Shopping for a gift for an eight-year-old boy isn’t nearly as simple a process as it was when she was in the crib. His personality is quite developed – he’s now able not only to tell right from wrong but also able to put himself in other’s shoes. He also really enjoys fantasy play, cooperative play and being able to express opinions on a wide range of subjects. Face it – he’s only a few years from being a legit “pre-teen”.
While shopping for your young man can be intimidating, don’t be fearful. Have the courage to not only pick a gift that is “peer approved” but also one that reflects how much you care for your 8 year old boy. We’ve selected some gifts that check both the boxes to help you in your quest.
We worked to pick gifts that will last and have some replay value – so your child can get some use from your present and remember you in the years to come. The world doesn’t need your gift to end up as garbage in a landfill come March of next year.
Finally, in acknowledgment that no one gift is “the best” for all kids, we’ve selected a wide variety of toys that should appeal to kids with different interests. Our headings should give you a good idea of what type of kid would love each toy. Hopefully, you find something to match the child you are shopping for.
The Rundown: The Top Toy Picks For 8 year old Boys
The alluring aroma, colors, and BUBBLES of the Two Sisters Spa Bubble Bomb Unicorn Surprise may lure any kid at bath time…plus there is a surprise unicorn toy in each bath bomb.
This toy tea set is good enough to eat off of - literally! Made of FDA-approved for food-contact materials, your daughter can play pretend and be safe at the same time.
The Unicorn Adventure Scratch and Sketch hardcover art activity book will motivate and inspire creative kids of all ages.
A perfect gift for the kid that loves to create things with their own hands.
Pros:
- A challenging game that is easy to learn.
- Players experience the urgency and drama as if they are part of the Pandemic world.
- Cooperative play. Teamwork is essential to save humanity.
Cons:
- Players who prefer playing against other players may find a cooperative concept difficult to grasp
- Need to play a game before players understand the game
If the idea of saving the world interests you, then join the disease control team in Pandemic and protect the world against deadly diseases. You play against time to find the cures before the virus spreads.
It’s essential to work together as a team to find solutions. Pandemic is a great game to inspire teamwork and strategic play. Players must decide which actions to take next. Do they treat the diseases, find a new cure, build research stations, or fly or drive across the globe?
The game starts with nine infected cities. With each round, the number increases, and epidemic cards may re-infect previous cities that may cause chaos if wrong actions are taken.
Easy to understand the board game allows for all ages to play, requiring tactical and strategic moves to save the world. Players control the difficulty level by deciding how many epidemic cards they place in the deck.
Number of players: 2-4
Set up time: 10-15 minutes
Average Playtime: 25-45 minutes
Complexity Level: Medium to High
Recommended ages: 8+ years
Reviewed recommended ages: 8+ years
For boys 3 to 12 Years of age
Pros:
- Dramatic colored water and alluring aromas may intrigue any reluctant kid to the bath.
- The bath bombs are about the size of a tennis ball and make lots of bubbles.
- Inside each bath bomb is a unicorn toy surprise that is released as the bath bomb fizzes and bubbles.
Cons:
- The pieces may be a choking hazard for toddlers younger than three years old.
The Two Sisters Spa Bubble Bath Bombs may entice any kid to bath with all the bubbles…and the fun unicorn gift surprise inside the bath bomb. Yes, inside each bubble bath bomb is a treasure, a unicorn toy, or a unicorn jewelry piece. For little boys, there is the Superhero Kit with fun superhero figurines and keepsakes.
The secret is to use water pressure for the ultimate experience. Drop the bath bomb into the water while the bath is filling with water. Before long, you will have fragrant, colorful bath water with lots and lots of bubbles. Each bath bomb is about the size of a tennis ball…can you imagine the fizzing and bubbles!
Another surprise is the unicorn toy or jewelry that is released from within the bath bomb. It could be a unicorn necklace, a ring, squishies, unicorn horn or finger puppets, lip gloss, or a bracelet hidden within, waiting for an excited kid to have a bath.
The toys and products are created by moms who work flexi-hours because family is important to them. Being moms, they know which unicorn gifts and toys to select that will thrill little girls and little boys, who like all things superhero related.
Pros:
- Made in the USA of BPA-free, recycled milk jugs.
- Easy to clean – it’s dishwasher safe so cleanup is a breeze!
