Our oldest daughter is turning 8 years old this month. We love to use birthdays and other gift giving occasions to focus on giving our girls items in the categories of “something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read.” Here’s a list of things our oldest daughter has been loving recently or that she is receiving for her 8th birthday. It’s full of items that would make great gift ideas for 8 year olds, with choices in each category inspired by our oldest girl!

Gift Ideas for 8 Year Olds

Something You Want

Fairy Garden and Mini Garden

Fairy Garden and Mini Garden: This cute fairy garden set lets kids paint their own potting dish. Then they get to add little garden accessories and potting mix, and plant seeds. Wheat grass seeds typically sprout within 2-4 days of planting. A mini garden version with chia seeds is also available in different themes, including unicorn, mermaid, and dinosaur. This is a fun way to combine art and science!

Surprise Gift Box

Surprise Gift Box: This cute mermaid themed gift set includes a plush mermaid, a coloring book with markers, empowering stickers, a mermaid necklace and bracelet, and a crown headband. There is also a unicorn version available. This is a fun set to open or to gift to friends, especially in the 4 year old to 8 year old range.

DIY Slime Kit

DIY Slime Kit: This is a fun DIY set that includes everything kids need to make a variety of slime. Our daughters LOVE slime and a make-your-own kit was at the top of our oldest daughter’s wishlist. This kit includes glue, glitter, glow in the dark and color changing powder, beads, food coloring, clay, a mixing bowl, sticks, spoons, containers, and instructions. Creating slime is a fun hands-on science experiment!

Something You Need

Reading Nightlight

Reading Nightlight: Our three daughters share a triple bunk bed. We usually put them all to bed at the same time and they enjoy reading in their own beds. These little clip-on book lights let each of them have their own reading space. We can turn off the overhead light so they can fall asleep when they’re ready. They are rechargeable using a USB connector cable, so we also don’t have to worry about batteries.

Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Stainless Steel Water Bottle: Our girls love these stainless steel water bottles and use them every day. We like this style with the straw lid that flips down to close securely. It is leak-proof in a backpack but easy for them to open. The water bottle has a double wall insulation, and it keeps their water cold all day! The water bottles come in lots of fun designs. Our girls have the Llama Rainbows, the Stardust Unicorns and the Gelato prints.

Toiletries Gift Set

Tubby Todd – Toiletries Gift Set: Gift giving occasions are a great time to stock up on daily essentials our girls use, but make them a little more fun or special. This gift set includes five easy-to-use products formulated with gentle ingredients to help kids get ready for their day. It includes face wash, deodorant stick, toothpaste, a suds stick, and SPF serum. It’s a great way to introduce kids to skin care and self care! (shop through my Tubby Todd link to automatically save an extra 10% off at checkout, no code needed!)

Something To Wear

Rompers, Twirly Dresses and Comfy Tees

Rompers, Twirly Dresses & Comfy Tees: We like to use gift giving occasions to add a few clothing items for the next size and season. Our daughters love these rompers, twirly dresses and comfy tees with the cute pocket designs. They’re comfortable to play in all day, perfect for spring/summer, and come in lots of fun colors. Use code TIDYDAD20 for 20% off + free shipping on your first order from Primary.

Quality Sunglasses

Quality Sunglasses: These heart sunglasses are ultra-lightweight, flexible, and virtually indestructible. They have polarized shatter-resistant lenses, glare reduction technology, and provide 100% UVA/B/C protection. We love that the arms are bendable, rather than breakable. They even come with a carrying pouch that doubles as polishing cloth. These cute heart sunglasses are perfect for kids all year round!

Comfortable Sneakers and Summer Sandals

Comfortable Sneakers and Summer Sandals: It’s important to have a quality pair of sneakers that can be used for walking, running, or climbing at the playground. Our girls love the light-up design of these floral glimmer sneakers. They also like to have a summer sandal that can be worn with dresses on warm days. These white bow sandals have adjustable closures around the toes AND the ankles, so that it is easy to get a comfortable fit!

Biker Set and Tank Top / Shorts Set

Biker Set and Tank Top / Shorts Set: This biker set (citrus) and tank top with shorts set (boardwalk stripes) are perfect for spring/summer adventures. We love using gifts as a time to add a few new clothing items for the upcoming season. All three of our girls have these matching outfits, and they are super soft and comfortable. Use code TIDYDAD for 10% off an order from Goumi Kids!

Something to Learn/Read

Online Cooking Classes

Kids Cook Real Food cooking classes: Our daughters love helping us cook in the kitchen, and we are working on finding ways to help them expand their skills. This online cooking course is designed to help kids learn and gradually gain independence in the kitchen. There are also a few FREE resources available to help you get started with including your kids in the kitchen. Grab FREE snack recipes your kids can learn to make themselves, and/or check out this FREE 10-minute video about knife skills for kids.

Audio Player

Audio Player (+ starter pack of 7 cards): Our girls all love listening to audio books and music on their Yoto Player, especially at rest time, bedtime, and in the car. We love that the device has no cameras, microphones, or ads. We like to use birthdays and holidays to add more audio cards to their collection. They enjoy listening to novels, music, learning activities, podcasts, radio, soundscapes, and more!

Box Set of Book Series

Box Set of Book Series: Our 8-year-old loves reading and is enjoying chapter book series and graphic novels. She is especially enjoying the Ramona collection by Beverly Cleary, which follows Ramona from age 4 all the way up to age 10. She also likes reading The Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels, an adaptation of the original novels by Ann M. Martin. They are her current favorites!

I hope this roundup inspires you to consider some fun gift ideas for 8 year olds, and maybe you’ll incorporate the categories of “something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to learn/read” into your gifting!

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