28 Best Gifts for 8-Year-Olds to Inspire Creative Play

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Once children reach the age of eight, they truly begin to establish their autonomy, including their own likes and dislikes, which can include everything from picky eating habits to new hobbies, such as outdoor games, puzzles, and riddles for kids.

This developmental milestone can make shopping for birthday and holiday gifts for 8-year-olds tricky, but parenting influencer and content creator Zaynab Bajwa of the The New York Nest says it can actually be an advantage. "The 8-year-old mind is fascinating," she says. "It's such a fun age of transitioning from younger toys to more stimulating, thought-provoking ones." Indeed, some of the best gifts for kids of this age range involve creativity, independent, and social play. Likewise, fellow parenting influencer and mom of three Nicky Schmaderer says you can't go wrong with advanced toys that have a basis in science or math, such as coding games for kids.

When it comes to potential mistakes, both experts agree that purchasing something that goes against the parents' gifting philosophy — like slime, glitter, or water toys — can be a no-no. That said, we think the majority of gifts on this list (all sourced from experts and real parents!) are going to be a hit with almost any eight-year-old on your shopping list.

If you're searching for gifts and toys for kids of other ages, be sure to check out our complete list of toy gift guides for every age, at the end of the article.

35 Model Building Set

Once they reach eight years old, kids typically prefer more structured ways to display their creativity. That makes this 480-piece model building set from K'nex an appealing choice for kids who love to build and think outside the box. Bajwa calls this imaginative kit "fun and easy" and notes that it allows kids to "design structures, experiments, gadgets, and toys." Ages 7-15

Loom Bands Kit

When it comes to gifts for 8-year-olds, you can't go wrong with a craft set that allows them to create something they can share with their growing list of friends. In my house, this loom bracelet-making kit — which comes with over 12,000 brightly colored bands and all the necessary accessories and tools — is a big hit with my 8-year-old daughter, who loves creating friendship bracelets to exchange with her friends. Ages 4+

Pokémon Card Binder

With Pokémon trading cards once again soaring in popularity, many 8-year-olds (and their card-weary caregivers) are in desperate need of a way to keep all those cards organized. This useful binder houses 55 page of card sleeves, each one with four sleeves per side. No age listed

Hover Soccer Ball

Give the kids permission to play ball indoors! This hover ball's foam safety bumpers safeguard the toy's light-up mechanics but also protect furniture and, of course, feet during indoor play. The disc smoothly glides across the floor and lights up upon contact with hard surfaces. It's suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, just note that batteries are not included. Ages 3+

Liquipen

Just because 8-year-olds are "older" kids doesn't mean that they can't benefit from some of the soothing benefits of fidget toys. This unique pen claims to promote "visual awareness and tracking skills" thanks to the way the colored oil mixes with the water inside. Available in three different colors, the Liquipen makes a great addition to any 8-year-old's classroom tool kit. Ages 5+

NFL Football Target Toss Game

It's important to stay active at every age, but once kids hit eight, they sometimes lose interest in some of the more physical activities they used to enjoy, and opt for more sedentary indoor hobbies instead. Enter this indoor throwing target from Franklin Sports that encourages kids to keep their tossing skills up to snuff, even on days when they can't get on the field. Ages 6+

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

Games make fantastic gifts for kids of this age, and a significant reason behind their appeal lies in the joy of playing them together as a family. "I love the Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza game," explains mom, author and work-life balance consultant Suzanne Brown. "It's a fun card game with pictures that requires quick reflexes and a willingness to be silly — we can't help but laugh when we play with our boys." Ages 8+

Strawberry Banana Smoothie Whipped Soap

Say goodbye to smelly kids after you gift this whipped soap. The moisturizing formula is designed to leave skin feeling soft and smelling clean after each use. There will be no disputes over shower time when this jar is within reach. No age listed

Puzzle Book for 8-Year-Olds

Rest assured, children will conquer boredom with ease thanks to this activity book specifically tailored for 8-year-olds. Its pages are bursting with engaging brain teasers, including word searches, Sudoku, word scrambles, tic-tac-toe, and many more exciting challenges. Ages 8+

UNO Triple Play Card Game

For an 8-year-old who loves UNO, this is a fresh twist on the beloved family favorite. "At this age, a classic card game is fantastic," emphasizes Bawja. "It fosters healthy competition and encourages group play." This edition features a traditional UNO deck along with a unit that surprises players with captivating sounds and lights, adding an extra layer of excitement to this timeless game. Ages 7+

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls Book

Help inspire the next generation of "rebels" with this book of stories about some of the most influential women in history. A collaboration between writers Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo, it includes stories about everyone from Malala Yousafzai to Michelle Obama. Ages 4-9

BFF Bracelets

Give a gift and get a gift with this meaningful set of bracelets. It includes a silver version and a rose gold version, each featuring three beads that represent guidance, protection, and love. It's the perfect way to show them that you will always be there for them! Ages 4+

Marvel Card Game

What 8-year-old doesn't love Marvel? This memory game features their favorite comic book heroes. Players can ask 10 yes or no questions to try and guess a character. It's a great choice for family game night! Ages 8+

Ultimate Science Kit

The budding scientist in your life will love this STEM kit. With 135 age-appropriate science experiments to choose from, this is a gift that will keep on giving. Designed for 8-year-olds to use on their own, the easy-to-follow instructions will instill confidence and encourage critical thinking skills. Ages 8+

