The Best Gifts For 8-Year-Olds

Buying Guide

Buying gifts for any child can be tricky, but age 8 is an especially tough year. By this time, you can bet your little one has outgrown the simple, easy stuff like blocks or maybe even those stuffed animals they used to adore. They’re developing a whole new set of interests and obsessions in superheroes or shoes or games. They’re old enough to want their own tablets or other online devices, but not old enough to use them without some control. And for better or worse, they’re not shy about expressing their opinion when it comes to the quality of their presents.

Luckily, there are a few general guidelines that will help you avoid a dud gift. The first one is obvious: Find out what your kid likes. This can be easy if you’re a close relative, but may require a quick message to Mom or Dad otherwise. Don’t be afraid to get specifics, too. If a kid is into comic books or collectible cards, you’ll need to know their favorite characters and whether they play Pokemon or Magic: The Gathering. If you can get some additional intel, find out not just what they like but what they already have. If a child likes Harry Potter, you can bet they have all the books. Go for a toy wand or branded t-shirt instead.

STEM gifts are a good bet for children of this age, and they’re a good opportunity to steer their interests into some learning opportunities. Got a kid who’s into aliens and spaceships? Let them search for real ones with a telescope or build the perfect star cruiser with a Lego set. Do they love flowers? Get them a terrarium so they can learn how an ecosystem works. And remember that it’s never too early to learn coding skills, even if they’ve never touched a keyboard. There are plenty of robot kits that let you program your own mechanical friend with a series of simple visual commands. Some of them even require you to build the bot from scratch, which can be good practice for budding engineers.

Of course, it’s not all about tech. Kids have a tendency to stay indoors for play a lot more than they used to, but the classic outdoor toys never go out of style. Scooters are usually a hit with 8 year-olds of any gender, and beach gear can be just the incentive they need to get some swim practice in. Branded journals can be a great way to nudge them into a little creative expression, and you can never underestimate the power of a good book (tailored to their reading level, of course). Speaking of creativity, these grade school years are a great time for children to pick up their first musical instrument. Don’t wait for kids to get their music education at school; get them a starter guitar or drums and watch them make their own tunes. (Though keep in mind that any loud toys might wear out their welcome with other members of the family. It’s always best to check with Mom or Dad on this one.)

Even parents who baby-proof every square inch of their house can be a little lax when it comes to safety as soon as their kid gets past Kindergarten. Kids might start exuding independence around the age of 8, but that doesn’t mean parents (or gift givers) can completely let go of the reins. Easy-Bake ovens or STEM gifts like lab kits can be a hit with creative children, but never underestimate their ability to use a toy in ways it was never intended. Set ground rules early for toys like this and make sure they never leave it around where younger siblings can find it.

Don’t forget about cyber-safety, either. Many kids will be getting their own tablets or smart watches around this time. Before you give it them, take time to fully familiarize yourself with the parental controls. Set things up so they can’t surf the web without safeguards and don’t get more than the CDC’s recommended max of two hours screen time per day.