20 Best Toys & Gift Ideas for 6-Year-Old Boys in 2019
Selina Marie
Justina Fuller
As your little one has entered middle childhood! And while the middle often gets a bad rep (looking at you, middle seats, middle child syndrome, and middle school), it’s not such an awful place to be. At 6 years of age, children are starting to show off improving locomotor skills (running, skipping, jumping), stronger hand-eye coordination, social understanding, improved self-control, and a better control of their emotions.
Here are 10 of the most exciting and popular products on the market for this age group. We’ve combed through to select options that will not just be fun, but help your child along their developmental path as well. No one says they can’t grow and learn while they play!
In a Hurry? The test winner after 245 hrs of research
Travels well
Few parts to assemble
Provides opportunities for kids to learn and play together
No batteries required
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The Original Stomp Rocket: Ultra 4-Rocket Kit -
Car Designer by ZOOB -
Big League Blaster Gun with Foam Darts and Dartboard -
Doinkit Darts Magnetic Dart Board -
Mini Explorer Light Up Terrarium -
Luwint Children’s LED Fingerlight Gloves -
GeoFlux 3-D Kinetic Sculpture & Interactive Spring Toy -
Play 22 Toy Truck -
LEGO Creator Sea Plane -
Ferrari LaFerrari Radio Remote Control Model Car
- Criteria Used for Evaluation
- Other Factors to Consider
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Sources
10 Best Toys & Gifts for 6-Year-Old Boys Reviewed
1. The Original Stomp Rocket: Ultra 4-Rocket Kit
Travels well
Few parts to assemble
Provides opportunities for kids to learn and play together
No batteries required
It’s tempting for kids to misuse the launcher in an effort to make the rocket fly higher which may result in damage or premature wear and tear
Small parts may pose a choking hazard for younger siblings
Kids will always be fascinated with anything that shoots and flies. Brownie points if you find gifts like The Original Stomp Rocket. It comes with four foam-tipped rockets that shoot skywards up to 200 feet high up into the air. There are no complicated gizmos; just plain old leg power.
Read moreDesign
All the fun in one box. Getting all the stomping fun you can from this awesome rocket. The design is simple, but yet it offers so much fun for the kids. Get the group together and see who has the best stomping power and can get the rocket to launch the furthest.
Effectiveness
The Original Stomp Rocket promotes science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) development. A Stomp Rocket Stompin' Science book (sold separately) explains how parents and teachers can use the Stomp Rocket to teach kids about trajectory, force, and other scientific topics.
Value
It’s a very great way to strengthen leg muscles, as well as help develop muscle coordination as kids attempt to land on the launch pad with all their might. It may look easy but one miscalculated step and the rocket may only reach a few feet off the ground.
2. Car Designer by ZOOB
Contains everything required to build three different cars that can be played with simultaneously
Includes tires made from durable rubber
The pieces are engineered to move even after being put together
Perfect for boys who like things that move and morph
Some children may have difficulty following the instruction guides
Not all pieces interlock
When it comes to toys for boys, cars are always at the top. With the ZOOB Car Designer, any kid with a fascination for cars can actually enjoy building a toy replica of 4 different vehicles including three cars and a 12-wheel car transporter.
Read moreDesign
The 76-piece set is no ordinary construction toy as it comes in a very unique design. The kit comes complete with an instruction guide. This kit is great for both independent or interactive play. The many pieces allow for ample creative opportunities.
Effectiveness
Little builders can use their imaginations to construct everything from motorcades to monsters. Or, they can practice their direction-following skills by studying the instruction guides.
Value
This construction toy is something that is beneficial in helping a 6-year-old boy develop his creative problem-solving skills as well as counterfactual reasoning skills. While the kit comes with a guide, the endless possibilities of joining the different pieces together simply means kids can actually create anything.
3. Big League Blaster Gun with Foam Darts and Dartboard
Blaster gun is made from durable, eco-friendly materialsNo batteries requiredLightweightEasy-to-load dart ammoFoam darts are compatible with most Nerf guns
Can be hard to aimDartboard is made from paper (printed on back of box)
If not cars and flying objects, little boys are always fascinated by things that shoot. The Big League Blaster Gun understands this preference and as such has made it sure that the darts are made of safe materials.
Read moreDesign
Ten colorful darts can be shot up to distances of 30 feet often depending on the angle upon which the blaster has been aimed. The simple operation of the blaster gun is perfect for young kids. The darts will stick to any smooth surface, so boys can seek out or create different kinds of targets.
Effectiveness
Invite a few friends over, and friendly competition is sure to ensue. Young superheroes can be well-equipped as they engage in dramatic play, and the fact that the Blaster Gun comes in Captain America colors is just an added bonus.
