Why are toys important for a child's development?

Toys help children develop fine and gross motor skills, practice problem-solving, and learn about sharing (when playmates are involved). That's not to say your child needs mountains of toys to develop properly. Kids learn from how they play with toys, not how many they have.

How do I choose a toy my child will like?

Browsing age-appropriate toys can help you select one that your child will like. Alternatively, consider their interests and choose a toy that reflects or relates to a hobby or a subject that fascinates them. And you can also ask your child to make a wish list, or find out what toys they most like to play with when visiting friends or at school.

The Best Toys for 6-Year-Olds of 2023

Best Toys for Six-Year-Olds — Verywell Family / Lecia Landis

By age 6, kids are just entering middle childhood, where they will reach exciting milestones, like building friendships and interacting with the world around them. Toys are an effective yet entertaining way to help kids grow and expand these important life skills. The best toys for 6-year-olds are fun to play with independently or with friends, age-appropriate, and educational.

Reviewed & Approved

The Illuminated Apparel Glow in the Dark Doodle Pillowcase let’s kids play and create, and banish their fear of the dark. For multiple kiddos or playdates, we recommend the Disney Mad Tea Party Game.

Always check the age recommendation on a toy for two reasons: safety and age-appropriateness. This will also make it more likely the toy will be engaging for the child. We carefully considered toy safety, age recommendations, ease of use, educational benefit, and value when reviewing products.

Here are the best toys for 6-year-olds.

Our Top Picks

Illuminated Apparel Glow in the Dark Doodle Pillowcase at Amazon

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Disney Mad Tea Party Game at Amazon

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Awesome Jokes at Amazon

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Lego Friends Forest House at Lego.com

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Spinmaster Etch A Sketch at Amazon

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Hasbro Guess Who Classic at Amazon

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VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam at Amazon

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Basic Fun Cutetitos Donutitos at Amazon

Jump to Review

Think Fun Rush Hour Junior at Amazon

Jump to Review

Kidz Bop Karaoke Microphone at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
How We Selected
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Family

Amazon

Get kiddos excited for bedtime with a glow-in-the-dark pillowcase that allows kids to draw and write with light. Use the included light wand (or any other small flashlight) as a drawing utensil, and the glowing design will fade away in about five minutes. We think any fear of the dark might vanish right along with it. The 100% cotton pillowcase is safe to toss in the washing machine (cold water only), so you don’t have to worry about ruining the material.

Price at time of publication: $25

Courtesy of Amazon

A great game for the whole family, it can be played with 2 players all the way up to 10. The game comes with 12 teacups in three sizes and four colors where each player plays a card and creates wacky stacks of teacups. Fans of the game say it's a mix between Jenga and Uno, but so much better than both!

Price at time of publication: $20

Amazon

“How does a mouse feel after a bath?” Squeaky clean! These punchlines may be corny for adults, but they’re silly and age-appropriate jokes for 6-year-olds. There are 60 easy-to-read pages in the book, along with illustrations to make kids laugh. And if they really enjoy this, there’s a second volume!

Price at time of publication: $6

Lego

This LEGO Friends set contains 326 pieces for children to create the ultimate treehouse for Mia and her family. Build the family’s sleeping area, outdoor patio, and more—all while incorporating tons of accessories into play, like a raccoon figure and hot dog. Bonus: A separate kayaking scene extends your kiddo’s playtime fun (and the fam’s vacay).

Price at time of publication: $30

Courtesy of Spinmaster

A classic toy that has been entertaining kids (and adults) since 1960, the Etch A Sketch blank canvas and pencil-free drawing fosters endless creativity. Use the knobs to draw anything that comes to the imagination, then give it a shake and it erases the screen to a blank canvas.

Tried and tested, the Etch A Sketch is still around for a reason.

Price at time of publication: $45

The Toy Shop

This original guessing game is a fun and lighthearted board game for the entire family that engages children in verbal communication. Each player chooses a mystery character, and through a process of elimination, you go back and forth trying to guess by asking yes or no questions.

