There are a lot of good things that come with turning six, including the fact that the toys available to you start to get a lot cooler. At this age, small and complicated pieces pose less of a threat, so more complex building sets and board games are totally possible.

In addition, cool new ‘big-kid’ sporting toys like realistic basketball hoops and 1-on-1 street hockey sets provide an avenue for those rowdy six-year olds to spend some of that excess energy.

We’re counting down 50 of the best toys and gifts for 6-year old boys, whether you are shopping for a son or a nephew, for a birthday or for a holiday. Afterwards, we’ll share some of the things that we learned in the process of writing our review, as well as reveal a few of our team’s very favorite picks.

Related: Top 50 Toys & Gifts Every 6 Year Old Girl Wants

The Best, Most Unique Gift Ideas For 6-Year Old Boys

Pop Up Pirate

Pop Up Pirate

Pop Up Pirate

If you’re looking for a whole barrel of laughs, then look no further. This Pop Up Pirate by TOMY games is one of the cutest and most adventuresome pirates on the high seas, and he is here to entertain the children for hours at a time. This little pirate is hiding inside of a barrel, presumably with all of the stolen treasure. Kids will take turns skewering the barrel with plastic swords in an effort to draw the pirate out from hiding. You don’t know which sword is going to do the trick, which makes the excitement truly palpable for the whole family.

Pop-A-Shot Dual Basketball Game

Pop-A-Shot Dual Basketball Game

Pop-A-Shot Dual Basketball Game

The best way for your kid to start working towards that North Carolina basketball scholarship is with the officially-licenses Pop-A-Shot dual basketball arcade game. This classic 2-player hoop game is the kind that you used to only be able to find in arcades and at carnivals, but now all the sporting action can be brought to the living room or play room more easily and affordably than ever before. An electronic readout display will count the score as your kid takes on their siblings or friends for some 1v1 scoring games. A variable height configuration helps make sure that this will fit in any home.

RacerZ Car Designer Kit

RacerZ Car Designer Kit

RacerZ Car Designer Kit

Toy cars and building kits are two of the most popular varieties of toys for 6 year olds, so it is perhaps no surprise that the RacerZ Car Designer Kit from ZOOB is currently one of the highest selling toys on Amazon. This innovative yet simplistic building kit lets kids construct their own vehicles using interlocking plastic components. With 76 individual pieces in total and 12 wheels, there is virtually no limit to the amount of variations possible with this set. Also, these pieces work perfectly with other ZOOB brand building kits, giving parents a good opportunity to jump-start a larger ZOOB collection.

RoboShooter RC Robot Toy

RoboShooter RC Robot Toy

RoboShooter RC Robot Toy

Whether it is marching against the bad guys or simply a mission to annoy the little sister, there is no toy that is quite as awesome as the RoboShooter RC Robot by ThinkGizmos. This walking, talking, dancing robot is entirely remote controlled, and had more than a couple special tricks hidden up his sleeve. His chests holds a special chamber for small plastic discs, each of which can be fired out of the slot with a simple press of a button. He is also fully programmable, which means that kids will be able to impress their friends and family with their growing programming abilities.

Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots

Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots

Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots

Here is a classic game that even older parents might recognize. Mattel’s classic fighter game Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots is back and better than ever, with all the same high-octane plastic brawling that we have come to expect from the franchise, as well as a few base-level design improvements that makes it even better. The game is controlled by two different buttons, each of which control’s one of the robot’s arm. The goal here is to knock your opponent’s block off, a victory that will cause a raucous cheer every single time. Don’t be surprised if the whole family gets into this one!

Roller Coaster Challenge Game

Roller Coaster Challenge Game

Roller Coaster Challenge Game

One of the coolest new building kits of the year also happens to be one of the most challenging table-top board games. The Roller Coaster Challenge Game is the latest ThinkFun toy to blend both building and puzzle solving in one compact kit. Kids can work on their critical thinking and problem solving skills as they work their way through 40 challenges of increasing difficulty, each one requiring a new structure, a new build-out, and new rules and restrictions that will keep everything exciting. Over 50 million ThinkFun games have been sold worldwide, which is a big indicator of how well-loved they are by children everywhere.

