Holiday Gift Ideas 2012: Children Age 10+

[Melbel]

Post gift ideas for children age 10 and up.

Please include links/pictures when possible.

Here are a few ideas to start:

Minecraft - it is huge with kids 9 and up, predominantly boys (but I have definitely seen girls playing too)

https://minecraft.net

The new Wii U system - pricey option ($300 - $350), but could make a nice family gift

http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu

[sntm]

(9 1/2 but close enough)
Lego Star Wars sets
Hexbug battle set
iTunes gift card for apps and to buy stuff for the dragon game he plays
Paper Flying Dragons by Klutz
Star wars tauntaun sleeping bag
Star wars sheets
Books

[new_mommy25]

DS wants a new recurve bow so that will be his big gift from us. He also wants new headphones like Beats. We will probably select something in the $40-50 range and pass that gift idea to grandparents.

Minecraft is a great gift idea. My DS is obsessed in it and I highly recommend!

[kijip]

I third minecraft but I would say it works well for 7+. My niece and nephew (almost 7 and 11) are obsessed with playing it at our house so that is what they are getting from me. Not expensive either. I think T got it when he was 7 or 8 and got some sort of expansion upgrade last year.

T is 9.5 at Christmas. We considered a Xbox/Kinnect as a gift to both boys but decided that we don't want two game systems. We do the 4 gift thing:

Want: Arduino stuff! He can use to go crazy with his programming hobby and integrate with mindstorms http://www.arduino.cc/
Need: A blanket for his bed.
Wear: ?
Read: probably 10,000 leagues under the sea or Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Yep, another MineCraft vote!

We're replacing his DS bc it's in pretty bad shape.

Movie- Pirates Band of Misfits- he loves it!

Board games I'd recommend- Forbidden Island and Munchkin.

Legos

Sleeping bag (outgrowing the kid one!)

[wendmatt]

I think DD wants minecraft too, she plays it at her friends house and loves it.
Lego Ninjago watch
Skylanders Giants
Ninjago lego set

She has her b-day (10th) coming up so will prob get everything from us and various family members, so need christmas ideas.

dragon plant from Hobby Lobby
elements poster (she has a lovely book and it's the poster to go with it.....I'm hoping she becomes a nerdy scientist!

[willow33]

My almost 10 yr old DS will be getting a skateboard, NCAA 13 PS3 game and both boys are getting an air hockey table as their big gift.

[Melbel]

Another bigger ticket item that my DS really enjoys (and has educational value)
Lego Mindstorms - http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-4544091-Mindstorms-NXT-2-0/dp/B001USHRYI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352588830&sr=8-1&keywords=lego+mindstorms

11 year old DD1's interests (along with that of her peers):

American Girl magazine subscription: http://www.amazon.com/American-Girl/dp/B00006K37V/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352588308&sr=8-1&keywords=american+girl+magazine

All things Vera Bradley: http://www.verabradley.com/home.jsp

Flirties earrings: http://www.flirties.net/default.aspx

Cotton Candy Maker: http://www.amazon.com/Nostalgia-Electrics-PCM-805RETRORED-Series-Sugar-Free/dp/B004XD8FFW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=113E151HJY12D&coliid=I31XS0JFWK4IQ8

Snow Cone Maker: http://www.amazon.com/Hawaiian-Shaved-Ice-Machine-Package/dp/B0011MXFBC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=113E151HJY12D&coliid=I3B562AGD0YCXD

Zoku Popsicle Makers

Giftcards - Bath & Body Works, Old Navy, Target, Gap, iTunes

[swissair81]

I must find some ideas. DD1 (will be 10 in February) is complaining that I only buy toys for the younger kids. I just bought her Playmobil because she's a big helper and she got the boots she begged for. Do girls this age actually play with toys, or do they just amass things? I don't remember. I got a watch for my 10th birthday.

[mnosky1]

My DD is 9.5 and it is so hard to find gift ideas. She has Lego friends and a few books on her list but will want to have lots of packages to open! Her 4.5 year old sister has a huge list.

Is mindcraft an ap?

Just a couple things I bought her before that she loved in case this helps anyone...
Colored pencils (erasable, twistables, etc), big set mr sketch markers, sketch pads from michaels.

