First graders come in all shapes and sizes, though they do have a few things in common: their play is now complex and highly social. It often involves friends and intricate role play.
As parents and nerds who love to research, we’ve rounded up a list of the best toys, games and puzzles for 6 year old boys. Each one will stretch and engage your child in ways that are super fun and educational at the same time.
Our top picks of gift ideas for 6 Year Old Boys
#1
Our opinion
“Make a computer, learn to code”
Awesome!
Kano has created an ingenious self-build computer for young children (check price on Amazon). It features a storybook that is simple and fun to follow whilst building the computer from scratch using real components.
Once complete, there are playful projects which teach kids to code art, music, and games. The finished computer can also be used to play games, write stories, browse the web, and watch YouTube. All you need is a TV or computer monitor with an HDMI input.
Why He’ll Love It: He’ll build his own computer and then code his own games. This will develop his problem-solving capabilities and set him up for the tech-driven world of the future.
#2
Our opinion
The Hauck Batmobile Go Kart (check price on Amazon) will turn your six-year-old into Batman and your street into Gotham City. The front has a super-cool design while the seat can be adjusted to comfortably seat your little man as he grows. This go kart requires pedal power, but surely this is a good thing as it will keep him well exercised. It has a realistic steering wheel and an eight-ball grip brake for stopping and pulling epic skids.
Why He’ll Love It: While riding on a paved surface, this go kart can pick up quite a bit of speed which will make racing with friends a blast.
#3
Our opinion
Every child loves a good set of LEGO. It is a classic toy that promotes imagination and early STEM learning. This epic set comes with nearly 800 different pieces that can be used to create nearly anything. It includes wheels so that your child can make moving vehicles, and also windows and doors for constructing houses and castles.
Why He’ll Love It: This LEGO set is big enough that you won’t need to buy any other sets for quite some time. He has everything he needs to become a master builder.
#4
Our opinion
If your 6-year-old boy has been watching all the YouTube scooter vlogs or has a friendship group that rides pro scooters, then he’s probably been hassling you for one already! (Btw, if you don’t know anything about kids scooters, then you may want to take a quick look at our scooter guide first.)
The Fuzion Z300 pro scooter (check price on Amazon) is an excellent choice for beginners. It is relatively lightweight yet both rugged and durable. It has been engineered to be effective and reliable even when punished on the toughest street or park ride. The Z300 should last a long time and keep pace as your child gets more experienced.
Why He’ll Love It: It’s a well recognized, quality scooter that will allow him to ride straight into the skate park feeling proud of it.
#5
Our opinion
Ozobot (check price on Amazon) is a tiny programmable robot that kids fall in love with. This brilliant STEM toy is designed to teach coding skills by artistically creating the code by drawing lines for the robot to follow and using markers and stickers to give additional instructions. They can use an application called OzoBlocky to further programme using their tablet or a laptop.
Why He’ll Love It: Ozobot combines creativity with code. Your boy will soon have a new friend with thousands of possibilities for interacting through coding.
#6
Our opinion
These blocks are brightly colored in non-toxic stains and they match the colors of the four elements – earth, fire, water and air.
Grimm’s Building Sets (check price on Amazon) are perfect for working on those fine-motor skills while your son enjoys either stacking them up or making the puzzle in the box.
A beautifully crafted item, we expect these blocks will remain a staple in the family for generations to come.
Why He’ll Love Them: This toy will really spark his imagination. Your kiddo will love working with all the possibilities from this simple design.
#7
Our opinion
This DBPOWER drone (check price on Amazon) has no “head” which means it’s much easier to fly than a model where you have to constantly know which way the “nose” is pointing in order to go forward.
Your son can look at 3D images through his VR headset or check out live video and images through a smartphone. The photo quality is nothing to call home about, but this is a fun beginner drone for you and your boy to use.
What we love
- While he might be a bit young to man the helm by himself, he’ll get a kick out of seeing a bird’s eye view of the world as you fly the drone around.
