Our writers test and research products independently. When you buy through a link on our site we may earn a commission but this never affects our product choices.
Best toys for 6-year-olds: parent-recommended picks for 2023
Whether you're on the hunt for the best Christmas present, a birthday gift or just a refresh of their toy stock, our guide to the best toys for 6-year-olds covers all bases no matter what your budget.
By Lucy Cotterill | Last updated Dec 13, 2023
If you have a six-year-old, you’ll probably be seeing a lot of changes both physically and mentally. Now more settled at school, they are learning so much and making even stronger bonds with their friends.
Six-year-olds care a lot about friendships and enjoy playing with their friends. This could be through family board games or engaging in role play, so dolls and playsets are still a really good choice at this age. They have a longer attention span for completing puzzles and building complex construction sets, like LEGO, and following instructions to make their own slime or bath bombs. They also enjoy arts and crafts, such as drawing or making jewellery.
To help us select the very best toys for your six-year-old, we scoured the Mumsnet forums for top tips from parents on the toys their own six-year-olds play with time and time again. Armed with a longlist of tried-and-tested toys, we then cross-checked the products against recommendations from other expert review sites and online retailers to include toys that covered a range of needs and budgets.
The Best Toys for 6-Year-Olds: Top 3 at a glance
In need of more toy recommendations? Check out our guides to the best toys for seven-year-olds, eight-year-olds, nine-year-olds and 10-year-olds as well as our round-up of the best kids’ tablets to buy right now.
1. Best overall toy for a 6-year-old: Clementoni Interactive Educational Talking Globe
RRP: £60 | Buy now from Argos
Key specs
Age: 6+ | Size: 32 x 32 x 42cm | Weight: 1.74kg | Material: Plastic | Number of pieces: 1 | Assembly required: No | Batteries required: Yes (included) | Educational objectives: General knowledge and geography
What we like
Fun, interactive globe
Improves geography knowledge
Promotes logical and observational skills
Lights up
500 questions with three levels of difficulty
What we don’t like
Some parents have said the pointer is unreliable and occasionally gives the wrong answer
Pricey
What Mumsnet users say
“Children’s Atlas. Globe. I remember getting my first globe from my godmother at about six or seven. And I used to love ‘reading’ atlases!” HunkyPunk
Our verdict
Six is a wonderful age for children to learn more about the world and, with the Clementoni Interactive Educational Talking Globe, they can learn about different cities, countries, continents and lots more - making it one of the best toys for 6 year olds in terms educational benefit.
There are 13 game modes and more than 500 questions, which have been divided into three levels of difficulty so your child’s knowledge can grow over time. Using the optical reader pen, your child can select what mode they want on the interactive panel and hover over a country to learn about surface areas, populations, currencies, languages, territories, mountains, time zones and national anthems.
The globe lights up and there’s a free app which brings it to life, allowing children to see three-dimensional animals and monuments.
Related: Discover the best online tutoring for kids according to Mumsnet.
Related: Looking for a kids' tablet to boost learning as well as keep kids occupied? Read our Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids and Kids Pro Review.
2. Best budget toy for 6-year-olds: Independent and Unofficial Guide to Minecraft Top Trumps
RRP: £7 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Age: 3+ | Size: 8.5 x 1.6 x 14.1cm | Weight: 100g | Material: Cardboard | Number of pieces: unspecified | Assembly required: No | Batteries required: No | Educational objectives: strategy, factual learning and numeracy
What we like
Good-value card game
Can be played at home or on the go
Minecraft fun facts
What we don’t like
Only three categories on the cards
Not official Minecraft merchandise
What Mumsnet users say
“Top Trumps? My seven-year-old also loves LEGO, anything Imaginext/Marvel-related.” pastaparadise
“My six-year-old son loves Minecraft so any Minecraft merch would go down well.” Invisimamma
Our verdict
With the Independent and Unofficial Guide to Minecraft Top Trumps, you not only get one of the best toys for 6 year olds costing under £10, it's a travel game and a great gift option too.
