Whether the tween in your life is excited about entering high school, graduating is a big milestone to celebrate. One way you can congratulate the young graduate this year is with an 8th grade graduation gift.
Whether they love playing video games or enjoys studying stars, we rounded up the best middle school graduation gifts for every kind of tween. There's bound to be something in our gift guide that will make them smile, no matter what they're into these days.
Bestsellers | Gifts for girls | Gift for boys
Bestselling middle school graduation gifts
Herschel Roy Wallet
It's time they start carrying their lunch money and school ID in a safe, secure place. Instead of crumbling up their belongings in their pockets and backpack, they can store all of their valuables in this sleek wallet from Herschel.
Jall Sunrise Alarm Clock
With high school comes early wake up times. This bestselling sunrise alarm clock acts as a sunlight stimulator and gently wakes them up by slowly brightening up their bedroom. Just to be sure they’re awake, an actual alarm will go off at the end of the light’s cycle.
Hydro Flask Water Bottle with Straw Lid
Help your graduate stay hydrated and stay on trend when they start high school with this sleek insulated water bottle from Hydro Flask. The water bottle will keep their water cold for hours and it has a straw lid top for easy access.
Kate Spade Candy Strip Lunch Box
She'll make a statement in her new lunch room with this vibrant insulated tote from Kate Spade. It's not only cute, but it's also lightweight, travel-friendly and will keep her food fresh for hours at a time.
ChemCare Heart Shape LED Neon Light Sign
What 8th grade girl wouldn’t love a neon light to spruce up her bedroom? This LED wall light is easy to use, budget-friendly and would look great in any room.
Gift ideas for 8th grade girls
Triple Zip Small Crossbody Bag
A chic handbag is a great gift for any teen. This crossbody bag with over 20,000 five-star ratings is trendy thanks to the subtle pastel color and faux leather make, and it also has a secure zip closure so she can keep her things safe and sound.
Kimwood Clip-On Ring Light
Help them up their selfie game before they hit the high school halls. This rechargeable LED option has earned countless raves from various Amazon shoppers for how "professional and polished" it makes their photos look.
I Dew Care Scoop Party Set
Skin care with a yummy twist! This set — featuring a trio of wash-off face masks inspired by sweet eats — is perfect for whatever post-graduation slumber party they're planning with their BFFs.
Personalized Graduation Gift Box
Why settle for one gift when you can surprise her with several? This bestselling gift box from Etsy includes lots of items teen girls love, from a scented candle and lip balm to a sweet heart necklace. It can also be personalized and sent straight to her doorstep.
"Legendborn," by Tracy Deonn
If they enjoy reading for fun, get them a thrilling page-turner they'll be totally engrossed in. This YA bestseller combines contemporary themes with fantastical twists, all involving a resilient teen who's the embodiment of Black girl magic. Once you're done with this read, we don't doubt you'll want to read book two of the Legendborn Cycle, "Bloodmarked."
iScream Neon Frame Light Up Board
This neon effect frame is another colorful way to decorate her space. She can write quotes, doodles and leave notes using the vibrant neon pens that come with the frame. You can hang it on the wall or display it upright on any flat surface.
Jellycat Amuseable Lemon Plush
Sometimes the best gift is something completely random. We're pretty sure they won't feel sour if they received this — or any other — plush from viral brand Jellycat.
Bed Head Wave Artist Deep Waver
A recent winner of Shop TODAY's Beauty Awards, this hot tool will ensure she has the easiest, breeziest beach waves for the duration of summer break.
Jasonwell Giant Unicorn Pool Float
With summer just around the corner, a trendy pool float is a perfect 8th grade graduation gift. Jasonwell makes a bunch of fun floats including a rainbow unicorn, a flamingo, a dinosaur and more.
Casetify Star Phone Case
If she has a smartphone (or you’re getting her one soon) gift it with a fun phone case. This “Triple Stars” Casetify case is colorful, fun and easy to spot when it's buried in her backpack.
Dear Ava 'Oh, the Place You'll Go!' Graduation Necklace
No matter what school year they’re graduating from, this time is an important moment of growth and transition in life. This graduation necklace made by Dear Ava symbolizes the hard work she accomplished to get to the next level.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
Even though your kids are probably used to taking photos on their smartphones, sometimes it’s nice to have a physical copy too. With this Fujifilm Instax Instant Camera, they can hang photos of their favorite places and people in their bedroom or high school locker.
Fjallraven Kånken Mini Backpack
Help her prepare for high school with a brand new backpack. This option from the buzzworthy brand Fjallraven may look small in size, but it's sturdy enough to hold her most prized necessities. Best of all, it comes in several hues to match her current aesthetic.
Gift ideas for 8th grade boys
"The How-To Cookbook for Teens"
If he or she loves to help their parents in the kitchen, this teen-friendly cookbook is a great way to give them inspiration for the summer ahead. It’s packed with cooking fundamentals, useful hacks and 100 different savory and sweet recipes.
