The 28 Best Gifts for 6-Year-Olds to Entertain Their Active Imagination

From STEM toys to art kits, these gifts spark imagination and creativity.

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 Hot Wheels Track Set with 1:64 Scale Toy Car

Parents / Jaclyn Mastropasqua

Six-year-olds are more independent but still want to hang out with their peers and adults (while you’re still cool, of course). They’re full of energy and still developing new hobbies and interests—something you can take advantage of when buying a gift for them. When shopping for a gift for 6-year-olds, consider what they love to do and or introduce them to a new passion. 

To choose the best gifts for 6-year-olds, we surveyed 875 parents about the toys their kids love to play with and why. We also spoke with a toy expert, who provided us with gift suggestions and insight on what to look for in gifts for kids. Our list includes options like art and science kits, figurines, smartwatches, board games, and more—all with appropriate age ratings to ensure safe play that doesn’t feel too advanced.

Our Favorites

Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick Box

LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box displayed in front of a white background

Amazon

Our top spot, the Lego classic building blocks, are among the most popular toys of all time, and many young kids enjoy the endless engineering and tinkering that comes with a set of Legos. This 484-piece set comes inside a handy storage container, though don’t be surprised that the included bricks don’t fill the container to the brim. Instead, it allows plenty of room for a child to grow their Lego collection over the years.

Crayola Inspiration Art Case

Crayola Inspiration Art Case

Amazon

Take arts and crafts time to a new level with this Crayola art kit containing everything needed to create masterpieces. The art set includes crayons, short colored pencils, washable markers, and coloring paper, and comes in a storage case with carrying handles.

Story Time Chess Set for Kids

Story Time Chess Set for Kids

Amazon

Introduce the historical game of chess in a way 6-year-olds will understand: through a story. Story Time Chess features characters hand-drawn by a former Disney artist and teaches kids how each chessman moves thanks to a handy book. Plus, once kids get the hang of the game, flip the board over and play a regular game.

Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash Track Set

Amazon Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash Track Set

Amazon

Hot Wheels is one of the top brands recommended by parents in our survey, which is why we recommend this impressive track that features four elevated loops for car racing fun, along with multiple "crash zones" for plenty of action and excitement. Motorized wheels propel cars onto the loops of the track, and kids have fun guessing which cars will go the distance to make many circuits before crashing. Just know that this toy can be a bit loud, thanks to the motor powering cars around the track and the crashing cars.

Little Pretender Walkie Talkies for Kids

Little Pretender Walkie Talkies for Kids

Amazon

The Little Pretender Walkie-Talkies for kids will have your child saying, "Roger that!" with delight as they talk to friends through these sturdy and realistic units. This set gives you FRS functionality in a simple, easy-to-use design.

They work well for neighborhood fun and have a 2-mile coverage range, so kids can get outside and stay active while using them. Parents love that these electronics are small enough to fit comfortably in small hands compared to competitors. There are only three channel selections, so fussing over lost signals isn't a problem. The sturdy plastic can withstand long-time use and even a few drops.

The entertainment value is high, as kids of all ages can get involved, and even adults can play along. Little ones will need help putting in the three AAA batteries anyway. They are not the cheapest walkies on the market, but parents declare them worth the money, noting the clear signal, ease of cleaning, and overall value.

Perler Marvel Avengers Fuse Bead Kit

Perler Marvel Avengers Fuse Bead Kit

Amazon

This Marvel Avengers bead kit includes everything kids need to make their own masterpiece: 4,500 beads, a pegboard, ironing paper, and one pattern sheet with easy-to-understand instructions. Six-year-olds will have a blast watching Captain America, Wonder Woman, and more of their favorite superheroes come to life. Remember that kids will need adult help using the iron to complete their artwork’s final look.

Mom Tip

I used Perler beads to make party favor keychains for my son's birthday. He put the characters together using the beads and templates, and I ironed them, leaving a little hole for a bead chain with clasp. It was a great project that brought us together and helped him realize how much work goes into planning a birthday party. - Hildara Araya, Senior Commerce Editor and mom of three.

Moose Toys Lebron James Action Figure

Moose Toys Space Jam Lebron James Ultimate Tune Squad 12-inch Action Figure

Amazon

The Space Jam: A New Legacy action figure looks just like LeBron James himself—the voice also sounds on point and even recites phrases from the movie. LeBron has four accessories attached to his body, including the ACME blocker, a basketball, a basket boom, and claws. You can pose LeBron's arms and legs for extensive play.

Fat Brain Toys Box and Bouncy Balls Toy

Fat Brain Box and Bouncy Balls Toy

Amazon

Roll, stack, bounce, nest…the options are endless with this strategy game that’s sure to challenge everyone in the family. Eight nesting boxes arrange into multiple games, with each box giving you picture instructions of how to play. Roll balls down the boxes in descending order or attempt to bounce a ball into a box—there are limitless play possibilities.

VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX

VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX

Amazon

Six-year-olds who love tech gadgets will appreciate the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX. This kid-friendly version of a smartwatch features rugged construction plus fun activities and games to keep kids engaged and learning. 

