My Daughter Turns 8 Years Old This Month. Need Some Creative Gift Suggestions?

around age 7, I started taking my daughter to the ballet or theater for her birthday each year. She will be 13 this year and we look forward to those nights together. We've seen the ballet of Cinderella, and Swan Lake. We've seen Lion King and last year we took two close friends of hers out to dinner and we saw Wicked. It has become a wonderful birthday tradition and best of all no need for wrapping paper or shelf space!

take care, S.

What about a calligraphy set of pens and such or maybe a hair book? I got my son a pottery wheel for $20 at k-mart when he was 9 and he still makes gifts with it for friends and family! (He's 11 now) Great present

M.

Get her some of those markers that only draw on special paper that way the little one can play too. Or one of those things thatare black and you use a stick thing to make the drawing or somthing (sorry i dint know what they are called) Kive them all the option to draw it is a great tallent. My brother and my cousin are wonderful at it and they have both won prises. So anything you can come up with. There is special paint you can buy that you can put on the wall so they can use that as a chalk board so maybe you could give her a new space on her wall or something.

Our daughter is 7 and is really starting to show an interest in the history of our family. We have given her a Family History activity pack (A DK first activity pack). You can find these in craft stores and some book stores. We are planning on purchasing her a childrens digital camera for her 8th birthday as well as some photo album supplies. We found the family history pack to be a great way to get away from the "toys" and start helping her learn about her family history as well as beginning to preserve her own memories.
Another idea (if your daughter is a writer) would be a journal or diary. All of these would be easy to do with younger children around. The littler ones even enjoy reviewing pictures (photo album) and stories (history kit)

Good luck

S.

P.,
Books are a great gift and fuels the imagination with great creative out lets. Also, try having her write stories or journeling. She can write and express herself without anyone reading her private thoughts and feelings. Board games are a great way to have fun. Apples to Apples is great and the kids have a blast. How about art class?
C. B

Well what I did this year was make door signs for my girls. I purchased a wooden sighn board(like 2.00 @ walmart on Dell Range) I painted it white or whatever color(paints are next to signs) I sealed it with sealant(also in the same aisle) and then I placed stickers such as tinkerbell, Dora etc with their names or a phrase for instance for my 13 yo I used the tinkerbell with the phrase of who you calling princess or something like that. They turned out cool and believe it or not it was my hubbies idea lol

D.

I gave my 8 and 12 year old nieces Cadoo, a game in the Cranium games. They immediately opened it and started playing it at a restaurant with their 13 year old cousin... they actually weren't playing the official way. They were just reading through the cards, but seemed genuinely entertained. I think kids are really hard to buy for in that age group. Last year I gave my husband's 11 year old sister a collection of Mad Libs (pretty inexpensive at Borders, 4 in one for $7-10). As we were driving and going about our activities, all enjoyed providing words to fill the blanks then reading our funny stories. I hope that helps. T.

Hi P., I also have an eight year old girl and know the trial of just the right gift for the moment, as their little minds are always finding something bigger and better. For our daughters eighth B-Day we went on a trip. We feel like Eight is a big milestone B-Day and wanted it to be special also.
You don't have to go far or even out of town, but a hotel and dinner with Mom and Dad doesn't happen for every B-Day. Also we bought her a special necklace, something she can keep and wear and a letter from us telling her what she means to us. Kids love hearing about themselves and things they did when they were younger. She will love anything you do but if you make it about her and how important she is to you family (include other siblings)this will only help her feel more selfworth and confidence.
Good luck and enjoy her always.

Hi!

I also have a daughter turning 8 this month! She wants a Wii or a Nintendo DS. She will not be getting either. We are taking her Disneyland because her birthday is Leap Day and this year is a special birthday. I don't think we will get her anything besides Disney.

Maybe you can DO something special with your daughter instead of an actual gift you can hold? Some special one on one time is a good option when you have 3 kids (I also have 3) They all enjoy being alone with the parents so much!

