The Best Gift for Any 8 Year Old Might Just Be a Good Old Craft Kit

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There are some age groups that are fairly easy to gift for. For instance, you can't go wrong getting a teen girl skincare or makeup, and most toddlers are guaranteed to love any toy with wheels. 8 years old is not one of those easy-gifting ages. At the age where they've started developing opinions, 8 year-olds likes and dislikes are almost constantly changing. What they liked last year, or even last week, is definitely old news now. So you can't be reliant on getting them the same gift you got them when they turned 7 — rookie mistake.

It can feel tough to decode kids at this age, which is why we went straight to the experts to find out what 8 year-olds like: the children themselves! We talked to Lydia Michel, an outdoorsy 8 year-old girl who "loves bike riding, Dog Man books, and funny movies." And her recommendations might surprise you — instead of loving super tech-y gifts like video games that you might suspect, Lydia told us that a lot of kids her age actually love retro and classic gifts. Think a good old craft kit or a new journal.

The Best Gifts for 8 Year-Olds

• STMT DIY Beaded Jewelry Kit, $16 on Amazon

• Junie B. Jones Complete Kindergarten Collection, $45 on Amazon

• Fidget Cube, $12 on Amazon

• Dog Man: The Supa Epic Collection, $38 on Amazon

• 4M Green Creativity Pressed Flower Art Kit, $15 on Amazon

• OUTREE Kids Pod Hanging Swing Seat, $40 on Amazon

• NPW Classic Sound Machine, $18 on Amazon

• FULLOSUN Kids Night Light, $17 on Amazon

• Jumbo Indoor/Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Dice, $30 on Uncommon Goods

• The Woobles Beginners Crochet Kit, $35 on Amazon

To bring in a different perspective we also talked to teachers to get their opinions of the best gifts for 8 year-olds, and, in a surprise to no one, they recommended educational gifts that keep kids engaged. Books are always a good option, but the teachers we talked to also emphasized the importance of STEM-related gifts that can teach kids new hobbies like coding.

Of course, it's always important to know the interests of the kid you're gifting for before clicking "buy now." While a tech-loving boy might love a self-coding video game, the 8 year-old girl in your life might prefer a DIY headband kit. And if your kiddo is on the cusp of another age, then it can't hurt to look into these other age-specific gift guides, as well"

The Best Gifts for 7-Year-Olds | The Best 10-Year-Old Girl Gifts | The Best 10-Year-Old Boy Gifts | The Best 13-Year-Old Boy Gifts | The Best Gifts for Teens

STEM Gifts for 8 Year-Olds

Mini Puzzle Blocks

Meet the building blocks for a new generation. These mini puzzle blocks can transform into just about anything your eight-year-old can come up with, from a beach scene to a race car track. Kids can create mosaics in 2-D or 3-D figurines and sculptures.

Stomp Racers

Bring all the fun of Stomp Rockets to the world of racing with this toy. Kids simply jump on the pump and watch their car race to the finish line — and see if they can beat their competitor.

Create Your Own Video Game Set

Introduce them to the world of coding in the most fun way possible — by creating their own video game. Kids can use the free, beginner-friendly website to learn coding languages like JavaScript and Python to make different 8-bit challenges and versions of classic arcade games they can play on their new console.

Fidget Cube

Fidget cubes were at the top of the list of many eight-year-olds we talked to. This tiny little box packs a punch when it comes to keeping fidgety fingers entertained. It has a roller ball, clickable buttons, a glider, spinning circle, and flip switch.

Geode Magnetic Fidget Sphere

This magnetic fidget toy is therapist-approved and beloved by kids and adults alike. Your kiddo will have a blast stacking and snapping the pieces into different shapes anytime they need a little distraction. And with seven different colors to choose from, there's definitely an option that fits his or her style.

Home Science Experiment Manual

West Virginia native Emily Calandrelli (@thespacegal) is a former MIT engineer turned Netflix host (Emily's Wonder Lab) turned author. Her new-ish book, which came out in fall of 2022, includes 50 fun at-home experiments for curious kids. With a variety of charts, images, and text, the design keeps kids engaged without overwhelming them with tons of information.

Glow in The Dark Fort Building Set

You can convince yourself that this fort building set is for them, but it'd make for a pretty cool hideout for grownups, too. The rods take 30 minutes to light up, so expect to see them amazed when they realize that the unlit sticks the started out with transformed into a fort of light when they're finished.

