What to Buy for an 8 Year Old Who Is All Grown Up?

I would recommend going to Libby Lu's in the mall(king of prussia). It is the little girl shop of all shops especially if they like to act all grown up. They have all kinds of make up for little girls, costumes, and hair stuff. I was just there last week for a birthday present. I didn't want eye shadow or blush so I just told the girl working how much I wanted to spend and she showed me several things with what I wanted. It was really nice. If you don't think you could pick something out she would like, you could even get her a gift card and she can go in herself. They even have parties where the workers do the girls makeup and hair so that could be an option that she might use with her gift card.

I don't know if it is age appropriate - but maybe a digital camera or personal music player. Often you can find these items on E-bay. Or look for a non I-Pod version cheaper than the brand I-pod.

Perhaps a gift card? The ones for individual stores are good, but at Staples I noticed they make ones that look just like a credit card (visa or mastercard) and can be used anywhere. That might make her feel grown up and does not limit her only to the stores that have their own cards. Good luck.

Hi C., One of the best gifts I ever gave my girls at any age was a trip to build-a-bear! No matter how "grown-up" a girl might be/act they all melt when they get to build-a-bear and choose, dress and get one of those lovely stuffed animals! There are tons of clothes, sounds, and charming employees that make it all fun...even "adoption certificates" with date of "birth" and names! It could be a fun and fab outing and present for both your daughter and her friend!

A purse? Something small and cute that she can carry things in...a wristlet perhaps? You can find small COACH purses on ebay in your price range. A jewelry box or case?

She is 8, and I would not buy her stuff for a teen-ager. If she has a camera, what about stuff to start a scrap-book, and maybe some scissors and stuff ? she might not use it right away, but she might later. If she doesn't have a camera, there are some cheap digital ones out there. If she has an MP3 player you can get download gift cards for songs. But I would try to be as age appropriate as possible. It's hard when there are older kids in her home, but she deserves to be a kid, too. (My girls at that age got into the American Doll thing, which is wonderful, because I could buy them stuff for the doll and if they don't play with them, it becomes a collector's item anyway.) Another idea would be a subscription to American Girl magazine. It's age appropriate for young kids, and it has lots of stuff in it for crafts and things. And it celebrates being a girl -- not a teenager. It sounds like she needs some of that. Oh ! And one last idea: a game called Apples to Apples. My eldest daugher (27), bought it for our 13 year old, and we all love it ! It's a game everyone in the family can play, the more people the better, it helps you learn words, but you don't have to be smart to play it. we were at a party this weekend, where the teens were playing it, and a 9 year old was playing WITH them. It's a game that has made us all want to play together, and it gives us a fun time to spend actually interacting with each other !!!

We have always played "Scrabble" as a family and even now when they visit each other, our adult kids get so intense they don't see or hear anyone else. You can partner up so a larger group can play. The Deluxe Scrabble game has a rotating turntable and costs around $30. "Cranium" is good fun to play with a group too. I also like the idea of keeping a journal. There are pretty ones at Barnes and Noble... and music never goes out of style... though I don't know who is "in" at the moment.

Do you think she might like a tween cook book, a decorate your own apron, funky colored measuring cups????? something like that to teach her some skills in the kitchen???
good luck, My SIL buys awesome awesome presents for my kids and i Always have trouble reciprocating. I'd love to know what you get and how she likes it.

My daughter is a8 and "grown up" too however just because they act that way doesn't mean they are! I saw 2 posts that were ideas I also came up with. Build-a-bear or the day spa (kids love to get their fingers & toes painted) You can spend the day with your daughter and her friend or just get her a gift card to either of these places.

My daugher loves shoes & books!

Good luck.

C.,
I always ask. And when I do parents always appreciate it, I do as well when someone asks me what my kids are into, or if there is something special that they would really like. That way it is always a hit, and the kid usually says- "I really wanted this! thank you!"
good luck!!

Hi C.,

How about taking both girls to a museum? Spend some time with the girls. Build a sense of community.

The North Museum of Natural History and Science
400 College Avenue
Lancaster,PA 17603
###-###-####

Hope this helps. D.

