24 Meaningful and Educational Gifts and Toys for 8-Year-Old Boys

This easy-to-operate, remote-controlled Godzilla has so many features: It makes stomping noises and roars, and it even shoots mist out of its mouth for an atomic-breath effect. Plus, its scales light up. “The special noise and lights Godzilla makes were a big hit,” one parent tester said. “[My kid] loved turning off all the lights and making Godzilla do fire breath.” Ages 8+

A twist on games like Simon, this one is a fun memory booster that’s perfect for killing time on a long road trip, where kids can play solo or turn it into a two-player game. The challenge is to memorize the light sequence and follow along for as long as possible, without breaking the pattern! Bonus: Batteries are included so you can play ASAP. Ages 7+

This pen is an affordable way to get kids to learn the basics of 3D printing. They can use the pen to melt different colors of filament and then layer them until they get a 3D shape. No age recommendation given

It’s time for adventure outside planet Earth! This STEM toy comes equipped with a research station, a retractable arm with a mounted camera and a magnifying glass. Awaiting them are endless possibilities to build alien life from their own imagination. Ages 8+

This box comes with enough supplies for kids to make 80 different paper airplanes. In addition, they’ll learn about different ways of folding paper airplanes, and they’ll also get stickers so they can decorate their fleet before it takes off. Ages 6+

Good Housekeeping Institute kid testers were mesmerized by this toy, and everyone lined up for a chance to take a turn. It’s hard to explain how this Shark Tank-approved device works, but it takes a glow-in-the-dark piece of string and makes it shoot out into a cool shape, and kids can try to learn tricks with it. Ages 8+

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Yes, this kit is filled will help him learn awesome magic tricks, and comes with actual VR goggles to use with your smartphone, but it can also help with building confidence, especially if you allow him to put on a show for the family! “My kids loved putting on a magic show for us,” one Good Housekeeping Institute parent tester said. “We had several laughs as a family together.” Ages 8+

If the 8-year-old in your life is a Pokéfan, they’ll love getting creative and making their own Pokémon out of folded paper. The book takes them step-by-step through how to make 10 different origami Pokémon, and it comes with its own specially designed pieces of paper to use, too. Ages 7+

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The 8-year-old in your life can help avoid a nuclear meltdown with this game meant to be played with two or more people. To play, they pack and roll goo cubes together, and use their critical-thinking skills to balance the squishy cubes on a platform that shifts unpredictably. If any cubes fall, you’ll have to re-stack it. The game is over when all the cubes are stacked! Ages 7+

If they’re fascinated by the world around them, this book lets them take a deeper look, courtesy of the scientists at the Good Housekeeping Institute. When they’re done, they’ll be able to answer questions like, “Do we drink the same water the dinosaurs did?” Ages 8+

It’s probably hard to get him stuff he’ll actually like for his room (he’s so specific!), but trust us, this blanket will be a hit. Amazon reviewers say it’s super-soft, well-made and really does glow in the dark. No age recommendation given.

Get their creativity flowing with this next-gen spirograph. Rotating light effects give the spirograph designs the illusion of movement (though the images still look fridge-worthy even with the lights are off). Ages 8+

This kit lets kids experiment with electricity just by snapping components on and off a board, easy as pie. This set is focused on pieces that launch into the sky, like a flying saucer that can shoot high in the air or a paper-airplane launcher. “Entry-level snap circuits generally focus on lights and buzzers, so it was cool that this one had a spinning motor that could be connected to a variety of heads, like a fan blade, spinning disk or a rubber spinner,” a parent tester said.

Whether they’re looking for something to carry all their tabletop gear in or want a schoolbag refresh, this is just the thing for any D&D fan — just in time for the game’s 50th anniversary, too. It even has a padded laptop sleeve. No age recommendation given

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Kids can bring the Minecraft experience into the real world with this surprise toy. Just like in the game, they’ll get a shovel and they’ll have to dig to uncover treasure and pieces of a character that they can “craft” into a figure when they’re done. Ages 5+

Kids can get the foundations of coding with this robot, which lets kids control it with voice commands that explore loops, commands, events and sequences. Then, use the Wonder Workshop’s free apps to program Dash to sing, draw and move around. Ages 6+

It’s a game of strategy and speed! Players divide themselves into opposing teams, then face off in rapid-fire rounds that only last 60 seconds each. Can they handle the pressure? Ages 7+

The goal of this game is to put as many ingredients as possible in your taco or burrito in order to rack up points. But the ingredients can get pretty silly — including things like hot yogurt or fresh brains — which keeps things fun. There are action cards that lets players steal points, which means they have to think strategically. Ages 7+

This graphic novel was a hit with Good Housekeeping Institute kid testers for the balanced way it portrayed its main character, a video game-lover who is sent to a screen-free camp. “He gained a greater appreciation for every aspect of his life,” said a 10-year-old reader. Ages 8–12

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Kids can make good use of their creative juices with this tee, which comes with a pen-sized UV flashlight that lets them draw their own designs that really glow! After about five minutes, the drawing fades and they can make something new. And yet, you can still put it in the washing machine (just not the dryer). You’ll want to hang dry only. Sizes 3T – XL