Popular Toys 8 Year Old Boys Will Love
It's not so hard to buy for 8 year old boys. At the time of writing my son and his friends are turning 8. We have been to lots of 8 year old birthday parties and have bought lots of gifts popular with his friends. Toys that kids like tend to fall into one of the following categories:
Read on for these and more ideas...
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- Blasters - nerf blasters, curve bows, lazer tag, targets and accessories
- Construction toys - legos, zoobs and knex
- Games - monopoly, mouse trap, headbandz and lots more.
- Stem toys - snap circuits, color chemistry, disgusting science, microscopes and telescopes.
- Outdoor toys - scooters, bikes, caster trikes, nerf footballs
- Arts and crafts - tracing board, writing tablet, spirograph and making paper airplanes
- Stuff for their room - money safe and nightlight
- More fun toys - magic sets, hover football, catapult builder, anki overdrive and more
Read on for these and more ideas...
*Please note as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This means we may get a small commission for purchases made through Amazon links in this article.*
ZING AIR HUNTERZ Z-CURVE BOW
The Zing Air Hunterz z-curve bow is a fab gift to get from Santa. It's perfect for this age group.
The bow featured comes with three foam darts and fires up to 100 feet. It's a great bow for target practice. Or just having fun foam dart wars. Or shoot the dart and see how far it will go. It's a fab toy to play with at an open space. Boys this age really do love them. |
Nerf blaster
NERF Elite Digital Target Toy
A digital target pairs really nicely with a nerf blaster.
The target toy featured measures 9.25", so it's not massive but won't take up much room either and gets them to really aim for their shot. It features Lcd interactive lights & sounds target with 3 built-in interactive skill-building game play modes The digital scoreboard features solo and team game play scoring |
Lazer tag
Lego and Other Building Toys
I can't write a list for 8 year old boys without including legos. The most popular lego sets of the moment include superhero sets, minecraft and Star Wars.
There are lots of other building toys you can get for 8 year old boys too. Knex is another favorite. Check out Knex robo sting buildng sets.
There are lots of other building toys you can get for 8 year old boys too. Knex is another favorite. Check out Knex robo sting buildng sets.
Lego Ninjago Ninja Mech Dragon
This lego Ninjago dragon is fun to build and impressive once completed.
It's cool features include ‘lightning bolt’ shooters and a swiping tail. Kids can roleplay riding the dragon with their minifigures and act out epic ninja warrior battles. There are 493 pieces and the set includes 4 minifigures: Zane, Jay, Daddy No Legs and Muzzle. It also includes collectible ninja weapon pieces like Dragonbone Blade ninja sword. |
Star wars lego
3 in 1 creator set - shark
I love the 3 in 1 creator sets because there is three time the play value with just one set of bricks.
The bricks build 3 different ocean models. The first is the shark which is accompanied by the crab and the box of treasure. But you can also rebuild the set into a flexible squid or giant mouthed angler fish. The scary shark also features an opening mouth, pointy teeth, posable fins, moveable joints and reflective eyes for even more play value. |
zoobs
Zoobs click together to allow young builders to create all kinds of constructions.
This set is a robot building set and includes zoobs with flashing lights for the eyes and once built the creation can be used with a pull back motion to make it move. There's endless creation possibilities, so you can create a zoob bot to be anything you want it to be. It includes 49 zoob pieces, 1 light up ZOOB piece with batteries, 2 wheels, 2 wheeled motor assembly, 4 tires and instructions |
knex thrill rides
If he is an avid builder there are some great knex sets.
One of the most popular is the Knex thrill rides set which allows you to build 3 different models, one at a time. An experience 8 year old who loves building and lego may be able to complete this independently or if may be a good project for an adult and child to do together. Once compelete, each thrilling ride can perform a particular movement. It can either spin or rotate in an authentic, rail-driven motion, just like a real amusement park ride |
Board Games
8 years old is a perfect age for board games. They are at an age where they can start to understand more complex rules and have the ability to focus for longer periods of times.
Some ideas of board games include: Bananagrams (a quick and easy word game - my Mom is buying this for my son for Christmas to help him with his spelling). Classic games like monopoly (aimed at kids from aged 8 up), Guess Who, Sorry, Uno (my mother in law is buying him Uno for Christmas) and Connect 4 (my son loves Connect 4). |
5 SEconds rule junior
Five second rule junior is a fun game for that the whole family will love.
