Choosing the best gifts or toys for 11 year olds can be challenging, especially with how quickly trends seem to change. However, there are some items that are a sure hit, no matter what the child’s particular interests might be or what direction trends are heading. The key is deciding what the ultimate goal of the gift will be and whether you want to worry about current trends or simply pick something that any child would enjoy.
How to find gifts for 11 year old girls?
One of the best ways to ensure that you are giving the best presents for 11 year old girls, you should consider purchasing them a gift card.
Some see this as a cop out from doing the hard work that can come with gift giving, but that is no longer really the case. Gift cards have become extremely popular, with good reason. It ensures that the receiver will be happy with it because they have the ability to choose it themselves.
One way to show that the card was selected thoughtfully is to give a card that is only able to be used at one of their favorite stores. For example, if they enjoy playing video games you can purchase a card from a store that specializes in this area that is local to them. If you know they love fashion and accessories you can give them a card for their favorite clothing line. Note that the store doesn’t necessarily have to be local to them as just about every store has an online presence, but it is helpful in case they prefer to do their shopping in a physical store.
If you want to be a little more unique you can give them a gift that can facilitate learning. This is ideal if you are aware of a certain topic that they have a lot of interest in. This can be something vague, such as science, or very particular, such as World War II. You just want to be sure that you have a good understanding of what their personal passions are. Once you have that information on hand you can search for products that are geared towards that topic.
For example, if they are interested in science you can give them a set that allows them to experiment with chemistry, learn how hydraulics work or a microscope set that includes slides for them to study. The options really are endless. If you want to add a trending feature you can choose something that continues to give through the year, such as a subscription give service that sends a new project to them monthly. A subscription gift lets the child know that you put a lot of effort into finding something that they can enjoy the entire year.
Some tips for choosing birthday gifts for 11 year olds
While not thought of often, books can also be one of the best gifts for 11 year olds. They are starting to mature very quickly and have a desire to learn more about what the world is all about. Reading is one of the best ways to learn about the world and also will help them to continue to build their vocabulary, which is an essential aspect of higher level education. One kind of book that is currently trending is the graphic novel. These are books that are for higher level readers, but they include pictures to help increase imagination regarding the story that they are reading. There are also always certain novels that are trending for pre-teens. A search online can help you to find something that will meet their interests.
If you are considering going this route one of the best things you can do is to learn what series they already enjoy or consider what they have interest in. Just about anything to do with zombies is almost positively sure to be a hit with kids in this age group.
Another great gift idea is something that gets them outside. With all of the technology, there is today and growing problem is kids spending too much time on their phones, video games and other devices. Giving them something fun that encourages them to get outside and play like a kid should not only help them physically but can also do a great deal to help them blow off steam and improve their mood in a healthy way. If you know that they are into a certain sport you can give them equipment needed to play it.
You don’t have to keep it as simple as just giving them a ball, but can show a little more interest by giving them other equipment that can help. For example, if they enjoy football you can give them the belted flags so they can play safely with their friends and some cones to line the field.
What are the best gifts for 11 year old boys?
Be creative with it, the more they have to enhance the experience the more likely it is that they will get outside and play. If they aren’t particularly into sports you could give them a skateboard, bike, roller blades or a scooter. Just be sure that whatever gift you give, especially if they are not your own child, that you include the proper safety equipment so that they can go out and enjoy the activity without having to make any additional purchases.
If you know that even if you give them something to get outdoors, they won’t put it to use, you can think about something that could get them playing inside. One hot item with this age group are guns that shoot foam bullets. Almost every kid that age will enjoy having the opportunity to shoot at their friends.
It can get them running around the house and even teach them about strategy. Be sure that if you do go this route that you also provide the needed goggles and extra bullets so that they can really enjoy playing and do so safely.
If you are not keen on giving guns as a gift or are concerned that the child’s parents might not appreciate it, there are many other gifts that can be enjoyed indoors. One of the best of them is board games or strategy games. This is something that they can enjoy with their entire family and will also help them to get away from their screens to interact with others in person. You can consider what they have a personal interest in with this gift as well, as there are countless themed games on the market.
Just be sure that the game is appropriate for their age group. There is a growing trend of games that are intended for adults, so check to see what age the game is recommended for before you make a purchase.
If you know the child particularly well you can give them something that can be used to decorate their room.
At this age, they are starting to want to express themselves as being different from others. Creating their own space can be a very healthy way for them to do this. You can give them something simple, such as a bookshelf or a desk to make their room a more mature space, or you can get more specific with items that they have a particular interest in, such as sports teams or a hobby of theirs. This is a good way to show that you know their personality and that you respect that they are turning into a teenager with particular interests that are more mature.
If you really want to give the best gift that will put you above all the others, then giving them a gift related to technology is the best way to go. If they are not your child it is best to ask their parents first, as many have concerns over what their children have access to and that is a sensitive age.
When giving the gift of technology you want to be sure that you know what they do and do not have as well. For example, if you know that the child loves video games you can give them something that improves upon the system that they already have or you can give them the next new system that just came out on the market. Just be sure that you know what platform that they prefer as this can be a major preference for them. If you know the system that they use and the next hot game that came out you can give that as well.
Choosing the best christmas gifts for 11 year olds
If they are not particularly into video games a new phone is a great way to go. If they are really into playing video games with their friends, you can go with a budget mmo mouse too. Again, be sure that if the child is not your own that you discuss this with their parents in advance.
If the child can have a phone, but the parents would want to monitor their activity you can include a program in the gift that allows the parents to do so. This is a great idea regardless of if the child is yours or not. Other great technology gifts include tablets and mp3 players. Think about what the child enjoys and you will be sure to be a hit with any gift that incorporates technology.
Another major gift that connects a child to technology is a laptop. This is beneficial because it has multiple purposes. In addition to being able to use it to play games and connect with their friends, it also can be a great tool for learning. These days school projects almost always require that the child have access to the internet.
This can give them that access as well as a way to write their reports. You can also install protection software that limits the sites that the child can visit, the amount of time that they can spend online each day and what apps they are able to install. As with any form of technology that gives them access to the internet, you will want to have the approval of their parents before making the purchase to prevent any hard feelings and ensure that the child will be able to enjoy the device.
Last, but not least, is the gift of contributing to their education. It might sound like a joyless gift, but one of the best gifts for 11 year olds is asserting for them that going on to continue their education past high school is important. You are also telling them through the gift that you believe that they have the ability to do so. There are a variety of ways in which you can do this. You can find out from their parents if they already have an account set up. If they do you can contribute directly towards that account.
Keep in mind that whatever you contribute in that fashion will grow exponentially over the years so even a small amount can go a long way. If they do not have an account you can give them a savings bond. This will grow over time and is redeemable after a certain number of years. A ten-year savings bond is a great option as it will be able to be cashed in while they are attending college. Even if they decide to not attend college, that is a great time to have extra money to get started in life. Just be sure that when you give this gift you explain why you did and how much you believe that they will succeed.
The key to gift giving is to be creative. This means that you have to incorporate what the child already enjoys with giving them something new that they can be pleased with. It does not require that you spend a great deal of money, just that you put thought into the present that you will be giving them.
That is what really matters most about the process and is particularly important to children that are looking for confirmation that people are listening to them and respect how they are different from others. It also confirms that you feel that their particular desires are important. No matter what category you decide to choose from, the best gift you can give them is the gift of acceptance and love.