The artwork is fun and is a good way for kids to practice reading and memorizing the names on the cards.

Price at time of publication: $12

Amazon

Let your kid be a creator with this camera! With 20+ backgrounds and the ability to create your own, the camera is easy for kids to use with a battery that will last for up to 2 hours. It comes with a tripod and the option of front-facing or selfie mode, which is a huge hit.

Parents can rest easy with the worry of accidental content sharing as this device is not connected to wifi.

Price at time of publication: $41

Courtesy of Amazon

The Basic Fun Cutetitos Donutitos rank high on our list because they're adorable, soft, and available in a variety of animal friends. Based on the trend of pet owners wrapping their pets in blankets like a burrito, Cutetitos are a variety of stuffed animals wrapped in a burrito blanket. With each purchase being a mystery, there are 12 different Cutetitos to collect with some being very rare.

Price at time of publication: $15

Courtesy of Amazon

A game your child can play alone, Rush Hour Junior teaches logic and sequential reasoning. Parents are big fans of the multi-level challenges ranging from beginner to expert that can grow with your child. Easy to transport, this game is perfect to take on the go or on a long road trip.

Price at time of publication: $28

Amazon

Jam like a real rockstar with this kids’ microphone that connects to your favorite music apps. With four different voice effects, kids can echo, sound like a chipmunk, and change their pitch–both low and high. Plus, the microphone is rechargeable so their concert isn’t interrupted.

Price at time of publication: $30

4.8

Fat Brain Toys

A toy innovation that encourages experimentation and fine motor skills, Squiz can be used almost anywhere there is a surface to stick to. With 8 different shapes, the flexible pieces connect easily and pop apart to create whatever your child imagines.

Price at time of publication: $27

Best Buy

LEGO is a crowd favorite, and this Super Mario kit is no exception. Combining the fun of building, players must overcome enemies and obstacles while enjoying the instant responses via the LCD screens and speaker. Great for solo or group play, kids will love the free app that is available to enhance the experience.

Price at time of publication: $60

Courtesy of Kiwico

Explore a variety of fascinating subjects, like STEM, geography, or cooking, with kits from KiwiCo. Simply choose a subscription, pick a delivery plan, and receive crates filled with supplies for science experiments, geography exploring, and more.

Courtesy of Fat Brain Toys

A perfect teaser for 6-year-olds, this puzzle encourages problem solving and concentration. The object is to build a puzzle solution between the red gear and the yellow wheel without moving them. The manufacturer suggests it is best for ages 6+ but with four levels of problem-solving this teaser can be used for a few years.

Price at time of publication: $25

Courtesy of Amazon

This seems like a step back from technology these days, but these walkie talkies for kids show your 6-year old that there are ways to communicate outside of a screen. Fostering communication skills, these have a 3-mile range, a flashlight and are easy to use.

Take them to the park, on a road trip, or just have fun communicating from room to room in the house.

Price at time of publication: $27

Amazon

Introduce your 6-year-old to a classic game of strategy and planning without the stress. With Story Time Chess, each playing piece features illustrated characters to help children learn the moves of each piece. Once kids get the hang of the game, flip the board over to play a chess match on a standard battlefield.

Price at time of publication: $50

Courtesy of Amazon

Convenient to take anywhere, the Go Pop! Roundo is great at entertaining. The object of the game is to be the player who forces the opponent to pop the last bubble, so you must think ahead. It can also be used as a fidget toy that can help relieve stress and anxiety.

Price at time of publication: $10

Crayola

This tracing pad is great for little artists to practice their fine motor skills. The pad comes with content to trace right away, 10 sheets of paper and a set of 12 Crayola colored pencils.

Reviewers note that you don’t have to purchase expensive tracing paper once you run out; plain white paper will work great with this product.

Price at time of publication: $31

Fat Brain Toys

This arcade pinball machine may be small, but it works like the real thing. Its small size allows kids to play on a desk or kitchen table without sacrificing all the cool features a pinball machine has, like the ball launcher or lights.

