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Korin Miller Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
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Finding the best gifts for 8-year-old boys means shopping for a discerning crowd. They’re no longer little kids but aren’t quite tweens. They might still play with toys but also gravitate toward video games, sports and maybe even coveted clothing like a particular pair of sneakers. With that, buying a present for someone in this age group can be intimidating. The best gift ideas for 8-year-old boys acknowledge their personal interests and kick things up a notch, giving them something that allows them to explore their hobbies even more.
“Eight is a really fun age,” says Robert Keder, a pediatrician who specializes in developmental behavior at Connecticut Children's Medical Center. “Kids really come into their own with personal interests and love to explore what they can be good at doing. It is important to know what they are into and meet them where they are: Are they a sports kid? A science kid? A superhero kid? A builder or crafty kid?”
Just try to focus on the kid himself. “No one toy is great for all 8-year-old boys,” says Daniel Ganjian, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. “You have to know the boy and, if you don’t know him well, ask the parents what he’s into. You definitely want to get things that suit their liking.”
With that in mind, find some of our best gifts for 8-year-old boys across a range of interests. No matter which 8-year-old you’re shopping for, you’re bound to find something that’ll be a hit in the mix. (While you’re at it, check out our lists of the best toys for 8-year-olds and the best educational toys.
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Best Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys At A Glance
- Best STEM Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys: Lego Technic Monster Jam Grave Digger, Clixo Mars Rover Pack
- Best Active Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys: Razor A2 Kick Scooter, Sno-Storm Foam Sleds, Swagtron Swagboard Twist Hoverboard
- Best Game Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys: Kids Against Maturity, Soccer Trading Cards
- Best Tech Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys: Kindle Paperwhite Kids, Gabb 3 Kids Smartwatch, Echo Dot With Clock
Best STEM Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys
All Their Favorite Experiments In One Box
If he’s curious about the natural world, this National Geographic science set might make the perfect gift. Personally, I love stockpiling these for a rainy, cold or too hot day when we need to stay indoors. This one includes 15 activities in one kit, including the ever-popular erupting volcano, a couple of dig kit options and crystal growing opportunities. It comes with instructions for each experiment and some background materials for further reading.
A Lego Monster Truck To Build
Combine their love of things that go fast and things that smash with this Lego Technic monster truck. They have to both build it and then, of course, play with it to fully understand the mechanics at play here. Pull it back and watch it race across the floor, just like their toddler set did for them—but in a much more tough exterior.
A Glow-In-The-Dark Mars Set
Clixo Mars Rover Pack
These bendable building pieces just got a big-kid upgrade this holiday season. The Clixo Mars Rover Pack plays off their possibly budding interest in all things celestial. Follow the instructions to build a Mars Rover-like set of wheels that glows in the dark for important fact-finding missions—or construct whatever vehicle they desire.
A DIY Character Creator
Elmer’s Squishies Kids’ Activity Kit
Elmer’s new kit that allows kids to make four of their own squishy toys found instant success with this age group. The process is simple: They mix two packets together, pour the mixture into a mold, let it sit for an hour—and then enjoy a new toy. There are 80 “mystery characters” they can collect and create, and parents can order refill packs to make even more.
Indulge His Love Of Minecraft
Lego Minecraft The Bee Cottage
Many kids this age are into Minecraft, even if they’ve never played the video game. This Lego kit features the Bee Cottage, a toy with a removable roof, bear player, zombie and three bees. He’ll have a blast spinning the angry bees and battling the baby zombie after he builds the structure. “Almost any Lego set” will be a hit, Keder says. “Find a way to connect the set theme to one of their interests.”
Perfect For The Aspiring Chef
KiwiCo Science of Cooking: Ice Cream
Kids who love to cook will seriously dig this KiwiCo kit. It dives into the science behind ice cream and offers up recipes and tools to help kids make their own concoctions. There are even special containers to help store the treats once they’re created.
A Marble Run With Endless Possibilities
Keder recommends this marble run set, noting that it’s “a favorite” among his patients. Gravitrax lets users create their own track systems that use gravity, magnetics and kinetics to move marbles down the track. It can be built and redesigned as many times as the owner wants. Families can buy additional sets to link up to this one for even more challenging runs.
Can They Succeed In Creating A Powerful Beast?
Beast Lab Shark Beast Creator
This beastly science experiment that results in a powerful fighter emerging from the mist landed on a number of holiday 2023 hot toy lists. It’s sure to appeal to the little kid in them as much as the budding scientist. They’ll need to unpack the kit and mix the ingredients just right to conjure up the beast. The set includes all the necessary mixing tools and ingredients, as well as 80+ lights, sounds and reactions to produce two beasts. Choose from between big cats or Shark beast characters. It does require batteries and is best for ages 5 and up.
