There’s something about 8-year-old boys that’s truly unique. They’re delightfully chaotic little eccentrics who rarely, if ever, think through the consequences of their actions. Basically, inside every 8-year-old boy is a mad scientist — with an emphasis on the “mad.” And, like mad scientists, they’re also creative and insightful. They find inspiration absolutely everywhere, probably because the world is still sort of new to them. We wanted to pay homage to this weird, well-meaning sense of wonder with our round-up of gifts for 8-year-old boys.

　　We’ve made sure to include a lot of STEM toys and projects in this roundup (this is such a good age to get them really interested in STEM), but also art, literature, and games that encourage family bonding and strategic thinking. Again, they’re so curious and enthusiastic at this age, so there’s not much out there they won’t find interesting. Besides, crafts, building, critical-thinking skills, and a healthy dose of haphazard whimsy are just as much a part of the whole “mad scientist” vibe as STEM skills. No matter what your sweet little weirdo enjoys, there’s something on this list we know they’re going to love.

　　More Gifts for Boys:

　　Gifts for 7-Year-Old Boys That Will Inspire New HobbiesGifts for 9-Year-Old Boys That Will Educate and EntertainGifts for 10-Year-Old Boys to Make Him Look Cool Around His Friends

　　1For the Future Robotics Engineer

　　Henoda Programmable Robot

　　Whether your 8-year-old boy loves putting things together or just really enjoyed Wall-E, this DIY remote-control robot is a great gift. Build your new robot pal and then play with him using the remote control. It’s a great adult-child project for quality bonding time and fun.

　　2For the Energetic Kid

　　Flybar Pogo Ball

　　Generally speaking, 8-year-old boys are in a constant state of bouncing, wanting to bounce, or trying really, really hard to keep from bouncing. For times when bouncing is OK, this pogo ball is perfect to get all that energy out in the most fun, entertaining way possible.

　　3For the Treasure Hunter

　　National Geographic Metal Detector

　　What kid doesn’t dream of finding buried treasure? With this metal detector from National Geographic, your 8-year-old boy really can find exciting discoveries up to 12 inches below the surface. From neat old bottle caps to rare coins, you never know what’s right under your feet until you hear the beep.

　　Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

　　4For the Boy of the Future

　　GOTRAX Fluxx FX3 Hoverboard

　　Close your eyes and think about what you’ve always wanted as a child. The correct answer is “a hoverboard.” It could be tempting, therefore, to deny your 8-year-old boy a hoverboard out of pure, understandable jealousy, but … come on. Let them live your dream (and live vicariously through them).

　　5FOR THE KID WHO LOVES PUZZLES

　　ThinkFun Gravity Maze

　　The goal is simple: use towers to create a maze to get your marble from the start point of the puzzle to the end… it’s not as easy as you think! You can also get creative and come up with mazes of your own design.

　　6For the Mad Scientist

　　Beast Lab Shark Creator

　　Mix the ingredients to create the greatest beast warrior Earth has ever seen with this fun new toy, which will appear as if by magic (well, science magic). Ingredients really smoke and fizz!

　　Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

　　7For the Future Aviator

　　Klutz Book of Paper Airplanes

　　If you’re like me, you never actually learned how to make a proper airplane, so your attempts leave something to be desired when it comes to gliding through the air. But with this book, your 8-year-old boy will know how to make 10 aerodynamic designs! Includes 40 sheets of folding paper.

　　8For the Future Engineer

　　K'NEX Building Set

　　A perfect gift for 8-year-old boys who love to build. This set comes with 480 classic K’NEX parts which will allow him to create structures, experiments, gadgets, and toys — the only limit is his imagination! The snap-fit pieces stick together securely but can be easily reassembled into other creations.

　　9For the Future Mechanic

　　Klutz Lego Gadgets

　　Your 8-year-old boy will learn how to build 11 unique machines, from a catapult to a micro movie maker. This experience (and the 58 Lego elements included) will give him the foundation to go on to create his own designs.

　　Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

　　10For the Lego Lover

　　LEGO 3-In-1 Super Sonic Jet

　　We’re big fans of Lego 3-in-1 sets because it gives so many opportunities for creative play. This set can be made into a supersonic jet, a helicopter, and a powerboat. Just as fun to build as they are to play with.

　　11For the Future Chemist (or Chef)

　　Playz Edible Candy! Food Science Chemistry Kit

　　There’s a place where molecules collide and chemical reactions are the norm. A remarkable, almost magical laboratory: Your kitchen! And with this set, your 8-year-old boy will be able to take advantage of all the science your kitchen has to offer … and maybe a couple of yummy treats along the way.

　　12For the High-Tech Kid

　　Amazon Echo Dot Kids 5th Generation

　　This Echo Dot is designed with kids in mind, and will allow your child to listen to music, stories, and more, but has Parental Controls capabilities so you can keep them safe (and not listening to stories until after bedtime). Comes in Dragon and Owl designs.

　　Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

　　13For the Aspiring Artist

　　Watson-Guptill “Draw 50 Animals” by Lee J. Ames

　　Age-appropriate, easy-to-follow instructions will help your burgeoning Picasso perfect their craft as they learn to draw a menagerie of their favorite animals. Perfect for young artists who want to take their talent to a new level or the kid who wants to try something new.

　　14For the Kid On the Go

　　MammyGol Adjustable Rollerblades

　　OK, we’ve waited long enough: it’s time for rollerblades to make a comeback. Officially. Is there anything like gliding along the sidewalk in a pair of these? This design from MammyGol is adjustable up to three sizes, so they’re certainly built to last for years. The wheels even light up for added fun!

　　15For Reluctant Readers

　　Scholastic, Inc. “Captain Underpants” 10-Book Collection by Dav Pilkey

　　Tra-la-laaaaaa! Everyone’s favorite comic superhero is here in a 10-book box set. Full of side-splitting humor, lively illustrations, and no small amount of potty jokes, your 8-year-old boy will love it.

　　Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

　　16For the Family

　　Mattel Pictionary Family Game

　　Is that… a picnic basket? Or a cowboy hat? Oh! Wait — is it a mountain? Decipher drawings in this classic quick-draw game. You’ll be amazed by your 8-year-old boy’s artistic talent… or at least be entertained.

　　The game comes with 120 “adult” level cards, 80 “junior cards” and everything you need to try to figure out “What is that!?”

　　17For the Card Shark

　　UNO Triple Play

　　It’s a classic card game with a triple twist! Players must discard cards to any of the (now three!) piles that are lit up on their turn.

　　Be careful: If any pile gets too big ... overload! You have to draw however many cards the LED display says. A timing feature keeps the game moving along for an added challenge.

　　18For the Future Detective

　　ThinkFun Cat Crimes

　　Who broke the flower pot? Who spilled the cup of coffee? Your child will have to figure out which of six adorable feline fiends is guilty of various kitty crimes. They’ll have all the clues, but it’s up to your kiddo to put them all together! Each of the 40 mysteries gets a little bit harder as you go on.

　　Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

　　19For the Bookworm

　　Magic Tree House “Merlin Missions” by Mary Pope Osborne Box Set

　　For the early reader who loved the Magic Treehouse series but is ready for something a little more challenging! In this series of 25 books, Merlin the Magician sends Jack and Annie on a new adventure every book, from Night of the New Magicians to The Shadow of the Shark.

　　20Encourages Imaginative Play

　　LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Space Shuttle Adventures

　　Your child will go on all kinds of daring space adventures with this awesome, three-builds-in-one, toy! With the ability to become a space shuttle, a rocket, and a lunar lander, they’ll not only have lots of opportunities to build but hours of imaginative play as well.