What to buy my almost 10yo dd1 (not very girly)?

[Marne]

I have bought dd1 a few bits for Christmas but it doesn't look like much at all compared to the bits I have got dd2 (for a fraction of the price). She asked for the new pokemon x or y ds game which I have pre ordered (only getting her one of them), I have bought a few pokemon figures sets from home bargains and a onesie but have no idea what else to buy her, she loves reading but does not want a kindle, doesn't like lego or any kind of toys other than cuddly toys which she has quite a few of. She cant ride a bike as she has mobility issues, has a scooter but struggles with this also. She's not really into much other than computers and reading (oh and maths and writing), not really into crafty things. I'm stuck .

[wonderingsoul]

what about an electric scooter? would she be able to use that?

or build a bear vouchers.. its lovely expeance and then she can add to it..

ipod?

[insanityscratching]

Dd is into Minecraft so have picked up annual and a personalised school bag that she will love. She's having Pokemon X or Y and possibly will be definitely if dh has anything to do with it a 2ds. An ipod touch, some cuddly toys (she collects Beanie Boos) Beano and Dandy Annuals and a guitar and lessons.

[ErrolTheDragon]

TBH I think my DD would have been at Build a Bear by age 10 (though I still have to get her a toy dog every year!)

If she's into computers and maths, maybe there are some electronics/science toys/kits which might appeal? Mine liked some of the Science Museum (and other) things of this sort - eg kits to build robots.

What about logic games or board games?

Have you looked at the Bright Minds website - it has quite a lot of good stuff including stocking filler type things.

[Patsiecat]

My dd is 8yo and sounds similar. She is not really into toys although she does love Lego. Other than that its just books really.

If she likes maths and writing what about a box filled with stationery items: ruler, protractor, compass, calculator, pads, squared paper etc. some nice notebooks to do her writing (I just ordered a set for my dd from Tesco, £5 for zebra print box with pads, pens, folder etc). What about a new school bag?

Is she into clothes yet? Maybe some nice bits that you wouldn't usually buy her.

[Marne]

She loves build a bear (both dd's do), I don't think anyone is ever to old for build a bear ,last year I spent hours trying to get the Christmas specials (penguins) for her so might have to do the same this year.

She's not really into clothes unless its pokemon themed, have got her a pokemon onesie which she will probably live in .

Last year her favourite thing was her giant calculator.

She's really tricky to buy for, I always struggle as she doesn't really play with anything, she has asked for some shelves to put her books on (she has a lot of them) but that doesn't really seem like a good present. I will get her a few Percy Jackson books and have pre-ordered the Percy Jackson DVD, would just be nice to buy her something that doesn't involve sitting in front of the tv, computer or DS.

[girlywhirly]

Are there any books on maths that she might enjoy, presenting problems and interesting mathematical facts in an entertaining way? You could expand her interest in other subjects, as most use maths in some way e.g. cooking; weighing and measuring, calculating amounts for more portions than the recipe states or less. Would the Science Museum bookshop online have anything? At least they might have some stocking fillers. What about a good set of geometry instruments, protractor, pair of compasses etc and squared paper, books exploring patterns and shapes.

You say she likes writing; do you mean creative writing or the physical activity? You could look at calligraphy kits, or some sort of creative writing things.

[ErrolTheDragon]

She might like something else for her room in addition to the shelves - nice rug, duvet cover (pokemon?)


If she's not into 'playing', might there be something a bit more real that might appeal(eg give her a piece of garden/large pot and tools, seeds/plants).

[Itsjustafleshwound]

What is on at your local theatre or cinema - perhaps some tickets for a special show?

[insanityscratching]

Would she like a hamster? Dd had one and a cage for her birthday and she really loves her and plays with her daily.

[Marne]

She likes creative writing, loves writing stories and poems and enjoys learning about almost anything but does not like cooking.

We are just about to get some African land snails so a hamster would be a no no ( dh says we have too many animals ), she's just had her room decorated but does need a rug and some kind of book shelve.

Will look at the science medium bits ,last year she was really in to space and dinosaurs but isn't as much this year.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Has she got some good poetry anthologies? - the 'A shame to miss' edited by Anne Fine are particularly good IMO.

