ARTICLE AD BOX
Six is a fun age. Still very much little kids (despite what they might argue), six-year-olds have endless energy, wide-eyed curiosity, and they simply want to play. Their birthdays are a big deal – the daily countdown tends to start months in advance – and the excitement around presents is huge, so you want to get it right.
Six-year-olds are ready to tackle more involved crafts and building kits thanks to an ever-increasing attention span. While they’re not bound by trends, six-year-olds are clued up on what’s ‘in’, particularly when it comes to popular TV shows and films.
The best gifts for this age group are the ones that allow them to play independently and use their imagination. Toys, games and kits that help them learn or develop a skill are also a winner, boosting confidence and keeping boredom at bay.
Many six-year-olds will be keen to flex their blossoming independent reading skills, so an early reader book or graphic novel is a great choice. They can also have off-the-scale energy levels, so fun outdoor toys are perfect for helping them burn some of it off, and even better if the games can be played with friends.
While there are some great tech options with plenty of educational benefits, we’ve kept this round-up screen-free. Instead, we’ve included plenty of interactive games and toys to inspire and keep them engaged.
How we tested
Our two six-year-old testers tried out a variety of toys, games and more over almost two months. We looked at which gifts they came back to again and again, which sparked the most excitement and curiosity, and which genuinely held their attention, which is no small feat when it comes to this age group. When putting our final round-up together, we made sure to include a mix of prices to help you find a great gift to fit your budget. Every single item here got the all-important thumbs up from our six-year-old testers, as well as us.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Sarah Dawson is a writer with a great deal of experience recommending the best parenting buys and products for kids. As with all IndyBest reviews, Sarah's testing process involves assessing how the products fare under real-world use, factoring in their quality, and any potential pitfalls. By calling in assistance from younger testers, she sees how gifts actually go down with kids.
The best gifts for six-year-olds 2025 are:
- Best overall – Yoto player: £89.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget buy – The Floofs Reach For The Stars by Penelope O’Neill: £9.25, Amazon.co.uk
- Best outdoor toy – Zuru Xshot skins fast fill water blaster: £9.99, Smythstoys.com
English (US) ·