Money

Great ideas here. I was always into crafts of any kind as a kid. Now too.

Colorku the sudoku board game.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000J423MA/ref=ox_sc_imb_mini_detail?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ASFGQZGKYSWNY

Anonymous wrote:Fantastic book good for kids and adult alike (it's so big because it's told part in words / part in pictures.) both my 7 yo and her grandparents, including one who doesn't read much, all loved it: http://books.google.com/books/about/The_Invention_of_Hugo_Cabret.html?id=3vcMjRixmYcC

Other things my 7 yo non-girly girl has liked:
- arts and crafts stuff. One of those box kids of different pencils/pastels/charcoals/paints was a big hit
- puzzles and Legos
- roller skates

A *huge* second re: the Hugo Cabret book. My kid walked around clutching that book like it was a rare treasure, and still identifies it as the favorite most special book ever.

Based on my 8 year old not particularly-girl girl:
Snap Circuits
Magic Kit
Board games -- Clue is her current favorite
she's not as into legos, mainly because the new sets require so much time that she loses interest eventually or loses a piece before she has finished the set.
She does like her sewing kit, although again, I suggest ones with smaller manageable projects
She's very into her playmobile right now. Something like the pool set has a lot of play potential.
Target has the basic Razor scooter on sale right now -- my 8 year old loves her scooter.
AN indoor trampoline (better check with parents on that one)

Baking and cooking supplies:cookbook, colorful mixing bowls and measuring cups, chef hat, even a cooking class. My 8-year-old son loves things like this.

Agree with the previously mentioned science kits, Legos, robotics kits (though the latter tend to be REALLY expensive).

Magazine subscriptions are great presents. My son has always loved the ones from this company; you can choose by topic and age: http://www.cricketmag.com/ProductList.aspx?type=M

Fatbraintoys.com has a great selection; not sure if it's too late to order at this point.

Playmobil sets
Kinetic sand
Magic Treehouse science kits

Snap Circuits
Board games

Chemistry set.

Try the Mindware Toy catalog.

Lots of great gifts for this age range that arent gender specific.

Microscope
Books or supplies based on their extra-curriculars.
Ask the parent if it's okay if you give them a goldfish in a fishbowl.
Real drying clay from a crafting store like the kind used in an art class.
Karaoke Machine
A set of gift certificates/gift cards to the movies, frozen yogurt place, and barnes & noble or something where there are books they can choose.
Bowling, Mini golf, laser tag, or indoor swim outing or gift certificate.

Fantastic book good for kids and adult alike (it's so big because it's told part in words / part in pictures.) both my 7 yo and her grandparents, including one who doesn't read much, all loved it: http://books.google.com/books/about/The_Invention_of_Hugo_Cabret.html?id=3vcMjRixmYcC

Other things my 7 yo non-girly girl has liked:
- arts and crafts stuff. One of those box kids of different pencils/pastels/charcoals/paints was a big hit
- puzzles and Legos
- roller skates

Legos
Marble runs
dress up sets (doesn't have to be princess . . . maybe animals?)
magnatiles
magic set
games (apples to apples, zingo, hungry hungry hippo, boggle)
play dough
paint set

The eight-year-old I know LOVES the new Nancy Drew books. Anothe book thats not a normal book is the This Is Not a Book series, which I would think eight is the perfect age for.


Maybe try a good age-appropriate science kit or a microscope. An assortment of nice art supplies--colored pencils, sketch pads, etc. Check out A Mighty Girl for some fun ideas.

I have no clue what to get my niece. She has no interest in toys that are traditionally girly or boyish for that matter. But hey don't watch TV so she wouldn't like the Frozen/Disney crap my kids like...

Other than books, what should I get her?