The Best Gift Ideas for Boys Ages 8-11

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Tween boys can sometimes be a difficult group to shop for, so I enlisted the assistance of my 9 and 10-year-old sons to help me put together the ultimate list of gift ideas for boys ages 8-11. The presents in this gift guide (over 35 of them!) are perfect for birthdays, Christmas, and holidays, and they’re sure to be huge hits with your favorite tween boy!

The Best Gift Ideas for Boys Ages 8-11

Snap Circuits Arcade Electronics Discovery Kit – Snap Circuits are WILDLY popular (for good reason!), and this fun arcade set challenges kids to build over 200 projects including a programmable word fan, dual LED display, and a pre-programmed PICAXE micro-controller. Build and play 20+ arcade games!

Nerf Fortnite TS-R Blaster with Llama Targets – Nerf has long been a favorite of boys of all ages, and this year, Fortnite Nerf guns are ALL the rage!

Take your Fortnite battles into real life with the TS-R Blaster that features pump-action blasting and comes with 3 llama targets and 8 Nerf Mega darts! Set up the targets to practice your aim and fire up competitive games with family and friends. The Nerf Fortnite TS-R blaster is inspired by the blaster used in the popular Fortnite video game, replicating the look and colors from inside the game.

ThinkFun Gravity Maze – Gravity Maze is one of ThinkFun’s most popular STEM toys for boys and girls, and was a Toy of the Year Award winner in 2017! My three boys have this, and it has provided hours of fun for the whole family! It’s a gravity powered maze game that comes with 60 challenges of increasing difficulty, from beginner to expert, and makes a great birthday or holiday present for kids who like puzzles and challenging activities.

LEGO Mandalorian BrickHeadz Set – Young Mandalorian fans and creative kids will love building their own LEGO BrickHeadz versions of The Child (aka Baby Yoda) and The Mandalorian, recreating authentic details to create a cool display piece.

KiwiCo. Crate Subscription – If I could only recommend ONE gift, it would definitely be a KiwiCo crate subscription! Over the years, my three boys have had subscriptions to their Kiwi Crate, Atlas Crate, and now, Tinker Crate boxes, and we have enjoyed them immensely. Each different crate subscription (detailed below) delivers monthly STEAM projects and activities directly to your doorstep – and they are all SUPER fun and engaging! Available as a single box or choose from a 3, 6, or 12-month subscription.

I recommend the Atlas Crate, Doodle Crate, and Tinker Crates for the 8-11 age range, but since we love these kits SO much, I’m going to break down all of their offerings for you (just in case this also suits someone else on your gift list!). Each crate contains all the supplies you need to complete each project along with a magazine and supplemental materials to spark even more creative and imaginative ideas!

• Panda Crate (0-24 months) – each Panda Crate Each crate includes a set of high-quality toys and products made just for your child’s developmental stage.
• Koala Crate (ages 2-4) – each monthly Koala Crate contains 2-3 simple and engaging projects to spark learning through play.
• Kiwi Crate (ages 5-8) – age-appropriate STEAM projects with a focus on science and art.
• Atlas Crate (ages 6-11) – Atlas Crate is designed to help your child develop an appreciation for other world cultures, and each box contains 2 globally-inspired projects and DIY activities to discover geography, customs, history, and foods around the world.
• Doodle Crate (ages 9-16+) – Doodle Crate is an arts-based invitation for young makers to express themselves creatively. Each Doodle Crate contains unique crafting tools, materials, and techniques to create a fun art/craft project.
• Tinker Crate (ages 9-16+) – make science and engineering TONS of fun with Tinker Crate! Each monthly box contains all the materials you need to build a creative, innovative, STEM project that makes learning fun.
• Maker Crate (ages 14 – 104) – Maker Crate is a monthly craft box dedicated to the discovery of new art and design tools to help turn artistic visions into design realities. Maker Crate is a more advanced version of Doodle Crate and may also be appropriate for younger kids with adult assistance.
• Eureka Crate (ages 14 – 104) – the more advanced version of Tinker Crate, Eureka Crate contains everything you need to complete an awesome science and engineering project such as a working articulated desk lamp, electric pencil sharpener, stringed wooden ukulele, and more!

Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Animal Crossing continues to be wildly popular with kids (and adults!) of all ages! In this fun interactive gaming experience, escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore, create, and customize your island getaway. Your island getaway has a wealth of natural resources that can be used to craft everything from tools to creature comforts. You can hunt down insects at the crack of dawn, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy a sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean. The time of day and season match real life, so each day on your island is a chance to check in and find new surprises all year round.

Show off your island utopia to family and friends—or pack your bags and visit theirs. Whether playing online or with others beside you, island living is even better when you can share it! Escape to your island getaway—however, whenever, and wherever you want!

