Gifts for 8-Year-Old Boys That Educate and Entertain

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There’s something about 8-year-old boys that’s truly unique. They’re delightfully chaotic little eccentrics who rarely, if ever, think through the consequences of their actions. Basically, inside every 8-year-old boy is a mad scientist — with an emphasis on the “mad.” And, like mad scientists, they’re also creative and insightful. They find inspiration absolutely everywhere, probably because the world is still sort of new to them. We wanted to pay homage to this weird, well-meaning sense of wonder with our round-up of gifts for 8-year-old boys.

We’ve made sure to include a lot of STEM toys and projects in this roundup (this is such a good age to get them really interested in STEM), but also art, literature, and games that encourage family bonding and strategic thinking. Again, they’re so curious and enthusiastic at this age, so there’s not much out there they won’t find interesting. Besides, crafts, building, critical-thinking skills, and a healthy dose of haphazard whimsy are just as much a part of the whole “mad scientist” vibe as STEM skills. No matter what your sweet little weirdo enjoys, there’s something on this list we know they’re going to love.

More Gifts for Boys:

• Gifts for 7-Year-Old Boys That Will Inspire New Hobbies

• Gifts for 9-Year-Old Boys That Will Educate and Entertain

• Gifts for 10-Year-Old Boys to Make Him Look Cool Around His Friends

Book of Paper Airplanes

If you’re like me, you never actually learned how to make a proper airplane, so your attempts leave something to be desired when it comes to gliding through the air. But with this book, your 8-year-old boy will know how to make 10 aerodynamic designs! Includes 40 sheets of folding paper.

More: Best Toys for Kids

Deluxe Set

They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result … unless you’re playing with a Spirograph, in which case doing the same thing over and over only makes your patterns more complex and mesmerizing!

Gears, rings, and ballpoint pens will help your child make millions of gorgeous patterned designs.

Adjustable Rollerblades

OK, we’ve waited long enough: it’s time for rollerblades to make a comeback. Officially. Is there anything like gliding along the sidewalk in a pair of these? This design from MammyGol is adjustable up to three sizes, so they’re certainly built to last for years. The wheels even light up for added fun!

Building Set

A perfect gift for 8-year-old boys who love to build. This set comes with 480 classic K’NEX parts which will allow him to create structures, experiments, gadgets, and toys — the only limit is his imagination! The snap-fit pieces stick together securely but can be easily reassembled into other creations.

Junior Explorer Subscription Box

Never hear “I’m bored” again! Well, OK, not never, but at least for the day every month this subscription box arrives.

Each box contains hours of adventure as your 8-year-old boy explores different world cultures, solves mysteries, examines natural wonders, and makes art!

Mandalorian and Grogu Action Figures

If you’re looking for a great gift for 8-year-old boys, this is the way (get it… like on the show…?) This 12-inch Mandalorian comes complete with The Child aka Grogu aka Baby Yoda. Snuggle Grogu into Din’s satchel to hear specific sounds and phrases. The removable jetpack also makes sound for “realistic” creative play!

Lego Gadgets

Your 8-year-old boy will learn how to build 11 unique machines, from a catapult to a micro movie maker. This experience (and the 58 Lego elements included) will give him the foundation to go on to create his own designs.

Triple Play

It’s a classic card game with a triple twist! Players must discard cards to any of the (now three!) piles that are lit up on their turn.

Be careful: If any pile gets too big... overload! You have to draw however many cards the LED display says. A timing feature keeps the game moving along for an added challenge.

Cat Crimes

Who broke the flower pot? Who spilled the cup of coffee? Your child will have to figure out which of six adorable feline fiends is guilty of various kitty crimes. They’ll have all the clues, but it’s up to your kiddo to put them all together! Each of the 40 mysteries gets a little bit harder as you go on.

Programmable Robot

Whether your 8-year-old boy loves putting things together or just really enjoyed Wall-E, this DIY remote-control robot is a great gift. Build your new robot pal and then play with him using the remote control. It’s a great adult-child project for quality bonding time and fun.

“Merlin Missions” by Mary Pope Osborne Box Set

For the early reader who loved the Magic Treehouse series but is ready for something a little more challenging! In this series of 25 books, Merlin the Magician sends Jack and Annie on a new adventure every book, from Christmas in Camelot to The Shadow of the Shark.

“Draw 50 Animals” by Lee J. Ames

Age-appropriate, easy-to-follow instructions will help your burgeoning Picasso perfect their craft as they learn to draw a menagerie of their favorite animals. Perfect for young artists who want to take their talent to a new level or the kid who wants to try something new.

Mastermind Vertical Box

In this classic game of strategy, one player creates a pattern with brightly colored pegs and hides it. The other player must deduce what that pattern is in 10 turns or less.

With more than 2,000 combinations possible, it won’t be easy, but it is sure to be a hit with your 8-year-old boy.

Throw Throw Burrito Game

In this exciting, fast-paced game (“like Uno meets Nerf”), players must compete against each other for card matches to earn points… but, every now and then, you just might need to have a duel. Or a brawl. Or even a war!

