35 Best Toys and Gifts for 8-Year-Olds Who Are Coming Into Their Own

Just when you thought Furby couldn't get any more interactive, this extra-long version flips upside to reveal a surface that plays music, silly sounds (including farts), and games. Our toy testers also liked how it ha a soft body, too. "She absolutely loves this toy and can't stop talking to her friends about it," one parent said of her daughter. Ages 6+; four AA batteries required

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Once they've feasted their eyes on The Super Mario Galaxy movie, they're going to want a Yoshi of their very own, This egg makes noises and moves around before Yoshi triumphantly hatches. Then, the Yoshi becomes an interactive toy, while the bottom half of the egg becomes his little seat. But be warned: The egg only hatches once! Ages 4+; three AA batteries included

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This craft kit comes with a personality quiz that influences what colors are used in the woven pattern around the frame, ensuring that no two will be exactly alike. After the wrapping is done, they can choose a centerpiece and other personal touches to make it even more individualized. Ages 8+

Testers loved scooting around on these electric scooters, while la experts liked that the top speed was capped at less than 10 miles per hour. Said one parent tester: “My son loves being able to speed down paths on an electric scooter—the freedom, the acceleration, the breeze.” Ages 6+

In this graphic novel, a white wolf, a snow leopard, and a wild cat team up for an action-packed adventure in the vein of Warriors or Wings of Fire. Kid testers found the quest thrilling. “This is a great graphic novel with lots of surprises and excitement throughout,” said one kid tester. Ages 8 to 12

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A companion to Cat Crimes, this game turns kids into detectives. Each of the increasingly difficult challenge cards offers a list of clues as to which canine committed a crime, and kids have to use their logic skills to put them together and deduce the culprit. It comes with 40 challenges, and it's one of the rare games that kids can play on their own. Ages 8+

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They can take this karaoke machine on the go, so they can belt out the notes of "Golden" anytime they're invited to a sleepover or birthday party. It plays music via Bluetooth or line-in, and it can even double as a power bank for cell phones when it's not in use. It also comes in several colors. Ages 3+

With the World Cup coming to the U.S. this year, their interest in soccer may be at an all-time high. This set puts a foosball table in the palm of their hands. When they squeeze the figures, they spin, and the object is to use the spinning player to kick the ball into the goal. The set comes with a portable field (it can be spread over any table), field barriers, two balls, and three spinning players, but kids can collect more individual players from different countries. Ages 6+

Huntr/x fans can proudly wear their fandom on their sleeves with this set. They don't have to choose between Rumi, Zooey, and Mira—all three come in a set, which means there's enough supplies to make 40 bracelets, including beads, cording, and a project guide. Ages 6+

The Pokémon fans among our toy testers loved the soft, nubbly feel of these Poké plush. "I love the texture, and the toy is so cute,” raved one 9-year-old. In addition to Charmander, you can also get Pikachu, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle. Ages 2+

These digital pets have even more to offer, letting kids raise their characters across generations—and there are more than 50,000 possible Tamagotchi characters to take care of. The wheel on the side also lets them zoom in and out on their world. One parent noted that her kids loved having to take care of a diigital pet. "It would make little noises to remind them to check on it," they said. An "orange tropics" and a "white glacier" version will be released on July 10. Ages 6+; two AAA batteries required

This isn't your typical, at-home science kit. Kids wear VR goggles to watch as science legend Bill Nye makes concepts come to life before them. The set includes 50 pieces, including things like beakers and measuring cups, but you have to provide your own Android or iOS device to take advantage of the VR capabilities. Ages 8+

When they're 8, they can put together LEGO sets like nobody's business. It helps to have one that they can put together in multiple ways, which makes the play last longer. Kids can take these pieces and make a panda family, then disassemble and use the same pieces to make penguins or orcas. "The panda also has some joints to allow it to make a variety of postures," said one parent of a 9-year-old. Ages 8+

Choose the color, font style, power source, and shape you think they will love the most, and they'll get this custom neon sign that will make their room feel even more their own. No age recommendation given.

Happy Haul combines two kids faves: Disney characters, and bag charms with soft bodies and vinyl faces. They still get the thrill of opening a blind box to see which character they've received, but you don't have to pay Pop Mart prices. Ages 8+

Our kids testers loved seeing the way this remote-controlled bug scuttled around floors and actually climbed up the walls. It can even be put in an automatic mode so it moves around without the remote. One parent tester said their daughter “fell in love with it as she played with it.” Ages 5+; two AAA batteries included

This USB-C-rechargeable gadget, made famous on Shark Tank, absolutely mesmerized Good Housekeeping Institute testers, who lined up to try it. Its effect is hard to describe: Turn it on, and a long piece of string will billow out into a big circle. Once kids have mastered holding it steady, they can try doing tricks, like "lassoing" objects. (Adults noted that it gets tangled easily, so keep someone on-call to thread it again). The "Luma" version also glows in the dark, and the new "Aracna" version shoots out like a web slinger. Ages 8+

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They can take their artworks to another level—literally—with this 3D printing pen. The pen melts plastic filament that artists can layer on top of each other to create their designs. The Good Housekeeping Institute experts liked this one because it has a sliding speed control that lets artists adjust the rate of speed of the melting filament. No age recommendation given

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