xcmas present for nearly 10 year old dd.. tricky..please help

[robinpud]

We are going to live in Oz for a year at xmas. We leave the UK on Boxing Day for a month's holiday in New Zealand before arriving in Sydney.
The kids are as excited about xmas as normal and I want them to not be disappointed in any way as it will be our last time with family for a while.

Her gifts need to be small, light and not electrical We have got her a cheapo MP3 and a few books etc but I want her to have something to "play" with whislt we are travelling. I am stumped.
any top tips???

She has Sylvannian families already.. they are in aboat on the way to Oz we hope!

How about that 20Q game that a few people have recommended on other threads? (is battery operated - is that ok?). Top Trumps or Uno card games?

2oq is battery operated. Already have Uno extreme- also on its way to Oz

special diary to make a journal of her trip? with secret padlock, naturally

would say camera, but you specify not electrical..polaroid sticker maker camera looks very good.

oop- must have deleted my reply. will tty again.
How about poi? pretty balls/beanbaggy things on a string/chain. whirl them round yourself to make intricate and pretty shapes... bit of girl version of yoyo I guess. good to play with on your own, or with others so could be good for a girl in new surounding without a bunch of mates, best getting them in pairs as more possiblilies for patterns with 2 and can share them for simple stuff. Any juggling shop, many kite shops, some toy shops and various other slightly hippy places will sell them.

Unisarah poi souind great.. anybody know where

hovely- travel journal coming from my sister!

Thnaks everybody

Seen some amazing sets of beads and strings for necklace making etc. - almost wished I had a girl (my three boys wouldn't appreciate it!). Also friendship bracelet kits. All very light and good for staying occupied on the trip.

Poi- are avalible from most juggling shops and some toy shops and kite shops. For an online shop try
www.butterfingers.co.uk/katalogue-S/1/POI+TWIRLING+RIBBO
or google poi

how about some travel games like ludo or something like it?

My 11 year old really enjoyed magnetic sudoko (she says that is because it is for swots!!). Borders have lots of puzzle type magnetic games. Drawing sketch pad and pencils.

Found a poi site and my 11 year old dd went wow! poi

Am going to leave the poi until we get to New Zealand and various relatives are giving her money so she can buy one there. Also succumbed and got the 20q game and laready have the travel games in the stocking. also got her her first Malory Towers book.. a big day I think!