7 is a fun age. I have a freshly sprouted 7 year old girl, gappy toothed and full of imagination. The absolute favorite toys in our house, bar none, are Play Silks. These are a hit with our older and younger kids, as well as our little visitors. They are perfect for creative play and get used daily for dress up, dolly blankets, scenery for other toys, and just this week, were used as a colorful backdrop for a fully choreographed, private showing only of "dancing and splits performance" by our three youngest. Too cute.

We've bought some silks and sewn others from satiny fabric from Wal Mart. Very simple, extremely versatile, and quite light weight. Hope you have fun with your family this Christmas, it sounds like a special treat to see each other.

Artist quality makers or colored pencils and drawing paper tablet. Those will help her stay busy on the long flight back.

Wasabi tape (I think that's what it's called) in pretty colors and patterns.

A kit for making friendship bracelets.

I think you mean Washi tape, hhireno. Great ideas!

Heehee, hot green condiment or pretty tape...it's all good!

Does an American Girl doll need her own plane seat? Or fit in the overhead? With American Girl, you can also get her the books, clothing, and accessories, which are more packable, and you can send one each year.

If you want to be a superhero and you can find one, a hatchimal (the new furby). But it's really hard to track them down.

Since she's a traveling girl, I'd get her a very simple, kid friendly camera so she can take pictures herself of the things that really interest her. It would also be something she can use to stay connected to you in that she can send the pics she takes at home and in her travels to share and visa versa.

At 7, my 14 yo dd was DEEP into American Girl dolls. Does she have any? Such a wonderful toy. The dolls are $$$, but I guarantee if you get her one she will remember & treasure it forever! If she already has one, even easier! The doll clothing sets are absolutely precious and are packaged so cutely. Some outfits even have matching clothes for the girl! The furniture might be difficult for flying, but the doll wouldn't be hard to take on the plane. Dd used to take hers on flights all the time.

Hair chalks are a big hit around here. ALEX toys has many cute kits for girlie hair, nails, etc. & lots of crafty kits as well. Target & Michaels & Joanns carry their stuff, to name a few.

http://www.alexbrands.com/pa_brand/alex-toys/

At that that age, my daughter was really into craft kits. There are also some pretty fancy coloring books out there now, too, which could be nice for the flight home with some fancy colored pencils.

My DD never really got into the washi tape, but was obsessed with the fancy colored/patterned duck tape.

There used to be American Girl branded craft kits, I don't know if they are available any more. Michaels and I think JoAnn fabrics used to have them, a really nice assortment of things from bulletin boards to bracelets and making stuff for the dolls.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. My mother got her an American Girl doll last visit-- in fact, my niece is bringing the doll with her on this trip and she and my mom are going to the American Girl store to have lunch, and get the doll's hair done and ears pierced. What a racket!

Those play silks look interesting. I'm also going to look into the craft kits. If I get her a few of those, that can give her something to do when she's here, too.

Craft kits are great. Perler beads were favorites but she can't use on plane. My nieces had a loom type thing for making beaded bracelets.

My girls loved Calico Critters when they were 7. Not sure if they were "young" 7s or not. They also enjoyed the Perler beads.

I don't know where you are, but you might check to see if there are any children's books set in your area. Here in NYC, you could get her Eloise, The House on East 88th Street, or All-of-A-Kind-Of-A-Family. She's old enough to start reading the Little House books--how about a set?

We are right outside of NYC, Renovator Girl, and she will be spending the bulk of her time here with my mother, who lives in the city. That's a great idea.

My niece, now 8, absolutely loved Calico Critters along with the accessories. They are small and easy to pack.

I loved All of a Kind Family books as a child and my girls loved them, too. So sweet.