Parents find the VTech Kidizoom to be great for getting kids excited about staying active since it has games that are played with motion sensors. It’s also useful for keeping kids occupied on car rides or running errands without needing to bring along a larger tablet.

Lands’ End Kids ClassMate Medium Backpack

Lands’ End

Lands End

Whether it’s for school or a trip to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, a kids’ backpack is a must-have item for 6-year-olds. This backpack from Lands’ End measures 17 x 12 x 7 inches, so it’s just the right size for younger children, and it’s available in a variety of fun patterns. Noteworthy features: Reflective trim on the front and back for safety, adjustable chest strap to keep the weight balanced, and padded straps for ultimate comfort. Plus, you can customize the backpack with initials, words, or colorful logos for an added fee.

Hexbug Junkbots

HEXBUG JUNKBOTS Dumpster Kit

Amazon

Kids are in for a surprise, literally, with this toy. The Hexbug dumpster comes with an assortment of more than 50 pieces that can be used to build mini figures or robots. The Junkbots can even be animated with the use of the included motor.

MindWare Dig It Up! Discoveries Space

MindWare Dig It Up! Discoveries (Space)

Amazon

From dragon eggs to space asteroids, uncover what’s inside each discovery piece with the included chiseling tool. Simply soak the discoveries in water before chiseling away to reveal mini astronauts and dragons.

Razor A2 Kick Scooter

Razor A2 Kick Scooter

Walmart

Give your 6-year-old a new set of wheels with the Razor A2 Kick Scooter. This lightweight and easy-to-maneuver scooter is popular with kids of all ages. It features a wheelie bar in the back for fun moves and a shock absorber in the front for a smooth ride. The Razor A2 supports up to 143 pounds and folds up for easy storage. It's a great way to encourage kids to get outside and stay active as they race with friends or try new moves in the driveway.

Educational Insights Bolt Buddies Recycling Truck

Educational Insights Design & Drill Bolt Buddies Pick-It-Up Truck

Amazon

This STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) toy is a fun and educational way to increase STEM skills. Kids use the drill to build the recycling truck, which, when completed, has an operational lift arm. They’ll love drilling away with the 18 bolts that are included. Also, even though you typically throw away the box toys come in, not with this one; the box is a part of the play experience.

Flybar My First Foam Pogo Jumper

Flybar My First Foam Pogo Jumper

Walmart

Provide a fun, safe way for your kid to let loose with the Flybar Foam Pogo Jumper. This compact pogo jumper features a soft foam bottom that won’t harm floors and a stretchy handle that enables kids of different heights to use it easily. It has a 250-pound weight limit, and plenty of parents have been known to give the Flybar Foam Pogo Jumper a test run.

KiwiCo Kiwi Crate

KiwiCo Kiwi Crate

KiwiCo

If you’re unsure of what to buy for a 6-year-old, a STEM subscription kit is a great place to start. KiwiCo offers a variety of subscription options (that you can cancel at any time), which include science projects, arts and crafts, and more.

Stomp Rocket Dueling Rockets

Stomp Rocket Dueling Rockets

Amazon

Stomp Rocket Dueling Rockets features four rockets and dual launching pads that are designed to be stepped, stomped, and smashed by kids looking to send the rockets high overhead. The rockets themselves are soft but can soar to great heights. While Stomp Rocket offers a single rocket launcher, the Dueling Rockets version offers the ability for two kids to play simultaneously. Many users also found the Dueling Rockets set-up to have a sturdier base and easier rocket loading system.

Ozlife Adventure Kidz Outdoor Exploration Kit

Ozlife Adventure Kidz Outdoor Exploration Kit

Amazon

Equip kids for their next adventure with the Adventure Kidz Outdoor Exploration Kit. Along with a drawstring backpack, the set includes binoculars with 5x30 magnification, a crank-operated LED flashlight, a 3X magnifying glass, a compass, and a whistle on a lanyard. While the kit isn't filled with high-grade survival equipment, it’s fun and functional for a child.

Green Toys Ferry Boat Bathtub Toy

Amazon Green Toys Ferry Boat

Amazon

The Green Toys Ferry Boat will take bathtime to a whole new level of fun with its two mini cars and built-in ramp. It’s made from 100% recycled plastic and is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning and mold prevention.

Creativity for Kids Create With Clay Dinosaurs

Creativity for Kids Create with Clay Dinosaurs

Amazon

For a budding paleontologist or any little boy who loves prehistoric action, this clay dinosaur kit from Creativity for Kids is a great option. The kit includes three plastic dinosaur skeletons and five colors of modeling clay to bring the dinosaurs to life. The clay stays moldable for quite a long time, so your child can re-configure the dinosaurs over and over for hours of fun.

Yulu Operation Escape Board Game

Yulu Operation Escape Board Game

Amazon

Challenge the mind with the Operation Escape Board Game. This logic and critical thinking game brings the excitement of an Escape Room into your living room. With three challenges to solve and varying degrees of difficulty, it appeals to children's sense of adventure.

