What are Nine Year Old Girls Into?

[vhoffman]

My dd is 9 and I am trying to figure out what she'd like for Christmas. she used to like Barbie, but all of a sudden its "not cool". She seems to like American Girl and I've ordered her Molly for Christmas (Emily can come visit later, maybe at Easter). However, all of sudden she seems to have changed here interests. Seems all she's interested in is Bratz (which I refuse to get her), Lindsay Lohan, and Hanna Montana. She's especially crazy about Hanna Montana. Honestly, she's 9 years old. Seems she's trying to grow up too fast. I refuse to buy her stuff that, in my opinion, is better suited for a teenager. What are other 9 year old girls into? I just don't think those toys are appropriate role models for a girl her age. Also, we've turned off the tv . We only allow it on weekends. Seems she was way too wrapped up insome shows I found inappropriate, such as That's so Raven, Cheetah Girls, Hannah Montana, etc. She was trying to live through the TV, that is, she really thinks everyone dresses like those shows, talks and acts like them, etc. It was just a bad influence. She was saying things like "Everyone wears those type of clothes". I pointed out to her that "everyone" at her school is dressed just like her, WalMart and Target type clothes, not all bangles and sequiens, etc. I can't even take her shopping for clothes, I just bring home what I think is appropriate, otherwise she heads right for all that glitter and bangles and insists this is what she needs to fit in socially. I'm tired of meltdowns in the stores over trying to dress like characters from the TV. Believe me, she's not ruined socially! I set limits on her clothing, and that's it. However, I would like some suggestions for toys, etc., for Christmas that a girl her age would like and would also pass the "Mom" test--no dolls that look like street walkers!

I realize she's at an age where she's trying to find a role model of sorts to latch onto. Girls that age are insecure and trying to feel their way. I know, I was a 9 year old once, too! However, the roll models she's latching onto aren't appropriate for her age. I'm sick of her thinking she's Hanna Montana! Besides American Girl, are there other toys, dolls, etc., that would be better suited to her age group? Thanks!

 

[java]

Well my dd is 9 and she isn't really that into dolls (besides American girl ones of course) She still loves Polly Pockets or Fashion whatever they are calling them now.She is asking for "privacy" types of things- like a safe. She likes crafts so I am getting her a bunch of card making stuff(her favorite craft) She takes TaeKwonDo so I am getting her some targets. As far as "TOYS" I am hoping that she mentions something she wants..I am thinking a game or two for her DS.
But wanted you to know that I feel your pain. Her birthday was in August....I just got finished walking her gift- a puppy! She wasn't asking for anything at all- the only thing she wanted was a puppy and she was saving money for toys for her puppy so ...here I am walking her puppy.

 

[KirstenB]

DD1 is 8. She loves to get arts n crafts stuff, like soap making, sand art, knitting machine, etc. She runs a bit hot and cold on dolls, sometimes she likes them, sometimes not. I got her a bunch of Gymboree clothes (she getting almost too old for them, so I figure this year and next year are probably it). She'd love any music cd's and like your dd she loves Raven, Cheetah Girls, Hannah Montana, etc.

She'd also love anything small like jewelry, fake nails, makeup etc, like at Claire's Boutique. Maybe you and she could do a "spa day" at home. Our dd would love the one-on-one attention, since her baby sister gets a lot of it.

 

[hezreck]

I personally think all the shows you listed are really great for girls. My DD is turning 9 in a month and I watch all those shows with her (Hannah Montana, Raven, Zoey 101, Unfabulous, etc...) I really like that there are these Disney shows that we can watch as a family,because God knows I won't let her watch anything on CBS, NBC, or ABC. When I was growing up there were all kinds of shows on TV you could watch as a family (Cosby, Family Ties, Facts of Life, etc...) Now there are none.

Well, enough ranting, on with your question.

My DD wants an American Girl doll and she is into My Scene Barbies. She loves music, Hanna Montana, Cheetah Girls, High School Musical, Aly and AJ.
She has a GameCube, so I will probably get her a game for that, maybe Barnyard or Mario. She loves Littlest Pet Shop toys and anything artistic. She asked for Blendi Pens and Perler Beads. I usually get her some games we can play as a family. This year, got Deal or No Deal, a States and Capitals game, and Triominoes. Plus she loves to read, so she will get some books. So far this has been the easiest year for buying Christmas presents. They are bought and wrapped and hidden for Christmas. Happy Shopping!

