Finding the right toys for an 8 year old can be a daunting task. Around that age, it’s easy for your favorite not-so-little one to find new interests based on what they see on TikTok or hear friends at school discussing over lunch. It’s important that you support their goals, but you also want to make sure you’re purchasing gifts that will teach them something new, refine old skills, or just keep their minds active. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of toys that will do just that — and provide hours of entertainment.
Support your kids’ dream of being a sketch artist while investing in their upcoming goal of finally beating their sibling in a board game. This wide range of toys and games will keep your favorite nail artist, tech wizard, investigator, builder, or strategist busy while teaching them valuable skills. If you’re shopping for other ages as well, check out our Holiday Gift Guide or Perfect Present Wizard to find appropriate toys.
PUDGY PENGUINS FIGURES 1 PACK WINDOW BOX (S1) + DIGITAL EXPERIENCE REDEMPTION CODE
Adopt your Pudgy Penguins forever friend! Each of these 4.5 inch collectible figures come with interchangeable accessories and a redeemable code, unlocking digital penguin customization using trait boxes. You can obtain rare traits, have a unique Pudgy Penguin registered to your name on the blockchain, and trade traits on the Pudgy Penguin marketplace!
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ANIME HEROES
These 6.5-inch action figures feature anime characters from titles including Naruto and One Piece. Each figure has 20 points of articulation and comes in manga-inspired packaging.
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THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TEARS OF THE KINGDOM
In this sequel to the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild game, players journey through the skies, surface, and depths of Hyrule as they try to harness the power of Link’s abilities and protect the kingdom.
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STAR WARS MICRO GALAXY SQUADRON AT-AT WALKER
This 10-inch vehicle features an opening side panel with four play areas, light-up laser cannons, a light-up command center, a crane with a retractable rope, and more. It comes with five 1-inch micro figures of Star Wars characters.
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MGA’S MINIVERSE MAKE IT MINI LIFESTYLE
Make and display mini lifestyle collectibles, ranging from mini aquariums with little fish to a mini cactus with tiny bags of soil. There are more than 100 lifestyle materials, packages, and accessories to collect and create.
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TWISTER AIR
In this app-enabled, augmented-reality spin on Twister, players can strike poses to music beats as they match their wrist and ankle bands to the colored spots on screen. The game includes eight Twister Air bands and a device stand.
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SPY LABS: FORENSIC INVESTIGATION KIT
Kids can perform experiments on evidence using chemical and physical techniques. They can analyze solids and liquids, make a fluorescent solution, and more using chromatography to solve make-believe mysteries.
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PENN & TELLER MAGIC LAB VR
Kids can use the included virtual reality (VR) goggles to watch Penn & Teller perform 28 tricks, then explain how to perform them. The included 50-page book has step-by-step instructions to go along with the 75-piece magic kit to help kids put on an amazing show.
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SHIMMER ‘N SPARKLE GLAM AND GO BEAUTY CADDY
This beauty caddy comes with everything that tweens need to create glam looks at home or on the go. It features trendy lip colors, eye colors, lip gloss, nail polish, and more.
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MONOPOLY SCRABBLE
This game combines elements of the Monopoly game with the crossword-building play of Scrabble. In place of rolling dice to move around the board, players build words and move ahead by their score. Features custom Community Chest and Chance cards.
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LEGO ICONS OF PLAY
Inspire soccer fans with this 899-piece buildable set, featuring half a soccer field with a goal and VAR station, stands with a scoreboard, a ceremonial stage, 15 diverse minifigures, and more.
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SKY VIPER VECTOR PERFORMANCE STUNT JET
With this jet, kids can perform amazing loop and barrel roll stunts with a single press of a button. Intuitive controls and refined flight software make this easy enough for beginners, yet engaging enough for experienced enthusiasts.
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3DOODLER FLOW 3D PRINTING PEN SET
With this kit, teens can craft DIY solutions to everyday problems, make art, design things, and customize their space. They can draw freehand or use one of the hundreds of free online projects to make 3D creations.
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NERF EXTREME CHALLENGE TARGET
Tweens can test their aim with this NERF target! With more than 10 targets to aim for, kids can settle who’s the best with a NERF gun. Each target makes different sounds when it’s hit.