Top Trumps has been around for years and is still a popular card game for children. Kids can learn about the different mobs (mobile entities for any non-Minecraft fans), from the Shulker and Creeper to the Killer Bunny. They can then challenge their friends to see which mob is the tallest, widest or the most likely to attack while learning exciting facts about the game.
The pack of cards comes in a hard plastic case so it’s the ideal game for playing at home or on the go. If Minecraft isn’t your child's thing, there’s a huge range of differently themed cards, such as dinosaurs, Marvel and Harry Potter, for playing with family and friends.
3. Best wooden toy for 6-year-olds: Jenga
RRP: £9 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Age: 6 years+ | Size: 8 x 12 x 28.6cm | Weight: 780.18g | Material: Wood | Number of pieces: 54 | Assembly required: No | Batteries required: No | Educational objectives: Strategic thinking and hand-eye coordination
What we like
Can be played with family and friends or alone
Simple to play
Good-value game
Improves hand-eye coordination and strategic thinking
What we don’t like
Some reviewers say the box doesn’t store the pieces securely
Users have found that some of the bricks aren’t the same shape
What Mumsnet users say
“My nearly six-year-old is getting into family games now like Jenga and Guess Who.” Lemmings123
Our verdict
A game that has been around since the 80s, Jenga is still a big hit with families. Simply stack the wooden blocks into a tower, take turns sliding them out one by one and see who will make the tower topple first.
Whenever you remove a brick, you place it on the top of the tower, making it even taller and more and more unsteady. What the game lacks in rules, it makes up for in excitement and laughter as you try to avoid bringing the tower tumbling down.
This game can be enjoyed with family and friends of all ages – and can be played alone too – so your child should get plenty of use out of it. The bricks alone make one of the best toys for 6 year olds.
Related: Discover the must-reads of primary school with the best books for 8-year-olds.
4. Best on-trend toy for 6-year-olds: Pokémon Battle Academy
RRP: £18 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Age: 6 years+ | Size: 30 x 30 x 6.6cm | Weight: Unspecified | Material: Cardboard | Number of pieces: Unspecified | Assembly required: No | Batteries required: No | Educational objectives: Critical and strategic thinking, and problem solving
What we like
Great for Pokémon fans
Comes with 180 cards
Easy-to-follow guided instructions
Promotes strategic thinking
Good value for money
What we don’t like
May be disappointing for children who are looking for specific cards
Only for two players
What Mumsnet users say
“Pokémon Battle Academy is a new board game and comes with enough cards for two players to have decks and learn to play the game - then they can choose what kind of cards and decks they want to build.” BunnyBerries
“My son plays the card game competitively so Pokémon is a big thing in our house. The Battle Academy sets are good for people who want to learn.” GhostTypeEevee
Our verdict
Pokémon is a popular franchise, with a TV show, video game, apps and a huge range of merchandise, including a trading card game. The aim of the game is to collect cards to build a powerful deck of 60 that will help you win battles against other Pokémon trainers.
Pokémon Battle Academy is a board game based on this. It’s been designed for two players and comes with three decks of cards (180 in total) and guided instructions for the first game. Children can choose which Pokémon creature they want to lead the team into battle, including Pikachu, Charizard and Mewtwo.
It's great for children who already enjoy the trading card game and those just getting interested in Pokémon, and is great value for money - especially when you consider a pack of cards alone can cost around £5 each.
Related: Looking for toy inspiration for younger children? Read our guides to the best toys for four-year-olds and five-year-olds.
5. Best craft toy for 6-year-olds: Crayola Light-Up Tracing Pad
RRP: £15 | Buy now from Argos
Key specs
Age: 3 years+ | Size: 30.48 x 3.81 x 27.94cm | Weight: 839g | Material: Plastic | Number of pieces: 1 | Assembly required: No | Batteries required: 3 x AA (not included) | Educational objectives: Creativity and fine motor skills
What we like
Helps children learn how to draw
Suitable for all abilities
Improves fine-motor skills
No adult supervision needed
What we don’t like
Some users have had issues with the light not being bright enough
Fashion/horse theme may not suit all children’s tastes
What Mumsnet users say
“My daughter is [six] and really loves her Crayola tracing pad - I think it would definitely work for a slightly older child too.” SarahWoodruff
Our verdict
Whether your child is a budding artist or a scribbler, the Crayola Light-Up Tracing Pad will help them improve their drawing skills.