I hope that helps

A.

what about doing something with a theme? If she likes music, arrange to take her to a concert, maybe give her a music lesson and get a computer program that allows her to "write" music. Not sure where you live, but there are broadway shows like Stomp or Cirque du Soleil that would be very exciting for an 8 year old. If she likes adventure, take her our on a quest, find a map and go on a picnic to a spot on that map, make pirate cupcakes together, etc. For arts & crafts, my niece loved making jewelry. Melissa & Doug (found on amazon or any good toy store) has great jewelry sets for her age. You could also get a chair or table set from the unfinished furniture store & let her paint them herself. Give her a spot free from the 4 year old! You also could let her go to one of those paint your own ceramics store with a friend and they could pick out a few things they want to paint on a few weekends or something. Good luck!

My children all have too many toys so for their birthdays and Christmas we ask peolpe if they would like to get a gift to give money for classes of some sort. My son got Karate and my daughter got gymnastics. Also when my son turned 8 (he also was 48 inches tall) instead of a present we took him to six flags because he was finally tall enough to ride most of the rides. He is turning 10 this year and he still talks about going six flags and how much fun it was. My daughter turns 8 this year and I may take her horseback riding for her birthday, she loves horses. I guess what I'm saying is I have been trying to give them memories that will last a lifetime instead of a toy they probably won't touch in a couple of weeks.

I'm not sure if you'll like this suggestion because it could get a little messy... I bought my daughter one of those clear plastic totes with handle on the lid and filled it with her own scrapbook papers, scissors, stamps and ink plus some other fun notions that you can scrapbook with and she just loves it! This was great for me because now she has her own and doesn't make a mess of mine. This also gives her the freedom to make whatever pages she wants without me hovering over her (stressed that she will use all my expensive things). And then when she's done she just puts it all back in her tote and stores it away. Hope that helps

GIVE HER YOU. Lunch, movie, get your hair done or just pinic lunch. Your time is the best gift you can give. Just the two of you talking and laughing. My daughters are 35 and 37, and the things they remember most are things we did together. HAPPY B-DAY to your daughter!!

My daughter was extremely creative. I learned early that she was capable of much more than "the books" suggested. Try showing your daughter how to do some simple plastic canvas projects or stitching projects. I taught my daughter and now my granddaughter how to sew using the serger sewing machine when they were six. My daughter did amazing things with a roll of tape (we got the three-pack at the dollar stores -- it was a cheap toy)and a pack of construction paper or colored type paper. There are some great paper projects that used scissors, paper and glue. Don't be afraid to have fun. Yes, begin by supervising, but have fun yourself. It can be very satisfying.

I have come to realize that in the last few years, the gifts my nine year old daughter cherishes above all others is special time with me. This could be a "date" of museums, a movie and a meal out, or, since you mentioned crafting, taking a class of some sort together. My daughter is into scrapbooking and though I am NOT, I willingly dedicate time to doing this with her. I think it is really important, too, to establish a special relationship with our daughters as they near adolescence and puberty, open up lines of communication, connect with her on a new, more grown up level.
So, the best gift of all? Time with her mom.

What about a small camera of her own? They have inexpensive ones at Walmart. You could also get her a photo album of her own to start keeping her pictures in. This seems to be a hit with our employees' children when they reach this age.

Hi P.,

One thing I did for my daughter, son and husband one Christmas that was well received. I went to Hobby Lobby and got some frames that were about two inches deep and were about 12 x 24. Then I cut out pictures in different shapes of each of them and for my kids I took the outfit they came home in from the hospital and glued everything in. For my husband since he is a hunter and fisherman, I picked up a small plastic dog, and other hunting things to go with his pictures. They loved them then and even more now that they are growing up. All three hang in our stairwell. My husband wants me to do one for our 5 yr old now but she is not old enough to appreciate it yet. I think my daughter was about 10 when I did that.

Or maybe instaed of a gift give her a day of her and Mom and Dad.

Have fun.

J.

How about butterflies (live ones) start by going to the Butterfly Pavillion. Giving a gift certificate to Barnes and Nobles or the Tattered Cover to buy a book about butterflies. I saw a movie yesterday on the Hallmark Channel that there is a bush that attracts butterflies when it blooms. It was called a "butterfly bush". Ask a nursery about them and you could plant it in the spring and by summer time -lots of butterflies.

Try Hobby Lobby or Micheals for craft sets. Also just go online and query on ToysRUs by age group. My almost seven year old loves the Pixel Chix series of creative hand helds.
My daughter also LOVES the Leapster games. There are a bunch out there that are super cute and age grouped. I know what you mean about wanting something out of the norm from all the garbage they have out now and especially after Christmas.
Good luck.

