Updated November, 2023
As your child ages, the types of materials to offer them really are going to change. This is the last age group of materials I cover (if you need suggestions for teenagers, you can check out this blog here). For the most part, a lot of kids won’t keep using their toys. The electronic drone will only last a week or two, and that fancy automated hot wheels loop is going to get boring fast. At this age you need your materials to be open ended so your child won’t rapidly outgrow them. These are the best toys for six year olds and up.
Books
Story time and picture books are starting to fade out. The older your child gets, the longer their books should be getting as well. It’s time for some solid first readers all the way through chapter books.
A few favorites:
More Book Suggestions
- Best Books for Learning to Read (link coming 2022)
- My Favorite List of Series for Reading Through the Ages (Link coming 2022)
Sports Balls
Anything your child can kick, throw, or hit with a stick is bound to last awhile. They may find one sport they like the most or they might just love everything they can get their hands on. Explore footballs, basketballs, soccer balls, hockey, dodge balls, and anything else you can find. Give them lots of options and they will stay busy.
Transportation
Sometimes bikes feel like a money suck because your child is growing so fast in these years that you need a new bike every year. For some, that is fine, and I know my nephew loves his bike. Skateboards and scooters are good alternatives as well, in theory they can grow with your child for a few years just by adjusting some handlebars.
People have mixed feelings on Nerf guns and I can respect that. If you are comfortable with teaching your child about gun safety (no head shots even with a Nerf gun and never look down the barrel of a gun), then Nerf guns can be a fun, safe way to play. We have started many days with a battle and it is well worth it.
A Pet
Don’t get too excited, you probably shouldn’t get your 6 year old a puppy or a bird just yet. But starting them with a small, easy to care for animal, such as a hamster, is a great way to teach your child about responsibility. If a forever pet isn’t for you and your child keeps asking for a pet, you can also foster an animal as well. It’s all the responsibility and learning of a pet, without the long term commitment.
Experiment Materials
Science is fun but it doesn’t have to come in a kit or be expensive. Keep a stash of some basic, common experiment materials on hand, such as cardboard, paper, empty bottles, dowels, borax, and food coloring. Then when you look up how to do an activity, you already have most or all of the materials you need.
Fun in the sun with water guns! Again, if you are not into gun play, then don’t get these. But it’s fun to fill them up and have a family wide fight during the warm summer days.
Board Games
Games like Chutes and Ladders and Candy Land are too young for you now. It’s time to upgrade to some board games that require strategy, thought, and attention. This is when I like to introduce games such as Catan Jr., Pandemic, and Chess.
Good old fashion card games are great for this age. Anything from solitaire on their own to go fish with a group of people. A regular set of cards will last as long as you still have all the cards. They are portable, versatile, and easy to use.