Roly Poly Farm

Roly Poly Farm

Roly Poly Farm

Six years old might be a tad too young for a dog, but it’s the perfect age to start experiencing the excitement and responsibility that comes with caring for other living creatures. This cool new Roly Poly Farm from the Pocket Pets company allows kids to maintain their own real growing chia farm, as well as manage up to 10 real life “Roly Poly” bugs that will happily keep the Chia sprouts nice and trimmed. Kids will be able to learn a lot about biology, ecology, and responsibility as they take care of their very own adorable bug pets. A specialized wall enclosure means that these little guys aren’t going to be able to escape and crawl all over the house.

Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket

Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket

Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket

If you have never experienced the fun of a classic Stomp Rocket, then you are your child are both missing out. Stomp Rocket has been loved by kids for decades because of how easy it is to setup and use. Simply mount one of the foam rockets on the launch pad, jump on the launcher panel, and watch in amazement as the rockets go flying. This “kid-powered” form of entertainment is great for any parent who is concerned about too much screen time. This ‘Ultra’ version of the classic Stomp Rocket can soar an amazing 200 feet, as much as a 20 story building in windless conditions! Comes with 4 safe, foam-tipped rockets that are not dangerous when they fall to the ground.

Super Stadium Baseball Game

Super Stadium Baseball Game

Super Stadium Baseball Game

Can’t go out to the ball game? Can’t go out to the crowd? Then consider bringing all the magic of the ballpark to your kids play room with the Super Stadium Baseball Game, one of the most addictive non-electronic games that we have ever had the pleasure of playing. A series of levers and contraptions keep this game exciting the entire time. Real pitch & swing action is handles by the levers and switches, giving this a pinball-style type of play with all the fun of real baseball. With the pitching lever, it is possible to control both the curve and speed of the ball, making 1v1 play really exciting.

Survival Knots Set

Survival Knots Set

Survival Knots Set

It is around the age of 6 when boys really start to feel the call to adventure. Toys that encourage outdoor play and exploration are not only good forms of exercise, but they can help encourage lasting healthy habits and hobbies. The Survival Knots Set is part of the Backyard Safari Adventures series, a group of toys aimed at stimulating the natural outdoorsman in kids. 5 multicolored paracords are the perfect training ground for 12 basic knots, each one an essential piece of knowledge for any young adventurer. Colored reference cards make the knots easy to remember, and a cool Knot-Shaped patch is a way for your kid to display their new knowledge.

Table Top Air Hockey

Table Top Air Hockey

Table Top Air Hockey

Air hockey is one of the fastest, most fun arcade games out there, but until now the tables have been both too big and too expensive to get one for the play room. Toy-version air hockey boards are a dime a dozen, but many of them don’t even utilize real air flow, which is key to emulating the friction-free feel of ice. The Table Top Air Hockey Game by Sport Squad, on the other hand, is a fully-featured air hockey experience that managed to capture the real essence of air hockey in a compact way. The whole table is only 40 inches long, allowing it to fit on top of almost any coffee table or kitchen table without issue. It also works great just laid out on the floor.

Transforming Remote Control Car

Transforming Remote Control Car

Transforming Remote Control Car

We though remote control cars were cool enough as is, but it turns out we were wrong. This automatically-transforming RC car adds a whole new level of excitement to the world of remote controlled toys. First it’s a cop car, blasting around the living room and pursuing the bad guys. But when it finds them, a single push of a button will turn the cop car into a menacing police robot. Bright headlights, engine sounds, and the ability to drive around in both modes make this, quite simply, the coolest RC toy on the block.

Video Walkie Talkies

Video Walkie Talkies

Video Walkie Talkies

For the ultimate undercover spy team, communication is everything. While walkie talkies have long been an essential part of any super-sleuth’s bag of tricks, only now are video walkie talkies becoming a real thing. These slip-open communicators can transmit both audio and video to the other device, providing one of the coolest play-time accessories since the plastic police badge. A range of up to 160 feet should cover most home-based spy games, and the fact that these don’t need Wi-Fi to operate make them great for camping trips. They’ve even got a cool super-spy design that fits in the pocket … perfect for the growing double agent.