Amazon

Learning is fun with these magnetic tiles and they are a great way to introduce your child to colors, shapes, and architectural design. Watch your child’s imagination soar as they create their own worlds and characters to get lost in for hours. The best part is that you won't be in physical agony if you accidentally step on one of the pieces.

Price at time of publication: $80

Courtesy of Amazon

While these don’t look like much from the outside, they will be a toy your child does not tire of. They are perfect for sensory and tactile stimulation and can be stretched, pulled, twirled, wrapped, and squeezed. Each unit is 12 inches long made with quality material and stretches up to 8 feet.

Price at time of publication: $15

Courtesy of Amazon

If you have a kid who enjoys Connect 4, Sequence is a great next step. This strategy game uses animals and has unicorns and dragons as wild cards to add fun and excitement. Ideal for little ones between 3 and 6 years old, there is a version for adults and big kids that your tot can graduate to after they've mastered this one.

Price at time of publication: $19

Amazon

Novie is an adorable robot toy packed with dozens of actions and tricks. Wave your hand in a variety of directions to move Novie, or watch him perform cool (and funny) tricks, like a wheelie or a “fartnado.” The more you play with him, the more he learns actions and tricks!

Price at time of publication: $40

Courtesy of Amazon

Cruise the sidewalk in style with a ride-on toy that provides minimal assembly and effortless operation. With no gears, pedals, or batteries, kids simply wiggle and twist to make the ride-on car move. It’s safe to use indoors and outdoors as long as you have a smooth, flat surface. Important note: The company does not recommend using this ride-on toy on wood floors.

Price at time of publication: $30

Courtesy of Amazon

It is important to find books that your kid wants to pick up from an early age and "Dragons Love Tacos" is a must-have on the shelf. This is a charming story about how a boy tries to befriend dragons through tacos (of course). There's no real moral to the story. It's just a really fun and silly book to enjoy together.

Price at time of publication: $19

Courtesy of Amazon

With a sense of humor, this book will teach your kid about emotions and following directions, all through just a simple yellow dot! It's a great interactive story as the adventurous dot wiggles, pushes, and jumps off the page.

Price at time of publication: $16

Amazon

This science experiment kit for kids will have 6-year-olds feeling like a young Albert Einstein. There are more than 10 “chemicals” included in the kit, such as baking soda and food coloring, which can be mixed with the included equipment. Plus, several experiments are safe for children to do alone under supervision thanks to included instruction videos and a manual.

Price at time of publication: $35

Courtesy of Amazon

This handheld device comes with 12 preloaded games and does not need to be connected to wifi. Educational and entertaining, your child can hatch and grow virtual Rockit Pets from eggs to adults. These fit the bill for those gamers in the family.

Price at time of publication: $60

Courtesy of Amazon

Although this gift works for kids of all ages, a first grader is the perfect age for this high-speed remote control car. Let them take it outdoors for hours of fun, or create videos of high-speed chases.

Price at time of publication: $40

Courtesy of Amazon

This is the perfect toy for imaginative play, problem-solving, and fun. Friends and siblings will love this fort-building kit, and it’s great for kids of all ages. The next step up from a simple tent, creative play and fort-building with this kit will keep your 6-year-old busy for hours.

Price at time of publication: $70

Courtesy of Amazon

This beautifully written and illustrated book about what each state in the U.S.A has to offer is a great gift for a 6-year-old who constantly asks “Why?”. This book will keep a little one busy for hours and is a great learning resource.

Price at time of publication: $30

How We Selected the Best Toys for 6-Year-Olds

We monitored shopping trends to bring you the best and most up-to-date toys for 6-year-olds. We chose these by studying the design and features of more than 50 toys on the market, while researching reviews from customers and competitors. We considered toy safety, age recommendations, design, features, ease of use, battery use, and value when reviewing products. The toys we selected are age-appropriate, educational, and, of course, downright fun.