Pet design sketch pad- also comes in Barbie and Fashion
http://m.toysrus.com/skava/static/product.html?type=TRU_product_us&url=%2Fproduct%2Findex.jsp%3FproductId%3D12322406&domain=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toysrus.com

Hope to pick up some ideas from this thread because I need some!

[kijip]

Is mindcraft an ap?



It is a downloaded open ended building and exploration game for desktops and laptops. It's like electronic Legos. Kids build their own worlds. It is available at www.mindcraft.net. There are pocket editions for like 5 bucks on the App Store for iPad or newer gen iPod. The pocket editions are much more simple.

[KrisM]

It is a downloaded open ended building and exploration game for desktops and laptops. It's like electronic Legos. Kids build their own worlds. It is available at www.mindcraft.net (http://www.mindcraft.net). There are pocket editions for like 5 bucks on the App Store for iPad or newer gen iPod. The pocket editions are much more simple.

If you want to give it as a gift, you can buy a game card at Target for the same price. I got one for DS1. It is nice because it's something I can wrap for him.

[justlearning]

Want: Arduino stuff! He can use to go crazy with his programming hobby and integrate with mindstorms http://www.arduino.cc/

I'm curious how your DS knows about Arduino stuff? I know nothing about it, but my dad has put together a gift for DS with lots of Arduino stuff. (DS is 9 and also already has Mindstorms.) You're only the person besides my dad who I've heard mention Arduino, so I'm curious how you've learned about it? My dad has been getting stuff from China every day to put together DS's gift and is SO excited about it!

[new_mommy25]

My DD is 9.5 and it is so hard to find gift ideas. She has Lego friends and a few books on her list but will want to have lots of packages to open! Her 4.5 year old sister has a huge list.

Is mindcraft an ap?

Just a couple things I bought her before that she loved in case this helps anyone...
Colored pencils (erasable, twistables, etc), big set mr sketch markers, sketch pads from michaels.

Pet design sketch pad- also comes in Barbie and Fashion
http://m.toysrus.com/skava/static/product.html?type=TRU_product_us&url=%2Fproduct%2Findex.jsp%3FproductId%3D12322406&domain=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toysrus.com

Hope to pick up some ideas from this thread because I need some!

Yes, minecraft can be an app. It is availoable on iTunes and DS plays it on his touch. You can also play it on the computer and Xbox but it will require an account seperate from the iTunes acct.

[Robyn0204]

Question about Minecraft. Do you just download it once and then they play or is it internet based?

[lizzywednesday]

I was hoping to hear suggestions for a 10 yr old girl - our niece turned 10 in July. I have NO idea what to do for her because she's a completely different kid than I was - at 10, I wanted an AG historical doll, more books and clothes, for example. This one, well, not so much. (MIL is giving her McKenna, but I'm not paying for shipping on any of the accessories! Especially if she'll be forced to "share" them with her sister, who received McKenna for her birthday.)

Anyway, I've bought her a copy of Anne of Green Gables, figuring that she'll be OK to get through it even though a there's a tense sequence where Diana's little sister is very ill with croup ... and Matthew dies ... but it's overall a fairly harmless book. And if she likes it, I'll buy her the rest of the series because I gave my copies away to my cousins. (I'll re-buy them for DD when she's old enough.)

I'm considering:

* earrings (she's got pierced ears, but I haven't any idea if she's only allowed to wear gold posts or if surgical steel is OK; I couldn't wear surgical steel 'til I was an adult)
* GC to Justice (of course, that would require me actually GOING there and I cringe at the thought)
* iTunes GC (though this may make DH and I PNG with SIL)
* Cute outfit?

*sigh* I really struggle with these tweenage-girl types.

[gamma]

My DGD will be 12 next week. She also loves gift cards to Claire's and Barnes &Noble. Claire's is an accessory store in the mall which sells earrings, headbands, etc. She loves the store!

[sntm]

@Liz, there is a free shipping code now for AG, though I don't know if there is a minimum.

[lizzywednesday]

@Liz, there is a free shipping code now for AG, though I don't know if there is a minimum.

Yeah, I know; got an e-mail the other night. It's a $100 minimum.

