The Best NEW Toys & Gifts for 8 Year Old Girls

Neve Spicer
Written by Neve Spicer Updated on August 23rd, 2021

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Yes, there are many lists of “best toys and gifts for 8 year old girls” online. But we’d like to think that this one is a bit different and a bit special!

You’ve stumbled across is a VERY picky list, compiled by an obsessive parent with a curious nose for originality, and very high-quality standards. It includes award-winning games, innovative gadgets, and time-tested toys that never grow old. Some play to her burgeoning social abilities, others ignite her STEM interests, while a few are downright addictive and are highly trending among tweens right now.

Whoever she is and whatever she’s into, we think we’ve got her covered!

Our picks of the best toys & gifts for 8 year old girls

#1

Our opinion

Cozmo, the adorable, hilarious, and intelligent miniature robot has taken the kids toy charts by storm. He is both a cute friend and a highly sophisticated computer-driven robot. With advanced artificial intelligence, Cozmo (check price on Amazon) is able to express hundreds of emotions. He is also curious, playful, and evolves over time. Cozmo recognizes your face and is always pleased to see you.

Cozmo comes with three interactive power cubes which he can pick up and move about. Connect him up to the Code Lab smartphone app and children can easily perform basic programming to make Cozmo pick up and arrange the bricks.

It’s safe to say that little Cozmo has gone viral – it is quite literally true. There are loads of YouTube videos of Cozmo’s hilarious responses and adorable quirky behavior.

Why She’ll Love It: Cozmo is much more than an adorable robo-friend. His sophisticated AI brain will teach her about robotics and get her hooked on programming.

#2

Our opinion

Is your daughter looking for an edge in the neighborhood Nerf wars? If so, this might be a good addition to her arsenal.

The Rebelle Agent bow (check price on Amazoncan fire arrows, on which your little warrior can write encoded messages, up to 85 feet. This set includes three arrows, a message decoder, quiver, and bow. The bow has a battery operated site, but many parents report that it’s more for show than function.

Why She’ll Love It: She will love the edgy look this bow provides, as well as its long range and ability to send secret messages to her friends.

#3

Our opinion

While phones are great, proper cameras are coming back with a bang. Not only do they take better pictures, but for budding photographers, the experience is more real, more focused, and more exciting when using the dedicated tool for the task.

The Instax Mini 9 (check price on Amazonproduces instant prints which are super fun for parties or trips out with the girls. The macro lens adapter provides her with control over close-ups or landscapes, and the selfie-mirror allows for the perfect self-portrait. This camera is easy for young beginners but also has enough manual control that she can progress and develop her own style.

Why She’ll Love It: Awesome for DIY projects, collages, scrapbooks, and decorating her bedroom with pics of all her friends and favorite memories.

#4

Our opinion

Whether your girl has been a die-hard Potter fan for years or she is about to be introduced to this magical world for the first time, this hardback box set is a timeless gif that will be treasured forever. Indeed, it even comes in an olde looking trunk that feels a bit like a treasure chest (check price on Amazon). All seven books are here, each beautifully bound in elegantly uniquely designed hardback covers. And just for fun, the trunk actual locks and comes with its own key.

Why She’ll Love It: The ultimate Harry Potter gift for die-hard fans and noobs alike.

#5

Our opinion

This 3Doodler printing pen (check price on Amazon) lets eight year old girls get creative in three dimensions. It works by melting a special eco-plastic before squeezing it out the pen nib/nozzle. The plastic then cools and solidifies on contact with the air.

It has been designed to be safe for kids and avoids hot surfaces. This pen will allow girls to bring their princess drawings and various other doodles to life, but comes with an activity guide should her creative juices suddenly run dry.

Why She’ll Love It: The very air will become her canvas.

#6

Our opinion

The award-winning Yellow Scope Foundation Chemistry kit (check price on Amazon) is designed by two scientist moms. Their mission was to get girls hooked on science by showing them that it is cool and relatable to them.

She’ll create a miniature science lab before getting to work on some seriously fun chemistry. The kit comes with a carefully thought-through reference book and quizzes.

Why She’ll Love It: The kit will appeal to girls and does a great job of showing that science can be cool and women can rock it!

#7

Our opinion

This gigantic 1552 piece set comes everything needed to create a grand hotel including a bellboy trolley, suitcases, glasses, cakes, perfume bottles, tables, chairs, room key and many, many more.

As with other LEGO sets, the Friends Heartlake Grand Hotel (check price on Amazonis a great way for your girl to work on her fine-motor skills, flex her creative muscles whilst improving her ability to follow instructions.

