The Best Toys for 6 year-olds: Gift Guide for Christmas 2020

Looking for toys and gift ideas that will stimulate and engage your 6 year-old this Christmas? These are my top picks of the best toys for 6 year-olds that will stimulate their imagination, create learning opportunities and will have them coming back to play again and again.

How to choose the best toys for 6 year-olds this Christmas?

• Toys that can be used in different ways – these will keep your child’s attention longer because of the variety.
• Toys that will grow with your child, these will have different difficulty levels or varying options of how to play as your child gets older.
• Toys that encourage exploring, experimenting and problem-solving.
• Toys that focus on hands-on play – open-ended activities will engage your child’s creativity.

Light-up Terrarium Kit for Kids

A terrarium is a miniature garden within a container that simulates a natural environment. This kit lets your children discover the beauty of nature by creating their own beautiful terrarium. They watch it grow during the day and see how it glows at night, with an LED light under the lid. The light which turns the terrarium into an illuminated tabletop garden can easily be recharged with the included Micro-USB cable. Everything you need is included in the kit – the terrarium jar (4″x6″), light-up jar lid, Micro-USB charging cable, a clear instruction booklet, vermiculite soil, blue sand, river rocks, wheatgrass and chia seeds, small bunny and mushroom miniatures, removable stickers for decoration, spray bottle, and a wooden stick to aid in planting the seeds. 

Why do I love this kit? 

• This is a fun and engaging science project that children will be excited to set up and watch grow. 
• This product has been evaluated by STEM.org and has been authenticated as an excellent STEM related gift for kids. 
• Children have the freedom to layer the rocks, sand, soil, and stickers as they please, creating their own unique terrarium environment.

Carry and Go Stencil Set for Kids

This is an all-in-one art set which will spark your child’s imagination and enhance their artistic skills. Included in the set is paper, 16 large stencils with over 300+ templates, coloured pencils, a sharpener, pen and a carrying case. The handy carrying-case holds all of the supplies so this is perfect for car and plane trips. The stencils are made from non-toxic, sturdy plastic, which means the stencil stays in place when tracing. There are different-themed stencils, from planes, automobiles, boats and planets, to dinosaurs, sea creatures, farm animals and safari animals. Also included are shapes, numbers, letters, princesses, ballerinas, flowers, jewellery, butterflies and even a Christmas-themed stencil. 

Why do I love this toy?

• Stencils helps with the development of fine motor skills, increasing the use of small muscles in the hands, fingers, and wrists. 
• This open-ended activity allows children to use their creativity to draw, colour, paint, and cut to produce unique artwork. 
• It teaches young children self-control and patience when manoeuvring the pencils in vertical, horizontal and circular strokes.

Marvin’s Magic Box of 125 Amazing Magic Tricks

Looking for the ultimate magic kit for starters? This special Deluxe Edition Marvin’s Magic Box will enable your little magician to perform professional magic tricks for friends and family. The box features props including Marvin’s Mystical Magic Cards, Mind Reading Canisters, Magic Theatre, Magic Wand and more. The high-quality, child-friendly props have been specially designed for young hands and the kit is fantastic for all skill levels. No prior magic experience is needed. Included is an easy-to-follow illustrated instruction booklet, or you can download the Marvin’s Magic App for exclusive videos on how to perform many of the tricks. Additional bonus tricks also available online. Just scan the QR code inside and you will have access to a webpage full of videos and tricks you can do with everyday objects. 

Why do I love this toy?

• Putting on magic shows is a great way to boost confidence and practise presentation skills.
• This is a great technology-free family activity. 
• It comes with a bonus Marvin’s Magic club membership and pin badge.

ThinkFun Roller Coaster Challenge

The Roller Coaster Challenge is one of ThinkFun‘s most popular STEM toys and was a Toy of the Year Award Finalist in 2018. It’s a logic game and roller coaster building set that comes with 40 challenges of increasing difficulty, from beginner to expert. It is perfect for kids who like challenging activities. Roller Coaster Challenge is a fun brain-teaser puzzle made with high quality components. It comes with a very clear and easy to understand instruction manual – you’ll be able to play within minutes of opening the box. It includes a game board, 36 posts, 39 tracks, one roller coaster car and forty challenging cards with solutions.

Why do I love this toy? 

• This toy is built to develop critical thinking skills and ties into STEM subjects like science and engineering.
• It will improve logical reasoning, spatial reasoning and planning skills.
• Each puzzle card gives you the exact number of pieces that you need to complete each coaster design, and it’s up to the “designer” to figure out where the rest of the pieces go to complete the rollercoaster and make it function.

Plugo Link Construction Kit

Plugo transforms your device into a fun-filled learning system by giving your kids the chance to solve real-world problems and develop their engineering skills. This set allows children to build structures using the magnetic links and balance them on the gamepad to solve fun problems. It is full of storytelling and features super cute characters. It includes the Plugo Gamepad (which is foldable), 15 hexagonal magnetic building blocks for connecting and 5 STEM games with 250+ levels, accessed through a free app. There is also a helpful guide with step-by-step instructions . No Bluetooth is necessary as the hexagons and the gamepad connect using embedded magnets and it is compatible with most newer devices. 

Why do I love this game?

• This game helps children develop engineering skills, creativity, reasoning abilities, spatial intelligence and creative thinking.
• It grows with your child – you can adjust the difficulty of challenges according to the child’s age, for ages 5 to 10.
• If your children enjoy this set, there are many others Plugo kits available including Maths, Music and Word games. 

Choosing the best toys for 6 year-olds this Christmas doesn’t have to be difficult!

Remember that educational does not have to mean boring! If you get involved with unpacking and understanding how to use these fun, developmental toys, your child will want to get involved as well. My recommendations for the best toys for 6 year-olds will allow you to have fun with your child, engage with them and enjoy spending time together – there is no greater way to bond.