Meet the Latest Brain-Teaser Game That's Going Absolutely Viral on TikTok (2024)

When shopping for gifts for kids who are 8 years old, it seems like a totally new world has opened up for them. Do they like science? They can do anything from learning about chemistry in virtual reality to snapping together their own electronic circuits. Are they into art? They can make their own comic books or design their own kinetic sculptures out of LEGO sets.

And while it seems like they've left their toddler blocks behind, building might have a special appeal for 8-year-old boys, 8-year-old girls and all the other 8-year-olds in your life. "Kids this age have much greater fine motor dexterity and can create endless possibilities whether building structures, personalized characters, associated complex storylines or copying a preferred design," says Jennifer Rothman, LCSW. She also recommends games, staring with collaborative ones. "Working together with friends in a more structured game is a nice entry point before more competitive play," she says.

With all that in mind, I took advice from the experts at the The Good Housekeeping Institute, which evaluates hundreds of toys each year for the Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards, and mixed them with editor's picks and bestsellers to come up with this list of the best toys and gifts to buy 8-year-olds in 2024.

It's a stuffie! It's a little purse! It's...both! This bag is as soft as the plushes that Jellycats are known for, but can also hold all of an 8-year-old's essentials. And if you don't want to go full bag, Jellycat also makes a series of adorable bag charms. No age recommendation given

Kids can use the aqua stick to "craft" their way through 20 levels of adventure, digging through compounds and sand to find the pieces of a character to create — who can then unlock a secret treasure. There are 12 different characters to collect in all, and one lucky kid will get a treasure that's dipped in real gold. Ages 5+

If the 8-year-old in your life wants to get in on the "fairy hair" trend, this kit will let kids add 10-inch tinsel hair extensions into their own hair. The kit also comes with other hair accessories, like pony beads that can be threaded into hair. Ages 6+

If you want to give them clothes, make sure it's this t-shirt that allows them to draw and write on the front (it then glows in the dark!). Designs last for five minutes, and then they can start all over. Sizes 3T – Large

LEGO fans — and what kid isn't? — can find new projects and ideas with this kit, which gives them pieces and inspiration to make eight different kinetic LEGO sculptures. They can build an octopus that DJs, a pterodactyl that moves its wings or a yeti that smashes, all of which are operated by a crank on the side. The characters are made out of paper, so they'll be able to use their art skills, too. Ages 8+

Choose the color, font style 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.

They can build countless creations that will light up and shine when it's all put together. Tiles are fitted with light-up wire, and each kit can be put together in a couple of different ways (or they can come up with their own). Good Housekeeping testers say it does take a little time to make something, but they'll be super proud once it's done. Ages 8+

You don't need a soldering iron to get started making electronic projects — all the pieces in this kit snap together. And though it's just 28 parts, it can make more than 100 projects, including an adjustable-volume siren, a photo sensor and a flashing light. Ages 8+

If the 8-year-old in your life is always looking for a new way to busy their hands, GooToobz has them covered. A windy pathway is filled with goo, glitter and other objects, and kids get a quiet sensory experience when they tilt and squeeze the fluid through the maze. It comes in several colors and looks. Ages 4+

This toy has retro appeal for those who remember the old Tamagotchi, but it's been updated — kids can now enter the "Tamaverse" and interact in different ways. Good Housekeeping Institute testers loved that their Tamagotchis could go on "playdates" together in the Tamaverse. Ages 6+

There are three squishy, globby, cute pigs that come in this pack. Not into pigs? There are pups, donuts and hearts. Ages 3+

They'll be mesmerized with this box, which unfolds into different 3D shapes, and then becomes a puzzle with the challenge of getting it back into a cube. The ultimate fidget toy, it comes in a variety of patterns. Ages 8+

This board game will have the whole family working together to fight monsters and save the castle walls from being breached, which requires strategy and cooperation. The combo has earned this came more than 2,200 five-star reviews on Amazon. And, once you've mastered the cooperative version, there are ways to adapt the rules for different gameplay (like one-vs-many or solitaire). Ages 8+

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+

Yep, Furby is back! But this time, it has brighter colors, more interactive responses and even some cool dance moves. Ages 6+

It's a puzzle, but also a fidget toy, so it's like two gift in one. Plus, there are two puzzles they have to solve, it's like three gifts! They'll love twisting, spinning and slide the pieces to finish. Ages 8+