Does she like to read? I suggest "The Daring Book for Girls" (you can get it at Target). It has tons of interesting games, projects, and a little bit of historical reading on famous women. I would have LOVED a book like this from ages 8-12. I have an 8 year old son and a friend gave him "The Dangerous Book for Boys" which is the boy version of this book and its so neat! :) Hope this helps!

There are knitting loombs that are really neat. Shaped in a circle- they come in packs you can get them at walmart with in structions included. Purchase yarn with it and she can create whatever she wants.

My daughter makes hats with hers and currently working on a sweater. You can make scarfs, blankets all kinds of stuff.

Scrapebooking is another fun thing to do too or beading. Alot of times you can purchase starter packs that are inexpensive and they don't take up alot of room. They can be stored in a plastic bin free from little hands.

Go to Michaels or Hobby lobby and sometimes walmart even has some starter packs to choose from.

Clay is another fun sorce of craft fun- they can create whatever they want. Some kids like the shrinky dink that came out a few years ago- ours ended up in a garage sale.

Craft idea books with supplies are a fun idea too. American Girl has a tone of craft books and the story books are amazing. My daughter loved them when she was younger.

Hope that helps..
C.

Hun I say set her free in dollar store with ten dollars... you could even invite three friends and ask their moms to give their child ten dollars... My kids think it is paradise to go to dollar store with 5 dollars and they are 8 6 and 4... jmo...

Does she like to get her nails painted? Maybe there is a "kids" day spa near by that she could get a manicure and/or pedicure. This is something that is just for her and it won't take up any space at home!!! I do hair & nails and usually little girls this age love this kind of treat. If not, maybe take her to do something special with just you and her or you could take her and a friend to a movie or ice skating. My 4 year old daughter loves when we do stuff together, she says "can we just have some girl time?"

Oh the joys of toy overflow! Ha-ha! I have been down this road too. Rather than buying gifts I am trying to have "experiences" with my kids. Experiences will stick with them for a lifetime, they won't get broke, they can't outgrow them, they can't get taken away and the best part is when your child says "remember when..." If you have a local theatre that has shows for kids she can get dressed up for the day, perhaps pick a place to have lunch or dinner and then go to the theatreo or other ideas are a movie, Childrens Museum, we have a Butterfly Pavilion, etc.

In order for her to still have something to unwrap, you could find something that goes along with her birthday experience...a book, etc..

I hope this helps. : ) Have fun!

Kids that age like to "claim" their stuff, so when I bought my son a Dymo-Labeler, suddenly nothing else mattered. He labeled his books, his games, and left me a "Hi Mom" on my computer keyboard. It's a creative way for him to get organized. And it takes up very little space. Drug stores sell them for under $4. (I got mine at Rite-Aid) and the additional rolls of labeling tape are a couple bucks for 4 various colored rolls.
I remember my Mom getting me one when I was little, so I continued the tradition with great success!

My daughter is seven but I plan on giving her a journal for her birthday. My parents gave me one when I turned eight and I've been writing in one ever since. It's great to look back in elementary school and high school to remember things. Encourage her to write her feelings, hopes and dreams.

Here are just some ideas... diary, staionary, stuff to make homemade thank you cards, a couple of dance lessons (if you have a local teacher), subscription to her favorite magazine.

Hope this helps

Not sure this is the least bit helpful but Michaels has the Doll house sets- you put it together, paint it... it would be a long term project but something she can add to even as she gets older. Something that she would treasure for years to come because she put the work into it, maybe somthing the two of you do together. Hope you find some great ideas

What about books? DOes she like to read? Has she read any of the Harry Potter series? It seems like lots of kids I know in the 8-9 range are really into those books.
Or maybe a stepping stone kit? That's pretty craftsy, and then it goes outside, so it won't clutter up the house.

What are her interests and talents? It sounds like she likes music. Why not give her something that helps her develop that along with self confidence? Maybe a Kareoke(sp?) machine? or piano lessons?
I insisted that my children take at least 2 years of piano while they were young and in school and it increased their grades at least one level and their skills in core classes like Math greatly improved.

