Toys

21 Educational Toys For 8-Year-Olds (Science Kits, Engineering Sets, & More)

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educational toys for 8 year olds

 

Can 8-Year-Olds Have Toys?

Yes. Many toys are made just for 8-year-old kids and older, with options that suit their needs or preferences. Toys aren’t just for fun (or for younger kids), but can also help them learn and explore the world around them. 

The best educational toys will spark curiosity and a love of learning. They are both entertaining while also supporting the deepening vital skills like mindfulness and concentration.

 

Why Choose Learning Toys For 8-Year-Olds?

Learning toys help your child develop or master age-appropriate skills, including hand-eye coordination, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), STEAM (STEM with art), and problem-solving skills while having fun.

 

What Toys Do Kids Like Most?

This will really depend on each child’s interests and age. 

For example, some kids prefer video games and smart toys to books and traditional educational toys. 

Another example is that some toys for 8-year-olds might be too boring for 9-year-olds, yet it’s also possible that older kids will find them interesting.

 

What Do 8-Year-Old Kids Like To Play With?

At this age, many kids are interested in science kits and see the magic of seeing various chemical reactions to create new things. 

They’re also happy to tinker with puzzle pieces, LEGOs, or building sets that are more complicated than similar educational toys for 7-year-olds or younger.

They enjoy playing with toys they made themselves.

 

How Are Learning Games & Toys Different From Non-Educational Products?

Educational toys are designed to stimulate learning, including improving skills, such as logical thinking, fine motor skills, and problem-solving. In contrast, non-educational toys usually focus more on solely fun and entertainment.

Still, this can be tricky because some non-educational products can overlap with learning toys.

Some might think they’re “too simple” but slime, putty, and playdough might be learning toys depending on their use.

A human body anatomy model toy is clearly a learning toy. Yet certain sticker sets, board games, craft kits, and card games might also be considered educational.

Learning toys also make great ideas for birthday gifts (or Christmas gifts) for 8-year-olds

Learn more about how you can choose the best gifts for them below.

 

Gift Guide To The 21 Best Educational Toys For 8-Year-Olds

STEM Toys

4M Kidz Labs Solar System Planetarium Model (8+ years old)AMAZON BUTTONWALMART BUTTONEBAY BUTTONMacy's Button

 

  • Pros & Best Features: DIY glow-in-the-dark solar system set
  • Product Safety: Child-safe materials but should be handled with adult supervision for kids younger than eight years old
  • Materials: Plastic and paint
  • Age Range: 8+ years old
  • Educational Value: STEAM learning, problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and creativity
  • Extra Features: Includes guidebook and painting materials
  • Certification: Not indicated
  • Made In: China (according to Amazon)
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Contains small parts that are possible choking risks to younger children
  • Customer Reviews:

My kids love this solar system kit. They had fun painting all the different planets and the sun.” – Reviewer on Walmart

The only small down side to it is the size, some of the planets are too small and it is really difficult to paint them.” – Reviewer on Amazon

 

LEGO Chain Reactions (Klutz Science STEM Activity Kit) (8+ years old)LEGO BUTTONMacy's ButtonAMAZON BUTTONWALMART BUTTON

 

  • Pros & Best Features: STEM crafting kit and book
  • Product Safety: Child-safe materials (exceeds safety standards); free from harmful chemicals
  • Materials: Child-safe plastic
  • Age Range: 8+ years old
  • Educational Value: STEM learning, problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and creativity
  • Extra Features: Award-winning book (NAPPA silver award winner); *NAPPA means “National Parenting Publications Awards”
  • Certification: US, European, and other global safety standards for toys
  • Made In: South Korea (according to Amazon)
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Some complaints about the book’s quality and that there are only a few actual LEGO pieces (33 elements + six balls) which are inadequate to complete the projects (unless you already have your own collection at home)
  • Customer Reviews:

The book is awesome for learning chain reactions.” – Reviewer on Amazon

its kind of cool, but, doesn’t come with all the bricks you need.” – Reviewer on LEGO

Engino STEM Newton’s Laws Engineering Kit (8 to 16+ years old)EBAY BUTTONWALMART BUTTONAMAZON BUTTONMacy's Button

 

  • Pros & Best Features: STEM-themed 121-piece set for building different machine models
  • Product Safety: Snap-on parts to reduce the need for tools; certified to be free from PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), which might cause cancer
  • Materials: Plastic
  • Age Range: 8 to 16+ years old
  • Educational Value: STEM learning, spatial thinking, hand-eye coordination, creativity, and fine motor skills
  • Extra Features: Includes a guidebook with experimental activities for hands-on learning, illustrated building instructions, and detailed explanations of relevant scientific principles; award-winning toy (e.g., Dr. Toy’s Best Green Product and Best Educational Toy – won in the US)
  • Certification: Meets all safety standards in the US (ASTM F963-11 and CPSIA) and Europe (EN71, EN62115, and PAHs)
  • Made In: Cyprus
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Contains small parts (choking risks to younger children); some complaints that the product is difficult to use or assemble
  • Customer Reviews:

Very cool different objects to construct.” – Reviewer on Amazon

Small parts, difficult to use.” – Reviewer on MindWare

 

Elenco Electronics Snap Circuits My Home (8+ years old)AMAZON BUTTONWALMART BUTTONEBAY BUTTON

  • Pros & Best Features: STEM-themed DIY building kit with electronic parts
  • Product Safety: Doesn’t require soldering tools; meets US and international safety standards
  • Materials: Plastic and electronic parts
  • Age Range: 8+ years old
  • Educational Value: STEM learning, hand-eye coordination, creativity, spatial thinking, problem-solving, and fine motor skills
  • Extra Features: Includes 60+ snap-on parts and a guidebook for creating 30+ projects; award-winning toy (e.g., NAPPA gold winner, Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products, Dr. Toy’s 10 best Educational Products, The inaugural Seriously STEM award, etc.)
  • Certification: American certifications – CPSIA, ASTM 963m, and 16CFR (Standard Consumer Safety Specifications); meets international standards
  • Made In: China (according to Amazon)
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Contains electronic and small parts that can be hazardous to younger children; some complaints that the toy is too complicated or unsafe for kids
  • Customer Reviews:

10 year old daughter did these different circuit designs for several hours without moving on to anything else. Great buy.” – Reviewer on Amazon

One of the sets shorted and burned the kids finger.” – Reviewer on Amazon

 

Thames & Kosmos Solar Race Car (8+ years old)AMAZON BUTTONWALMART BUTTON

  • Pros & Best Features: DIY solar-powered car with an adjustable panel
  • Product Safety: Includes accessible electronic parts (assemble with adult supervision and keep the pieces out of younger children’s reach)
  • Materials: Plastic and photovoltaic cells (for solar power)
  • Age Range: 8+ years old
  • Educational Value: STEM learning, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and problem-solving skills
  • Extra Features: Includes solar cells (no need for batteries) and a manual or guidebook
  • Certification: European (EN71) and US safety standards (ASTM and CPSIA)
  • Made In: Taiwan
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Some complaints that the toy might be boring
  • Customer Reviews:

I like how the book goes beyond assembly instructions and includes other engaging information related to solar power.” – Reviewer on Amazon

Cons: kids can lose interest after it’s put together, which only takes 20-30 minutes, needs a lot of sun, pretty small.” – Reviewer on Amazon

 

MindWare Science Academy: Squishy Ball Lab – Science Kit (8+ years old)WALMART BUTTONAMAZON BUTTON

  • Pros & Best Features: Science kit for creating squishy balls
  • Product Safety: Meets toy quality and safety standards
  • Materials: Chemicals that can be safe if used with adult supervision (keep out of younger children’s reach); Warning: Don’t let any of the chemicals come in contact with the skin, especially if there are open wounds.
  • Age Range: 8+ years old
  • Educational Value: STEAM learning, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and problem-solving skills
  • Extra Features: Includes step-by-step instruction guide
  • Certification: CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission), ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials), and CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act)
  • Made In: Not indicated
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Contains chemicals and parts that can be hazardous to younger children; potentially messy toy or experiment
  • Customer Reviews:

My 8 yr old loved it! All ingredients are pre measured so she did it mostly on her own.” – Reviewer on Amazon

We buy tons of slime kits make slime toys this was a disappointment one day use and not much in kit.” – Reviewer on Amazon

 

 

Words, ABCs, Numbers, & Colors 

Educational Insights Fraction Formula Game (8-11 years old)Macy's ButtonEBAY BUTTONAMAZON BUTTONWALMART BUTTON

  • Pros & Best Features: Math-themed toy set
  • Product Safety: No sharp parts
  • Materials: Child-safe plastic and cardstock
  • Age Range: 8-11 years old
  • Educational Value: STEM learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
  • Extra Features: Includes a play guide
  • Certification: Not indicated
  • Made In: Hong Kong (according to Amazon)
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Some complaints about quality issues (e.g., receiving an incomplete set)
  • Customer Reviews:

You can basically teach kids the important part about fractions, the heuristic, while playing Blackjack.” – Reviewer on Amazon

We were very disappointed to find that our game was not complete— every single one of the fraction cards had “1/12” on them.” – Reviewer on Amazon

 

Learning Resources Snap It Up! Phonics & Reading Game (6-10 years old)EBAY BUTTONWALMART BUTTONAMAZON BUTTON

  • Pros & Best Features: Language-themed card game
  • Product Safety: Child-safe materials
  • Materials: Cardboard and cardstock (thinner than cardboard but thicker than paper)
  • Age Range: 6-10 years old
  • Educational Value: Critical thinking, vocabulary, spelling, and reading
  • Extra Features: Includes 90 color-coded playing cards
  • Certification: Not indicated
  • Made In: Not indicated
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Some complaints about the rules and product quality
  • Customer Reviews:

It is a fun game for kids and adults. Even for kids who are learning letters you can use the cards.” – Reviewer on Amazon

The rules for this game are too complicated for the age the reading skills apply to.” – Reviewer on Amazon

 

Educational Games & Interactive Smart Toys

MindWare The How I Survived Game (8+ years old)WALMART BUTTONEBAY BUTTONAMAZON BUTTON

 

  • Pros & Best Features: Wacky STEM-themed trivia game
  • Product Safety: Products meet toy safety and quality standards
  • Materials: Laminated paper
  • Age Range: 8+ years old
  • Educational Value: STEM learning, planning, and cognitive development
  • Extra Features: Includes a 30-second timer and a playing guide
  • Certification: CPSIA, ASTM, and CPSC
  • Made In: Not indicated
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Possibly none
  • Customer Reviews:

Provided hours of fun for my 12 year olds birthday party.” – Reviewer on Amazon

The game is more of a creative fun game than competitive. It sparks the imagination to be silly.” – Reviewer on Amazon

 

Thames & Kosmos Happy Atoms 2D: Interactive Chemistry Puzzles (8+ years old)EBAY BUTTONAMAZON BUTTONWALMART BUTTON

  • Pros & Best Features: Interactive STEM-themed 2D puzzle set for chemistry beginners
  • Product Safety: Meets toy safety standards
  • Materials: Cardboard
  • Age Range: 8+ years old
  • Educational Value: STEM learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
  • Extra Features: Includes a play guide, an app for identifying the resulting compounds, and a bonus 3D water molecule
  • Certification: European (EN71) and (ASTM and CPSIA) US safety standards
  • Made In: China
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Some complaints that the app doesn’t work
  • Customer Reviews:

