Birthday gift for my preteen niece

Agree with the above! I find with this age group and suggested interests that a gift voucher (even a generic money card) can be a great gift and maybe accompanied by a book that she would unlikely buy for herself.

I love gifts that involve an experience. Going to a concert, the movies or an adventure centre are all great gift ideas that will leave lasting memories.

I think a gift certificate for an entertainment is definitely the way to go. My son is 12 and he loves doing things with his friends more than material goods. And I will say that escape rooms are very popular right now and they are a absolute blast. Such a fun thing to do with friends. And, depending on where you live, they come in all shapes, sizes and themes, which, in my experience, make them fun for any age and any gender.

I think children at that age really enjoy gift cards as they are more selective in what they like. I would ask her parents where her favorite store is and go from there. I personally like to put gift cards with a little gift. So once you know where she likes to shop, pick up a small gizmo or gadget when you buy the gift card.

Another option is a gift card to an entertainment venue that she enjoys. Does she like to go bowling, the movies, skating, getting her nails done, or have a favorite hang-out like the mall? These spots most likely have gift cards that she can enjoy spending while hanging out with friends or family.

What about a gift certificate to a local bookstore? Most small bookstores have both books and art supplies, and she could shop for herself - or you could treat her and make an afternoon of it.

Or an online class for painting/art? Masterclasses are really cool. Outschool is a good resource for online classes for kids.

I think that the more complex paint-by-number projects are really neat, too. I've found that they are good for a range of ages. You can search for some on Amazon to get a general idea of what's out there.