What the Heck Do You Buy a 6-Year-Old?

Lauren Gouws
Jul 31, 2025
3 min read

(Without Losing Your Mind or Your Wallet)

A young girl sits behind a cake, celebrating her 6th birthday.

Six is a strange age. They’re not toddlers anymore, but not exactly “big kids” either. They want to be independent...but still need help opening a yogurt. Their interests change weekly, and somehow, they’re extremely passionate about all of them.

So, what do you buy a 6-year-old that won’t end up at the bottom of a toy bin or under the couch with dried-out play dough?

Let's take a wee look-see, shall we?

🎨 1. Craft Kits (That Don’t Involve Loose Glitter)

Let’s be honest: 6-year-olds love crafting...but moms do not love scraping glitter glue off the dining table. Instead, look for:

Scratch art pads that reveal rainbows as they draw
Bead kits with compartments (key word: compartments)
Foam sticker scenes
“Make your own” masks, puppets, jewelry, or crowns

They get a creativity fix. You get a (semi) clean house. Everybody wins.

📚 2. Books Parents Will Actually Enjoy Reading With Them

They’re learning to read - or pretending to - and repetition is their love language. Great options include:

The Little Explorers’ Journal (if you want geography and adventure in one gorgeous package)
Elephant & Piggie by Mo Willems - hilarious and simple
Search-and-find books that double as quiet-time gold
Silly fact books (“Did You Know Sharks Can’t Blink?” = hours of weird joy)

Books = screen-free entertainment. And possibly, 10 minutes of peace.

🧩 3. Learning Toys That Feel Like Playtime

Want to sneak in a little brain growth without the whining? Try:

Osmo for iPad (STEM meets storytime)
Marble run sets for future engineers
Magnetic tiles - still one of the best open-ended toys ever
LEGO - especially the themed ones they can build and play with solo

They think they’re playing. You know they’re secretly doing physics. Mwahaha.

🧸 4. Role Play Sets That Make Them Feel Grown

Six-year-olds are mini copycats. They want to do what you do:

Toy cash registers for pretend shops
Cleaning sets so they can vacuum alongside mom or dad
Vet kits, doctor kits, kitchen sets - dramatic diagnoses guaranteed
Mini toolboxes (just warn the furniture in advance)

These toys build imagination and keep them off your actual toolkit.

💡 5. Fun Practical Stuff That Feels Like a Treat

Let’s be real: sometimes the “boring” gifts are the most used.

A digital watch (especially if it lights up or makes some silly sound)
A backpack with their favorite character
Crazy socks, glow-in-the-dark PJs, or hair accessories
A personalized water bottle (because they will lose it otherwise)

It’s practical and exciting. Plus, it makes school runs slightly easier.

👨‍👩‍👧 6. Experience Gifts (Because the Toy Pile Is Already Out of Control)

Stuff is nice. But memories? Even better. Ideas:

A zoo, aquarium, or science museum membership
Dance, art, or soccer classes
Ice cream date voucher
A “Yes Day” or “One-on-One Day” where they call the shots (within reason…)

These gifts don’t collect dust. They collect joy.

Final Tip: Text the Parent

If you’re shopping for someone else’s 6-year-old, a quick message like,“Hey, what’s their current obsession?”…can save everyone time, money, and gift receipt drama.

And if you’ve got a go-to gift idea for 6-year-olds, please share it with the rest of us - we’re all just trying to survive birthday party season together.

For more laughs, chaos, and parenting content that makes you feel seen, follow @momapocalypse on all the things: