This category is new for us but TBH, the toys and games in this age range have upped their game in the last couple of years.
Around ages 8-12, kids make big strides in many areas of development. Their skill refinement allows for:
- Improved attention, problem solving, and critical thinking
- The ability to strengthen friendships and resolve conflicts more efficiently
- Participation in skill-based activities requiring refined motor movements
- The ability to express themselves more clearly
- Increased independence and thought
Here are our recommendations for kids 8+:
Snap Circuits Green Energy Kit
Why We Love It: This STEM building kit introduces the basics of electronic circuits and their interaction with green energy tech. Using snap-together building blocks, your kid can create various electrical circuits. Build your own solar light clock, wind-powered mini car, and even communicate with friends using Morse code. The kit includes a THINK GREEN manual, offering fun lessons on alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, hand-crank, hydro, and geothermal power.
Brainwright Puzzle Light Up Brainteaser
Why We Love It: Puzzle Bright is an electronic light up brainteaser with over 300 puzzles to solve, from easy to difficult. With only one solution for each puzzle, the object of the game is to cover up all the lights using the indicated colored pieces. The catch is that no like colors can touch. All the puzzle pieces can fit inside the unit, making it a portable mental challenge for your kids to challenge themselves (or others) at home or on the go.
The Original Pindaloo Skill Game
Why We Love It: Pindaloo is the latest skill toy that challenges hand-eye coordination, motor planning, rhythm, and timing. This neon version enhances visual attention and tracking for both players and spectators. Just like catch and throw, the steady rhythm and repetition allows your kid to self-regulate.
The Woobles Beginners Crochet Kit
Why We Love It: These Wooble kits make crocheting easy. Create cutesy and demure characters like Bjørn the Narwhal and his friends with their easy-to-follow step-by-step video tutorial. Everything that’s needed is already in the kit: pre-started yarn, eyes, a yarn needle, a crochet hook, stuffing, and a carrying bag. They also come in a ton of different themes and characters.
Pokémon or another deck-building game
Pokémon is coming back around: so if you don’t have boxes of old cards to pass down to your kid, a booster box is a great way for them to make some headway and start battling. Extra good news is that if you kid is into Pokémon, there are a ton of card packs and accessories at different price points that you can use to fill stockings. Let’s also not forget Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons and Dragons, and other cooperative adventure games that kids this age get into with Starter Kits.
Family Game Night
While board games marketed to younger audiences address many developmental skills and the basics of game play, these games are all about strategy and competition all in the name of fun.
Shoot The Moon– a competitive dexterity skills game
Finders Creepers Board Game – combines augmented reality with this strategy board game
WHAT DO YOU MEME? Block Up Stacking Game – a head-to-head tower building challenge
Moose Master – a witty hilarious interactive card game
Getting Real
At this age, kids have a good sense of what they like and what they don’t. They start to pursue their own interests, investing more of their free time into them. They also start appreciating experience gifts and “real” gifts that will last. Think an actual guitar instead of a plastic toy one. This also means that the cost will be more on your end, but it’s quality over quantity. While these serve as suggestions, feel free to customize it to your child’s interests.
Musical Instruments, like drum pads, a guitar, or a keyboard
Digital Camera
Kids Fitbit Tracker
Sporting gear or practice equipment
Art Supply sets, like Acrylic Paints or Watercolors (can also be good stocking stuffers)
Lessons and experiences (a family vacation or road trip, learn a new sport, or go to a concert)
Stocking Stuffers
100 PICS Optical Illusions
More intricate LEGO sets, like this Cherry Blossom Floral
Best of Mad Libs: Over 125 Classic Mad Libs Stories
Toiletries and travel-size supplies, especially deodorant
Gift cards to Dick Blick, Dick’s Sporting Goods, or other specialty stores with their interests
Mazes, Word Search, or logic puzzle books
A 2025 Wall Calendar
All of the linked items can also be found on our Child(ish) Advice Holiday Amazon Storefront.
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