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

My DD9 claims to love Bratz too but she never plays with them. She does play with her Polly Pockets more than anything. She loves her Cd player and her mixstick. She also loves to sing with her Kareokee machine that she got last year. This year she is all about the American Girl dolls and wants a just like me doll for her birthday ( 12/20 ). For Christmas she wants a Zuca bag (it's a skate bag that all the skaters at the rink have), and the Polly Pocket cruise ship. Maybe your DD would like a key board , or a guitar? We stopped watching TV on school nights too, and she earns her TV time for the weekend. The better she is during the week the more time she gets to watch on the weekend. I've read that the dream life game is really popular, and my DD loves her Disney scene it.

 

[sskem96]

My dd9 (almost 10) watches all the Disney Channel shows you listed, as does dd7. Neither one thinks people really dress and act like that all the time, but it's fun to watch, and I don't feel any of it is a bad influence. After all, I wouldn't want to watch a show about people who dress like me, work 4 nights a week, can't keep up with the house work, and have mommy meltdowns, right? TV is a little escape from reality. The shows are supposed to be about people who have more glamorous lives than us, right? Otherwise, they wouldn't be entertaining!

Bratz dolls are the toy of choice in our house also. My kids never played with Barbies or Polly Pockets, they just weren't interested. They do each have an AG doll and play house with them pretty frequently too, but the Bratz are more fun because of all the accessories and everything.

As for clothes, my big rule is no bare bellies. They like sparkles, and I don't see anything wrong with it, as long as it's not an entire shirt made of sequins or something like that, but they like the sequin headbands and stuff like that.

You just have to teach them the differences between reality and fantasy, and why you do or don't allow certain things. Of course, every home has different rules and different values. My kids come home and tell me about all the kids in their classes who have seen movies like Scream and Scary Movie. That won't be allowed in our house for a very long time. We also don't allow any movies with foul language. But as far as teenie bopper girls watching shows about teenie bopper girls, that's who the shows are aimed for. As long as the TV stays on the Disney Channel, I feel pretty safe.

There's a fine line between not wanting them to grow up too fast, and stifling their creativeness by not letting them explore their own interests.

I value your feelings. Just my .02.

 

[clb22]

My DD is also and 9 and she has a lot of interests. I must admit that she also loves all the things you mentioned but here are the other things she enjoys:

Books - Nancy Drew, Lemony Snicket, Magic Tree House, the Faries books from Disney

Movies - DVDs - she loves the old Disney movies - Computer who wore Tennis shoes, Island at the top of the world (she loves science fiction), Mary Poppins, Little Mermaid, Cars

Dolls - Polly Pockets, regular Barbie's

Games - Board Games - she loves them all (I get them at Target when on sale)

Video Games for her Game Boy - I let her have the ones that are rated "G".

Legos - she loves to build and make things

Crafts - she loves to draw or make things out of construction paper - I also bought her some craft books

Magic set - she loves learning the simple magic tricks

Dress Up - I buy costumes on sale and pick up things throughout the year and she loves playing Harry Potter, or Minnie Mouse or Pirates, etc.

Musical instruments - she has a small keyboard that she loves to play

Window Art - I found a great window art set at a craft store and she spent hours making window art stickers for the whole family (put them on windows, mirrors, car windows, etc)

Hope these ideas help!!!!

 

[newtowdw1]

My DD9 is getting a Battleship game (she requested), and maybe 1 or 2 sets of Littlest Pet Shop. She takes her Polly Pockets to school, and all the girls play with the Pollys and Pet shops together. She REALLY wants a bathrobe and nice set of pajamas to 'match.' She wants a rock tumbler/polisher. I'm getting her one of my favorite toys from when I was her age, Fashion Plates (embossed plates with different heads, skirts, tops, pants, click together, rub with a crayon, color outfit). She loves books, and I have most of them bought (science, mythology, American Girl).

