What are 11 year old girls into?

[SilkenTofu]

Struggling for ideas for extended family. Need book, arts & craft and/or toy ideas. This age seems to be between toys and gift vouchers for shops.

Help!!

My DD is 11 and at secondary, and goes in with her Smiggle backpack and pencil case every day! And has asked for more Smiggle for Christmas. Apparently it's still in fashion at her school amongst the year 7s.

I do think this thread highlights how different they all are at this age, although slappinthebass DD sounds very similar to mine.

My 11yo had no interest in fashion/makeup/horses/anime so they are not universal themes!

She had a new phone so that is her main present.
Plus things like iTunes voucher, binoculars, Dark is Rising books, Wolf Brother books, Triominoes, bath bombs, Jelly sweets science kit, fineliner pens.

I have 3 DD’s and while with my 11 year old and her friends there does still seem to be a few cult trends here (Tiger, Converse, Squishies, makeup/beauty Ar/calligraphy) It’s also the first age where I have felt her own tastes, character, vibe has shown through on her “Santa” list. I have found it a really fun she to buy for as have been able to look and choose things that are unique and special to her rather than just buying the top 10 things from Smyths/Amazon.

I also think 11 is an where the difference in maturity and interests at just turning 11 and nearly 12 is vast!!

I also think the difference in maturity between different 11 year olds is immense.
Some girls in DDs class are taller than me, fully developed, have been having periods for a while, and are more mature in personality and tastes.
Whereas DD is still very much a child, hasn't started puberty properly yet and is more immature in the things she likes.

My dd is as tall as me, size 7 shoes, fully developed body. She is mistaken for an adult very regularly. She has classmates who are older than her but look like primary aged children still. Their interests are vastly different. It is such an interesting age.

Although puberty isn't always a marker. I think more of a marker is the tribe they self identify with. This becomes easier at secondary school when they are in sets as they tend more to be in with similar people and there are a wider range of clubs for them to meet friends at. I would say both my dd self identify as swotty, yet one has gone down a more bookish route and the other one down a more quirky route. I can read lists on here and think that child would get on with one or other or none of my dd. Both of mine would like £10 in Waterstones but spend it on completely different purchases. Obviously that isn't much help if you don't see them often. Mine would hate make up/ smellies/ handbags and like outdoor gear/ books / stationery but your relatives children might be different.