Cool RC
Air Hogs Zero Gravity Sprint RC
Kids will be amazed when they see this car drive up the walls and even onto the ceiling! And yet, it won't leave scuff marks on your walls or roof. Ages 4+
Unique Art Gift
MYNT3D Super 3D Pen
Credit: MYNT3D
This pen is an affordable way to get kids to learn the basics of 3D printing. They can use the pen to melt different colors of filament and then layer them until they get a 3D shape. No age recommendation given
Gift for Gamers
Goomba Plush
Now 14% Off
Credit: TOMY Club Mocchi MocchiSure, Goombas are usually bad guys — but these 15-inch Goomba plushies are surprisingly comfortable to use as a pillow. They come in other characters from the worlds of Mario, Mario Kart, Zelda, Sonic and Kirby, among others. Ages 3+
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Quick Card Game
Danger Danger Card Game
Credit: Exploding Kittens
It's a game of strategy and speed! Players divide themselves into opposing teams, then face off in rapid-fire rounds that only last 60 seconds each. Can they handle the pressure? Ages 7+
Stomp Rocket Ultra LED Rockets
Credit: Stomp Rocket
They'll want to stay active and outside even after the sun goes down once they see how cool these glowing, LED-enabled rockets look as they streak through the dark. Stomp Rocket says they can be launched up to 100 feet! Ages 6+
For 'Among Us' Fans
Among Us Crewmate Stampers
Credit: P.M.I.
For non-suss Crewmates who want to get their tasks done, these stampers can help. There are five characters in a pack — 20 to collect in all — and three hat accessories, too. Ages 3+
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Melissa & Doug Suspend Game
Now 20% Off
Credit: Melissa & DougForget the blocky balancing games you know — these twisty wires can stack and hang in all sorts of interesting ways, giving players more of a challenge. They'll have to have good fine-motor coordination and strategy skills to keep it from toppling. Ages 8+
Best Overall Toy for 8-Year-Old Boys
BrainBolt
Now 30% Off
Credit: Educational InsightsA new twist on the classic game Simon Says, this one is a fun memory booster that's perfect for killing time on a long road trip, where kids can play solo or turn it into a two-player game. The challenge is to memorize the light sequence and follow along for as long as possible, without breaking the pattern! Bonus: Batteries are included so you can play ASAP. Ages 7+
Unique Gift
Illuminated Apparel Glow-in-the Dark Drawing T-Shirt
Credit: Illuminated Apparel
Kids can make good use of their creative juices with this tee, which comes with a pen-sized UV flashlight that lets them draw their own designs that really glow! After about five minutes, the drawing fades and they can make something new. And yet, you can still put it in the washing machine (just not the dryer). Sizes 3T – XL
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Best-Seller on Amazon
Remote Control Monster Truck
Most RC cars can glide along your floors, but this one can go off-roading, and we mean really off-roading, including water. Ages 6+
For Magic Lovers
Penn & Teller VR Magic Lab
Yes, this kit is filled will help him learn awesome magic tricks, and comes with actual VR goggles to use, but it can also help with building confidence, especially if you allow him to put on a show for the family! Ages 8+
Gift Under $20
Fold and Launch Paper Airplanes
Credit: Creativity for Kids
This box comes with enough supplies for kids to make 80 different paper airplanes. In addition, they'll learn about different ways of folding paper airplanes, and they'll also get stickers so they can decorate their fleet before it takes off. Ages 6+
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STEM Gift
Gravitrax Marble Run Starter Set
Now 14% Off
Credit: RavensburgerWith this set, kids can design marble runs that use curves, drops and other cool tools. They'll have to put their engineer hats on, and also experiment with concepts like gravity, velocity and cause-and-effect. It comes with more than 120 pieces, and expansion packs are also available with even more elaborate features. Ages 8+
For His Room
Glow-in-the-Dark Blanket
It's probably hard to get him stuff he'll actually like for his room (he's so specific!), but trust us, this blanket will be a hit. Amazon reviewers say it's super-soft, well-made and really does glow in the dark. No age recommendation given.
Unusual Building Toy
Snap Ships Gladius AC-75 Drop Ship
Now 14% Off
Credit: PlayMonsterIf your 8-year-old boy is into vehicles, Snap Ships are a building toy line that uses interchangeable pieces to make different spacecraft. Each set can build multiple ships, and also comes with a surprise piece to give it extra "power." Our toy testers loved changing up the designs, and parents found them to be sturdy. Ages 8+
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More Than 14,000 5-Star reviews on Amazon
National Geographic Mega Fossil Dig Kit
He'll spend time excavating fossils, like shark teeth! Sure, they're only replicas, but it will speak to his interests if he's into the ancient world. You can also get an Ultimate Dino Kit. Ages 8+
Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award Winner
The Super Mario Bros. Movie Fire-Breathing Bowser
Now 22% Off
Credit: The Super Mario Bros. MovieNo, it doesn't sing or play the piano, but this 7" tall Bowser does the next best thing: It blows real smoke from its glowing, fire-breathing mouth. One Good Housekeeping parent tester says she was impressed with how much (cool to the touch) fog it was able to produce with just a few drops of water. Ages 3+
RELATED: The Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards
Fun Coding Toy
Dash Coding Robot
Credit: Wonder Workshop
Kids can get the foundations of coding with this robot, which lets kids control it with voice commands that explore loops, commands, events and sequences. Then, use the Wonder Workshop's free apps to program Dash to sing, draw and move around. Ages 6+
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Creative STEM Toy
PowerUp Smartphone Controlled Paper Airplane Kit
Credit: POWERUP
This paper airplane teaches principles of flight, aerodynamics and lift while encouraging outside play. It's easy to build and connect to bluetooth, so kids can control the plane directly from a mobile device through the free app. Ages 8+
Fun Family Game
Meltdown Game
Now 44% Off
Credit: PlayMonsterThe 8-year-old in your life can help avoid a nuclear meltdown with this game meant to be played with two or more people. To play, they pack and roll goo cubes together, and use their critical-thinking skills to balance the squishy cubes on a platform that shifts unpredictably. If any cubes fall, you'll have to re-stack it. The game is over when all the cubes are stacked! Ages 7+

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.
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