- Your 8 year old boy will build both fine and gross motor skills playing with this set.
- Great for tub play as well.
- Built to last for years of play.
Cons:
- You pay extra for the Earth-friendly construction.
If your young ::age:: boy is looking for a toy tea set to go along with tea time, the Green Toys Tea Set is a great choice. he can play while being nice to the environment at the same time. You see, these tea cups, pots, plates, creamer and sugar bowl are all made of food-grade recycled materials. This is awesome because it means you can actually drink from the set without worrying about hot water melting plastic or leeching and undesirable chemicals.
This tea set is wonderful. The toy items are sturdy while still being small enough for little hand’s to easily handle. It is safe to eat and drink from, washes easily, and quite resistant to scratches and blemishes. Some people aren’t aware that toy manufacturers now have to put little holes to prevent suffocation in any toy a young boy might jam in their mouth. The sugar bowl is the one in this set with the holes – so if you pour a powder in the bowl, it won’t stay there!
These cups are kid-sized, not doll-sized – so they’ll be able to drink more than a sip when playing make-believe. It’s one of the best tea sets out there for kids!
For boys 5 to 99 Years of age
Pros:
- The versatile art activity book has something for all kids irrespective of their art skills; they can trace and scratch-off, color the drawings, or create their doodles and drawings.
- The sturdy wire binding and hardcover protects the pages inside and endure kids’ handling.
- It is perfect for traveling and for keeping kids occupied.
Cons:
- Not for kids under 5 years that may inhale the scratch coating particles.
The Unicorn Adventure Scratch and Sketch, an art activity book, is one of the best unicorn gifts to give a creative child and budding artist…and a unicorn fan. What is hidden behind the black-coated scratch-off art board pages? Even boys and girls who don’t think they can draw could be inspired to follow the tracing and drawings in the activity book. Tracing with the wooden stylus strengthens hand-eye coordination.
Kids of all ages are invited to join Polly with the unicorn on an adventure to the unicorn’s castle. Scratching the black-coated art board pages reveal rainbow swirls and glittery foil unicorn-related images. The hardcover activity book contains twenty drawings and descriptions of unicorns and friends, twenty pages for doodling, and the twenty black-coated scratch-off pages. Kids may use crayons, markers, or colored pencils to create their unique unicorn artwork and their unicorn adventure stories.
It’s not only a drawing book; it combines the story with the drawings taking kids on an adventure. Boys and girls may build confidence in their art skills and create new experiences for the unicorn combining imagination and creativity.
The hardcover activity book with its wooden styles is convenient for road trips and to keep kids occupied in restaurants and waiting rooms. It gives kids the freedom to sketch on pages at the back or for the less daring to trace and color in the drawings.
Best Subscription Box For 8 year old boys:
Kiwi Crate by KiwiCo
For boys 5 to 8 Years of age
Pros:
- Encourages a tinkering mindset through experimentation
- Parents can engage with their children in some quality time.
- Created toys are well-made and generally have good replay value.
Cons:
- You need to create the toy/project in order to have something to play with.
- Subscription is an unique gift-type and can be hard to explain to a child when you give the gift.
The Kiwi Crate by Kiwico is a great way to keep your 8 year old boy excited about science through play throughout the year. This isn’t one toy – instead, you buy a three month, six month or 1 yr subscription and “crates” are delivered every month. Inside you’ll find maker projects that help your child explore art, science, and engineering. We’ve reviewed quite a few of these crates over the years – and our reviewer families have raved about their value and fun-factor.
Each month contains projects and readings centered around a different theme. The instructions are easy to read, but also include additional information for those kids looking for a more in-depth treatment of the subject. I’ve recommended these kits to my family members – and I now I’m recommending them to you.
Pros:
- A strategic game for two players.
- Tile pieces are durable with beautiful designs.
- Portable with a pouch for storage and travel
Cons:
- Some players don’t like to have to continually concentrate during a game.
Hive is a two-player board game that requires strategic thinking like when playing Chess. The objective of the game is to protect your queen bee that she isn’t locked in by opponent bugs.
The game is quick to grasp but requires strategic thinking. Set up time is fast because you don’t require a board; a flat surface will suffice to place the tiles.
Each tile is decorated with one of the five types of bugs — each bug hast its rules of how it can move.