Walkaroo Steel Stilts

Walkaroo Steel Stilts

Walkaroo Steel Stilts

Kids can’t wait to get older and bigger, which is perhaps one big reason why the Walkaroo Steel Stilts from Geospace are quickly becoming one of the highest rated toys on amazon. The premise is quite simple: kids are able to make themselves just a little bit taller by standing on a pair of specially designed steel risers. Because they are relatively low to the ground, there is very little risk of injury, but a high chance of fun. Walking around on these puppies is a naturally engaging form of exercise, one that encourages your child to stay active and improve their coordination.

Adjustable Inline Roller Skates

Adjustable Inline Roller Skates

Adjustable Inline Roller Skates

One of the biggest risks with buying sports equipment for kids is that they are highly likely to grow out of it, sometimes within the first few weeks!  This pair of Adjustable Inline Roller Skates manages to solve that problem entirely by offering a design structure that can be fully modified to 4 different sizes. This means that they can actually ‘grow’ with your child, reducing the chance that you are going to have to buy a new pair before the first ones are even broken in! These are smooth-riding roller skates with light-up wheels, the perfect way for any kid to show off at the park or cruising on the sidewalk.

Alien Dissection Kit

Alien Dissection Kit

Alien Dissection Kit

The universe is a strange place indeed, especially for the young space-archaeologists on the trail of adventure, excitement, and best of all …  treasure. The Alien Dissection Kit from Treasure X is the latest in the Treasure X series of action figure sets. Whether it is space aliens, ancient dinosaurs, or subterranean creatures, the Treasure X Figures are high collectible and undeniably charming. But this is more than just an action figure … kids are going to have to use the included dissection tools to discover for themselves what kind of creature is hidden inside the alien, and what kind of treasure!

Beaker Creatures – Bubbling Volcano Reactor

Beaker Creatures – Bubbling Volcano Reactor

Beaker Creatures – Bubbling Volcano Reactor

New to the world of Beaker Creatures? You’re not alone. This brand new toy series from learning Resources utilizes a collection of adorable little ‘Beaker Creatures’, small plastic characters that can guide your children through a number of cool scientific experiments. The Bubbling Volcano Reactor is the latest release in the series, and gives kids everything they need to perform five different fizzing experiments. Every Beaker Creatures set comes with an educational science poster that is filled with fun facts. The Creatures themselves come encased inside of a special reactor pod … your kid’s first order of business will be to bust them out!

Big League Blaster Dart Gun

Big League Blaster Dart Gun

Big League Blaster Dart Gun

Whether you are chasing your little brother around the house or having target practice with some make-believe bad guys, there is nothing like having a good foam-dart blaster at your side. The Big League Blaster Dart Gun by Newisland Toys comes with 10 foam darts, each tipped with a rubber suction cup that expertly sticks to smooth surfaces like glass and tile. They bounce harmlessly off of kids, making them a safe option for war-style games and playtime. The Big League Blaster features easy reload action and on-board storage for 5 darts. It will also fit with commonly-size Nerf-brand darts, which is a big bonus for this kind of thing.

Related: Top Nerf Guns

Build-It-Yourself Woodworking Kit

Build-It-Yourself Woodworking Kit

Build-It-Yourself Woodworking Kit

As kids get older, the selection of building kits and toys that are available to them starts to get bigger and better. More than just classic wooden building blocks, the Build-It-Yourself Woodworking Kit from Lakeshore Learning Materials is a full-service wood shop toy that has everything required to make a whole host of items from scratch. An easy-to-follow instruction booklet provides the templates for a number of awesome projects, or, the adventurous child can strike out on their own and make something truly unique. The kit includes a lightweight kids’ hammer and all the screws, pins, and pegs necessary to complete the projects.