Best Active Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys
A Folding Scooter He Can Take Anywhere
Razor A2 Kick Scooter
Razor is a popular brand in kids scooters—and the the A2 Kick is great for older kids, and it’s surprisingly affordable. The scooter is lightweight enough for him to do tricks, and folds up small for easy storage. It also supports riders up to 143 pounds, so he can use it for years.
A Fun Way To Get Around
Swagtron Swagboard Twist Hoverboard
A hoverboard is a fun way for kids to get around, whether it’s cruising the neighborhood or the driveway. The Swagtron Swagboard Twist travels up to 6 miles per hour and cool LED lights on the front and back, so everyone will see your 8-year-old coming. It’s also our top pick for hoverboards for kids given its sturdy build, solid range and general affordability.
A Backpack That Supports His Team
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Help him support the team while hauling his stuff around with this backpack. It features the logo and name of his go-to team (you get to pick) in the appropriate color scheme. It is 100% nylon making it extra lightweight and easy to clean. The padded straps are comfortable enough to carry him through the day. It also includes a laptop sleeve and additional pockets. Another fan favorite laptop backpack is available from Fanatics for under $50 if this one is too splurgy.
A Pair Of Extra Fast, Extra Cool Foam Sleds
Foam sleds let them fly down the hill, offering a wintertime thrill just right for age 8. This two-pack of sleds means they can share with their brother or bring a spare for a pal. I love the four-handles on each for better gripping on the way down and easier carrying on the way up.
A Serious Ball For Kids In Travel Leagues
Whatever their sport is, a new piece of top-rated equipment or gear is going to make a great gift idea for 8-year-old boys. If soccer is their pick, they likely always need a new training ball, and this Adidas ball is the real deal in standout graphics celebrating the UEFA Champions League. If they’re still new to the game, go with size 4, but if they’re already in a travel league, they’ll want a pro-level size 5.
A Jersey Of Their Favorite Team Or Player
Nike Youth Los Angeles Lakers Dri-FIT Swingman Jersey
Our boys—and their friends—often place the jersey of their favorite team at the top of their gift wish lists. You can find many of their favorites and the most popular teams at official team sites and sports apparel stores. This Lakers jersey is sure to turn heads at their next practice session!
An Adjustable Hoop That's Sure To Get All Ages Moving
Editor’s Pick
This genius of this portable, albeit heavy, basketball hoop is that the hoop easily lowers or raises up to your kids’ preferred height. Our senior editor of baby and kids gear has this exact hoop for her three kids—and says it was a big hit. “Even my 5-year-old can make baskets when this is on the lower height, but it easily raises up to challenge her 9-year-old brother and 10-year-old sister,” says Rose Gordon Sala. “I can’t say that it was easy to put together, but it far exceeded expectations in terms of quality and getting the kids outside to play and move around.”
Best Game Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys
For The Ultimate Pokémon Fans
As good Pokémon fans know, you can never have too many cards. This trainer box features 10 Pokémon GO booster packs, a collector’s box and 65 card sleeves featuring Mewtwo (one of the most powerful Pokémon known to man). My Pokémon-loving son literally squealed when he opened this gift.
A Shouting Game That's Fun For The Whole Family
Stellar Factory Spaceteam
Keder says Spaceteam is a good option “if you like shouting and pandemonium” which, for the record, many 8-year-old boys do. The cooperative game uses three to six players who have to work together to get all the space tools they need to fix their spaceship before time runs out. Everyone wins or loses together, making it a good game for building camaraderie among siblings.
A Set Of Trading Cards For Their Stocking
Whether they’re collecting Pokémon, baseball, basketball or soccer cards, you can’t go wrong with picking up a few more packs for their stocking or as slam dunk birthday gift. This particular set includes five packs of cards for 6o total of the UEFA league, which includes players on popular European teams like Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona.
We Promise Plenty Of Laughs
Editor’s Pick
Get ready for plenty of laughs—and poop jokes—with this family card game. Sala reports this game elicits deep belly laughs from all ages. “It’s a sort of fill-in-the-blank with your best joke game,” she explains, much like the adult version but with G-rated fun. Whoever makes people laugh the most often, ends up winning as they collect cards. It does help if kids can read the cards solo, making it great for this age group.
Best Tech Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys
Their Bedside Must-Have
This Echo Dot promises to be their all-in-one in-room entertainment device that plays their favorite podcasts, bedtime stories and music and answers all their favorite trivia questions, cracks jokes—and then helps them get up in time for school with a morning alarm clock. Note that this has all the features Alexa offers and that you can set up parental controls.
Take His Library On The Go
Editor’s Pick
Kindle Paperwhite Kids
Packing a bunch of books on the go can get heavy, fast. The Kindle Paperwhite Kids lets him download his favorite books to tote just about anywhere—and it’s only 11 ounces. This Kindle has a parent dashboard, so adults can keep tabs on what the user is reading and for how long, along with set bedtimes and download limits. It lasts up to 10 weeks on a single charge, and the Paperwhite version lets them dim the lights to a soft, warm glow when reading at bedtime. It’s also waterproof. The regular Kindle Kids is about $50 cheaper but doesn’t include those two features. Both come with a protective cover and Amazon’s 2-year warranty.
