At 10, a girl wants toys for making things for real and toys for competing: soaps or bath bombs she then gives away, a resin jewellery workshop, an abstract strategy game like Qawale, a 200-piece observation puzzle, a Rubik's Cube. The gifts that work are the ones not marked "for children" on the box, and that leave something to keep or give.

What a 10-year-old loves

This is the beginning of the end of childhood: she wants to be taken seriously, play the same games as the grown-ups, and win by reasoning. Friendships matter more than anything, with their shared necklaces and padlocked diaries. She makes things that can really be used, soaps, jewellery, bath bombs, and gives them away. Sciences that produce a result fascinate her. Soft toys stay on the bed, provided they have character.

Our gift ideas

To make and give

The artist soaps and the bath bombs are made in an afternoon and given the next day, the resin jewellery workshop casts pendants to wear. All our arts and crafts.

To compete

Qawale is two-player abstract strategy with pebbles, the Nain Jaune is played with the grandparents, the Perplexus Beast is a three-dimensional maze, the Rubik's Cube Phantom changes colour with the warmth of the fingers, and the backgammon in its case is a game for life. All our board games.

To understand

Natural Phenomena makes volcanoes and tornadoes, and the Expert binoculars are real binoculars for nature.

To think alone

The Horses observation puzzle hides details to find once assembled, the Tintin Black Island puzzle has 500 pieces. All our puzzles.

To read

Paris Pop Up unfolds the monuments, The Crab with the Golden Claws is reread at any age, and The Great Adventure of the Tintin Journal tells the story behind the scenes. Our books.

To cuddle

Steiff's James Bond bear is a collector's piece, the Bartholomew handbag and the birthday cake shoulder bag are worn in town, Leandro the llama and the wire-haired dachshund keep the bed. All our soft toys.

What budget?

Under 20 euros: the friendship necklaces, the diary, the observation puzzle, the fawn necklace, the Nutcracker cushion, the Snoopy cards or the Tintin album. Between 20 and 50 euros: Qawale, the Nain Jaune, the Perplexus, the Rubik's Cube, the binoculars, Natural Phenomena, the soaps, the bath bombs, the jewellery workshop, the 500-piece puzzle and Leandro the llama. Above 50 euros: the backgammon, the chemistry kit, the Jellycat bags or the James Bond bear, for a gift that leaves a mark.

Frequently asked questions

Which board game at 10?

A strategy game where luck matters little, with thirty to forty-five-minute rounds. Qawale for two, the Nain Jaune as a family. At this age she reads the rules alone and explains them to others.

Is soap making at 10 safe?

Yes, with a melt-and-pour soap kit, without lye, worked in the microwave or a bain-marie. An adult watches the heating, she does the rest, moulding, colours and scents.

Can the gift be wrapped?

Yes, gift wrapping is free: tick the box on the product page before adding to cart. Delivery to a pick-up point is free from 80 euros in mainland France, and you can collect your order in our shop at 211 boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris.

See also

• Gifts for a 10-year-old boy
• Gifts for a 9-year-old girl
• Gifts for an 11-year-old girl
• All toys for ages 8 to 12
• All our gift ideas by age

Advice from the team at L'Oiseau de Paradis, a toy shop in Paris since 1932.