When it comes to gifts, we’ve got you covered. In this guide for 8-year-old boys, we’ve got everything from card games to smartphone-controlled paper airplanes, covering a variety of interests and budget points. Whether it’s for the holidays or a birthday, here are the best gifts for 8-year-old boys in 2023.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
Related: 45 Awesome Gifts for 12-Year-Old Boys
Solar System Science Kit

$30 From Amazon Shop Now
Boys who love science will have fun building their own solar system. The planets move around the sun, even at different speeds!
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Little Tikes Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch

$21 from Amazon Shop Now
There is tons of fun stuff that this talking robot smartwatch with over 100 expressions can do. Kids can play games, record video, take selfies, and track steps, amongst other features.
Franklin Sports Over-The-Door Basketball Hoop

$35 and up from Amazon Shop Now
This shatter-resistant basketball hoop fits over doors for indoor playtime, anytime. The hoop is supposed to withstand 3-point shots and slam dunks without breaking.
Related: Awesomely Fun Gifts for 9-Year-Old Boys
Lego Star Wars Imperial Armored Marauder

$49 from Amazon Shop Now
If you don’t know what to give a kid, chances are a Star Wars-themed Lego set will be a winner. This set of the Imperial Armored Marauder includes four Lego figurines for acting out intergalactic battles.
Taco vs Burrito Game

$20 from Amazon Shop Now
Who knows kids better than another kid? This card game was created by a 7-year-old boy but is fun for the entire family. Food fights are on the menu for this game that uses strategy and wit.
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LLMoose Hover Soccer Ball

$31 from Amazon Shop Now
Kicking a soccer ball in the house is a no-no, but kicking a hovering ball with foam bumpers gets a thumbs up from parents. This indoor/outdoor soccer ball works on hardwood, tile, asphalt, and short carpets. It even lights up with LED lighting to add some party ambience.
Laser Tag Gaming Set

$29 from Walmart Shop Now
Kids can blast opponents from as far away as the length of a football field with this two-person set. The blaster beams work in darkness or bright light, and an interactive voice “coach” even offers tips and tricks while playing.
Beyblade Burst Surge Speedstorm Spark Power Set

$20 from Amazon Shop Now
Beyblade launching competitions are a big thing among kids these days, and this set helps them blast with the best of them. The Spark Power Launcher lights up when you pull the ripcord and sparks more the faster you launch it.
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Thames & Kosmos Alien Slime Lab Science Experiment Kit

$25 from Amazon Shop Now
Mix up different kinds of slime in a pretend lab, and then conduct experiments on it. Kids will love playing with the oozing (yet totally safe) substances, all while learning about chemistry.
Related: Awesomely Cool Gifts for 9-Year-Old Girls
Fantasma Masters of Magic Set

$28 from Amazon Shop Now
Get ready to sit back for the show, because mini-magicians will love trying over 450 magic tricks. This magic kit is no joke — it’s from the only toy company endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the world’s largest professional magicians’ organization.
Build Your Own Robot Kit

$19 from Uncommon Goods Shop Now
One robot, three ways. This cute little kit has instructions for three robots, but the possibilities for creating are endless when young builders get going.
‘The Delish Kids (Super-Awesome, Crazy-Fun, Best-Ever)’ Cookbook

$14 from Amazon Shop Now
Young aspiring chefs will enjoy making over 100 delicious recipes, including favorites like English muffin pizza, brownies, and healthy fare such as zucchini tots. Recipes range from easy to more challenging, for all kid cook levels.
Related: Retro Gifts for Kids With Too Much Screen Time
Loog Learn to Play Acoustic Guitar

$98 and up from Uncommon Goods Shop Now
Budding young musicians will be making melodies before you know it with this beginner acoustic guitar. It has three strings instead of six, so kids can learn faster and easier.
Spy Cipher Decoding Medallion

$20 from Uncommon Goods Shop Now
Little spies can create and share secret messages with this metal decoder ring. It uses a 2,000 year-old technique that’s named after famous Roman general and statesman Julius Caesar!
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Trunk Collectible Set

$29 from Amazon Shop Now
How to wow a Potterhead — get them a replica of Harry’s school trunk. It’s filled with magical pieces: a wand/pen, a chocolate frog pin, replicas of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts acceptance letter, a Hogwarts Express train ticket, Marauder’s map, and, finally, a ticket to a Quidditch match.
Related: The Best Harry Potter Christmas Ornaments for Aspiring Witches and Wizards
3D Pen Set

$50 from Amazon Shop Now
Create amazing objects with this child-safe 3D pen. The set includes project ideas that will help spark creativity.
BrainBolt Memory Game

$21 from Amazon Shop Now
This addictive memory game has glowing reviews on Amazon, with plenty of positive feedback from families who have 8-year-old kids. It’s fun, portable, and more educational than, say, your kid’s TikTok feed. Plus, it can accommodate two players.
Pen Through Dollar Magic Trick

$10 from Amazon Shop Now
Your boy will be putting on magic shows in no time with this easy-to-use trick pen. It even comes with a step-by-step guide, making this a perfect gift for beginners without sleight of hand experience.
Smartphone-Controlled Paper Airplane

$60 and up from Uncommon Goods Shop Now
Paper airplanes may be passé. But what about smartphone-controlled paper airplanes? This kit has everything a boy needs to create a Bluetooth-enabled paper airplane, including carbon fiber paper and an auto-stabilizing smart computer.