Best Gifts for Tomboys

Fascinations AntWorks Illuminated Blue

Amazon Price: $18.99 (as of 05/31/2012)

Watching ants is a great science experiment! One set of ants brings entertainment for about 3 months. And then you can put in new ants! It's fun to watch them build tunnels.

Desktop Warfare Kits (Catapult)

Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 05/31/2012)

Build this catapult with real wood! The wood is pre-drilled and pre-cut. Have fun putting this together and firing marshmallows, play-dough balls, and other small things across the room!

Tomboys often like doing things with Dad. Construction projects like this one are a good Dad & Daughter activity!

Erector Motorized Racing Car & More - 643 pc Metal Construction Set

Amazon Price: $65.99 (as of 06/01/2012)

These look really cool. I never had too much interest in cars, but for some reason cranes intrigue me. Regardless, this looks like a metal construction set ideal for the pre-teen or teen Tomboy.

Thames & Kosmos Air + Water Power

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 06/01/2012)

This set allows you to build 15 models! It looks like a pretty comprehensive set!

I've always liked gears... I think gears are fun for many kids!

Eitech Deluxe Solar Powered Construction Set

Amazon Price: $63.99 (as of 05/31/2012)

This is a toy that is suitable for ages 8 to well into the teens. Adults could even have fun with this one!

Razor A Kick Scooter

Amazon Price: (as of 06/01/2012)

A great gift idea is a scooter, skateboard, roller blades, or a bicycle.

This scooter is great for a wide range of ages - from age 4 all the way up to age 12 or so (up to 143 pounds). It's fun to use and comes in many different colors. It folds up for easy storage or transportation.

Read the reviews.

Lifebuoy Swing

Amazon Price: $75.59 (as of 05/31/2012)

We spent many summers swinging on this tree tire swing. Ours was in our backyard, attached to a large tree. My uncle had one that swung over a creek. That was extra cool!

Lifetime 1221 Pro Court Height-Adjustable Portable Basketball System with 44-Inch Backboard

Amazon Price: $119.99 (as of 05/31/2012)

Shooting hoops is fun! It's a great activity for kids. It's an outdoor sport that can be played with just one or two people, or a whole bunch of kids. Great for the long summer days, and for parties. If you'd rather your kids stayed around the house, setting up a basketball hoop is one way to keep the kids busy!

This one is ideal for kids under 12. Amazon has other ones for older kids.

Eureka! Solitaire - Tent (sleeps 1)

Amazon Price: $69.97 (as of 05/31/2012)

Camping outside, whether in the backyard or at an official campground, is a fun activity! I had a one person tent like this one, and my parents allowed me to set it up next to their tent when we went camping. It made me feel so grown-up, and made me much happier about going on family camping trips.

Buck 505 Knight Lockback Folding Knife

Amazon Price: $30.92 (as of 05/31/2012)

I got one like this one when I turned 12. It was a very memorable gift. I carved some wood with it, but mostly I just carried it around when I walked in the woods or went bike riding.

I wanted it so bad... I remember picking it out at the hardware shop with my Dad. Of all of the birthday presents I don't remember, this isn't one of them!

Unfortunately, I don't have it anylonger... Just the memory of it. Somewhere between moves, it disappeared.

Snap Circuits SC-300

Amazon Price: $35.99 (as of 05/31/2012)

I had an electronics kit, although not as clever as this one appears to be. This one is for ages 8+. This is a great gift idea for a nerdy or geeky Tomboy, or any girl that loves electronics.

Hello World! Computer Programming for Kids and Other Beginners

by: Warren Sande, Carter Sande

Amazon Price: $19.09 (as of 05/31/2012)

There is something very rewarding about writing a program that works. Programming is a great skill to learn. I was really into it when I was about 14, and having them learn to program is one of the better ways for them to spend their computer time.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 (Win/Mac) [OLD VERSION]

Amazon Price: $57.95 (as of 05/31/2012)

A photo editing program is a must-have. If your kid already has a digital camera, then this makes a great gift!

Even without a camera, they can make their own artwork on the computer with this program.

Camouflage Army Boy Twin Kids Childrens Bedding Set 4pcs

Amazon Price: $99.99 (as of 05/31/2012)

I wanted sheets like this one. I wanted to paint my walls. I wanted to get rid of all the girly decoration and pink color in my room!

Amazon.com $50 Gift Card (0109)

Amazon Price: $50.00 (as of 05/31/2012)

The gift of freedom.... Cash is fun, but buying online is even more fun! Even girls who don't like to shop probably like shopping online. It's a chance to pick out something that they really do like!