Value
It’s made of one solid plastic so it should be shatter-proof. Additionally, it teaches kids about concentration and focus as well as excellent control of finger coordination. Makes for great imaginative play as well.
4. Doinkit Darts Magnetic Dart Board
Magnet-tipped darts are much safer than traditional darts.
Dartboard is easy to hang
Strong magnetism ensures that the darts stick firmly on impact
Dartboard is ideally sized with a 16-inch diameter
The feel and weight of the magnetized darts are different than traditional ones and make them slightly harder to throw with precision
For children who would like to venture into the world of darts, then giving them the Doinkit Darts Magnetic Dart Board will be one of the best gifts for a 6-year-old boy.
Read moreDesign
The magnetic dart board is made of high-grade Neodymium allowing for excellent magnetic attraction with the similarly magnetic-tipped darts.
Effectiveness
This dart set lends itself to many opportunities for learning and socializing. Because it is safe, appropriate for ages 6 and up, and able to play in a variety ways by simply varying throw distances or point-keeping systems, the Doinkit Darts Magnetic Dart Board can provide unlimited entertainment for kids and adults alike. Or, turn it into a math or science lesson by demonstrating trajectory, magnetic strength, force of impact, and scorekeeping methods.
Value
It is lightweight and is a good learning tool for appreciating magnetism. Furthermore, it teaches about focus and concentration including mastery of the different muscle movements of the wrist and the arm. This teaches young boys about accuracy.
5. Mini Explorer Light Up Terrarium
Includes all necessary supplies
Stickers and miniatures to decorate with
Light-up jar lid
Micro-USB charging cable
Clear, concise step-by-step instructions
The light has a short lifespan and requires a lot of charging
This Mini Terrarium allows your child to grow their own world inside a cute 4 x 6-inch jar. The terrarium includes a light-up lid with a micro-USB charging cable. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, and the kit includes the necessary soil, blue sand, river rocks, wheatgrass, and chia seeds. Additionally, adorable little bunny and mushroom miniatures and removable stickers allow children to customize their little habitat.
Read moreDesign
A spray bottle and wooden stick make planting and watering seeds a cinch. They can layer the rocks, soil, and blue sand as they please, so even if your family is growing multiples, they can still all be personalized. Mini Explorer believes that just because your explorer is small, it doesn’t mean the adventure has to be. Their products are modeled to ignite a lifelong passion for learning, knowledge, and self-sufficiency.
Effectiveness
This Mini Terrarium helps children spark an interest in biology and botany. Grow your own mini-habitat together, and use the opportunity of launch points of discussion about the life cycles of plants and people as well.
Value
This kit is extremely easy to use, and serves as a fun crafts and science project. Kids love making their own toys, so getting to assemble and decorate this as they please will give them a creative outlet as well as a scientific experiment to help them learn about plant life cycles and photosynthesis.
6. Luwint Children’s LED Fingerlight Gloves
Sound-activated movement
Roaring sound
Encourages abstract thinking
Great activity for bonding
Batteries not included
Light up the room (or night!) with these Luwint LED Fingerlight Gloves. With six modes and three colors, these gloves flash bright, colorful patterns. It’s easy to switch between settings and patterns; simply press the button on the wrist to cycle through your options. Made of wool, the set is soft and warm, with good elasticity and breathable fabric.
Read moreDesign
The Luqing Fingerlight Gloves Set includes a set of four batteries for hours of light shows. The batteries are easily replaceable, and if you have any problems with the product, contact the company within three months for a no-questions-asked money-back guarantee. Made to fit children ages 5 to 12, but with adult sizes also available, this gift is a great way to bring the family together for some disco and techno inspired fun. Made of high-quality technology and materials, it’s safe and fun for everyone!
Effectiveness
This toy is a great way for your child to flex the part of their brain that deals with dimension and space. Because they have to attach the pieces to individual notches to create that 3D effect, they’ll be learning how to think and visualize from different angles. This type of thinking is more abstract in nature, which is often required later in life in fields like science, philosophy, and art.
Value
This toy is made with nontoxic and eco-friendly wood, so you can feel good about your purchase.
7. GeoFlux 3-D Kinetic Sculpture & Interactive Spring Toy
Educational
Safe
High-quality stainless steel
Affordable
May be too big for child’s arm
Affordable, entertaining, and an Amazon’s Choice item, this offbeat toy packs a lot of punch when it comes to keeping your kids occupied. Don’t be fooled by the small package; once opened, watch it spring magically to life within seconds!
Read moreDesign
Made of high-quality stainless steel, this fun product can be twirled, spun, and rolled across all kinds of materials, including your arm. Its one-of-a-kind design is interwoven continuously, creating a truly indestructible and safe toy that can be played with over and over again.