I'd love to get her an American Girl doll, but DH is helping me be strong. She does not play with many toys, and does not take care of them at all. So, while I've waited 22 years to buy a daughter an AG doll, I will not be buying one for DD. DH says that I want it, and I should buy myself one. So, I'll have to wait and buy one for my niece.

Good luck. We're really decreasing our Xmas spending this year. We've told the kids that we're going back to WDW unexpectedly, so we're saving for that. Also, DD's bday is 2 weeks (exactly!) after Xmas. So we are having a party, not a present type bday.

 

[Karibeth19]

My DD is 9 also, and is still very much a "little" girl. She still believes in Santa, the Tooth Fairy, and that all the characters at WDW are real (Which, of course, they are! ) She loves American Girl dolls, Polly Pockets, and any kind of stuffed animal she can get her hands on. I have never let her play with Bratz dolls, and the only exposure she has to Lindsey Lohan is by watching "The Parent Trap"! However, that being said, she is also into Hannah Montana, The Cheetah Girls, and Aly and AJ. We watch almost all of the Disney Channel shows together, and I've never really seen anything wrong with them. We did have to cut out "That's So Raven" because DD was starting to use some of Raven's snappy comebacks on me and her dad. We had to make the point that she couldn't talk that way to her parents, but she understood, and we haven't had a problem since. I personally love Hannah Montana and think the show and her music are very positive and not inappropriate for a 9 year old. We also took her to the Aly and AJ concert for her birthday, and we were really impressed with what great role models those girls are. They were dressed appropriately and their songs have very positive messages about being yourself, and they even have one thanking their parents! I actually give the Disney Channel a lot of credit for the fact that my DD has not grown up too fast; it has provided her with good quality, age appropriate entertainment.

As far as clothes, she knows what I think is appropriate and what isn't. I don't allow anything belly baring, or shirts with questionable messages on them. I am not a fan of Limited Too, because I think much of their stuff looks too grown up, but I will compromise and buy her hair accessories, flip flops, and maybe a shirt or two from there. I am a bigger fan of Justice, which is owned by Limited Too, but their clothes seem more age appropriate to me and are definitely less expensive. We don't do anything flashy or skimpy, but I will let her buy clothes and accessories with sparkles or sequins as long as they are tasteful.

I know you asked for help, and I apologize because I really haven't given you any ideas. I guess that's because we see things differently when it comes to what a 9 year old should be interested in. I do want to give you some help, so let's see, what else can I suggest? If she has a Nintendo DS, she would probably like the Nintendogs games. It's like having a virtual puppy to take care of. My DD also loves Pixel Chix and Tamagotchi, and I don't think she'll ever outgrow Build-a-Bears! Maybe some things for her room? We got DD two fuzzy pink moon chairs for her birthday this year to go in the place where she used to keep all her baby doll furniture (too big for that!), and she was thrilled with them. So maybe something like that, or cute throw pillows or blankets, or a pretty lamp. And of course, if your DD is like mine (and she sounds like she is), the American Girl stuff will be a huge hit, so maybe you could just get her more of Molly's accessories, or maybe some of the American Girl toiletries that you can buy at Bath and Body Works.

This is such a hard age because they are really starting to grow up and want to develop their own interests and identities, and we as parents have a hard time letting our "babies" become big girls. This is the first year my DD has wanted to go as something other than a Disney Princess for Halloween, and even though it broke my heart, I knew I had to let her be what she wanted. I know that my job now is to watch over her as she grows and develops more grown up tastes and interests, and to be there to guide her choices and explain when and why things are not appropriate for her age. At 9, the teen years start to become very interesting and attractive, and I am personally thankful for the Disney Channel teens who dress modestly and promote positive ideas for my daughter to look up to. Heck, when I was her age, my friends and I wanted bras for Christmas, so I really don't mind when the worst she asks for is a Cheetah Girls pillow!!!!!!

 

[Scutapipig]

Sixth grade boys. *insert rolling eyes here*

Actually, my list would be identical to clb22's list, with the exception being a recorder instead of a keyboard. I would prefer the keyboard. Wholeheartedly prefer the keyboard. Did I mention I would prefer the keyboard?

