Gifts for Girls (ages 7+)

I get this yucky feeling when I pick up a toy that I know will be broken or lost in a matter of weeks and place it in my cart for a birthday or Christmas. It feels like such a waste to buy something that they might sorta like, but probably won’t love. It will likely get played with once or twice and you’ll be left wondering why you spent the money at all.

Am I too cynical? Perhaps. Too practical? Most definitely.

But I feel much better when I purchase something that A. I know my kids will love or B. I know my kids can learn from or C. I know it will last for a while and be a gift that keeps on giving.

So I’m often drawn to crafting kits, or educational games or something STEM related. My kids LOVE this stuff. The hardest part is knowing that most of the time they are not independent activities and I will need to be present, which means finding the time to sit down and do them together. But that’s also a challenge for me (a good one, that is) and something I need to be forced into sometimes, since work can be an ongoing time suck that likes to pull me back in every time I walk away from my desk.

So here are six gift ideas that I found for girls ages 7+ that are creative or educational (or both) and still pretty awesome. I know my daughter would put each of these on her wish list if she knew they all existed.

Gift for Girls #1: Stitch Camp Book $13.36
I received this book for a review and was so impressed and excited about it. It is written for young girls, but I could learn a bunch from it! It’s full of fun projects – some really easy and some a little harder – and my daughter is itching to start working on some together. I am not a knitter, but have always wanted to learn and I think this would be a great way for us to learn together.

Gift for Girls #2. SmartLab Toys All-Natural Spa Day $21.99
My daughter is obsessed with all things spa related. “Can I paint my nails?” is a question that rolls off her tongue on the daily. I love that this spa kit mixes fun with education and will help her learn not only how to make her own all-natural concoctions, but also teaches her how to plan and execute a party.

Gift for Girls #3. Kitten Me Notebook $12
Whether they like to draw or write, a notebook is a must-have. Why not make it one with a kitten and witty saying on the front?

Gift for Girls #4. Drawing Emojis Step by Step $6.99
I’m not going to pretend to know why pre-teen girls love emojis, but they do. If you’ve got a creative little one, get her this how-to book that will teach her to draw her very own emojis.

Gift for Girls #5. Instax Mini 9 Camera $59.99
My daughter desperately wants an Instax camera. I don’t plan to buy her one considering she is only 7 would most likely take all the photos of her dolls in different poses…, but if she was a bit older I might. Inspire her inner photographer with this fun gift.

Gift for Girls #6. DoughLab STEM Kit: Bake and Learn $24.99
This STEM baking kit has some rave reviews. If your kids love baking, this is a truly educational way to teach them the process for baking bread and how science plays a part. There are more recipes and experiments to try on their website, so this really is the gift that keeps on giving.

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