Effectiveness
Although you wouldn’t quite know it at first glance, this unique toy operates based on simple scientific principles that are important to your child’s education. Gravity and friction keep this coil twirling along any surface, whether it’s your arm or a string of rope. This is a great opportunity for you to discuss these basic concepts while playing with your child with this peculiar but fascinating toy.
Value
Parents say that this is an excellent ice-breaker toy for birthday parties, summer camps, and other social gatherings where kids may be shyer than usual.
8. Play 22 Toy Truck
Makes transporting cars easy
Comes with roadblocks
Allows kids to add to the collection
Serves as storage for all accessories as well
Hot Wheels brand cars might not fit
When it comes to fast cars, every little boy is always fascinated with them… That’s why the Play22 Toy Truck Transport Car Carrier is such a cool gift!
Read moreDesign
It comes with six miniature cars that resemble the Hot Wheels cars and also comes with various road cones and caution bars, so your child can turn any space into a raceway. He’ll love playing with these on his own or with a friend
Effectiveness
Just in case this isn’t the first set of cars your child has, this transport truck definitely has room. It’s a great starter toy but also makes for a great addition to an existing miniature car collection.
Value
This is a simple toy that encourages a lot of imaginative play. Whether your child pretends he’s a pro racer zooming down the track, or a cool street racer who never loses a race, these cars allow him the freedom to do so.
9. LEGO Creator Sea Plane
Can serve as either a great starter set for a LEGO newbie or as a fabulous addition to an existing LEGO empire
All three models can be built fairly quickly
Swampboat model can hold a minifigure (not included)
Features realistic propeller
Finished sizes of the the constructed swampboat, sea plane, and catamaran fit little hands perfectly
Swampboat and catamaran models don’t actually float
Contains many small pieces (not recommended for kids with young siblings or tender-footed parents)
magine a seaplane that can be transformed into a catamaran before being transformed yet again into a swamp boat. What you now have is not the latest member of the Transformers but rather LEGO Creator’s newest addition to its line-–the Sea Plane. With 53 building blocks, kids will surely never run out of ideas on how to build another vehicle using these blocks.
Read moreDesign
There are many reasons for LEGO’s designation as a “classic” toy. Here are just a few of the LEGO-building aids for fine-motor-skill development.
Effectiveness
It introduces young children to the concepts of geometry, symmetry, and scale. It enables them to turn their imaginative ideas into something tangible. The LEGO Creator Sea Plane brings all these benefits and more in one small box.
Value
Any building toy is great for developing problem-solving skills, self-regulation, creative-thinking, and critical-thinking skills. And with the LEGO trademark, what’s not to like?
10. Ferrari LaFerrari Radio Remote Control Model Car
Detailed die-cast replica
Functional head and rear lights
Independent spring suspension system
Remote control is easy to use
Kids work hand-eye coordination and motor skills
Some cars stop being able to turn via remote after a short period of use
Let your kid feel the power of the prancing horse right in his hands and you will understand why the Ferrari LaFerrari RC Model Car is something 6-year-old boys will surely adore.
Read moreDesign
The 1/14 scale model car is beautifully detailed right down to the five-spoke wheels, the streamlined body, and the characteristic sexiness of the front grille and side mirror. It comes with fully operational headlights and rear lights. It features a spring suspension system that is independent of each other. You can check out our full line up of remote-controlled cars here.
Effectiveness
This sleek car helps promote motor skills, hand-eye coordination, imaginative play, and the understanding of cause and effect. The functional lights give kids the opportunity to connect the action of pushing the button to the consequence of the lights turning on and off. And since the car operates via remote, they’ll hone their coordination as well!
Value
t’s hard not to love the prancing horse. Almost everybody wants to have a piece of this Italian supercar. For kids, this means countless hours of imaginative play while at the same time teaching about dexterity and fine-motor control.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Design
The selected toys encourage doing, thinking and moving. First-graders are still rookies in their educational careers and are learning how to balance school, home, and perhaps even sports activities. Well-suited toys can help bolster the both motor skills and communicative skills of 6 year olds without adding to the pressure of structured learning requirements because they are able to play at their leisure.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends that 6- to 8-year-olds engage in a minimum of one hour of physical exertion each day. The CDC also suggests that parents make time to play with their kids and restrict TV watching/use of electronic devices to two hours or less. Age-appropriate toys help families meet those recommendations.
Effectiveness
Our evaluators considered attention spans and creative abilities of first-grade boys in their consideration of the toys listed above. The ones that made our list are multi-purpose: they can be played with in different ways (thus stretching out the novelty factor)–alone or with friends–as well as used to teach social skills or put into practice things they are learning at school. This is important for those who want to get as much value as possible from their toy purchases.
Value
Our evaluators considered attention spans and creative abilities of first-grade boys in their consideration of the toys listed above. The ones that made our list are multi-purpose: they can be played with in different ways (thus stretching out the novelty factor)–alone or with friends–as well as used to teach social skills or put into practice things they are learning at school. This is important for those who want to get as much value as possible from their toy purchases.
