Image: MomJunction Design Team
If your child has crossed the six-year mark, they need engaging yet educational toys for skill development. We have listed some of the best educational toys for 6-year-olds to help you choose something fun and unique. Children spend their days learning in school and need some time off to play at home. So, you can make good use of their playtime to sharpen their intelligence and boost their learning and science skills while reducing the screen time. Explore our list of the best-selling and time-tested options with various features and benefits.
Top Picks
13 Best Educational Toys For Six-Year-Olds
1. Best For Interactive Learning: Osmo – Genius Starter Kit
The trusted brand Osmo creates interactive learning games in which users engage with the digital world by using real-world objects. The games are designed to be played on an iPad or a Fire Tablet. Children can advance through as many as 500 puzzles ranging from easy to complex puzzles at their pace and modify the difficulty settings. These games do not require Wi-Fi, and children can play independently or with their friends. Robbie from the Purposeful Homeschool channel says, “I just love how multi-sensory this is. It reminds me of Montessori in how tactile, interactive, and visual it is. It’s good for teaching and reinforcing skills with different learning styles.” To find out more about this product, check out this video review.
Pros
- Five different ways to learn
- Ideal for ages six to ten
- Helps improve math skills
- Real-time audio and visual feedback
- Tangram puzzles
- Stress-free learning
Cons
- Some may find it difficult to follow the directions
- Does not include a reflective adaptor for horizontal tablets
Quick tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product is a hit with users, evidenced by the 12,659 fine reviews on Amazon.
2. Best For Experiencing Nature: Dan&Darci Light-Up Terrarium Kit For Kids
The all-inclusive terrarium kit allows children to develop hands-on and science skills and experience nature by making their terrarium. This parent-recommended kit has a built-in rechargeable LED light beneath the lid that lights the tabletop garden. Vermiculite soil, blue sand, river rocks, wheatgrass, and chia seeds are a part of the terrarium. It comes with accessories, such as a little bunny and mushroom miniatures, detachable stickers for decoration, spray bottles, and wooden sticks and is safe for children.
Pros
- Includes charging port
- No rough edges
- Easy to set up
- Helps develop artistic skills
- Acts as a night lamp
- Ideal for ages six and up
Cons
- Charging cord may be short in length
- Quantity of the glowing sand may be limited
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 14,154 reviews on Amazon, this product is a winner.
3. Best Reusable: Skillmatics Educational Game
This award-winning and parent-recommended set includes 14 engaging activities that use learning approaches to help children develop core skills. Some critical skills that children learn include problem-solving, inventiveness, creative thinking, reading, writing, and focusing.
The kit includes six double-sided activity mats, two dry-erase markers, a cloth duster, and an achievement certificate. The reusable activity mats are free of rough edges and ensure children have a good time while learning important concepts. If you are an absolute beginner, this video review might be useful.
Pros
- Available in different varieties
- Age-appropriate
- Child-safe
- Stress-free learning
- Comes with step-by-step instructions
- Sturdy mats
Cons
- Ink may not be washable
- Markers may dry up quickly
Did you know?Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has garnered more than 9,778 positive reviews on Amazon.
4. Best Easy-To-Store: Coogam Read Spelling Learning Toy
The wooden spelling word game includes 28 BPA-free, non-toxic, double-sided, reusable activity flashcards coated with matte waterproof material. They help build your child’s learning skills by matching 52 wooden lowercase letters to help the child spell out the words. Your child could create paper boards to enhance their knowledge. Suitable for learning phonics, this game offers a fun-filled learning experience and comes with a storage bag to inculcate good storage practices along with offering clutter-free fun.
Pros
- Aids in developmental milestones
- Easy to play
- Easy-to-grab letters
- No rough edges
- Improves observational skills
- Brightly colored
Cons
- Cards may rip
- Some pieces may not fit
"It's wonderful to observe my kids learning new words, trying to spell them correctly, and conversing with them. The wooden letters seem durable and well-crafted, fostering effortless play. Certainly, it has turned boring spelling sessions into fun learning.."
5. Best For Improving Logical Reasoning: Toy Pal STEM Toys
The tried-and-tested 163-piece STEM kit by Toy Pal teaches children mechanics and improves their creativity. Children can build helicopters, airplanes, racing cars, motorcycles, and other such vehicles. A steo-by-step instruction guide has also been included in the kit.
These problem-solving toys help develop hand-eye coordination, motor skills, artistic skills, engineering skills, and logical reasoning abilities in children. This kit comes in a storage box that helps develop good storage practices and is also easy to clean after play.
Pros
- Strong and sturdy pieces
- Flexible rubber
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Ideal for ages six to eight
- BPA-free and non-toxic
- Smooth edges
Cons
- Some may find the instructions hard to follow
- Some bolts may not stay tight
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 1,550 positive customer reviews on Amazon are a testament to its quality and reliability.