Why She’ll Love It: She’ll love building this set and will get a real kick out of creating something that will become one her favorite things to play with.

#8

Our opinion

Tech isn’t just for the boys – girls love cool tools like drones too, and this pick (check price on Amazon from Holy Stone has the ease of use they need while learning with the features and functions that will keep them interested. The first person view of this RC drone makes flight even more thrilling, and the GPS-assisted drone is specifically designed to return to home when the battery is getting low or the signal is weak.

It captures high quality photos and videos from the air, and has a flight time of approximately 15 minutes.

Why She’ll Love It: It’s a fun drone with a limited learning curve, and she’ll capture great aerial photos and videos for projects and to share with friends and family.

#9

Our opinion

Pogo sticks are back, and not a moment too soon. With kids spending way too much time on screens these days, it’s a welcome relief when an active outdoor hobby starts to trend; first it was scooters and now it’s pogo sticks. This modern, well-engineered pogo stick by Flybar (check price on Amazonis foam-covered and comes in an array of different colors. Its spring is tucked safely away inside the slender center pole yet is powerful enough that your girl can get some serious height.

#10

Our opinion

Jewelry making is a favorite pastime of many girls for a few reasons. They can rep their own style, get creative and make fun gifts for friends with this pendant jewelry kit(check price on Amazon) from Pinwheel Crafts. It contains the supplies to make 8 fun, colorful pendants for your girl to wear and share. The kit makes a fun craft project for solo time, but it’s also a great addition to a birthday party or arts and crafts event. 200+ images are included in the kit, which also contains eight pendants, glass covers and chains.

Why She’ll Love It: It’s a chance to express her creativity by both making and wearing her own custom jewelry, plus it’s a fun way to make friendship gifts for her pals.

#11

Our opinion

Girls love their secrets, so why not teach them scientific ways to keep their messages safe from prying eyes?

The Girls Only! Secret Message Lab (check price on Amazonincludes a 24-page book filled with educational information about everything from ciphers to chemistry, as well as two cases that include plenty of tools to put that knowledge to good use.

By using the techniques from the book, your girl and her best friend can pass messages back and forth.

Why She’ll Love It: Your daughter will love being able to send her BFF messages with no worry about prying eyes.

#12

Our opinion

Kano Computer Kit Touch (check price on Amazonlets eight year old girls put together their own computer, then use it to learn to code. The number of projects she’ll be able to do on this computer are endless. She’ll learn coding to be able to put together websites, games, and much more. Not only will she be able to play her favorite games, she can change the code for them. The Kano Computer will keep her occupied for hours.

Why She’ll Love It: She gets to build her own computer. A computer that will teach her coding while keeping her engaged and entertained.

#13

Our opinion

Razor scooters (check price on Amazonare known for being top-of-the-line picks, and the sleek Lux has a pink and purple design that eight year old girls will love. The deck features a spacey, stellar design with splashy starbursts of white, which is also present on the column of the adjustable handlebars. It’s great for taller riders thanks to 200mm urethane wheels that are extra large for a kick scooter. It’s lightweight and easy for her to fold and carry, but it also supports riders up to 220 lbs, so she can continue to enjoy it and it’s an easy pick to share with friends, siblings, or even parents.

Why She’ll Love It: It’s got all the durability and speed of a Razor scooter, plus a fun purple and pink design that’s great for eight year old girls

#14

Our opinion

The woman who designed this excellent beginner microscope is Nancy Balter, a Yale graduating science mom with an MA in Science Education and an amazing gift for getting young children hooked on science.

Nancy B’s Science Club Microscope (check price on Amazonperfectly combines the attractive and accessible feel of a toy with the serious precision and 400x magnification of a scientific tool.

If you are looking to get your girl into the sciences, this gift is a perfect way in.

Why She’ll Love It: The well thought through journal and microscope activity book will get her to deep dive into the world of the minute without the need for an adult. Child-led learning at its best.

#15

Our opinion

The National Geographic bring geology to life with this exciting STEM project (check price on Amazon). Geodes are naturally formed crystals that are hidden away like treasures in a rock. This kit comes with 10 high-quality geodes, safety goggles, and a colorful learning guide.

Give her a hammer and stand back as she smashes her way into her earth formed treasure!

Why She’ll Love It: Once she’s broken open her geodes, she can display them in her room – educational and gorgeous!

