The best toys and gifts for eight-year-olds, tested by eight-year-olds

The article recommends toys and gifts for eight-year-olds, chosen with input from a group of child testers and advice from play and development specialists. It says children at this age are developing clearer interests, stronger reading skills and more strategic thinking, while still benefiting from plenty of imaginative play.

The selection spans creative kits, games, books and other activities, with an emphasis on toys children returned to repeatedly and that may last into their tween years. Examples include a 3Doodler pen for making plastic shapes and a wooden folding chess set; the article notes the pen’s filament is biodegradable but cannot go in household recycling.