Honestly, by the time I figure out what the kids want, I'd be better off spending that $100 on transport to the AG Place in the City.

[Melbel]

I was hoping to hear suggestions for a 10 yr old girl - our niece turned 10 in July. I have NO idea what to do for her because she's a completely different kid than I was - at 10, I wanted an AG historical doll, more books and clothes, for example. This one, well, not so much. (MIL is giving her McKenna, but I'm not paying for shipping on any of the accessories! Especially if she'll be forced to "share" them with her sister, who received McKenna for her birthday.)

Anyway, I've bought her a copy of Anne of Green Gables, figuring that she'll be OK to get through it even though a there's a tense sequence where Diana's little sister is very ill with croup ... and Matthew dies ... but it's overall a fairly harmless book. And if she likes it, I'll buy her the rest of the series because I gave my copies away to my cousins. (I'll re-buy them for DD when she's old enough.)

I'm considering:

* earrings (she's got pierced ears, but I haven't any idea if she's only allowed to wear gold posts or if surgical steel is OK; I couldn't wear surgical steel 'til I was an adult)
* GC to Justice (of course, that would require me actually GOING there and I cringe at the thought)
* iTunes GC (though this may make DH and I PNG with SIL)
* Cute outfit?

*sigh* I really struggle with these tweenage-girl types.

In post #8 above, I listed items for 11 year old girls which should also easily work for a 10 year old. I would also consider her hobbies (art, cooking, sports etc.).

By 10.5, DD1 was not into Justice much anymore. She recognizes that the clothes are cheaply made, over priced and too blingy (I am so happy she reached this conclusion on her own. As such a GC to Justice is not necessarily a safe bet. DD1's current favorite is Old Navy or Gap. DD1 and all of her friends love picking out stuff at Bath & Body Works these days.

I would not pick out an outfit for her. Tween girls are WAY too picky.

DD1 received this earring set from MIL for her 11th birthday and really likes it (sterling silver is working well for her): http://www.ross-simons.com/products/435889.html (note extra 25% off)

[lizzywednesday]

In post #8 above, I listed items for 11 year old girls which should also easily work for a 10 year old. I would also consider her hobbies (art, cooking, sports etc.).

By 10.5, DD1 was not into Justice much anymore. She recognizes that the clothes are cheaply made, over priced and too blingy (I am so happy she reached this conclusion on her own. As such a GC to Justice is not necessarily a safe bet. DD1's current favorite is Old Navy or Gap. DD1 and all of her friends love picking out stuff at Bath & Body Works these days.

I would not pick out an outfit for her. Tween girls are WAY too picky.

DD1 received this earring set from MIL for her 11th birthday and really likes it (sterling silver is working well for her): http://www.ross-simons.com/products/435889.html (note extra 25% off)

Thanks, Melbel!

Honestly, I lean towards ON & Gap myself because the clothes are simple and the stores aren't as loud as other stores... man, I sound old.

I don't really think the kid has time for any hobbies - SIL seems to schedule the kids so that they're rarely home together (perhaps by design because they fight and pick on each other & SIL doesn't deal with conflict) and the only thing I know my niece actually DOES is soccer. But, since she's been playing since she could walk, she has a crud-ton of soccer stuff already.

If she were more like I remember myself being at 10, I'd have a lot less trouble!

[Aarohismom]

My 10 year old DD loves playing with her Mindstorm kit, Headbandz and Spot It.

[oneplustwo]

DD, 11 years:
Some kind of jewelry, not sure what yet
A new iPod Touch (from Apple, refurbished)
Books ~ not sure what yet

Gifts to share with her 9-yo brothers:
Spot It (glad to hear from a PP it's a hit)
More Wii nunchuks (to share when friends are over)
Sleeping Queens game

[zoestargrove]

If you want to give it as a gift, you can buy a game card at Target for the same price. I got one for DS1. It is nice because it's something I can wrap for him.

I had no idea about this. My kids have been happy with the free app.

So, my question is, Can this gift card be used by multiple players or is it one account and I should buy one for each of my sons?

[JElaineB]

I had no idea about this. My kids have been happy with the free app.

So, my question is, Can this gift card be used by multiple players or is it one account and I should buy one for each of my sons?

