

Try classics like Checkers, Battleship, Connect 4, Sorry, Memory, Yahtzee or Twister.

“When you examine games that are best for children of this age, it really comes down to the vintage games that have withstood the test of time hence, games that require no batteries and allow children to figure out the rules, have conversations, and interact face-to-face with another person,” says Stacy Benge, M.S., child development and early learning specialist. Gardening teaches kids about plant science and the responsibility of caring for a living thing. Getting in the dirt and watching life grow is an invaluable experience for any 8-year-old. Keep reading on to see what experts have picked as the best games and activities for your 8-year-old. “8-year-olds love playing with friends, and they’re beginning to enjoy more sophisticated games that require skill and strategy, rather than just luck, to win.” “This is an age where children make big gains in physical coordination,” says Eileen Kennedy-Moore, Ph.D, psychologist and author of the new video series The Great Courses. Internet and tablet games are great for academic development, but at this age especially, children need games that nurture their social skills. 8-year-olds, for instance, need games that encourage their autonomy, but also refine their hand-eye coordination and motor skills. It’s important to choose games that will appease their needs, but that are also suitable and safe. As children get older, they crave more and more responsibility.