How about a years pass to one of those do-it-yourself pottery places? I think that she would love to paint pottery and she could give it to friends or family as holidays and birthdays come up. . . ..

Hi
I have a daughter that just turned 10 the year before that for christmas we got her an mp3 player and a nintendo ds. They were great gifts especially now a days they have educational games, my daughter loves to play "Are you smarter then a fifth grader"

Brittany G.

An interesting twist to gift giving this year may be to have you daughter go through all of her toys and stuffed animal and take out everything that she doesn't want or really play with that much or that are no longer age appropriate. Take her to a shelter to give away her toys or hand out stuffed animals at a children's hospital. It's not a "material" gift but at her age now, it may be a really great thing to teach her. You could even make a "party" out of it and see if she would like to take a few friends of hers with her and they could all donate some of their things as well. Take pictures and then you could help everyone make a scrapbook collage for your daughter to hang in her room.

We got these mosaic sticky art prints for Christmas for all the girls in our family. 4 on up. They were a hit with EVERYONE!!! Inexpensive and NOT messy. There is a really cute one with fairies. You can search on Amazon and find some. enter "sticky mosaics." Have fun shopping.

Help her start her own scrapbook - This is something you both can do together and it is a fun and creative way to help her learn more about her and your family. This is something she will have for the rest of her life too! If you need help getting started, just let me know and I will be happy to point you in a good direction.

Books are always a wonderful gift, and encourage an activity essential for success in school and life in general. Staff at your local bookstore or library can suggest books appropriate for her age and skill level, and that's something you can enjoy together and doesn't take much room. Also, if your daughter enjoys crafts, she's old enough to begin knitting. I was eight when my grandmother taught me to knit, and it's been an activity I've enjoyed all my life. I'm now 59. If you don't know how to knit, yarn shops usually offer classes for children and adults, and might even have a mother-daughter class, so it would be something you can do together. That time spent with you is as much a gift to her as anything else and will be treasured someday as she thinks back to happy times with Mom.

Would she be interest in origami? Michael's sells some really pretty origami paper, and most of the packets have some simple patterns to try (or you can download them from the internet). I've made origami animals and then fashioned them into mobiles for babies, or just hung them loosely around the room from the ceiling with string - kind of fun, and definitely doesn't take up much space (i.e. one folder in a filing cabinet).

P.,
I have a daughter who is also 7 now, and I have discovered the greatest gifts to give when you want it to be meaningful. I create custom storybooks online using Heritage Makers. It is an amazing publisher, and within two weeks you recieve a personalized hardbound storybook. You can do anything with your book: "what I love about You," "life stories," "when mommy was little," etc... Your options are endless. Visit my website to create a free account and get started on preserving the precious stories in your family. www.storybookforlife.com

K.

I am not sure where you live, but there is a store called Tuesday Morning and I found a fun gift there recently. It's a wind mill type thing that comes w/ paint. It's all different colors, very bright and fun. She can paint on any thing she wants and create her own masterpiece. When done, it can go outside to decorate the yard. Very affordable and looks like lots of fun!

Two things come to mind, P.. I have a granddaughter who received a children's cookbook at age 8. She is now 13 and really enjoys working in the kitchen. She made me a Boston Cream Pie for my birthday. It was delicious. She makes better cookies than her grandma! Another thing my girls liked was books. Sometimes we would read together and other times they would read themselves. My 38 year old daughter gets a book from me every year for Christmas as well as my 27 year old daughter. It all started with Laura Ingalls Wilder's series of books beginning with LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS. These suggestions may not seem very creative, but we sure had a lot of fun and good quality time together....M.

Hi P.,
I have a fun idea for you. Take her and her best friend two if you have the time and energy and do their hair and make up and put on some music. Hang a blanket up against your wall and do a fashion shot of them. Take as many pics as your camera can hold (you could use disposables if you dont have a digital and do a one hour process at walmart) Let the girls look all through them and pic their favorites. One of each girl by herself and then some together. Then you can either have them sit and scrap book two 12 x 12 pages or get a bigger frame and let them turn it into a collage that she can keep forever. This is so much fun! We did this with my daughter and had each parent send a frame. We just printed different sizes and let them have fun. Its something that will have meaning and be priceless as she gets older as the other things will be tossed along the way side. Let us know how it turns out! tc S.