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33 best gifts and toys for 8-year-olds, according to development experts

The best gifts for 8-year-olds help them engage in elaborate fantasy play and bury their noses in good books.

It's an age when children are developing their physical skills and social identities, and some may start to identify as “athletic” or "artistic," said Dr. Amanda Gummer, founder of Fundamentally Children, a toy testing and parent consulting company in the United Kingdom.

At the same time, 8-year-old boys and girls are becoming more physically adept, independent and sophisticated in their problem-solving. Imaginative play may now stretch over days or weeks and involve friends.

That means they’re ready for more complicated games and middle grade novels, along with graphic novels and picture books. And as their writing and drawing skills improve, they'll want plenty of time with their own notebooks.

When we release our 2018 gift guides, we make sure all prices are current. But, prices change frequently (yay, deals!), so there’s a chance the prices are now different than they were the day of publication.

OUR TOP GIFTS FOR 8-YEAR-OLDS 1. Klutz Make Your Own Mini Erasers, $20, Amazon TODAY editors, writers and experts take care to recommend items we really like and hope you’ll enjoy! Just so you know, TODAY does have affiliate relationships. So, while every product is independently selected, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the revenue.

KLUTZ Make Your Own Mini Erasers $20

AMAZON Also available at Walmart for $27 and Target for $22.

This fun crafting activity has a useful end product — erasers to use in writing and art projects.

2. 4M Crystal Growing Experiment, $18, Amazon

4M Crystal Growing Experiment $18

AMAZON Science is beautiful with this crystal-growing kit. It's a favorite of Marie Conti, the head of the The Wetherill School in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, and a board member of the American Montessori Society.

3. Hey Clay Aliens, $15, Amazon

Hey Clay Aliens $15

AMAZON As fine motor skills progress, "move away from prescriptive arts and crafts to more free-form activities such as clay modeling or simply a sketch book and some pencils," Dr. Gummer said.

4. Alex Toys Artist Studio Metallic Pens, $6, Walmart

Alex Toys Artist Studio Metallic Gel Pens $6

WALMART This sparkly metallic ink will make doodling even more fun.

5. AirHogs Supernova, $30 (originally $40), Walmart

Air Hogs - Supernova $30

WALMART Also available at Amazon and Target for $30.

This drone responds to hand movements instead of a remote and helps develop hand-eye coordination.

6. Klutz LEGO Make Your Own Movie Kit, $20 (originally $25), Amazon

Make Your Own Movie Kit $20

AMAZON This kit will appeal to storytellers and LEGO lovers alike.

TOYS FOR 8-YEAR-OLDS 1. Harry Potter Training Wand, $25, Amazon

Harry Potter, Harry Potter's Wizard Training Wand - 11 SPELLS TO CAST! $25

AMAZON Also available at Target for $25.

Aspiring wizards can practice their spells and get real feedback from this wand. Or pair it with another wand for (harmless) wizard battle.

2. Ideal Magic Suitcase, $25 (originally $51), Amazon

Ideal Magic Spectacular Magic Suitcase $25

AMAZON Eight-year-olds are developing the memory and fine motor skills needed to pull off magic tricks.

Related

HOLIDAY Try our new holiday gift generator! Just sort by price, recipient and interest 3. Marbelocity Mini Coaster, $21 (originally $30), Amazon

Marbleocity Mini Coaster $21

AMAZON Target has an archimedes screw version for $23.

Kids can build their own roller coasters with this system. It's similar to the free-form Marble Run that development experts love.

4. Easy Bake Oven, $73, Walmart

Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven Baking Star Edition $73

WALMART Eight-year-olds like playing in groups and are better at working together than when they were younger, so collaborative activities like baking may appeal, Dr. Gummer said.

5. Spalding Over-the-Door Basketball Hoop, $22, Amazon

Spalding NBA Slam Jam Over-The-Door Mini Basketball Hoop $22

AMAZON Sports equipment lets kids engage in competition, which is important at this age. "Learning to lose and win is an important skill to gain," Dr. Gummer said.

6. Num Noms, $28, Amazon

Num Noms Cupcake Tray Series $28

AMAZON Collectibles like these can be important for kids who are developing a sense of group belonging, Dr. Gummer said.

7. Gravitrax Starter Set, $58, Amazon

Gravitrax Starter Set $58

AMAZON This marble run kit builds STEM skills for children 8 and up.

8. American Girl Doll, $157, Amazon

American Girl Julie Doll $157

AMAZON Conti likes these dolls for their educational book tie-ins. Target has similar and less expensive Our Generation dolls.