Poop Bingo

If you've been around an 8 year-old boy recently, then you know that they'll find this 100% more hilarious than anyone else. They can match the beast with their business — all with a dose of friendly competition along the way.

Jumbo Indoor/Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Dice

We love a game that not only gets kids outdoors, but also gets the entire family involved! Save this present for those beautiful weekends or summer days when you can't help but be outside, but you're just not sure what to do. A scavenger hunt is the best boredom buster!

Creative Gifts for 8 Year-Olds

Beginners Crochet Kit

If their age is eight but they're truly an old soul, then odds are they'll love the art of crochet. This beginners kit includes a step-by-step video tutorial and a super forgiving style. They'll be so proud showing off their latest creation.

DIY Headband Kit

She's past the age of wearing bows, but her outfit doesn't feel complete without a hair accessory. Enter: headbands. She'll love letting her creativity flow with this kit that allows her to interchange different charms based on her style or mood that day. And as most of us know: an eight-year-old girls style is a constantly-evolving force.

Your Little Artist Coffee Table Book

We all know your eight-year-old is the next Georgia O'Keefe or Henri Matisse — now it's time to make him or her feel that way! Put some of their favorite works in this book and allow them to fill in the quotes from the artist section. They'll be so proud when they see their art displayed on the coffee table.

Fashion Fidgets Mermaids Fantasy

It might be hard to believe, but this tiny mermaid includes over 15 different fidget toys that spin, click, stretch, pull, and more. Girls will love trading the removable tails with all of their friends, and then heart-shaped keychain makes it the perfect backpack accessory.

Crayola Inspiration Art Case

Collectively featuring 140 markers, colored pencils, and Crayons, this is a sound investment for kids of all sorts. Besides, any parent knows that all the markers currently hanging around the house are all dried up. If you've got a girly-girl on your hands, then be sure to opt for the pink version.

DIY Beaded Jewelry Kit

Sure, you could buy her some Taylor Swift-style friendship bracelets, but if there's one thing eight year olds love, it's a craft. And can it even be considered a friendship bracelet if it isn't handmade? This kit has more aesthetically pleasing bead options so she can flex that creative muscle.

Spy Labs Master Detective Toolkit V2

What kid doesn't love pretending to be a spy? This master tool kit has a fingerprint brush, invisible ink pen, crime scene tape, and so much more. There are 26 different experiments for kiddos to conduct, so there's no doubt that this kit will keep them busy for quite some time. Consider it the kid's version of a murder mystery game.

Pressed Flower Art Kit

When in doubt, take it back to the basics. Just about every kid will enjoy an excuse to spend a little time outside, and this pressed flower art kit is the perfect one for the crafty 8-year-old in your life. It gives them everything they'll need to make bookmarks, trinket boxes, and greeting cards.

Liberty Classic Floral Origami Flower Kit

This kit has everything they'll need to craft beautiful origami flowers right at home. Each kit includes 75 sheets of origami paper in gorgeous Liberty of London prints, along with 15 sheets of double-sided paper, and instructions to make a Kusudama flower ball as well as a flower design with three variations. Thanks to the gorgeous prints, this is one craft that will totally fit in with Mom's house décor.

Building Brick Electric Waffle Maker

Whoever said you shouldn't play with you food clearly wasn't living in these marvelous modern times, when waffles can be turned into a sweet stackable tower.

Comic Book Making Kit

Encourage your favorite graphic novel enthusiasts to create their own illustrated adventure with this set that allows a child to draw and write their own full-color, 18 page, professionally printed page-turner. It even includes an "About the Author" page so your little one can get the full experience.

Outdoorsy Gifts for 8 Year-Olds

Glow-in-the-Dark Basketball

It is a truth universally acknowledged that kids love things that glow in the dark—all the better if it's something they can pass, bounce, and dunk. The real gift, of course, will be all of those blissful dusk evenings in the driveway, shooting hoops with the kids like Steve Martin and little Annie in Father of the Bride.

Metal Merit Badges

The whole family can get in on the year-round fun with this set of 14 sweet metal pins tied to various seasonal activities. Including merits like "play in the water" for summer and "have a movie night" for winter, these pins are a great way to give a gift bigger than any item: time spent together as a family.