Walkie Talkies for Kids – walkie talkies have long been a favorite gift idea for boys, and these awesome walkie talkies are designed with kids in mind. The long-range functionality works up to 3 miles away with voice-activated controls and a built-in flashlight for nighttime fun! Plus, they come in five different color combinations to suit everyone’s tastes!

Tabletop Air Hockey Game – all the fun of classic air hockey in a fun-sized tabletop version!

Pokemon Trading Cards – the Pokemon craze is back in a BIG way! Pair a couple of packs of cards with a fun storage binder for a great gift idea!

Ticket to Ride Game – This popular board game is one of the most well-loved specialty games of all time, and it’s one of our family favorites! If you’ve already fallen in love with classic Ticket to Ride, expand your global knowledge with one of the many location-based versions of Ticket to Ride such as Ticket to Ride: Amsterdam, Ticket to Ride: Nederland, Ticket to Ride: Africa, and more! I picked up Ticket to Ride: Europe for our family this year!

3Doodler – With the 3Doodler your creative kids can finally bring all of their wonderful and imaginative ideas to life in 3D! This kid-safe 3D printing pen melts thin plastic filament that cools and hardens rapidly, allowing kids to literally draw in the air using thin rods of BPA-free Eco-Plastic. Seriously cool!

Spalding NBA Slam Jam Over-the-Door Mini Basketball Hoop – The NBA Slam Jam mini basketball hoop is a 1/4″ scale replica of an actual NBA game backboard, keeping the proportions the same as the professional level backboards. It installs with padded door hooks that won’t cause damage to your doorway and prevents scuffing. Plus, it comes with a 4″ Spalding basketball!

SNAPTAIN Mini Drone – this tiny lightweight pocket drone is an easy-to-maneuver UAV drone for beginners that flies at three different speeds and includes a “headless” mode that allows you to fly the drone without worrying about what direction it is facing, especially when the drone is far away. Also includes directions for how to perform 3D flip and 360-degree trick maneuvers!

Minecraft Stop-Motion Movie Creator – Create one-of-a-kind animations using the Minecraft Animation Studio! Inspired by the virtual game, this exciting toolkit comes with everything you need to make your favorite characters come to life. Choose from one of six iconic environments to set the stage for your movie then use the mini-figures and accessories to act out a story. Download the free app, which makes the objects appear to move on their own, and use your mobile device to aim and shoot: you’ve just created your own Minecraft animation!

Nerf Modulus Tri-Strike – The Tri-Strike blaster features three different ways to blast that can all be used separately or combined for custom configurations. Bring an entire arsenal to the battlefield with the versatility and power of the Tri-Strike blaster! Includes Elite Dart blaster, MEGA Dart Barrel Extension, Missile Launcher Stock, 10 Elite Darts, 10-dart clip, 4 MEGA darts, and a missile for TONS of fun!

LEGO Technic Dragster – Give your little racing driver a cool challenge with this LEGO Technic Dragster. They’ll love learning how to assemble their very own Dragster model kit. Once built, the fun goes on. Set up the mini traffic lights then pull back the toy car and release to send it zooming along. See the flames shooting from the exhaust, just like a real dragster! And with this 2-in-1 set, kids can develop problem-solving skills, rebuilding the drag racing toy into an ace pull-back Hot Rod. Super cool!

AILIHEN C8 Headphones – AILIHEN C8 headphones are built to withstand the pressures of everyday listening and are perfect for gaming and music. Minimal parts and mechanical construction make these headphones super durable, and each pair of AILIHEN headphones are ergonomically designed for ultimate comfort and wearability.

Fuzion X-3 Pro Scooter – Take your scooter skills to the next level with a lightweight yet heavy-duty pro scooter! The ideal scooter for beginner to intermediate riders, the X-3 pro scooter is ready to handle all obstacles whether on the street or in the skate park. This scooter has been put to the test by Fuzion’s Pro Team to ensure it is easy to ride but it can also handle the most demanding tricks.

Perplexus Beast 3D Maze – Do you have what it takes to make it through a 3D maze of 100 challenging obstacles? Put your skills to the test with Perplexus! Flip, twist and spin Perplexus 360 degrees to navigate the ball along the numbered track. Maneuver tricky obstacles like the laughing man, tight rope and super spiral without falling off the track! If your ball falls, head back to the start and try again. It’s an intense, bendy challenge you won’t be able to put down! 

We love Perplexus Beast, but there is a whole family of different Perplexus games that are all tons of fun – the Harry Potter Prophecy Perplexus looks super cool!

LEGO City Police Monster Truck Heist – If you’re looking for feature-packed action toys that kids will love, this playset has it all. With 5 minifigures, a bank-busting monster truck toy armed with a huge magnet, a bank building with a magnetic safe and a police surveillance truck and motorcycle – the scene is set for action-packed fun!