[piratecat]

your dd sounds alot like my dd11(am sure we've 'spoken' in the past on here).

Journals, pens, jotters, writing stuff?
Pokemon annual ( if there is one this year)My dd went through a few yrs of Pokemon madness! What onesie did you get btw, i got dd one for this year, it's Pikachu lol.
Pokemon cuddly? they can be hard to find, most stuff i got came from Japan, but ebay is your friend!
If she likes Pokemon how about a Studio Ghibli animation dvd?

[attheendoftheday]

What about a chemistry set or a microscope? Obviously one of the more grown up ones rather than those aimed at little ones. Something she could fiddle with without it being a toy.

[AbiRoad]

I have nearly 10 yo twin dds and think it is a difficult age to buy for. The only "toys" they still play with are cuddly toys, and they have plenty of those and although they still play with them i am not sure they would appreciate another one as a main present. Luckily they do like getting clothes, but it doesn't really feel right to me to get mainly clothes. They would love an IPOD touch or IPAD mini or other gadget but DH (we) have said no as they have fairly new nanos. In case any of this helps, over the last couple of years for christmas or birthdays, one or other of them has got the following:
roller blades
netball net for the garden
IKEA desk and swivel chair for bedroom
nano
Not sure about this year. One has written a list so I will take a look but i think from a glance when she first wrote it it is mainly small things (dvd, vouchers etc) and IPAD mini. The other has asked for a (small) sofa for her room, and the one that did not get a desk and chair last time quite likes her sister's and wants one too. They do like art supplies. Not so much the kits, more a supply of different papers, pens etc.

[Hulababy]

If she likes reading, what about a Kindle?

[Marne]

Piratecat, argos have the pokemon annual for £3.99, saw it a few days ago but had dd1 with me so couldn't buy it ( will go back and get one ).

We asked her about a kindle but she said she likes to hold a book, she already has a iPad ( we all share it ) which she can use for e books but she's not interested ( likes her books too much ). She has just told me she wants one of those silly huggleupits (sp) and some pokemon teddies but her room is already full up with soft toys.

[Marne]

Pirate at, we got the Pickachu onesie from ebay ( think it came from Japan ), it looks fab and I'm sure she will love it.

[3rdnparty]

how about;
electronics/chemistry set
telescope/good binoculars- this got quite good reviews
www.amazon.co.uk/SkyWatcher-Infinity-76P-300-Telescope/dp/B003CXMOAQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3S7NNTH4AVN9M&coliid=I32VOF4FT5IKNJ&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

an experience - eg trip to harry potter tour or annual pass to something like a zoo/theme park if any near

caligraphy set/course..

sparkly dress

Jewellry?

Lockable diary

[piratecat]

Marne i got mine from Japan, i got the medium as d is quite tall, but it looks bloody huge!!! it's so wide lol

[Marne]

lol, I think we got medium too as I was worried about it being too small, it looks huge, sure she will love it though (even if it is too big).

[marriedinwhiteisback]

At that age I think they understand the cost of the games. Have you looked into the animation conventions at the O2 Centre in London. They are a jolly good day out for Pokemon/Manga - Japanese anything fans really. There's also a specialist Manga/Pokemon shop in London in the Trocadero.

Something both of mine liked was "Warhammer" which were little figures they painted and could then play games with. There were Japanese themed ones I think and Lord of the Rings went down well too. Good little collectibles.

[loflo]

If she likes computers what about a Raspberry Pi?

[BeeBawBabbity]

Does she have the pokemon game guides? They're huge catalogue type books full of detailed info about the stages of the games and the individual pokemon. My dd (11) sounds very like yours, and she thumbs through these books every night even now, years after finishing the game. She just likes the stats I think!

[DoYourKegels]

If she is anything like I was at that age, I'd look for recommendations for reeeeeaaalllyyyy good books that she doesn't already have.

Some American classics that don't seem to be well known over here but which are just brilliant are:

The Ramona books and other Beverly Clearly books
The Little House on the Prairie books
Encyclopedia Brown books
Ananstasia books

None of these are girly, as such, although some are about girls. These love of books have stayed with me my whole life and I consider them the greatest gifts I can give children.

[Dancergirl]

Watch? I'm buying my dds Ice watches this year.