Toys with most play value - 6/7 yo

[wellingtonsandwaffles]

What toys have stood the test of time with your 6/7 year olds?

My DS no longer gets out the Playmobil, loves Lego but builds it then leaves it, and is more into building and experimenting with random junk than actual set toys. But he needs something to open on Christmas and I don’t want it to be something that will just fill a cupboard after a couple of days.

So I’m after your recommendations please - Doesn’t matter if it’s typically boy/girl related as he enjoys the best of both worlds!

Ideally a toy, not a game that needs multiple people, and ideally nothing gaming related or super noisy. We already have much Lego and Playmobil, a marble run, transformers, magnet tiles, a bunch of dress up and a cupboard full of craft! Thank you!

Firm favourites with our dgd (just turned 7) are her yoto player, big bertha bean bag, and her ikea mala drawing case filled with art supplies (child safe scissors, prit stick etc) and learn to draw books they've had excellent playtime value. As has her micro cruiser scooter.I know her parents have been looking at art trolleys in ikea or the new vattenkar organiser gaddy and solfagel easel for christmas. She received a child's alexa and alexa colour changing bulb for her birthday and they've gone down so well. She has a thousand questions for Alexa, loves the music, stories and game playing too.

Sorry, I didn't read ur post properly about having plenty of craft supplies and wanting a toy 🙄

Magnet tiles , definitely

Have you pondered an electronic chess set or similar, so he can play against the computer? Sorry if this is wrong, my oldest is 4! I'm not sure what toys they play with at that age beyond rc trucks etc - there are some brilliant ones from monster jam.

Would something like Hexbugs (and maybe the playground) be of interest? It's one of the few toys we have that everyone of all ages seems to adore..

Things that were a hit at this stage were, audiobooks ( for us cd player with microphone) and either sing along or story CDs. Books with adventures, some are puzzles to solve etc some are spin and see where you go. I know you said no art and craft but we have had hours out of a polymer clay kit given to her with tools etc. RC car. Schleich figures?

Magnetic tiles have been the single biggest play value toy ever in this house. DD is 7 and still going strong with them. And they’re really easy to store!

If he’s into building, you can get books with lots of construction ideas in them though DD mainly does her own thing. Get the expensive actual Magna Tiles if you can. The ones that are just a frame around the outside are a bit rubbish.

And I second a kids’ Alexa.

Marble run

Gravitrax?

Skateboard and gravitrax were popular here.

I've just gone through the birthday and Christmas lists for my 7 year old for the past couple of years and depressingly, the only things that have been used regularly and not just played with once are the Yoto player (used daily morning and night), character fleece blanket, and Stomp Rocket (lives in the car and used on park trips and every UK holiday, camping etc). A few games too but you said not them.

My 6 year old DGS just learned to play chess and is going to have a chess computer to play against from me this Xmas because sometimes his Mum and Dad are too busy to play

If he likes random junk, why not something to make the junk work? Tools suitable for kids - e.g. child-sized hammer, spanner, screwdrivers, saw, a hand drill, tape measure, small gloves and safety goggles etc. A proper (height adjustable) workbench.

Or get a Raspberry Pi and get him coding. Think you can attach Lego Technic to it. Lego Technic kept me going from age 7-15. Quite different from plain Lego.

He sounds similar to my 7 year old son, I have seen thisSmyths on the Smyths website, he loves playing on the 2p machines when we go into an arcade.

My son bought himself a tub of those small green and grey plastic soldiers about 4 years ago, and they have been played with most days since. He is now 9. He has many, many more interesting (to me!) and expensive toys but they have had the most play.

I second the tool kit, my 6 year old received the Big Jigs wooden boxed set one for his birthday and it's special as he is only allowed to get it out when he's helping his dad with DIY or in the garage so it's not used every day. It's a proper grown up toy rather than a toddler tool set.

Outdoor stuff goes down well here, archery and target, cricket set, football on an elastic wire, crazy golf for the garden, those velcro ball with a target, mini indoor basketball to attach to door or wall.

My son also loves Slyvanian Families, Hot Wheels, toy train track and soft toys

Treasure X my son started to play with them at 4 he’s now 9 and loves them especially the treasure X minis they vary in price from £40 fit the large £15 for the medium sets and £6 for the tiny ones! My 9 year old adores them but my 6 year old does too!

Junk Bots have all so lasted the test if time, you can get fab discount s on the large sets now as they have been out for ages, they are very well played with in this house!

Thanks for all the recommendations! Love the toolkit idea I’ll look into that.

I’m a bit hesitant to invest in a big set needed for something like Hexbugs but they do look good. Gravitrax also look good but I worry a little old. Will also look into Pi!

What make of magnetic tiles do people recommend.

We got the cheaper ones off Amazon and they’ve been played with loads for the last couple of years. As precious posters said - they’re not the ones that are just the frame though.

Forgot to press quote when I replied - response to your question is above.

MagnaTiles are the best. No doubt.

But Magformers are good too.

If in doubt, go for the solid ones not the hollow ones as per the picture.

Are they all compatable with each other?

Kapla planks (although they may have to be eliminated on noise grounds when a structure collapses) have been insanely popular in my house. Every visitor from toddlers to grandparents has a go.

I recommend the plain ones, rather than the ones with different colours as no one gets frustrated about running out of a particular colour mid build.

Check out Bright Minds website.
You can search by age and have things like circuit building, coding games, clock building, science sets, and loads more.