Books/toys for 11 yr old girl in the hospital

[pocomom]

Hey, my little girl is heading back to the hospital for some routine tests, an angiography and monitoring while trying out some new drugs. She should be there a week, and she feels healthy and happy right now, so I'm sure she will be bored out of her mind... I have gotten her an Itunes card and have about another $50 to come up with some ideas for a little basket of things to help keep her occupied. She is 11, into nerdy things legos, reading.
I'm thinking some kind of art set.... and I need some book ideas! She has read all the popular sets, Rick Riordan, Harry Potter, The Hobbit etc. I haven't given her the Hunger Games yet, as she recv'd it a couple years ago and I didn't think she was ready for it, but may for this... if it is appropriate for 11...
Legos will keep her occupied for a while but I could see them being hard to handle in the hospital. Also was thinking of putting some movies on my computer/ipad for her. We don't watch much in the "big girl" department normally as she has younger siblings. So maybe a good time to let her see some tween movies. Thoughts? Ideas?

 

[drcmk]

The Klutz series of books are fun to keep someone occupied.

If you are not sure about Hunger Games, consider the Gregor series also by Suzanne Collins. Thrilling adventure fantasy books (better than hunger games IMHO) but for 4th-7th graders.

 

[jgreco]

Is she crafy? Maybe she can knit a scarf or some other similar project?
Best wishes to your little girl, I hope all goes well for your family.

 

[danygirl]

check in on Judy's thread in the trip reports. her dd is about that age and they have much hospital experience. I think the current trip report starts with OOOPS She did it again.

 

[mjantz]

Look for the Book of Kells coloring book. Very detailed & not kiddy at all.

 

[justthe6ofus]

Hi! I hope everything goes well with your daughter!

I have a ten-year old daughter, and one of her favorite things right now are the creativity sets from Fashion Angels you can find on Amazon. I know "Fashion Angels" sounds a bit silly, but there are sets where you can design outfits for girls and their pets, makeup, hairstyles, and even interior design and room layouts. My daughter is not into fashion AT ALL (jeans/tshirts all the way) but she still enjoys these. They are about $8-$10 a set.

She's also enjoyed the Narnia series and just started a series by Nancy Springer called "The Enola Holmes Mysteries" which is about Sherlock Holmes' younger sister. She's only read the first in the series but wants to continue. I got it at the library.

Has she read any of the Kingdom Keepers series by Ridley Pearson? These are set in the Disney parks and feature a group of kids trying to protect the parks from forces unknown. I have started reading them to see if they were any good...I'm only about 1/3 of the way through #1 so I can't endorse them completely but they seem like something a tween who loves Disney might like! Only you'd know for sure.

Good luck!

 

[Dizisfun]

Popsicles sticks and glue for another craft idea. My 10 year old granddaughter is reading Hunger Games now. Chronicles of Narnia is another book that the older granddaughter read at around age 10

 

[Priorityonecb]

Michael's has some great easily contained things that come to mind. There are small all black pages, and a little metal "scratchy" thing that comes with it. Each has an image underneathe that you can see once you do the entire thing. I didn't describe that well I don't think! It's in the $1 section though, and my dd loved them at that age. Also, my dd loves the Geometric coloring books they have that, with a new box of colored pencils. They are more like coloring books for adults, my dd 16 still loves them! You can also buy friendship bracelet kits there, she could make them for all her friends...especially if they are coming to visit her during the week.

Best of luck to your daughter, we've btdt several times! My girls tend to get a little depressed and sad when in the hospital that long. They want to just watch TV and zone out of the whole process. I allow that to an extent since I've seen it happen so often, and have been told it's perfectly normal. They always bounce right back as soon as they are set free!

 

[party-of-five]

Hugs to your daughter. I hope all goes well.

My DD is about the same age and also into Legos, crafts, etc. she LOVES the Kingdom Keepers series by Ridley Pearson. It's a series of books that take place in Disney World and has a mysterious, need to defeat the bad guys, techie, futuristic edge to them. There are 6 books in the series.

Not sure if you have an iPad or tablet of some sort. My kids enjoy playing games on our iPad. We've tried to keep them educational, and there are some fun ones out there.

Best wishes.

 

[Southernmiss]

Dd is 11 and had downloaded the Hunger Games to her kindle before I even knew what they were. I asked her about them and she said she had no issues with them and compared them to the scary scenes in Harry Potter. She is a voracious reader.

Hope all goes well for her. Oh and dd has been fascinated with play dough today!!

 

[laurafergie]

Best wishes for your daughter!

My two younger DDs LOVE the game Minecraft (to me it is like legos in a video game) and the iPad has a free app version to try.

Also, though a little young, my DD13 still reads the Warrior Cat series when a new one comes out.

 

[TLuvsD]

I hope everything goes smoothly for your daughter!
You might try the Anne of Green Gables series...it was free for Kindle the other day (all the books). Knitting is fun, and Provo Craft makes knitting hoops (check Michaels) that make it easy to do. Maybe one of the American Girl Craft kits (check and see if you need additional items like sissors and glue).
The original Dr Doolittle series or the original Wizard of Oz series are both very good. D really enjoyed them as well.
There is a resource called "Some of my Best Friends are Books", your library likely has it. Great lists of books for all levels.

If you go to Cardpool.com you can buy a Michaels Gift Card at a discount. I've used them several times and am very happy.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I think legos can be a good choice if you also provide some type of container to keep them in and go for a few smaller sets instead of a big one.
Maybe a few pampering thing: nail polish, a body wash or shampoo she might really like. New bedroom shoes or sleep pants? A puzzle and a portable mat to work it on? A board or card game to play with you or visitors?

I would read a bit of the Hunger Games before you decide. Even if you may choose to allow them, they are intense and you might want a lighter, less intense book for a hospital stay.

 

[Freesia123]

Paint by number set? Learn to knit kit?

 

[wiigirl]

SnapCircuits

 

[MineMail]

Archie comic books. Puzzle books.

 

[Egdisney]

If she has read all of the Harry Potter books I think Hunger Games would be fine. It is a very riveting Trilogy so it should keep her entertained. The Anne of Green Gable books are wonderful, and I alslo love little women and it's companions.

 

[pocomom]

Great suggestions so far! What about movies for 11 year olds? Since we normally watch as a family my dd hasn't watched to many big girl movies. She has seen Harry Potter, and Lightening Thief, any other movies out there you think are great for this age? She is definitely not into romance/boys yet, and we try to keep things pretty wholesome.

 

[kat3668]

How about an oragami book..... I saw some really cool klutz books for tweens at Bjs.
As for movies.....the help,troop beverly hills,akeelah and the bee,breakfast club,16 candles,jack,pretty woman, ET, Fever pitch,Karate kid are a few.

 

[ptmmg]

Duct tape My dd 11 goes on line and makes all sorts of things with the stuff!!!
they have all colors and patterns she has decorated pens and made wallets and so much more!!!