Your child can choose one of the 10 fashion or horse-themed tracing sheets to draw. Clip the paper to the frame and the LED screen lights it up to help them learn how to draw clean lines, shapes and different creative scenes.
The 35-piece set includes a graphite pencil and colour pencils so they can add their own detail and creativity to the drawings. Crayola is a trusted brand that’s been inspiring budding artists for years and we like that you can download hundreds of images on their website for children to trace.
Related: See what Mumsnetters rated as the best kids' camera and the best games console for kids.
6. Best transformer toy for 6-year-olds: Bakugan Starter Pack 3-Pack
RRP: £18 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Age: 6 years+ | Size: 6.35 x 20.65 x 25.4cm | Weight: 190g | Material: Cardstock | Number of pieces: 15 - 1 Bakugan Ultra, 2 Bakugan, 6 BakuCores, 3 Ability Cards, 3 Character Cards | Assembly required: No | Batteries required: No | Educational objectives: Role play, creativity and strategic thinking
What we like
Collectible card and character game
Toys transform when rolled
Lots of cards and characters to collect
Can help to improve social skills
Encourages strategic thinking
What we don’t like
Pieces can break off easily
Collecting the characters could get expensive
What Mumsnet users say
“Bakugan little transformer ball things. But any transformer toy that is dinosaur/car/monster-related that makes aggressive fight noises.” Dragontightrope
“My son loves Bakugan (balls that turn into robot things)." LulusMiniEgg
Our verdict
Similar to Pokémon, Bakugan is a game based on the TV series Bakugan Battle Brawlers. Children collect the cards and Bakugan characters capsules to play the game. They’ll love rolling their Bakugan characters and watching them transform.
This starter pack is great for those just starting their Bakugan collection. But be warned: there are thought to be around 300 different characters, which could be pricey over time, and some parents have found they can break easily.
Read next: Discover the best phones for kids and the top-rated kids' headphones to go with them.
7. Best building toy for 6-year-olds: Geomag Mechanics Building Set
RRP: £17 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Age: 5 years+ | Size: 35.99 x 22.81 x 23.7cm | Weight: 500g | Material: Plastic and magnets | Number of pieces: 86 | Assembly required: No | Batteries required: No | Educational objectives: STEM, creative thinking, fine motor skills and social skills
What we like
86 pieces for creating 3D shapes
STEM-approved toy
Parts of the structure can rotate
Inspires creativity
What we don’t like
Some reviewers say the instructions aren’t clear
Non-magnetic balls won’t be safe around younger siblings
What Mumsnet users say
“Building things generally, so Geomag and Magna-Tiles” AlexanderArnold
“Geomag is good for fine motor skills though as have to attach the ball bearings to the stock magnets then push the shapes in.” ThePug
Our verdict
Using a combination of magnetic rods and non-magnetic balls, the Geomag Mechanics Building Set allows your child to explore their creativity and make moving structures. This set would make a great starter set for children who are new to Geomag or as an add-on for others.
Other magnetic toys like Magna-Tiles are also popular with children of this age, but the exciting thing about the Geomag Mechanics range is that parts of the structure can rotate once built, helping children to learn about magnetic attraction and repulsion.
As a STEM-approved brand, Geomag is not only one of the best toys for 6 year olds, it's one of the best STEM toys.
