• Bright wrapping paper finishes off a child's' gift.gift image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
  
  If you have a 7-year-old on your gift-giving list, choose from several options beyond the latest fad toy. Many gift options for kids encourage the recipient to explore new interests or continue pursuing hobbies they already enjoy. Keep in mind the personality of the 7-year-old when selecting the present.
  
  

Personalized Book

• Many companies offer children's books customized with a child's information. The book might incorporate the child's name, city, friends' names and favorite color or activities within the text. Many of the personalized kids' books include popular characters that kids enjoy reading about. The 7-year-old can read about himself every day right alongside his favorite characters.
  
  

Science Kit

• Science kits are available at stores in the toy section. Even discount stores offer a decent selection of kits that allow kids to do everything from making their own gum to keeping an ant farm. These kits are ideal for a 7-year-olds interested in science. Choose a kit with a theme that matches the child's scientific interests. For example, a dinosaur fan will enjoy a kit that allows him to construct a dinosaur model. A young naturalist might like a bug catcher. Note the age range on the science kits you're considering to ensure they are appropriate for the young recipient.
  
  

Art Supplies

• Art supplies are another option for 7-year-olds. This gift idea encourages a child to tap into her creative side. Art supplies lend themselves to a gift basket arrangement. Choose items such as colorful markers, pastels, a sketch pad, watercolor paints and colored pencils. Gather the items and organize them in a basket. Another option is to place the art supplies in a tote bag or wooden box the child can use to keep the supplies together.
  
  

Cooking Kit

• If the 7-year-old enjoys cooking, put together a collection of cooking tools. A kids' cookbook is an appropriate start to a cooking gift. A personalized apron and chef's hat gets the child dressed for cooking. Colorful cooking tools add to the cooking gift set. Look for sets of cooking tools created especially for kids. For instance, measuring spoons and cups sometimes come in color-coded sets that help children differentiate between sizes. Include a nonstick skillet with a matching plastic spatula so young chefs learn to use the stove, with supervision.