The best toys for eight-year olds are not only fun, but help your not-so-little one to develop their social skills and learn at the same time.
Some of the best kids toys of 2024 made our list and you'll see some fantastic buys that also made the cut for our top Christmas toys selection too. Choosing the best toys for eight year olds can be a challenge, but it's always worth remembering that as well as growing in independence, kids of this age are also developing strong friendships and love to play with toys that they can enjoy with their friends.
Catherine Lynch, senior manager at PlanBee and a qualified Play Therapist, tells us: "Eight-year-olds often don’t like missing out on things that are going on with their peers and will spend an increased time with friends...They are likely to spend a large amount of time playing games that develop skills to help them improve competency..."
To find the best toys for eight-year-olds, keep scrolling. We've based this list on our extensive product knowledge, hands-on experience, as well as feedback from parents and kids to make sure we're highlighting the toys we know they love.
Best toys for 8 year olds 2024
Why you can trust GoodtoKnow. Our experienced Consumer Editor & parent reviewers spend hours testing products to help you make the best choice. Find out how we test and review products.
LEGO
By the age of eight, kids might have already been playing with construction toys like LEGO, magnetic tiles and the like for a while. But once they turn eight, you might find they are ready to tackle more complicated structures and sets independently.
Dad-of-two Peter says: "I love LEGO and my eight-year old regularly helps me building my sets, so its really nice to watch her build her own sets with very little help from me. She's even getting her little sister involved."
Age suitability: 7+ | Batteries required: None
My nine year old Goddaughter is obsessed with LEGO and has numerous Creator sets in her collection. They allow builders to create three different designs using the same bricks, which is a great way to keep them engaged as they finesse their fine motor skills and practise interpreting the instructions to create the final result.
Age suitability: 7+
But the age of eight, kids are likely to be well-versed in the wonder of Harry Potter, and so this LEGO set based on the second book and movie in the franchise could be right up their street. It includes Harry and Ron mini figures, as well as Hedwig and Scabbers. It'll also look great on display when it's not being played with.
Age suitability: 7+
If you have Disney+ at home, you're eight year old is probably working their way through the collection of Disney films available, including recent smash Wish. Bring the wonder from the screen to life with this LEGO playset that's based on lead character Asha's cottage.
Remote control toys
Remote control toys are a great way to encourage an eight-year-old to problem-solve as they give their fine motor skills a work out. By this age, gone are the days of simple forwards and backwards motions - these remote control toys are more complex and offer a challenge that they will love to accept.
Age suitability: 8+ | Batteries required: 4 x AA, 3 x AAA (included)
Touted as one of the best kids toys of 2024 by industry experts, this new remote control Godzilla toy is perfect for kids who love monsters. It stomps, walks and whips its tail, it roars and kids will adore when the lights and mist comes from its mouth, indicating its heat ray breath.
Age suitability: 4+ | Batteries required: 2 x AAA batteries (not included)
This vehicle will run on any surface, from carpets to grass and even in water. It comes with a dual joystick remote control, which can be used up to 100 feet away should kids want to test the boundaries. Mum Emily says: The Batman styling is very discreet. It's also a very versatile car and you won't need to worry about it getting messy.'
Age suitability: 6+ | Batteries required: 2 Lithium Ion batteries (included)
This remote control car can not only handle a range of surfaces, including carpet, lawns and sand (and reach up to 10 miles an hour), it can also spin 360 degrees and flip vertically, making it super exciting to operate. A two-hour charge will give you 20 minutes of continuous use, with a range of around 50 metres.
Outdoor toys
Ensuring eight-year-olds get plenty of time outside is a great way to encourage a healthy lifestyle and lure them away from screens, which they might be especially drawn to at this age.
The best outdoor toys for this age group will encourage interaction (and maybe a bit of competition) with their friends as they form and build on their social skills within their friendship groups.
Age suitability: 6+ | Batteries required: 3 x LR44 batteries (included)
Help your eight-year-old keep track of their keepie uppies with this kick tracker. Also flagged by industry experts as one of the best toys of the year, this toy is perfect for any budding Beckham wanting to hone their skills, while keeping active at the same time. Keep your eyes peeled for our full review of this toy coming soon.
