Gift ideas for a kid, 6 to 8

Narrow these down by budget and occasion with the gift finder.

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Typically under $15

Gift ideaDinosaur figure setDinosaurs are a favorite for a reason; a bucket of them goes everywhere. Typically under $15 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaFast family card gameShort enough for a school night, and kids can beat adults fair and square. Typically under $15 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaBug catcher and magnifier kitA net, a magnifier and a little habitat turn the yard into a science trip. Typically under $15 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaOrigami kit with instructionsPaper and step-by-step folds; quiet, cheap and surprisingly absorbing. Typically under $15 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaFriendship bracelet kitThread and a simple loom; they'll make one for everyone they know. Typically under $15 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaGlow-in-the-dark ceiling starsA starry ceiling makes bedtime a little less scary and a lot more fun. Typically under $15 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaJoke book for kidsSix-year-olds love telling jokes. A book gives them new material (and you, new groans). Typically under $15 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaFill-in-the-blank story bookWord games where kids pick nouns and verbs, then read back a ridiculous story. Typically under $15 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaKids' LED headlampFor camping, reading under the covers or exploring the yard after dark. Typically under $15 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaPaper airplane bookTear-out paper and folding plans for planes that fly farther than the usual dart. Typically under $15 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaFuse bead kitPixel-art sprites made with fuse beads; easy for kids, fun for adults. Typically under $15 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaWooden tangram setSeven shapes make hundreds of pictures; good for kids and adults alike. Typically under $15 Search on Amazon →

Typically $15 to $25

Gift ideaCooperative board game for preschoolersIn cooperative games everyone wins or loses together, so little kids learn to take turns without tears. Typically $15 to $25 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaAutomatic bubble machineTurns any afternoon in the yard into a party; no dipping wands, no spills. Typically $15 to $25 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaPlay sand set with moldsMoldable play sand holds its shape and stays in the tray, so sandbox play works indoors. Typically $15 to $25 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaVolume-limited kids' headphonesFor car rides and tablets. Look for an 85 dB volume limit, which is the usual guideline for kids. Typically $15 to $25 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaCrystal growing kitReal chemistry with a sparkly result after a few days of waiting and checking. Typically $15 to $25 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaFirst chapter book box setA short series with pictures on most pages is the bridge from picture books to reading on their own. Typically $15 to $25 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaArt set in a carry caseColored pencils, crayons, markers and paints in one case that closes up neatly. Typically $15 to $25 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaKids' walkie-talkiesBackyard missions, sleepovers and camping trips all get better with a radio. Typically $15 to $25 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaSlime making kitMixing their own colors and textures is the whole appeal. Best done at the kitchen table. Typically $15 to $25 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaKids' gardening kitSeeds, small pots and soil: they get to watch something they planted come up. Typically $15 to $25 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaStar projector night lightProjects stars on the ceiling; many have a timer so it switches off after they fall asleep. Typically $15 to $25 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaMagic trick kitA set of tricks with instructions; they'll be putting on shows by dinner. Typically $15 to $25 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaCraft activity book kitBooks that come with the supplies built in, from paper crafts to string art. Typically $15 to $25 Search on Amazon →

Typically $25 to $50

Gift ideaMagnetic building tilesOpen-ended building that grows with them: towers at three, houses and marble ramps at six. Typically $25 to $50 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaDress-up costume trunkA box of costumes gets years of use: pirates, doctors, chefs, whatever today is. Typically $25 to $50 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaIndoor play tentA tent is a reading nook, a hideout and a fort in one. Typically $25 to $50 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaKids' digital cameraTheir own camera makes every walk a photo hunt. A shockproof case is worth having. Typically $25 to $50 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaClassic brick building boxA big mixed box of bricks with no single model to build means endless new ideas. Typically $25 to $50 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaMarble run building setBuilding the track is half the fun, and every run is different. Typically $25 to $50 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaAdjustable roller skatesAdjustable sizes last through a couple of growth spurts. Add pads and a helmet if they don't have them. Typically $25 to $50 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaScreen-free coding robotKids plan a route and watch the robot follow it, learning coding logic without a screen. Typically $25 to $50 Search on Amazon →

Gift ideaTwo-wheel kick scooterAn adjustable handlebar means it fits for years. Add a helmet if they need one. Typically $25 to $50 Search on Amazon →

Budgets are what these kinds of gifts usually cost, not prices; Amazon has the current price.

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