Can you name 3 ice cream flavours? Or 3 presidents, 3 superheros, 3 zoo animals or 3 farm animals? Sounds too easy? But maybe not if you only have five seconds. The game becomes very funny but silly answers tend to slip out when you're under pressure. A fun game that 8 year old boys will love. |
hedbanz game
The Hedbanz game is a simple, easy to play game which is super fun.
Each player wears a band around their head which displays a card. They must ask the other players questions to determine what is on their card. But, the pressure is on as they only have one minute to find out. Tons of fun and great for all generations to have a go. The categories are simple, so all ages (from young to old) can join in. Recommeded for kids aged 7 plus. |
Mouse Trap
Magic Set
My son was given a magic set when he was 6, but I think he was a little bit too young at the time to understand and perform the tricks.
Personally, I think 8 is the perfect age for a magic set. They have more concentration to practice the tricks and it is a great confidence builder to encourage them to perform the tricks to friends and family. The set featured contains 10 classic tricks which is a perfect amount for a young magician to start with. It won't be long before they are begging to put on shows for the family. |
Science Kits
At age 8, boys are still really eager to explore the world and have a lot of enthusiasm to see how things work. It is good to encourage and make the most of this with the toys that you buy and there are tons of toys that facilitate learning.
There are lots of science kits aimed at boys this age. My son likes anything with gross or disgusting in the name (so look for science kits with these adjectives!).
Other great kits include snap circuits where you can build electronic circuits by snapping the included pieces together.
There are lots of science kits aimed at boys this age. My son likes anything with gross or disgusting in the name (so look for science kits with these adjectives!).
Other great kits include snap circuits where you can build electronic circuits by snapping the included pieces together.
Snap Circuits
This set offers a fantastic way to introduce children as young as 8 to electronics.
The set includes pieces that easily snap together to form circuits which will power items in the set which include flashing lights, a sound-activated switch, a musical doorbell, a voice-controlled lamp, a flying saucer, and a light police siren. There are 101 different electronic projects. The set is fun and easy to use but extremely educational. It contains over 30 color-coded, real circuit components that snap together to create working electronic circuits and devices. As well as learning about electronics, kids will have lots of practice in building and following the instructions in the project manual which features large color illustrations and simple directions. |
More Educational Toys / Stem Toys
8 years old is a great time to buy educational toys as kids will play and explore without even realising you're trying to make them learn at the same time.
There are tons of educational toys for this age group and we have mentioned some already (science kits, lego (great for construction) and electronic kits like snap circuits above.
You may see the term STEM toys which stand for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
There are tons of educational toys for this age group and we have mentioned some already (science kits, lego (great for construction) and electronic kits like snap circuits above.
You may see the term STEM toys which stand for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
crayola color chemistry
Color chemistry is an awesome kit to get young kids interested in chemisty and experiments.
There are the tools and equipment in the kit to do 16 eye-catching, colorful experiements including making a volcano, creating slime and things that glow in the dark. As well as accessores for 16 out of the box experiments there are also instructions for 35 more science projects for kids to try out. |
telescope
Many 8 year old boys are fascinated with space, the stars and the moon so it makes a great age to buy a telescope.
The telescope featured is designed for beginners. The installation of the telescope is very simple. As long as you follow the instructions, you can install all the accessories in ten minutes. No extra tools are needed. So you can start your space discoveries straight away! The adjustable aluminum tripod makes it easy to view images of different heights and angles of view. There is a backpack included which makes it more convenient for you to observe at any time anywhere. |
Disgusting science kit
Another way to get boys interested in science is focus on the gross parts and make it disgusting!
With this kit you can educate your child on what actually grows on their own body. Create a stinky intestine, slimy snot, fake blood and learn how to grow friendly molds and bacteria. It includes 4 petri dishes, a magnifier, 4 cotton swabs, gelatin, sugar, baking yeast, red and green coloring, rubber balloon, plastic bag and guide. |
Outdoor Toys
I love to watch my son run around outdoors and he loves playing in the fresh air. If you know any 8 year old boys you will know they are full of energy and any toys that facilitate them burning some of this off can only be a good thing.