Watch for
- This drone is actually pretty tricky to handle and requires practice. You’ll need to be there with your child the first few times, until he has mastered it.
#8
Our opinion
This game is sure to delight your little hockey fan. It comes with four hockey players, each one with a movable arm that can shoot a puck with the pull of a lever. They can also be clipped in front of the goal and maneuvered with a joystick to block another player’s shots.
This is a great multi-player game (check price on Amazon), but beware; the little pucks are small and prone to go missing.
Why He’ll Love It: He’ll have a blast decorating his rink with the included NHL decals and playing against his friends. May the best little man win!
#9
Our opinion
Remote control cars are great for developing spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination. This Ferrari model (check price on Amazon) can go forward, backward, left, and right and be operated from up to 30 feet away.
Unfortunately, no batteries come included, so you will have to purchase 5 AA Batteries and a 9V Battery.
Why He’ll Love It: The head and rear lights really work, and the car gets up to a pretty good speed, so he’s sure to have fun zipping around.
#10
Our opinion
With eight different spy abilities, your little guy won’t get bored of this watch quickly. He can decode messages, see world times, and turn on the motion detector to find those evil villains trying to sneak up on him.
While enjoying his new job as a resident spy, he can also work on his time telling and reading skills. After all, James Bond always needed to be smart to stay sharp.
Why He’ll Love It: Your little guy will love playing spy games, either by himself or with friends, with this feature-filled gadget.
#11
Our opinion
Although this game says it’s for ages 7+, it has a variation that is perfectly suitable for anyone over five.
You must reach the Pharoh’s sarcophagus to vanquish the curse that plagues the mummy who, by the way, is out to catch the players and send them back to the beginning of the board.
Pharaoh’s Gulo Gulo (check price on Amazon) game is great for strategy building and color recognition, and the perfect segway into a history lesson.
Why He’ll Love It: It’s a fun group activity that can grow with your child from the time he’s five until he’s an adult. Plus, that whole mummy thing sure has an appeal for kids.
#12
Our opinion
These gadgets claim to help with focus and stress relief, yup, even in youngsters (even school can pile on the pressure these days!)
While the scientific data as to whether or not these toys have a substantial neurological benefit isn’t yet available, many parents swear by these little fidget spinner toys (check price on Amazon). Those moms and dads insist fidget spinners have helped their kids who are dealing with conditions such as ADHD or anxiety.
If nothing else, your boy will get to work on his motor skills as he plays.
Why He’ll Love It: This particular model has a cool glow-in-the-dark feature that will fascinate your kiddo.
#13
Our opinion
The educational Heytech Toy Golf Set (check price on Amazon) will help you prime your little guy for the green. The golf trainer features a brightly colored ball feeder, tee, and clubs. This toy promotes physical and mental development. It also encourages screen-free outdoor play. There’s a lot to love about the HeyTech golf kit, but it’s not ideal for left-handed children.
Why He’ll Love It: He’ll love using this set to practice his golf putt. It may even help him enrich his relationship with fellow golf lovers.
#14
Our opinion
According to the manufacturer, this exploratory Magic Science (check price on Amazon) is only for wizards. It comes with nine interactive experiments that enable kids to explore the science behind magic. Activities include making a magic wand, wizard hat, and tube crystal. Let your little sorcerer whip up a potion with “magic ingredients.”
Why He’ll Love It: Your little scientist will love making his very own wizard hat and magic wand. Careful, he may even cast a spell on you!
#15
Our opinion
Mylec Deluxe Folding Hockey Goal Set (check price on Amazon) will have your little dude ditching his tablet. It comes with two durable PVC hockey goals, a hockey ball, and two 43-inch Jet Flo hockey sticks. While it breaks down into portable pieces, it can be assembled in minutes. There’s nothing that compares to slapping a ball down the pavement.
Why He’ll Love It: This portable street hockey set will transform nearly any paved surface into a hockey rink.