 

[Our2Girls&Disney]

Someone else posted a similar question and I responded. I want to do something differnet this year instead of the toys that they play with for a week or two and then sit in her closet. I am going to redecorate her room. She wants a retro bedroom with bold bright funky colors. I plan to buy the accesories for the room like a lava lamp, bean bag chair, hanging beads, etc. depending on how much money I spend I may consider signing her up for ice skating lessons. She is into ice skating ever since she saw Ice Princess. There is a local rink that has lessons and they provide the skate rental with the cost of the lessons. To be honest, I don't usually spend a fortune, but I also want them to be able to open a gift from Santa. Yes, my 9 yo still believes in santa too. Why not?

I thought I would mention that someone recommended putting together a rubbermaid tub of craft supplies and I loved that idea. You could fill it with markers, crayons, construction paper, scissors, glue, stickers, etc. I know both my girls would love an item like that. I thought maybe one of those under the bed containers. They could pull it out and have the floor space for their creativity.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I am going to second Polly Pockets (DD9 requested the cruise ship for Christmas), craft supplies and DVDs/Blockbuster GCs.

She also is really into her nails right now, I got her a little bag like I have for her birthday which has nail care supplies and different colors of nail polish - she loves it. When we were in WalMart one day she asked about the nail salon there and what they do. I got a price of $35 for both a manicure and pedicure, someday I might get GCs for us both to go for those, I usually do my own myself so it would be a treat for both of us.

My DD also has a twin brother so she uses a lot of his things with him like GameCube or sports toys. That wouldn't be her preference, though, if she didn't have him. They just had a birthday and got a lot of the things mentioned above between them. My house is inundated, uuggh.

 

[minniebeth]

My DD9 is so into Littlest Pet Shop...loves them!
She loves books, CDs, DVDs (we love the OLD classic Disney movies as well!)
She loves her new sleeping bag and pillows that she got for her BDay, her American Girl Dolls, loves arts and crafts and board games. She loves Parcheesi, Scene-It, Sorry, LIFE, Uno, all kinds of card games and Cranium games. She has a Gameboy Advanced SP and loves to play games on that.
She would like a Fly Pen and an Ipod for Xmas which are both big ticket items. I don't know much about the Fly Pen other than it is expensive and somewhat educational (it can be). I'm not in favor of the Ipod...I think she is too young to be responsible for it, besides, what else will she have to look forward to in years to come? She has a portable CD player and a boombox.
I think a Mix Stick would be more appropriate for her.
She also wants a kareoke machine which I can't seem to find in abundance.

I do have to agree that they grow up way too fast!
My recommendation would be a subscription to American Girl Magazine...I think it is a great magazine for this age group that is fun and provides girls of today with a healthy self-image.

 

[Desnik]

My DD will be 9 in Jan. She hasn't played with Barbie dolls in 2 years!! She never was into Bratz either. She loves her American Girl dolls and other baby dolls. She spends hours crafting and making her own books, writing songs, etc... So, anything crafty, she loves! She also loves singing with her kareoke machine. She collects the Littlest Pet Shop, but doesn't play with them. She loves watching Raven, Zack and Cody, and Hannah Montanna on the Disney channel. She never tries to act or want to dress like them. She just loves watching them. The only thing she immatates is the fact that they sing and she likes to do that too. I just bought her a bunch of mystery books she loves, like Jigsaw Jones series. Right now she really likes playing her Nintendo DS. She had an IPOD, but hardly used it, so we sold it on Ebay and used that money to put towards her laptop. I actually use it more than her. She gets it for homework research and maybe once a week for an hour to go on the Disney and Nickelodeon websites.

For Xmas this year I really don't want her to get anymore toys. She has way too many! Her papa always buys her an American Girl doll, but that's the only thing she has asked for so far. I'm trying to think of something to do with her instead of buying useless toys she will use for a week and then never again! I really like the idea of a room makeover, but we did that over the summer. I'll have to come up with something!