For Christmas this year we are getting him a new bike, which I know he will love. There are lots of other great outdoor toys as well. Ideas include skateboards, frisbees, basketball hoops and scooters. My son has a stunt scooter that he uses to get to and from school everyday. He is also enjoying practising his first tricks on his scooter.
Many boys this age will practise a sport that they enjoy so equipment for their favorite sport is another idea.
For Christmas this year we are getting him a new bike, which I know he will love. There are lots of other great outdoor toys as well. Ideas include skateboards, frisbees, basketball hoops and scooters. My son has a stunt scooter that he uses to get to and from school everyday. He is also enjoying practising his first tricks on his scooter.
Many boys this age will practise a sport that they enjoy so equipment for their favorite sport is another idea.
Razor FlashRider 360 Caster Trike
Nerf Howler Football
This is a classic and awesome toy that is also inexpensive and great for the summer months in particular.
It's fun to throw. The ball howls as it flies and the long distance tail sends the ball a long way. The ball also features a hand grip so you can target your passes better. This is fantastic for practising throwing and will develop throwing skills. The other fab thing about this toy is that it's great for all ages. The whole family can and will enjoy playing wit it. |
electric scooter
Fortnite
So the craze at the moment when playing video games is Fortnite
Any Fortnite themed toys and gifts for 8 year old fans will go down well. This "Floss like a boss" t shirt is great for Fortnite fans. It comes in different sizes so you can get the right one to fit him. He can wear it and be nice and comfortable when he is playing the game or it's nice and warm for wearing outdoors too. |
This is what an awesome 8 year old looks like
If he's proud about reaching the ripe old age of 8 he will love this t-shirt.
It's great to wear on his birthday but all year round as well. It comes in different colors and sizes. There is a sizing chart to help you decide which is the best size. The t-shirt is 100% combed-cotton with a classic crew neckline. |
Books
There are lots of great books now for 8 year old boys. If they haven't read Captain Underpants books yet, this is a good choice to start with. My son loves the humor in these books and just can't stop reading them.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is another series of books that appeal to boys of this age. Other ideas include The Magic Treehouse series, Beast Quest and Geronimo Stilton.
There are also some great factual books which are very visual. Ideas include The Guiness Book of Records and The Time for Kids Big Book of Why and What.
Also don't forget The Dangerous Book for Boys.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is another series of books that appeal to boys of this age. Other ideas include The Magic Treehouse series, Beast Quest and Geronimo Stilton.
There are also some great factual books which are very visual. Ideas include The Guiness Book of Records and The Time for Kids Big Book of Why and What.
Also don't forget The Dangerous Book for Boys.
The Big Book of Why
This is a fab book for inquisitive kids.
The book is really easy to read with lots of colorful visual images including photographs, illustrations, graphics and pictures. The questions are split into different categories which include animals, space, history, science, technology, sports and more. The books doesn't have to be read cover to cover although it can be if your child wishes to. But most kids will probably love to dive in at a different points in the book. There are over 1,001 amazing facts. And kids will probably want to read snippets to impress their parents, teachers, and friends. Most adults will probably want to dive into this book as well! |
Fun Toys
There are some toys that offer just pure fun. Remote control toys such as cars, robots and helicopters are fun to control and play with.
I love the magnetic darts board. This can be put in a bedroom and is a great indoor game to play with friends during the Winter months. As the darts are magnetic you don't have to worry about any dents going into your wall or anybody getting injured from a dart. Another cool indoor toy is a mini basketball hoop. These can be attached to a bedroom door, so you can shoot hoops indoors with friends or on your own. Minature catapults allow boys to have target practice in their own home and are great fun too. |
Anki Overdrive Starter Kit
If you're looking for a toy with a high fun factor this could be it.
The anki overdrive is a racetrack but the cars are controlled with a mobile device such as a smart phone or tablet. There are several different track layouts that you can race on (8 in total). It's super quick to set up the track and the fun can then begin racing against family and friends. This is a particular great toy for boys who like cars as well as boys who like using tablets, phones and technology when playing. A fab idea for letting them use their tablet or a smart phone when playing yet they will not just be staring at a screen. |
Retro Arcade
The retro arcade is something my own 8 year old requested for his 8th birthday and he absolutely loves it.
