Ideas for gifted 13 year old?

[gasman61]

My niece is very bright. I would like to give her a gift that would intrigue her/make her think. Any suggestions?

 

[Riverhill]

Mircoscope-- a little old school but my DD loved hers.

One of my co workers just bought her teen daughter Shinky Dinks. Haven't seen them in years but hey I am in my 40's and would enjoy playing with those things again.

 

[gasman61]

She actually has one of those and loves it! Great idea though!

 

[MSSANDRA]

We have this game called Hide and Seek by Smart Games. It is sorta like a mini puzzle and you have to cover pictures in such a way that only certain ones are showing. We have the kid one but if she is truly gifted I would go for the adult one. I have no idea how to post links but will goggle and see if I can find it. Ours came from a specialty toy shop in the 20-25 dollar range. It is super addicting and really makes you think!

They have them on amazon ....just goggle the name,

 

[Disneefun]

My niece is very bright. I would like to give her a gift that would intrigue her/make her think. Any suggestions?

What, specifically, is she gifted/interested in? That would help to know. Is she a math/science person, a history person, a reader, a writer, etc. There are lots of ways to be "bright" and the same gift won't work for all.

 

[gasman61]

Academically (probably more in reading/language arts) and artistically (drawing and music). Thanks for your interest!

 

[Disneefun]

Academically (probably more in reading/language arts) and artistically (drawing and music). Thanks for your interest!

I might recommend a Smash Journal. (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/180-8490010-6782820?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=smash+journal )

It's like a journal, but with scrapbooking elements to it that she can add to over time. It might let her express some of that artistic and writing ability. She can write, draw or do pretty much anything she wants in it. If she likes it, it becomes a gift you can add to over time, buying her new paper or accessories at birthday time, etc.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

My boys love this catalog
http://www.mindware.com/Home/HomePage.aspx

They love this toy in my TAG class at school
http://www.mindware.com/p/Perplexus/44203

 

[Elinor Dashwood]

A book called "Maze". It is addictive and you need to decipher clues in order to solve it. It sounds simplistic but it's not. Here it is at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Maze-Solve-Worlds-Challenging-Puzzle/dp/0805010882/ref=lh_ni_t

 

[PHXscuba]

These Perplexus maze balls are fun and challenging.

Tickets to a live musical event or theater that would inspire her? I always came home wanting to be whatever I had experienced.

PHXscuba

 

[Gigi22]

Is there something you like that you could share with her? Has she ever attended live theatre, for example?
I remember taking my niece to her first ballet years ago. She was fascinated.

 

[clh2]

My DD and I went to a store called "Marbles, the Brain Store" in Woodfield (mall near Chicago).

There were many things there that might be interesting!

They have a website

 

[amyngary]

My DD12 who is gifted in math, science, writing, and music has so many favorites...

The aMAZEing Labyrinth game, the Perplexus balls (we have one and she's getting the Epic for X-mas), Robokits, Amusement Park Science, Wreck this Book boxed set (books that you use to create both writing and other things), Settlers of Catan strategy game, a subscription to MUSE magazine....

Good luck. We have so much fun playing with her stuff - it's all great for adults too.

 

[Marionnette]

My niece is very bright. I would like to give her a gift that would intrigue her/make her think. Any suggestions?

TBH, gifted teens want the same things that every other teenager wants. In fact, they often resent it when adults in their real lives try to push the giftedness aspect of their personalities. They get enough of that stuff at school. Get her some nice bath gels, lip smackers and nail polish. She'll love it more than any brain-challenging, mind-expanding game or whatnot that you pick up.

 

[luvmy3]

A GC to her favorite store and put it in this
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/b9f4/?srp=2

 

[princesspwrhr]

TBH, gifted teens want the same things that every other teenager wants. In fact, they often resent it when adults in their real lives try to push the giftedness aspect of their personalities. They get enough of that stuff at school. Get her some nice bath gels, lip smackers and nail polish. She'll love it more than any brain-challenging, mind-expanding game or whatnot that you pick up.

I was going to say something similar. I have a gifted teen and while she's proud of her talents and accomplishments, sometimes she just wants to feel "normal". On the other hand she doesn't want people to treat her like most of her "immature age mates who are "like OMG" all the time" (her words) either. It's a delicate balance. I would suggest that you get something that interests HER, whether or not it appeals to her talents. If she loves to draw and write then some of the Smash books and Wreck this Book series hit the balance well, they're fun, popular and allow her to be artistically creative, but don't scream "I got you scholastic smart person stuff for Christmas!"

I also agree that if in the budget, experiences are a great gift for anyone but especially for hard to buy for gifted teen. Many gifted teens also like to read, does she have a nook or kindle? I don't know what your budget is, but the simple ereaders are not overly expensive now.