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Main present for a just about to turn 8 year old?

53 replies

BirthdayForAChildWhoHasitAll · 03/03/2022 08:18

DD turns 8 in a few weeks.

I have absolutely no idea what to get her for her birthday.

I’ve got her a couple of books, and some clothes and a new glasses case. But I’m stuck for a main present.

She seems to be outgrowing toys plays very occasionally with her dolls house but that’s about it, already has an ipad (bought by ExH), and hasn’t asked for anything at all – she usually has something she wants, and asks for.

To make it even more complicated, she’s suspected dyslexic, suspected Developmental Co-ordination disorder and has hypermobility.

Out of school she does Swimming and Brownies. She already had costumes/uniform, a camp blanket, subs and fees pays, plus badge book for Brownies and a few teddies and dolls related to both Brownies and Rainbows (which she did before Brownies). So nothing related to her activities.

She seems to have outgrown princesses, we already have two animals adopted from WWF, she has 2 bikes (one with me and one with ExH) and a scooter which she can’t ride due to the HM (we do practise). She’s very chatty, happy in general and that makes it harder as she takes everything in her stride.

She’s have a party with her friends which she’s never had before and will probably be her only whole class party, they’re painting a pot.

She’s incredibly small for her age so doesn’t really need anything in the next size up shoes or clothes wise (clothes last at least 18 months with her, shoes can last 8-12 months she grows incredibly slow).

It just seems she’s at a difficult age, and she may get harder before getting easier. Most of her clothes are still age 3-4 or 4-5 so quite babyish, I do hunt for more “grown up” stuff but it’s hard. So I want her birthday to be everything she wants.

So ideas? I have a few weeks.

OP posts:
Givemeallthegin8 · 03/03/2022 12:40

My dd is nine and heres some things she loves !

Lego
Activity sets - beads , origami etc
Science kits
Tie dye kits ( I hate them !)
Squishville
Squishmallow
Any stationary things
Journals
Fit bit
Jigsaws

She loves getting lots of different things , so a box filled with things like lip balm, little notepads , bracelets, bath bombs etc

It’s a difficult age as they generally have all the big things like bikes, scooters , iPad , switch . We opted for smaller gifts for her bday gifts this year ( doesn’t make it any cheaper though 🤯)

RubyReigns · 03/03/2022 12:42

My dd is a similar age and has also stopped playing with most toys. She has this year discovered horses.
Now her birthday list is bursting with crafty pony things, riding gear (hard to find as she has sensory issues with anything that touches her) and schliech.
Would your dd like riding? You could buy her a block of lessons?
Or a day out with you shopping, nails, nice afternoon tea. I took dd to do these things last year and she still talks about it being the best day ever.

Classicblunder · 03/03/2022 12:46

Yoto player?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Tractordiggerdump · 03/03/2022 12:46

My DD wants a candy cotton machine for her 8th. Amazon has them for aprx £40. There are different coloured sugars you can buy too.

axolotlfloof · 03/03/2022 13:09

Scooter, bike, pogo stick?
DS with DCD loved this sort of stuff and helped with working on his balance.

BirthdayForAChildWhoHasitAll · 03/03/2022 14:15

@axolotlfloof

Scooter, bike, pogo stick? DS with DCD loved this sort of stuff and helped with working on his balance.
@axolotlfloof She has 2 bikes and a scooter, she can't ride any of them though.

Pogo stick we don't have a proper garden just small shared one and I do actually like my neighbours so don't want her using one inside Grin

OP posts:
LaTangerina · 03/03/2022 14:20

Has she got a wii or similar? You could buy just dance or another fun game for it?

BirthdayForAChildWhoHasitAll · 03/03/2022 14:29

@LaTangerina

Has she got a wii or similar? You could buy just dance or another fun game for it?
@LaTangerina I have a switch she's allowed to play on, and I also have a PS4 that she's allowed to use too.

Will look into games for her thank you.

OP posts:
nightwakingmoon · 03/03/2022 15:19

As a pp says my DD really liked lots of small cheaper things for her most recent birthday - stationery, unusual sweets, room decorations, bath bomb kit, CD player, binoculars. Oh and I remembered something she really liked for her most recent birthday - a fountain pen.

LaTangerina · 03/03/2022 15:19

No problem!
If you look on amazon they're often cheaper. I got my own daughter Just Dance 2020 recently for a birthday gift & she loves it. Because I didn't buy the most recent year game it was only around £12ish I think.

Heckythump1 · 03/03/2022 15:20

Yoto player! Hands down best thing we've bought!

DoucheCanoe · 03/03/2022 15:33

My 9yo is getting her ears pierced and tickets to see the Masked Singer Live for her birthday as she hasn't really asked for anything (except getting her ears done).