9. Rubik's Cube, $9 (originally $12), Amazon

Rubik's Cube $9

AMAZON The puzzle cube is making a comeback. Choose between the original or an easier two-sided cube, depending on the child's tolerance for frustration.

TECH FOR 8-YEAR-OLDS 1. Tech Will Save Us Electro Dough Kit, $17 (originally $30), Amazon

Tech Will Save Us, Electro Dough Kit $17

AMAZON Bring homemade sculptures to life with dough that conducts electricity.

2. FujiFilm Instax Mini, $56 (originally $69), Amazon

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 $56

AMAZON This instant camera will satisfy your photographer-in-training.

3. littleBits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit, $70 (originally $100), Amazon

littleBits Star Wars Droid $70

AMAZON Star Wars fans can build their own droids and then program them using basic coding.

4. Botley the Coding Robot, $45, Amazon

Learning Resources Botley the Coding Robot, 45 Pieces $45

AMAZON Dr. Gummer likes this hands-on, screen-free robot for beginning to learn about coding.

5. Singing Machine Karaoke System, $70, Amazon

Singing Machine Karaoke System $70

AMAZON Combine your 8-year-old's developing music skills with a social activity like karaoke.

CRAFT SUPPLIES FOR 8-YEAR-OLDS 1. Reversible Magic Sequin Notebook, $15, Amazon

Reversible Magic Sequin Notebook $15

AMAZON A similar version is also available at Kohl's for $10.

Your 8-year-old's writing and drawing tools get a stylish upgrade with reversible flip sequins.

2. A5 Notebooks for Kids, $22, Amazon

A5 Notebook for Kids $22

AMAZON Inspire a Lego lover to write with this journal.

3. LEGO Gel Pen Set, $15, Amazon

Lego Gel Pen Set $15

AMAZON Also available at Lego Shop for $25 and Target for $16.

These matching pens complete the creative Lego set for budding writers.

4. Super Spirograph Jumbo Kit, $34 (originally $40), Amazon

Super Spirograph 75-piece Kit $34

AMAZON Also available at Target for $38.

The classic design kit is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Gummer said it's especially helpful for kids on the autism spectrum and who struggle with anxiety — it has a de-stressing effect similar to coloring books.

BOOKS FOR 8-YEAR-OLDS 1. "Unicorn Rescue Society: The Creature of the Pines" by Adam Gidwitz, $11 (originally $15), Amazon

The Creature of the Pines $11

AMAZON Adam Gidwitz's new series for young readers sets children on fantastic adventures to save mythical creatures. "When kids find a series they like, that’s something they can practice with," said Nina Lindsay, president of the Association for Library Service to Children.

2. "Harry Potter" boxed set, $60 (originally $100), Amazon

Harry Potter Boxed Set $60

AMAZON Also available at Barnes & Noble for $63 and Target for $100.

Ready to go full Potter? This boxed set features beautiful new covers by Brian Selznick, or try the illustrated collection.

3. "Thrifty Guide to the American Revolution," by Jonathan W. Stokes, $10, Amazon

The Thrifty Guide $10

AMAZON The new series by Jonathan W. Stokes gives history lessons a lively voice that even reluctant readers will appreciate.

4. "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown," $9 (originally $14), Amazon

The Meltdown (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 13) $9

AMAZON Graphic novels are a great tool for developing readers as they use pictures to boost comprehension. "It engages literacy in a different way. All reading is good reading," Lindsay said.

5. "Baby-Sitters Club" graphic novel, $29 (originally $44), Amazon

The Baby-Sitters Club Graphix $35

AMAZON The beloved series by Ann M. Martin has been updated into graphic novels by Raina Telgemeier and Gale Galligan. An original Baby-Sitters Club retro collection is also available.

6. "Louisiana's Way Home," by Kate DiCamillo, $12 (originally $17), Amazon

Louisiana's Way Home $12

AMAZON Kate DiCamillo returns to the character introduced in "Raymie Nightingale."

7. "Princesses Save the World" by Savannah Guthrie and Allison Oppenheim, $18, NBC Store

"Princesses Save the World" by Savannah G. and Allison O. $18

NBCSTORE Learning about the strength of women and girls is perfect for any budding 8-year-old!

GAMES FOR 8-YEAR-OLDS 1. Trouble and Battleship bundle, $19 (originally $25), Amazon

Trouble Game and Battleship Game Bundle $19

AMAZON "Playing family board games with children is a great, pressure-free way of keeping those lines of communication open," Dr. Gummer said.

2. Apples to Apples Junior, $13 (originally $15), Amazon

Apples to Apples Junior $13

AMAZON This game of comparisons will be fun for years to come.

