You're right-girls are easier. I have Girl Scouts (5th grade this year) and I try to make them a gift every year.
One year I made them clipboards:
More Girl Scout Clipboards by Rubbernecker at Splitcoaststampers
You can pick these up for about a dollar each at Sam's club. A little acrylic paint (I asked them their favorite colors), some stamps, and some shiny gloss spray to seal. I made them all in a couple of days.
This year I'm making them frames, also painted, stamped, with paper, possibly with their names.
Hope this helps--
Julie