 

[kkmcan]

My dd (9) sounds a lot like the rest of your dd's. She's into:

Polly pockets
Littlest Pet shop
Nintendo ds
Disney Princesses
Crafts
Doing her nails and play make-up
Sparkley stuff
Music- Cheetah Girls, That's so Raven etc
Disney shows
American Girl Dolls
Build A Bear

This year she is getting some American girl items, a porcelain tea set, an IPOD shuffle, some nintendo ds games, build a bear gift cert, Blendy Pens.

Gramma's are getting her- Libby Lu gift certs, a sequined purse, charm bracelet, stuff for her room, maybe a game.

I would rather she get things that are not toys. Pet shops and polly pockets , even though she loves them, just don't get played with for more than a couple of days. Then they take up space in our full house.

 

[MosMom]

I'm getting DD (9) a large art set this year. She loves to draw so I think she will really like that. She is getting a horse stamp set, a paint your own horse t-shirt, a big book with different classic horse stories in it, clothes, and I'm thinking about a pottery wheel.

She also LOVES Americas Funniest Home Videos and they have episodes on DVD now so I might get her a couple of those too.

 

[shelly3girls]

Someone else posted a similar question and I responded. I want to do something differnet this year instead of the toys that they play with for a week or two and then sit in her closet. I am going to redecorate her room. She wants a retro bedroom with bold bright funky colors. I plan to buy the accesories for the room like a lava lamp, bean bag chair, hanging beads, etc. depending on how much money I spend I may consider signing her up for ice skating lessons. She is into ice skating ever since she saw Ice Princess. There is a local rink that has lessons and they provide the skate rental with the cost of the lessons. To be honest, I don't usually spend a fortune, but I also want them to be able to open a gift from Santa. Yes, my 9 yo still believes in santa too. Why not?

.

We are doing this also. Our DDs share a room right now and the older one wants her own room. We are going to decorate the 3rd floor for her for her b-day. I just wanted to mention that both my DDs started skating lessons last year. They are really into now and it has become expensive but honestly they have gained more poise and self confidence than I ever imagined. My oldest DD was shy and insecure and has now blossomed into a confident, outgoing girl who stands up for herself. I would love to take credit but am positive that skating has contributed a great deal to it.

 

[missdramaqueen]

I think that zack and cody, hannah monatana, and thats so raven are fine for okay for her, when I was nine we didn't get disneychannel so I just didn't watch it, as for toys....american girls is the perfect choice-i think that 9-12, i've started to grow out of them but i still have mine, as for barbies-the old ones at least are bad role models.......magzines.....i don't read seventeen, cosmo girl, or bop-my mom would let my read them if i really wanted to but i've seen some 9 yo reading them and it's BAD.....i like teen vouge, new moon-you get the pix. but for a nine year old probably-dicovery girls, american girl, and maybe new moon (more for 10-16).......what about pbs kids-i know at that age all my friends and i pretended we hated arthur but for a few more months try that-for clothing-my style rock princess. But for a 9 yo you should really get her to wear aprop. clothing for her age, that doesn't mean little frilly dresses....that means jeans, a roxy top, and high tops, with a little handbag-not ripped skin tight jeans-a "bite me shirt" and a jewel infested 100 dollar bag-she's nine......well thats a 13 yo op. good luck!!!!!

 

[kaw1218]

Dress Up - I buy costumes on sale and pick up things throughout the year and she loves playing Harry Potter, or Minnie Mouse or Pirates, etc.

I hope this isn't too off topic...but I have gotten prom dresses from Macy's and JCpenneys for my DD10 for dress up. When you wait for the clearance sales, you can sometimes get great deals. I bought 5 at JCpenneys a few months ago, and the total came to $19.86!!! My DD and her friends will try them on for hours!!!

 

[vhoffman]

I hope this isn't too off topic...but I have gotten prom dresses from Macy's and JCpenneys for my DD10 for dress up. When you wait for the clearance sales, you can sometimes get great deals. I bought 5 at JCpenneys a few months ago, and the total came to $19.86!!! My DD and her friends will try them on for hours!!!

I LOVE this idea! DD loves looking at the prom-type dresses at Macys, etc. She's tall for her age, so some of the smaller sizes should fit her. I've seen some prom-type dresses at Macys on clearance, with the coupon came to about $15! She'd love to have one to play dress up with. Great idea!