So, it turns out that the little girl I was planning to buy an easel for is now heavily into girly stuff. She has once been all about Buzz Light Year - she even had a "life size" Buzz that she slept with. Now it's all pink barbie stuff! So, I thought I should rethink my gift. But I am not going with anything Barbie, there is no way! So here are some options:

Creative Jewellery: MilleSassa (from Selecta): Bianca, Rosali, Cora;

Clickits "Pretty in Pink" (Lego):

Pretty in Pink Jewels;
Pretty in Pink Beauty Set

.

Both are reasonably priced, and both involve designing and making your own jewellery (so you could argue that there is some learning involved in the process of playing). The only difference is that the Selecta toys are for ages 4+ and the Lego ones are fro 6+. And the girl in question is just over 4 (going on 14...).

What is frustrating is that there are no real "learning" toys out there for girls. But that is a whole other discussion.