6. Best For Fine Motor Skills: Geekper Button Art Toys
Button Art Toys by Geekpar is a small hands skill set that toddlers can use to improve their hand-eye coordination, fine motor abilities, observational skills, hands-on skills and imagination by constructing and designing unique designs. The smooth edges of the pegs are carefully designed to prevent minor cuts, and all pieces are made of non-toxic premium plastic, making it child-safe. The set includes 46 colorful buttons, ten different photos, a pegboard, and a storage tray to provide hours of fun and entertainment.
Pros
- Made of tasteless ABS plastic
- Durable construction
- Improves color perception
- Easy to clean up
- Easy to match and snap
Cons
- May be complicated for younger children
- May pose a choking hazard for younger children
- Some picture colors may not match the buttons
"Playing with this button art set has benefited my kiddo; now, he can identify colors quicker than before and has improved his fine motor skills. A storage solution would be useful to avoid losing the tiny parts. Despite small color mismatches and the possibility of losing some pieces, it's a valuable toy that combines learning and fun."
7. Best Battery Life: Gojmzo LCD Writing Tablet
Gojmzo tablet has a multicolor 11-inch screen with LCD pressure-sensitive technology. The safety-tested screen emits no glare or radiation and is safe for the child’s eyesight. The built-in battery has 12-month battery life, and the tablet can be written on and erased 120,000 times.
The case is made of high-quality plastic with rounded corners that are shock-proof and provides drop protection. The tablet weighs 0.4 pounds, and its screen is difficult to break.
Pros
- Waterproof screen
- Open-ended tablet encourages creativity and imagination
- Helps improve fine motor skills
- Includes a stylus
- One-click erase button
- Screen lock option
- Replaceable battery
- Lightweight and travel-friendly
Cons
- May find the colors lighter than expected
- Pen may not have a stretchy cord
"The mess-free drawing experience is very entertaining. The lock feature comes in handy to preserve my little ones' creations. Plus, it's portable and doesn't need a battery to operate, making it an excellent option for taking on drives to keep your child engaged."
8. Best For Developing Creativity: Aotipol STEM Toys
The Aotipol STEM drill set for kids contains an electric drill with two interchangeable bits and colorful screws and bolts. A wrench, screwdriver, a simple instruction manual with numerous patterns, and a portable design storage case are also included in this kit.
The set challenges children to make their automobiles, animals, or robots and help them develop their imagination, inventiveness, and creativity. These critical thinking toys are made of BPA-free plastic and are non-toxic.
Pros
- Easy to difficult patterns
- Washable and fade-resistant
- No sharp edges
- Easy to carry
- Safe for older children
Cons
- Some bolts and screws may come loose
- May pose a choking hazard for younger children
- Might require frequent battery changes
9. Best For Improving Spelling Skills: Zilloden Educational Toys
The matching letter game helps children improve their memory, spelling, word recognition and math skills and establishes a link between items and their names. The skill-building memory game set includes a matching tray, five mathematical symbol blocks, ten letter cubes, 20 number blocks, and 32 picture cards and is suitable for open-ended play.
Pros
- Three modes of play
- Made of high-quality plastic
- Thick blocks with rounded edges
- Double-sided picture cards
- Helps with letter and number recognition.
- Support early reading skills
- Ideal for homeschooling
Cons
- Some may find the picture cards thin
- May be easy for some children
10. Best For Cognitive Skills: Satxtrem Baby Flash Cards Educational Toys
The flashcard set contains 112 cards and is an excellent tool for learning the alphabet, colors, and shapes and recognizing objects on the cards. This reusable set promotes visual and auditory development, encourages children’s cognitive learning and athletic abilities and provides hours of fun. These educational flashcards are heavyweight cards with no rough edges, and they are painted with eco-friendly bright-colored paint and made of ABS material.
Pros
- Double-sided cards
- Encourages word recognition
- Supports the development of early reading skills
- Repeat button
- Adjustable volume
- Screen-free learning
- Does not break
- Auto turn-off feature
Cons
- Some may find the voice unclear
- Some may find the device small
11. Best For Hand-Eye Coordination: iValea Animal Stacking Toys
The iValea animal balance game focuses on scientific color matching and improves children’s perception of color. Playing with these logic toys helps improve hand-eye coordination, thinking skills, inventiveness and logical thinking skills in children. The game’s difficulty fluctuates depending on the combinations used. This game supports motor skills related to hand grip and balancing objects. It also enhances cognitive skills such as sorting by color, size or type of animal. The open-ended game could be used for imaginative play, counting and sorting, and could be used as building blocks for children who love animals.
The small animal blocks are well-coated and odorless, with no rough edges or wood chips. As a result, they are ideal for small hands and won’t harm children’s skin.
Pros
- Made of durable wood
- Water-based paint
- Challenging game
- Flexible to play multiple ways
Cons
- Some may find the paint slippery
- Some may find the pieces small
"Fun toy for my kid. The colorful wooden pieces encourage my child to stack and play all day long. Plus, it gradually develops fine motor skills. Overall, it's a charming, educational pick, nurturing patience and dexterity."