Classic Operation Game

Classic Operation Game

Classic Operation Game

Everyone should remember Operation, one of the longest lasting tabletop kids games of all time. This medically-based game challenges kids to help poor Wally feel better by removing the bad things from his body. A pair of wire-connected tweezers can grab the bas stuff out of Wally, but be careful! If you hit the sized, his nose will light up and a loud BUZZ will let the player know that their turn is over. A game of both chance and hand-eye coordination, Operation is one of the easiest games to get into and is now available for just over ten bucks, a mega-steal for any gifting occasion.

Classic Twister

Classic Twister

Classic Twister

The worldwide-classic game of Twister is back, and it is more affordable than ever. This simple set includes the iconic Twister mat, which features 24 different colored dots. A spinning dial tells players what body part to put on which colored dot, an amusing and entangling game that will have any group of kids laughing up a storm. As many as 4 players will be able to tie themselves into silly knots, but what’s more likely is that all the kids collapse into one another in a ball of absolute goofiness and fun. It’s also a great way for your child to practice both balance and flexibility.

Coding And Computer Science Kit

Coding And Computer Science Kit

Coding And Computer Science Kit

Kids can be a lot smarter these days than a lot of parents realize, no doubt due to the incredible technology that has been available to them, even inside of their own toys. STEM-related toys like the Coding And Computer Science Kit by Playz are effective at not only entertaining, but also providing a rich educational component that many screen-based video games and electronic toys do not provide. With over 30 experiments and activities made possible by all sorts of tools, numbers, and encoders, this is a box full of lasting entertainment that will help your child get a head start on the future.

Deluxe Digital Selfie Camera With MP3 Player

Deluxe Digital Selfie Camera With MP3 Player

Deluxe Digital Selfie Camera With MP3 Player

We’re just going to have to face it, selfies are totally a thing these days, and they don’t seem to be going anywhere. If your youngster is constantly asking to borrow your smartphone to snap a few images of themselves, then you might do well to get them their very own digital camera, one that is designed specifically to stand up to the rigors of childhood. The Deluxe Digital Selfie Camera is made by VTech, one of the most trusted names in kids’ electronics. It has a built-in MP3 player and an included set of headphones, satisfying the multi-media nature of today’s kids in a high-tech way.

DodgeTag Game Set

DodgeTag Game Set

DodgeTag Game Set

It’s 50% dodgeball, 50% laser tag, and 100% fun. The DodgeTag Game Set from Diggin Toys is one of the most innovative new games on the market, and we have a feeling that it is only going to become more popular. What you are getting here is a pair of two kids’ vests, each with a felt target sewn into it. By tossing lightweight air-mesh balls at one another, kids can try to get their shot to stick to their opponents vest, resulting in a point. These ultra-soft mesh balls are so lightweight that they aren’t going to break anything, and they certainly aren’t going to hurt anyone. To add more than two players, simply combine more than one set!

Dragon’s Gold Treasure Set

Dragon’s Gold Treasure Set

Dragon’s Gold Treasure Set

Everybody knows that Dragons are not too keen on sharing their hoarded gold and treasure, which is why your bold, adventure-seeking 6-year old is going to have to be cautious as they approach the Dragon’s Gold Treasure Set, part of the Treasure X series of toy sets. Every box comes with three different blocks, each of which had encased inside it a dragon, a treasure hunter or a mini beast! Your kid is guaranteed to get one of each with every set, but the specific styles will vary, making these a great collector-style gift for birthday parties and family reunions.

Electronic Baseball Pitching Machine

Electronic Baseball Pitching Machine

Electronic Baseball Pitching Machine

If your kid is going to have any chance of playing for your favorite Major League Baseball Team someday, then it wouldn’t hurt to get them a little something to help them practice, even at a young age. This officially licensed Electronic Baseball Pitching Machine by Franklin Sports utilizes 6 lightweight, plastic baseballs that roll down a track into the pitching mechanism. Every 7 seconds, one of the plastic balls is pitched out of the mechanism, creating a batting-cage style experience in any room of the house. A red light illuminates before every pitch, giving young players enough time to prepare the next swing.

Electronic Claw Machine

Electronic Claw Machine

Electronic Claw Machine

This arcade-style Electronic Claw Machine is just like the ones that your kid likes to play at the front of the super markets, but sized-down for home use and perfect for the play room. You can fill it with whatever you want, from gum and candy to small toys and stuffed animals for your kid to attempt to claw out of the chamber. It operates off of a set of plastic coin-like tokens that you can give you kid as a reward, or simply had them the whole set and let them go wild. Only about a foot high, this fits perfectly on tables or countertops and is light enough to easily move around.

Flying Ring 2-Pack

Flying Ring 2-Pack

Flying Ring 2-Pack

With the flight capabilities of a Frisbee and the lightweight, risk-free construction of a kids’ toy, the Activ Flyer Ring is one of the best stocking-stuffer-type toys that you can get for a growing boy. Rings like these encourage outdoor play and exercise, while also helping to develop physical and mental coordination. They are also about 88% lighter than standard Frisbee-type discs, which makes them a heck of a lot more comfortable to both throw and catch. Even if you get hit with one it doesn’t hurt nearly as much as a hard Frisbee does!

Flying Saucer Swing

Flying Saucer Swing

Flying Saucer Swing

Part toy and part lounge furniture, the Flying Saucer Swing is one of the best additions that you can make to the porch, yard, or play-room. This jumbo 40” saucer hangs from four connection points, each of which rises up to connect to a branch, beam, or hook up above. Very easy to hang and remove, this saucer is great for summertime play and can be easily moved inside for storage. Whether your kid wants to pretend like they are in a space ship or simply nap in the soft breeze, the Flying Saucer Swing is ready for action and inaction alike, as it were.

Folding Hockey Set

Folding Hockey Set

Folding Hockey Set

Young sports lovers will benefit from all the practice that they can get, which is probably why Franklin Sports has been doing so well in the realm of portable, foldable, and storable sporting equipment for kids. This Folding Hockey Set is a great example of the kind of toy engineering that they strive for, offering a design that is simultaneously sturdy, lightweight, and foldable. Perfect for either indoor or outdoor play, these dual hockey nets, sticks, and balls are a quick and affordable way to keep the game going all day. The hockey sticks are adjustable, making them adaptable for kids of all sizes.

Fuzion X-5 Pro Trick Scooter

Fuzion X-5 Pro Trick Scooter

Fuzion X-5 Pro Trick Scooter

At 6 years old, the chances are that your kid has ridden on a Razor-type scooter at some point or another, but they haven’t experienced anything close to the high-performance design of the Fuzion X-5 Pro Trick Scooter. While designed to accommodate intermediate and advanced riders with features like high-action grip-tape deck, aluminum core wheels, and a reinforced braking mechanism, the X-5 is just as suitable for the first timer who is just getting into the excitement of scooting. A choice of six different colors is available at most online retailers, increasing the chances that you will be able to find the perfect match for the boy you have in mind.

Gnomes At Night Maze Game

Gnomes At Night Maze Game

Gnomes At Night Maze Game

What makes Gnomes At Night one of our favorite games of the year is not just the cute game-board, simplistic design, or the fact that it is made by the trusty folks at Peaceable Kingdom. In fact, the reason why this is one of our favorite games is because it requires two players to work cooperatively in order to win. Kids will sit on opposite sides of a 3D game board, communicating with one another to navigate the dungeon and avoid the bad guys. With multiple leveled game boards and 12 different treasure cards, Gnomes at Night is one of those games that you can play again and again without ever getting bored.

Grow ‘N Glow Terrarium Science Kit

Grow ‘N Glow Terrarium Science Kit

Grow ‘N Glow Terrarium Science Kit

Let kids become the masters of their own artificial ecosystems with the Grow ‘N Glow Terrarium Science Kit, one of the best new STEM toys of the year. This kit has everything required to design, build, and maintain a cool-looking ecosystem that really grows, not to mention glows. A set of included glow-in-the-dark stickers lets kids design their own starry night skies within the jar. Other decorative elements include funky mushroom stickers, pretty river stones, and enough chia grass seeds to grow the whole process more than once. Whether your child is interested in botany, biology, or just cool-looking things, this is one of the best kits out there.

