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

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.

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!)

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.

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.

Gah! We’re always smitten with the colorful imagery from Mudpuppy but this particular puzzle is topping our list this year. A celebration of Black hairstyles, the 300 piece puzzle is fun for families or for kids to work on solo.

Mini artists will love the satisfaction of perfect line drawings with Crayola’s best-selling Light-Up Tracing Pad. The super slim design makes it great for travel and it comes with plenty of supplies to get them started.

With 150 colorful interconnecting tubes, slides, spinners and funnels (that actually fit properly!) and 30 glow-in-the-dark glass marbles, this marble run is fun day or night. The included UV light charges up the marbles to make the runs even more impressive.

As a near 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.)

Take their paper airplane skills to the next level! Inside they’ll find a 36-page booklet that teaches them how to make several high flying styles along with a collection of colorful paper and stickers to decorate.

As longtime fans of Stomp Rockets, we’re pretty excited about their latest launch–Stomp Racers. Honestly, the thrill of sending things flying through the air never gets old. Parents and kids alike can spend hours launching these kid-powered cars which take off via a stomp-able pad and attached hose.

If the ever-faithful Dobby is beloved in your home, gift your Harry-Potter obsessed kiddo with an ode to the cheeky house elf they can build themselves. Complete with Aunt Petunia’s floating cake and his very own sock, LEGO Dobby is sure to delight.

For educational screen time everyone can agree on, we’re big fans of all things Osmo. This new offering is perfect for first and second graders to brush up on math skills while brewing magical mixtures, helping dragons take flight and more. (Osmo base required.)

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 matte finish of the stunning puzzles from Piecework and their kid-friendly versions are just as magnificent. This fun and crafty tableau 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.

If you fondly recall your own LipSmacker collection, you know this colorful lip balm necklace is guaranteed to be a hit. With seven fun flavors and a cool chain necklace to hang them from, 7-year-old you is about to be soooo jealous.

LEGO DOTS may be my favorite of the recent LEGO lines. The small scale kits offer a new creative way to play, which is more arts + crafts than towers and buildings. This 1K+ piece set comes with ideas for creating things like jewelry boxes, room signs and wall art that can be taken apart and put back together in endless configurations.

This is like two gifts in one for your crafty kiddo. The kit comes with a paintable teapot, 2 cups and saucer sets, paint brushes, a color palette and more so that they can customize their tiny tea set. We love that this helps your kiddo express their creativity while also being a practical piece of art they can use in everyday life.

We’re huge fans of all things Rothy’s for ourselves, so of course their kid shoes are a no-brainer. Not only do these comfy slip ons come in a bunch of kid-approved colors and patterns, but like the grown up version, they’re made from an innovative recycled material that’s 100% machine washable. Do your worst, kids!

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 latest 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.