Holiday Gift Guide: Things to Give a Ten or Eleven Year Old Girl

If you have a ten or eleven year old daughter you may begin to notice that they don't really play with toys as much. Their interest in Barbie and baby dolls is beginning to fade. They are not quite at the age where they are into clothes and makeup. Some may but many are not yet. If you don't want your daughter to grow up quite as quickly as you fear she may be a good toy suggestion is an American Girl Doll. These dolls are not for little kids, but for older girls interested more in collecting things.
These dolls are a great educational tool, as well because the books that accompany them are historical fiction. The girls in the stories that the dolls are based on are from all different time periods of US history, from Colonial times to World War II. Though pricey at almost ninety dollars the dolls will last for years and be a treasured possession. If you don't mind previously used ones you can find them for around forty or fifty on ebay. You may have to fix the hair and buy them an outfit, but it is a cheaper alternative. These dolls are well made, beautiful, and still socially acceptable for preteens to own.

Another suggestion is not a physical gift. If your child has been bugging you to take lessons in something perhaps now is the time. If they have a pretty singing voice you might give them a months worth of voice lessons to try it out. This is the age where kids are going to begin realizing what they are talented in, what they enjoy, and are serious about. It's not too late to sign them up for sports or dance lessons either. They may discover a talent they didn't know they had, or discover that they really enjoy something. Art, fencing, karate, horseback riding, and even swim are many things I know kids have gotten serious about when they were that age. Don't force them, but if it's something they've been bugging you about then now might be the time. You may even want to add ballet shoes, a bathing suit, or a basketball to go along with whatever it is your child may want to try.

Another non-physical gift idea is the typical gift certificate. This may sound obvious, but at that age most kids are not used to getting gift certificates yet. Gift certificates may seem boring if they are to a clothing store at this age, but if it is for a fun accessories store like Claire's they may like it. A certificate to the movies, toy store, or a special trip somewhere may be a good gift if you do not know the child that well. It may be the first time they are getting a gift certificate to a place they really care about.

The initial thought of finding a gift for a preteen may seem overwhelming at first, but there are many options because they are somewhere between childhood and being a teenager. The American Girl Dolls may be a good gift to continue to bring out the child in the girl, or a gift certificate to a store may be fun for them as they are probably just beginning to worry about what they look like. If that fails, find out if there is an activity the child has wanted to take part in. Perhaps you can finance the activity for them. Make a special certificate stating what you are paying for and wrap it up with an item that goes along with the activity. You never know the impression your gift may make in the future of the child.