Best Gifts for Girls Aged 5 to 12 in Australia 2026: 10 Games, Craft Kits, Plush and Building Sets by Budget

Gifts for girls work best when they match what she already likes to do. This page picks ten, grouped by budget, and age guidance is included where the listing gives it. Several start at age 5 or 6, and the electronics kit and the family card game start at 8, so it is written for girls from about 5 to 12.

Every band has a top pick and alternatives for a different kind of girl: the animal lover, the maker, the builder and the one who collects soft toys.

Best gifts for girls under $25

Top pick under $25: Skillmatics Guess in 10 Animal Planet

Top pick under $25: the Skillmatics Guess in 10 Animal Planet game, because players ask up to 10 questions to guess the animal and the listing says it suits all ages 6 and up.

The listing describes a quick game for 2 to 6 players, in teams or one on one, where the first player to win 7 Game Cards wins. The box holds 50 Game Cards and 6 Clue Cards, and the listing gives an average playtime of 20 minutes. It holds 4.7 stars from nearly 19,000 ratings, the most of any pick under $25. Our board games guide has more games for a family night.

It suits the girl who loves animals and games. The honest catch: it is a game, so it needs at least one other player and does not suit solo play, and the rating may be shared across versions of this listing.

For family game night: Moose Toys Do You Really Know Your Family

For family game night: the Moose Toys Do You Really Know Your Family card game, because the listing says it suits families with kids 8 and up, teens and adults.

The listing describes silly challenges to compete and perform together, a design for 2 to 8 players and a quick playtime of 3 to 5 minutes. It holds 4.6 stars from more than 16,000 ratings.

It suits a girl who likes to get the whole family playing. The honest catch: the listing starts at age 8, so it fits the older end of this page.

For the jewellery maker: Galt Sparkle Jewellery Kit

For the jewellery maker: the Galt Sparkle Jewellery Kit, because it has pearlescent beads, glittery charms and silky cord for necklaces and bracelets and is made for ages 5 and up.

The listing describes pearlescent beads, glitter beads, heart and flower shaped beads, holographic stickers, silky cords and elastic strings, plus a guide, in a mess free activity for parties and rainy days. It holds 4.5 stars from more than 6,400 ratings.

It suits the girl who loves making things she can wear and share with friends. The honest catch: the 4.5 star rating is a little lower than the other picks under $25.

Best gifts for girls under $50

Top pick under $50: Squishmallow Caticorn Mermaid

Top pick under $50: the Squishmallow Caticorn Mermaid, because the listing describes a super soft marshmallow like texture and it holds 4.9 stars from more than 7,000 ratings.

The listing describes polyester fabric and a size of about 40.6 cm, and says it is perfect for travel and a great gift for any age. Its 4.9 stars, tied with Charles below, are the highest on this page. Our plush toys guide compares more soft toys.

It suits the girl who loves soft toys. The honest catch: the listing gives no age range, and the rating may be shared across versions of this listing.

For Squishmallow collectors: Squishmallows Charles the Pickle

For Squishmallow collectors: Squishmallows Original Charles the Pickle, because the listing calls it a super soft, collectible stuffed animal.

The listing describes a medium sized ultrasoft plush of about 30.5 cm, with a moustache and a character who is always sketching something new. It points to other Squishmallows extensions, including FlipAMallows, HugMees, Mystery Squad and Stackables. It holds 4.9 stars from more than 6,300 ratings.

It suits a girl who is growing a Squishmallows squad, or who likes a funny gift more than a pretty one. The honest catch: it is the same type of plush as the top pick, so choose one or the other unless she collects, and the rating may be shared across versions of this listing.

For the young maker: KRAFUN Beginner Sewing Kit

For the young maker: the KRAFUN Beginner Sewing Kit, because it has 7 projects for kids aged 5 and up with pre cut felt and no glue needed.

The listing describes projects including a bag, an ornament, a pillow, a card holder, an organiser and a keyring, with pre cut felt, threads, plastic tools and illustrated instructions in a reusable box. Pre punched holes mean no glue is needed. It holds 4.7 stars from more than 4,100 ratings.

It suits a girl who wants to make her own keepsakes. The honest catch: it is made for beginners aged 5 and up, so a girl who already sews will outgrow its seven projects.

For art lovers: Coodoo Water Marbling Paint Kit

For art lovers: the Coodoo Water Marbling Paint Kit, because kids swirl paint on water and transfer the pattern to paper, and it has more than 10,000 ratings.

The listing describes 6 colours of paint in 16 ml bottles, 20 sheets of paper, 3 needles, a pipette, a spreader, a measuring spoon, a tray and a manual. The title says ages 3+, while the listing text recommends ages 6 and up. It holds 4.4 stars from more than 10,500 ratings. Our kids art sets guide has more drawing and colouring kits.

It suits a girl who likes art and wants patterns of her own. The honest catch: 4.4 stars is the lowest rating on this page, and the age guidance differs between the title and the text, so check it suits her.

Best gifts for girls under $100

Top pick under $100: Snap Circuits Junior 100 Experiments

Top pick under $100: Snap Circuits Junior 100 Experiments, because young engineers can build over 100 circuit projects with 30+ parts and no tools needed.

The listing describes working models such as a photo sensor, a flashing light and an adjustable volume siren, with an illustrated instruction manual and parts that click together. It is designed for young engineers 8 and up. It holds 4.8 stars from more than 20,000 ratings, the most of any pick on this page.

