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57 Cool Gift Ideas for 6-Year-Olds
Written by
Molly Ashton
Written by
Molly Ashton
Molly is a huge board game and Nintendo Switch fan, so she REALLY enjoys testing out and reviewing new games. She also likes to channel her inner kid to curate the absolute must-have items for our gift guides.
Edited by
James Booth
Edited by
James Booth
Managing Editor
James loved anything Star Wars related as a kid! These days he uses the force to make sure TheToyZone is consistently publishing articles our readers will trust and find real value in. On his off days, you'll find him in the woods searching for Ewoks.
TheToyZone is an independent publication with no ties with companies mentioned on the site. We don’t accept free products in exchange for glowing reviews. Instead, we report our own findings to help you make an informed decision.
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TheToyZone is an independent publication with no ties with companies mentioned on the site. We don’t accept free products in exchange for glowing reviews. Instead, we report our own findings to help you make an informed decision.
Here are four reasons you should trust us:
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My memories of being 6 years of age are a jumble of hanging upside-down from monkey bars, making my Barbies swim with me (and ruining their hair in the process), drawing pictures of horses every time I had a pencil in my hand and finally gaining access to the insider world of reading. It’s when kids want the world to make sense — but they still have active little minds and imaginations that can conjure up a whole world in a heartbeat!
Just on the cusp of middle childhood and grade school, 6-year-olds are in an in-between phase. They haven’t lost the fertile imagination that characterizes early childhood. Still, they’re also beginning to understand the world more concretely and begin to thrive on order and structure.
This makes STEM toys, LEGO sets and step-by-step activities great gift choices for 6-year-olds. At the same time, they can still access that world of creative play, so roleplay toys and action figures will still go down a treat, as will gifts that allow them to let out some energy.
The list I’ve put together has all that and more.
I am confident you’ll find something to suit the 6-year-old in your life because I spent a week carefully collecting toys across a range of different hobbies, common kids’ obsessions, popular pop culture characters, types of play and budget option.
From space-themed LEGO to soccer-themed Barbies to spider-themed RC toys, there’s something here for every kid! Let’s dive in.
“I want to be an astronaut” is a common refrain among 6-year-olds everywhere, and with this set they can shoot for the stars, building an epic space shuttle complete with opening hatch and extendable satellite. Then once you’ve completed the space shuttle, you can dismantle it when you’re ready and build either an astronaut or a spaceship with moving wings with the same pieces!
Although this set isn’t the most complex build, it does come stacked full of hair-raising excitement and action. With the two flywheel motorbikes, two ramps and two spinning rings, kids can play out the sickest stunts imaginable to win the trophy. Whether they play solo or set up tournaments with friends, this is the ideal set for a thrill-seeking six-year-old!
Although kids love fantastical adventures, they also love roleplaying aspects of real life, and that’s what the LEGO CITY range does so well. This ice-cream shop is a fun set for ice-cream loving kids (i.e. all of them) and it’s packed with fun details to aid imaginative play. Collectors will also appreciate all the unique pieces – there’s even a minifigure in a polar bear mascot suit!
With their consistent quality, cute depictions of beloved characters and squishability, Squishmallows have taken the soft-toy market by storm. They’ve also got the Disney seal of approval as these are officially licensed merchandise items. If your little one is a Monsters Inc fan, they will love receiving their very own soft and squishy Sulley to snuggle and squeeze!
Super soft plushie meets kids’ all-time favorite dinner, this Dino Nugget plush is the combo we never knew we needed. At 18 inches, it makes for an awesome snuggle buddy or pillow, and kids will get a big kick out of cuddling a giant chicken nugget. It’s also thankfully much softer and fluffier than a chicken nugget, though unfortunately doesn’t offer much in the way of tasty smells!
This Toy of the Year finalist is not only a super cute and cuddly turtle, but it also serves as a communicative tool! One of this turtle’s expressions is a happy smile, but if you turn him inside out you’ll reveal a frowny face. This is a great feature for imaginative play and helps kids communicate their feelings when they can’t find the words.
Hailing from Black Panther, one of Marvel’s most lauded blockbusters, this slash claw will enable your little one to become T’Challa, king of Wakanda. And while imagination is 90% of play, what really takes this one over the edge is the ability to projectile-fire NERF darts! Simply hold down the button and perform a Power Slash move to launch dual NERF darts and defend the people of Wakanda.
