Id think you'd want a faster action rod for pond fishing that a slower action. For an 8yo you dont need to have anything fancy for when it accidently gets slammed in a tailgate or in a fan on the porch. However, if I were to spend money it would be on a real, with a nice drag system.

As Jab said, not one fly rod does it all, you need multiple. However, a 9ft 6weight could be used for farm pond and inshore.