We researched and tested practical and popular gift ideas for girls, evaluating product quality, educational value, and safety. Crystal L. Bailey, director of the Etiquette Institute of Washington, suggests gifting something that will stand the test of time. “When shopping for close loved ones such as a growing niece or godchild, my personal preference is to give gifts that can be cherished for a lifetime,” she says. Based on that advice, our top picks include an educational artful pillowcase from EatSleepDoodle, an adorable polaroid camera from Fujifilm, and an engaging board game from Ravensburger. Here are the best gifts for the 10-year-old girl in your life. Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $78 Price at time of publish: $80 Price at time of publish: $48 Price at time of publish: $40 Price at time of publish: $20 The color from the ten included fabric markers will wash out in warm water, so your 10-year-old can color the map repeatedly and get creative by adding her own notes and original drawings. Our tester deemed this most suitable for older kids and tweens because the coloring requires a steady hand. She noted that the double-tip design made it easy to doodle, and the ink washed out easily. She advises caution with the blunt points, as they tended to bleed through to the other side of the pillowcase. Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $37 Price at time of publish: $19 Price at time of publish: $300 Price at time of publish: $8 Price at time of publish: $41 Price at time of publish: $50 Price at time of publish: $299 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $50 Price at time of publish: $18 Price at time of publish: $55 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $198 Price at time of publish: $32 Price at time of publish: $28 Price at time of publish: $55 It’s great to share with friends, as there are plenty of supplies, and it will definitely be on the list for any sleepover. If you’re lucky, she might even use it to give the person who gave her this great gift a little mani/pedi too. Price at time of publish: $36 These headphones come in a rainbow of colors, but the candy pink or totally teal varieties are sure to catch any girl’s attention. Aside from the fun colors, the Ailihen C8 headphones include functional features, such as a microphone and volume control buttons—something not always present on headphones for kids. Most people find the headphones to be comfortable, with the adjustable sizing able to fit most heads. Adding to the durability of these headphones is the fact that they are foldable—meaning they can stash them in a backpack or overnight bag and they’re less likely to be broken. One other plus that people liked was the flexible fiber cord instead of a traditional plastic-coated cord. For a young music-lover or avid audiobook reader, choose the Ailihen C8 Foldable Headphones. Price at time of publish: $26 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $13 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $50 Price at time of publish: $110 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $7 Price at time of publish: $35 Price at time of publish: $99 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $49 Price at time of publish: $44 Price at time of publish: $115 Price at time of publish: $55 Price at time of publish: $99 Price at time of publish: $75 Price at time of publish: $34 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $24 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $33 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $30 Ten-year-old girls enjoy a range of activities and games at a more complex level, like making pottery, improving their skills at a talent or sport, or tackling more advanced science projects. “With educational gifts and games, it’s important to provide a gift that is at or just above their educational or activity level,” Bailey says. “It can be terribly disappointing to receive a game or activity that they are not able to enjoy.”
Safety
Make sure that you consider any safety precautions of your gift. You may need to include additional gear, like a helmet, knee pads, or eye protection. Because 10-year-old girls can have strong preferences for these things, it is also a good idea to ask her to help pick out the gear that is comfortable and looks stylish.
Educational Value
A gift for a 10-year-old girl that teaches her a new skill is one that will keep on giving. Whether she wants to learn more about a particular interest or develop an entirely new hobby, an educational gift may just spark a new passion in your 10-year-old’s life. Bailey recalls her favorite gifts shifting her outlook on life: “I think back on the special gifts that I received as a child and how they impacted my outlook on life. That is something we cannot begin to place a price on,” she shares.
Creativity
Gifts for the creative 10-year-old girl don’t need to be limited to arts and crafts. While these are popular choices for this age group, anything that allows her to express herself is a solid choice. Think about her interests and ways for her to show her individual personality, whether it’s through creating a science experiment or a bold fashion statement. Often creative gifts are based on trends and what’s currently popular. Bailey challenges consumers to shop outside of these fleeting trends to gift something sentimental that can be enjoyed for years. “This sometimes means that I won’t have the most popular gift or something the child immediately wants to play with, but maybe it’s an engraved jewelry box that will hold significance later in life,” she says.
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This article was written and researched by Julie Evans, a writer and editor whose work covers topics including health and wellness, parenting, and technology. Her writing has appeared on USA Today, Realtor.com, Brit + Co, and CafeMom, among others. She has nearly 20 years of experience. Expert advice was provided by Crystal L. Bailey, director of the Etiquette Institute of Washington.
