Shopping for children aged 7 to 10 can be frustrating. They are too old for many of the toys and characters they used to love, yet too young for most of the things they are asking for, such as laptops and smartphones. If you have a child in this age group on your list, don’t worry; here are some suggestions that will keep you both happy.

Video Gaming

A video game console, such as the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 with Kinect, or PlayStation with Move Bundle will not only keep the kids occupied, but it could be a valuable tool in the family time arsenal. It will also be a great way to keep kids physical active when they have the day off from school or times when outdoor play is not possible. There is a variety of games for each of the consoles, with many games having versions available for all three.

If you already have one of these systems, consider choosing a few new titles for the library at home, or adding a Gamefly membership—think Netflix for video games—to try out several titles on your own time line. In addition, Nintendo has a handheld gaming system with 3D graphics, known as the Nintendo 3DS. Playstation has a handheld called PSP, which stands for Playstation Portable. There is an assortment of games for boys and girls for both of these gaming systems, as well.

Technology and Other Electronics

If you are tired of fighting for time to use your own computer, but do not want to give a child a full laptop, a netbook is a good investment. It is compact and comes with a much cheaper price tag than a full system. It lacks a CD drive, so it really only has basic Internet and word processing capabilities. With some parental controls, it could be a great way to ease your child into technology independence without giving them more responsibility than they can handle. Some companies produce “kid-friendly” netbooks so they are more resistant to damage from spills or being dropped.

If the child receiving the gift enjoys music, but the music they listen to makes you a little crazy, a MP3 player could be an excellent choice. It does not have to be an expensive model like an iPod, and you can decide whether or not to invest in one that also plays movies or allows for reading e-books based on what you believe the child would like and what you want the child to have. For children on the younger end of this spectrum, simply make sure the child is not the one who loads music and/or movies onto the device, and equip them with volume control headphones to prevent them from damaging their hearing.

Entertainment

Movies, books, and board games are always a good choice for both boys and girls. While they may have entirely different interests in terms of genre, there is something to please everyone. Books and movie selections for boys may be: Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Book selections for girls may be: Judy Moody, Junie B. Jones, and Amelia Bedelia. Good movie selections for girls in this age range include actresses such as Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus. Board games such as: Monopoly, Life, Connect 4, Checkers, and Operation are good to have on hand during power outages, or for times when a break from technology is needed.

For Girls: Clothes and Accessories

Girls at this age are starting to want to experiment with fashion, so clothes are accessories are never a bad idea. If you choose to purchase clothes for the little girl on your list though, always keep the gift receipt, in case she decides to have a totally different style. To get the most bang for your buck, select multiple pieces that can mix-and-match so she has several outfits. For a more special gift, try personalizing a piece of jewelry with her name, initials, or a special message from you.

For Boys: Sports Memorabilia/Equipment/Outdoor Fun Stuff

Many boys at this age are into sports, playing, watching, or both. Consider getting the boy on your list: a jersey to match that of his favorite team or player, a poster of his favorite team or player, trading cards, autographed memorabilia or play equipment of his own. If sports are not really his thing, you can always stick to outdoor fun stuff such as a trampoline, a scooter, a bicycle, or a pair of roller skates or roller blades.