PBF Gift Guide 2024: Big Kids (Ages 8-10)

My final gift guide for kids is here! Hot on the heels of my Gift Guide for Little Kids (ages 3 – 5) and my Gift Guide for Kids (ages 5 – 7) is today’s gift guide for the biggest kids in my wheelhouse: Kids ages 8 – 10. This gift guide was a blast and a half to put together for me because kids in this age group love such FUN stuff! Books are more interesting to read for this age group, toys are faster and cooler, craft projects are more stimulating and creative… it’s all just so good!

I’m hopeful you’ll find something fun for a child in the 8 to 10 year old age range below and, like my previous children’s gift guides, I’ve organized the gift ideas below into the following categories:

Something they want (subdivided into a few additional categories)
Something they need
Something to wear
Something to read

This is the way I approach gifting to our boys as it includes a mix of practical gifts as well as the fun stuff they love. I hope this gift guide gives you some ideas for the little ones in your life!

NOTE: You may find most of these items rounded up in one place in my Amazon shop for easy browsing: Big Kid Gift Guide (ages 8-10)! Also, if you happen to notice any repeat items between my gift guides for kids, think of these items as the “unicorn gifts” that hold up and entertain kids for YEARS. The repeat gift items are where it’s at in my book, as they are the items our kids have played with as they’ve grown.

GIFT GUIDE FOR KIDS: BIG KIDS (Ages 8-10)

Something They Want

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY + GET THAT ENERGY OUT: 

• Nighthawk Electric Ride-On: This ride-on toy was the hit of our big kids’ summer birthdays in 2023 and continues to be one of my top toy recommendations! It’s the first thing the boys’ friends want to do when they come over. They all LOVE it and the learning curve is practically non-existent for all the kids who have tried it at our house.
• Rechargeable Rocket Launcher: This rechargeable rocket far exceeded all of our expectations! It flies hiiiigh and far so use it in an open field to blow your kids’ minds!
• Bike/Skateboard/Scooter Ramp: This was under the tree for our boys last year. They use it constantly in our driveway and fly over it on their bikes, scooters, Nighthawks, skateboards, rollerblades, etc.
• Portable Tennis/Pickleball Net: I ordered this for the boys this year. They love playing tennis in our driveway and I think this net will make it all the more fun for them. I also ordered this Pickleball paddle set to go with it so they have a new sport to try, too.
• Rollerblades: We have these + this set of pads for our big kids and they’re both great!
• Kid Kayak: This one is obviously location-specific, but if you live in a warmer climate with access to water in the winter, I highly recommend these kid kayaks. Our boys lived on them this summer!
• Electric Dirt Bike: This is our big splurge-worthy Christmas gift for Chase (age 9) this year. A dirt bike is the only thing on his Christmas list so we’re hoping he loves it!
• Light-Up Football: We got the idea for this one when we were camping and playing catch and had to stop because it was too dark outside. I think it will be a hit with Chase! Light-up basketballs and soccer balls are also available.
• Bike: We typically use Christmas or Easter to upgrade our boys’ to the next bike size.
• Bow & Arrow Set: My dad gave this set to Chase and it’s an activity he wants to do all the time! He typically shoots at a target but also love practicing on cardboard boxes, our old pumpkins, etc. (Note: Your child does need to have decent upper body strength to do this one but we’ve tried some of the smaller/easier sets and they don’t work half as well.)
• Razor Scooter: Our big kids love these and as parents we love how they easily collapse, making them a breeze to throw in the car and bring along when we go to a park, greenway, etc.
• Glider Airplanes: Our boys throw and chase these glider planes all over the place.
• Pop-Up Goals: We got these when our big kids first got into soccer but they use them for a lot more than just soccer!
• Large Outdoor Trampoline: This is always the FIRST thing our kids want to do when we go to our best friends’ house.
• Laser Tag: We’ve had this set of 4 for years and our kids still reach for these all the time. Especially great for indoor physical fun during the colder months!

IMAGINATION: 

• Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage: The ultimate gift for Hot Wheels lovers! When I tell you this was the hit of Christmas last year, I mean it! It’s also a toy all three of our boys continue to play with all the time.
• Pokémon Cards + Ultimate Pokémon Handbook: I don’t get the hype on these cards at all but our boys are so into them it’s insane. If your kid is the same way, I cannot recommend the Pokémon Essentials Handbook enough. Our boys pour over it to learn more about their cards, Pokémon characters, damage points… and whatever else Pokémon cards mean to them that I don’t understand. They also heavily rely on their Pokemon binders to keep everything organized.
• Squishmallows: These adorable, super-soft and squishy pillow-liked stuffed animals are huge right now.
• Foamnasium Couch: Our kids drag these cushions everywhere. So great for fort building, story time relaxation, imagination play, clubhouses, etc.
• Walkie Talkies: For a three-pack of inexpensive walkie talkies, these have held up great for us over the years!
• Picasso Tiles: At 9 years old, Chase STILL uses these to create amazing structures, buildings, mazes for our leopard gecko, etc. I recommend getting a pack with at least 100 tiles because your child(ren) will play with them for years and make increasingly impressive creations!
• Giant Axolotol Plush: Axolotols are having a serious moment and this giant plush is cute and cuddly!
• Mini Karaoke Machine: A hit for kids who love to sing and put on shows!