My 10 year old daughter was learning about covalent bonds and making carbon dioxide and methane and learning the properties.” – Reviewer on Amazon

The ONLY device I could get the app that goes with this product to work was the galaxy s8 (my phone) and the app was very finicky at best.” – Reviewer on Amazon

 

Educational Building Sets & Puzzles

Learning Resources Dive into Shapes! A “Sea” and Build Geometry Set (6-10 years old) WALMART BUTTONAMAZON BUTTONEBAY BUTTON

 

  • Pros & Best Features: Math-themed building set
  • Product Safety: Child-safe materials; no sharp parts
  • Materials: Child-safe plastic and cardstock
  • Age Range: 6-10 years old
  • Educational Value: Critical thinking, math skills, and planning
  • Extra Features: Includes 15 double-sided activity cards for 30 activities
  • Certification: Not indicated
  • Made In: China (according to Amazon)
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Small parts (balls) that can be choking risks to younger children; some complaints about quality issues (the sticks can easily break)
  • Customer Reviews:

They are made of a heavy duty plastic that will stand up to a lot of uses.” – Reviewer on Amazon

During the first time with the kids using them, the sticks were breaking off inside the holes on the balls.” – Reviewer on Amazon

 

Fat Brain Toys Trestle Tracks – Marble Run Deluxe Building & Construction Set (8+ years old)EBAY BUTTONWALMART BUTTONAMAZON BUTTON

  • Pros & Best Features: 43-piece starter construction set for a DIY marble run
  • Product Safety: Passes toy safety standards
  • Materials: Child-safe plastic
  • Age Range: 8+ years old
  • Educational Value: STEAM learning, concentration, and cognitive learning
  • Extra Features: Includes ideas for guided builds
  • Certification: ASTM and ICTI (International Council of Toy Industries) 
  • Made In: China
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Contains small parts (marbles) that can be choking risks to younger children; some complaints that the product is too complicated for the age range
  • Customer Reviews:

Little guy has not put this down. He wants no help from older siblings wants to work with it himself.” – Reviewer on Fat Brain Toys

A little too complicated for my 8 year old, out of the box use.” – Reviewer on Amazon

 

Thames & Kosmos Geckobot (8+ years old)AMAZON BUTTONWALMART BUTTONEBAY BUTTON

  • Pros & Best Features: STEM-themed experiment and building kit
  • Product Safety: Meets toy safety standards
  • Materials: Child-safe plastic
  • Age Range: 8+ years old
  • Educational Value: STEM learning, hand-eye coordination, planning, and problem-solving skills
  • Extra Features: Includes suction parts that allow the robotic gecko to climb on smooth surfaces such as mirrors
  • Certification: European (EN71) and (ASTM and CPSIA) US safety standards
  • Made In: Taiwan
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Contains small parts (choking risks to younger kids) and requires batteries; some complaints about the quality
  • Customer Reviews:

My grandson liked his so much he wanted to gift one for a birthday gift.” – Reviewer on Amazon

This sucks. It breaks apart. It doesn’t walk/stick into glass beyond a step or two.” – Reviewer on Amazon

 

Learning Resources Simple Machines (8-13 years old)WALMART BUTTONEBAY BUTTONAMAZON BUTTON

  • Pros & Best Features: Building set of simple machines
  • Product Safety: Child-safe materials
  • Materials: Child-safe plastic
  • Age Range: 8-13 years old
  • Educational Value: STEM learning, planning and coordination, fine motor skills, and problem-solving skills
  • Extra Features: Includes activity guide
  • Certification: Not indicated
  • Made In: China (according to Amazon)
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Some complaints about missing instruction guide 
  • Customer Reviews:

My 10 year old son has a new fav building smart toy. The hard plastic construction is durable and snaps in place and stays in place. We love it!” – Reviewer on Learning Resources

I didn’t receive an instruction booklet.” – Reviewer on Amazon

 

