When it comes to toy shopping, buying gifts and toys for younger children is ridiculously easy. There are so many fun and relevant options. But, as kids get older, it can be tough to find good toy options that aren’t just video games.
Our Favorite Gifts and Toys for Kids 8 to 16 Years
There are so many fun and relevant options. But, as kids get older, it can be tough to find good toy options that aren’t just video games.
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Fortunately, there are tons of other fun and interesting items that spark creativity and physical interaction that your older kids will love. With numerous studies showing rates of sedentary lifestyle behaviors on the rise in children and adolescents across America, it’s the perfect time to choose toys and games that get your kids off the couch.
What should you know about buying toys for older kids?
- There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing toys for older children, from games, sports equipment, crafts, and more.
- Depending on your child’s skill and maturity level, some younger children may find these selections relevant as well.
- Many toys for older children can be significantly pricier than ones for younger kids, so be sure to look for high-quality items that are backed by a solid manufacturer’s warranty.
- Promoting playing with toys among older children continues to foster their use of imagination and creativity.
- Some older children may still want to play with toys but may tend to hide or deny it based on social stigma from friends and peers.
We’ve come up with a list of toys that have been tried and tested by thousands of kids around the country. These are our top choices for toys that your older kids will love and enjoy over and over.
If you’d rather choose a video game, here are our top picks for the best educational games for Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation.
Our Top Picks
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Pros
- Suitable for a wide age range
- Promotes outdoor activity
- Lightweight and compact for easy storage
Cons
- Somewhat pricey
- Top speed is limited compared to some other models
Product Snapshot
This fully electric lightweight scooter features a maximum weight capacity of 154 pounds and a top speed of 9 mph, making it a fun and safe option for older kids. It has a top range of 12 miles and comes equipped with a brightly lit LED display that shows remaining battery power as well as speed. At 24.5 pounds, it’s easy for most kids to carry around and is quick and simple to fold for compact storage and transportation. The double braking system ensures extra safety and stopping ability. It also comes with a bright front light and taillight so that your child is more easily seen by passersby.
Specs
- Age
- 8-15 years old
- Warranty
- 1 year
Best Overall Subscription Box For Kids
Think Outside: Outdoor Subscription Box for Kids
Manufacturer :
Think OutsidePros
- Suitable for a wide age range
- Promotes outdoor activity
- Plenty of billing options
Cons
- Somewhat pricey
- Not all activities are suitable for all climates
Product Snapshot
Each box from Think Outside comes with a theme that’s designed to get your child outside exploring and off the couch. New members receive fun perks like a free backpack and water bladder. Each subscription starts with a special “Intro Box” that offers key first aid, navigation, weather preparedness, wildlife information, and more. Each monthly box features 3-5 outdoor gear items, activities, outdoor education, reference cards, and more.
We have reviewed a variety of subscription boxes which you can check out here.
Specs
- Age
- 7-16 years old
- Warranty
- Monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, annually
Pros
- Affordable
- Promotes outdoor activity
- Suitable for a wide range of ages
Cons
- Doesn’t hold a lot of darts
- Quick-draw slider can stick sometimes
Product Snapshot
This Nerf gun is a long-time top seller that features a quick-draw, slide-back release mechanism. It can hold up to 6 darts in a rotating drum and can fire all of them in rapid succession. This model is capable of launching darts up to 90 feet. It’s great for target practice or outdoor fun with friends. While it’s definitely not the biggest and most powerful Nerf gun on the market, it will still get your older child outside and exercising in a fun and exciting way.
Specs
- Age
- 8 years old and up
- Warranty
- No. Refund policy of 90 days
Best Construction Toy For Older Kids
LEGO Marvel Spider-Man Daily Bugle 76178 Building Kit
Manufacturer :
LEGOPros
- Includes lots of fun accessory items
- Promotes fine motor skills and reading comprehension
- Fun to play with even after it’s built
Cons
- May be too intricate for some kids
- Small pieces get lost easily and are choking hazards for younger children
Product Snapshot
This is a 3,772-piece LEGO set that fans of Marvel will love. It was actually awarded “Construction Toy of the Year” by Mojo Nation in 2022. It’s ideal for older kids with better developed fine motor skills who enjoy advanced building. This model of the iconic Daily Bugle building comes complete with an incredible 25 mini-figures, including Spider-Man, Doctor Octopus, Mysterio, Peter Parker, Green Goblin, Venom, and many more. It’s a well-rounded, eye-catching, build-and-display set that will be a treasured addition to any LEGO collection.