When it comes to toy cars, Hot Wheels are some of the best in the business. Add a Spider-Man design to the mix with eyes that can narrow in focus and you know you’re on to a winner! This option is a 1:64 scale replica of the car in the Spider-Man Homecoming movie and even boasts an ejectable Web-Car launcher to shoot out the front at high speeds.
Kids love action figures, and this pack is the ultimate option for Marvel fans. This eight-figure set includes all the best fan-favorite characters, from Iron Man and The Hulk to Spiderman and Captain America. Each hero is impeccably designed to look just like they do in the films, and even comes with character-inspired accessories. Kids will have a blast coming up with creative scenarios involving all these heroes!
After a stellar Women’s World Cup this year with more media attention than ever before, it comes as no surprise that more and more girls are becoming interested in soccer. This Soccer Barbie comes complete with jersey, cleats and a ball to score those touchdowns with, making it an excellent option for sporty kids who also like to play with dolls.
💡TIP: If you’re okay to spend a little more, this Soccer Barbie is a Made To Move doll, so she can bend all her joints for all that fancy soccer footwork!
Barbie took movie theaters by storm this year in a record-breaking film that became an instant classic. This doll is modeled on Margot Robbie, who played the lead role of “stereotypical Barbie”. In classic Barbie style, she has long blond hair, a gingham dress and fashion accessories that Barbie fans will love. Even kids who didn’t watch the movie will surely fall in love!
For any true Barbie aficionado, having your own Dreamhouse to play out daily adventures is, well, the ultimate dream. This option is the creme-de-la-creme of dreamhouses, with three stories, 10 different play areas, a massive slide leading down to a pool, a pet elevator and more than 75 accessories! This larger-than-life toy really allows kids to immerse themselves in a world of imaginative play.
If your 6-year-old is begging you for a Nintendo Switch, our recommendation is the Switch Lite. This smaller and more affordable version of the classic console is the perfect option for kids finding their feet in the video gaming world. Its smaller, lightweight design makes it a safe bet for smaller hands, and it still offers plenty of gaming space for a 6-year-old gamer.
If your kid already has access to a Switch, this extremely popular game is a must-buy! Players get to join Yoshi on his latest adventure through a charming and captivating crafted world, full foes to vanquish and obstacles to clear. The platform game is simple enough for younger players to complete on their own, but also has a co-op mode for playing alongside friends or family.
One of the Switch’s biggest draws is its collection of unique driving games, many of which are aimed at kids and families, such as Mario Kart and Hot Wheels Unleashed. And for kids that love to race, what better gift than their very own steering wheel joy-con? This joy-con is sure to increase the realism and fun of racing games to full speed!
Come summer or winter, this versatile tube will provide tons of fun on snowy slopes and lakes alike. Designed with safety in mind, the heavy-duty tube will keep kids afloat or sledding smoothly for hours on end, and can withstand a battering from rugged slopes too. Plus, the extra safety cushion will absorb those bumps and keep kids comfy as they’re zooming along at lightning speeds!
For kids that never want to come inside, it’s a huge boon to have a safe and fun spot for them to play. This climbing tower provides just that, though it does create the danger that they will want to stay outdoors even longer! Plus, because it’s so easily assembled and disassembled, it’s a great option for folks who rent or who don’t want to build anything permanent.
Every 6-year-old needs a set of wheels, and a scooter is a super fun and accessible option. But this scooter from Gotrax is much more than a simple transportation device – thanks to its light-up wheels, they’ll be the envy of all their friends! Plus, the scooter’s lightweight, foldable design makes it super easy to carry to school, the park, or wherever they want to take it.
Walkie talkies are perfect for boosting a six-year-old’s sense of adventure. What I love about this set is that it comes with three devices so kids can go on mini missions with two friends! In addition, the colorful camo design and easy-to-use buttons make these ideal for younger kids. Best of all, they come with a monitoring function and intelligent alarm system that helps prevent kids from wandering off.
One foolproof way of delighting gadget-loving kids is to get them their very own robot. This option from Sillbird is a great choice, as kids get to build one of three different robot designs themselves. Once the build is complete, you can control the robot via the RC to make it move in several ways and perform awesome stunts! Each robot is unique in its abilities and full of personality.
Fed up of sharing your device with the kids? Well, if you get them their own tablet, you won’t have to! This Fire HD 8 Pro Tablet is made specifically for kids, so it offers robust and easy-to-use parental controls and lets them browse the web without ads or access to inappropriate sites. It also comes with a year’s subscription to Amazon Kids which is packed with great content.
