The coolest birthday gifts for 8 year olds

New sporting goods can be a terrific gift for 8-year-olds -- especially if they share with older siblings, younger siblings, and uh, parents. Chance's basketballs are made to be bold, inspiring, and they certainly stand out on the court.  They stand out off the court too, giving back to fantastic organizations in big ways.

Denim never goes out of style, but it does change style. Check out the affordable range. There's always lots on sale, too.

Move over kittens, the Minions are taking over your game with this fiery version of Exploding Kittens. Super fun for all-age fans of the Minions. Bananas not included.

Razor isn't just about classic scooters (though those make fantastic gifts for 8-year-olds too) -- check out this rad three-wheeler that yields one crazy ride style. Don't forget the helmet!

Whether they're a Navigator, Aviator or Adventurer, Literati (also at top) is a next-level book club, shipping kids  5 books a month that are highly tailored to their interests. They get unlimited returns so just keep what they love --including all the stickers and fun surprises.

Kids are loving charm bracelets all over again, and we find this fun rainbow heart bracelet from tween-favorite, Charm-It so fun. Plus they can add charms to it any time and truly make it their own.

For kids who love dress-up (or, ahem, cosplay), we like sticking with non-toxic cosmetics that won't harm sensitive skin.  Ella + Mila polishes are never tested on animals, are vegan, and are safe for kids.

Great for kids who loooooooooove all things ooey and gooey and icky. Hopefully, they have a strong stomach.

Young skaters-in-training can learn to cruise safely and affordably on one of White Fang's cool beginner skateboards.

For kids with trouble sleeping or just lying still, this beautifully made, 100% natural cotton weighted blanket is sized perfectly for kids, and feels as comfy as a favorite t-shirt.

No need to fuss with wires and cords, your kids can sing -- and dance -- their hearts out with a mic in one of several colors. The   LED lights make it that much more fun.

Yes, you read that right! From the puzzle masters at Ravensburger, come three puzzles that double as escape room games. They're rated 9+, so put it to use for family game night, or as a gift to play with older siblings. So much fun.

The best birthday gift for an 8-year-old may be tickets to a professional sporting event: They're old enough to follow the action and understand the rules, and they may even have favorite teams and players too. Wrap up a team jersey, t-shirt, hat, or banner with a pair of tickets. Think hockey, baseball, soccer, football -- even a gymnastics meet or figure skating competition in your area. (Tip: If pro tickets are out of your budget, minor league games can be a blast and are often designed specifically for families, with fun antics to entertain the kids in the crowd.)

If they really want to taste the rainbow, this is the way to do it. No offense, candies.

Massively popular with kids this age, Funko POP! figurines are such a cool, on-trend, yet super affordable, birthday gift .Find their favorite from film, TV, music, or pop culture -- like this Rei bobblehead from Star Wars

For kids who are serious about rocking, this mini Stratocaster is designed for smaller hands, from ages 8 and up Of course all rocking out should be done before bedtime.

So many cool styles from Twee to put a little more magic into those hopscotch boards.

Whether they are competitive, goal-driven, or even couch potatoes, kids will get a lot out of the Fitbit Ace 3 activity tracker -- without paying Apple Watch prices. Water resistant to 50m, it can take a dip in the pool and can hold a charge for days and days.

Forces of good, your favorite Marvel heroes are here to rescue us from stinky 8 year olds by hiding out in brightly colored, yummy-smelling bath bombs. (Really, there’s a surprise Minifig inside!) This shop has tons of options beyond superheroes.

Starlux has created a super fun, high-powered way to get kids of all ages burning off energy -- a twist on the classic game of Capture the Flag. The box includes enough supplies to play with a small group of besties or a party of 20.

Whether they love the over-the-top antics of Mario and friends in Super Mario Bros. Wonder or would rather journey back to the early days of Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, a new game for their Nintendo Switch makes a super cool birthday gift for an 8-year-old. And, if they don't already have a Switch? Well, that makes an incredibly generous gift too