Hand-Controlled Flying Ball

Hand-Controlled Flying Ball

Hand-Controlled Flying Ball

The technology of the future never ceases to amaze, as is certainly the case with the Hand-Controlled Flying Ball by the toy technicians over at ACECHUM. This hovering space-like ball has sensors that allow it to track the user’s hand, hovering just above it even as they move around the room. The effect is nothing short of magical, and is sure to impress both friends and family members alike. An array of brightly-colored LED lights creates an awesome effect in the dark, and a rechargeable internal battery means that you’re not going to need to keep buying all those AA’s.

Hookey Game

Hookey Game

Hookey Game

We’ve got to hand it to Elite Sportz Equipment, the toymaker behind the Hookey wall-mounted ring toss game. This is a modern twist on a classic concept, but designed in such a way that makes it easy to setup, easy to play, and highly enjoyable for 6 year olds and adult players alike. Hookey is a simple wooden circle with a number of different hooks attached to it. The point of the game is to toss rubber rings at the hooks, using the easy-to-read numbers to call your shot. This is a great alternative to darts because there is nothing sharp involved, but the real surprise here is just how very addicting this game can be!

Kids Boxing Set

Kids Boxing Set

Kids Boxing Set

Six year olds have a lot of energy to work through, so getting them a toy that encourages physical activity is almost always a good idea. This smartly-designed Kids Boxing Set by ToyVelt offers both entertainment and exercise, not to mention some top-tier physical training for the aspiring boxer. A pair of comfortable, protective boxing gloves and a variable height punching bag is what makes the set. The punching bag is mounted on a weighted floor-stand, meaning that you won’t have to do any mounting from the rafters to get the action started. As your kid grows, simply increase the height of the punching bag and let them at it.

Kids’ Waterproof Action Camera

Kids’ Waterproof Action Camera

Kids’ Waterproof Action Camera

There seems to be no limit to the kinds of action-packed adventures that a growing 6 year old boy can get into, whether it is shredding up the slopes or hitting the skate park. With the Kids’ Waterproof Action Camera by PROGRACE, parents now have an affordable way of capturing their kid’s best adventures by simply handing them one of these. With professional HD video capturing technology and 5 megapixel still photos, there is nothing that the PROGRACE camera can’t handle. We highly recommend upgrading the on-board memory storage with an additional card … your kid will thank you for it!

LED Foam Finger Rockets

LED Foam Finger Rockets

LED Foam Finger Rockets

Step one: load one of US Sense’s LED light-up foam finger rockets onto your finger using the sturdy rubber-band mount. Step two: aim at your little brother, and fire away! These LED Foam Finger Rockets are a ton of fun, and now you can get a whole bunch of them (21, to be specific) in the same box. Whether there is an epic pretend space battle happening or simply a contest to see who can fire their rockets the farthest, LED Foam Finger Rockets are surefire favorites for a lasting good time. The bright LED-activated lights makes them great for camping and sleepover parties.

Lego Forest Tractor

Lego Forest Tractor

Lego Forest Tractor

The Lego City Series is a collection of Lego-based toy kits that come together to create one of the most immersive build-it-yourself play experiences, all with the safe, familiar, and reliable brand of Lego backing everything up. This burly forest tractor has a big claw on the front end that can be used to move logs and trees around the construction site, while the lumberjack mini-figure is on the ground using his plastic chainsaw to prepare the lumber. Whether starting a new collection or adding to a growing set, the Lego Forest Tractor is a guaranteed avenue to ongoing fun.

Lego Monster Truck

Lego Monster Truck

Lego Monster Truck

Without a doubt, Lego is one of the most popular toy brands of all time, and likely one that can already be found in the toy-box in the kids’ room. The great thing about Legos is how they give children the freedom to express themselves through unstructured play, yet at the same time challenge them to create bigger and more advanced structures. The Lego City series is one of the newest endeavors by Lego, and has resulted in some awesome new toys. The Lego Monster Truck is one of these such toys, and comes with his own jump and burning fire displays, as well as a truck-driving minifigure that you can’t get anywhere else.