I remember playing Guess Who when I was a kid, so it has definitely stood up to the test of time. Kids love this game because it is silly and challenging in equal measure, as you put your deductive skills to the test by asking smart and occasionally comical questions. This version is especially fun because it includes a set of pet cards as well as the regular ones!
Ticket To Ride has been such a success that it’s been reformatted into countless different editions. My First Journey takes place across the classic USA map but utilizes streamlined and simplified game mechanics designed to suit younger players. But with the same strategic gameplay, many of the same destinations and the same charming theme, it’s sure to be an epic ride!
In this woodland mystery game, players must work together to crack the case of who stole Mrs. Plumpert’s pie. Perfect for family game nights and kids’ parties alike, this fast-paced cooperative game helps foster teamwork, memory and curiosity. The game board and suspect cards are too sweet for words, and there’s also a fun evidence scanner that adds to the intrigue.
For kids that love to build a narrative around their remote control cars, this super speedy police car fits the bill perfectly. Featuring realistic sounds and flashing lights, this car is ready to race to the scene of any imaginary emergency! Plus, the kid-friendly controls, tight turning radius non-slip rubber wheels makes this RC easy for kids to control even as it reaches high speeds.
Looking for a different kind of RC altogether? Then give this spooky tarantula a try. This uniquely designed remote controlled spider features glowing red eyes and moves just like the real thing, even wriggling its legs as it scurries across the floor. The controls are intuitive and it’s perfect for kids who get a kick out of creepy crawlies and scaring their relatives!
Get ready to unleash the awesome with this rotating, flipping, stunting 4-wheel drive RC from ORRENTE. No terrain is out of bounds with this car as you complete jumps, scale rocks and tackle sandy beaches, grasslands, wetlands and more! It also features headlights so you can drive at night, and comes in a range of cool neon colors that stand out from a mile away.
This dance mat is the perfect gift for kids that love to strut their stuff to music and will have them moving and grooving from dawn till dusk! Simply follow the beat of the music and move your feet to match the cues of the blinking LED lights. With 3 different levels to move through, this is a great gift for improving kids’ coordination and keeping them active.
If your kiddo wants to make their own music, this synthesizer is a fun way to do so that doesn’t require a huge commitment. From Otamatone, this synth will have kids exploring their creativity and making music like never before. And it’s easy to use too – simply slide your fingers along the stem to vary the pitch, and squeeze its pudgy cheeks to add vibrato!
Drum roll please… It’s time to announce the greatest musical gift a little rockstar could ask for! Naturally, kids that love music will love learning a real instrument, and a drum set is a great choice if your little one tends to focus on a song’s rhythm. This child-sized option is ideal for learning the craft, replicating the real deal with impressive quality and a budget-friendly price tag.
If your 6-year-old loves puzzles, they’ll be over the moon to receive two in one. Whether they’re a dog lover or cat-crazy, they’re certain to be pleased with this beautifully designed, double-sided puzzle featuring a host of furry friends. The pieces are thick and sturdy, and made from 90% recycled materials, so you’ll be doing your bit for the planet too!
This puzzle is colorful and fun and an awesome way to learn all 50 U.S. states along with state capitals and claims to fame. The pieces are even shaped like states and feature state nicknames on the back! For its fun and ingenuity, this puzzle won the Oppenheim Gold Best Toy Award, and it’s sturdy enough to dismantle and redo as many times as you want.
This is not your average puzzle! Instead, it’s a brain teaser that tasks kids with completing over 100 different challenges using colored tiles. This problem-solving puzzle is a great way to hone spatial reasoning as kids figure out the right way to build tracks and complete routes. With challenges that span a range of difficulty levels, kids can start slow and build their skills over time.
From tornadoes to hovercrafts, this 50-piece motor machines set is a whole world of educational fun. By following the simple steps, kids can get hands-on and engaging engineering experience as they work through over 20 different projects! While most science kits tend to focus on chemistry, this is a fun change as it’s all about physics and mechanics, which makes for more tangible creations.
Turn your little ones on to the wonders of the natural world with this super cool light-up terrarium. By creating a self-contained ecosystem, kids will learn loads about plant biology and how things grow. It even comes with toy dinos and a real gastropod fossil so you can create your own miniature prehistoric habitat, which also doubles as a magical night light!