Educational + Creative

• Shape-Shifting Cube: The ultimate stocking stuffer that’s actually cool. Kids can shift this cube into a myriad of shapes and it’s been the biggest hit with Chase (age 9).
• Yoto/Yoto Mini Audio Player: Chase loves his Yoto! Think of it as a step up from Tonies for bigger kids who want to listen to longer stories and real books. They even have the entire Harry Potter collection available in Yoto cards!
• Snap Circuits: A fun way for kids to explore electricity, electronics and magnetism.
• Age-Appropriate Craft Kits: So many options out there! Some with great ratings that caught my eye: Make Your Own Clay Jewelry Dish, Embroidery Backpack Charms, Loom Weaving Kit
• Loom Bracelets Kit: The boys and girls in Chase’s class got so into these last year (second grade) and would constantly make and swap bracelets and chokers in various colors and patterns. Chase and Ryder still like making these to wear and gift to friends and family. This beaded bracelet kit is also one we have and love.
• Melty/Perler Beads: You knew this one would make the list! For years our boys have been obsessed with melty beads! Our kids love this kit with the beads divided into separate sections based on color. Just make sure you get boards and a pattern book, too!
• Lego City Arctic Explorer Ship: A birthday gift from my MIL to Chase this year, he’ll tell you this is the coolest Lego creation he’s ever made. A Lego splurge but the attention to detail within the ship is amazing and Chase absolutely loves this one.
• Light-Up Memory Cube: A great stocking stuffer and travel game. Think Simon from our youth but in cube form.
• Science Experiments Kits: If you ask our boys if they want to do a science experiment at any time, their answer will always be yes! We’ve loved the National Geographic interactive experiment kits.
• Diamond Painting: Perfect for a quiet activity. Our big kids love diamond painting and diamond stickers that go along with favorite characters (Pokemon, Mario, Disney princesses, etc.) are the biggest hit.
• Marble Run: Marble runs are absolute magic to kids. They entertain our boys for a LONG time which is a win in my book!
• Instant Print Camera: Because kids love taking pictures! Love that this rechargeable camera prints the pictures, too!
• Puzzles: We do puzzles in our house daily!
• Games: Clue Jr., Ticket to Ride, UNO, Story Time Chess (the best way to learn Chess — Chase is shockingly good and learned at 7-years-old)
• Hobby Book: A book related to whatever they’re into — Origami, magic, Pokemon, crochet, etc.
• Surprise Inside Bath Bombs: Bath bombs still feel like a treat even as kids get older and you’re never too old for a fun surprise inside, too!

SOMETHING THEY NEED

• Memberships/Lessons/Experiences: The best gift!!! Consider gifting a membership to a favorite children’s museum, theatre or trampoline park, lessons for a favorite sport or activity, a local zoo, etc.
• Alarm Clock: Because these kids actually start to sleep in! Our big kids use their Amazon Echo Dot Kids for their alarm and also love it for music, trivia games, jokes, stories, etc.
• Helmet: We’ve upgraded our boys’ helmets around the holidays and will be giving them dirt bike helmets this year, too.
• Activity Bag: For kids to keep their activity stuff organized. Chase is getting this ball bag this year. Also, there are so many adorable personalized name bags on Etsy to make it easier to find their bags after practice.
• Arts and Crafts Supplies: I’m filling one of these craft organizer boxes with updated craft supplies for my nieces this year! Some items to include: Modeling Clay (the kind that won’t dry out), KwikStix Fast-Drying Paint Pens (the best for making posters/bannners — we use our butcher paper roll all the time), Crayola Marker Caddy, Retractable Markers (to eliminate the frustration of losing caps), Crayola Twistables Crayons (for kids who get easily frustrated by broken/dull crayons)
• Headphones: Our boys’ school requires headphones for computer work and the iClever headphones are comfortable and affordable and also bluetooth compatible.
• Pottery Barn Loungers: If your child is in need of a larger (but still kid-friendly) chair or place to lounge, I cannot recommend these loungers enough. We have a pair in our living room and in our play loft and sit in them all the time. They’re the boys’ favorite spot to curl up with a book and the large size works for our whole family. (You may see ours in action in this post.)
• Smart Toothbrush: This toothbrush works with an app that guides kids to brush their teeth more thoroughly but it feels like a game to them. We got two for our big kids last year and they love earning points, prizes and silly face masks to take goofy pictures after they brush their teeth every night. I highly recommend this one, especially if you have a kid who doesn’t love brushing their teeth or isn’t the best at thoroughly brushing their teeth every day.
• A “You” Day Coupon: We’re doing this for the boys this year! They can use their coupon in what every way they choose — for one-on-one time with me and Ryan, to select our family’s activities and meals for the day, etc.
• Wallet and/or Electronic Safe: Our boys love their electronic safes for keeping their money and other treasures “secure.”
• Owala Water Bottle: We switched our big kids to the 24-oz Owala water bottles at the start of the school year and they’ve been fantastic. Leak proof, sippable through a straw or spout and keeps water cold for 12 hours. Pair this with a silicone water bottle name band so they’ll always be able to identify their water bottle in a sea of kid water bottles!
• Sporting Goods/Activity Supplies: A new soccer ball for a soccer player, a new leotard for a dancer, etc.
• Kid-Friendly Luggage: My mom got Chase his own suitcase one year and it was such a hit! We use it for travel but the boys like to use it for imagination games, too. And our Samsonite luggage is our favorite and our plan is to gift each of our boys this carryon in their own color over the years. (For those with girls, this heart-print 5-piece luggage set is too cute!)
• Kid Umbrella: We have this one and it changes color when it gets wet!

