8-Year-old Daughter Birthday Gift Ideas??

Craft kits -- like latch hook, friendship bracelets -- there are tons of these in WalMart in the craft section.

An experience gift -- movie/dinner date with mom, ski passes, bowling or whatever she likes. You can make a coupon and wrap it up in a box.

Books -- The Daring Book for Girls is really cool and has lots of short things to read and do in it. Crossword puzzle books or word search books.

Board game or other handheld electronic game -- There is a little handheld 20 questions game that claims it can guess what you are thinking -- you think of a thing and it asks questions you answer. It is very cool and a big hit with my kids. Simon is also fun if you can stand the beeping noises! Bananagrams is fun if she'll have someone to play with.

We got our 8 year old a friendship bracelet making kit. She also got a "color your own" messenger bag, a boom box with some CDs. Those have been her favorites this year!

Would she enjoy you taking her out to lunch, then getting a mani/pedi and maybe a hair cut?

You might give her a gift card a girly store that you can take her to and let her pick something out. I know at 8 my boys wanted gift cards so they could get exaclty what they wanted.

I like to go to Micheals/Hobby Lobby/Joanns and look at their crafting kits for kids. Jewelry making kits, purse/clothing decorating kits, clay and pottery wheels, stepping stone mosaic kits... all sorts of science experiments and crafty things perfect for her age range. Or, since she is getting older, a new comforter for her bed or something neat for her room.

My almost 8 year old got a kindle (the cheaper $79 version) and loves it. It is with her everywhere. She begs to take it to school. And we can get library books on it, so it keeps the costs down.

Otherwise, I suggest you ask her what she wants to do. Maybe instead of a boxed gift, take her out for a mommy day to a fancy restaurant in nice clothes, get your nails done, see a movie, give her money to shop for herself at a store you agree to, or see a show/ballet/etc.

Does she like art? Maybe a nice art set with colored pencils, papers, glitter glue, etc?

Have you ever looked at the craft-type kits they have at Barnes & Noble? Really cool stuff.

What about the gift of an experience (along with some new earrings)? tickets for movie, a play, show, etc.?

Jewelry like earrings or necklaces, bracelets is good; even better might be to get her the kit where she can make necklaces and bracelets for herself and her friends, sisters, whatever. lip balm, things for her hair-barrets, headbands, ponytail holders etc. What about puzzles (one of a dog, dogs etc.), games, cards, art, craft or scrapbook kit? If she's a reader, books or a kindle/nook might be good too. If she has some interests, perhaps enroll her in a class of some kind or go to a Mommy/daughter date with a movie and her favorite place to eat or favorite snack etc. You could also get her a gift card to her favorite 'treat' place like yogurt shop or restaurant or even take her shopping. My daughter is the same age and I know she LOVES Justice clothes although I watch for sales and usually get them at second-hand or consignment retailers. All the best...

Art supplies - 8 is old enough for some 'real' art supplies if she is interested. Try a real art supply store - they are usually knowledgeable about appropriate supplies.

There are some great science kits for this age - geology, chemistry and some fossil/paleontology ones.

I think the Kindle and tickets to a concert/show/museum are great ideas.
I would not get jewelry, clothing or a mani/pedi - I think at this age this is telling little girls that we value them for their appearance - not for who they are inside.

What does she like/ Is she a girly girl? My 17 yr old has always been a fashionista. She loves sketching clothing designs and sometimes making them and loves crafty things too.

mani/pedi
lunch/dinner with mom for special mom/me day
movies with mom
shopping trip with mom

IPod, IPad, mani/pedi supplies, arts/crafts (Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Barnes & Noble), new clothes, new shoes, jewelry organizer, special pillow for her bed,

Happy Birthday