A portable game that can travel with you wherever you go.
Number of players: 2
Set up time: 5 minutes
Average Playtime: 15-30 minutes
Complexity Level: Medium
Recommended ages: 8-15 years
Reviewed recommended ages: 8+ years
For boys 5 to 99 Years of age
Pros:
- The unicorn garden is portable and can be displayed indoors or outdoors.
- Five unicorn-related figurines decorate the garden. Your child may move them around depending on their imaginative role-playing story at that moment.
- Kids learn gardening skills while having fun.
Cons:
- The seeds and soil aren’t included in the package.
Your child may not have a unicorn in the garden, but they can create their unique unicorn garden with Creative Roots Create Your Own Unicorn Garden kit. The 10-inch plastic planter is a nice size for a sustainable garden project for kids indoors or outdoors.
Each child creates a unique garden by planting or decorating with the flowers, herbs, or plants they wish to have in the garden. You don’t even have to buy seeds; they can also use plants from your backyard or flower bed. Some unicorn gardens may well have daisies, pansies, and violets. Other may have more tropical effect with ferns and ground covers. For some, a quick-growing herb garden could be a great idea. It’s up to your child!
The five hand-painted figurines create a personal touch and inspire imaginative play. Your kid may move the castle, two unicorn figurines, the toadstool, and a butterfly around depending on how their creative story unfolds.
Gardening is a soothing exercise that provides delayed gratification after you see the plants grow and flower. Start by layering the planter with soil (seeds and soil not included in the package). Place the garden accessories as desired. Add the plants or flowers and display your garden for all to see.
If your kid doesn’t want to create a live garden, they can use fake moss, and toy trees and shrubs to develop their unicorn garden.
For boys 5 to 99 Years of age
Pros:
- With the design on both sides, it doesn’t matter in which hand your child holds the mug.
- Add hot water and see the unicorn tail change color.
- The unicorn mug, with its unique trademarked design, is decorative on its own and earns a position with the other unicorn collectibles.
Cons:
- You’ll have to wait for your turn because everyone will want to drink out of the mug.
The Color Changing Unicorn Mug is a great unicorn gift for kids and adults who enjoy their coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and other hot drinks that works the magic. There’s a reason the unicorn face looks like it’s smiling as if it has a secret. When you pour hot water into the unicorn mug, the unicorn’s hair changes into beautiful rainbow colors.
The design is on both sides of the mug, so it doesn’t matter whether your child is left-handed or right-handed; they will see the color-changing effect. The manufacturer, Infloatables, guarantees a quality ceramic mug with their trademarked Unicorn Mug Design that won’t scratch off.
With a one-of-a-kind design, the 3D mug is decorative enough to earn a particular spot on your desk, in your bedroom, office, or a special place among the other unicorn collectibles. Display it empty or use it to store your pencils, markers, or pens.
It is one of the best unicorn gifts for kids or adults who adore unicorns. They will be delighted with such an original unicorn gift but wait until you offer them a hot drink in their new unicorn mug. It’s a jaw-dropping experience the first time they see the hair of the unicorn change into rainbow colors.
For boys 4 to 8 Years of age
Pros:
- Teaches strategic thinking, teamwork, social skills and planning to your 8 year old boy.
- Has won numerous awards for it’s great mix of fun and skill building.
- Great for playing with children of different maturity levels for boys and girls.
- Good replay value.
Cons:
- Games are relatively quick – this might be a good thing depending on the situation but something to be aware of.
- Pre-teen children and up won’t be entertained for long.
Most board games for kids are competitive – and frankly there’s nothing wrong with that. Sometimes it’s nice for a family to have a game they work together to win, rather than against each other. This is particularly the case if you have a child that is CONSTANTLY getting beaten at games by an older sibling.
In Peaceable Kingdom, players work together as a team against the game, not each other. Besides creating a team, this allows for your 8 year old to learn to share, include others, and build up confidence for themselves and teammates. Each player is an owl that has gone out exploring at night, but now needs to get back home before the sun gets up. If all owls get home before the sun comes up, you are a winner!
Pros:
- Relaxing yet competitive game for two players
- Quick but engaging game
- Ideal for kids, teenagers, and couples
Cons:
- Not for gamers who want complicated, integrated games and not a relaxing game
Patchwork may look straightforward, but there’s a catch. Uneven pieces of fabric require strategic planning and the ability to solve problems. When you’ve placed your fabric piece on the board, you can’t move it.
