25+ of our favorite holiday gifts for 6-8-year-olds

Calling all jewelry lovers, crafters, and Swifties! With 450 colorful beads and charms, the Make It Alphabet DIY Bead Kit from Super Smalls comes with everything they need to create sparkling friendship bracelets and accessories to wear and share. The sturdy box also does a great job of keeping everything neat and organized!

Filled with dried French lavender, the soothing stuffies from Warmies can be microwaved for the ultimate snuggles. They’re the coziest at bedtime but at our house they’re toted along on the ride to school, warmed up for family movie night and even tucked into a sleepover bag now and then.

The summer Olympics might be a distant memory at this point, but there’s no doubt the games ignited something in our kids. Part of the Kid Legends series which brings the childhood stories of legends of all kinds to life, this newest installment showcases inspiring Olympians including Simone Biles, Usain Bolt, and Naomi Osaka.

What’s better than a cozy hoodie? One they’ve designed themselves! Through the Supermix studio, kids can create one-of-a-kind essentials that–dare we say–won’t end up in the lost and found. (Because they’ll never take it off!) Set them up with a computer or iPad and let them go to town choosing and placing patches like giant smiley faces, stars, rainbows, letters, and more before submitting their design for Supermix to bring it to life. (There’s over 500 patches to choose from!) The process is completely fool-proof and incredibly fun, but the pride they’ll have when it arrives? That’s the good stuff.
(Pro tip: Give them a gift card to redeem together over the holiday break!)

Whether they’re racing across the black top or getting dizzy practicing their doughnuts, the brand new Stingray Pro from Radio Flyer is a total blast. The hands-free design gets moving as they press their feet back and forth thanks to smooth caster wheels that allow it to drift into 360 spins once they get the hang of it. The only regret is that we’re too big to take a turn.

If your kiddos have aged out of Magna-Tiles but you’re still looking for open-ended play opportunities, Clixo is the answer. The flexible magnetic building set will capture the hearts of future engineers everywhere, thanks to its glow-in-the-dark treatment, all-terrain wheels and fire blasters to build Mars rovers, drones and more fun vehicles.

The Yoto Player not only brings stories to life with a fun pixel display but also serves as a bedtime storyteller with a nightlight, alarm and room thermometer. Setting up is a breeze: insert an audio card to play and your kiddo can dial in their preferences, or use the complementary Yoto App. With up to 24 hours of playback and a content library that grows with your child’s curiosity, it’s a smart, screen-free entertainment hub in and of itself.

Few things give kids (and adults!) a deeper sense of pride than building something with their own hands. Thanks to the awesome DIY Kits from Red Toolbox’s Stanley Jr., you can let your kiddo take the lead, stress-free. The easy-to-assemble woodcraft kits are made from quality pre-drilled wood (so no worries they’ll get frustrated by pieces that don’t fit) and require just a hammer, screwdriver and wood glue to complete. Tap into the app for simple visual instructions and finish it off with a custom paint job.

There’s something completely irresistible about mini foods–especially ones they make themselves! This polymer clay kit from Tangerine comes with everything they’ll need to create a tiny feast. Follow the directions provided or go rogue, creating anything they can dream up. When their creations have baked, they can mount them to the included magnets for the whole family to enjoy.

The marshmallow soft Shleepy robes from Unhide feel like wrapping up in an actual cloud. We’re thoroughly obsessed with the adult version, so it’s only fair to extend such luxury to our minis!

Learning has never been so cool with this colorfully illustrated magazine that focuses on historical moments but makes them attainable and fascinating for our elementary school kids. They’ll give you a story of one historical figure and then gives kids the full context around who they were and what world they lived in. They explore topics like the race to space and the rivalry between Tesla and Edison. Individual issues start at $17.95.

When it comes to elementary schoolers, there’s no canvas more appealing than their own body. If they’re regularly busting out the markers to doodle on their arms, these fine-tipped felt pens are a great alternative. They’re made with water-based inks that easily wash off with just soap and water.

As a 20+ year Vermont resident raising two second-generation Vermont children, trust me on this one. Accept no substitutes when it comes to investing in a snow tube. L.L. Bean has this game on lock. Originally designed for use at commercial tubing parks, they feature a semirigid polyethylene base which not only makes their slide unparalleled but also helps them stand up to some pretty heavy-duty use. I’m also a big fan of their tow strap which is easy enough to hold onto even with mittens and cuts down on the chance they’ll lose their grip when dragging it back up the hill (crisis averted).

The thrill of sending things flying through the air never gets old–but it can get more exciting. Stomp Rocket X-treme Rockets are just like the ones they’ve known and loved but launch way higher–up to 40 stories in fact! They’re so much fun we actually have to beg our kids for a turn.

Of all the LEGO series, it’s the City sets that our kids seem to delight in the most. The builds themselves are challenging but not overly so and after it’s built the fun just keeps going. A recent hit is the action-packed Ski and Climbing Center set which is loaded with features like a working elevator, climbing wall and of course a slope to ski or snowboard down. And with three levels, eight minifigures, and a sizeable footprint, there’s plenty of space for multiple kids to play.

Some kiddos don’t often see themselves reflected in the books they read. Diversify and expand their bookshelf with the thoughtful selections from Little Feminist. Their monthly book club membership includes one hardcover or two paperback books that highlight under-represented identities in children’s literature along with fun hands-on activities and conversation guides.

Soft, satisfyingly squishy and available in a ton of adorable varieties, I guess it’s no surprise these TikTok-famous stuffies have become the must-have item of the elementary school set.

Puzzles have a calming effect on the brain, and we could all use a little more of that, right? We love the quality pieces and holographic finish of the stunning puzzles from Piecework and their kid-friendly versions are just as magnificent. This magical shimmering unicorn scene makes great decor if they want to glue it together when they’re done!

From building cognitive skills like problem solving, critical thinking and concentration to improving memory and building confidence, chess is more than just a board game. And while it can obviously be played at a super high level, it’s not hard to get started with the basics. This innovative approach can teach even the youngest players (and their parents!) through a set of action cards to learn the moves and powers of each piece. As they get the hang of it, you can ditch the cards and play without them.

The simple “Who Am I” game gets a fast-paced upgrade with Hedbanz Blast Off. Sure, family game night will involve a lot of yelling, but it’s the good kind–promise.

Since the overwhelming success of their 2016 Kickstarter, Rebel Girls has graced the bedtime story routine of millions of young girls (and boys!) in 49 languages in over 85 countries. Their fifth volume showcases the stories of 100 extraordinary young women who are making a difference in the world today. Including a foreward by Bindi Irwin and the art of over 80 talented women and nonbinary artists all under the age of 30, it’s one book that is sure to get their gears turning on how they can make their mark as well.

From playground rocks to their Pokemon card collection, kids have got a lot of important goods to haul around. These crazy rad scooter/bike bags clip to the front of their ride and detach to be worn crossbody when they reach their destination. (And think of it this way–you won’t be the one with three pounds of rocks in the bottom of your bag that they need you to hold for them.)

If your kiddo has mastered and outgrown their three-wheeled ride, it could be time to upgrade. The BMX style scooter from Mongoose features air-filled tires and hand brakes that allow them to take it where skate-style wheels can’t go. Bumps, jumps, and even trails are no match for this free-styling ride.

This easy-to-play, super portable game is a family favorite. And while there are five different ways you can play, they all come down to one simple objective–call out the matching symbol before anyone else. It’s perfect for game night, waiting rooms, camping or even in the car.

If you’re starting to give your kiddo a little more independence, the Gabb Wireless watch is the extra peace of mind you need. Their durable watch triples as a cell phone, GPS device, and interactive watch so they can stay connected no matter where they are. And since they can only interact with their custom contact list you don’t have to worry about who they’re connecting with. Pricing: $149.99 plus service

If it’s time to upgrade their bike helmet, gift them one they’ll actually want to wear! Each retro-inspired helmet includes a pack of super cool reflective stickers so they can easily customize it to their own personal style. As far as fit, it comes in one size and adjusts via a dial at the base of the head. Details like the integrated visor, comfy vegan leather straps and extra ventilation are the icing on the cake.