Read next: The best fidget toys for kids
8. Best superhero toy for 6-year-olds: Fisher-Price Imaginext DC Super Friends Gotham City Jail
RRP: £20 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Age: 3-8 years | Size: 12.7 x 33.02 x 35.56cm | Weight: 1.03kg | Material: Plastic | Number of pieces: Unspecified | Assembly required: No | Batteries required: 3 x (LR44) button-cell batteries (included) | Educational objectives: Role play and fine motor skills
What we like
Sturdy, well-made toy
Encourages imaginative play
Moving parts to add to the fun
More figures, vehicles and sets to add to the collection
What we don’t like
You may need to buy more characters for the jail
Some parents feel it could have more special features
What Mumsnet users say
“Imaginext sets. He has a mix of superhero ones and bad guys as well as some Star Wars ones.” Rubytinsleslippers
Our verdict
Superhero fans can channel their inner Batman and lock up the bad guys with this Imaginext DC Super Friends Gotham City Jail.
The set includes two figures: Batman and the villain Bane. Call for Batman on the moveable Bat-Signal and lock Bane away in one of the five cells. The set has some fun features for adding to the action, including turning disks that make Bane glow as he powers up and opens the cell doors so he can escape.
Imaginext toys are recommended by Mumsnetters for being sturdy and fun, and the brand sells a huge range of superhero toys, vehicles and playsets, such as the Batcave, to add to your collection.
Related: Discover the best kids' smartwatches and the best laptops for kids as rated by Mumsnetters and tech experts.
9. Best construction toy for 6-year-olds: LEGO Super Mario Adventures Starter Course
RRP: £41 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Age: 6 years+ | Size: 26.2 x 31.7 x 9cm (boxed) | Weight: Unspecified | Material: Plastic | Number of pieces: Unspecified | Assembly required: No | Batteries required: 2 x AAA (not included)| Educational objectives: Role play, construction and problem-solving
What we like
Interactive figure with LCD screen and speaker
Ability to earn digital coins
Helps build fine motor skills
Encourages creativity and problem-solving
What we don’t like
Costly
Some children may need help with the build
Instructions on the app only
What Mumsnet users say
“My kids love the Super Mario sets but they are a bit pricey as you need a starter set, but often they are on some sort of offer. They're interactive and you don't need to play with a phone app (that's an option) although annoyingly the instructions for those are on the app rather than on paper.” NatalieIsFreezing
“My six-year-old son loves his! He is a very organised player though so is on board with Mario going along the course. He loves collecting the coins and interactions with other characters. The starter kit isn't much (he got that for his birthday to see if he would play with it), but he also got two expansions for Christmas (one from us, one from my mum) and it's his favourite toy at present!” katewitch
Our verdict
At age six, LEGO is a hit and while this Super Mario Adventures Starter Course may need a little parent supervision, it’s likely to be a popular choice this year following the film release.
A toy that provides lots of benefits for supporting development, such as aiding fine motor skills and encouraging creativity and problem-solving, LEGO is loved by both children and parents alike (apart from when it’s all over the floor!).
Featuring 231 bricks, the LEGO Super Mario Adventures Starter Course is fun to build and great for interactive play once the build is complete. Children will enjoy building their interactive LEGO Mario figure which, thanks to his LCD screens and colour sensor, will respond and react to the movements, characters and elements he encounters along his path.
Featuring fun sounds and iconic music, this starter set includes seven fun action bricks and can be combined with the Luigi Starter Set for two-player competitive fun. A word of caution: with a wide range of Mario expansion packs to extend the play, your child is highly likely to want an entire Mushroom World creation in their bedroom.
Read next: Find out what Mumsnetters ranked as the best Nintendo Switch games for kids.
10. Best electronic toy for 6-year-olds: Instax Mini 9 Camera
RRP: £70 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Age: 6 years+ | Size: 12.4 x 7.4 x 15.5cm | Weight: 362g | Material: Plastic | Number of pieces: 1 | Assembly required: No | Batteries required: 2 x AA | Educational objectives: Creative thinking, observation, fine motor skills
What we like
Choice of five colours
Instant credit card-sized photos
Selfie mirror to help with framing
Close-up lens attachment
Automatic exposure control adjusts the brightness
What we don’t like
Photos can occasionally come out dark
Expensive – especially with the extra cost of the film
Can’t view pictures before printing them
What Mumsnet users say
“My daughter is six and has asked for the Instax camera.” Flambola
“It is so much fun. I took it to a family party a couple of months ago and the six year old was fine with it.” sashh
Our verdict
With a host of fun colours to choose from and instant Polaroid-style photos, the Instax Mini 9 camera is ideal for budding photographers.