Light Board Drawing Tablet

Light Board Drawing Tablet

Light Board Drawing Tablet

Kids of all ages love to draw and doodle, but never before have they been able to do so in such a bright and brilliant way. The Light Board Drawing Tablet provides a smooth drawing surface that can be illuminated from behind, bringing the colorful marker ink to vibrant life. Six different gel-markers are included, though the artistically inclined child would certainly appreciate a backup set (sold separately). The whole thing is powered by a couple of AA batteries, but you will be surprised at how much use your kid will get out of it before the batteries need to be changed.

Magnetic Dart Board

Magnetic Dart Board

Magnetic Dart Board

If you are one of those wise parents who doesn’t feel great about giving your over-caffeinated child a handful of steel-tipped projectiles, then we have the perfect alternative for you. The Magnetic Dart Board by Marky Sparky utilized fun and safe magnetic tipped darts that aren’t going to poke any holes in the walls, furniture, or children. This is all of the fun of classic darts with absolutely none of the risk. The magnetic board has a pretend-cracked texture which makes it look just like the real thing. The scoring and targets are laid out just like a traditional board, so this is a great practice toy.

Mars Space Station

Mars Space Station

Mars Space Station

There is a good chance that the 6 year old boy in your life already has a few Playmobil sets, and if they don’t, then this is the perfect opportunity to get their collection started. This highly detailed Mars Space Station playset is one of the best Playmobil sets to come out in a long time. It has multiple chambers including a kitchen and a greenhouse, as well as dozens of other details like solar panels, rocket launchers, and a cute robot assistant that is there to make Mars living just a little bit more comfortable for everyone. Real functioning lights illuminate the station even at night.

Mega Magic Kit With DVD

Mega Magic Kit With DVD

Mega Magic Kit With DVD

There’s nothing like an aspiring magician to keep the whole house entertained, and now, learning the dark arts is easier than ever for your 6 year old boy. The Mega Magic Kit is one of the most comprehensive starter-level magic toys that we have ever seen, and includes everything needed to learn, perform, and master over 100 different magic tricks that are sure to amaze both friends and family alike. It even includes a 2-drawer magic performance table, which not only helps with tricks but also adds a touch of class to the magic show. Looks like the only thing missing is the cape!

Mini Basketball Hoop

Mini Basketball Hoop

Mini Basketball Hoop

It seems that those miniature door-mounted basketball hoops are a dime a dozen these days, which is one reason that we are so impressed with the Pro-Series Mini Basketball Hoop by SKLZ. This is a high-quality & shatter-resistant polycarbonate backboard, as opposed to the plastic or cardboard varieties that you often see at the toy store. Available in multiple sizes as well as a special glow-in-the-dark edition, the Pro Mini Basketball Hoop is the perfect gift for the boy who just needs to have a basketball in his hands at all time. A breakaway steel rim even allows for dunking practice!

Monopoly Junior

Monopoly Junior

Monopoly Junior

One of the most popular board games of all time is now available in a simpler, quicker version that is perfect for the growing 6 year old. Monopoly Junior reduces the amount of properties, money, and rules of the classic buy-and-sell real estate game so that they can be enjoyed by a younger audience. This is the perfect way to introduce your kid to the game of Monopoly before they dive in to the full version. Four different brightly colored cartoon game pieces will have kids excited to take their pick, while fun kid-oriented locations like the Pizza House and Ice Cream Parlor will have them fully engaged in the race around the board.

Neo Tracks Flexible Track System

Neo Tracks Flexible Track System

Neo Tracks Flexible Track System

Whether your kid wants to use the included motorized car or a toy car from their own Hot Wheels collection, the New Tracks Flexible Track System is the perfect way to ‘get the lead out’, providing a customizable and brightly colored track for high-speed fun. The real draw of this toy is making your own custom track shapes and then watching the automatically-powered car race around it, but it works just as well with ‘regular’ Hot Wheels cars. This kit includes 228 pieces of track, but combining multiple kits is a great way to expand the fun!