A Big Kid Smartwatch
Gabb Watch 3
You’re probably not ready to hand your 8-year-old a phone just yet, or even an Apple Watch, but you may still want a way to keep tabs on them. The new Gabb Watch 3 smartwatch for kids doesn’t come with the internet, social media or even video calling, but it does offer up to 100 parent-approved contacts for texting and calling, and excellent GPS tracking via the parent app, offering caregivers an easy way to check in with kids to remind them of schedules and to understand their whereabouts.
If your child really wants a camera on their watch, which a lot of kids do enjoy, or a few more games, we’d also recommend the popular Gizmo 3 smartwatch from Verizon, especially if they have friends with Gizmos (there’s a neat feature that lets kids request to be “buddies” with another Gizmo user).
Best Outdoorsy Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys
A Sleeping Bag With Serious Personality
Star Wars is huge with plenty of boys this age and with newer shows like Ahsoka and The Mandalorian, that fanbase is only likely to grow. This sleeping bag features the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, and x-wing fighters speeding through space. It can be used indoors or out, and weighs just 3.5 pounds, making it easy for an 8-year-old to tote around for living room campouts and sleepovers.
A Tent That's All About Space
Got a space fan on your hands? This tent is covered in a planetary theme, with cool facts about space splashed around. A zip-up door allows for privacy, as needed, and assembly is a breeze. While this tent can be used inside and outside, it’s more of a fun backyard camping accessory vs. a tool for an overnight trip in the woods.
An Easy Way To See Far-Off Objects
Nocs Provisions Zoom Tube Monocular Telescope
This monocular telescope lets 8-year-olds (and adults, for that matter) see objects from far away. It’s covered in a high-impact rubber housing to protect the glass and stand up to the elements—along with the roughhousing 8-year-old boys can dish out. This monocular is lightweight, clocking in at just 8.5 ounces.
How We Chose The Best Gifts For 8-Year-Old Boys
I’m a mom of four kids, ranging in age from 1 to 10 years. Between my own kids and friends and family, I have years of experience researching and buying gifts for 8-year-old boys. I also spoke with two pediatricians for their input on what to look for in gifts for 8-year-old boys. From there, I tracked down the most popular gifts on the market and narrowed the field based on expert criteria, personal experience and reviews from other parents, including my editor Rose Gordon Sala who also happens to have an 8-year-old boy, as well as two daughters.
What Should I Buy For An 8-Year-Old Boy?
A lot depends on the kid. Keder recommends thinking about what the child is interested in and narrowing down your search from there. “By this age, kids usually have a pretty good sense of what they’re into,” he says. If you’re shopping for an active 8-year-old, consider things they can use around their yard, driveway or local park. If they love to cook, a culinary kit designed for a younger crowd is a good fit. And, if they’re currently going through a Star Wars phase, there are plenty of items to choose from, ranging from the Star Wars Sleeping Bag that made our list to action figures. “Figure out their interests and meet them halfway,” Keder says.
What Are 8-Year-Olds Interested In?
Kids of this age are interested in a range of things. “Kids are interested in developing their own individual interests at this age,” Keder says. “Helping them learn more about those interests or further developing skills related to it are great ways to go.” If they like science, a STEM kit may be a good fit. “Most children love Lego—building cool sets is very fun and brings about a sense of accomplishment that kids at this age love,” Keder says. “Board games are very fun, too, and offer kids more structured opportunities for play while developing their planning and organization skills. This is also the age when cookbooks and magic kits are fun.”
What Do You Get An 8-Year-Old For Their Birthday?
At this age, most 8-year-olds know what they want for their birthday—so Keder says it’s a good idea to simply ask. If you don’t know the child well or you get an “I don’t know” when you ask them for a gift idea, Ganjian recommends checking in with their parents. “They should be able to give you ideas or at least tell you what they’re into these days,” he says. If you’re still not sure, think about their general interests and just try to buy something that sticks with that general theme.
What Should I Buy An Active 8-Year-Old?
If you’re buying for a child who likes sports, Keder recommends getting him clothes that support his favorite team or a board game related to the sport he likes. Sports equipment is also a possibility, but Keder points out that it may be expensive. “If you are shopping for someone who is not your own child, ask their parents for what sizes they are and what they might like or need,” he says. We like the Razor A2 Kick Scooter, Hover-1 Matrix Self-Balancing Hover Board, Franklin Sports Pro Basketball Hoop and Mojo Ultimate Fan Backpack for active kids to help burn off energy and indulge their love of movement. If all else fails, Keder suggests that you “consider the gift of experiences like going on a hike, to a game or laser tag.”
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