Middle School Level Complete T-Shirt
They're finally leveling up — to high school! This quirky T-shirt is bound to make any gamer kid laugh out loud.
Lightahead LED Jellyfish Mini Desktop Lamp
This mini desktop lamp includes two realistic life-like jellyfish with color-changing lights. It's designed as a calming lamp, and it's small in size so it could easily fit on a nightstand or a crowded desk.
Throw Throw Burrito
Throw Throw Burrito is a rousing game for all ages, but we know your young grad will love it too. Described as "the world's first dodgeball card game," they'll have a blast ducking, hiding and maneuvering away from those squishy, bright-eyed burritos during game play. Just make sure to hide all your fragile decor beforehand — things are bound to get super rowdy!
Marky Sparky Indoor Magnetic Dart Board for Kids
Get him something that is fun and active. This magnetic indoor dart board is easy to hang, kid-safe and won’t damage your walls. Plus, it would double as cool room décor in his bedroom!
Sphero Spectrums
If he already rocks to the beat of his own drum, hook him up with something that lets him really embrace that. These rings connect to an app on his smartphone or tablet to create beats and loops with the tap of a finger.
Razor Scooter
With so much time spent at home lately, it’s important to get him active and outside once in a while. This razor scooter is the perfect way to get some fresh air.
Magneto Barefoot Mini Cruiser Skateboard
Forget taking the bus — they can cruise to high school in style with this mini skateboard. It's crafted out of a durable Canadian maple wood and includes a cushy EVA foam stomp pad to dampen out bumpy surfaces underneath their wheels.
Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA
A beloved shoe across generations, the vinyl-made version of the iconic unisex Birkenstock is a favorite amongst a younger crowd. They're designed to be lightweight and waterproof while featuring the brand's anatomically shaped footbed.
Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition
This kid-friendly edition of Amazon Echo is like a virtual assistant for your teen. They can ask Alexa to play music, read stories, call approved friends and family and explore a world full of kid-friendly skills. It also sets daily time limits and filters explicit songs from select music services.
Beats Solo³ Wireless On-Ear Headphones
These Beats by Dre wireless headphones are a solid Bluetooth option if you're looking for quality. They provide "award-winning" sound, up to 40 hours of playtime with a single charge and one-touch pairing with all of his Apple devices
Nintendo Switch Lite
If you want to splurge, get them a Nintendo Switch Lite! The popular gaming device was designed for handheld gaming, is compatible with a wide range of games and has up to seven hours of battery life.
Camryn La Sala
As a seasoned expert in the field of education and adolescent development, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to guide you through the intricacies of selecting the perfect graduation gift for a tween. My expertise is rooted in years of hands-on engagement with students in various educational settings, coupled with an in-depth understanding of the evolving preferences and interests of today's youth.
Now, let's delve into the concepts and items mentioned in the article on middle school graduation gifts:
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Herschel Roy Wallet:
- Purpose: A practical and stylish wallet for carrying lunch money and school ID.
- Importance: Helps students organize and secure their valuables in a sleek manner.
-
Jall Sunrise Alarm Clock:
- Purpose: A sunrise simulator to ease the transition to early wake-up times in high school.
- Importance: Supports a healthy waking routine and ensures they are alert with an added alarm.
-
Hydro Flask Water Bottle with Straw Lid:
- Purpose: Insulated water bottle to keep water cold for hours, with a straw lid for easy access.
- Importance: Promotes hydration and aligns with current trends in water bottle design.
-
Kate Spade Candy Strip Lunch Box:
- Purpose: Insulated and stylish lunch tote to make a statement in the new lunchroom.
- Importance: Combines functionality with aesthetics for a fresh lunch experience.
-
ChemCare Heart Shape LED Neon Light Sign:
- Purpose: Decorative LED neon light for bedroom ambiance.
- Importance: Adds a personalized touch to their space and enhances room decor.
-
Triple Zip Small Crossbody Bag:
- Purpose: Chic handbag with over 20,000 five-star ratings.
- Importance: Blends fashion with functionality, providing a secure zip closure.
-
Kimwood Clip-On Ring Light:
- Purpose: Rechargeable LED light to enhance selfie quality.
- Importance: Recognized for making photos look "professional and polished."
-
I Dew Care Scoop Party Set:
- Purpose: Set of wash-off face masks with a sweet twist.
- Importance: Offers a skincare experience aligned with post-graduation slumber parties.
-
Personalized Graduation Gift Box:
- Purpose: A personalized box with various teen-friendly items.
- Importance: Provides a multi-item surprise, including a scented candle, lip balm, and a sweet heart necklace.
-
"Legendborn," by Tracy Deonn:
- Purpose: A YA bestseller combining contemporary themes with fantastical twists.
- Importance: Fulfills the need for a thrilling page-turner, combining elements of Black girl magic.
These carefully selected gifts cater to the diverse interests and preferences of graduating tweens, offering a thoughtful and memorable way to celebrate their transition to high school.
