Labyrinth (game) or scrabble
Subscription to a magazine like Muse or Cobblestone (cricket publishing...these are great magazines with great content, no ads--my kids are thrilled when they come in the mail)
Good classic literature, like Sword in the Stone, Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, original Paddington books. Kids read a lot of really poorly written stuff now.
If you want to go big scale, there are some super cool programable robots out there now.
How-to book for programming


I personally vote against "build your own..." Kits. We get so many crafty kits as birthday presents.

Marbles: The Brain Store (Montgomery Mall.)

This origami / folding brain teaser kit is fantastic:

https://www.fatbraintoys.com/smartphone/single-page.cfm?parent_sku=FA074

Also, check the Fat Brain site's lists of recommended toys for 10 year olds. They're full of great ideas. Be sure to browse both boys and girls. The lists are similar but not quite.

Journal and nice pens

How to draw books

Games- settlers of catan, ticket to ride

Books or gift card to a book store

Museum tickets- National Geographic is a good one

Magazine Subscription- Anything based on their interest

Apples To Apples (game)
Rush Hour (game)
Quirkle (game)
Blockus (game)
Story cubes (Barnes & Noble----for creative writing prompts)
A bunch of "Mad Libs" books

books, educational coloring books, video games that incorporate or revolve around learning, a tool belt, a volunteering experience, a trip to a state park, card games made of flashcards (I've given two different ones, one was dinosaurs and the other was dogs), a computer, a week or two of educational camp, etc.

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Any kind of dice game

http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/make-your-own-ukulele-kit

Snap circuit boards. They're on Amazon.

Any ideas for an educational gift for a 10 yr old? All ideas welcome regardless of gender.