Tomboy girl... help I have no idea!!!

[MotherWombat]

I'm a hopeless present buyer, never think of great gifts and do often lazily resort to gift vouchers. With two small boys (5 & 3) I can do small boys now, even small girls in their classes as I know them.

But older girls, no idea - can anyone help? what do I get the 10yr old tomboy girl (relative) who we see twice a year and all I know is she plays football and isn't "pink"... Any ideas?

Lego. There are some great sets available. Just ignore the ridiculous Lego for girls stuff!

Or, depending on how well she reads, one of the many children's/YA books available at the moment with strong female characters in them.

How about a nice tracksuit that is good for sports rather than fashionable? Zipped top and the kind of legs that have zips at the ankles to pull off for training?

A pair of football gloves? Or nice long training socks (there are some great mad colours ones in the shops now).

A funky bandana type thing (a circle of fabric that can be a neck warmer or make a hairband - they can come in all sorts of mad, cool and funky patterns).

Music? CD or iTunes voucher?

Hope that helps a little

Hawkins Bazaar is excellent for that kind of thing.

What about a Horrible Science kit or some sporty (Nike, Adidas, team GB?) clothing from Sports Direct?

I agree with the suggestion of Lego. The Technics range should provide a good challenge.

Obviously a Swiss Army knife! She will love you forever!

Yes to Lego and chemistry sets. I got a chemistry set when I was 10, it was ace until we marked the ceiling with some explosion or another

YY to the swiss army knife - dd got a small one for her 9th birthday and it was absolutely her favourite present.

Alternatively could you ask her parents? My 10 year old DD loves adventure type books - Hunger games, Percy Jackson, Artemis Fowl etc and they seem very popular in her class, but you'd need to know whether they'd suit.

dd is a tomboy and is ten. if relative likes to read.

The warrior cats books. Erin Hunter
His Dark Materials trilogy- Philip Pulman
The Eragon books.

The books by David Walliams have been popular with my DD, she would also be pleased with new decent lights for her bicycle.
Agree also that some of the lego is great, or maybe a board game

Sorry been a hectic couple of days... thanks to everyone for their suggestions, there are some great ideas and armed with a list all I have to do now is pick a couple at the shops tomorrow (the swiss army knife will be one for sure).

Much appreciated

I would have loved a Swiss Army knife as a girl! What about The Famous Five books? George was my hero(ine)!

Third the penknife - very Swallows and Amazons (Nancy my fave).

What team? If it's a famous one, you are sorted! My daughter has loved Liverpool FC footie kit(s), tracksuits, socks, duvet cover and pillow case and rugs. If she likes handheld computer games then Fifa13 is out.