Best toys for 6 year olds

At the age of six, many children will start to develop their own interests and hobbies. Now that they are attending school and making new friends they will want to engage in activities that are interactive and they can enjoy with their peers. They will also start taking an interest in things that they discover at school and in the media. As children develop these new interests and their learning abilities improve, it is a great time to introduce educational toys that nurture their new found hobbies. Activities that compliment what they are learning at school such reading and math are also ideal. Dr McKinnon of the Children Clinic notes “Play at this stage of life can lead to lifelong interests and hobbies (e.g. participation in sport).

Board games

By the age of six, children have made friends at school and are learning how to ‘play nicely’ with each other. Playing board games help build social skills, promote good sportsmanship, and teach children how to interact with other children.

Jewellery making kits

Art and craft activities are great for keeping little hands busy as well as encouraging creativity, imagination and building confidence and a sense of achievement. Jewellery making kits are a great outlet for creativity and can also help children with counting, logical thinking, patterns and different colours.

Card games

While children are discovering their new found ability of reading and counting, card games are a great tool for encouraging these new talents. Card games also improve social and memory skills, improve patience, encourage good sportsmanship, and can help alleviate stress. To avoid frustration, try to choose card games that are suited to your child’s reading or counting ability.

Soft toys

Soft toys can be introduced to children and babies at virtually any age, but like adults, children around six may start feeling anxiety about things such as making friends, social interactions and going to school. Soft toys can be a great companion for children to provide a sense of security and support. Children may feel more comfortable in public if they have a soft toy at home they can ‘chat’ to about their worries.

To see our full range of soft toys – click here.

Science and magnifying kits

While a six-year-old might not yet be ready to learn physics, they will be taking more interest in how and why things are. Science and magnifying kits are a great way to make learning fun. Whether they are experimenting with making bubbles or discovering creepy crawlies in the garden, these kits are great for keeping curious little minds busy and learning at the same time.