Musical Toys

Kako’o Harmonica And Mini Harmonica With Bonus Cloth (5+ years old to adults)Maisonette ButtonMacy's ButtonAMAZON BUTTONWALMART BUTTON

 

  • Pros & Best Features: Standard-size harmonica
  • Product Safety: Child-safe materials; no sharp parts
  • Materials: Stainless steel
  • Age Range: 5+ years old to adults
  • Educational Value: Musical skills, creativity, and social skills
  • Extra Features: Includes carrying case and cleaning cloth
  • Certification: Not indicated
  • Made In: China 
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: No reviews yet from real customers for you to check
  • Customer Reviews: None yet

 

Smartivity Music Machine (8+ years old)WALMART BUTTONAMAZON BUTTONMacy's ButtonEBAY BUTTON

  • Pros & Best Features: DIY mechanical xylophone
  • Product Safety: Non-toxic and safe
  • Materials: Metallic sound plates and sustainable, recyclable, and laser-cut wood parts
  • Age Range: 8+ years old
  • Educational Value: STEAM, motor skills, creativity, analytical skills, motor skills, and practical skills
  • Extra Features: Mess-free assembly that doesn’t require glue; includes a detailed instruction booklet and learner’s log
  • Certification: American certifications (CPSIA, ASTM 963m, and 16CFR) and international standards
  • Made In: Not indicated
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Small parts and elastic bands that can be choking risks to younger children; some complaints about quality issues
  • Customer Reviews:

Truly simple, tool-free and glue-free construction.” – Reviewer on Amazon

I was excited to get the kits, but it’s disappointing that the material is flimsy.” – Reviewer on Amazon

 

Creative Toys For 8-Year-Olds

Melissa & Doug On the Go Crafts – Friendship Bracelets (8+ years old)ETSY BUTTONAMAZON BUTTONWALMART BUTTONEBAY BUTTON

  • Pros & Best Features: Craft kit for 10+ friendship bracelets
  • Product Safety: Free from heavy metal (lead) and other toxic materials
  • Materials: Yarn strings, plastic beads, and foam (mini loom)
  • Age Range: 8+ years old
  • Educational Value: Creativity, imagination, pretend play, and social skills
  • Extra Features: Includes detailed full-color illustrations with design suggestions and handy tips 
  • Certification: CPSIA; meets US, EU, and other safety standards
  • Made In: China (reviewer on Amazon)
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Some complaints that the product is too complicated or the instructions aren’t detailed enough
  • Customer Reviews:

Cute craft for my grand daughters. Worth the cost.” – Reviewer on Walmart

Instructions not very detailed or clear.” – Reviewer on Melissa & Doug

 

Kid Made Modern Arts and Crafts Supply Library (8+ years old)WALMART BUTTONAMAZON BUTTONEBAY BUTTON

  • Pros & Best Features: Art and crafting kit with 1,000+ pieces
  • Product Safety: Meets safety and quality standards; products designed and evaluated for potential risks and hazards
  • Materials: Cloth, felt, paper, wood, glitter, and plastic
  • Age Range: 8+ years old
  • Educational Value: Creativity, planning, imagination, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills
  • Extra Features: Includes sticky back jewels, googly eyes, and an inspiration sheet
  • Certification: Certified independent third-party laboratories
  • Made In: Not indicated
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Contains many small and sharp parts (choking and puncture risks for younger children)
  • Customer Reviews:

This definitely has plenty of craft items in it. My grandchildren loved it.” – Reviewer on Amazon

Not really worth it. Glue spilled and it is very cheap.” – Reviewer on Amazon

Crayola Deluxe Wooden Art Set – Over 75 Pieces (8+ years old)EBAY BUTTONAMAZON BUTTON