Alexaplaysomething · 03/03/2022 15:45

My dd is 8 soon we've settled on a fish tank and few small fish. She needs nor wants anything else.

LaTangerina · 03/03/2022 16:14

@Heckythump1

Yoto player! Hands down best thing we've bought!

Even for this age? What sort of age do the books go up to?
I'd love to get one but had thought my kids were too old!
@heckythump1

Heckythump1 · 03/03/2022 22:02

My older daughter is 6 and a half and there's plenty of cards that are too old for her still, I can see her using and loving it for a long time yet!

MintyGreenDream · 03/03/2022 22:05

I got ds a mini fridge for his room,he loves it!

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 03/03/2022 22:07

I got a really nice desk for my 8th birthday. I used it until it fell apart when I was 37...

Elsielouise13 · 03/03/2022 23:37

A house rabbit?

Woulditbeworth · 03/03/2022 23:46

Polaroid camera and film? My 8yr DD would love one.

A small pet? My DS had gerbils age 8 (although you’d have to be prepared for doing the care)

SunflowerSmith · 03/03/2022 23:47

My dd turns 9 next week and I've struggled this year, the only thing she asked for was the extension pack for the Hat In Time game on the Nintendo Switch.
I've bought her a rechargeable hand warmer, nice stationary, couple of squishies, Squishmallow cushion, personalised bookmark and some colour changing leds that we're going to fit around her wardrobe and a mug. She's also having some friends round after school to play and a takeaway for them.

Xmasbaby11 · 03/03/2022 23:50

My dd recently turned 8. She is super easy to buy for but here's what she liked:

Books
Slippers
Fleecy panda poncho from Next
Bedroom stuff - desk, chair, light, clock, bin, desk tidy
Tie dye set
Arts and crafts stuff eg set of skin coloured pens
Sleepover kit
Furry winter boots
Subscription to The Week junior
Alexa and Audible Subscription (she loves it so much!)

I haven't done it with my dd but she'd love afternoon tea and a play or similar!

laurac28 · 03/03/2022 23:50

Hi when my daughter turned 8 we took her and her twin brothers to build a bear they picked a pokemon teddy each and enjoyed the process of watching them get filled with fluff they chose scents to be added and sounds, there are also lots of outfits to choose from and they get a "birth" certificate for the bears when all is finished. The staff also came out and rang the bell for her birthday and she got to hold a big happy birthday sign it was really lovely. Might be an idea if there is a workshop near you .

Squiff70 · 04/03/2022 00:08

@Elsielouise13

A house rabbit?
Oh God. Where do I even start? PLEASE educate yourself on rabbit welfare before throwing out ridiculous suggestions like this!
  1. Rabbits should be kept in neutered pairs or groups. They are sociable animals and don't enjoy being on their own no matter how much human company they may have
  1. Rabbits do NOT make suitable pets for children. The vast majority don't like being picked up and cuddled. They are a LOT of work and it's always parents who have to do the legwork and the vast majority of their (many) care needs. Did you know rabbits aren't classed as domestic pets? They are classed as exotics because when cared for properly, they have very specific and complex care needs which need to be met.
  1. Rabbits cost a bloody fortune in vets bills as they are prone to a number of serious health problems and this should always be very carefully considered
  1. Not all rabbits make good house rabbits. We have two rabbits who live right outside our back door in a purpose-built and very large shed. One of them would make a great house rabbit (I've had house rabbits before) but the other one is a fluffy nutcase and would NOT be safe in the house.
  1. One rabbit produces around 500 poos a day. Times that by two (or more, since rabbits should not be singletons) and that's a lot of poo! Sure, they can be litter trained but that takes time, dedication and a lot of patience.
  1. 80% of a rabbit's diet should be hay or grass. House rabbit owners have many many years of there being hay all over their bloody house - the stuff gets in places you never thought possible!
  1. Rabbits can and do live for a long time. One of my buns wasn't far off 13 when he died. They are a huge commitment that sadly, not everyone considers when they get a rabbit.

All that said, rabbits are outrageously cute, funny and such satient creatures that it's virtually impossible not to fall in love with them.

Sorry to derail the thread OP! As you were...

BeaLola · 04/03/2022 00:19

A watch
A engraved bangle or a silver initial necklace
Would she like a dressing table, pink hairdryer,
A beanbag for her room
Afternoon tea and nails with a girly trip to cinema if anything good on
Shopping trip for clothes with a budget set for her to choose what she would like
Musical box
Snow globe
Monthly magazine - my DS loved getting his own post
Indoor tent to chill in

Notdoingthis · 04/03/2022 06:31

My 8 year old just wants crafts
Watercolours
Magic markers
Jigsaws
Board games
Poster for bedroom
Bedding
Books