It’s not always easy to find gifts for 8 year old boys – that’s why we are here to help with this gift guide. We have chosen a range of great toys, games and gifts which are ideal for giving at any occasion. There is something to suit all tastes as well as all budgets. So, whether you are looking for a small stocking filler or more of a ‘main’ present, you are sure to find something to suit here.
20 Best Gift Ideas & Toys for 8 Year Old Boys
Below, you will find our picks of the best gifts for boys aged 8 years old. Whether your boy is into playing outdoors or using building kits, there is guaranteed to be something here that he will love!
5000 Awesome Facts About Everything
National Geographic kids books are great for teaching children about the world around them in a fun and interesting way. This book is written at the right level for 8 year olds to read, and comes with bright colors and photographs inside. Kids will love learning and sharing fascinating facts with friends and family. Each double page spread focuses on a different topic, so kids can easily find something they are interested about. This is a great gift for kids who already have too many toys – it’s a great addition to any child’s bookshelf.
Junior Metal Detector
This kids metal detector is a great, unique gift for kids who love playing outdoors. It can detect small objects such as coins which are up to 5 inches deep, and larger objects can be detected at depths of up to 3 feet. It does not detect unwanted materials such as iron. The machine makes a sound which grows increasingly louder as the target material gets closer. The metal detector is the right size for children around 6 – 12 years in age. It is adjustable in length so your child can use it comfortably, and it is lightweight at only 2 pounds.
Glow in the Dark Pajamas
These glow in the dark pjs look great at night! The long sleeved top and pants are made from 100% cotton, so they are very soft and comfortable. They are also warm, as the material is very thick. They come in a range of designs and a choice of sizes so there is something to suit everyone. Glow in the dark pajamas can be useful for kids who are afraid of the dark and reduce the need for a nightlight.
K2 Rollerblades
These K2 inline skates are ideal for boys who love playing outdoors and are looking for something a bit different from a scooter or bike. They are designed to offer a smooth ride and reduce vibrations from the road. They are also supportive, and have a push button to expand to fit a range of sizes. The skates come in a choice of sizes to fit shoe size 11 – 8, and each size is adjustable to fit around 4 different shoe sizes. These skates are sure to provide years of fun as your son advances from a beginner to intermediate skill level.
Hot Wheels Total Turbo Takeover
This Hot Wheels track builder is part of a system of interchangeable parts. So, it can be combined with existing sets to create even bigger and better tracks. It has car-activated stunts, including two loops. There is also a motorized booster to make your cars go round the track even faster. The track can be built as a single circuit or as parallel tracks for racing two cars together. This set also comes with one car included, so kids can start playing straight away.
Star Wars Cutlery Set
This Star Wars cutlery is a great gift for any young fan of the movies. The set includes a knife, fork and spoon, each made of stainless steel and with a plastic handle. The cutlery is durable, but is better hand-washed only to prolong its lifespan. The cutlery set is full-sized, so adults can use it too – this is great as it means it can be used for many years. The lightsaber cutlery is the perfect novel gift for young Star Wars fans!
Heavy Assault At-M6 Walker
Revell Snaptite building toys are great for kids looking for a change from LEGO. This kit contains over 40 pieces which can easily be snapped together to create a Star Wars model. Once built, the model is highly detailed and even has a light-up cannon blaster at the front. The model also makes sounds and has a moving head, legs and feet so it can be played with for hours of fun imaginative play.
Anki Cozmo Robot
The Anki Cozmo is a great toy to introduce your child to coding. They will love to have their very own robot, who looks and acts like something straight out of a movie. By downloading the free app to your iOs or Android device, you will be able to have hours and hours of fun learning to code and playing games. You can even compete against Cozmo in the games! The robot also features an explorer mode, where kids can explore the world through his eyes. If you are looking for an extra special gift for your little boy, this is the perfect choice!
Osmo Hot Wheels Game
Osmo Hot Wheels is a great game for boys who love playing with cars and also love video games. This great game combines the two, bringing a physical element to computer gaming. It requires an iPad to play, and comes with six different Hot Wheels cars. The game is great for two players, so kids can challenge mom and dad, or they can play along with a friend. This kit also includes a drawing game and a physics game for even more fun!
Osmo Coding Jam
This Osmo coding game is great for helping introduce kids to the basics of coding. It is aimed at ages 5 – 12, so you can be sure your 8 year old will enjoy it for many years. By putting the coding blocks into patterns and sequences, kids can create their own great music. There are loads of fun characters on the screen, and many different styles of music. Kids will have hours of fun playing this game, whilst learning at the same time.
K NEX 100 Model Building Set
Construction toys are great for boys age 8, as they are ideal at developing the imagination as well as problem solving skills and hand-eye coordination. This huge set contains over 800 classic KNEX rods and connectors, as well as instructions and illustrations which show young builders how to make 100 different models. Once they have mastered these, kids can use their imagination to build just about anything they can dream up. The app and website have even more great ideas for what you can build if you ever get stuck and need some inspiration.
Cheerwing Beginners Drone
This Cheerwing drone offers many great features but comes at a very reasonable price point, which is why it is the perfect choice for beginners. It comes with a 2MP camera which can be used to take photos and video. For beginners, there is a one touch take-off and landing function which means no skill is needed to get the drone into the air. The drone will safely land by itself once the battery starts to get low, which can prevent it from crashing or getting lost. It also has an altitude hold function, which is ideal if you want the drone to remain stable to take a photo.
Gotrax Hoverboard
This hoverboard for kids has a self-balancing mode, meaning beginners can start riding straight away. In comes in a great choice of colors, so you can find something which is perfect to suit your child’s personalities. The hoverboard can travel at speeds of up to 7mph and has blue LED lights in the wheels. There are also headlights which help make sure your child is visible when they are riding at night. Kids can use this hoverboard for years, and mom and dad can take a turn with it too – it can carry riders weighing up to 200 pounds!
20 Inch Hyper Shocker Bike
This Hyper bike is great for boys who ride on a variety of surfaces. It has a dual suspension steel frame and rugged, knobbly tires for excellent grip. There are 7 speeds, so this is a great first geared bike for your child. The 20 inch boys bike looks stylish, in a blue and black color scheme. The seat is padded for comfort and has an easy-adjust clamp to raise or lower the seat as needed. The gear shift is easy to use, and the front and rear brakes are quick to respond and just the right size for kids to reach.
Ravensburger 200 Piece Disney Cars Puzzle
This Disney Cars puzzle has 200 pieces and a complex design, making it the perfect challenge for an 8 year old. The panoramic picture shows several scenes from Cars 2, so your child can have fun building all their favorite characters and seeing their favorite moments from the movie. The puzzle is made from high-quality pieces, and no two have the same shape. They fit together perfectly so won’t cause frustration. Once built, the puzzle measures around 19 x 14 inches, so it will keep kids entertained for a while! It would even look good mounted on the wall if your child is a big Cars fan!
Sphero Ultimate Lightning McQueen
The Sphero Lightning McQueen is the ultimate gift for any young boy who loves Cars. The robot toy is extremely realistic – he looks like he rolled right out of the movie! The car moves just like on screen, and also talks like the popular animated character. It has 6 motors, LCD eyes, light sensors and a speaker. There is a compatible app which allows you to play games with Lightning, and you can even watch all 3 Cars movies with him by your side. The robot will react to the movie, which makes watching it really fun! He also responds to being tapped in certain places. The car has a 30 meter Bluetooth range, and has a top speed of 6mph. This is a great toy for kids and adults alike!
Game of Life Board Game
Life the Game is a great board game for the whole family to enjoy together. The classic game hasn’t changed format, and you still make your way around the board choosing a career and a family along the way. The spinner shows how many spaces you must move, and at the end of the game you must pay your debts. The winner is the player who has the most money left at the end. The game is great for improving reading and math skills, whilst still being fun and competitive for all the family to enjoy.
LEGO Marvel Superheroes
LEGO Marvel sets are great for young boys who love watching their favorite superheroes on screen. This set brings the movies to life, and allows them to create their own adventures with their favorite characters. There are 1000 pieces in this set, so building it is a great challenge which is sure to keep kids busy for hours on a rainy day. The kit can be used to build a three story building, and it also comes with several characters and accessories.
LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar
This LEGO advent calendar is great for boys who love LEGO and Star Wars! There are a total of around 300 pieces, split into 24 individual bundles which can each be used to make a mini model. Some windows contain a Star Wars minifigure, too. The pieces are compatible with other LEGO sets, so they are perfect if your child already has a collection. Building the models is a great way to keep your child occupied for a little while each day, and once they have more pieces they will have hours of fun playing with it all! This is a great Christmas gift for those looking for a nice alternative to chocolate.
Nerf Lazer Tag
These Nerf laser guns are ideal for helping kids keep active and play outside! They are great for kids to play with siblings or friends, or even mom and dad! More sets can be added if you want to play on teams or with more players – this is great for parties or family gatherings! There are fun sounds and vibrations which are played when a player is hit, which makes the game even more fun! The game doesn’t require players to wear a special vest, and there is no ammo involved either. This means there is no clear up when the game is over unlike with traditional Nerf guns.
Top Tips to Help Pick Great Gifts for 8 Year Old Boys
It can be difficult to shop for a boy aged 8. It’s often helpful to ask them for ideas of what they might like, for example if they have seen something advertised on TV or in the toy store. If your child still believes in Santa, it can be really helpful to have them write ‘him’ a list! Many kids aged 8 like to be just like their friends, so pay attention if they mention what their friends are getting for Christmas or their birthday!
Things to Consider When Choosing a Present for Eight Year Old Boys
It’s important to make sure toys are age-appropriate and will hold the interest of the child. Not all kids develop at the same rate of course, so some 8 year olds might still enjoy toys which are marketed towards slightly younger children and there is nothing wrong with this. You should think about whether they already have a collection which they might like to add to, such as LEGO sets.
Types of Birthday Gifts That 8 Year Old Boys Love
Any of the gifts above would be great to give for a birthday. The season when the child’s birthday falls can help decide what you should choose. For summer birthdays, a new bike or other outdoor toys are perfect as they will get a lot of use. These toys are less ideal for winter birthdays, if you live in an area where it often snows.
How to Choose a Special Christmas Gift for Boys Aged 8
Again, all of these gifts above are perfect for making Christmas special. You might like to choose some cozy pajamas or clothing for this time of year. Toys such as LEGO and STEM toys are great too, as they keep kids busy for hours without the need to leave the house.