It features 3000 classic video games from the 80s and 90s. Lots of classic arcade, NES games. There are cables so you can connect it to the television and play the games on a bigger screen. Tons of fun! |
Hover soccer
Arts and crafts
Many boys this age love to draw and create and there are lots of great gifts for facilitating arts and crafts. Here are some ideas
art kit
slime kit
Let boys get creative with this slime kit designed to be less messy as the slime is already made.
Kids will have an awesome time creating their own "slime designs". Add foam balls, glitter, sugar paper and beads to make their slime your own. There is also glow in the dark powder to add too. The set comes with 18 different slimes ranging from clear to purple. There are over 50 pieces in the set including a tool kit and plastic straws to help manipulate the slime. Lots of creative fun which keeps kids occupied for hours. |
Writing tablet
The writing tablet is a thin, portable tablet that kids can use to draw, doodle on, play games such as hangman, write notes and messages.
Once you have completed your design, press the button to erase the tablet and start again. As the tablet's are portable they make a useful gadget to entertain kids when traveling in the car, going on vacation or just when you have to wait somewhere. It's a good gadget for the environment as well as you can use less paper for drawing. |
Paper Airplane Book
This is a great book to get kids making paper airplanes
The Star Wars folded flyers will speed through the living room as well as they do in outer space. There are 40 sheets of custom-designed paper, tape and 6 foldable display stands It includes 60 page instructional book with Klutz certified crystal-clear instructions |
spirograph
Spirograph is one of those classic toys that have stood the test of time, so it's difficult to go wrong especially if the 8 year old boys in question loves drawing and creating.
The set includes 45 pieces including 19 wheels, 2 rings, 1 rack, spiro-putty, 3 pens, a 14-page guide book, design paper and carry-along storage case. Kids can create lots of amazing designs with different colors and wheels. |
crayola light up tracing pad
A light up tracing pad is another excellent gift choice for a boy who loves drawing.
The Crayola light up tracing pad includes features 1 graphite pencil, 12 short colored pencils, 10 tracing sheets, 10 blank sheets, and 1 graphite pencil. There are over 100 traceable images: mix and match or trace a single page, |
Catapult Builder
Build your own wooden catapult and have lots of fun shooting catapults at targets once completed.
This set has 3 different wooden catapults you can build. It contains everything you need to assemble each model in 1-3 hours. The kits come with laser-cut wooden components, rubber bands, sandpaper and clear, simple instructions. |
for the adventurer
This book is a great way of inspiring kids to get out there and do stuff.
It's packed with facts about nature, ideas for outdoor activities, and fun-to-do crafts projects , There's so much information in here and there's lots of pictures and diagrams to grab kid's attention. Find info on camping, investigating bugs, rocks and insects. Find animal tracks, crack secret codes, use a compass, read a map and lots, lots more. |
Adventure Kit
This is a fab kit to get them exploring outdoors.
It includes: Binoculars with 4 x 30 magnification A flashlight - with bright LED lights. Simple hand cranked function means no batteries or charging required. A compass A large magnifiying glass A whistle It's a fantastic for encouraging them to explore the outdoors whether that be in the backyard, park or while hiking or camping. It's great for for bird watching, sporting games, hunting, nature walks and wilderness expeditions. |
For his room
There are items he might like to keep in or personalize his room such as poster, pictures or a bedtime lamp. Here are a couple of ideas.
Money safe
Boys like to keep their money safe and other things secret from prying parents or annoying brothers and sisters. This money safe is the perfect gadget to do it.
You can store all your pocket or birthday money in the safe. But anybody else will need to do your electronic password to access it. You could also store other important items such as notes or other small items you don't want anybody else to find. |
Uncle Milton Moon In My Room
Quite a lot of 8 year old boys take an interest in astronomy and space. If they are they may also like a moon in my room nightlight for their own bedroom.
The nightlight can cycles through the lunar phases with a remote control so it is quite educational too There are 12 lunar phases in total. A science learning poster provides learning activities, fun facts and learning about lunar phases and how they are caused |
Nightlight
This nightlight projects a starry scene onto the walls and ceiling of a boy's bedroom.
The lamp can also project the stars and moon in different colors. It looks amazing when on. There is also a plastic cover you can put onto the lamp to make it more like a nightlight as well but the lamp looks really awesome as a projector rather than a lamp.. |