10 Ideas for Developing a 10-Year-Old Girl

At 10, girls are eager to be grown-up but still can love playing with dolls (and that’s perfectly fine!). Your daughter views the world with excitement but sometimes hides under the blanket when life get overwhelming. At this age, it’s especially important to try new things, discover herself, and take the first steps toward independence. The role of parents is not to push or rush, but to offer ideas that could spark her interest.

🤸 1. Move More

Not everyone loves running in gym class, but movement is essential for optimal development (physical, cognitive, and emotional)—at her own pace. If your daughter loves energy and excitement, sign her up for dance or gymnastics. If she loves water, take her swimming. If she enjoys being in a group and feeling the team spirit, volleyball or even soccer could be perfect (and don’t let anyone tell you, or her, it’s a “boys’ sport”). Find something that makes her eyes light up and that she can’t wait to do!

💡 2. Learn to Find Her Voice

At 10, girls are keen to express themselves. This can be supported by drama classes, where she can try different roles. Blogging or a stand-up comedy session in front of the family are great, too. Or, maybe she’ll find her voice in a literary club where she can write stories and even get them published. The key is to let her know her voice matters and it should be heard.

🎨 3. Get Creative Without Limits

Drawing, music, sewing, sculpting—what doesn’t matter is the medium, just that it’s fun and supports creativity. Some may want to draw comics, others might enjoy making animations on their phone, or creating outfits and upcycling old clothes. Don’t box creativity into rigid rules, or it will lose its spark.

📚 4. Learn in Her Own Way

School is one thing, but a genuine interest in learning is quite another. It comes when there’s less pressure. Let your daughter read books that truly interest her (and if they’re fanfics instead of classics, that’s okay!). Let her learn languages through movies and music. Let her explore chemistry not through textbooks but with kitchen experiments. Letting her learn in her own way shows her she is valuable just as she is!

🧠 5. Understand How Her Body Works (And Don’t Fall for Myths)

At 10, physical changes start happening, and a million questions arise. Why do some girls already wear a bra while others don’t? Why do some kids seem to be popular, while others feel lonely—is it how they look?

It’s good if there’s an adult around to explain everything calmly and appropriately. You can also suggest watching educational videos or reading books like What’s Happening to My Body? because knowledge is always better than scary myths from the internet or from other kids who don’t always have the facts.

🤓 6. Do Things on Her Own

You can teach your daughter to cook simple meals—not just so that she can help out at home, but so she feels more confident in being independent. Give her more freedom in choosing her clothes—let her experiment with style, not just listen to your advice or compare herself to others. You could also suggest getting a houseplant to take care of (if it survives, great; if not, it’s still a valuable lesson).

🤗 7. Step Outside the House (And the Comfort Zone)

Hiking, trips, park walks—the more your daughter sees and experiences, the better. You can plant flowers or vegetables together in the garden, participate in local eco-projects, or simply take a camera on a walk to capture interesting details. The world is much bigger than the usual home-school-home route! Broadening her horizons can build not just physical skills but also self-confidence!

🤖 8. Learn to Use Technology Productively

Screen time isn’t always bad. Your daughter can learn to program, edit videos, or draw on a tablet. She could explore 3D modeling or dive into photo editing. The key is not to ban gadgets but to show her how to use them productively and safely. A helpful rule of thumb when it comes to technology—create more than you consume.

💁🏻‍♀️ 9. Discover Different Women’s Stories

Not just princesses and superheroes, but also artists, scientists, and explorers. Let your daughter see that girls/women can be anything they want and choose any path that speaks to them! Movies and books are great for this. Also, consider taking her to lectures by such women and encourage her to chat with the presenter.

🧑‍🔬 10. Experiment with Different Professions

Let her try being a journalist (interviewing relatives), a director (filming short movies), a fashion designer (sketching or combining outfits from her wardrobe), and more. The more professions she “tries on,” even in a fun way, the more confident she’ll feel when it comes to making real career decisions.

Being a Girl Is About Possibilities, Not Limitations

The most important thing you can give a 10-year-old girl is confidence in herself. That she can be different. That she is unique and one-of-a-kind. That being passionate about science is as normal as loving fashion. That she can wear dresses and climb trees. That she can be brave, smart, funny, thoughtful, sporty, creative—and it’s all “feminine.” Simply because it’s her choice!

References:

1. Your Child’s Development From 6 to 12 Years. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
2. How to Promote Cognitive Development: 23 Activities & Games. Positive Psychology
3. MacDonald, F. (2016). Childhood and Tween Girl Culture. London, UK: Macmillan Publishers Ltd.
4. Bulimwengu, A. S., & Cartmel, J. (2022). The tween years: A systematic literature review for services for children aged 10–13 years. Heliyon, 8 (1).
5. Janssen, I., Ferrao, T., & King, N. (2016). Individual, family, and neighborhood correlates of independent mobility among 7 to 11-year-olds. Preventive Medicine Reports, 3, 98-102.

Cover image: A.Ozerova/Shutterstock