This post includes affliate links, read here how these work.

8 years old! Oh my!

How did that happen? Where did the time go?

How did my little scrap get so ... well ... biggish?

Push, pushing at the boundaries. Every single day.

And more and more ready to put away childish - or at least what she thinks are childish - things.

WHICH raises a big question.

WHAT on earth DO you buy an 8 year old who's already got - thanks to wonderfully generous family & friends - so much? And who is just sooo grown up?

Well here are my 8 top gift ideas for 8 year olds.

And based on our experience they are pretty awesome.

Both for 8 year olds. AND for parents of 8 years who would like a lot less clutter in the house!
 

8 Awesome Gift Ideas For 8 Year Olds

1. A Big Big Big Adventure

They are so pushing the boundaries at this age aren't they?

AND need the space to stretch themselves physically.

AND do scary stuff to explore their own fears and limits.

SO tickets or vouchers for a BIG adventure like zip trekking are perfect.

Go Ape in the UK now have junior ropes for 8 year olds including 3 sites in London.

Alternatively check out Cloud 9 in the US or Experience Days in the UK who offer zip trekking and other wild adventures for kids.
 

2. Roller Blades That Grow With Them

It turns out balancing is super important for kids brains. Even at 8.

So roller blades are a winner. BUT you want ones that grow with them.

These K2 Blades (UK) extend FIVE kids shoe sizes so will keep them going till 12ish!

We've been borrowing a pair to test roll. AND they rock!
 

3. All The Best Kids Books Ever ... On Audio

Forget the odd Roald Dahl CD for the car.

Your 8 year old NEEDS Audible!

Then any time of the day they can listen to Harry Potter, Swallows & Amazons, David Walliams - whoever - ALL on the iPad!

AND you know what's truly amazing?

With a great book on in the background 8 year olds will play and play.

And NOT want screen time. Result.

The Audible membership looks pricey. But this month we got ALL of Narnia for less than 8 quid!

Seriously worth it. And you can cancel whenever you like.
 

4. The Coolest Making & Inventing Stuff

Kids grow in leaps and bounds don't they?

And at 8 they're suddenly ready to invent serious stuff.

They don't just want to stick bits together. They want to make them work!

And a LittleBits electronics kit (UK) lets them do just that.

OK it's NOT cheap. BUT we love ours.

It's limitless. And in a different league from cheaper kits we've tried.
 

5. Tough Kids Jeans They'll Never Grow Out Of

8 year olds are tough! And tough kids need tough clothes.

And will LOVE these awesome jeans from super cool British kids brand The Fableists.

They're tough enough for boarding, blading and general marauding.

AND designed to grow with them with big turn ups and extendible waists.

PLUS they are made from organic denim which is massive for every little eco warrior!
 

6. A Beano Subscription

There's a moment on every Saturday when our street falls quiet.

The postman's just been. The Beanos have arrived.

And ALL the 8 year old's are transported to Beano Town.

From where they return laden with enough jokes and pranks and tales of Dennis and Gnasher to torment the rest of the family with for a whole week. Till next Saturday!

But you know what? They ARE reading.

For themselves. For pleasure. For the sheer joy of words.

AND that has got to be worth a few spiders in your tea!

So go on. Get them a Beano subscription.

And you can even read it yourself when they're in bed. And travel back to the wonderful world of 8.
 

7. Their Own Luggage That Will Last

And talking about travelling. 8 year olds are so ready to spread their wings.

Sleep overs. Trips without us. They just don't need us every night any longer. BOO HOO.

BUT if they're ready to travel. They're ready to carry their OWN bags!

So get them this genius Deuter rucksack (UK) which is designed to grow with them.

You can shorten the back right down for a small 8 year old.

But it will keep extending until they are 13.
 

8. Lastly ...

And the final gift every 8 year old needs?

One, that won't cost us a thing.

Because it's US being there!

As one wise grandma told me, our kids MOST need us there WHEN they are spreading their wings.

It's our love and our cuddles - when they want them - and us listening, undistracted, to them rabbiting on about this, that and the other that lets our 8 year olds venture out, on their own to conquer the world.

Because they know, we will always be there for them.

So there you go.

8 awesome gift ideas for 8 year olds.

BUT if you still need more inspiration check out this big list of no clutter presents for kids.