It looks like the gift card allows the creation of one account. But I don't see any reason why they can't share the account and each make up their own worlds, assuming you stick with single player. If they wanted to play multiplayer with each other from two separate computers I imagine they would each need their own account (I don't let DS play multiplayer so I'm not 100% sure).

[JElaineB]

Another bigger ticket item that my DS really enjoys (and has educational value)
Lego Mindstorms - http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-4544091-Mindstorms-NXT-2-0/dp/B001USHRYI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352588830&sr=8-1&keywords=lego+mindstorms


I had no idea about Mindstorms, thanks for the link. DS has asked about building a robot before, so I'll have to see what he thinks about this before spending that much.

DS is 10, also loves Minecraft and his Nintendo 3DS. I'll get him a few games for that. New ones he would like: Super Paper Mario Sticker Star (he bought that last week already), Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive!, Adventure Time, Roller Coaster Tycoon. He also already has New Super Mario Bros 2 which he likes (came out a month or two ago).

He would like an iPod touch (definitely not getting) and a Kindle Fire (probably not getting). He would like a Wii U too, but I think we'll wait on that for a while. I'll get him a few books too, he's a reluctant reader but has shown interest in the "I Survived' series.

[mnosky1]

Thanks to the bargains board:
Steve Spangler science has 25% today (still not sure, LOTS of cool stuff)
and ThinkGeek has free shipping today (light up lego block)
- these sites game some some ideas for my 9.5 year old DD

[redhookmom]

For my DD10

purple UGGS!
skin care kit
hair straightener
socks that you put in the microwave to warm up
ear buds

[Ms B]

I would love a couple book ideas for my bestie's 11 year old son. They will be coming through town on Xmas Eve Eve from her brother's and spending the night with us.

I get to see my bestie about every other year and I always give her DS books. The last round I gave him (April 2011) included The Phantom Tollbooth and Nick Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie. Both of these were big hits; he is not a big reader, but insisted that his parents read Tollbooth to him over and over and he took out and read all the Nick Abercrombie books from the library.

What do 11 year olds boys like to read now? Is The Black Stallion too girly? The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe? Hardy Boys? Is The Hobbit too advanced? I know that I read it around that age (and The Lord of the Rings trilogy after that), but I was largely unsupervised in my reading at that point and probably was reading a lot of inappropriate things.

TIA!

[plusbellelavie]

For DS1....12 yrs old... into Dr Who and Minecraft (has been playing for 2 yrs now)

Dr. Who Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote Control 100$: http://www.bbcamericashop.com/house-and-home/doctor-who-sonic-screwdriver-universal-remote-control-16857.html (I got his on Amazon though....this was the Top Top of his Wishlist has been asking for it since May)

Tetris Light $48 http://www.firebox.com/product/5339/Tetris-Light (amazon also has them and they have them at ThinkGeek but are sold out....they look really cool)

Eco-sphere https://eco-sphere.com/index.html (I haven't ordered but I thinking about it!)

Tardis iPod Case $37: http://www.redbubble.com/people/ktroscoe/works/8474281-doctor-who-the-tardis?p=iphone-case&type=iphone5_deflector


A Dr. Who T-shirt and 4 or 5 stickers

Battery For Laptop

Steam Gift Card-

iTunes Gift Card

Couple of books in both French and English that he wants.


For DD 10 yrs old

Ipod 5

iTunes GC

2 new earrings

she collects pill boxes and I am adding to her collection with a reindeer one

some yarn for her knitting hobby

Couple of books in French that she has asked for

Amazon GC

[oneplustwo]

I would love a couple book ideas for my bestie's 11 year old son. They will be coming through town on Xmas Eve Eve from her brother's and spending the night with us.

I get to see my bestie about every other year and I always give her DS books. The last round I gave him (April 2011) included The Phantom Tollbooth and Nick Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie. Both of these were big hits; he is not a big reader, but insisted that his parents read Tollbooth to him over and over and he took out and read all the Nick Abercrombie books from the library.

What do 11 year olds boys like to read now? Is The Black Stallion too girly? The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe? Hardy Boys? Is The Hobbit too advanced? I know that I read it around that age (and The Lord of the Rings trilogy after that), but I was largely unsupervised in my reading at that point and probably was reading a lot of inappropriate things.

