Gifts for Pre-teen Girl

Artsy? How about craft kits or giving her supplies to learn how to knit or crochet? I taught 3 of my grandkids how to knit over the summer and 2 out of 3 loved it.

My older girls are 16 now. For the past few years they have loved getting good art supplies like drawing pencils-graphite and charcoal (graphite shines while charcoal gives a matte look), sketch books, good art erasers. Is she artsy or craftsy? I think there is a difference. I would not buy her those art kits. While my 7 yr old would love them, my older girls moved past them some time ago and think they are childish. If she is into making jewelry, maybe get some pendants and chains she can mix up. Last year I found quite a few of each at Michaels on clearance. No one else has what they have.

well, duh. a pony.
but if you're going to be so uncool as to deprive her, i'd go with art supplies, maybe lessons if there's a cool class at your local community college or other venue. ticket to a sporting event she'd love. how about a fathead? kids so seem to love them! lava lamp or other cool lighting fixture.
and books. lots and lots of books.
khairete
S.

A sewing machine, Lego Friends, a cool arts and craft kit, an easel and paint set, board games for the whole family, piece of equipment to try a new sport like golf clubs or tennis racquet or roller blades or pogo stick or ice skates, cooking/baking equipment-chef's apron, a great starter knife, cookbook, nice little cutting board, colorful measuring devices, etc.

Art supplies- table easel, canvas boards, paints, brushes, how to art book for kids. These are all things I'm getting for my art loving 10 year old daughter. She's not so much into the art/craft kits anymore.
Bean bag or lounge chair for her room.

If she likes to build things, then one thing to keep in mind is - Legos are fun for everyone.
If she's into crafts - a knitting loom is easy to use and she can easily make hats and scarves with it.

http://www.joann.com/needle-arts/knit-and-crochet-supplie...

I'd go to Pinterest and do a search. Here's just one of dozens of posts from them.
http://www.beyondtheinspiration.com/fun-ideas-for-pre-tee... Another possible idea is a gift of an "experience". Tickets to something, an outing for her and a friend, a day with you getting pampered, art lessons etc. Good luck!

Does she play an instrument? Perhaps some music lessons to try that out. My daughter is 14 now, but when she was 11 she liked to draw (pens/pencils not crayons) and a nice art pad and quality pens would have been a hit. She also learned to both crochet and knit around that age. Knitting needles and yard were a gift from my mom who taught her some basics. She asked for a sewing machine also.
Then she got involved in the band at school (she already was playing piano). She started on clarinet (just made District All State Band for the 2nd time), but has also picked up the flute and violin since that time. She prints music from the internet and plays on the piano often.
She also loves listening to music. And while she already has a phone, she isn't able to hold as much music on it as she would like, so she has asked for an iPod JUST for her music.

She did go through a phase where she made modeling clay figures and did stop-motion-photography videos with them, too.

There's a lot of ways to approach this, but knowing what she does like would be helpful. Does she like to spend time alone, or does she always have friends around? My daughter likes to read and spend time alone, and enjoys time with friends on a smaller scale. So individual activities are great for her... music is a favorite. If your daughter might have a musical leaning, I'd go that direction. But that could mean anything... a guitar, a band instrument, piano, voice... lessons, additional instruments, music books...

As a crafty mom with two crafty girls do NOT get her those craft kits, they are awful. Instead get her good paper, quality colored pencils, good pens/markers, modeling clay,etc. There are several cool adult coloring books out which she would probably enjoy as well, and maybe a journal. Another popular teen/tween item is string lights, these come in so many colors and styles and are fun to hang up in her room.
In addition, good slippers, PJs, boots, scarves/gloves, fun socks, books (if she reads?) nice lotion/bubble bath, DVDs/CDs.

The two things I remember getting my girls at that age that were unexpected hits were a calligraphy set and a magic kit (a "real" one that took time to learn hard tricks). I remember my husband "poo-pooing" both of those ideas and they ended up being used/enjoyed a lot. Not sure if she is into paintballing, but we also got kids Tipman 90s (I think that is what they are called) one year and that was a huge hit. Good luck!

I'm not sure I'd characterize a sports-loving, artsy kid as "non-girly"!! Girls do all kinds of things and don't have to be told they are less than or different from other girls! Kind of like people who still use the "throw like a girl" line!

Stained glass kits? Michael's and even fabric stores like JoAnn Fabrics have them (not sure what stores you have in your area). Tee-shirt decorating? She could do something for her favorite team. There are stationery-making kids too that let a kid (or adult) create their own designs. If she has any great sketches or designs she has made on paper, you can put those on things like tote bags and mouse pads too. Cafe Press is one company that does it, but lots of others do too - you might even check with your local quick printer to see what capabilities they have, given the tight time frame for ordering.

Most kids of all ages like Yah-tzee (they make the regular game, the electronic version (hand-held) and sometimes some themed ones with different symbols on the dice. It's a brain-stimulating game, teaches a few math skills but mostly pattern recognition, and it helps pass the time in waiting rooms and so on. The regular game can be played with friends, but the hand-held lets you play against yourself alone. Check out the travel game section of the toy store - they have some great options that fit in a backpack. And if you are giving her a used phone, you don't have to put game on it if you don't want to or if it doesn't have that capability (depends on how old it is).

Sounds similar to my 12 year old. We are getting her a new soccer ball, pajamas, a game, a book and a Docto Who mug. Not going wild with gifts this year. My husband was just laid off. :o(

sounds like my 11 yr old daughter!! I got her - some canvases for painting, some funky cool bracelets, a Tshirt, a cool light for her room that changes colors with remote, a cute kitty statue in Japanese style (she does Jap marital arts). Another idea, my SIL got her a remote control car that I think she's going to love!

craft kits to make stuff. like bracelets and other jewelry, craft kits for making knick knacks for her room. craft kit to teach her something fun like knitting or crochet. or cross stitch or something else like that. paint by number kits.

I have the same issue this year. She's not really into toys anymore but will miss opening and getting them. The two "toy" things she's getting are a Lego architecture set and a nerf gun. I miss the Barbie days!

Adult colouring book?

Oh she sounds just like my daughter. Make a list of her favorites. Movies, teams, drinks, foods, etc. Can you find her favorites on cups, mugs, plates, knee socks, beanies, phone covers. If she is in sports, she probably doesn't have time to play with toys and probably has no interest in it.

My niece got a small drone with a camera on it to fly around and take pictures last year for Christmas. She loves it.

My sporty girl love Lokai bracelets. Boys wear them too! About 4 colors to chose from.