#16
Our opinion
The Diggin DodgeTag Game Set (check price on Amazon) will transform your little guy into a movable target. The kit comes with two target vests and six soft foam dodge balls. It makes a thrilling two-person game. It can be played both inside and outside. No fancy tech gadgets required! This game is all about human interaction and physical endurance.
Why He’ll Love It: He’ll love it when he lands a dodge ball on his opponent’s target. This game puts a fresh twist on physical exercise. It promotes health, wellness, and a good attitude.
#17
Our opinion
If your little guy is a big fan of locomotives, he’ll fall head over heels for this over-sized monster truck from Hot Wheels (check price on Amazon). This chunky vehicle can withstand harsh handling. Some kids even enjoy riding on top of their monster trucks. This vehicle is perfect for the beach or sandbox. It’s a hardy vehicle that fairs well in stunt competitions.
Why He’ll Love It: He’ll love pushing his new truck across his lawn or driveway. There’s no better vessel for transporting dirt, sticks, and pebbles. Just be sure to stop him before he turns your backyard into a mud-filled Monster Jam arena.
#18
Our opinion
Peaceable Kingdom’s Race to the Treasure (check price on Bed Bath & Beyond) will help your little guy learn to cooperate with his fellow teammates. Children must work together to stay ahead of the greedy ogre. This is a game where no one loses. The colorful illustrations are just the icing on the cake!
Why He’ll Love It: This game embraces cooperation and empathy. Players work together to beat the clever ogre and claim the treasure.
#19
Our opinion
This rad ring toss game (check price on Walmart) is the perfect premise for fun family-oriented backyard competition. It comes with a wooden board, plastic rings, and rope rings. All the items fit into a convenient carrying case. The kit is perfect for camping, barbeques, and family vacations. It’s the perfect way for your child to work on his hand-eye coordination.
Why He’ll Love It: This incredible lawn game will keep your little ones occupied during outdoor gatherings. The cool adults may even join in on the fun.
#20
Our opinion
The N-Strike Elite Nerf Blaster (check price on Walmart) delivers rapid-fire play ammunition. It will help your little dude defend himself against a zombie invasion. This kit comes with a motorized toy gun with a 50-round ammunition capacity.
Why He’ll Love It: He’ll have no trouble hitting his target with this high-powered toy weapon. He may even avoid shooting his eye out by using soft foam bullets.
What to expect from your 6 year old boy
6 year olds are sensitive and can be easily embarrassed. So, dad, don’t be silly in front of his friends! His cognitive abilities are really burgeoning and you’ll notice that he can think in complex and abstract ways.
Here are a few developmental milestones you can look out for (Source):
Body, hand and finger skills
- Won’t stop moving. Is a dynamo of energy;
- Highly coordinated with great balance;
- Can tie shoelaces;
- Drawing skills are improving rapidly;
- Enjoys pushing and learning new physical skill such as bicycling, skating and skipping
Emotional development
- Better control of feelings;
- Sensitive and easily embarrassed;
- Begins to understand cause and effect in terms of people’s feelings;
- Can have difficulty making decisions;
- Gets very frustrated;
- Puts self to sleep;
- Loves to be silly;
- Can be highly competitive and jealous;
- Gets super excited easily
Cognitive development
- May know right from left;
- Loves to reread books;
- Can match words;
- Writes name;
- Very basic addition and subtraction;
- Can discuss similarity between objects;
- Finds it fun to use long words
Wrapping up
At 6 years old, he is becoming more aware of himself. Sometimes he revels in his newfound abilities, eg, a new word or skateboarding trick. However, his increased self-awareness means that he is sensitive and can be easily embarrassed.
Whilst he may be growing up quickly, one thing hasn’t changed – he loves to play. Only now, it’s mainly with friends.
Our list of toys for 6 year old boys has been carefully chosen to match his abilities. They are all super fun and will help him to learn in a gentle way.