Finding the perfect present can be a challenge, but Shop TODAY's up to the task. Try our interactive gift finder to sort gifts by price, person and interest. And no matter who you're looking for, we've got gift guides for everyone on your list, including:

[hatchimalreviews-blog]

BEST HATCHIMALS

Buyer’s Guide

WHAT ARE HATCHIMALS? Characterized as electronic bird-like creature, this toy has been manufactured by Spin Master since 2016 and enjoyed immediate success. The soft plush style coupled with robotic skills and personality has been a winner for the company. What started as a 6 inch plush toy with sounds and movements that hatches out of an egg has morphed into different sizes and species of the toy and a new collectible version of miniature figures.

Hatchimals for girls

You might also enjoy: Thomas the train toys for gifts.

Read the Directions

Hatchimals build on the technology lessons of past toys. While they are more interactive than their ancestors, there can still be problems. The best advice anyone can have is to READ THE DIRECTIONS before trying to use the product. A 10-page PDF (Yes, folks, 10 pages in multiple languages) is available from the Spin Master company. Reading in advance of the ‘birth’ might just minimize the frustration when technology does not follow the rules.

Instructions and cheat sheet are packaged with most models and are key to unlocking the secrets of getting your Hatchimal to interact as advertised. Movements are also included in what the toys can do. (http://download-instructions.spinmaster.com/HTCH/F16/Hatchimals_F16_IS_GBL.pdf)

Life Span Feature

Although it is unclear how all this works, the company states that Hatchimals will transition through certain life stages such as baby, toddler and kid. At each stage, the games and activities change to keep up with the toys apparent ‘growth’.

Age Range/ Gender

Hatchimals are recommended for boys and girls age 5 and older. ‘Hatching’ the egg does require a certain amount of patience and dexterity which is one reason they may not be rated for children age 3 and up. In practice, however, most consumers of Hatchimal products seem to be girls between the age of 5 and 10 years. Maturity levels can factor into their appeal since the figures have interactive personalities.

Younger children may be captivated by the hatching process but care should be taken to keep eggshell pieces and accessories from finding their way into small mouths.

You might also like to consider these cute Mickey Mouse toys.

Choking Hazard

This product is considered a choking hazard due to the small parts that might come off as the hatchling is used. Recommended age for the product is age 5+.

Batteries or Not

All interactive Hatchimals require batteries to operate their robotic features. Different models of the product may have different battery requirements. Most playsets also require batteries for the sound and special effect features. However, the CollEGGtible miniature figures do not use batteries unless used as part of a playset. Here are a few questions that might come up.

What if my Hatchimal ‘dies? As cute as the toy is most children will find some way to interact with it but to make it fully functional the batteries should be replaced shortly after the ‘birth’. Directions for replacing batteries are included Can my Hatchimal be given a bath? Soft and cuddly as they are, these toys are robotic in nature and ma short out or stop working altogether if they are exposed to water or even extended periods of high humidity. The best way to keep a Hatchimal in good health is to keep it warm and dry. Looking for bath toys? Try these awesome bath-time toys. Where can I go to get help if I need it? Spin Master operates an information website for grownups and there is customer service for any product defect issues. All that information should be in the instructions that come with the product. Blind Box Packaging

Like many other collectible and popular products, Hatchimals are packed by what is known as the Blind Box method. In short, consumers are not given all the details about what is in the package. HatchiBaby products can be either a boy or a girl. CollEGGtible sets have no listing as to the identity of the figures that are waiting to be hatched. While it is very excited to get the gender you want or to find an ultra rare colleggtible in the carton, it is just as likely that the figures will be similar to or even identical to hatchlings that already line the shelf.

The Talking Scandal

When these products first hit the shelves, some parents claimed that the sounds were inappropriate. Mimicking baby talk and baby sounds, a creative imagination could possibly here all manner of words

Product Website/ Parent Resources

Spin Master maintains a product website for its consumers. Located at http://www.hatchimals.com/en_us/ the site offers product information and ways to enhance the Hatchimal experience. Parents can join the Hatch Club for news and special deals on collectible or new release items. Videos and other activities are also available online.

Expert Tip

Hatchimals has developed and released a line of collectible miniatures known as CollEGGtibles. In just 2 years, nearly 400 different figures have been released. Each has a rating which tells how hard it will be to obtain the figure. Spin Master has created an app for the purpose of tracking and trading it collectible figures. Apps are available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Did you know?

If you have purchased one of the interactive models of Hatchimals, the company recommends replacing the batteries that come with the set soon after the animal’s hatch. Since there is no standard size of battery for these products, check the package for details and purchase those that are needed. In some cases a small screwdriver is needed to access the battery compartment.