SOMETHING TO WEAR

• Personalized Crossbody Bag: We’ve given this to a handful of the boys’ girl friends and they’ve LOVED it!
• Rain Boots: If you have adventurous kids who love to explore and get muddy, rain boots are a must. We’ve had great luck with Western Chief rain boots.
• Crocs: Are Crocs not just THE BEST shoes for kids? They can put them on and take them off all by themselves, they can get them as dirty as they want, wear them with or without socks and make them fun and unique with little charms. Our boys’ favorite shoes!
• Cozy Sweatshirt: Our boys live in comfy sweatshirts this time of year. Some of our favorite affordable finds include Old Navy hoodies and Cat & Jack hoodies. And Ryder and Chase both have and love this Under Armour fleece sweatshirt and reach for it all the time.
• Sneakers: New Balance 237 sneakers have been our boys’ favorites for years.
• Hair Accessories: Little claw clips, new hair ties that don’t pull, etc. Chase’s girlfriends are super into hair tinsel right now, too!
• New Athletic Clothing: A new leotard, soccer shorts, winter sports gear, etc.
• Clog Shearling Slippers: I got these Target slippers for the boys this year and they’re already wearing them around the house all the time.
• Shearling-Style Boots: All 3 of our boys have these Target boots. They’re so cozy and the side zipper is genius for little ones and makes them easier for them to get on and off on their own. And the sole is harder/more substantial than other similar boots we’ve tried in the past, making them more durable. LOVE them!
• Pajamas: We’re a sucker for matching holiday jammies in our house! The boys loved this print last year and we bought them the exact same pajamas in the next size up this year.
• Robe: I didn’t think our boys would care about a robe until they all started asking for one when they noticed me wearing mine all the time in the winter months. They adore their robes and I’ve had good luck finding them at Target or a local consignment shop. For a splurge-worthy option, these Pottery Barn sherpa robes are adorable and personalizable.
• Winter Jacket: We’ve had good luck with Patagonia jackets (they majorly pass the hand-me-down test), these packable Amazon jackets and these Amazon ski jackets.
• New Underwear/Socks: Not that fun but often necessary! Chase really likes his Vans socks and I’ll also be including fuzzy holiday socks for something a little more festive. (I almost always get them on sale on Black Friday online at Old Navy.)
• Winter Accessories: Hats (these have a plush lining that doesn’t itch), gloves, scarves, mittens… whatever they need!
• Aksels Flatbill Hat: The animal hats by this small shop are our boys’ absolute favorites and the quality is fantastic.
• Necklace: Chase adores his shark tooth necklace and I’ve seen some of the sweetest custom name necklaces out there for little girls on Etsy.

Something To Read

Beginner Graphic Novels for Young Readers:

The below books are great chapter books for kids who still want a lot of pictures. They all have text bubbles and very engaging pictures.

• Press Start (The kindergarten, first, second and third grader obsession with these books is REAL. Perfect for reluctant readers because they’re so engaging for kids.)
• Arcade World (These are kind of like the next step up from Press Start and have been a big hit with Chase and Ryder)
• Owl Diaries (Lots of pictures and text bubbles to hold the interest of young readers)
• Unicorn Diaries (If your kid loved Owl Diaries, they’ll love this series by the same author, too!)
• The Party Diaries (Another series similar to Owl Diaries. If you have an introverted child, I highly recommend the first book in the series as it will provide a sweet, relatable character for them.)

Young Reader Chapter Books: 

Most of the below books are more text-heavy but they still have pictures sprinkled in, making them great for young readers growing in their confidence:

More Big Kid Chapter Books:

More advanced than the above category, these books are chapter books we’ve enjoyed reading aloud as a family but they may also be a great fit for the kids in this age group who are stronger readers: