Best Educational Toys for 8 Year Old Boys and Girls
For both 8 year old girls and boys, there are some pretty amazing educational toys available this year. Whether delving into subjects such as electronics, physics, paleontology or other subjects, these toys are not only great for learning – they’re also just plain fun!
With that in mind, enjoy reviewing the top 10 best educational toys for 8 year old kids. This comprehensive list features something for just about every type of 8 year old, from a crystal growing kit to a solar robot to a microscope kit and activity journal to a dinosaur “dig” kit from the Smithsonian. There’s even a toy all about gears and introducing kids to simple machines.
Toys like these give children the opportunity to play while expanding their minds and nurturing skills such as focus and concentration, thinking critically, and reading directions. Kids have a great time playing as they absorb interesting facts and other information…without realizing it! Pretty nifty, right?
What’s here: This fantastic compilation of the 10 best educational toys for 8 year olds for the spring and summer months of 2017 was created by real moms and educators. Numerous types of toys are included in the list to keep your youngin’ stimulated.
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For shoppers: Purchasing any of these high-quality toy options is easy–just visit Amazon! Please note that we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. Also note that our recommendations are 100% made because we love the companies and products and are never influenced in any way by any commission we may receive.
What’s Here:
1. Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100
2. Klutz LEGO Crazy Action Contraptions
3. Educational Insights Nancy B’s Science Club Microscope and Activity Journal
4. Thames & Kosmos Crystal Growing Kit
5. Snap Circuits Arcade
6. SmartLab Squishy Human Body
7. OWI 14-in-1 Solar Robot
8. K’NEX Education Intro To Simple Machines: Gears
9. Smithsonian Diggin’ Up Dinosaurs T-Rex
10. Makey Makey – An Invention Kit for Everyone
1. Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100
Ages: 8 and up
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A long-term favorite makes it to the #1 spot of the 2017 top 10 toys for 8 year old kids – Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100.
The Snap Circuits set, perhaps my favorite science toy, is a board with over 30 connectable segments, creating over 100 snap-together projects. Kids can build their own burglar alarm, motion detectors, doorbells, and so much more by safely connecting circuits.
2. Klutz LEGO Crazy Action Contraptions
Ages: 7 – 15
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Klutz LEGO Crazy Action Contraptions marks the second spot of the best educational toys for 8 year olds this year.
Crazy Contraptions is exactly what you think of when talking about quirky inventions. Inclusive of wheels, gears, axles, and lots-a LEGO bricks, kiddos can build over 16 crazy, cool contraptions from 105 pieces. Includes a detailed, thorough 50-page instructions manual.
3. Educational Insights Nancy B’s Science Club Microscope and Activity Journal
Ages: 8 – 11
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Next up on the list – Educational Insights Nancy B’s Science Club Microscope and Activity Journal.
Lovin’ the awesome teal and purple design. This microscope is a first for little scientists-to-be. There are several “zoom in” levels, a magnification light, and pre-loaded slides, so curious minds can jump in. Also includes blank slides and specimen tubes.
4. Thames & Kosmos Crystal Growing Kit
Ages: 10 and up
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Thames & Kosmos Crystal Growing Kit makes it as the fourth pick among the best 8-year-old kids’ learning toys for 2017 and into 2017.
With the Crystal Growing setup, youngsters learn tons about geometry and nature. There are lots-a crystals to grow, each with dazzling, shimmering elements in different colors. Plus, there are fun-shaped molds that kids can use to grow custom, rainbow-colored crystals.
5. Snap Circuits Arcade
Ages: 8 and up
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Another great toy from this company – Snap Circuits Arcade also makes a “best pick” favorite toy for kids age 8.
Snap Circuits, the arcade edition, is perfect for both science lovers and gamers. There are over 30 snap-together segments to build 200 exciting games and projects. Some buildable games are interactive, where others are programmable with words, lights, and sounds.
6. SmartLab Squishy Human Body
Ages: 8 and up
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Another returning favorite marks its own place at #6 of the 2017 top educational toys for 8 year olds.
Some kiddos, and parents, might consider this squishy, squeezable human body a little bit gross, but it’s educational and fun too. There are several layers, all a replica of the average adult anatomy from the inside. Lots-a dissectible, learning fun.
7. OWI 14-in-1 Solar Robot
Ages: 8 and up
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Always a hit – OWI 14-in-1 Solar Robot comes in next on the list.
The Solar Robot, one of my science favorites, can be made 14 different ways with the same collection of buildable elements. There are solar panels, of course, that catch sunshine and power up each robotic mode. Includes two levels of building fun for beginners and advanced inventors. Perfect science curriculum!
8. K’NEX Education Intro To Simple Machines: Gears
Ages: 8 and up
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I love this line of toys – K’NEX Education Intro To Simple Machines: Gears holds the 8th spot of the ten best educational toys for 8 year old boys and girls.
K’NEX has always been a brand favorite for me because of their Education collection. Like this one—a buildable, thorough guide on gears, simple machines, and how things work. Kids will learn about motion through hands-on projects and gear configurations.
9. Smithsonian Diggin’ Up Dinosaurs T-Rex
Ages: 8 and up
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And hitting #9 on the list – Smithsonian Diggin’ Up Dinosaurs T-Rex.
For little paleontologists-to-be, the Diggin’ Up set comes with a mound of rocks, encasing a full (scaled down) T-Rex skeleton. As youngsters chisel away at the boulders, they find the bones, piece by piece. Then they assemble the entire skeleton. I think this is such a cool and explorative idea!
10. Makey Makey – An Invention Kit for Everyone
Ages: 8 and up
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The final pick of this year’s top ten educational toys for eight year olds – Makey Makey – An Invention Kit for Everyone.
From the awesome Makey Makey collection, this Invention Kit for Everyone uses science to transform everyday objects into amazing gadgets. For example, did you ever think a banana could be a video game touchpad? No software required. Plug the machine into a computer, and revel in the thousands of possibilities.