Specs
- Age
- 17 years old and up
- Warranty
- No
Best Collectors Toy For Older Kids
Rebel Sabers Light Saber Package
Manufacturer :
Rebel SabersWhere to Buy
Pros
- Set comes with two sabers for play with friends
- Features high-end, responsive colors and sounds for realistic effects
- Polycarbonate blade is super strong and impact-resistant
Cons
- Somewhat pricey
- Only geared towards Star Wars enthusiasts
Product Snapshot
Designed by a long-time Star Wars fan, this set of two dark-themed lightsabers is meant for dueling with friends. This set features long windows in the emitter that show off the saber color. It’s also equipped with a two-handed favored hilt and a clawed emitter that’s ideal for power maneuvers. You get nine sound fonts, an RGB LED color cycle blade that lets you pick your blade color on the fly and 360-degree reactive swing sounds that emulate the lightsabers from the movies. The polycarbonate blade is built to withstand some tough impacts and serious dueling.
Specs
- Age
- 8 years old and up
- Warranty
- 1 year
Where to Buy
Pros
- High-tech graphics and image quality
- Long run-time before needing to recharge the batteries
- Impressive transmission distance of 3,900 feet
Cons
- Expensive
- Not the best option for beginner drone flyers
Product Snapshot
For responsible older kids, this sensitive and high-tech drone can provide hours of outdoor fun and entertainment. It features top-of-the-line gimbal and EIS technology that provides improved image stability and decreased blurring. It can create 4K/30fps videos with an FPV transmission of up to 3,900 feet. It’s also equipped with a 4K UHD camera with 5X zoom and 3840x2160p image capability. A fully charged lithium-ion battery gives you up to 52 minutes of uninterrupted flight. It also comes with a clever foldable design and a rugged carrying case. The remote control is straightforward and user-friendly. This is a great option for older kids who are adept at remote control technology.
Specs
- Age
- 14 years old and up
- Warranty
- 1 year
Compare
Best Overall Toy For Older Kids
Best Overall Subscription Box For Kids
Best Value Toy For Older Kids
Best Construction Toy For Older Kids
Best Collectors Toy For Older Kids
Best Remote Control Toy For Older Kids
Pros
Pros
Pros
Pros
Pros
Pros
Pros
- Suitable for a wide age range
- Promotes outdoor activity
- Lightweight and compact for easy storage
- Suitable for a wide age range
- Promotes outdoor activity
- Plenty of billing options
- Affordable
- Promotes outdoor activity
- Suitable for a wide range of ages
- Includes lots of fun accessory items
- Promotes fine motor skills and reading comprehension
- Fun to play with even after it’s built
- Set comes with two sabers for play with friends
- Features high-end, responsive colors and sounds for realistic effects
- Polycarbonate blade is super strong and impact-resistant
- High-tech graphics and image quality
- Long run-time before needing to recharge the batteries
- Impressive transmission distance of 3,900 feet
Cons
Cons
Cons
Cons
Cons
Cons
Cons
- Somewhat pricey
- Top speed is limited compared to some other models
- Somewhat pricey
- Not all activities are suitable for all climates
- Doesn’t hold a lot of darts
- Quick-draw slider can stick sometimes
- May be too intricate for some kids
- Small pieces get lost easily and are choking hazards for younger children
- Somewhat pricey
- Only geared towards Star Wars enthusiasts
- Expensive
- Not the best option for beginner drone flyers
Age
Age
Age
Age
Age
Age
Age
8-15 years old
7-16 years old
8 years old and up
17 years old and up
8 years old and up
14 years old and up
Warranty
Warranty
Warranty
Warranty
Warranty
Warranty
Warranty
1 year
Monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, annually
No. Refund policy of 90 days
No
1 year
1 year
FAQs
Why do toys have age limits?
Age guidelines for toys are set by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission and are based on factors for safe play in certain age groups. They’re not based on your child’s intelligence or maturity level.
Should a 14 year old still play with toys?
Playing with toys promotes creativity and imagination, which is fine to celebrate at almost any age. It’s very common for older kids to continue to want to play with toys.
How are toys tested for safety?
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) was enacted in 2008 and requires toy testing on products made in the U.S. Testing must be performed by a third-party, accredited lab to meet rigorous standards.