This compact camera is the perfect size for smaller hands, but what makes it great for children is that it comes with features to help them get the best photo possible. The built-in flash makes sure they get the right lighting and the automatic exposure control determines the optimum brightness for photos. There’s also a selfie mirror next to the lens to help them they get their framing right and a close-up lens attachment helps to bring subjects into focus.
Similar to a Polaroid camera, the Mini 9 prints credit-card sized photos so children can instantly see their work. Compared to children’s cameras like the popular VTech Kidizoom Duo 5.0, it doesn’t have any extra features like games or fun filters, so the Mini 9 would be better suited for children who want to take their photography to the next level.
Replacing the film can also get quite expensive, especially as there’s no screen for checking the photo before it prints.
Read next: Find the best toy cars according to Mumsnet families.
11. Best plush toy for 6-year-olds: Squishmallows Disney Pixar Sulley
RRP: £30 | Buy now from The Entertainer
Key specs
Age: 0 years+ | Size: 38.1 x 35.56 x 40.64cm | Weight: 726g | Material: Plush polyester | Number of pieces: 1 | Assembly required: No | Batteries required: No | Educational objectives: Nurturing
What we like
Cute and squishy
Huge range of cuddly toys to collect
Perfect size for cuddling
What we don’t like
Play could be quite limited
Expensive
What Mumsnet users say
“Bluey toys, a Squishmallow and a Cry Baby.” Smeds
“My soon to be six-year-old’s favourite Christmas present was a 40cm Squishmallow. It was so loved it had to join us for Christmas dinner.” BadgerFace
Our verdict
Super soft, cute and cuddly, Squishmallows soft toys are becoming increasingly popular, with some fans (of all ages) building up a large collection. Squishmallows can be bought in a range of sizes, with the largest measuring up to 60cm high, so if you’re buying one for the first time, you may want to start small.
Each toy is unique, but they are all super squishy - just like a marshmallow - so they can be used as a pillow or for cuddling up to at bedtime. At 40cm high, the adorable Disney Pixar Sulley not only makes a familiar friend (ideal for scaring away any monsters under the bed), but is also the perfect size for squishing. We love his fluffy eyebrows, scales along his tail and his cute toothy grin.
Related: Looking for more toy inspiration for kids of all ages? Don't miss our guide to the best dinosaur toys.
12. Best Barbie toy for 6-year-olds: Barbie Sports Gymnastics Doll and Playset
RRP: £21.49 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Age: 3-9 years | Size: 29 x 38.1 x 7cm | Weight: Unspecified | Material: Plastic | Number of pieces: 20 | Assembly required: Basic | Batteries required: No | Educational objectives: Role play, social skills and communication
What we like
Accessories and outfits included
Dolls legs bend at the knees to help create fun gymnastic poses
The spinning clip helps create flips and spins
Encourages imagination
What we don’t like
Some smaller parts
What Mumsnet users say
“My [six-year-old] developed a love of Barbie from nowhere at Christmas! She also got a gymnastics set, where the doll is extra bendy! Six year old’s verdict is that the bendy gymnastics doll is best because she can manipulate it more. She likes dressing/undressing then and role plays a lot.” mummymummymummummum
“Mine is Barbie-obsessed too! She is also getting gymnastics Barbie, the set with the beam because she does gymnastics.” IamChipmunk
Our verdict
Barbie has been a popular choice with six-year-olds for generations and this Barbie Sports Gymnastics Doll and Playset is no exception. The set comes with everything you’d expect to see from a wannabe gymnast including a leotard and warm-up suit, a fully stocked gym bag and competitive equipment including a balance beam, rings and batons.
