Educational toy for a 6yo

[DawnOfTheDee]

Asked BIL what my niece would like for christmas and he suggested I get her something 'worthy' (I think that was the word he used) but didn't give me any specific examples.

I think I basically get what he is saying...dn is quite immature for her age and has struggled with school so far (socially and academically). She is very interested in looks and girly stuff but I want to avoid getting her anything like make-up, etc, etc (as does bil).

So....I want to get her something that has a bit more of an educational bent but I also don't want to be the horrible auntie who gives her something that she won't like/play with at all e.g. the bumper book of spellings.

My DD is only 22mo so i'm not really sure what 6 year olds would like anyway.

Budget is £10ish...any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Perfect age for a craft set, something like a mosaic is good for motor skills (bit of numeracy in there, too). Ditto Hama beads.

Any nice book to read, otherwise.

www.amazon.co.uk/Interplay-UK-WS-1008-Laboratory/dp/B0000VAXS8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386274884&sr=8-1&keywords=perfume+kit

actually a pretty cool little science kit aimed at girly girls

there are others in the range that i cant comment on but i was impressed with the perfume kit :)

www.amazon.co.uk/Natural-History-Museum-Pocket-Microscope/dp/B0015X4Y5S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1386274958&sr=8-2&keywords=microscope

excellent little portable microscope that you can shove in a bag for walks

www.amazon.co.uk/Magic-Tree-House-1-4-Collection/dp/0375813659/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1386274995&sr=8-2&keywords=magic+tree+house

brilliant set of books aimed at that age group - educational but my 6 year old girl loves them and they are well known for being books that get reluctant readers interested

Thank you - fab suggestions. I'll start googling

I have a young girl I buy for and try and avoid buying girly girl stuff for - when she was six she got a magic set which was a big hit.