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MEGA POKÉMON CENTER
Create the Pokémon Center with this 648-piece building set, which comes with four buildable Pokémon figures: Pikachu, Chansey, Eevee, and Togepi. Once the set is built, kids can turn a crank to see the characters move.
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MINECRAFT CREEPER SNOW SLED
Bring the iconic Minecraft character to the slopes for some explosive winter fun with this toboggan-style snow sled. The lightweight sled inflates quickly and features durable, double-welded inner seams to withstand winter's wrath.
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MONSTER HIGH GHOULISH GLAM NAIL SALON
Kids can create ghoulish glam styles and design hundreds of spooky nails with this set. It features a “magic mist” feature that cycles through six colors and comes with nail polish and stickers.
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AMERICAN GIRL HOGWARTS EXPRESS TRAIN
This train car features lights, sound effects, and music. It comes with two reversible Hogwarts window scenes, Hogwarts Express tickets, Honeydukes pretend treats, an LED lantern, a mini Quibbler, and more. Doll not included.
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THE YOUNG SCIENTISTS CLUB LUNAR ROVER
This STEM kit has all the materials kids need to build a functional wooden space explorer with wheels. Kids can assemble the easy-to-connect pieces and customize the explorer with the included glow-in-the-dark stickers and paint.
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LEGO SONIC THE HEDGEHOG SONIC’S GREEN HILL ZONE LOOP CHALLENGE
Kids can help Sonic fight Dr. Eggman by propelling him through the loop-de-loop course and ring using the speed sphere and launcher in this 802-piece set. With nine characters, this set inspires roleplay and imaginative play.
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CRAYOLA HD COLORING KIT
This kit comes with 20 premium pages of pre-shaded, HD, black-and-white photos that tweens can color using the 30 included colored pencils. The end result is a professional-looking art piece that they can display.
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PYXEL A CODER’S BEST FRIEND
Kids can use a tablet to code Pyxel to perform tricks, make sounds, and more. Pyxel and its companion app will help kids learn the basics of two coding languages: Blockly and Python.
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CLUE GAME
This updated classic game combines traditional Clue gameplay with re-imagined takes on the murder mystery storyline, characters, and setting. Just like the original, players race to crack the case by gathering clues and narrowing down suspects.
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HEDBANZ LIGHT SPEED
In this rapid-action guessing game, two teams face off to try and guess the most cards before the headband sings, but hints are determined by the randomly changing light color on the electronic headband.
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BY THE BOOK
In this single-player game, kids will draw one of 40 challenge cards indicating which books they must use and how many of those books they must place horizontally. Then they will try to build a balanced bookshelf following that prompt.
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AEW UNRIVALED SERIES 12
These action figures showcase accurate character details of AEW wrestlers. Each figure features more than 25 points of articulation and comes with interchangeable accessories specific to the wrestler.
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MINI POTTERY STUDIO
Tweens can create 10 tiny projects using this no-mess kit, which includes air-dry clay, a spinning pottery wheel with a removable cover, sculpting tools, and paint.
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RUSH HOUR WORLD TOUR MAGNETIC TRAVEL PUZZLE
This game provides all the fun of Rush Hour in an on-the-go magnetic travel puzzle. With artwork featuring 10 countries, kids can explore the world while completing all 40 puzzles that get increasingly more difficult.
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SKILLMATICS SCOUT IT OUT! THE 50 STATES
This adventurous and trivia-packed board game tests kids' knowledge of the U.S. The first player to guess the correct state wins a Game Card, and the first player to collect five Game Cards is the winner.
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CHOCOLY
Tweens with a sweet tooth will love this logic-based game. As kids play the game, they must stack and place their tiles to be the one taking up the most area at the end of the game.
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STMT INFINITY JEWELRY
This jewelry-making kit comes with infinity charms, waterproof chains, a protective cover, and pliers that kids can use to create 10 custom-fit infinity bracelets with no clasps or tools required.
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For more top toy picks for kids of all ages, check out The Toy Insider’s annual Holiday Gift Guide, and find the perfect gift using our Perfect Present Wizard!
