At TODAY we take care to recommend items we hope you’ll enjoy! Just so you know, TODAY may get a small share of the revenue.Using interviews with specialists, online reviews and personal experience, TODAY editors, writers and experts take care to recommend items we really like and hope you’ll enjoy! TODAY does have affiliate relationships with various online retailers. So, while every product is independently selected, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the revenue.
The best gifts for 3 to 8-year-olds help them engage in elaborate fantasy play and bury their noses in good books.
It’s an age when children are developing their physical skills and social identities, and some may start to identify as “athletic” or “artistic,” said Dr. Amanda Gummer, founder of Fundamentally Children, a toy testing and parent consulting company in the United Kingdom.
At the same time, 8-year-old boys and girls are becoming more physically adept, independent and sophisticated in their problem-solving. Imaginative play may now stretch over days or weeks and involve friends.
That means they’re ready for more complicated games and middle grade novels, along with graphic novels and picture books. And as their writing and drawing skills improve, they’ll want plenty of time with their own notebooks.
When we release our 2019 gift guides, we make sure all prices are current. But, prices change frequently (yay, deals!), so there’s a chance the prices are now different than they were the day of publication.
Science is beautiful with this crystal-growing kit. It’s a favorite of Marie Conti, the head of the The Wetherill School in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, and a board member of the American Montessori Society.
As fine motor skills progress, “move away from prescriptive arts and crafts to more free-form activities such as clay modeling or simply a sketch book and some pencils,” Dr. Gummer said.
Aspiring wizards can practice their spells and get real feedback from this wand. Or pair it with another wand for (harmless) wizard battle.
Kids can build their own roller coasters with this system. It’s similar to the free-form Marble Run that development experts love.
Eight-year-olds like playing in groups and are better at working together than when they were younger, so collaborative activities like baking may appeal, Dr. Gummer said.
Sports equipment lets kids engage in competition, which is important at this age. “Learning to lose and win is an important skill to gain,” Dr. Gummer said.
Collectibles like these can be important for kids who are developing a sense of group belonging, Dr. Gummer said.
Conti likes these dolls for their educational book tie-ins. Target has similar and less expensive Our Generation dolls.
The puzzle cube is making a comeback. Choose between the original or an easier two-sided cube, depending on the child’s tolerance for frustration.
The classic design kit is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Gummer said it’s especially helpful for kids on the autism spectrum and who struggle with anxiety — it has a de-stressing effect similar to coloring books.
Adam Gidwitz’s new series for young readers sets children on fantastic adventures to save mythical creatures. “When kids find a series they like, that’s something they can practice with,” said Nina Lindsay, president of the Association for Library Service to Children.
Ready to go full Potter? This boxed set features beautiful new covers by Brian Selznick, or try the illustrated collection.
The new series by Jonathan W. Stokes gives history lessons a lively voice that even reluctant readers will appreciate.
Graphic novels are a great tool for developing readers as they use pictures to boost comprehension. “It engages literacy in a different way. All reading is good reading,” Lindsay said.
The beloved series by Ann M. Martin has been updated into graphic novels by Raina Telgemeier and Gale Galligan. An original Baby-Sitters Club retro collection is also available.
“Playing family board games with children is a great, pressure-free way of keeping those lines of communication open,” Dr. Gummer said.
Finding the perfect present can be a challenge, but Shop TODAY’s up to the task. Try our interactive gift finder to sort gifts by price, person and interest. And no matter who you’re looking for, we’ve got gift guides for everyone on your list, including:
To discover more deals, shopping tips and budget-friendly product recommendations, subscribe to our Stuff We Love newsletter!
Post time: Jun-10-2019