Birthday-Gift Guide
Avoid hours of browsing and shop from our edited list of more than 50 surefire birthday gifts for everyone from babies to 8-year-olds.
By Justine Lorelle Blanchard
- Ages 7 to 8
- Very Persistent
Gappers of Frip - by George Saunders
Get him engaged in this extravagant fable and its even more eccentric but artistic depictions of the story.
$18, Amazon.com.
- Mancala
This two-player ancient African game is easy to play even when your child is on the move.
$10, Toy & Game Warehouse.
- Secret-message-writing set
Indulge their spy fantasies with these two invisible ink pens that feature special lights to decode messages.
$10, Kid O.
- George Selden Books
These stories are told in extraordinary detail and with such energy that even the most unshakable child will be left in suspense.
Cricket in Times Square by George Selden and Garth Williams, 7, Amazon.com.
Harry Cat's Pet Puppy by George Selden, $7, Amazon.com.
- Magnetic Theater
This charming puppet theater has two backdrops, five magnetic characters, and unlimited possibilities.
25, Detoa, Petra Toys.
- Dress-up Masks
Wearing paper masks in a variety of themes—from Beatrix Potter characters to Cleopatra—is the perfect way to let her imagination take over.
$24 for 6, $32 for 8 The Shackman Store.
- Pirates of the Sea
Perfect for Jack Sparrow fans, this wooden pirate ship features a working anchor and sails and an extendable plank for scalawags.
$101, Small World Toys.
- Tinte Blocks
Whether you use it as an art piece or to construct colorful cities, this block set is a great way for busy 7-year-olds to unwind.
$190 for a set of 42, Learning Materials Workshop.
- House building set
Future architects—and arts-and-crafts enthusiasts—will love constructing this tiny structure brick by brick with the included trowel and water-soluble cement.
$18, Brickadoo, Amazon.
- Eyeclops BioniCam
The color LCD screen and battery pack on this mobile magnifying (up to 400 times!) camera let your kids record their adventures wherever they go.
$80, Jakks Pacific, Amazon.
- Big Kids Unlimited Lo V
One way to really stand out at recess is by having some eye-popping kicks.
$45, Puma for stores.
- Remote-Controlled Tarantula
This electronic version will hopefully quell his bug obsession enough to keep the real creepy-crawlies in the yard.
$25, National Geographic.
- Snake Bike Lock
This psychedelic serpent will keep his bike safe—and look cool wrapped around his handlebars when he's on the go.
$34, Pylones, Fred Flare.
- Surfer-Girl Gift Set
All girls this age pine after all things shimmery and sweet smelling, like this set of shower gel, body lotion, and lip shine.
$35, Philosophy.
- Keywords:
- birthday gifts,
- gifts,
- birthday,
- Birthday Gift Guide,
- train
