Board games and books for 10/11 year olds

[cael]

Would like a bunch of ideas from as many peeps as I can! I took 2 Salvation Army angels at work today (we do every year) and I have the following: a 10yr old girl who wants board games, and an 11yr old boy who wants non-fiction books and/or board games. What kind of non-fiction books would an 11 year old like? Unfortunately you don't get any other details on the kid, like interests or anything. I'm going to ask my 11yr old nephew about the games part, but he isn't a reader so I need some ideas for books for that kid. Anyone with a girl who likes board games? Sum Dum Gai, I know your girls are a little older than that but any ideas? I like taking the older kids because everyone always takes the 4yr old who wants a Spiderman first, and the older kids who want different things get overlooked. Thanks guys!

Oh, for those of you not familiar with this: you take an "angel", which is a card with a kid in need's first name, age, clothing/jacket size, and a gift idea they'd like and you get a gift and/or clothes and return it for the Salvation Army to give the family for the kids on Christmas. I spend maybe $20-$25 per kid.

[Abby Normal]

uugh-  Non fiction books are hard because it really depends on their interests.  But my son (now 13) really had a thing for WW2 when he was that age.  I bought him some age appropriate books on different aspects of the war.  Like the use of dogs or on the aircraft.  There is a biography (which I can't remember the name of for the life of me) that was about a woman who dressed up and served as a man during the war.  

[Tiny]

What if you did a google for "nonfiction books for 5th graders" or 6th graders? or maybe even short non-fiction stories for 5th or 6th graders? I'm assuming an 11 yo would be in 5th or 6th grade? If I'm wrong - just choose the grade the kid would be in - or choose one grade below or above.

I suspect there are many lists of such books out there. You might even find something for a happening or person of historical interest that concerns the  area you live in.

I suspect kids would like to read non-fiction about someone 'important' where they learn about the person maybe more so then the dry facts of what they did. So, some sports guy, scientist or politician or local 'hero' who changed the world. I guess that might be called a biography.

ADDED Do they still print those books that show all the parts of how things work - like how roman armor works or how a castle works or how cars work....  (I'm more interested in the distant past - but I know they had more 'current' how stuff works books).

[cael]

Yeah, I was thinking maybe history of some sort? I know DH was super into WW2 history at that age (and at his current age )

Tiny - good call on those 'how things work' books, there have to be zillions of those out there! I may just head to B&N and browse for a while..

Actually a friend of mine is a 3rd grade teacher, I know that's a little younger than this kid but she may have some ideas too. thanks guys!

[Abby Normal]

Some type of Kitchen Science book might be fun too.  DS had a ball with those.

[CarolinaKat]

Apples to Apples is a favorite of my 10 and 13 yo nieces (the younger ones like it too but have to ask about some of the words)

[wyouser]

There used to be a "Landmark" series of historical books on events or figures that were well written but I have no idea if they are still in print? I kept a number that were read by my kids when they hit that age range. So much depends on interest.

[cael]

Oooh, Apples to Apples! Love that one. I played Forbidden Island recently for the first time, that might be good too.

[alabamagal]

Board games for 12 year old.  Go to ToysRUs web site and search.  I have used that site to pick out toys for my niece and nephew.  Even though I have kids that are older sometime hard to remember what to get at what age.  You don't have to buy from there, but it has good search.

And I LOVE the Angel tree type programs!

[dannylion]

I have a young cousin about that age. I got him some National Geographic books:  5000 Awesome Facts (volume 1 and 2). NatGeo also has a bunch of other books in the same genre.  They look like fun.

[thyme4change]

Empire Builder is our favorite.  

[giramomma]

My DS is 10 and loves the Guinness Book of World Records.

Also, we card game called Munchkin is popular. www.worldofmunchkin.com/game/ But who wouldn't want a bad ass bandana card or boots of butt-kicking card to help them fight off monsters?