Spikeball is the in-vogue new sport that everyone’s talking about, but my premonition is that it’s here to say. It’s easy to learn, quick to set up and fun for all ages. This beginner’s set includes a larger ball and net that’s easier for kids to learn with. Plus, with the handy travel bag, it’s a breeze to take it everywhere from the beach to your next road trip!
Let your little one channel their inner ninja by tackling this awesome obstacle course. Set up the obstacle course with the simple-to-install slackline, and you’ll have a proper playground attraction in your own backyard! From gymnast rings to climbing nets to a 360 degree spinning wheel, there’s tons here to keep kids active and playing outdoors for longer.
Get ready to slice, volley and smash your way around the court with these two lightweight rackets. With their large sweet spot and comfortable grip, these rackets are designed for kids and beginners without compromising on quality. Included in the set you’ll also find a set of tennis balls so you can head straight to the court! The 23-inch option should be a good size for a 6-year-old.
This graphic novel serves up a generous helping of humor and heart as it strives to answer one of life’s biggest questions. Graphic novels are great ways to get younger kids reading, and Pizza and Taco is especially good for bolstering kids’ reading confidence. The laugh-out-loud story pretty much unfolds around its title but includes some surprises along the way!
This story follows the adventures of Princess Olivia, who, having left the comforts of her palace behind, is on a crusade to make the world a better place. She starts with the topical issue of pollution in our oceans, in a story that both entertains and educates. The book never feels boring or preachy, but is full of lovable characters that will ignite kids’ passion and care.
With this buy, you’ll get not one but three epic stories from the bestselling writer behind Captain Underpants, Dav Pilkey. In Dog Man, we follow a lovable canine cop who proves to be the biggest hero in town. Dog Man is here to take a bite out of crime, in a way that encourages empathy, kindness, perseverance and the importance of staying true to one’s self.
After a hundred crayon drawings and finger paintings, perhaps it’s time to try something new. I recommend this marbling painting kit as it shows kids how art and science can come together in a project that encourages both precision and creativity. And of course it comes with all the paints, brushes and transfer paper required for your kids to create their next abstract masterpiece!
When it comes to buying gifts for arty kids, it’s hard to go wrong with a set of quality craft supplies. This comprehensive option from Crayola includes crayons, gel pens, fine liners, pencils and construction paper. They’ll have everything they need to disappear into a world of their own creation, and I love that it all packs away nicely its own carry case!
Whether it’s Wallace and Gromit, Isle of Dogs or Coraline, stop motion animation is an art form that kids are likely to know and love. And though plasticine is nothing new for crafty kids, what’s unique about this set is that it’s meant specifically for making stop motion films. Along with the clay itself, it comes with backdrops and movie props so kids create their very own characters and sets!
When it comes to DIY jewelry, the more components to choose from, the better – and this set has it all! From rainbow beads to letters to unicorn pendants and an array of unique charms, this will make kids’ eyes light up in wonder, then engross them for hours. There’s also all the yarns and elastics they’ll need for 20+ bracelets (friendship and otherwise), plus a fantastic instructional booklet.
A tie-dye party is a fantastic birthday idea for crafty kids, because it’s easy to do en-masse and something almost all kids will enjoy. This option contains enough dye for 6 kids to turn plain t-shirts into their own signature styles. With 18 different colors to choose from and simple step-by-step instructions, this activity is fun and exciting from process to completion!
Naruto is one of the most popular anime series amongst younger kids, so this action figure of its title character is a pretty safe bet as a gift for anime-loving kids. With 16 points of articulation and a highly detailed design, this figure is great for both playing and displaying. It also comes with switchable hands in different ninja positions plus Naruto’s signature weapons.
Any aspiring Pokemon trainer needs the right tools for the job. With this Clip & Carry Poke Ball Belt, you’ll be all set to whip out your Poke balls and release your Pokemon in an instant so you can catch ‘em all! 6 is the prime age for roleplaying your favorite characters and stories, so this will make a lovely gift for any young Pokemon fan.
This creator cam from VTech offers endless possibilities for budding photographers and filmmakers. Not only is it capable of capturing both stills and video, but there are also animated backgrounds, a built-in microphone and special effects that kids can use to bring their fantasies to life. It’s a super fun way to get creative with friends and family and even comes with a tripod and other handy accessories!
If your young snapper already has their own camera, perhaps they need a little guidance on how to get the best out of their new gadget. This introductory guide into photography does just that, encouraging kids to explore the world around them in new ways and see things through the camera lens. Aimed at young kids, there’s nothing boring or too technical here – it’s all fun and creative activities!
