21 of the best gifts for 10-year-old girls, including STEM sets, fun accessories, and sports gear

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• Gift ideas for 10-year-olds can be all over the map, making it tough to shop for them.
• We rounded up the best gifts for 10-year-old girls, based on their developmental stage and many interests.
• Still looking for a gift? Check out our list of the All-Time Best products we've ever tested.

A 10-year-old girl's gift wish list can be a contradiction: They still engage in pretend play and love toys from their childhood, but they may want more "mature" gifts since they are growing up. Therefore, their interests can vary greatly depending on the individual and, as with any age, go beyond dated, stereotypical gift ideas for girls.

Mendi Baron, a social worker and father of four, works with girls in this age group and recommends buying gifts related to their hobbies, which can include sports, science and coding, and arts and crafts. Outings are also high on the list this year, he said, as people are traveling more. 

Child and adolescent psychiatrist Sid Khurana, medical director at Nevada Mental Health, explained that 10-year-olds have recently developed the ability of "social perspective taking." This means they are able to more deeply consider the feelings and thoughts of others. Collaborative projects or experiences that involve friends can also be thoughtful gifts. 

Whatever their hobbies may be, we've rounded up some of the best gift ideas for 10-year-old girls.

Here are 21 of the best gifts for 10-year-old girls:

A diary to remember their favorite books

Young Reader and Illustrator Passport Set, available at Uncommon Goods, $20

Consider these journals for the books they love. Each notebook — one to fill with with written details about a book and the other for drawings that were inspired — is like a memory keeper of their favorite stories.

A kid-appropriate basketball

Chance Premium Rubber Outdoor/Indoor Kids' Basketball, available at Amazon, from $29

Sport is a great social activity for a 10-year-old to play with friends and build up skills like teamwork. This basketball is ideally sized for younger children.

A plushie for the Harry Potter obsessed reader

Build a Bear Magical Creatures, available at Build a Bear, from $32

This is the age when kids become obsessed with Harry Potter books and movies, and their rooms turn into tributes to the spellbinding wizardry. Choose from Hedwig or Buckbeak stuffed toys, or bear creations that can be customized.

A Lego hero from a galaxy far, far away

Knights of Ren Transport Ship Lego Set, available at Amazon, Target, and Lego, from $55.99

Recreate a battle scene between hero Rey and baddies Knights of Ren in this Lego Star Wars set. Perfect for any young padawan.

A monthly box of STEAM activities

Kiwico Atlas Crate, available at Kiwico, from $17.50

For the STEAM-minded student, this monthly subscription box contains plenty of activities that not only focus on science and arts, but also explore cultures around the world.

A gold medalist Hello Kitty

Funko Pop! Sanrio: Gold Medal Hello Kitty, available at Target and Walmart, from $8.78

Hello Kitty commemorates Team USA at the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo. We're not sure what sport she got gold in, but she's a winner in everyone's hearts.

A pair of cool skates

K2 Skate Youth Raider Inline Skates, Gray/Red, available at Amazon, $67.24

They've probably mastered riding a bike by this age. If they're looking for a new challenge, have them try inline skating, which is not only fun but also great for exercise.

An introduction to famous female artists

"Women in Art" by by Rachel Ignotofsky, available at Amazon and Uncommon Goods, from $11.79

Introduce the creative 10-year-old to the female trailblazers in the art world. This primer covers 50 important women, including Frida Kahlo and Georgia O'Keefe, and the contributions they've made.

A set of glittery lip gloss

Unicorn Snot Lip Gloss Set, available at Amazon and Uncommon Goods, from $24.99

Besides the whimsical name, this glitter lip gloss is also vegan and not tested on animals. It's a fun and safe way for kids to apply makeup.

An electric guitar that teaches

Learn-to-Play Electric Guitar Pro Set, available at Uncommon Goods, from $149

If there's a budding rocker in your house who wants to learn how to play the electric guitar, this instructional set can help them become the next St. Vincent.

A ring with a secret

Secret Decoder Ring, available at Amazon and Uncommon Goods, from $17

What kid doesn't enjoy a mystery? This ring is a fun way for amateur sleuths to uncover secrets by learning the art of code breaking.

A robot for future coders

Artie Max the Coding Robot, available at Amazon, Target, and Staples, from $99

Tell Artie the Robot what to draw by using code. It's the perfect introduction to STEM education, with clear instructions, tutorials, and how-to videos to guide them.

A pair of unicorn earrings

14K Gold Filled Unicorn Earrings, available at Etsy, $14.70

Unicorns are beloved because they symbolize carefreeness and inclusiveness. These earrings are a fun yet subtle way for a 10-year-old to show their unicorn love.

A crafty succulents kit

Craft Crush Felt Succulents Kit, available at Amazon and Uncommon Goods, from $18.55

This felt succulent kit is for a plant lover who is crafty and creative. With 18 succulents, friends can join in on the activity, too. It's a budget-friendly gift that she will enjoy long after making it.

A trendy hat

Adidas Colorwash Bucket Hat, available at Pacsun, $22.40

This creamsicle-colored tie-dyed hat channels summer fun even in the dead of winter and is the perfect blend of fashionable and sporty.

A virtual reality cooking set

Abacus Brands VR Junior Chef Set, available at Amazon and Nordstrom, from $49.99

Khurana of Nevada Mental Health said that, at 10 years old, many kids are often interested in increasingly independent projects, such as baking or cooking classes. This cooking kit with 24 recipes incorporates STEM learning and focuses on food pairings and flavor profiles. Because this kit requires supervision, adults can join in on the fun.

A backpack upgrade

L.L.Bean Original Book Pack, available at L.L. Bean, $36.95

L.L.Bean makes quality rucksacks that will grow with the kid. The Arctic Sledding Dogs print has a holiday vibe, too, but you can pick from a variety of prints, including butterflies or constellations.

A kit for making friendship pins

Bottleblond Jewels DIY Friendship Pin Gift Kit, available at Nordstrom and Uncommon Goods, from $25

A spin on the friendship bracelet, this kit comes with all the components needed to create custom pins that are personalized for each friend.

A headband for school, sports, and style

You Go Natural Gatsby Knotted Headband, available at You Go Natural, $11

Whatever the hairstyle, this is a trendy accessory that can be used during any activity, from after-school yoga clubs to hanging with friends. And it comes in a wide variety of colors.

A jersey of their favorite team

Lionel Messi Barcelona Jersey, or any jersey, available at fanatics.com, from $85

Whether she can't take her eyes off professional soccer or spent the whole NFL season rooting for her hometown favorite, a team jersey is the gift for any fanatic. Shop fanatics.com for seven major types of sports, with most jerseys running between $85 and $200.

The fuzziest slippers of all

Girls Sammie Flip Sequin Scuff Slippers, available at Target, $13

Slippers are a must-have for lounging at home, but these add some flare to what's normally utilitarian.

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