I have a "grown up" 7-year old girl, so I know where you're coming from. I think the other ideas posted are great, and had just a couple others to add. You could get movie passes/gift card, since most kids that age really like the movies and that way she can pick which movie she wants to see. Also, I find that lots of girls this age are starting to be into "cool" clothes - you can get jeans, t-shirts, etc. that have some little glittery sparkle to them, but that are still appropriate for a kid (and they don't all have the Hannah, etc. characters on them). Or a gift card to Target or someplace and she could pick out her own outfit (or something else). I also think a cute purse with some girly kid makeup, hair accessories, etc. would work. You might even be able to score a deal on an MP3 player that would fall in your price range, but you'd probably want to check with her parents first since they'd need to put music on it, etc. Also, there are some cute fashion design kits (even one that hooks into your TV) that are fun are not too babyish - that's a favorite here. Oh, and a Payless gift card would be good too - she can pick out some sparkly pretty shoes and a few accessories she likes. You could also check out Target/Kohl's/BedBath and Beyond/Etc. for neat decorations for her room - funky pillows, cute lamps, pictures, etc. Hope that helps.

My little sister's girl scout group went to a day spa, and she loved it! she's 13 now but this was a few years ago. They got the hair done (not cut just blown out or an updo) their finger nails and toe nails painted. and had a cute little lunch. I think a day with your daughter and her friend would be awsome. And maybe you could go and get a massage or something. Good luck!

What about a small vera bradley bag (i think they are about 25.00) stuffed with a lip gloss and gum etc.? They have tons of cute ones at the hallmark stores. The even have ones that are "my first" vera :-)

I've had the same problem with not knowing what to get my niece's. What my husband and I did was get them a Visa pre-paid gift card. They loved it. Kids always love having those, they can spend it on what they want just like the adults.

My first thought was craft supplies, but not the kiddie or toy kind. Go to the craft store and pick up something easy, but adult like jewelry making supplies with funky beads or scrapbooking. Everyone loves to scrapbook - the funky paper and stickers are so fun. She will be able to express herself and you can spend as much or as little as you would like. Our craft supply store has little chinese take out containers for $1-2, you could pile a bunch of small supplies in there and she might think that's pretty cool.

Vera Bradley bag is a great idea from previous poster, or anything little and name brand like the "cool" high school girls have.

Good luck!

I have an 11 year old niece and 3 nieces that are 9. Some of the things I have bought them in the last few years include stationery sets (fancy paper, stampers, pens), journals, jewlery making supplies, room decor craft kits (memo boards, clocks, trinket boxes, etc), American Girl activity books, messenger bags, watches. Hope this helps.

What about some kind of craft/art project. There are lots of different kids of cool self contained project kits. My mother-in-law gave my daughter a book with supplies to make fairies with mini silk flowers. I think it is listed for 8+. My daughter is not yet 5 and while she likes picking things out, I have to do all of the putting together - she just can't manipulate the tiny pieces yet. They have mini cross stitch sets or card making kits. There are shoe decorating projects and mini rug kits. Knitting is getting to be popular too with younger kids. You could get a kid's knitting book with a few supplies to get started. I'm not sure how pricing would fall out - you could check it out and see. Mix and match a couple projects to reach your goal.

Do u have a Libby Lu's in your area there. A gift card to that place where she can get her nails and hairs ect done with accessories is cute or just search the mall and I'm sure something will just hit you.

What about a jewelry bead-making kit?

They have kits out there for making your own jewlery. Most girls her age and even older love that stuff. Scrapbooking kits are cute too. Think girly, but teenie weenie girly.

Crafts are a great idea at this age. Go to Learning Express and you'll find all kinds of things girls of all ages like to do.

Jonas Brothers buy her something from that. My 15 and 12 year old constantly talking about the guys.

While it's nice to get gifts, especially for your birthday, because it is our own special day, I think we Americans go WAY TOO FAR with buying gifts for children. First, I try not to compare my gift with what other people will be giving. Also, I try to think of something that is useful and meaningful, not just "fabulous". This girl sounds like she is not hurting for anything, so how about a nice gift card to Barnes and Noble? This way, she can pick what she wants. Books, music, puzzles, etc. Kids this age love to be able to go shop for what they want. Also, when my kids get gift cards, I wait a while, sometimes even a few months to let them use it. They always get soooooo many gifts on their birthday, the excitement and meaning is sometimes lost because they have too much. My husband is from Trinidad and his family is somewhat poor. When his mother came to my house to visit, she saw all the toys my kids have and said, "they have enough toys for 100 children!" Well, she was right, and we didn't even buy 75% of the stuff. Where did it come from? Gifts! The way I see it, they can only play with one thing at a time anyway. Well, just my thoughts. Good luck with whatever you choose!

A go to gift for me for kids of all ages is the Stomp Rocket. It runs about $15, and you can buy extra rockets. You can find it at that hobby store in Cranberry where the Lowes is on Route 228, or on Amazon. I have a three year old and an 18 month old, but the six to eight year old crowd always comes over to play with it as well.