Age suitability: 7+ | Batteries required: None
Throw Throw Burrito is a family friendly party game unlike any you may have played before. That's why we've added it to our list of best toys for eight year olds. It's a combination of a card games and dodgeball where players go head to head collecting cards, earning points and throwing squishy toy burritos at one another. "This is a really silly game but my kids seem to love it every time we play," says Susie, mum to Emilie and Charlotte.
Age suitability: 8+ | Batteries required: None
Eight-year-olds have the balance and coordination skills to begin to master how to ride a skateboard, and with the right safety equipment, you can have peace of mind while they do it too. We love this Enuff Skully Mini Skateboard from Skate Hut, which comes vibrantly finished with an Enuff Skully graphic, in either blue, green, black or pink.
Yoto Player
Audio players, such as the Toniebox or Yoto player, are hugely popular with kids, providing a way for them to play and learn independently. Both players are designed to be operated by kids, so they are super easy to use, and the stories are played via audio characters called Tonies, in the case of the Toniebox, and cards in the case of the Yoto.
We've tested both, and we think the Yoto is best for children of this age, thanks to its retro design that is both engaging and age-appropriate. If the child you are buying for already has a Yoto, then there are a load of accessories that would make a great gift, from a card holder to wireless headphones.
Age suitability: 3+ | Batteries required: None
The Yoto audio player will not only play stories and songs via Yoto cards slotted in the top, but it also doubles as a nightlight, room thermostat, clock and more. In our tests, we were particularly impressed with the 24-hour battery life, parental controls and the engaging display. We also love how the fun design will appeal to kids as they grow.
Age suitability: 3+ | Batteries required: None
For something designed with travel in mind, check out the Yoto Mini. It's a fraction of the size of the Yoto player, so it can fit in your bag without too much hassle, and you'll get 14 hours play from one charge, which means it's perfect for keeping kids entertained on long journeys.
Age suitability: 7-11 years | Batteries required: None
If your eight-year-old already has a player and accessories, then you can always add to their stash with some new audio cards. There are loads to choose from including the classic stories of Enid Blyton, the tales of Roald Dahl, and this Horrible Histories collection that is jam-packed full of gross historical facts that kids will love.
Card games
Card games are perfect for an eight-year-old to play with their friends - which means they'll hone their game-play skills and get to practice being a gracious winner and a tactful loser. These kinds of games are often small enough to travel with, so they're really handy to take on holiday. Plus, you can pick up some great ones for less than £10, so they're perfect if you are on a budget, or looking for a little treat or stocking filler.
Age suitability: 6+ | Batteries required: None
For little Potterheads, this Harry Potter-themed Top Trumps game will be right up their street. It's an easy and mess-free way for them to play with their friends, and build on interests they are passionate about. Not a wizard fan? You can get Top Trumps cards on pretty much any topic, including football, Disney, nature and more.
Age suitability: 8+ | Batteries required: None
A trading card game that requires some strategic thinking, Lorcana is perfect for eight year olds. Suitable for two or more players, this Disney set comes with all you need to get started, including 60 cards, damage counters and a paper playmat. Mum-of-two Rosie says: "My daughter is really into Lorcana right now. It's challenging for her and it encourages her to think ahead to plan her next move."
Age suitability: 7+ | Batteries required: None
Take the hugely popular UNO, and make it Spiderman-themed, and you've got this card game that Spidey-loving eight-year-olds will adore. The game is simple enough for eight-year-olds to play amongst themselves without the need for adult intervention, helping them work on their cognitive skills and strategic thinking.
Arts and craft toys
Help your eight-year old tap into their creativity with some arts and crafts themed playtime. Not only will it get them away from a screen, but it will help them use their imagination, and hone their problem-solving and spatial reasoning skills at the same time.
Age suitability: 7+ | Batteries required: None
Nail play sets like this tend to include specially formulated polishes that are safe and suitable for children. They also include fun stickers and stamps that they can play with to get creative with nail art. GoodtoKnow's Heidi Scrimgeour says: "My daughter’s favourite thing to do is paint her nails with me, and anything that keeps my expensive nail polish safe is a hit with me!"
Age suitability: 6+ | Batteries required: None
Another art medium for eight year olds to get to grips with, the Pouring Art Studio makes it easy to create unique works. "What I love most about this set is that it is designed so that everything is kept neatly in place," says Jenny, mum to Logan and Becky. "My kids love making pictures with special effects each time they use it."
