What toys do your 8 year old boys play with?

[Guest]

It's my son's birthday in a couple of weeks and he has absolutely no idea what to put on his birthday list.

He doesn't really play with many toys but I'd really like him to find things he enjoys playing with especially  things that he can occupy himself with. He loves kinetic sand, play doh, arts & crafts and things like that but apart from that it's screen time like, his switch, kids YouTube & Roblox that he enjoys, which I do limit because I hate my kids spending too much time on electronics!!

He has loads of things for the garden so looking for indoor toys & games.

I'd just like some suggestions of what toys / games and things your 8 year old boys are into and what sort of things they really enjoy playing with.

Thanks in advance..

[Ness]

Lego, meccano, knex, chemistry set, magic trick set, scooter, garden games, den building kit, basic woodworking kit, yoyo, rubiks cube, fidgets.

[Jasmin]

My almost 8 year old has got into Yu Gi Oh, so duelling with friends when he is not on his Switch playing minecraft.

[Laura]

My 8 year old has decided to try lots of crafts recently. He's loving mosaic sticker books (half price in smyths), foil art pack from the range, making bracelets for his friends, hama bead decorations and his current fav: diamond art.

[Kerry]

My 8 year old has recently found diamond/Crystal art and absolutely loves it! Got him a small one from hobby craft last Christmas and he’s recently completed another, actually sat still and focused for almost 4 hours the other day, only other thing he does for that long is gaming.

He also enjoys Lego.

[Emma]

• Exploding Kittens
• Moon ball
• Dobble
• Uno
• Uno Flip

[Jennifer]

Yoto mini so he can listen to audiobooks/music/podcasts whilst he's doing his other hobbies.

[Adele]

My son just turned 8. He loved army stuff so he got toy tanks for his birthday and top trump cards to do with tanks and army. A football kit and a trip to the zoo. X

[Julie]

Superthing, Lego and drawing/arts&crafts. Mine turns 8 next week too so opted for some Gorillaz merch (he's a massive fan), a Lego set and we're taking him to harry potter studio tour in August. It's such a weird in-between stage. Mine isn't into football or anything so strips etc are out and not massively into gaming unless it's Pokémon on the switch or Pokémon go not a massive help but hopefully he has a great birthday.

[Victoria]

Lego, books. We have bought Heeleys for his birthday. We tend to do an experience day/trip. This years is an overnight camping trip to a zoo. Last years was Harry Potter studios x

[Becky]

Beano magazine subscription was a win for my son. He's a fantastic reader, but this is light, funny, cheeky and colourful. And it keeps on arriving each week!!

And board games, if you find time to play them together. Labyrinth, exploding kittens, jenga etc

Roller skates and tickets to the local roller disco were a favourite Christmas gift.

[Liz]

My boys used to love playing badminton in the garden. Decathlon (and Lidl last week) do great mobile sets. Really easy to put up. Just fill the base with water x

[Lydia]

My 9 year old was given a real tool kit the Christmas before last, he's forever asking for things he can take apart, fix and put back together. He absolutely loves it, it was worth every penny.

[Carrie]

My lot always love board games (as long as there are others to join in lol) One of my lads favourite gifts was a rock painting set, he spent his whole birthday painting them to hide in the woods and park for other kids to find!

Or air-dried clay, again, my lad loves to make things for his mates at Drama club, usually 5 nights at Freddys characters! lol x

[Zoey]

My son will be 8 in 2 weeks too and I’m struggling on what to get him! He’s only interested in his iPad and PlayStation.

[Amy]

My son just turned 7 and got pretty much no toys (from us, extended family or friends)! The closest to toys were “kits” ie Lego, a cogs set where you can build vehicles and things and a dinosaur excavation set.

He’s also had some books (he is really loving How To Train Your Dragon and we will buy the next couple soon); a subscription to Nat Geo Kids; a voucher for us to go to Legoland later this year. One of the top hits was a big stationary set one of his school friends got him that I never would have thought of. He’s enjoyed writing labels on sticky notes and sticking them around the house.