#16

Our opinion

This trending plush toy will incite shreaks of delight upon unwrapping, and it’s easy to see why; Pomsies (check price on Amazon) are adorable, fluffy plush toys with the cutest eyes ever!  As well as cuddly, they are also clever and respond to touch. Your 8-year-old girl will love stroking and pretend-feeding this Pomsie. When she does, her Pomsie’s eyes will change color to reflect its mood and it makes over 50 cute sounds.

Why She’ll Love It: She can take her Pomsie wherever she goes. It has a smart twist and lock tail which makes it great for accessorizing her backpack or even her wrist.

#17

Our opinion

If your eight-year-old girl is a major Harry Potter fan, she’ll love casting spells with this replica of Harry’s 15-inch wizard training rod (check price on Amazon) taken right from the silver screen. The wand features 11 unique spells for her to master using the spell guide which accompanies the toy — it recognizes her motions in order to determine that she’s performed the cast as directed, and offers feedback via sound to let her know she’s been successful.

She can enjoy playing both alone or with friends who have one of the wands in the wizard training collection; the wands interact with one another, and two or more kids can play together. The wand is powered by 3 AAA batteries, the first set of which are included for your convenience.

Why She’ll Love It: It’s a chance for Harry Potter fans to step into the role of their heroes and practice real “spell casting” as seen in the famous film series

#18

Our opinion

Hands-on crafting is great for eight-year-olds, whose small motor development is nearly complete. They’re able to make more complex crafts now, and this kit from Alex DIY (check price on Amazon) has all the supplies they’ll need to make 22 beautiful bracelets to share with their pals.

The kit includes a quartet of color-coded looms, embroidery floss in 22 bright shades, decorative beads and a needle for threading, a book of instructions that are easy for kids to understand, and a colorful latching case with a sturdy handle for her convenience. It’s a great addition to birthday and slumber parties, because there’s lots of supplies and multiple looms, so no one will miss out on the fun.

Why She’ll Love It: She’ll learn to make beautiful woven and braided bracelets for her pals, and there’s plenty of supplies, so it’s a great addition to parties and social events

#19

Our opinion

Showing off her unique style is part of how your eight-year-old expresses her developing sense of self. It’s part of being an individual, and this sassy black cat backpack (check price on Amazon) with pretty pink trim is perfect for girls who love a little bit of sparkle. It features a cute pink cat face with ears, blinking eyes with long lashes, a darling little nose, and wide whiskers sewn onto a quilted black background.

The front flap has heart-shaped buckles that shine brightly thanks to embedded rhinestone accents. This backpack isn’t just stylish, it’s also comfortable and useful thanks to wide, breathable carrying straps and a total of two large and two small zippered pockets for storage.

Why She’ll Love It: It’s a stylish alternative to traditional backpacks, especially if she’s a cat lover or treasures all things pink

#20

Our opinion

If your eight-year-old girl is a unique soul with a style all her own, she might just love this soft rainbow hooded bathrobe (check price on Amazon) featuring a fun unicorn theme. It’s great for staying cozy on cold days and wrapping up after bath time, and the hood of the pastel rainbow robe features unicorn eyes and ears as well as a bright purple horn accented with sewn-in gold detailing.

The plush fabric of the robe’s body and hood features stars and polka dots for an extra touch of magic, and it’s a cute costume for use during creative play as well as an item with the potential for serious daily use.

Why She’ll Love It: It’s an extra-soft and comfortable hooded robe to keep warm in, plus it’s rainbow unicorn-themed

What to expect from your 8-year-old girl

She’s at an age when she is becoming more self-aware. You’ll be amazed at how she develops opinions about a wide variety of topics, and also comes to decide on what she likes and dislikes. You’ll see her naturally picking up hobbies and growing interests and passions.

Watch for these milestones during her ninth year:

Body, hand and finger skills

  • Her refined physical abilities lend themselves to graceful and careful movements;
  • Can misjudge her own abilities which may lead to accidents.

Emotional development

  • Very curious about what others are doing;
  • Becoming a more gracious loser;
  • May talk back to adults and can be a little snappy;
  • Develops passions and hobbies.

Cognitive development

  • Very expressive and communicates well;
  • Loves to talk;
  • Takes pride in using long words;
  • Reading and writing is becoming more advanced;
  • Tries to write neatly;
  • Often sits reading in silence;
  • Can do basic multiplication and fractions.

Wrapping up

Your 8 year old girl is truly growing into a personality all of her own. She is becoming ever-more capable and sophisticated, both cognitively and physically. We’ve carefully chosen toys that are hugely fun whilst also challenging her abilities.

Let us know how she gets on with them!

Neve Spicer
Written by Neve Spicer Updated on August 23rd, 2021

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