34 Best Gifts For 6-Year-Olds, According to Picky Parents

“Six-year-olds are learning to follow the rules and interact with others,” says Harvey Karp, MD, a pediatrician, author, and founder of Happiest Baby, pointing out this is the ideal age to begin introducing games. This one, of course, is a tried-and-true classic with simple and easy-to-follow instructions but a fast and unpredictable pace that keeps things interesting.

I personally have loved a tie-dye moment at every age and stage of my life, but now that I’m the parent of a nearly 6-year-old, I appreciate an option that keeps the mess contained to a single box. Better yet, this kit comes with a couple of ready-to-go garments, so you won’t need to frantically dig around your home for white T-shirts and socks.

While a bracelet-making kit is a tried-and-true present for crafty 6-year-olds, this one from Super Smalls is praised in particular by Amazon reviewers for its wide selection of charming and colorful beads. Liz Zelkowitz, a publicist and partner at PR firm House Of, is also a fan. “How many beaded name bracelets does your 6-year-old need? Turns out, dozens,” she says, noting her daughter’s love of homemade jewelry. “This Super Smalls kit is so cute and chic, I may not mind my kid repeatedly losing and remaking hers.”

When in doubt, puzzles are generally a crowd-pleaser—especially when they include an intricate, engaging design that’s enjoyable to look at. The image on this one is especially excellent for younger kids as it has so many details to focus on for clues while trying to figure out how the 100 different pieces go together.

While this gardening station comes with caveats—mainly that there must be both money and space to accommodate the purchase—it is a lovely option for any kid interested in how plants grow. It features a water butt with sink and draining platform, as well as a cold frame for keeping seedlings safe. There’s also a potting shelf for holding extra plants.

One of the many joys of parenting a 6-year-old is that you don’t have to worry anymore about them putting random tiny things in their mouths and choking (as any parent will tell you, this stage lasts longer than you’d think). So, why not celebrate with a gloriously comprehensive 1,000-piece Lego building toy set with every color and size imaginable?

This award-winning make-your-own book kit is satisfying for the joy kids will find in writing and illustrating their own story and for the thrill of seeing their handiwork in a professionally printed book. Reviewers definitely agree: “The Lulu Jr. Kit has been an absolute delight for my 6-year-old daughter,” one enthusiastic customer commented. “She spent two months creating her very own book and had an absolute blast using the kit’s user-friendly pages. The process was engaging and fun, allowing her imagination to run wild as she crafted her story and illustrations. The end result was a book that she‘s incredibly proud of, and we all love it too!”

Boasting only five-star reviews, this color-it-yourself pillowcase is beloved both for the way it keeps little ones busy—and the thrill they get from scribbling on one of their bed linens. Even better, the marker comes right out in the washing machine, so they can decorate it multiple times.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a mother of two young girls, it’s that having paper on hand can be a life (and sanity) saver when you’re out and about with bored, whiny children. I love this sketchbook both for its compact size—just right to throw in a midsize satchel or tote bag—and its adorable crowd-pleasing cover. And for less than $15, it’s worth stocking up on a few for when birthday parties inevitably sneak up before you have time to hit the local toy store.

Don’t know what your giftee is into? Chances are a certain Australian canine cartoon is on their list of favorite things. “Everyone loves Bluey, in case you didn't know,” says Liz Zelkowitz, a publicist and partner at PR firm House Of, noting the hit Disney+ show as a favorite among the under-seven set. “This is a cute, cheap dice game kids can play at playdates, the pool, parties—we take them everywhere!”

Puppets become really interesting for kids at this age [of six],” says Harvey Karp, MD, a pediatrician, author, and founder of Happiest Baby, who notes the situational play allows children to sort through new feelings and experiences, and for parents to participate in the process. “You can ask questions like, ‘What should this one do next? Why did she do that? What do you do when you’re sad?’” Rather than purchase ready-made puppets, consider a DIY kit that’ll allow the recipient to have control over the characters in their show (and, of course, keep them busy for longer).

Harvey Karp, MD, a pediatrician, author, and founder of Happiest Baby, points out that by age six, most kids have moved past straight sensory play. “​Whereas the younger kids really like sandboxes and water, 6-year-olds are getting a little bit more mature around those things—so clay or silly play dough can be a fun toy for them.” This set of squishy modeling clay in particular is a smart way to go, as it comes with an app providing step-by-step instructions and the finished product doesn’t require oven time (you just air-dry it).

This study tipi fort has over 2,000 glowing reviews for a reason: Not only will it provide a fortlike space for children to play in for hours, but it’ll fold right up for parents to store in the corner or a closet when they’re done. (You could also set it up with a night-light for a special sleepover situation.) “I am utterly smitten with this product,” wrote one shopper, who also commented on how easy it was to assemble and its adorable string lights.”The inclusion of a carrying case, a delightful pop-up campfire toy, enchanting star string lights, convenient inside pockets, and the feature of being washable were all significant selling points that set this product apart from its competitors.”

