Here’s something people don’t say often enough: Buying toys for a 6-year-old is fun. At the same time, purchasing toys for such a specific age can be difficult due to children’s unique personalities, developmental skills, and patience levels.
Here’s a quick, expert-approved guide to the average six-year-old which will help guide your toy selections: Kids these age still use fantasy and imagination, but in a more realistic way than younger peers. So keep those dolls, action figures, costumes, and role-playing sets handy (And you can always visit our list of toys for 5-year-olds for options that will likely appeal to kids just a smidge older).
Most six-year-olds can catch a ball and skip easily and their sense of balance is solid. They also need about an hour of exercise a day so the possibilities for sports equipment, bicycles, scooters, and climbing toys are endless. Kids this age can also express themselves well, they’re developing a sense of humor, and they’re learning to read, which means they’ll love funny books and games. And they’re interested in friendships and teamwork, which is great for toys they can share with others.
They also want to be liked by their peers, so they’ll likely desire the same toys they hear their classmates rave about — and they’ll let you know which collectibles are all the rage at school. Your basic six-year-old is also a bit competitive and is probably interested in family game night. So now is a great time to pick up some new board games.
And sixes are becoming good problem solvers, so look for toys, games, and puzzles that stimulate their brains and reveal the fun of reading, science, and math. Here are some of the best toys for 6-year-olds that you can buy now.
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Barbie Fashionistas
It is never too early to teach your kids that beauty comes in many varieties, which is why we love that the Barbie Fashionistas line presents so many options, like this doll with vitilligo, a condition that reduces skin color in patchy sections. Not only is the doll gorgeous, it may spark a conversation about how differences make people beautiful.
Pogo Stick
If your 6-year-old is bouncing off the walls these days, you may as well send them outside to do it. Kids this age are coordinated enough to use a pogo stick, but we suggest having them start out on the grass.
LEGO Super Mario Adventures
Most parents search for ways to drag little eyeballs away from video games but your little one can now enjoy Super Mario out in the real world. This LEGO set allows kids to earn coins by moving Mario through the “worlds” they build. Perfect for curious problem-solvers.
Zingo for Sight Words
Let’s face it: Practicing sight words can be mind-numbing for both parents and kids. However, this bingo game breathes life into that homework task.
Robot Factory
As kids read a story about malfunctioning robots, they can fix and build the machines they read about. That’s incorporating STEM, reading, and imagination in one toy. Win!
5 Surprise Mini Brands
OK, you don’t have to be six to enjoy tiny things (we’re looking at you, mom) and the manufacter’s reccomended age is pretty broad (starting at five). But it’s a safe bet that these miniature versions of regular grocery items like Breyer’s Ice Cream and Lipton tea will surprise and delight.
Who’s She
You could play the classic Guess Who game (although the original characters are all white). Better idea: buy this absolutely gorgeous version featuring a diverse group of women from Olympic tennis pro Serena Williams to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and Black abolitionist Harriet Tubman.
Flashing Cube Electronic Memory & Brain Game
This handheld flashy brainteaser will get little minds churning offering games that test children’s speed and memory and evoke their sense of competition.
The Original Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket Launcher
This low-maintenance toy packs a lot of fun — kids run up to the rocket, jump, and stomp, sending the plastic missle up to 20 feet high in the air. it’s a science lesson and gym class in one.
Retevis RT628 Walkie Talkies for Kids
Kids can play detective, spy, or just practice their communication skills with this fun set they can use on the playground or at home.
Great Explorations 3-D Solar System Glow In The Dark Ceiling Hanging Kit
Turn your kid’s bedroom into the myserious solar system with these 3D models of Pluto, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Earth, Mercury, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus. The planets can hung from the ceiling and they glow-in-the-dark.
Great Explorations 3-D Solar System Glow In The Dark Ceiling Hanging Kit$19.99 $25.99 23% Offon Amazon.comKnock Knock!: The BIGGEST, Best Joke Book EVER
No one is above a knock-knock joke (parents included) and this book — the “biggest” and “best” one ever — is chock full of zingers. With 1,000 jokes spanning 352 pages, you’ll never run out of laughs.
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