Off the back of a stellar cinema release this year, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are enjoying a massive comeback among a whole new generation of kids. So send your kiddo back to school donning their favorite turtles with this colorful backpack. At 16 inches, it’s ideal for younger kids, plus it comes with a water pouch and some cool TMNT stickers to boot.
You might think that a lunchbox is not the most exciting gift for a 6-year-old, but not all lunch boxes are created equal. This option from Bentgo comes in a wide range of whimsical designs to capture kids’ imagination, while its portioned sections allow for an appetizing lunch that won’t leak along the way. It’s made from totally food-safe, BPA-free materials and features a removable inner tray that’s dishwasher-safe!
This comfy bean bag chair will let you channel your inner sloth in a big way. It’s the perfect spot to lounge or hang out for some quiet reading after a long hard day of play. The 27-inch option is a good size for a 6-year-old, but the larger ones are even more luxurious! Whichever one you choose, you’ll get an ultra-soft beanbag chair with a durable, washable cover.
Send your little one off into a sleep full of cosmic dreams with this awesome night light. This astronaut figure doesn’t just provide light, but also projects constellations, galaxies and nebulae onto the ceiling and walls, making it the perfect nightlight for space-obsessed kids. Not to mention the wonderfully calming and sleep-inducing effect of its beautiful projections!
Find yourself in a constant struggle to keep your kids’ toys contained? This extra large toy box is just what you need to keep everything neat and tidy in between playtimes. Throwing everything into this big toy organizer is the easiest thing in the world (kids can do it themselves!) and will make their bedroom a much more peaceful environment.
If your kid loves dinosaurs, they will be obsessed with their new jumpsuit and will want to wear it always! Luckily, as well as being adorable, it’s also extremely warm and cozy, so it’s perfect for wearing around the house or even outdoors on chilly days. With its soft flannel construction, zipper closure and dino design, this romper marries comfort, convenience and cuteness in the best way possible.
With its clear digital display and waterproof functionality, this watch is perfect for kids who are learning about time. There’s no need to worry about remembering to take it off in the pool, and the PUP watch strap means sweaty hands aren’t an issue either. Plus, with cool features like a stopwatch, LED light and high-tech display, it ticks all the boxes for gadget-oriented kids!
💡TIP: If you’ve got a tip or an alternative to recommend, use a box like this one.
Frequently Asked Questions About 6-Year-Olds
🤔 What are 6-year-olds interested in?
6 is the prime age for playing, whether it’s imaginative roleplay, puzzle games or racing cars – this is the age when they want to do it all! At 6, kids tend to enjoy active games like jump rope and ball games, but they can also have fun with fine motor activities such as drawing, jigsaw puzzles and LEGO. By this age, kids are usually in first grade, so they can make use of reading and simple math in their toys and enjoy games related to science. At the same time, they’re still very imaginative creatures, so roleplay games and playing with figures and dolls are still important playtime fixtures.
🤔 What is normal 6-year-old behavior?
Children aged 6-8 are in early middle childhood, a stage characterized by rapid physical, mental and social development. By this age, kids can usually dress themselves, catch a ball more easily, and tie their own shoes. Because most 6-year-olds have started school, friendships become more important aspects of their lives and they start to want to be accepted by their peers. They are also usually better able than younger kids to talk about their feelings and exhibit a rapid development of their mental abilities. However, every child is unique, and may not go through the same stages at exactly the same pace or in exactly the same way.
🤔 What is the stage from 6 to 12 years called?
This long stage from 6 to 12 is known as middle childhood. It’s the stage after early childhood and before adolescence, though adolescence may start earlier in some kids. As a lot of changes happen during this stage, it is often split into two halves, with early middle childhood referring to ages 6-8, and late middle childhood referring to ages 9-12. As such, 6-year-olds are right on the cusp of middle childhood, having just left early childhood behind. They are on their way to becoming “big kids”, entering first grade and learning how to do more activities by themselves. There’s so much to look forward to!
So… What Gift Should You Get?
That depends entirely on you and the 6-year-old in your life – I can’t make the final decision for you. But I can and have given you lots of great options so you can make a confident choice. Let them get crafty with a tie-dye kit, get cozy with a squishy plush and a book to read, or get a little crazy with a ninja backyard obstacle course! If you found a gift that wasn’t on this list, pop me a message so I can update this list.
