I think "Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire" is absolutely fantastic for kids who are eight and under! At least it was for me at that age, haha—you wouldn't believe how hooked I was! :D
The mechanics are simple enough for anyone to pick up with ease, and there is soooo much to do which can hold your attention. Catching/evolving Pokémon is always fun, and all of the power-ups and bonus levels feel very organic to the Pokémon franchise. To top things off, the graphics were visually appealing (at least for a GBA game), and the music was pleasant to listen to!
I'm not sure how easy it is to obtain this game anymore, though... It's beyond me why they would re-release this game for the Wii U's Virtual Console, but not for the 3DS. But still! If you are somehow able to access this game, I think it could be an enjoyable experience for your nephew to try it! =)