12. Best Easy-To-Grasp: Laradola Dinosaur Toys
Suitable for three to eight-year-olds, the Laradola Dinosaur toys contain green, brown, and blue dinosaurs made from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene plastic to attract your little one. Stimulating their imagination and hand-eye coordination, these dinosaurs are non-toxic and recyclable. The edges and corners are designed to render it safe for children, and the parts are sturdy to avoid breakage. These easy-to-assemble dinosaurs come with an electric drill, two drill bits, three pieces of hand screwdrivers, and a simple instruction manual, providing hours of fun.
Pros
- Easy to build
- Electric drill is easy to hold
- Drill is low-speed
- Interactive design
Cons
- Might be slightly complex for younger children
- Screws might come loose
13. Best Environmentally-Friendly: Coogam Water Doodle Mat
The Coogam Water Doodle Mat is a fun set-up for children in their early learning years. It is available in aqua colors and includes alphabet and animal pattern painting stencils and a writing and drawing pad that offers a unique experience. The tried-and-trusted doodle mat is suitable for children between ages three and five and has a dimension of 40×31 inches, offering ample space for playing and drawing. It is made of cotton and polyester, with a PVC back.
Pros
- Free of hazardous chemicals
- Has a water-resistant back
- Boosts imagination and creativity
- Portable and lightweight
- Helps reduce screen time
Cons
- White drawing surface may peel off
- Small drawing pieces may pose a choking hazard
How To Choose The Right Educational Toys For Six-Year-Olds?
Here are a few tips that you may consider while choosing educational toys for six-year-olds.
- Open-ended toys: Choose toys that can be used several times and in various ways to keep your children entertained. Open-ended toys, such as blocks and LEGO, inspire creativity and can be used in multiple situations. Furthermore, these multifunctional toys promote critical thinking and STEM skills.
- Interest: Do not force a toy on a child who isn’t interested; instead, nurture their current hobbies. Find something that has just enough in common with the things your child already enjoys if you’re keen to widen their horizons.
- Collaboration: One-on-one playtime is beneficial for children, but toys can also help them develop essential social skills. Those who play together learn to work together, compromise, and deal with unavoidable disagreements. Some toys, on the other hand, are easier to share than others. Therefore, aim to give toys that numerous children, preferably of varying ages, can enjoy playing with together.
- Screen time: On average, children up to eight years spend over two hours each day on screens. Excessive screen time can lead to sleep disorders and a variety of other problems. Use toys that promote learning without the use of another screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What toys should a six-year-old play with?
Toys that entice, challenge, and enhance the child’s cognitive skills at a slightly intermediate level could be ideal for most six-year-olds. These include word games, STEM-based games, doodling mats, and certain DIY toys.
2. What are the developmental milestones for a six-year-old?
In general, most six-year-olds may begin to comprehend their surroundings and environment more consciously, feel the need to socialize more, be accepted by friends, and get better at expressing their thoughts and feelings (1).
3. How many toys should a six-year-old have?
Most of the time, the dictum—quality over quantity—holds true when it comes to toys. Apart from toys that stimulate the intellect or educate the child, it’s good to have some solo-player toys and multiplayer games to facilitate teamwork as well.
4. What great benefits should learning toys for six-year-olds have?
One of the crucial features should be durability and open-ended possibilities; that is, the toys should be versatile enough to be used in a variety of ways or combinations, such as building blocks. This helps improve their imagination, creativity, and problem-solving abilities while evading boredom.
Why Trust MomJunction?
If you are looking for toys that can make your child’s playtime more fun and productive, this article will be helpful. Priti Bose, our experienced writer and reviewer of kids’ toys and gifts, suggests some of the best educational toys for six-year-olds. These tried-and-tested toys help children stay engaged for a long time, support cognitive learning and enhance their creativity. Priti has described every product in detail for you to better understand which one to buy. She has also provided a buying guide where she includes a few tips regarding purchasing the toy.
Children should be introduced to certain subjects at a young age, and doing so with the help of educational toys can be easier and more fun. This list of the best educational toys for 6-year-olds has thus been curated after carefully considering multiple factors, such as durability and quality. To choose the best educational toys, ensure they are age appropriate and your child can understand the instructions easily. Also, opt for activities your child is interested in to motivate them to engage with them more often and make sure to check out safety instructions included with the toys to ensure hassle-free use.
Infographic: Notable Toy And Game Types For Six-Year-Olds
Children of this age are now ready for school and must attain several skills at this developmental stage. A six-year-old also takes a keen interest in their surroundings and what other children like. Therefore, the toy preferences for six-year-olds have a wide range. Look through the infographic below for common toys and games children of this age would like.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Middle Childhood (6-8 years of age)
https://www.cdc.gov/child-development/positive-parenting-tips/middle-childhood-6-8-years.html - Important Milestones: Your Child By Five Years
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-5yr.html
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