But don’t worry — in every case you’ll fight by hurling squishy, adorable burritos at one another. The player with the most matched cards wins!

Edible Candy! Food Science Chemistry Kit

There’s a place where molecules collide and chemical reactions are the norm. A remarkable, almost magical laboratory: Your kitchen! And with this set, your 8-year-old boy will be able to take advantage of all the science your kitchen has to offer … and maybe a couple of yummy treats along the way.

Greeking Out: Epic Retellings of Classic Greek Myths

Based on the hit podcast of the same name, this is the perfect gift for 8-year-old boys who have entered their “obsessed with Greek mythology” phase. (IYKYK.) Through beautiful illustrations and the podcast's perfect tone of thoughtfulness and humor, this book explores the adventures and lessons of Ancient Greece as never before. (And yes, for podcast fans, “The Oracle of WiFi” makes appearances.)

Fluxx FX3 Hoverboard

Close your eyes and think about what you’ve always wanted as a child. The correct answer is “a hoverboard.” It could be tempting, therefore, to deny your 8-year-old boy a hoverboard out of pure, understandable jealousy, but … come on. Let them live your dream (and live vicariously through them).

Creator 3-in-1 Space Shuttle Adventures

Your child will go on all kinds of daring space adventures with this awesome, three-builds-in-one, toy! With the ability to become a space shuttle, a rocket, and a lunar lander, they’ll not only have lots of opportunities to build but hours of imaginative play as well.

Pogo Ball

Generally speaking, 8-year-old boys are in a constant state of bouncing, wanting to bounce, or trying really, really hard to keep from bouncing. For times when bouncing is OK, this pogo ball is perfect to get all that energy out in the most fun, entertaining way possible.

“Captain Underpants” 10-Book Collection by Dav Pilkey

Tra-la-laaaaaa! Everyone’s favorite comic superhero is here in a 10-book box set. Full of side-splitting humor, lively illustrations, and no small amount of potty jokes, your 8-year-old boy will love it.

Pictionary Family Game

Is that… a picnic basket? Or a cowboy hat? Oh! Wait — is it a mountain? Decipher drawings in this classic quick-draw game. You’ll be amazed by your 8-year-old boy’s artistic talent… or at least be entertained.

The game comes with 120 “adult” level cards, 80 “junior cards” and everything you need to try to figure out “What is that!?”

Froot Loop Frenzy

The goal of this fast-paced game is to fill your cereal bowl, but it won’t be easy. For one, Toucan Sam is going to be dancing, which is pretty distracting in and of itself. And you can’t put just any Froot Loop in your bowl. Each piece has a special instruction you have to follow!

Shark Creator

Mix the ingredients to create the greatest beast warrior Earth has ever seen with this fun new toy, which will appear as if by magic (well, science magic). Ingredients really smoke and fizz!

Cats & Boxes

This logic game seems simple: get the cats in the boxes. Cats love boxes! This should be easy! But based on the various cat on figurations assigned (and the fact that the boxes have configurations of their own), it can be tricky! This solo game increases in difficulty as the puzzles continue.

Axolotl

Both Squishmallows and Axolotls are having a moment and there’s no reason your 8-year-old boy shouldn’t get in on that. We love this soft, blue guy, perfect for bedtime cuddles.

We Are All Equal

Even though some topics may seem overwhelming, there’s usually a way to explain it that’s so basic, even an 8-year-old boy can understand. This book explains what it means to be a citizen and actions we can all take to champion a more equal society.

3-In-1 Super Sonic Jet

We’re big fans of Lego 3-in-1 sets because it gives so many opportunities for creative play. This set can be made into a supersonic jet, a helicopter, and a powerboat. Just as fun to build as they are to play with.

Gravity Maze

The goal is simple: use towers to create a maze to get your marble from the start point of the puzzle to the end… it’s not as easy as you think! You can also get creative and come up with mazes of your own design.

Metal Detector

What kid doesn’t dream of finding buried treasure? With this metal detector from National Geographic, your 8-year-old boy really can find exciting discoveries up to 12 inches below the surface. From neat old bottle caps to rare coins, you never know what’s right under your feet until you hear the beep.

Imperial TIE Fighter

There’s a lot to love about Star Wars, but the spaceships are definitely up there, and few are nearly as cool as the TIE fighters. This set brings all the fun of the movies, complete with laser-like projectiles to shoot and three minifigs.

Echo Dot Kids 5th Generation

This Echo Dot is designed with kids in mind, and will allow your child to listen to music, stories, and more, but has Parental Controls capabilities so you can keep them safe (and not listening to stories until after bedtime). Comes in Dragon and Owl designs.

Beginners Woodworking Kit

Woodworking is one of those practical but creative skills a person can have in life. Get them comfortable with a hammer early on with this woodworking set. It includes everything you need, from tools to wood, to complete six fun projects — a table, canopy, pen holder, piggy bank, jet, and truck.

Technology Scribble Book

These books combine high tech with low tech! Each scribble book includes a number of prompts, puzzles, and problems to solve to get their creative juices flowing. And with downloadable templates and web links, your 8-year-old boy will have projects to keep them busy even after they’ve reached the last page.

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