Screen-Free Christmas Gift Ideas for 10-Year-Old Girls
A lot of gift lists for 10-year-olds are really lists of gadgets. If you'd rather give something that doesn't need a tablet, a phone or an app, you still have plenty of choices. Here are five kinds of screen-free gifts that suit girls about 9 to 11, and what to check before you buy each one.
Building sets
Building sets give her a project with a clear end: a finished model she made herself. After that, she can play out stories with it, or take it apart and build something new.
What to check: the age range and the piece count. For a 10-year-old, a set marked 8 and up with several hundred pieces is a real build without being a chore. Also check the built size, so you know it will fit on a shelf.
Some sets mention an app. With most, the app is an extra, not a must. Read the listing to be sure.
Craft kits
Craft kits are great for kids who like to make things with their hands. Friendship bracelet kits are a popular pick at this age because she can make bracelets for friends and trade them.
What to check: what's in the box and how much it makes. A kit lists its strings, beads and clasps. Once those are used up, the fun stops until you buy more. If she loves crafts, plan on a refill later.
Card and board games
A good game gets the whole family around the table. Games with quick rounds work well at this age, because no one gets bored waiting for a turn.
What to check: the number of players and the age range. Most games need at least two players, so a game is best for a kid with siblings or a family that plays together. Look for games where the setup changes each time, so it doesn't get stale.
Instant cameras
An instant camera prints a real photo in seconds. There's no screen to scroll and nothing to upload. Kids this age often love taking photos of friends at sleepovers and sticking them on a wall.
What to check: film. Instant cameras need their own film, and it's usually sold separately. Every photo uses one sheet, so buy a pack or two with the camera and wrap them together. Also check if batteries are included.
Outdoor gifts
For a kid who would rather be moving, an outdoor gift is a great fit. Scooters are a common pick at this age because they fold, carry easily and work on sidewalks.
What to check: the age range, the rider weight limit and any parts sold separately. Keep the season in mind too. A scooter given in December may wait for spring if it's cold or wet where you live.
Which kind lasts the longest?
If you want one gift that keeps going, look at three things:
- Nothing else to buy to start. No film, refills or batteries to hunt for on Christmas morning.
- Nothing to use up. Bricks and cards last; string and film run out.
- She can play alone, indoors. No need to wait for a friend or a sunny day.
Building sets tend to pass all three. Craft kits run out of supplies. Games need other players. Cameras need film. Outdoor gifts need good weather. Each is still a great gift for the right kid; it's just worth knowing what comes next.
For five specific picks compared on these points, see our best Christmas gifts for 10 year old girls comparison.