This much we know!
It's very difficult to keep in touch with what children like and don't like at each age so here's some help for those of you who need inspiration for present ideas for 8 year olds This much we know...
Books that are based on the latest film or TV programme are always a good choice, because they will give more credibility in the playground! At the time of writing (Feb 08) Harry Potter books are still popular. Books with quite a few chapters that children can read themselves are good, like Flat Stanley or Rainbow Fairies. Children of 8 can enjoy longer books if they are read to them, so a story cd or tape would be a good choice because that can be enjoyed in bed and on car journies. Enid Blyton and Roal Dahl go down well.
Programmes on CBBC are enjoyed by 8 year olds. They like Tracey Beaker; Raven; Sarah Jane Mysteries; Simpsons and Batfink.
8 year olds like chart music. If you wanted to get them a cd as a present choose a compilation album of lots of different groups. The most recent Pop Junior, Pop Party and Now! are going to be well received.
8 year olds like pick n mix sweets, they like a big bag full of lollies and chews rather than a box of chocolates. They like bubble gum. 8 year olds like chocolate but generally not dark chocolate. A chocolate santa or car or football would be excellent choices if you want to buy sweets.
8 year olds like Wii games and computer games in general, choose the latest game for extra credibility among friends.
Clothes are generally a bad choice for a present for 8 year olds, unless it's a football shirt or fancy dress up clothes.
Science experiment sets are fun, so are globes.
The latest sticker album and some packets of stickers would be a good present.
Chess is a classic game, which they are unlikely to already have, and which they are capable of understanding and would find enjoyable.
The board games Guess Who, Guess Where, Operation and Twister are all good fun games that will be played over and over again.