How We Selected the Best Toys for 6-Year-Olds

We monitored shopping trends to bring you the best and most up-to-date toys for 6-year-olds. We chose these by studying the design and features of more than 50 toys on the market, while researching reviews from customers and competitors. We considered toy safety, age recommendations, design, features, ease of use, battery use, and value when reviewing products. The toys we selected are age-appropriate, educational, and, of course, downright fun.

What to Look for in Toys for 6-Year-Olds

Interests

At 6 years old, kids begin to transition into middle childhood, but they’re still in that sweet spot of loving pretend play, creating, building, and moving their bodies. But if you want a toy that they’ll pick up again and again, your job is to narrow down your choices based on what really interests them these days. If they come home from school every day presenting the 20 pictures they drew, then look for a toy that lets them flex their artistic skills a little bit, like the Crayola Light Up Tracing Board. Or, if they’re the kind of kid who would rather be running outside than doing anything else, a ride-on or other active toy, such as the Lil’ Rider Wiggle Car, will likely be their favorite.

Whatever it is that makes your 6-year-old light up, whether it’s a character, activity, or school subject, see if you can find an age-appropriate toy that lets them explore it even more.

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Milestones

For the first four or five years of a kid’s life, their development is pretty predictable, both in skill and timing. However, since the pacing of a child’s development isn’t as easy to predict, invest in toys that are age-appropriate and align with the milestones associated with middle childhood (between 6 and 8 years old). 

Kids around this age are beginning to put more emphasis on their social circles through friendships and teamwork. Consider a toy they can play with other people, like Diliss Walkie-Talkies for Kids, to expand their social skills, or opt for a toy like the Fat Brain Toys Squigz to strengthen fine motor skills.

Entertainment Value

While a 6-year-old’s attention span is growing, they won’t play with a toy that’s not entertaining. You will want to make sure that the toy you pick out is appropriate for their age and developmental level, because something too young will be boring, and a toy that’s too advanced will seem too challenging to be fun.

If they’re learning to read, a game that helps them learn their sight words may be a lot of fun. Or if they enjoy building things, then a more complex puzzle or building set might keep their attention, like the LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Mario Starter Course.

Why Trust Verywell Family?

Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer for Verywell Family with nearly eight years of experience under her belt. Katrina’s background in journalism began at an Emmy Award-winning news station in Oklahoma before she obtained her B.A. in professional media. Her love for service journalism, helping others, and becoming a parent led to her commerce writing role, which allows her to research and recommend the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages.

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Additional reporting by Ashley Ziegler

More Toys and Gifts for Kids

When it comes to toys and gifts for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top gift and toy picks for every age and stage here:

• The Best Christmas Gifts for Kids
• The Best Newborn Baby Gifts
• The Best Unique Baby Gifts
• The Best Baby Gifts
• The Best Gifts for Baby Girls
• The Best Baby Boy Gifts
• The Best Infant Toys
• The Best Gifts for 2-Month-Olds
• The Best Gifts for 3-Month Olds
• The Best Toys for 4-Month-Olds
• The Best Toys for 5-Month-Olds
• The Best Toys for 6-Month-Olds
• The Best Toys for 7-Month-Olds
• The Best Toys for 8-Month-Olds
• The Best Toys for 9-Month-Olds
• The Best Toys for 10-Month-Olds
• The Best Toys for 12-Month-Olds
• The Best Gifts for 1-Year-Olds
• The Best Toys for 15-Month-Olds
• The Best Toys for 18-Month-Olds
• The Best Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds
• The Best Toys for 2-Year-Olds
• The Best Toys for 3-Year-Olds
• The Best Gifts for 3-Year-Old Girls
• The Best Toys for 3-Year-Old Boys
• The Best Gifts for 4-Year-Old Girls
• The Best Toys for 4-Year-Old Boys
• The Best Educational Toys for 4-Year-Olds
• The Best Toys for 5-Year-Olds
• The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Girls
• The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Boys
• The Best Toys for 6-Year-Old Boys
• The Best Gifts for 6-Year-Old Boys
• The Best Toys for 7-Year-Olds
• The Best Gifts for 7-Year-Old Girls
• The Best Toys for 7-Year-Old Boys
• The Best Toys for 8-Year-Olds
• The Best Gifts for 8-Year-Old Boys
• The Best Toys for 9-Year-Olds
• The Best Toys for 10-year-Olds
• The Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Girls
• The Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Boys
• The Best Gifts for 12-year-old Boys
• The Best Gifts for Teens
• The Best Gifts for 14-Year-Old Boys
• The Black-Owned Gift Guide

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