What to Look for in Toys for 6-Year-Olds

Interests

At 6 years old, kids begin to transition into middle childhood, but they’re still in that sweet spot of loving pretend play, creating, building, and moving their bodies. But if you want a toy that they’ll pick up again and again, your job is to narrow down your choices based on what really interests them these days. If they come home from school every day presenting the 20 pictures they drew, then look for a toy that lets them flex their artistic skills a little bit, like the Crayola Light Up Tracing Board. Or, if they’re the kind of kid who would rather be running outside than doing anything else, a ride-on or other active toy, such as the Lil’ Rider Wiggle Car, will likely be their favorite.

Whatever it is that makes your 6-year-old light up, whether it’s a character, activity, or school subject, see if you can find an age-appropriate toy that lets them explore it even more.

Milestones

For the first four or five years of a kid’s life, their development is pretty predictable, both in skill and timing. However, since the pacing of a child’s development isn’t as easy to predict, invest in toys that are age-appropriate and align with the milestones associated with middle childhood (between 6 and 8 years old).

Kids around this age are beginning to put more emphasis on their social circles through friendships and teamwork. Consider a toy they can play with other people, like Diliss Walkie-Talkies for Kids, to expand their social skills, or opt for a toy like the Fat Brain Toys Squigz to strengthen fine motor skills.

Entertainment Value

While a 6-year-old’s attention span is growing, they won’t play with a toy that’s not entertaining. You will want to make sure that the toy you pick out is appropriate for their age and developmental level, because something too young will be boring, and a toy that’s too advanced will seem too challenging to be fun.

If they’re learning to read, a game that helps them learn their sight words may be a lot of fun. Or if they enjoy building things, then a more complex puzzle or building set might keep their attention, like the LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Mario Starter Course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are toys important for a child's development?

Toys help children develop fine and gross motor skills, practice problem-solving, and learn about sharing (when playmates are involved). That's not to say your child needs mountains of toys to develop properly. Kids learn from how they play with toys, not how many they have.
How do I choose a toy my child will like?

Browsing age-appropriate toys can help you select one that your child will like. Alternatively, consider their interests and choose a toy that reflects or relates to a hobby or a subject that fascinates them. And you can also ask your child to make a wish list, or find out what toys they most like to play with when visiting friends or at school.

Why Trust Verywell Family?

Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer for Verywell Family with nearly eight years of experience under her belt. Katrina’s background in journalism began at an Emmy Award-winning news station in Oklahoma before she obtained her B.A. in professional media. Her love for service journalism, helping others, and becoming a parent led to her commerce writing role, which allows her to research and recommend the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages.

Additional reporting by Ashley Ziegler

More Toys and Gifts for Kids

When it comes to toys and gifts for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top gift and toy picks for every age and stage here:

Illuminated Apparel Glow in the Dark Doodle Pillowcase

Disney Mad Tea Party Game

Awesome Jokes That Every 6 Year Old Should Know!

Lego Friends Forest House

Spinmaster Etch A Sketch

Hasbro Guess Who Classic

VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam

Basic Fun Cutetitos Donutitos

Think Fun Rush Hour Junior 5+

Kidz Bop Kids Karaoke Microphone

Fat Brain Toys Squigz Starter Set - 24 pc.

LEGO Super Mario Adventures with Mario Starter Course

Kiwico Subscription Box

Fat Brain Toys Crankity Brainteaser

Diliss Walkie Talkie for Kids

Story Time Chess Set for Kids

FoxMind Go Pop! Roundo

Crayola Light-Up Tracing Pad

Fat Brain Toys Electronic Arcade Pinball

PicassoTiles 61 Piece Set 60pcs Magnet

Impresa Monkey Noodles

Jax Sequence for Kids

Novie Interactive Smart Robot

Lil' Rider Ride on Wiggle Car

Dragons Love Tacos

Let’s Play!

Einstein Box Science Experiment Kit For Kids

LeapFrog Rockit Twist

Free To Fly Remote Control Car

Tiny Land Fort Building Kit

The 50 States