Created by game designer Uwe Rosenberg, this classic board game inspires creativity, problem-solving, and healthy competition. The competitive game challenges players to create the highest score with their patchwork quilt design.
A game could take up to 45 minutes, depending on the competitive play. The idea is to complete as much of the quilt as possible with the unique shapes. Kids who like solving puzzles will enjoy that element in the game. Creative kids who want to become textile designers will enjoy the idea of creating a quilt with odd pieces.
The secret lies in the buttons, which is the money currency and gives the quilt that final touch.
If you enjoy Tetris, then you may enjoy this engaging quilting game with its strategic puzzle-solving element.
Number of players: 2
Set up time: 5 minutes
Average Playtime: 15-30 minutes
Complexity Level: Easy
Recommended ages: 8-15 years
Reviewed recommended ages: 8-adults
For boys 4 to 10 Years of age
Pros:
- Included experiments are age-appropriate and fun for the family to work together.
- Great for bathtub and sandbox play when younger, but grows into science experiments as your child ages.
- High replay value since equipment can be used to do other experiments available for free on the internet.
Cons:
- While most are common household items, you need to provide the ingredients for the experiments.
Encourage interest in science and experimental learning with this award-winning lab set. The Learning Resources Primary Science Lab set comes with a ton of kid-friendly science tools. All 12 pieces are correctly sized for 8 year old children to be able to handle.
Younger boys might just use the toy to play make-believe unless you or another adult take them step by step through the instructions. On the other hand, older children can use the included experiment cards to learn more about the physical world around them. Once you’ve gone through all the included experiments, you are free to use the equipment to tackle other experiments about the world around you.
Pros:
- A card-theme board game for a variety of ages.
- Easy to learn and fun to play.
- Teaches kids card game principles.
Cons:
- Too many players fill up the board too soon.
Sequence is a two-player board game that requires strategic and decision-making skills. The object is to create a row of five pieces while simultaneously blocking your opponent from creating their rows.
The board shows two packs of cards. Each card lies with its image face up. Each player is dealt seven cards. When it’s your turn, you select a card in your hand to play by placing a chip on one of the two options on the board. That’s where the strategy and fun start, choosing the right one that will enhance your play.
There’s always the wild card to benefit a player and have a negative impact on the opponent. The Jack can be played as any card, or you could remove an opponent’s chip from the board.
The player who scores the required number of sequences wins.
Number of players: 2-3 or up to 12 in three teams
Set up time: 5 minutes
Average Playtime: 10-30 minutes
Complexity Level: Easy
Recommended ages: 7+ years
Reviewed recommended ages: 6+ years
For boys 8 to 99 Years of age
Pros:
- The soft-tip nature of darts means there is virtually no chance of damaging property or other children while playing with these toys.
- Gun is lightweight enough that most school-aged children can participate in the fun.
- Real camaraderie is built up among teammates.
Cons:
- Darts are easy to lose. They especially seem to find their way into the vacuum cleaner. You’ll want to buy some extras.
- There are many Nerf Blaster choices – so your child may prefer a toy for a different playstyle.
Nerf dart blasters are a perennial favorite of boys and girls everywhere. The N-Strike Elite Strongarm Blaster is no exception to this rule. With this blaster gun, you’ll be able to fire 6 darts in a row up to 90 feet. Just slam the slide to reload and you are on your way. That’s right, this blaster doesn’t require batteries.
While fine to shoot at targets by yourself, the real fun comes when a group of boys organize into teams and play tag or other games. Kids learn to implement strategy, cooperate with teammates and burn off a ton of energy running around outside while working to tag opposing team members.
For boys 8 to 99 Years of age
Pros:
- Teach kids to save with the piggy bank shaped like a unicorn head.
- The ceramic material is durable and beautifully designed to display it in your unicorn-crazed child’s bedroom.
Cons:
- It’s easy to remove the stopper to reveal the savings content.
The Beriwinkle Ceramic Unicorn Piggy Bank is the best unicorn gift to teach kids about finances. After all, if you want to go on adventures or enlarge your unicorn toys collection, you need to start saving.