Indoor-Outdoor Childrens Roller Skates

Available in two size options, these retro rollers are adjustable, so they'll grow with your (ever growing) 8 year old. They have a classic look and are on the more affordable end of the roller skate spectrum. With eight fun print options, there's something for every kid's style. We've seen them in action and can confirm they can handle both the Hokey Pokey and Limbo.

No-Sting Dodgeball Set

Warning: You'll want to run for cover as soon as the kids get a hold of this rainbow-hued six-pack featuring classic dodgeballs. Because while these dodgeballs are made of soft-touch no-sting material, no one likes getting hit in the face. But here's a little something to ease the blow: The set comes with its own mesh storage bag and ball pump. And as every parent of an active child can attest: you can never have too many free ball pumps.

Giant Tic-Tac-Toe Yard Game

Some games require a parent to make sense of the rules for a solid 30 minutes before any fun can be had. However, when it's a variation on Tic Tac Toe (simply toss a Frisbee to mark your spot), you can proceed straight to playtime. Kids will love the added difficulty of needing to throw the frisbee in addition to the mental challenge of the classic game. Parents will love that it gets them outside and active.

Plastic Segmented Jump Rope

Several of the children we surveyed insisted that a jumprope appear on this list, which is just a refreshing reminder that sometimes the best gifts are the most simple ones. This one comes in a cute but classic aesthetic and length variations of 6-16 feet.

Ribbon Wands

These colorful twirlers are an instant gratification, no-assembly-required, classic toy that almost every kid will have fun with for a while. With over six feet of ribbon on each wand, expect the performances with these bad boys to be fairly elaborate.

Best Books for 8 Year-Olds

Where Did My Dog Go? Custom Search & Find Book

Any dog-loving kiddo will be obsessed with this custom search-and-find style book. They can follow their pet (or pets!) on an adventure through the big city, including the paw-fee shop, museum of arf, and five other special locations. It even includes personalization with your family's names!

Junie B. Jones Complete Kindergarten Collection

We're happy to announce that in our survey of eight year olds Junie B. Jones books still get a resounding recommendation nowadays. You just can't beat a classic! Something parents will also love — many of the teachers we talked to also included these books on their wishlists.

Dog Man: The Supa Epic Collection

From the author of the Captain Underpants comes the newest character craze to hit elementary school: Dog Man. What better combination is there than a crime-fighting dog/human? None, of course.

Catch a Crayfish, Count the Stars: Fun Projects, Skills, and Adventures for Outdoor Kids

Author and outdoorsman Steve Rinella wants to empower kids with skills and knowledge related to the natural world. From identifying constellations to growing your own vegetables, his handy guide will spark both curiosity and can-do-it-ness.

Kindle Kids

Any bookworm would be thrilled to unwrap a brand new Kindle. This lightweight version is designed specifically for kids and comes with a cute printed case. Parents will love that it comes with one-year access to thousands of books already, so there's no need to continuously spend money on a gift you already got them.

Daily Gratitude Kids Junior Journal

Designed to help kids develop positive habits, this charming three-month journal (aligned with school semesters) is filled with activities and thought-starters that will motivate a kid to regularly (and, yes, happily!) pick up a pen. It has an easy-to-write format that includes picking an "emoji of the day" and a spot to jot down their top three things, so even the kids who hate to write will find themselves ending the day with this thought provoker.

Listified!: Britannica’s 300 lists that will blow your mind

The title says it all, really. Prepare to be wowed by your new fact-spewing sidekicks. (By the way, did you know a T-Rex could swallow 15,000 hamburgers in a single bite?)

Best Games for 8 Year-Olds

The Card Game

This creative card game will be a hit with their friends and the whole family alike. It was actually created by a 7-year-old so you know it will be kid-approved! We love that it has a short 15 minute play time, so even the most easily-distracted kids will stay focused for a full game — or even two or three!

Escape Room Mystery Jigsaw Puzzle

What is it with kids and their obsession with escape rooms? Part puzzle, part game, this 368-piecer says it's for ages 9 and up but we know the children in your life are advanced for their years. The kit comes with a story and riddles to solve in addition to the puzzle, so get ready to make a family game night out of this one.

The Floor is Lava Interactive Game

Tired of kids climbing on the sofa? This take on a kid favorite incorporates foam tiles instead of furniture. And all the parents who have suffered a décor or furniture loss to the classic-version of this game shouted a loud "Amen!"