What makes this set unique is the spinning clip, which children can attach to Barbie to help bring their imaginations to life and role-play her performance as she competes for the medal and trophy. Thanks to her bendy arms and legs, Barbie can master even the most challenging of poses - including the splits!
If your child loves Barbie, there’s a wide range of sets, houses, and dolls available to create even more fun. We especially love the range of inclusive dolls, such as the Barbie Fashionista Doll and Wheelchair, and those with inspiring jobs.
13. Best creative toy for 6-year-olds: SO Bomb DIY Bath Bomb Aroma Factory
RRP: £20 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Age: 6 years+ | Size: 34.3 x 31.5 x 8.1cm | Weight: 1.38kg | Material: Unspecified | Number of pieces: Makes 6 | Assembly required: No | Batteries required: No | Educational objectives: Creativity and interest in STEM
What we like
Makes six bath bombs
Pick from a choice of fragrances
Helps children learn how to follow instructions
What we don’t like
Bath bomb smell not loved by all
You can only make one bath bomb at a time
Some reviewers say the bath bombs crumble once made
What Mumsnet users say
“My daughter has had a few bath bomb making kits and the best by far was this one.” Elphaba17
Our verdict
At age six, children can concentrate for longer periods and enjoy structured activities. The SO Bomb DIY Bath Bomb Aroma Factory comes with the tools, including a mixer and a mould, and enough ingredients and fragrances to make six bath bombs.
All your child needs to do is add water, mix it together, put it in the mould, sprinkle in some decorations and it’s ready in less than an hour. The kit can only make one bath bomb at a time though, but that does mean the activity should last longer.
Related: Don't miss our guide to the best online learning resources.
14. Best Playmobil toy for six-year-olds: PLAYMOBIL Space Mars Space Station
RRP: £70 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Age: 6-12 years | Size: 51.51 x 34.8 x 14.2cm | Weight: 1.8kg | Material: Plastic | Number of pieces: 187 | Assembly required: Yes | Batteries required: 2 x AAA (not included) | Educational objectives: Dexterity, personal and emotional development, interactive play, social behaviour and creativity
What we like
Realistic details
Fun lights and sounds
Encourages imaginative and educational play
Helps children learn about space
What we don’t like
Expensive
Lots of small parts
Takes around 90 minutes to put together – with parental help
What Mumsnet users say
“Playmobil is perfect for a six-year-old. My daughter still loved it at that age.” CoffeeRunner
“Playmobil is absolutely brilliant. We've got sets from when I was a child as well as ones people have bought for the children.” lobsteroll
Our verdict
Your child can now go on their own space missions thanks to PLAYMOBIL’s Mars Space Station. The set features a laboratory for researching life on Mars and realistic details, such as a command centre, detachable capsules, stairs that fold out, a functioning laser shooter and realistic sounds for inspiring lots of exciting adventures in outer space.
Playing with PLAYMOBIL has a host of great benefits - not only does it help children engage in imaginative play, but it can help them learn about the world too.
The 187-piece set comes with two astronauts and a robot, with adjustable facial expressions. There are other sets in the range too, including a space rocket and vehicle for additional fun. Be aware that this set does take around 90 minutes to assemble and your child may need help building it.
Read next: Find the best robot toys according to Mumsnetters.
15. Best imagination toy for 6-year-olds: Sylvanian Families Red Roof Cosy Cottage Starter Home
RRP: £25 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Age: 3-8 years | Size: 26 x 20.5 x 28.5 cm | Weight: 1.35kg | Material: Plastic | Number of pieces: Unspecified | Assembly required: Yes | Batteries required: No | Educational objectives: Personal and emotional development, interactive play and social skills
What we like
Affordable starter set
Includes character and furniture with interactive elements
Promotes imaginative play
What we don’t like
Characters are expensive
Set only comes with one character included
What Mumsnet users say
“We have Sylvanians and both my kids love them. We started with the Red Roof Cosy Cottage, then bought the bigger set it attaches to once we knew my daughter loved playing with it.” SBAM
“My daughter loves them but they are expensive. I would start with a small house (Cosy Cottage or Beachwood Hall are good) some basic furniture sets and a few characters.” PinotAndPlaydough
Our verdict
Another toy that’s delighted six-year-olds for generations, Sylvanian Families is great for creative play thanks to the adorable flocked characters and durable playsets that can help children act out scenes and bring their imaginations to life.