Age suitability: 6+ | Batteries required: None
Your eight year old may have an interest in reading and perhaps even collecting comics. With this book, they have the skills and imaginations to create their own comics inspired by the graphic novels and stories they like to read. 'I'm a big fan of doodling as a form of relaxing,' says mum Emily. 'I think if you're keen on encouraging kids to draw and colour as a way to express themselves, this makes a great gift for a child, but also for an adult too.'
Board Games
Eight-year-olds love board games - not only are they super-fun and a chance for them to engage in competitive play with their friends, but they also help to boost logic, reasoning and critical thinking skills too. Challenging games that require some strategic thinking are great for their development too. Plus, learning to lose and that you can't always win at everything is an important skill at this age – and one that a board game can definitely teach.
Age suitability: 8+ | Batteries required: None
Monopoly comes in such a large range of Junior themes including Star Wars, Frozen, Trolls, Super Mario and more but we particularly like this classic Roald Dahl version. It's sure to be a hit if a child has read all the books first. If not, then what a wonderful introduction!
Age suitability: 7+ | Batteries required: None
This Pokemon board game sees players having to find the shortest route through the Labyrinth to win. Up to 4 players can have a go at navigating their way through the labyrinth with the popular Pokemon characters including Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle.
Age suitability: 8+ | Batteries required: None
Eight-year-olds like playing in groups and are better at working together at this age compared to when they were younger. Requiring a collaborative effort this game offers a good way of nurturing the idea or team work, and that while you might win sometimes, it's also ok to lose.
Music toys
Most kids love to perform and sing songs they've heard on the radio or learnt at school. By the age of eight, children have improved small muscle control, which makes learning and playing instruments both easier and more enjoyable. And so toys that allow them to cultivate these talents, and even just awaken their music appreciation can help boost their creative side.
Age suitability: 4+ | Batteries required: 1 x Lithium Ion battery (included)
Having some noisy fun with the Karaoke Wireless Microphone is a great way to burn up some energy and have fun. This clever gadget can be used as a bluetooth microphone, speaker, recorder and player, and even has its own built-in LED lights, which change along to the beat of your music, to add to the fun. Bluetooth compatible and connects to a range of music apps.
Age suitability: 7+ | Batteries required: None
Nurture a child's creativity and ability to express themselves in a more artistic way by buying them musical instruments and maybe a few lessons to go with it. If you aren't able to get along to music lessons, a great place to start is by watching free guitar tutorials on YouTube. This half size acoustic guitar is perfect for kids to start with.
Age suitability: 3-12 years | Batteries required: None
Let kids enjoy their favourite tunes with this kid-friendly smart speaker. It's designed for use with Amazon's smart assistant Alexa, which will automatically give kid-friendly responses to any questions asked and filter songs with explicit lyrics. For extra peace of mind, it also comes with a range of customisable parental controls. You'll also get a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+.
What toys do eight year olds like to play with?
According to child development expert and GoodtoKnow panellist, Dr Amanda Gummer, the best toys for eight-year-olds include arts and crafts, music, sports and social games that are popular with peers like collectible items and trading cards.
Play therapist Catherine Lynch adds: "Parents and caregivers of eight-year-olds can support children by providing opportunities for social interaction with friends." But it's important to remember that while eight-year-olds might seem like they are growing up, they still need to benefit from play time, as that is how they learn, understand and process the world around them.
How we chose the best toys for eight year olds
To compile this list of the best toys for eight-year-olds, we drew on our extensive product knowledge and hands-on experience. We also spoke to parents with eight- year-old children to see which toys their children particularly loved and why. In addition, we also spoke to play and child development specialists to get their expert analysis on the best toys for this age group.
Dr Amanda Gummer has a PhD in Neuropsychology, the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education and more than 20 years’ experience working with children and families. As such, she is renowned as an expert on all aspects of child development, including toys and play. In 2012, she founded The Good Play Guide, an independent, expert accreditation service for children’s products, including toys, apps and more.
While you're shopping for the best toys for eight-year-olds, you might also be interested in our guide to choosing the best toys for seven-year-olds. We've also got guides on choosing the best toys for nine-year-olds, the best toys for 10-year-olds.
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