TIA!

A lot of boys around that age (younger as well) really enjoy the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan: http://www.amazon.com/Percy-Jackson-Olympians-Hardcover-Boxed/dp/142314189X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354035630&sr=8-1&keywords=percy+jackson

My now-9-yr old twin boys and 11 yo DD love this series to death, as do many of their friends.

[nellonello]

For DS1....12 yrs old... into Dr Who and Minecraft (has been playing for 2 yrs now)

Dr. Who Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote Control 100$: http://www.bbcamericashop.com/house-and-home/doctor-who-sonic-screwdriver-universal-remote-control-16857.html (I got his on Amazon though....this was the Top Top of his Wishlist has been asking for it since May)

Tetris Light $48 http://www.firebox.com/product/5339/Tetris-Light (amazon also has them and they have them at ThinkGeek but are sold out....they look really cool)

Eco-sphere https://eco-sphere.com/index.html (I haven't ordered but I thinking about it!)

Tardis iPod Case $37: http://www.redbubble.com/people/ktroscoe/works/8474281-doctor-who-the-tardis?p=iphone-case&type=iphone5_deflector


Thank you. Some great ideas!!

[kristac]

I was just thinking last night that the sklz mini basketball hoop is one of the best gifts DS1 has gotten. We have had it over 2 years and it still gets daily play. Then someone posted in the bargain forum that they were down to $19.99 on amazon so I thought I would cross post here.
http://www.amazon.com/SKLZ-Pro-Mini-Basketball-Hoop/dp/B001I912SQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354625084&sr=8-1&keywords=skillz+pro+mini+hoop

[etwahl]

I was just thinking last night that the sklz mini basketball hoop is one of the best gifts DS1 has gotten. We have had it over 2 years and it still gets daily play. Then someone posted in the bargain forum that they were down to $19.99 on amazon so I thought I would cross post here.
http://www.amazon.com/SKLZ-Pro-Mini-Basketball-Hoop/dp/B001I912SQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354625084&sr=8-1&keywords=skillz+pro+mini+hoop

I replied in the bargain thread, but this makes me think a basketball would be bouncing around the room, damaging everything in sight. I'm confused!!

[redhookmom]

My son 13ds has has had the mini hoop for a few years. There is not much bouncing of the ball just bouncing of the child. He dunks and does spin moves- things like that. This has been one of those toys with staying power. :) I think he started playing with it less as he got taller and it was not as much of a challenge. (He is now 6 foot)

[redhookmom]

11 year old book idea: Warrior series by Erin Hunter. My son and his friends tore through this extensive series. At first he thought the premise was "dorky," I read the first chapter to him and a year later he had read 30+ books. We were lucky enough to hear the author speak and she had something interesting to share, for me. Most children's books are written about a main character who is 2 or 3 years older than the target audience. But since her characters are not human she writes about infants, children, teenagers, grandparents.... And somehow the her audience relates. She was pretty cool - she said she hates happily ever after. :)

[barkley1]

Any other ideas for boys ages 12 and 15? All we've got so far is clothes and iTunes GC. Video games are out. They're not big readers, and when they do read, they seem to only want to read soemthing on the school's AR list so it "will count", lol.

[mik8]

My 9 y/o DD is addicted to Minecraft online game. It's big with 4th/5th graders both girls and boys alike.

[catmele]

How do you buy them a gift card for MineCraft ? They play it on the Ipad but 9 yr old wants to play it on the computer? Is there a card you can buy them? How much is it? So confused with this stuff!

[JElaineB]

How do you buy them a gift card for MineCraft ? They play it on the Ipad but 9 yr old wants to play it on the computer? Is there a card you can buy them? How much is it? So confused with this stuff!

I saw one at Target the other day. I think it gives you a code to create a Minecraft account on the computer. The other option would be to just print out your own certificate telling them they can create Minecraft account and then just enter your credit card when you create the account on the Minecraft website.

ETA: It costs $26.95 to create an account. https://minecraft.net/store. Looks like Walmart, Best Buy, and GameStop should also have the gift cards.