While Sylvanian Families can be expensive, this Red Roof Cosy Cottage Starter Home is an affordable place to begin, with the two-floor home including a variety of furniture as well as an opening postbox and oven and a rabbit character with removable clothing.
To make the most of the play, you may want to add some additional characters, with a choice of animal families including squirrels, hedgehogs, mice and pandas.
What toys should a 6-year-old have?
At an age where children are now more physically confident, learning to ride their pedal bike or scooter, climb at the park and kick a ball around with their friends are all great ways of keeping a six-year-old entertained.
As they learn more at school, they will enjoy putting their fine motor skills to good practice too by drawing, writing their own stories or letters, cutting, plaiting their doll’s hair and even learning to sew. Reading books and following structured activities, such as science experiments, are also great things to do at this age.
Read next: Amazon Fire 7 Kids vs Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids: Which is the best kids' tablet?
How do I choose the best toy for a 6-year-old?
Milestones
One of the big things you may notice about your six-year-old is their language development. They can now clearly articulate their thoughts when they recount a story.
Physically, they are very active and confident with their body, running around with their friends, climbing and exploring new skills. Their fine motor skills, such as writing and drawing, are developing even further too.
Emotionally, they may still be adjusting to school life and can suffer from some separation anxiety, but they also form deeper friendships. These milestones are all important to think about when buying a toy for your six-year-old.
The best toys for 6 year olds are those they can share with their friends, such as a board game or a playset. Also consider if it will help them develop the skills they are learning at school, such as reading, writing and maths.
Safety
While your child may well be past the stage of putting small parts in their mouth, it’s still worth checking that the toy is age-appropriate and looks solid and sturdy so that it doesn’t break easily.
If the toy has the CE symbol this means that it meets all the relevant regulatory requirements. Some toys also have the British Toy and Hobby Association’s (BTHA) Lion Mark which shows that it has met all the safety requirements to be a member.
Interests
When choosing a toy, thinking about what your child is interested in is one of the most important factors. Do they like superheroes? Are they Barbie mad? While it’s good to buy a toy that may help broaden their skills and encourage new interests, you still need to be sure that they’ll want to play with it.
What to gift a 6-year-old kid?
We think the Clementoni Interactive Educational Talking Globe is the best toy for six-year-olds, as recommended by both parents and reviewers. With 13 game modes and more than 500 questions, children can learn about countries, capital cities, continents and more. A free app brings the globe to life, allowing children to see three-dimensional animals and monuments while learning lots of interesting facts about the world.
What can I buy my 6 year old daughter?
It depends on the child, but if she's into arts and crafts, we love the Crayola Light Up Tracing Pad and the So Bomb Kit. Little girls who love pretend play will adore the Sylvanian Families Red Roof Cosy Cottage and the Barbie Gymnast.
How we chose our recommendations
When compiling our list of recommendations, our trusted and experienced parent journalists spend hours researching each product category, using a variety of sources to evaluate which products are the best. Many of the recommendations for toys for six-year-olds came from Mumsnet parents themselves whose children have spent hours of their time putting the toys through their paces in everyday situations.
We searched the Mumsnet forums for posts about which toys Mumsnetters really rated and then consulted expert review sites and retailers, such as Argos, Amazon and Smyths, to help us whittle down our list of tried-and-tested products. During our research, we vetted each toy, considering the quality, safety, value for money, extra features and material to ensure each one performed well across the board.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of baby products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help parents make confident purchases that benefit their families. When she’s not manically tapping the keys of her laptop, Lucy loves nothing more than to cosy up with her Kindle and enjoy the latest thriller, or compete in Nintendo Switch rallies with her daughters aged six and 10.