RC Gyro Glider Airplane – take flight with this easy-to-control RC airplane! With two methods of taking off, this 3-Axis gyro glider plane is exceptionally stable and simple to fly!

Fujifilm Instax Instant Camera – Capture special moments with this Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 camera that utilizes film packs (not included) to instantly provide you with photos. Reminiscent of the classic Poloroid cameras, the Instax camera allows kids to take photos and have them in their hands instantly with the push of a button. SUPER fun!

Funko POP! Figures – These adorable figures are WILDLY popular with kids of all ages, and you can find practically any character that you can imagine! Choose your child’s favorite television or movie character, superhero, sports team player, or literary character for a surefire hit!

If your gift recipient is a Funko POP superfan, we highly recommend subscribing to the Funko Marvel Collector’s Box!

Alien Anatomy – This fun make-your-own alien kit is just the messy kind of fun that boys in this age group seem to love! Learn about diffusion, osmosis, and catalysts while making your own alien body parts and slime.

Nerf Sports Aero Howler Football – Show off the awesome power of your quarterbacking arm with the Aero Howler football! The ball has a hand grip so you can target your passes better, and its long-distance tail sends it flying as far as you can fling it. Everyone will know you’ve heaved it because the ball howls as it flies! Go long with the Aero Howler football!

First Order Special Forces TIE Fighter Building Kit – This TIE fighter building set is based on the movie Star Wars Episode VII. Features battle action sounds, lighted cockpit, and a hatch that opens and closes. No tools, paint or glue needed for assembly! Perfect for your Star Wars fan! (We also think the Star Wars Battle Pack Model Kit is pretty awesome, too!)

Meccano Meccasaur – Bring home your very own robot dinosaur best friend! It’s up to you to build it, program it, and interact with it however you wish. This programmable robotic dinosaur is an impressive 3 feet long! Built from both metal and space age plastics, the Meccano Meccasaur is a real-life walking T-Rex with realistic behavior and a fun sense of humor. Meccasaur roars, responds to petting, guards, attacks, answers yes or no, and features real stomping action! SO cool!

LEGO Star Wars Poe’s X-Wing Fighter – This LEGO Star Wars building set sparks imagination, offers endless build-and-play fun, and is a great holiday, birthday or any day gift for kids who love Star Wars.

Sphero Star Wars App-Enabled BB-8 Droid – This is the Droid you’ve been looking for! Take a step into the future of technology with this incredibly realistic version of the beloved Droid who stole the hearts of fans across the world with its debut in Star Wars: The Force Awakens™. Guide BB-8 on made-up adventures throughout your home, and record, send and view holographic messages with the compatible iOS or Android app. Or, choose to let the little Droid learn the ropes of the world on its own – BB-8 is easily capable of autonomous exploration.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid #15: The Deep End – The newest and latest release in the MEGA popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series is a BIG hit! In this new book, Greg and his family hit the road for a cross-country camping trip, ​ready for the adventure of a lifetime. When things take an unexpected turn, and they find themselves stranded at an RV park that’s not exactly a summertime paradise. When the skies open up and the water starts to rise, the Heffleys wonder if they can save their vacation—or if they’re already in too deep.

We also highly recommend the new companion book series, Diary of a Super Awesome Kid, for Wimpy Kid fans!

Trivial Pursuit: Harry Potter Edition – Harry Potter fans test their knowledge of the beloved Harry Potter movies with Trivial Pursuit: World of Harry Potter. This quick-play game includes 600 questions that range in difficulty levels, so even the expert wizards will be challenged! Six trivia categories include The Dark Arts, Hogwarts, Magical Spells & Potions, Magical Objects, Magical People, and Animals & Magical Creatures.

(We think Harry Potter Clue and Harry Potter Scrabble look pretty fun, too!)

Circuit Maze Board Game – Your logic skills and sequential reasoning will light up with Circuit Maze! The goal is to arrange tokens and create a real circuit to light up the Beacons. Circuit building while solving challenges provides a boost of brainpower and a fun education in electronics. With 60 challenges, ranging in difficulty, this logic game will provide budding electrical engineers with hours of electrifying fun and intense learning.

Not Parent Approved Game – A fun card game for families (made especially for families with tweens and teens!) that is inspired by Cards Against Humanity, but 100% family-friendly. Winner of Scholastic’s Gold Star Toy Award.

Crayola Light Up Tracing Pad – Give kids the confidence to create and learn to draw like a professional artist with the Crayola Light Up Tracing Pad! This fun art set features Eye-Soft Technology which automatically adjusts for low-light conditions by producing a soft amber glow and reducing glare from standard white LEDs. The evenly lit surface makes tracing lines easy to see—even in a dark room! Kids can trace photographs, prints, coloring pages, and more!

With SO many amazing gift ideas for boys on this list, you’re sure to find something for your favorite 8-11 year old tween boy!

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