It suits the curious girl who likes to build and learn by doing. The honest catch: the listing says 8 and up, so it fits the older end of this page, and the rating may be shared across versions of this listing.

For pretend play: LEGO Friends Heartlake City Cafe

For pretend play: the LEGO Friends Heartlake City Cafe, because the 426 piece set has 3 mini dolls, a dog figure and a bakery to run, for kids aged 6 and over.

The listing describes Paisley and Olly characters, a toy cake shop for preparing baked goods, and pieces including macarons, a croissant, a scooter and a dog bowl. The cafe measures over 11 cm high. It holds 4.8 stars from 1,217 ratings.

It suits the girl who loves pretend play and running her own bakery. The honest catch: it has far fewer ratings than the Snap Circuits kit.

For scene builders: LEGO Friends Heartlake Downtown Diner

For scene builders: the LEGO Friends Heartlake Downtown Diner, because it has 3 mini dolls plus a drive through, seating, an arcade game and a jukebox for ages 6 and over.

The listing names the mini dolls Liann, Aliya and Charli, and says the diner measures over 11 cm high, 19 cm wide and 11 cm deep. The LEGO Builder app lets you see the model in 3D as you build. It holds 4.8 stars from 964 ratings.

It suits the girl who likes acting out stories. The honest catch: 964 ratings is the thinnest count on this page, so there is less feedback behind it than the other picks, and even that count may be shared across versions of this listing.

How to choose a gift for a girl

Check the age range on the listing

Each listing here states who it is made for: 5 and up for the Galt and KRAFUN kits, 6 and up for Skillmatics and the LEGO sets, 8 and up for Moose Toys and Snap Circuits, and 3+ in the marbling kit title. The two Squishmallows give no age range. Match the number to the girl, not to her birthday card.

Start with what she already does

A girl who draws all day will use a marbling kit. One who builds with blocks will love a LEGO set or Snap Circuits, and a girl who carries a soft toy everywhere wants a Squishmallow. The gifts that get used are the ones that fit something she already enjoys.

Think about who she plays with

Skillmatics plays with 2 to 6 players and Moose Toys with 2 to 8, so both suit a family or a party. The kits, the plush and the building sets are solo gifts. If she has brothers, sisters or cousins, a game gives the whole group something to do.

Older girls need a different list

Past about 12 the picks change. The Moose Toys game works for teens, and our gifts for women guide covers grown daughters, sisters and friends.

More gift guides

Buying for someone else as well? Each of these guides sorts its picks by the same budget bands.

• Gifts for mum
• Christmas gift ideas
• Funny gifts
• Gifts for 10 year old boys
• Gifts for grandma
• Gifts for teenage girls
• Gifts for campers
• Gifts for couples
• Gifts for dad who has everything
• Gifts for newborn

Frequently asked questions

What are some good gifts for a 9 year old girl?

Choose by interest. The Snap Circuits Junior kit suits a girl who likes to build, the LEGO Friends Heartlake City Cafe suits pretend play, and the Galt Sparkle Jewellery Kit suits a maker. All three listings cover age nine: Snap Circuits says 8 and up, the Cafe 6 and over, and the Galt kit 5 and up.

What are good gifts for girls aged 10 and 12?

At 10 and 12 the older picks fit best. The Snap Circuits Junior kit is designed for young engineers 8 and up, the Moose Toys Do You Really Know Your Family card game is for kids 8 and up, teens and adults, and the LEGO Friends Downtown Diner suits ages 6 and over.

What is a good birthday gift for a girl?

The LEGO Friends Heartlake City Cafe listing calls it a birthday toy for kids who love pretend play, and the Downtown Diner listing says the same for kids who love imaginative play. For a smaller birthday gift, the Skillmatics Guess in 10 game is our top pick under $25.

What is a unique gift for a girl?

A kit she makes herself feels more unique than something off the shelf. The Galt Sparkle Jewellery Kit makes necklaces and bracelets, the KRAFUN Beginner Sewing Kit makes keepsakes like a keyring or card holder, and the Coodoo marbling kit makes swirled patterns of her own on water.

What are good gifts for teenage girls and older girls?

This page is written for girls from 5 to 12, so most picks run younger. The Moose Toys family game is the exception, since its listing says it suits kids 8 and up, teens and adults. For teenagers, our gifts for teenage girls guide fits better, and for grown women our gifts for women guide has more ideas.

What are good baby, christening or baptism gifts for girls?

Those are a different search, and this page is not written for babies. The youngest age in any title here is 3 and up for the Coodoo water marbling kit, then 5 and up for the Galt jewellery kit and KRAFUN sewing kit. Our gifts for a newborn guide is the better start.

What are good gifts for girls under $25?

The Skillmatics Guess in 10 animal game is our top pick under $25, with 4.7 stars from nearly 19,000 ratings. The Moose Toys family card game suits a girl who wants everyone playing, and the Galt Sparkle Jewellery Kit suits a girl who likes to make necklaces and bracelets.

What is the 4 gift rule for girls?

The four gift rule is one thing she wants, one she needs, one to wear and one to read. On this page the Squishmallow Caticorn Mermaid is the want, the KRAFUN sewing kit or Snap Circuits Junior the need for a rainy day, and the Galt Sparkle Jewellery Kit makes something to wear. Add a book for the fourth.

What are the top gifts for girls?

By budget, the Skillmatics Guess in 10 animal game under $25, the Squishmallow Caticorn Mermaid under $50 and the Snap Circuits Junior kit under $100. Each is rated 4.7 stars or higher from thousands of ratings, and every pick on this page holds 4.4 stars or more.