IQ Builder STEM Construction Set

IQ BUILDER STEM Learning Construction Set

Amazon

For the kids who love to build, the IQ Builder STEM Construction Set provides an abundance of possibilities. This introduction to engineering set helps kids build structures and shapes with 164 pieces, including building rods in various lengths, connecting balls, and wheels. Just know that if your child really takes off with this STEM construction set, they’ll probably need to add to the initial inventory of pieces to create large-scale projects or more specialized designs.

Osmo Detective Agency

Osmo Detective Agency

Amazon

Osmo creates interactive games that combine a hands-on board and pieces with the expansive learning opportunities available through a tablet. Compatible with an iPad or Fire Tablet, parents love how the Osmo Detective Agency game helps kids learn more about geography while using critical thinking to solve puzzles. You can easily expand your Osmo learning collection with more games once you have the base, which is sold separately.

Marvel Spider-Man Super Web Slinger

Marvel Spider-Man Super Web Slinger

Amazon

Let your 6-year-old’s imagination run wild with the Marvel Spider-Man Super Web Slinger. Simply slip on the special Spidey glove and attach the canister and holster to sling webs or spray water. The set includes a can of web fluid—which is similar to silly string. Once the canister runs out, you can buy replacements, but it’s nice to know that the sprayer also works with water. This Spider-Man Super Web Slinger takes playtime to a whole new level, and parents like that it’s unnecessary to keep replacing the web fluid for the glove to remain fun.

3Doodler Start+ Essentials 3D Printing Pen Set

3Doodler Start + 3D Pen Set

Amazon

The creative possibilities are endless with this 3D pen set that poses no burn risk to kids since it doesn’t contain any hot parts. The pen comes with 72 strand filaments and 10 stencils for children 6 and up to make 3D creations, or they can create their own design. The pen even features a standby mode for additional safety.

Hasbro Gaming Connect 4

Amazon Hasbro Gaming Connect 4

Amazon

Introduce your child to a classic game for hours of fun. Hasbro’s Connect 4 is a top seller that is simple to learn but offers competitive gameplay. It’s the perfect game for keeping kids occupied on rainy days or to play with parents during a family game night. What people love most about Connect 4 for kids is that it’s ready to play out of the box, and a quick round can be played in a few minutes, or longer tournaments can lead to an hour or more of fun.

Monster Jam Remote Control Monster Truck

Monster Jam Mega Megalodon All-Terrain Remote Control Monster Truck

Amazon

With its large size, massive tires, shocks, and suspension, this powerful RC car will impress any 6-year-old boy. It measures over 2 feet long and has rubber tread on the tires to ensure it lasts through every bump or tumble.

Play22 Take-Apart Racing Car

Play22 Take apart racing car toy

Amazon

The Play22 Take-Apart Racing car is a great hands-on gift for young motor enthusiasts. This build-your-own-car kit is designed to be assembled by your child and includes a low-speed, battery-operated drill and dozens of pieces. A motion sensor allows the car to make sounds for realistic play, but you can turn this function off with a switch on the engine.

Our Review Process and Experts

To select the best gifts for 6-year-olds, we researched and reviewed hundreds of gift options, including toys, art kits, tech items, and more. We also surveyed 875 parents to learn what toys their children play with and why. We asked parents to detail how their children engage with their toys and if they found unique ways to interact with them. We considered age recommendations, design, interests, ease of use, developmental milestones, and value when reviewing products.

In addition, we spoke with the following expert about gift suggestions: 

Factors to Consider in Gifts for 6-Year-Olds

  • Recommended Age: Even if a toy looks just right for the 6-year-old in your life, take a quick look at the age rating to make sure it’s both stimulating and safe, says Goldman. This ensures that the child plays safely and that the toy isn’t too advanced for them to learn or play with. 
  • Interests: Look for gifts that’ll keep a 6-year-old entertained for hours by considering their interests and hobbies. At this age, 6-year-olds are full of energy, and your kiddo's strength and muscle coordination begin to improve rapidly. Consider a gift that gives them a reason to run, jump, or get active during playtime or put their creativity to use with a toy or game with multiple configurations or outcomes.
  • STEM Skills: Who says learning can’t be fun? Help your 6-year-old learn more about STEM, with fun gifts that teach skills in these useful areas. These subjects are engaging, as your child is now of the age where they are developing a more mature and logical way of thinking. Many STEM toys and games involve robotics, fun chemistry experiments, or building play structures like forts while using basic engineering principles.

Who We Are

Erica Puisis is a freelance writer who has written for Dotdash Meredith since 2017. To make this list, she considered each toy's level of action and STEM skills, as well as if it encourages a child's imagination.

Additional reporting by: 

Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer, enthusiastic shopper, and devoted mom. She spent several years in broadcast journalism but found her true passion in writing about the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages. She’s researched thousands of baby products, toys, gifts, and more and personally tested many of them. In her spare time, you’ll likely find her in the beautiful outdoors of Oklahoma with her husband and 4-year-old son. 

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