Light Up Basketball

A new twist on the classic basketball! This ball actually lights up with every bounce. Perfect for an early evening pickup game or even dribbling practice, it's an exciting addition to any kid's training program (or even just as a novelty ball to enjoy while playing with friends). Ages 8+

Latchkits Yarnimals Penguin

Most children love arts and crafts, and 8-year-olds are certainly no exception. However, as they grow older, they crave more significant challenges in their creative pursuits. Enter: Yarnimals. This yarn-and-loop project involves creating a delightful plush penguin."As an introduction to yarn art, this is a great gift for young minds," affirms Bajwa. "It subtly nurtures the DIY spirit and serves as an ideal activity for a rainy day." Ages 8+

Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy Book

This is the perfect age for giving the gift of a good book according to Schmaderer, who says her daughter has recently developed a love of chapter books. "I strive to find books that can be read in a week by reading one to two chapters a day," she says.

Right now, my 8-year-old can't get enough of any book that revolves around dragons, like the ones from the best-selling Wings of Fire series. Ages 8-11

Amazing Reactions Chemistry Set

"I find that the more my kids are in front of a screen or iPad, the more anxious they become," says Schmaderer, who says she opts to keep her kids away from screens and instead focused on STEM activities. This kit from National Geographic fits the bill, offering up unique science projects, one of which involves using chemistry to create glowing "worms." Don't worry though, there aren't any actual worms involved — instead, the kit relies on polymer science and chemical reactions to create worm-like compounds. Ages 8+

5-D Cat Diamond Painting for Kids

The popularity of "painting" with diamonds and crystals has soared. Gift this set, and they'll get a paint-by-numbers-esque canvas, plus all the gems and tools necessary to complete the adorable design. Ages 6+

A Kids Book About Anxiety

It's never too early (or too late) to start learning about anxiety. That's why this book by Ross Szabo is so important. It helps teach children how to identify anxiety and manage their anxious feelings. The 'A Kids Book About' series also offers books about Empathy, Failure, and many other topics relevant to growing up. Ages 5-9

Pressed Flower Art Kit

Schmaderer recommends this pressed flower art kit, saying that it allows kids to enjoy the final products (bookmarks, cards and more) as much as the process of making them. Inside, they'll find everything they need to get started, including a flower press, glue, paint brushes, and cardstock. Ages 5-15

Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game

Another cool STEM adventure, this logic game includes 60 challenges that allow kids to flex their critical thinking skills. Ages 8-15

SoundMoovz Musical Bandz

Kids this age tend to have a lot of energy, which is why these motion-activated musical bands make a great gift. They'll have to move around to keep the music playing! Each set comes with two Bluetooth-enabled bands that connect to a free app, where they can download more than 400 sounds. Ages 8+

Magic Trick Set for Kids

Abracadabra: the perfect gift! This magic kit promises to teach more than 150 tricks to any eager 8-year-old. Kids will learn everything from basic card tricks to how to pull a rabbit out of a hat. An instruction manual and a DVD are included to help them master their new skills before putting on the ultimate magic show for their friends and family. Ages 8+

LEGO Storage Container

By the age of eight, most LEGO enthusiasts have amassed a substantial collection of bricks, making this storage solution an ideal gift. Although it may seem like more of a gift for the adults in the family, rest assured that this storage bin will be a hit with kids, too. It provides a convenient and transportable spot to keep all those tiny LEGO parts together, making cleanup a breeze. You can choose from a variety of color options including gray, gray and white stripes, heather navy, and heather beige. No age listed

Unicorn Slime Kit

Full disclosure: While the experts we spoke to advised avoiding slime as a gift because of the headache it can present to caregivers, we also don't know of a single 8-year-old who would say no to a chance to make their own slime.

This kit allows them to do just that with enough materials to make 100 different combinations, including some with gems, beads, balls, and foam squares. If you give this as a present, just make sure to apologize in advance to the grownups left cleaning up the mess at the end of playtime! Ages 7+

Candy Making Kit

Is there anything kids like more than candy? This gift really hits the sweet spot by combining chemistry with the greatest treat of all: candy. The kit comes with all of the ingredients kids need to make everything from chocolates to jellies. Ages 8+

8-Years of Being Awesome T-Shirt

Let everyone know just how long your favorite 8-year-old has been on this planet with this cute shirt. It breaks down their lifetime in years, months, days, hours, minutes, and seconds, creating a hilarious conversation piece as well as teaching a valuable lesson about how quickly time passes. Sizes range from youth to big and tall.

Shop More Toys & Gifts for Kids

Looking for more of the best gifts for kids? Check out our guides for every age:

• Gifts for babies: Best Baby Gifts | Baby Boy Gifts | Baby Girl Gifts | Best Gifts for 6-Month-Olds

• Gifts for toddlers: Gifts for 1-Year-Olds | Gifts for 2-Year-Olds

• Gifts for preschoolers: Gifts for 3-Year-Olds | Gifts for 4-Year-Olds | Gifts for 5-Year-Olds

• Gifts for big kids: Gifts for 6-Year-Olds | Gifts for 7-Year-Olds | Gifts for 8-Year-Olds | Gifts for 9-Year-Olds | Gifts for 10-Year-Olds | Gifts for 11-Year-Olds | Best Gifts for Girls | Best Gifts for Boys

• Gifts for teens: Best Gifts for Teens | Best Gifts for Teen Girls | Gifts for Teen Girls on Amazon | Best Gifts for Teen Boys

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