Favourite toys for 6yos

[toomuchtooold]

My DTs are 6 and a half and I feel like it's a sort of watershed age, with them suddenly big enough for lots of toys and games that last year they would have not appreciated or been able to play with without help. So I wondered, what are your recommendations for this age? I'd be particularly interested in anything kind of vaguely creative/educational/sciencey, and games as well as toys.

a scooter (maxi micros are good)
or a proper bike with stabilizers
subscription to little explorers

all the best x

Thanks, they're great ideas - I'm in Germany so the postage is a bit steep for the little explorers thing sadly, I might try and see if there's anything like that here.

It’s really nice to see a thread about six year olds that doesn’t start with a comment about how they don’t really play with toys anymore!

My son will be six at christmas and will be getting K’nex, Lego, Hexbugs, Playmobil submarine for the bath, snap circuits electronic kit, science-based sets (build your own volcano, crystal growing etc). These are birthday and Christmas idea and will include gifts from others.

snap circuits electronic kit

Ooh! That might end up being the sort of thing where the parent buys a toy for the kid quite blatantly so they can play with it themselves

Yep toomuch, it might, but DS has played with it at a friend’s house and really enjoyed it. I sort of hope DH does enjoy it, as it’s be a good thing for them to do together.

Ah no I meant me Last year we got them a microscope for exactly the same reason. Ended up using it mostly to identify the ticks I pulled off of them during the summer (not envy)

My 6 year old loves monopoly junior and cluedo junior if you are looking at board games.

I know what you mean. Mine got more interested in science at that age and a microscope was a big hit and continues to get good use.

It’s a good age for introducing hand crafts (if you’re into that kind of thing as it’s something you have to do with them) like knitting, crochet, sewing, woodwork. I found at 6 they were ready for handling tools with care and patience, and less inclined to accept baby versions of anything.

I’ve found science kits to be mostly disappointing so I’d strongly suggest making your own. A good clear book (browse for one with activities you’re comfortable with) and gloves, glasses, tweezers, small measuring jugs, funnels, ice cube tray for sorting and silicone muffin moulds, etc.

I recommend kapla so much I should buy shares but these are great for open ended creativity and at 6 there’s a lot of fine motor skills built up so they can build quite complex structures. Or for making designs on the mosaic board (pictured below)

We got a [[
www.google.ie/search?q=indoor+den+kit&client=safari&hl=en-gb&prmd=ismvn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwifyuzC84LeAhWjLMAKHTZ9AygQ_AUIESgB&biw=375&bih=537#imgrc=SBN2LsqZhg1zqM den kit]] around 7, but I think at 6 they have the planning skills and coordination to enjoy this.

Oops! Link fail.

den kit

Ours is getting lots of Lego. She has also asked for a giant toy unicorn

Ooh a den kit looks like something I could make!

We are also thinking of Lego (I asked in Chat about old Lego) and a robot mouse
www.amazon.co.uk/Learning-Resources-Robot-Mouse-Activity/dp/B01A5YMCH4?tag=mumsnetforum-21