ashley Ziegler is a lifestyle writer specializing in motherhood, family health, and consumer products. She has written for Romper, Moms.com, and more. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 26, 2023 Fact checked 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 evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. 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, or STEM. 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 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 selecting the best toys, we considered age recommendations, various interests, entertainment value, and items that can be played solo or with friends. Our Top Picks Razor A5 Lux Scooter at Amazon Jump to Review Ooly Unmistakeables Erasable Colored Pencils at Amazon Jump to Review Hey Clay Aliens at Amazon Jump to Review Exploding Kittens Card Game at Amazon Jump to Review ThinkFun Math Dice Junior Game at Amazon Jump to Review Harry Potter: Create by Sticker at Amazon Jump to Review Nintendo Switch at Amazon Jump to Review Clixo Rainbow 42 Piece Pack at Amazon Jump to Review Dan&Darci Light Up Terrarium Kit at Amazon Jump to Review LEGO Technic Rescue Hovercraft at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Selected What to Look for Why Trust Verywell Family Razor A5 Lux Scooter Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Basspro.com 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 for kids eight and up and can also handle adult riders up to 220 pounds. Price at time of publication: $120 Ooly Unmistakeables Erasable Colored Pencils Amazon View On Amazon View On Ooly.com The Ooly Unmistakeables Erasable Colored Pencils feature an eraser on top of the pencils—that even matches the pencil’s color—to wipe away any flaws. After receiving a sample ourselves, we can confirm the 12 colors included are vibrant and effortlessly reveal their boldness on different colors of paper. In addition, the pencils come in a clear, compact plastic case that makes it easy to see which color you’re picking out. Plus, it fits nicely in a backpack without taking up too much space. If your kiddo enjoys unique colored pencils, check out the company’s 2 Of A Kind Double-Ended Colored Pencils. Price at time of publication: $10 Hey Clay Aliens Amazon View On Amazon View On Fatbraintoys.com Meet Burger, Volcano, Trio, Scorpio, Muzon, and Bigfoot—six alien friends children create using 18 cans of high-quality, vibrant, and, most importantly, nontoxic clay. Download the free app for interactive step-by-step instructions on how to put each alien together, and then watch them come to life. The clay hardens when left out for 24 hours, so kids can play with or display their creatures. Price at time of publication: $20 Exploding Kittens Card Game 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Kohls.com 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 ThinkFun Math Dice Junior Game Amazon View On 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 Harry Potter: Create by Sticker: Hogsmeade Amazon View On 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 The 9 Best Kids Activity Books to Keep Kids Busy Nintendo Switch 4.5 Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Backmarket.com 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: $288 We Reviewed the Best Video Games for Kids—Here Are Our Favorites Clixo Rainbow 42 Piece Pack Courtesy of Amazon View On 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 Dan&Darci Light Up Terrarium Kit Amazon View On 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 LEGO Technic Rescue Hovercraft Amazon View On 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: $49 Swingball Reflex Soccer Game Courtesy of Swingball View On Walmart View On Fatbraintoys.com View On Maisonette.com 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 4 Fun Giant Kick Croquet Courtesy of 4Fun View On Amazon View On B4adventure.com View On Fatbraintoys.com 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: $30 Crayola 72 Piece Outdoor Chalk Set Amazon View On 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 hand2mind Coding Charms Amazon View On 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 InKidz Subscription Box Courtesy of InKidz View On Inkidzco.com 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 Cate and Levi Hoo's The Maker Owl Stuffed Animal Kit Courtesy of Cate and Levi View On Amazon 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 Super Smalls Power Lunch Gift Set Courtesy of Super Smalls View On Supersmalls.com 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 Magna-Tiles 100-Piece Clear Colors Set 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart 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 The 13 Best Construction and Building Block Toys of 2023 LEGO Harry Potter 4 Privet Drive Amazon View On 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 Shrink Art Set Kid Made Modern View On Amazon View On Kidmademodern.com Artsy kids will stay busy with this set that includes everything jewelry designers need to make charms and baubles. Color the charms, and 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: $27 Wireless Express Sing Along Karaoke Microphone Courtesy of Wireless Express View On Maisonette.com 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. Price at time of publication: $46 PoolCandy Giant Inflatable Tic Tac Toe Courtesy of PoolCandy Giant Inflatable Tic Tac Toe View On Maisonette.com 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 The Best Pool Toys to Splash the Days Away How We Selected the Best Toys for 8-Year-Olds We chose the best toys for 8-year-olds by studying the design and features of more than 40 toys on the market and researching reviews from customers and competitors. We also monitored shopping trends to bring you the best and most up-to-date offerings on toys for 8-year-olds. In addition, we considered age recommendations, various interests, entertainment value, ease of use, developmental milestones, and overall value when reviewing products. We also spoke with Pediatrician David L. Hill, M.D, FAAP, to find out what to look for in toys for 8-year-olds. Moreover, we reviewed guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on developmental milestones for middle childhood. 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, MD, 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 is a great toy. Kids tend to show rapid mental development at 8 years old, which makes Exploding Kittens 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. 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 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, 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: The Best Christmas Gifts for Kids The Best Newborn Baby Gifts The Best Unique Baby Gifts The Best Baby Gifts The Best Gifts for Baby Girls The Best Baby Boy Gifts The Best Infant Toys The Best Gifts for 2-Month-Olds The Best Gifts for 3-Month Olds The Best Toys for 4-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 5-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 6-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 7-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 8-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 10-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 12-Month-Olds The Best Gifts for 1-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 15-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 18-Month-Olds The Best Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 2-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 3-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 3-Year-Old Girls The Best Toys for 3-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 4-Year-Old Girls The Best Toys for 4-Year-Old Boys The Best Educational Toys for 4-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 5-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Girls The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 6-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 6-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 6-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 7-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 7-Year-Old Girls The Best Toys for 7-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 8-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 9-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 10-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Girls The Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 12-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for Teens The Best Gifts for 14-Year-Old Boys The Black-Owned Gift Guide 2 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Middle Childhood (6-8 years of age). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Middle Childhood (6-8 years of age). 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