6YO girl BD Present

January 8, 2009 5:57 AM

Birthday present recommendations for 6 year old girl.

I would love to find something that would get her interested in science, cost no more than $100, and have nothing to do with a princess of any kind. Other cool ideas not related to science also welcome.

posted by preparat to shopping (12 comments total)

EyeClops

Here are some sales.
posted by k8t at 6:07 AM on January 8

How about a rock tumbler? If you go that route, get a decent one with a non-plastic drum since the cheap ones tend to wear out quickly.
posted by mcarthey at 6:19 AM on January 8

Our 7 year old son got the EyeClops for Christmas. It rocks. Even the adults were playing with it.

There are several different Smithsonian or other brand science kits that you can check out. Last year, I gave my niece one with some sort of shrimp critter that she loved.
posted by onhazier at 6:19 AM on January 8

My kids have a board game called Totally Gross, the Game. It's not really totally gross, but it's fun.
posted by cooker girl at 7:06 AM on January 8

I went with the EyeClops. Thank you all for taking the time to make your recommendations!
posted by preparat at 7:26 AM on January 8

Yes, the EyeClops is neat. Especially when it's being displayed on a really big TV screen.
posted by Lucinda at 7:59 AM on January 8

I used to work there so I know a lot about these books. Although kids can do the activities alone, these books are especially fun for a child and parent to go through together, having some bonding time while doing projects and experiments and learning new stuff.
posted by miss lynnster at 11:04 AM on January 8

I know the original poster is all set, but my girls really liked the Hexbugs they got for Christmas.
posted by Jim Biancolo at 11:12 AM on January 8

I know the original poster is all set

Actually, I might buy those Hexbugs for myself some other occasion, so thank you.
posted by preparat at 1:28 PM on January 8

A giant box of art supplies. I got one at about that age and it changed my life... gone was my desire to have all the dolls and toys which had consumed my life before, and I spent the rest of my childhood making things.
posted by lottie at 1:51 PM on January 8

When I was 6, I got a Deluxe Spirograph. I had it til I graduated high school, then I gave it to a young neighbor. Creating from those patterns got me in a kind of Zen mode, you know? Like drawing my own mandalas.

Huh. I should get one, myself.
posted by droplet at 4:27 PM on January 8

Oh, oh, correction: The new version is awful. If you can find a classic 1970s version, that's the one to get. But overall, art supplies are great.
posted by droplet at 4:28 PM on January 8