toys for 9 year old girl

[happy1nuv]

Ok... I am trying to find a present for my niece... who will be 9 in december. She lives in GA and we're in NJ, so I dont get to see her often, and I have no clue 9 year old girls are into... are they into clothes yet? What do you suggest... we want to spend about $50.00 .. would like something fun, but educational... any ideas? (I know she's into American Girl - too $$$ - and crafts, but not sure what kind... )

[solongtogo]

a jewelry making kit would be cool, they sell them at craft stores

[sublime311]

I agree with the PP, craft gifts would be cool! Also, a portable CD player, books, and I'm sure 9 year old girls are still playing with Barbies (I did until 6th grade.) How about puzzles or games?

ETA: Missed the part about "educational"! Sorry! How about an "American Girl Magazine (http://store.americangirl.com/subscribe_ecomm.html)" subscription? Or a gift certificate to The Discovery Store? They have a whole section devoted to toys for girls in this age bracket: http://shopping.discovery.com/category-1_TOYSGAMES/3_TG_AGE_8TO12GIRLS-1107.html?currentPage=0&sortBy=Bestsellers

[LeighW]

For my niece's 10th birthday a few months ago, I sent her a scrapbook kit and a disposable camera. Also, an inexpensive shorts outfit (her birthday was during the summer).

She loved it and used the gift at her slumber party. They used all the film, my SIL went out and had the photos developed at a one-hour place, and they all made scrapbook pages.

Another good gift for that age (although not educational) is fun bath products--Target has a line for young girls.

[IrishMeg]

My SD turns 9 this month. She loves clothes, dolls, books, games, arts and crafts, gift certificates, and stuff to decorate her room. 9 is still young enough that they love most everything.

[mamax2]

All good suggestions listed already. Bath & Body Works also has a line of 'American Girl' products. My goddaughter loves all the soaps & shampoos from there. You probably wouldn't want to spend all $50 on that, but in combination w/some sort of craft kit (jewelry making, beading, etc.) it would be fun.

[catmom]

I love giving kids crafty stuff. What about a kit to teach her to knit? If her mother or another relative could help her out, that might be fun. I think the jewelry making kit is a great idea, too... I've seen kits that teach you to make beads out of fimo which are pretty neat.

[Winter Biscuit]

When my niece turned 9 last spring, I gave her an outfit for her American Girl doll. She was (and still is) into music and DVD's that are PG-rated but not cartoons (Lizzy McGuire is one that comes to mind). My niece got her ears pierced when she was 9 -- not sure if your niece has her ears pierced, but you could also find a nice, yet simple, pair of quality earrings. Love the craft ideas that others have posted.

[tlew12778]

My niece is 8 (turns 9 in August) and she LOVES crafty things. They sell lots of kits at toy stores or craft stores. One time I got her a subscription to a kid's craft magazine which she also loved. They were all crafts she could do on her own or with her friends (bc my sister specifically said she didn't want to have to supervise her for every single project).

This is sort of related, but once I got her a chocolate factory kit. Basically you melt down chocolate and you can mold it into various shapes and make lollipops and stuff. My entreprenurial niece then decided that we all had to "buy" her chocolate from her for a quarter each!

Not sure if your niece is into science (I was more into sciencey stuff at that age... I was a total nerd) but I once got my nephew a tadpole kit. It was an aquarium where you send away for your tadpole (they send it back in the mail) and you watch it grow into a frog. You can release the frog back into the wild when it's an adult (they send you something that is indigenous to your area).

[suzubeane]

My daughter is 10 and for the last year when attending birthdays for friends, we've been giving a canvas book cover and a book light:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000IRGN.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.gif

http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/product/detail/nxx/EC.NXX.6118920.jpg

This combination has the appeal of both a purse and a gadget, but the message that books are more important. :)

You can buy these two items separately, or I once found the exact ones shown here sold as a pair at Target for my own daughter. She loves 'em and will often take a book in the car even for just a short trip.

[Kanga]

I was thinking an American Girl accessory. An outfit, volleyball net, etc. I'm not sure how expensive the accessories are tho, but they have bunches to choose from. The magazine subscription would be cool too.