Is Fimo ok for a 10 & 13 yr old what other craft bits ?

[lookingfortreasure]

I am looking for some little craft type things for my nieces who are over at Christmas. They live abroad so we only see them every few years and I struggle to know what to get them now they are older. They aren't really into tech apparently. The 13 yr old is young for her age according to her mum and they often want similar gifts .

So I was thinking maybe fimo starter set for one and what for the other ? Is there a sticker type kit for teens ? Any help much appreciated please ..

Fimo is a great idea. You get some good books showing stuff you can make too. Could maybe get one of those each?

How about a badge making kit?

I wouldn't get Fimo unless you know that they are interested in that sort of thing. My DD (age 13) is very artistic, but whilst she'd love something like a watercolour set or sketch book and drawing pencils, a Fimo set would join the growing pile of craft things that people buy her "because she's artistic" but she's really not interested in. And it sounds as though you don't even know that your nieces like craft? Did their mum not give you any ideas? If the 13 year old is young for her age, then Lego sets might work for both of them, but again you'd need to be sure that they were interested! Other than that maybe "nice" stationery - notebooks, highlighters, gel pens, fun shaped rubbers would probably go down well (though not all girls like this sort of thing ...) or something like fairy lights/light up mirror .... Or maybe board games?

Fimo is expensive, and probably a risk too far as you don't know if they'd appreciate it.

For 'craft' how about buying them one of those gingerbread house kits, to assemble when they arrive with you? It would give them something to do and play a 'valuable' role in the prep for Christmas!

For gifts, how much are they likely to be able to carry back? Maybe some nice new nightwear each? And bath bombs or 'posh' shower gel, to use whilst they're with you? And something tiny to take home, along with their PJs or nightdresses - eg: fairy lights as mentioned below, or earrings if they have pierced ears, or something like nail stickers or a pretty friendship bracelet?

I've done the stationary, pens, shaped erasers every year and yes love Lego friends stuff but have loads. I don't know on the craft front really. Just looking for ideas. I liked Fimo as a kid.

Clothes are tricky as the weather is opposite season where they live but I guess I could get them something warm like a hoody for here staying at Christmas. They apparently like grey clothes.

Their mum always says I come up with great ideas and never offers any suggestions. Gingerbread house idea sounds good though.

I think fimo is a good choice for that age.

I work with teenagers and have found calligraphy and origami quite popular too.

I would get some of the craft kits that have everything in them. Fimo is good but you also have to "cook it" and people owrry about fumes in a normal oven etc.

Something like scrapbooking, paper beads, candles or beeswax candles which are super easy, or if they are really crafty crochet or patchwork/quilting. I remember getting a loom, a bead loom and also some weird good you dipped looped wire in to make flowers around that age but that was in the early 80s lol. Think it was Fantasy FIlm - but obviously difficult to take back on the plane!!!

My 11 year old niece loves the Djeco craft kits.

www.birdkids.co.uk/craft-kits/foil-pictures-craft-kit-so-pretty/

as an example. Waterstones sometimes sell them and there are various online stockists.

What about 2 scrapbooks, a load of stickers/accessories from the likes of hobbycraft and get them to scrapbook Christmas. That way they'll have a lasting memory of their trip which could be lovely if they don't come very often. It won't take up much room in their cases either.

What’s your budget?

My 12yo had just started using Fimo and loves it - she's making key rings as Xmas gifts for her friends.

She has also recently enjoy sewing little felt figures like sloths and llamas. The Works had some very cheaply priced felt craft kits - I've got a couple of Xmas decorations kits to put in her stocking. She's started to learn to knit recently and wants to try crochet - there are some lovely books out there. Felting is another idea

The Works also sell a sticker book suitable for this age where the stickers are kind of geometric and small, they build up a picture like a mosaic. Another book from there she has enjoyed is a wax scraping thing where a colourful picture is revealed under black wax. The pictures are quite intricate.

Other similar things:
Foil scraping kits
Calligraphy pens
Spirograph
Crystal growing
Decoupage figures and paper
Felt tips with paintbrush style nibs

Klutz activity book kits make great gifts for this age group and there are loads to choose from. Great for travelling too as they don't take up much room. DD always get one for Christmas and birthdays, they keep her occupied for hours!

Shrinkles still good for the 10 year old

@queenoftheschoolrun which ones would you recommend. The few I found on amazon looked young.

@WellTidy oh yes I'll look those up, I had them as a kid.

@Saisong the stickers I think I've bought before ( can I still claim baby brain when my child's 3 ? )! But some brill ideas thanks.

Clothes could be good. You say the weather is opposite. If they're in NZ then the clothing options are really poor compared to what's available here. My nieces go mad in Primark when they visit!

@lookingfortreasure We have Sew Mini Treats, Washi Tape Stickers, Lego Make Your Own Movie, Lego Chain Reactions and various other drawing and crafty ones. I'm going to get the Neon Chalk Lettering for DD this Christmas. I don't think they'd be too young - we all enjoy them here including adults and they always seem to go down well as presents for that age group too. Wordery have a good selection.

Actually, reviews for Neon Chalk Lettering aren't great as apparently the pens don't last long so scrap that idea!

Dd and I used to love those dolls with paper clothes that had fold over tabs on them. Hours of wintery fun! You can get modern ones, vintage, historical etc.

Careful if you order from the net though as The Paper Dolls is a beautiful but very tear jerking children’s book by Julia Donaldson.

I strongly disagree with PP who said to get kit things instead. Kit things have always been a waste in our house. My 12 year old DD likes arty things and her best friend is 13 and is an artistic genius and even more serious about art. A friend passed us some good quality modelling clay (not bakable polymer clay more artist quality plasticine) from a craft group she ran, and dd and her friend had a really good time with it making all kinds of Anime characters they like. I told them all about Fimo and they sounded keen. However, knowing how my kids look after art equipment and because I've already got a long list of ideas for Christmas for her, I've gone for a non branded polymer clay set for her for Christmas, lots of colours, keyrings etc and comes in a plastic storage box with idea sheet, I only spent about £15 on it.

I'd consider getting them Fimo to share? Just the colours has more creative value than the smaller set kits. You could get them a different themes ideas book if you wanted individual presents?