16 Awesome Christmas Gifts for Boys 8-10 (Get that Eye Twinkle!)

Trying to find the perfect gifts for your preteen boy? Check out these Christmas gifts for boys 8-10.

What are some awesome Christmas gifts for boys 8-10?

I’ve got a 9-year-old boy, and I have to say I just loveeeee this age.

He’s branching out into very particular interests, he loves anything hands-on and involved, and he’s started caring about what is considered “cool”.

It makes buying gifts SO fun.

I’ve got loads of ideas that my own child (and his friends) have all had their hands on and love.

Christmas Gifts for Boys 8-10

You're about to find some really engaging, unique, and attention-grabbing ideas that make great Christmas gifts for boys aged 8-10.

Let's get that shopping done!

1. Mushroom-Growing Kit

My son requested this mushroom-growing kit from his grandmother last year, and it turned out really well.

Mostly because they grow so quickly! Preteens and kids love quick gratification.  

At first, when the pearl mushrooms came out purple-blue, I thought they might be moldy.

But it turns out, that’s all part of the growing cycle.

Look how great they turned out!

2. Popin’ Cookin’ Kit

I can’t even describe to you the glee in the three preteens’ eyes (my son and two nieces) as they went through two Popin’ Cookin’ kits last year and built the candy-shaped food art.

It was so much fun!

Two thumbs up.

3. Vintage Arcade Games Console

You should’ve seen my child’s eyes light up when he got this vintage Atari gaming console.

Even better, it was just $39.99! The perfect gift that he still plays with two years later.

Psst: We also gifted him this history of game consoles book, and he devoured it.

(Not gonna lie – my husband and I sometimes play a game on there, too. In fact, I created a whole at-home date night around it, and it was so much fun.)

4. Top Trumps Card Set

I watched this woman on YouTube and saw her kids had these Top Trumps Cards that she spoke about.

So, I got a set for my child, and he absolutely loves them!

The design of the cards and the information on them is cool enough. But it’s actually a game where you pit each player’s card against the other and see which predator/bug/whatever theme you have would win.

My son is really into the podcast Greeking Out, so these Greek mythology character trumps cards were the perfect gift

I like how there’s something to do with these cards, whether someone else is willing to play with the kid or not.

5. Butterfly Atrium

Is your tween dying to have a pet or animal…but you're just not in for the full commitment?

This is perfect for you!

My son and I hatched butterfly eggs in this atrium (eggs come with it!), and then released them in our backyard once they went through the 4 stages of metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

It was SO cool.

We also got him this butterfly book to read while working on this project.

6. Balance Board

My son was gifted this simple balance board. Not only can he not get enough of it (he even uses it while watching TV – score!), but every time he has friends over, they can't get enough of it, either.

7. Hazardous Tales Books

I will forever be grateful for this wonderful collection of historical graphic novels. I believe my son owns every single one!

He has learned SO MUCH history through this series, and I often catch up reading them.

He even takes them to school, and his 4th-grade classmates are always interested in reading them, too.

8. Dice Tower

Have you ever seen a dice tower? I’ve been noticing them more and more – it’s a way to roll the dice, and it makes a fun sound as it travels down the tower.

This is a great gift for kids and teens who like board games.

It’s portable, as well!

Hint: we got him this set of colorful dice – we all love them!

9. Million Dollar Chocolate Bar

I’ve never met a kid who didn’t tell me they wanted to be rich when they grew up.

Which makes these Million Dollar Chocolate Bars a real winner of a gift.

Classy!

10. A Drone

We were hesitant to purchase a drone for his child…except that he then saved up his allowance one (they're surprisingly cheap – he found his first one for $19.64), and we approved the purchase.

Here's a beginner one.

For his birthday last year, we got him a right and proper one. And he's LOVED playing with it.

11. Feastables Chocolate Bars

Many kids this age know Mr. Beast on YouTube.

Well, he’s got a whole line of chocolate bars.

My son loves trying them against their Hershey’s competitor, and seeing which one is better (I find them at Walmart).

12. Would You Rather Books

These are really fun Would You Rather books that boys love to read aloud to each other and respond to (you should see how thoughtful they get with their answers!).

Great for when adults want to do a simple, engaging activity with their preteen boys as well.

13. Triops/Trilobites

We got a kit to hatch trilobites/triops several years ago, and we've been able to hatch three different cohorts successfully!

My son absolutely loved showing off his triops and talking about them in school. And they only live a few months, so it was a perfect, semi-commitment to a living pet in our home (we also have a senior cat).

Hint: if you want them to grow even bigger? Get some quality fish food flakes. We learned this after we ran out of food and had to improvise.

14. Bean Boozled Game

This game is so fun – it’s a box of Jelly Belly originals with some disgusting-tasting ones mixed in (that look exactly like their yummy counterpart).

Each player takes a turn with the spinner and must choose the pictured Jelly Belly bean.

The catch? They won’t know if it’s the yummy original or the disgusting imposter until they bite into it.

15. Emotional Support Dumplings

These seem so silly…but let me tell you why my son and every child who ever comes into his room (boy or girl – you should hear the squeals of delight) absolutely loves these little guys.

First of all, they’re high quality. Very soft, very squishable.

Secondly, in an age where kids are learning and becoming more aware of mental health, they are SUCH good conversation starters about emotions!

And thirdly?

My son likes to dole them out at night to us adults who might need one to sleep with. It’s adorable.

Seriously, just yesterday, he said, “Mom – would you like a dumpling for tonight?” Which is code for “Mom, you look a little frazzled. Let me help care for you.”

<heart melt>.

16. Duct Tape Designs Book + Duct Tape

If your 8-10-year-old is anything like mine…then he just loves creating things out of seemingly weird materials.

Like duct tape!

That's how I knew this Duct Tape design book + multiple colored duct tapes was the perfect gift for Christmas this year.

And that, friends, is my list. I can tell you that each thing is tried and tested by not only my 9-year-old child, but also each of his neighborhood friends who wander into his room and get excited with these items. These make wonderful Christmas gifts for 8- to 10-year-olds!