Design Effectiveness Value 
At 6 years old children become the most aware of rules and fairness. This makes them curious on how it works. So, when buying them toys and games always think about how that will play into the gift.
6 years old is a very exciting time for kids. It is when they most commonly open their superpower level to reading. This means that books with words, pictures, and things of their interest are becoming super exciting.
Other Factors to Consider
Physical Development
The developmental milestones of children by the time they reach first grade are simply astounding. They are already capable of understanding of how certain things work in the real world. They also know that different people will already have different opinions. Children at this stage also learn that rules may be relative-–it may apply only to particular situations. They can also start expressing their feelings in greater detail. The most appropriate toys for them should be those that help facilitate the expression of their thoughts as well as help build their understanding of how things work. Moreover, toys that employ some rules may help strengthen their idea of rule-based activities.
Physically, the fine-motor skills of 6-year-old boys are exemplary. Toys that work best at this stage are those that allow them to write, draw, jump, hop, skip, and run. Additionally, toys that help establish balance and coordination are also helpful.
Six-year-old boys now start planning their role-play. Make-believe play still makes up a great portion of their playtime activities but it is now becoming more structured, often with a goal in mind. They now have a better idea of how the real-world operates and this is reflected in their drawings and their interpretations of the different activities they are going to perform. It is therefore important to provide toys that are as realistically close to the actual thing or object to help them make the association.
In addition to these, the language and speech of 6 year olds are already well-developed. They can begin writing and learning the rules of grammar. This helps them communicate better with their peers which becomes the foundation for excellent emotional and social health. This makes toys that help facilitate the development of these skills very important.
Social Development
In the first-grade, children are working on social skills such as practicing patience, being assertive, admitting mistakes, coming up with solutions, performing tasks without adult supervision, and expressing emotion (without becoming emotional). Group play is an opportunistic time to sharpen these important life skills.
Young boys in particular tend to learn the most about social interaction while physically doing something with others. While girls love to connect by huddling around conversation, most boys would rather huddle around a football. Post-kindergarten boys thrive on action, whether trying to outdo one another through competition or forming a pack to accomplish a feat as a team, they like to channel their energy into movement. They enjoy competition and the chance to prove proficiency and prowess. When boys race cars, play darts, have shooting contests, or throw a ball around with their buddies, they are doing more than just entertaining themselves. They are taking turns, trying to win, learning how to lose, holding each other accountable to rules (or making a case for doing away with them), and, most of all, developing friendships.
Choosing the best toys for 6-year-old boys can really be a challenging feat especially if you take into consideration the fact that there are literally thousands of toys in the market. It is with optimism, nevertheless, that our list of the 20 best will be of excellent use in your search for the perfect gift for your 6 year old.
Logic
Consider the following before you start shopping:
The closer you are to the child, the more likely you are (and want!) to spend more.
Look at your budget and consider setting aside some funds to be used strictly for presents throughout the year.
What feels right to you? Sometimes it’s just worth spending a few extra dollars on a gift that you absolutely know will be well-loved, is a perfect fit for that super-special kiddo in your life, or is likely to help him/her in some way. On the other hand, if you aren’t completely familiar with a child’s personality and unique needs, it’s probably not the best idea to break the budget by buying something that’s popular, but expensive. Just because everyone else has it doesn’t mean that it’s right for the particular kid for whom you’re shopping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many libraries offer LEGO clubs that meet one or more times each month and provide the opportunity for like-minded kids to build, create, and explore ideas together. Check with your local library to see if they have one your son can join. If not, ask the librarian what it would take to get a club going, or consider hosting one in your home. LEGO also offers a free magazine subscription for the LEGO fan in your life.
Amazon sells refill dart packs (starting at $7.99), soft bullet targets (starting at $8.99), and a tactical vest kit ($19.99).
Manufacturers such as Calm Focused and Tangle Creations offer some great toy options for kids with sensory and focus challenges. Please check out this list for our specific recommendations for children on the autism spectrum.
It comes in red and yellow. You can message the Amazon seller to specify color choice.
It’s hard to nail down a precise dollar amount, but experts on gift-giving etiquette seem to agree that $20 to $25 per child is an appropriate range in most cases.
Sources
- , Developmental Milestones, Informative Guide
- , Social Skills Grade by Grade, Informative Guide
- , Superheroes and weapon play - for fun and learning , Guide
- , How LEGO supports Child Development, Advice
- , Learning milestones: Social skills (first grade),
- , Boys and Their Friends, Informative Article
- , Building a Lego Club in Your Library, How-To Guide
- , How much to spend on holiday gifts, based on who you’re shopping for, How-To Guide
