Best Toys for Kids Age 8, 9, 10, 11
Top 10 Rated Toys for Kids Age 8, 9, 10, 11 2025
As children advance from the 3rd grade to preparing for middle school, they learn even more complex subjects in school: history, science, social studies, health, etc. We looked for educational toys that not only enhanced the skills kids possess from ages 8 to 12, but made learning and discovering new things fun and entertaining.
Our top 10 toys involve:
1. Fun for the whole family
2. Creativity, imagination, and working out puzzles
3. Social interaction
4. Strategy, logic, and problem solving
5. An advanced appreciation for science, engineering, and creating models
6. Games that encourage competition and teamwork
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Includes 108 wooden tiles, drawstring bag, and instructions |
In a clever twist on the game Uno, players attempt to build lines of blocks featuring the same color or shape. The grid of tiles that develops resembles … more
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40x, 100x, and 400x magnifications |
Leaps and bounds ahead of cheap, plastic microscopes, this sturdy, heavy-duty microscope is very reasonably priced at $65.60. A scientific instrument like the ones… more
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Includes a hands-on kit and 32-page illustrated book |
An human anatomy book and model set for kids ages 8 to 12, this Squishy You kit includes a 12-inch plastic human model with 9 removable squishy organs. Kids … more
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Includes over 60 snap-together pieces and illustrated manual |
For the inquisitive child who loves engrossing, hands-on projects, the Snap Circuits SC-300 kit will provide hours of delightful electronic fun. This set includes over 300 … more
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12” geopolitical globe includes 10,000 questions suitable for 3rd grade and up |
Not only does this globe serve its obvious purpose as a model of the modern world, but it also includes over 10,000 quiz questions suitable for kids ages 8 and up. A clear … more
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Includes 9 dice with symbols and pictures on the sides |
The charm and excitement of Rory’s Story Cubes lie in its simplicity. Players roll the 9 dice and come up with a story based on the pictures showing. Your family can create … more
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Includes 300 cards, a timer, and a score pad |
An entertaining game for adults, Mad Gab is suitable for kids at least 10 years old. Warning: Playing the game can prompt uproarious laughter and silliness. Each card features a word … more
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Includes over 1,000 cards |
A big hit in recent years, Apples to Apples is a fun game you can enjoy with the family or at parties. The rules are relatively simple, but provide a lot of creativity and … more
Educational Toys Buying Guide
Playing Board Games with the Family: The Advantages for Kids
Having a game night is not only a fun, inexpensive way for the family to spend time together, it’s also an opportunity for children to learn important skills. Children young and old benefit from the time you spend together playing cards or board games, much more so than from plugging in to electronic devices or watching TV.
Consider what children learn from these interactive experiences:
- A healthy sense of competition and the importance of teamwork
- Recognizing different shapes, numbers, and words
- Grouping, counting, and sorting items
- Social skills, such as waiting for other players to take their turns
- Fine motor skills, such as handling cards and game pieces
- Problem solving, strategy, and logic
- A chance to improve and excel
- Winning and losing gracefully
Games don’t even have to be specifically educational. Classic games like Jenga foster concentration, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills as players try to extract the pieces of a tower without knocking it over.
Card games require kids to think ahead about their plays, so they learn strategy. With only so many cards in a traditional deck, they also learn about the laws of probability, an advanced concept for children.
Monopoly is a classic board game, but one that takes a long time to play—something difficult for young kids and parents alike. Monopoly Junior uses smaller denominations and takes less time to play, making it more accessible to young kids as they learn the basics of adding, reading, and color recognition.
Many board games have different levels of difficulty, or you can adapt the rules yourself to accommodate younger players. You’ll love seeing brothers and sisters getting along, helping the youngest members with the complicated aspects of the game. For the entertainment it provides the whole family and the benefits to your kids’ cognitive development, consider adding game night to your weekly routine.
Featured Educational Toys Articles
10 Best Children’s eBooks
Children have always loved storybooks, and today’s e-readers and tablets take advantage of children’s natural affinity for technology. You and your kids will enjoy reading stories together on an iPad or Kindle Fire with all the brilliantly colored illustrations… [more]
Should Children Play with Smartphones?
More and more parents today are handing over their smart phones and tablets to their children. Kids are little pros when it comes to pulling up videos, downloading apps, and navigating…[more]
5 Benefits of Play for Children
Children learn about the world around them and develop mentally and physically through play. Researchers have found that unstructured play not only keeps kids occupied and entertained, but it’s key to a children’s natural development. It’s so important, in fact, that in 1989 the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights… [more]
Knowing What Toy Materials Aren’t Safe for Children
In recent years, parents have become increasingly aware of dangerous materials found in common children’s toys, often those made overseas. We now have regulations on what materials are safe and which ones should be avoided in children’s toys and other consumer products. BPA, or Bisphenol A, is an organic compound found in many plastics…[more]
5 Educational Apps for Children
Kids naturally clamor for your smart phone or tablet because they like the fun games. You yourself probably enjoy a few mindless, addicting apps when you have time to kill. Fortunately, there are also several apps that serve an educational purpose, and kids will still find them entertaining. 1. Word Book and Puzzle Box HD: For preschoolers to first-graders, Aids with … [more]
More Top 10 Lists
Top 10 Educational Toys for Children Ages 2-4
Toys for tots ages 2 to 4 are not only entertaining but educational, helping them develop fine motor skills, concentration, dexterity, problem solving, creative play, and imagination. As we looked at a number of toys for children in this age range, we looked for a number of important factors, including: 1. Educational value, 2. Durability, 3. Easy storage and … [more]
More Toys for Kids 8-11
Filed Under: Baby/Kids • Educational Toys Ages 8-12
