Brainy gift suggestions for a 10 yr old girl?

[citymama]

Apologies for the snobby sounding header, but here's the story. My cousin's kid is a very bright 10 yr old, surrounded by junky toys, girlie books, and tween stuff - so her birthday presents were pink fluffy crap, jewelry, Zhu Zhu pets, jewelry box, hip clothing, more pink fluff. Oh, and a gc for a mom and me mani-pedi. Really? This kid is a smart 10 yr old and I feel like she is being treated like an almost 16 yr old. Thankfully I did not have her present in hand at her b'day party, so I am going to try and make up for it with something a little brainier.

She reads a lot but I have no idea what she has or hasn't read. The last few b'days I've bought her classic books and AG book collections (she loves her AG dolls). So I'd rather not buy books unless it is some hidden gem she might not have access to through the library (e.g., something like the Phantom Tollbooth - is 10 too old for it?). I considered getting her a subscription for Stone Soup magazine, but I feel like I'd rather hand her something that I can encourage her to read or get into here and now, than something that will arrive in the mail in two months and may get lost in the shuffle.

Any other suggestions for a gift that says (a la Brain Quest): "It's OK to be smart, girl!" In the $30-40 range ideally. Thanks!

[Melbel]

My smart DD1 received a lot of the same type of fluff for her 10th birthday, but this is what she is into these days. Whereas DS is really into the "brainy" type gifts, DD1, not so much. In the earlier years, she loved her Leapster, but as she has gotten older, it has become more difficult to find educational type gifts for her. However, she has enjoyed

This chemistry kit: http://www.amazon.com/Thames-Kosmos-Chemistry-Chem-C500/dp/B000X48HEY/ref=sr_1_6?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1321356432&sr=1-6

American Girl Magazine subscription (not the physical gift you were looking for though)

Ipad/Itouch applications that have an educational focus (stack the states, some math games, etc.)

Although not exactly brainy, this at least falls into the "practical" category: DD1 loves cooking/baking so we have been able to purchase plenty of cookbooks, sprinkles, popsicle maker, ice cream maker.

[kristac]

snap circuits

[Melbel]

snap circuits

DS loved several of the snap circuit sets, but DD1 showed no interest whatsoever. In our home, it really depends on the child.

[JTsMom]

How about a game? Scrabble and Rummikub come to mind, but I've also heard good things about
http://www.amazon.com/MayFair-Games-MFG3061-Settlers-Catan/dp/B000W7JWUA/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1321359046&sr=1-1

[Melbel]

Blokus is another fun "brainy" game option (fun for adults too): http://www.amazon.com/Mattel-R1983-Blokus-Classics-Game/dp/B001P06GX4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321361677&sr=8-1

[ellies mom]

She may want that stuff. (insert shoulder shrugging smiley) My daughter wants that type of stuff so I usually get some of what she wants and then some of what I want to get her.

But I think the Phantom Tollbooth would be a wonderful book because it is one of those life long favorite types. You read it as a child and love it. You read it as an adult and love it more.

Greek Mythology is kind of fun too.



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[Smillow]

I know you said no books :bag, but I wanted to include this one: Daring Book for Girls (http://www.amazon.com/Daring-Book-Girls-Andrea-Buchanan/dp/0061472573/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321374510&sr=8-1) - my niece specifically requested it last year & this year I am getting the Double Daring Book.

[peanut520]

i lean toward the OP that it might be what DN wants. that said when i was ten i loved museum/aquarium memberships with a "trip" ticket (basically a outing on the date of my choosing)

[echoesofspring]

Is she into making things? Maybe some sort of intro to jewelry making/sewing class or kit, or other craft I'm not thinking of. A lot of crafts help develop other skills (spatial thinking, basic math, etc. )

[TwoBees]

What about a chemistry set or a microscope?

[katydid1971]

Here's the Fat Brain Toy's list of gifts for 10 yo girls
http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toys/toys_by_ages/girls/top_picks_10.cfm

This one looks cool to me http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/mindware/bellas_mystery_deck.cfm

[Melbel]

Here's the Fat Brain Toy's list of gifts for 10 yo girls
http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toys/toys_by_ages/girls/top_picks_10.cfm

This one looks cool to me http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/mindware/bellas_mystery_deck.cfm

Thanks for posting the list. We have given the Spa Science kit as a gift and it was well received. This similar kit gets better reviews and is "greener": http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Lab-All-Natural-Spa/dp/B00265K9T4/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1321382599&sr=1-2

[citymama]

Here's the Fat Brain Toy's list of gifts for 10 yo girls
http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toys/toys_by_ages/girls/top_picks_10.cfm

This one looks cool to me http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/mindware/bellas_mystery_deck.cfm

Thanks for this list and all the great suggestions!

You know, if I hadn't seen what she got on her bday I might have bought her something girlie too. But I don't think she has enough people in her life supporting her for being smart (as opposed to sweet and pretty) and heck, I want to be that person! In all fairness, her parents totally support her sports and academics, but it does not look like others in her larger universe are doing that.

[gamma]

I'm not sure if it's too late, but try mindware.com. I couldn't remember the name of the catalog, but there it was in my mailbox today!

[citymama]

She may want that stuff. (insert shoulder shrugging smiley) My daughter wants that type of stuff so I usually get some of what she wants and then some of what I want to get her.

But I think the Phantom Tollbooth would be a wonderful book because it is one of those life long favorite types. You read it as a child and love it. You read it as an adult and love it more.

Greek Mythology is kind of fun too.



I know you said no books :bag, but I wanted to include this one: Daring Book for Girls (http://www.amazon.com/Daring-Book-Girls-Andrea-Buchanan/dp/0061472573/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321374510&sr=8-1) - my niece specifically requested it last year & this year I am getting the Double Daring Book.

Thanks y'all! I ended up getting her the Daring Book for Girls, Phantom Tollbooth, and for good measure a cutesy purse at a local craft fair - because brainy girls sometimes need cool accessories! ;) I hope she loves them.

[Melbel]

Thanks y'all! I ended up getting her the Daring Book for Girls, Phantom Tollbooth, and for good measure a cutesy purse at a local craft fair - because brainy girls sometimes need cool accessories! ;) I hope she loves them.

It sounds like you found a perfect balance. FWIW, my DD1 did like the Daring Book for Girls. :)

[squimp]

I know you said no books :bag, but I wanted to include this one: Daring Book for Girls (http://www.amazon.com/Daring-Book-Girls-Andrea-Buchanan/dp/0061472573/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321374510&sr=8-1) - my niece specifically requested it last year & this year I am getting the Double Daring Book.

Love this suggestion. My 8-year-old loves this book and she reads it with an older friend so I bet it's still useful at 10.

[infomama]

Big fan of Mental Floss here....
www.mentalfloss.com/store/Kids/

[Globetrotter]

I assume she is of Indian/part Indian heritage? In that case, how about a subscription to this very cool magazine: http://www.kahani.com/

ETA: I was wondering why i hadn't seen it recently. They've stopped production - oh, this is really sad :( There are back issues that you can purchase.. but I loved that the kids could see people like them (from the diaspora) in stories.

AG also has a magazine.