The glazed ceramic unicorn head is available in six different colors to complement the décor in a child’s room. With more than one unicorn fan in the household, the different colors will avoid mixing up the piggy banks. If you have an avid saver, why not collect all the colors and have a unicorn display in their bedroom?
With dimensions, 7.5 x 9 x 4.5 inches the unicorn piggy bank isn’t too large for the dressing table or a bookshelf. The base is sturdy so that it won’t topple over and break. Then it is within arm’s length when kids want to add money to their piggy bank through the slot at the top.
When the unicorn piggy bank is full, or there’s a new unicorn toy to buy, the stopper at the bottom opens the bank and reveals the content. Note that it’s easy to remove the stopper, which means curious eyes may want to see how much money was saved.
Although it’s a piggy bank, the design is so tasteful, that it could be a great birthday or Christmas gift for any unicorn fan who collects unicorns or for people who enjoy unique décor.
For boys 8 to 13 Years of age
Pros:
- Quick enough to be fun, but not as fast as some bigger models.
- Soon will become a child favorite for expressing growing independence
- Will last for years with proper maintenance.
- Easy to transport – handlebars detach easily with a tool.
Cons:
- The handbrake by itself can be inadequate – so teach your child to steer out of harms way along with braking.
- Your child needs to be mature enough to understand the road laws in your area to use this toy.
Electric scooters for kids are a fast and simple way to get around. The Razor E100 Electric Scooter is a nice tradeoff of speed and handling for a 8 year old rider. You’ll get a scooter, battery and battery charger all included in the box. Assembly is minimal – just charge up the scooter overnight and go.
Since this scooter can go as fast as 10 mph, it’s a good idea to find a protected area for your boy to practice. It’s not quite like riding a bike – it will take a little while to master. Check your local laws to see if it’s legal to ride on the street near the curb or on the sidewalk. Different towns have different rules – and unless you want to give your kid an introduction to the legal system at this age, it’s better to find out ahead of time!
The build is solid. Younger and smaller riders will be able to easily fit both feet side-by-side on the base. Length or riding time will depend on how many hills you ride, how much your child weighs, and how hard they ride – but 30 – 50 mins seems to be about average before needing a charge.
Pros:
- A quick but intense game for those with limited time who enjoy the action.
- Word game fans will enjoy the frantic competitive element
- Very portable game for traveling
Cons:
- Players who don’t like thinking on their feet may find the game too stressful.
Bananagrams adds additional competitiveness and excitement to traditional two-player board games like Scrabble. In Scrabble, players take turns, not so in Bananagrams. With this game, each player races to see who can finish all the letters building a grid.
All you need to play is the banana-shaped carrying pouch containing 144 plastic letter tiles and two players. No board, pen, or scoring devices are necessary.
Each player creates a word grid, trying to deplete all their tiles. When that happens, players take another tile. The game continues until all the tiles are taken.
The game is easy to play and teaches kids spelling and new words during play. Bananagrams pouch is compact and convenient for traveling.
Number of players: 2-8
Set up time: 5 minutes
Average Playtime: 15 minutes
Complexity Level: Easy
Recommended ages: 7+ years
Reviewed recommended ages: 8+ years
For boys 4 to 10 Years of age
Pros:
- Both camera lenses have an 8-megapixel photo resolution to take high-quality photos.
- The camera is designed for kids and is easy to operate.
- The screen is 2.3 inches, which is larger than most camera screens for kids.
Cons:
- SD memory card isn’t included in the purchase.
The Joytrip Kids Digital Camera is a dual-lens camera with 8 Megapixels and a camcorder with FHD 1080P video resolution that’s perfect for little 8 year old boy hands! With a 2.3 inches screen, budding photographers can show off their photography skills. The automatic face tracking feature recognizes faces to capture the best smiley moments.
Replaying the videos or look at the funny photos created with the 21 frames creates hours of fun. The 1000mAh lithium rechargeable battery won’t cut the fun-time short because it lasts for 4-6 hours. Recharging takes 4-5 hours.
Hanging the camera around the child’s neck with the lanyard will help keep the camera from falling. If it does fall, don’t sweat it too much. The camera is made of soft silicone material that is safe against a child’s skin and is also shockproof should the camera fall.
The USB charger and a micro SD card reader are included in the package but not the SD card. The camera supports up to a 32 GB card.
For boys 6 to 99 Years of age
Pros:
- Jumping helps your 8 year old boy develop muscles and balance while burning off energy.
- Tramp comes with a long list of safety features to make jumping as safe as it can be.
- Your kid’s friends will always be over at your place when you are the ‘trampoline house’.
Cons:
- Parents need to supervise play – there are dangers involved if instructions aren’t followed.
- This isn’t a small toy. You need to have dedicated space in your backyard to set up and jump.
As we mentioned in our outdoor trampolines review, we think this toy is a winner. Safety is a prime concern in the design of this model. It’s so important, Skywalker has made sure this model exceeds all American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) requirements.
We like the ‘W’ supports – they give more stability to the trampoline. The padded poles and enclosure net are well-made and help to keep your 8 year old is safe. The basketball hoop is a nice touch – it has a breakaway rim and even comes with 2 basketballs. It’ll keep your children and friends entertained for hours at a time. A great gift.
For boys 3 to 9 Years of age
Pros:
- Adjustable height means it will grow with your boy.
- Folds down easily for quick storage.
- The different sizes of chalk and markers help develop fine motor skills.
- A great way to share a love of drawing with friends or family.
Cons:
- This toy requires assembly which can be a deal breaker for some.
If your child is stoked to draw but you don’t want the hassle of buying and throwing away reams of artwork-filled paper, this easel is for you. Both the chalkboard and dry-erase sides are erasable – so when your artist moves on to a new work the board will follow. It can be used on both sides at teh same time so your boy can use this toy to play with a friend at the same time.
The adjustable height is a great feature – your child will be able to use this for years to come without having to hunch over to draw. It comes with chalk and an eraser, along with a brush – but you’ll want to make sure you get more chlak on your own. With how fun this toy is, you’ll need it!
What We Like About The NextX Kids Adjustable Easel
For boys 7 to 99 Years of age
Pros:
- The included cloak is an EXACT replica of the movie prop on display in the official Warner Bros studio tour in London.
- It’s going to be THE GIFT for Harry Potter fans in 2025.
- The cloak, standalone, is of nice construction. The added invisibility effect is a nice addition!
Cons:
- Phone must be still in the tripod to get the “invisible” effect to work.
- Deluxe version is nice and completely true to the movie, but can be a bit pricey. The standard version doesn’t include the tripod either.
What kid hasn’t at some point wanted to be invisible? I know I thought the Invisibility Cloak from the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone would have awesome to own. And now you can!
This 2020 Toy of the Year finalist is an exciting augmented reality toy. This official Warner Bros. Invisibility cloak costume perfectly replicates the cloak from the Harry Potter series’ magical properties.
How does it work? It works with an associated phone app – so you can save – and share – your invisible scenes. It’s easy to save stills or videos to your devices’ camera roll for later viewing fun. If you or your children haven’t played with a “green screen” before, you are in for a treat.
In addition to the A-R aspect of this gift, it’s also a great Harry Potter toy and collector item on it’s own. If your 8 year old boy is into Harry Potter dress up or Cosplay, he’ll appreciate this gift!
Our Process For Selecting The Best Toys For 8 year old boys
We spend weeks writing all of our toy review and gift guides. We know you rely on our input, and we take that trust seriously. Our writers and editors have spent approximately 23 hours researching and testing the most popular toys for 8 year old boys that you can find on the market in January 2025.
All of this time and resources are spent to bring this toy guide to you – we’ve put in the time to make sure our recommendations are ones you can trust.
We also update these lists daily. That’s because we don’t want to provide you with toys that are no longer in-stock – a gift you can’t buy isn’t worth much to you, no matter how cool it might be. We have reviewed many more toys than we list in this guide – and many of them are good but not quite as great as the ones that made the cut.
As toys move in and out of stock, the list will change. We want this list to help you get the best toys you can for your 8 year old this Holiday season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Toys for Eight-Year-Old Boys
What skills should I look out for when buying a toy for an eight-year-old son?
Toys that improve behavioral skills could benefit your eight-year-old son. You probably noticed your son is socializing more, making new friends, and wanting to spend more time with friends. Friends are essential to boys in this age group.
The best toys for eight-year-old boys are toys that their friends can join in the fun. Combining group activities with physical play outdoors enhances the socializing and improves his physical development.
Eight-year-old boys tend to follow the rules they help create. When buying toys, involve your son when introducing the purpose of the toy, how the toys work, and help him discover the rules if it’s a game type of toy.
What type of toys would my eight-year-old son enjoy?
Your eight-year-old son is curious and interested in his world. He likes to explore and discover his environment. He is up for a challenge and wants to be challenged, mentally, and physically. Toys that stimulate growth, discovery, and exploration would be the best gifts you can give your eight-year-old son.
Bikes, roller-skates, skateboards, flying kites, and ball games are the type of toys that may strengthen your son’s physical growth and activities. Toys like the Nerf Blaster may give hours of play alone or with friends.
The best toys to stimulate an eight-year-old boy mentally are toys that help them build, construct, create, or compete. STEM-related (and STEAM-related) toys may inspire interest in the field of science, technology, engineering, math, and arts at a young age. Learning toys challenge your child mentally and physically while he is having fun playing with the toy.
How do I know I’m buying the latest model or version of a toy?
Often when toys are upgraded or a newer version becomes available, the older version is sold at a reduced price. With some toys, it doesn’t matter if your eight-year-old receives the latest version. Sometimes the upgrades aren’t as great, and the older version is a ‘better’ toy. With technical, electronic, and mechanical toys, however, it could make a difference.
On the websites of toy manufacturers, you may find the information about the toys. They often have an overview and the specifications of the toys. You’ll find the technology used, model numbers, and the versions listed on the website.
You can purchase the toy then according to the latest model or version number. Some online shops do indicate there is a newer version available when you land on the sales page of the older model.
How do I know the toy is safe for my son or a child of eight-years-old?
Toy manufacturers adhere to strict rules and guidelines when designing and producing toys for a recommended age. They take into consideration what is safe materials and the design of the toy. Although an eight-year-old boy isn’t likely to put small pieces or parts that come loose in his mouth, it may be a choking hazard for his toddler siblings. Therefore, manufacturers do warn potential buyers about choking hazards and other possible safety issues.
Manufacturers also set parents’ minds at ease when they indicate what safety guidelines they followed for a toy. The safety ratings are included in the toy package and marked. Parents may check the box or package to make sure the toy is safe for their eight-year-old son, especially if they buy toys for an older age group for him.
How do I know if the toy is designed for an eight-year-old boy?
Toys are designed for a specific age group. As kids grow older, the toys may overlap in the recommended ages. When buying a toy for an eight-year-old boy, it is recommended to stay within the age range as indicated by the manufacturer.
Manufacturers must consider the different safety issues and complexity of toys for each age group. For example, LEGO pieces for an eight-year-old may differ in size and difficulty as for a younger child. The smaller sized LEGO blocks that stimulate and challenge the mind of an eight-year-old is too tiny for a three-year-old’s hands to grasp and handle. The smaller pieces are also potential choking hazards to a toddler. A LEGO toy for a teenager may be too complicated to build for the mind of an eight-year-old boy or girl.
What are STEM toys, and should I buy one for my eight-year-old son?
STEM is the acronym for the four disciplines science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The acronym STEAM includes arts in the equation.
Knowledge and experience in these four subjects may help your son in the future. STEM toys focus on stimulating and improving problem-solving skills, spatial thinking, innovative thinking, and communication skills.
STEM-related games and books may focus on teaching and improving your son’s memory skills while he discovers exciting facts about a topic. These toys aren’t limited to memory skills but may mentally develop and enhance your eight-year-old son in multiple ways.
STEM toys may also give your son the challenges he desires and perhaps interests him in STEM-related topics or a STEM-career one day. Being familiar with STEM subjects, your child will find it easier to comprehend more advanced principles in school. He will have an advantage over kids who haven’t been introduced to STEM topics and principles.
Another benefit of STEM toys is how playing with these toys may create an interest in difficult school subjects like math, for example. Many children are afraid that mathematics will be too complicated for them. The fear causes blockages and paralyzes their ability to learn and solve math problems. Math STEM toys for eight-year-old boys introduces them to math in an entertaining and fun way. When your son is then confronted with a challenging math problem at school, he won’t fear math as other kids do. He won’t see mathematics as a terrible subject that is an obstacle hindering him; he may see math as a problem-solving challenge. He may even think math is fun because he never learned to dislike the subject.