Because my children are obsessed with creating menus of “food” made from random ephemera around our apartment, this restaurant set was one of the best toys we’ve ever bought. It’s also a go-to for any equally imaginative kids in my orbit, especially since it only costs $21 and includes 41 different pieces.

For the car lover who always has an entire bin filled with Hot Wheels, this fire truck includes a hand pump that squirts real water and a functioning winch that can tow other toy vehicles.

When in doubt, I’ve found this sweet tea set to be an affordable and foolproof option for the girls on my shopping list. They’ll love the intricate illustrations and potential for doll and stuffy tea parties; their parents will appreciate that all the small pieces neatly pack up into a compact carrying case.

If you loved playing this game in the ’80s but loathe to bestow a parent with the task of cleaning up hundreds of tiny light bulbs, Liz Zelkowitz, a publicist and partner at PR firm House Of, recommends this updated touch-screen version. “The original Lite Brite that we all grew up with is great but usually ends with me cleaning those teeny plastic pegs off the floor for hours—no thanks,” she says. “I just ordered this as a birthday gift for my 6-year-old daughter's friend.”

For the 6-year-old who is constantly “borrowing” your iPhone to snap pictures, Liz Zelkowitz, a publicist and partner at PR firm House Of, suggests this colorful old-school digital camera. “My kiddo loves taking ‘selfies’ of herself and her dolls (and of the back of my head while in the car) with this,” she says, noting that it includes some creative add-ons like frames and filters, as well as the option to play games.

"My daughter and her pals love the idea of makeup, but have zero clue how to use it, thankfully,” says Liz Zelkowitz, a publicist and partner at PR firm House Of, who says this coloring book is a brilliant way for younger kids to get their cosmetics fix. “It allows them to actually play with sparkly ‘eyeshadow’ and apply it onto pictures of Barbie and her friends without the focus being on wearing it themselves.”

As if a plush knight or dragon cape on its own was not cute enough, this reversible style comes with the option of wearing both. This essentially makes it two gifts for the price of just one, and also doubles the ways your recipient can interact with it.

Trade the straightforward coloring-book route for this set of adorable illustrations (complete with markers) for kids to both color in and doodle around. “My daughter and her friends will spend hours coloring these,” says Liz Zelkowitz, a publicist and partner at PR firm House Of. “They love the fun markers and cute packaging!” Pro tip: Round out the gift with a few packs of stickers.

There are regular jackets, and then there’s the printed outerwear at Boden, which has a selection of enchanting motifs that never fail to win over my daughters. This alicorn (which, for those not in the know, is a pegasus/unicorn hybrid) design is a surefire winner for the kid obsessed with princesses and fairy tales.

Harvey Karp, MD, a pediatrician, author, and founder of Happiest Baby, points to age six as being the ideal time to begin introducing card games. The beauty of this one, which offers scavenger-hunt prompts, is that the rules are simple enough that a younger sibling will be able to participate too.

Sure, Twister may be old hat to you, but it’s going to be a totally novel experience for a 6-year-old, and a blast introducing it to them. (Disclaimer: It’s best to give this to someone who will have other kids—or willing parents—around to play with them when they open it.)

As my 5-year-old inches closer and closer to six, it’s been really cool to see how her understanding of how to play this classic game (and its spin-off versions) has grown. I’ll definitely be stocking up on a few packs as emergency presents for classmates’ birthday parties this coming school year.

One of the best things about Jenga is that it’s both a crowd-pleaser at parties and also a game one can play alone—something that’s always helpful for parents to have on hand. Supercreative kids may also find alternate uses for the blocks, like turning them into little log houses for their toys.

Most children in this age group are just learning how to play catch, so Velcro pads act sort of like training wheels until they have full mastery of the game. This set is a particularly smart option for someone with either a family vacation or extended break from school coming up, as it’s easy to throw in a backpack and keeps kids busy for a long time.

Honestly, this one is kind of a present for parents too. Set this bad boy up in the backyard on a long summer day with no plans, and it’ll keep every kid in its vicinity occupied with minimal effort for hours on end.

Swim goggles, in principle, sound so boring and utilitarian, but this endearing “sprinkle”-covered pair is sure to make any kid amped for their weekly lessons at the pool. Note: If this style feels too girly, there are also gamer- and shark-inspired options. Come Christmas, these also happen to be an amazing stocking stuffer.

Getting kids to properly gear up for impromptu rain showers is way easier when you can offer them an umbrella that not only has a fun design, but also changes colors when wet. This one comes in several different motifs, including fierce shark art and a charming unicorn illustration.

A kid’s robe is one of those things that are actually insanely useful, but always feel silly to spend money on as a parent (a towel, after all, essentially serves the same purpose). This makes it an ideal gift, especially if you go for one in a playful print like this dinosaur fossil pattern.

Does anyone need a glimmering sequined rain jacket? Of course not. But give this to the sparkle-obsessed 6-year-old on your list, and I promise it will elicit screams of joy when she opens it. (They’re also likely to love the constant stream of admiration it gathers on a stormy day.)