Cardboard Lemonade Stand

Who doesn't love a lemonade stand? Pair this cute cardboard version with a pitcher and a coin purse and they'll be well on their way to a life of entrepreneurship/supporting you in your old age.

Portable Sound Effects Machine

Teach your kiddo the gift of perfect comedic timing with this sounds effects machine. Cue up canned laughter, applause, a drumroll, or 13 other sound effects on this giggle-inducing device that you'll most definitely need to hide away in a bedroom drawer at some point. There's even a version that includes just fart sounds.

Karaoke Microphone

Outfit your budding Bieber or Beyoncé with a phone-compatible microphone equipped with kid-approved sound effects. It includes a back-tracking mode that takes the singing off their favorite songs so they can truly have their moment to shine. Parents will love that it includes a headphone port, which means a little extra peace and quiet. Mic drop.

Best Fashion Gifts for 8 Year-Olds

Claire's Duck Bucket Hat

They say what's old becomes new again, and it can apparently be said for Claire's and bucket hats(hello, 90's fashion). This duck hat combines on-trend style with the cutest childhood touch. Stitched eyes and a terry cloth bill make it super comfortable, as well. Just don't get too teary eyed thinking back to the days when they used to play with a rubber duck at bath-time!

Colorful Duffle/Overnight Bag

'Tis the age of slumber parties and sleepovers, so make sure your new little night owls are properly outfitted with a practical weekender. This one comes in six color combos (think red and navy, pink and turquoise) that are sure to cheer them up should they miss their mama. Parent pro-tip: have this bag personalized at a local embroidery shop so they'll never lose it again.

Horseshoe Pendant Necklace

This dainty token of good luck may not be the showiest present of the bunch, but it'll make for a memorable "first piece of jewelry that's not yarn or plastic." If cowgirl chic isn't her aesthetic, then not to worry: there are tons of different charms to choose from.

Best Gifts for Their Rooms

Lava Lamp

Owning a lava lamp is basically a rite of passage at eight-years-old. This glitter version is made by the same company that originally popularized the groovy lamps back in the 1960s, aka basically ancient times to your kid.

Indoor-Outdoor Cotton Canvas Hanging Seat

Kids' stuff is not typically aesthetically pleasing, but these little pods are a design-friendly addition to a bedroom or backyard. Parents can hang the chair multiple different ways, including from the ceiling or using a stand (not included). Pair one with a chapter book and envision a 2024 with minimal screen time. Maybe?

Soccer Ball Night Light

Any soccer enthusiast worth his or her shin guards will appreciate this cool lamp. With just the push of a button on the included remote control, kids can choose from 16 different colors and four patterns to light up their space. It also has a dimming feature, making it the perfect nightlight if your child likes to use one. There are also options for basketball, volleyball, football, and more.

Neon Effect Frame

This illuminated frame comes with three neon markers that can be used to doodle, draw, or write inspirational messages.

Gummy Bear Night Light

Squeeze the middle of this 7-inch gummy bear and watch it light up. Available in five candy-inspired colors, it's the sort of gift that'll have everyone in the room asking for a tummy-squeezing turn. Your child will love the wireless design so they can take it to all the sleepovers and show-and-tell days at school.

Bluetooth Disco Ball LED Light in 9 Colors

If your kid likes to have dance parties (and what kid doesn't?), this modern, multicolored take on a disco ball will bring the cool cred to Kidz Bop. It even syncs to the rhythm of the music currently being played, so they can have their very own light show to accompany the dance party.

Glow in the Dark Ceiling Stars

Decking out one's ceiling with stars is a childhood rite of passage, right there alongside riding a bike and blowing bubbles in chocolate milk. This box includes 300 stars, so they might even want to split the glow-in-the-dark fun between a few rooms. If you really want to go the extra mile, set up a few constellations with them and make a science lesson out of it.

Bluetooth Silicone Speaker

Watch children discover the magic of "finding" a song in between the static on this petite and portable AM-FM radio. But if doing things the old-school way isn't their style, then they'll love that this speaker also comes with Bluetooth connectivity. You'll love that it's splash-proof, so it'll survive all the pool days they have coming up. Also: It's just so darn cute.

Inflatable Constellation Air Fort

Sadly, this age bracket is not always convinced that good things come in small packages, which is why this 77 x 65 x 50 tent, which inflates in less than 30 seconds, is about as high-impact, ooh-and-ahh-inducing as it gets. (Note: You'll need a square box fan; not included.)

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