Ideas for 10 year old DD. Completely stuck - wants a laptop.

[hereistopositiveenergy]

Hi!

DD would like a laptop for Christmas. She’s positioned it as needing it for high school in September however DP isn’t keep on the idea. She isn’t into gaming, never had a need to buy consoles over the years, has an iPhone she uses to walk to/from school & tracking hwe running (quite sensible and leaves WhatsApp group dramas). She’s no iPad as again never seen the need for her to have one.

DD is an avid runner and also does ballet 7-8 hours a week in two elite ballet programmes (her choice). Reading is a chore to her though so the first boxset of ‘Warrier Cats’ was brought in April upon her request and she’s still not finished the first book as it’s a battle constantly. She has a tv in her room but it’s often on the radio or watching a bbc documentary/some kids medical show.

Ive already got her some bubble skincare she’s asked for, earrings, charm for her bracelet, some perfume and some art pens. She likes stitch but isn’t in the ‘hype’ of it although if her friends are round it’s the ‘best thing ever’.

Please share some things on your 10 year olds list because she’s still only 10 and I want to make sure she has things she’ll enjoy. Failing which, I will need to ersuade DP the laptop is a good deal (£139) and a few stocking fillers.

We’ve also a 1 year old so even if DD doesn’t believe this year, she’s a softy and won’t ruin it for her sister or tell me ah!

I would get her the laptop. Typing is a life skill (it’s amazing how many kids can only type on phones and not a keyboard these days!) and she will be able to do her homework on it next year.

Kumi Creator
Hair wrap kit
Nail stickers and glow in the dark nail polish
Pictionary Air
Pusheen plush
Legami pens
Diamond painting kit
LED string lights for her room
Roller blades
Aquarellum

My DD is 10 and has just taken over my old latop as I have a new work one. She s currently writing her first book on it

She has a tablet and will be getting a phone for xmas as she needs one for walking to and from school which starts after christmas. The laptop is much better for typing and when I have more time I will teach her how to touch type as I learnt typing at school.

I would get your DD a reconditioned laptop. Theres been a couple of posts about laptops on the xmas bargain Thread 8 so you may be able to get a reasonable priced one.

I would also be inclined to get the laptop tbh. We got our DS one when he was in y6 so he had it ready for high school/ homework etc. Bought it reconditioned off eBay.

My DD is turning 9 in Jan so a bit younger. She loves reading so got her a lot of books. But other gifts are stationery/ pens etc, some lego flowers, Disney colour brain board game & theatre tickets

Also, I know you said she’s not a reader but saw you mention about kids medical programmes- would she like the Adam Kay kids books about medicine/ the body etc maybe?

DS asked for a chromebook for his 8th birthday and I did get him one tbh. He’s dyslexic but wants to learn to
type so he can “write his first book”, and I feel like I need to
encourage him with reading and writing as much as possible!

So far he’s used it for a bit of typing and a bit of Minecraft- but we’ve set quite strict limits on it, using Google Family, so pretty much everything is very restricted. Including when he’s allowed to use it.

DD had a laptop last year when she was 10 but broke it in the summer! She isn’t getting a replacement.

This year she’s asked for new roller skates, a stand mixer for baking, a bean bag a toastie maker, fabrics and threads for her sewing machine, arts and crafts pieces, Lego and body shop smellies. She’s also asked for vouchers for clothes stores.

She won’t get everything but she does have a December birthday too!

Thank you all! I’m for the laptop as she uses mine at the moment for tutoring which is on zoom but I think as others have said, touch typing is going to be a skill she’ll need long term.

I got her six tickets last year but I’ll look at Matilda as I’m sure I read that’s touring next year & me just me and her time. Good shout!

@LostMyRubySlippers She’s all for anything medical. When I was pregnant and knew I was having a section she kindly told me all about the procedure and in the summer, done a few dissection workshops at the local medical museum. I’ll look into the books you’ve mentioned!

No no hold off on the laptop! At least until you know if the secondary school will
recommend one - our DD just started year 7 (local comprehensive) and it was mandatory to buy a chrome book via their scheme. So any laptop you already have becomes totally wasted.

Yes Matilda is touring as we’ve recently booked tickets for Christmas 2025 in Liverpool!
The book we have is Kay’s Anatomy but there’s another one about medicine which I’ve got DD for Christmas.

Oh I didn’t know they do that! I might do some digging as I have a few friends with teens in the local high school she’ll be going too (we are a snikket distance so be highly surprised if she doesn’t get in)

Fantastic! Thank you!