what to buy for a 8 year old?

girl or boy?

girl : anything Bratz, Hannah Montana, or jewelry/accessories

boy : anything Superman or camaflouge

Boy-Lego, Dinosaurs (They have some neat ones where you dig the bones out of a packed san) , Star Wars, Skateboard, video games, books (science and dinosaur, Magic Tree House, New Jack Sparrow series), gift cards, bike or scooter, beginners digital camera (I found one at Walmart for 20, holds 160 pictures, no screen on the back or upgradeable media, but comes with software to do fun things with the pictures online)

Girls Feather boa, purse, Build A Bear stuff, Glittery soaps, manicure set, beginners digital camera (see above), craft stuff (beads, bedazzler, scrapbooking stuff, etc)

Good luck

A new bike is always nice, and since you didn't specify if the eight year old is a boy or a girl, then I'll give you unisex options.

2. Guitar

3. Science Kit

4. Puppy (if you're up to the responsibility)

5. A Power car, one he or she can ride on

BoY-Remote-control-car, Hot-wheels set (Tracks, Cars).

Girl-Barbies, Bratz, Lil Bratz, Baby Born, Cute Clothes or Accessories.

Boy: Legos, Magnetix, Video games

Girl: Bratz doll

8 year old love art supplies! Juicy markers, special pencils, and paint will keep them busy for hours. How to draw books are fun too. I taught 2nd grade and those activities were the most engaging.

Bratz doll

if it's a boy give him a toy car or somthing from the the movie Cars.If it's a girl give her a Barbie doll or a Bratz doll.

Unless they have gone out of style, LEGOS are awesome. You can get them at any major store that carries toys or online. I loved legos as a kid. Nerf guns were awesome too :) I used to love those. Get something to him be active.

video games, pirates of the carb. items, legos, books,there is a lot of 8 yrs in the stores.