  • Pros & Best Features: 75+ art set
  • Product Safety: Meets safety standards
  • Materials: Safe and non-toxic coloring materials
  • Age Range: 8+ years old
  • Educational Value: Creativity, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and planning skills
  • Extra Features: Includes wooden carrying case
  • Certification: CPSC and ASTM
  • Made In: Vietnam (according to Amazon)
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Contains small parts 
  • Customer Reviews:

great gift for just about anybody really.” – Reviewer on Amazon

Omg, it is a mess!!!, terrible crayola product, even what it supposed to be washable it’s not very washable…” – Reviewer on Amazon

 

Toys For Learning Life Skills

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Magic Set (8+ years old)AMAZON BUTTONWALMART BUTTONEBAY BUTTONMacy's Button

 

  • Pros & Best Features: Magic set for 10 classic tricks
  • Product Safety: Child-safe materials; free from lead (heavy metal) and other harmful or toxic materials
  • Materials: Wood, paper, and cloth
  • Age Range: 8+ years old
  • Educational Value: Creativity, practical life skills (becoming a magician), fine and gross motor skills, and hand-eye coordination
  • Extra Features: Includes a guide with step-by-step instructions
  • Certification: CPSIA; meets US, EU, and other safety standards
  • Made In: China (according to Amazon)
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Several complaints about the lack of instructions (it’s actually found under the black cardboard); contains small parts that can be choking risks to younger children
  • Customer Reviews:

Our 9 year-old grandson delighted the crowd at his 4 year-old sister’s birthday party. BIG HIT!” – Reviewer on Amazon

The mechanism that hides the ball broke after only a few tries.” – Reviewer on Melissa & Doug

 

LEGO Set – Heatwave Transforming Lava Dragon (8+ years old)LEGO BUTTONWALMART BUTTONEBAY BUTTON

  • ding and toy set with movable and transforming parts
  • Product Safety: Free from harmful chemicals; child-safe materials that exceed safety standards
  • Materials: Child-safe plastic
  • Age Range: 8+ years old
  • Educational Value: Pretend and imaginative play, planning, fine motor skills, early engineering, hand-eye coordination, and social skills
  • Extra Features: Includes mini figures and a purple “dragon element”
  • Certification: US, European, and global safety standards for toys
  • Made In: Not indicated
  • Product Recall: None
  • Cons: Plenty of small parts (choking risks to younger children); can be pricey
  • Customer Reviews:

Beautiful build and play experience the transformation feature makes it super playful + the minifigures are just phenomenal.” – Reviewer on LEGO

Lego Ninjago prices have increased considerably.” – Reviewer on LEGO

 

Tips For Choosing Learning Toys For 8-Year-Olds

Toy Safety For 8-Year-Olds

Safety is always the #1 factor to consider when choosing toys for your little ones.

Many toys for 8-year-olds contain small parts that must be kept out of younger ones’ reach.

You’ll unlikely worry about choking risks for 8-year-olds but their toys must remain free from sharp parts, chemicals, or other hazards. 

Here’s a guide to checking for chemicals to avoid in children’s products: Our Family Health & Safety Philosophy.

It’s also important to monitor for toy recalls.

Some recent ones include the following:

 

Learning Toys Based On Skills & Milestones For 8-Year-Olds

Consider toys that suit 8-year-olds’ milestones, such as: (1)

  • Can read simple sentences
  • Can skip-count by 2s and 5s
  • Can keep, follow, or create rules
  • Can show interest in money and books
  • Can use correct grammar but still needs improvement
  • Can show interest in group activities

 

Other Factors To Consider

  • Interactive toys that spark their imagination
  • Great gifts based on their interests
  • Review bestsellers & other products to find high-quality learning toys
  • Simple but useful & interesting for 8-year-olds
  • Smart toys (but with minimal screen time)

 

Other Gift Ideas & Learning Toys For Different Age Groups

 

References

(1) https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/pregnancy-parenting/parenting-school-age-children-6-11-years/school-age-children-growth-and-7

 

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