Nerf DuelFury

Nerf DuelFury

Nerf DuelFury

You might be thinking to yourself that ‘my son has more than enough Nerf toys as it is’, but we promise you that they don’t yet have anything as wild and exciting as the brand new DuelFury Set from Nerf Nitro. These aren’t your average everyday Nerf blasters, but rather highly-charged mechanical launchers designed to send toy cars flying through the air with the help of the included ramps and jumps. Because this kit includes two blasters, two jumps, and four launchers, your kid will have everything they need to hold an unforgettable destruction derby with their best friend playing along.

Outdoor Exploration Kit

Outdoor Exploration Kit

Outdoor Exploration Kit

There’s no doubt about it … 6 is truly the age of adventuring. Make sure that your 6 year old is ready for whatever the wide world can throw at them with the Adventure Kidz Outdoor Exploration Kit, a full-featured collection of wilderness essentials designed just for growing kids. A pair of 4×30 binoculars is the centerpiece of the set, offering crystal clear imaging and a shock-resistant rubber exterior. A flashlight, safety whistle, compass, and magnifying glass round out the set, providing everything needed for hours of wholesome outdoor activities, whether it is at your favorite family campsite or in the backyard.

Pie Face Game

Pie Face Game

Pie Face Game

The premise behind Pie Face, one of the funniest gut-busting games we have ever seen, is so simple that everyone can get in on the action. First, squirt a little whipped cream (not included) onto the spring-loaded plastic hand. Then, take turns putting your head through the frame and cranking the handle. A spinner board will tell each player how many cranks they must complete, but watch out! You never know when the hand is going to release, sending a pile of fluffy cream into the face of the unsuspecting player. Whether you are playing or just watching, this is one of the funniest games to keep around the house.

[Updated] Buyer’s Guide: The Best Toys & Gifts For 6-Year Old Boys

 

While as adults it can be hard to remember what was going on when we were three, four, or even five, the general consensus is that we can remember what it was like to be six, that wonderful age when you really start making lasting memories. In fact, many of us on the team can even remember what kind of toys we were playing with when we were six, whether it was a battle-ready action figure or a beloved set of Legos.

 

Shopping for a six year old isn’t all bad. After all, six year old boys can be pretty vocal about what they want in life, so there is a pretty good chance that you won’t have to do a whole lot of digging to figure out what type of toy they’re after, whether it’s going to be a birthday present, Hanukah present, or one of those special ‘just because’ gifts that come around every now and then.

 

The challenge then comes in selecting a present that is not only going to satisfy their desire for entertaining play time, but also provide them with additional benefits that will aid their overall development, whether it is lesson-based building activities or the simple, physical exercise that comes from running around on a pair of Steel Stilts.

 

Shopping for a six year old boy isn’t complicated, especially if you take the time to read up on the most important stuff we learned while making this review. Afterwards, we’ll reveal our Top Pick Toys For 6-Year Old Boys.

What Kind Of Toys Should 6 Year Old Boys Be Playing With?

Six is a good age. Your legs are getting longer, your arms are getting stronger, and you are starting to come into your own unique personality as you continue to grow and develop alongside your peers. We say ‘we’, but of course, we are referring to the special 6 year old in your life, whether it is a gift for your nephew, son, grandson, or someone else entirely.

 

Six year old boys have a lot of energy, so it is no surprise that this is the age when a lot of cool sporting equipment and highly physical gaming sets become available. In addition to the physical stuff, 6 year olds are also at an age when they are simply ravenous for information and learning, which is why there are a lot of educationally rich STEM-based toys on the Amazon best-sellers list for this age group.

 

Here are some of the most popular categories of toys that we recommend for 6 year old boys, as well as a few notes on why exactly they might be a good idea for your next gift:

Sports Toys & Sports Equipment

As we mentioned above, 6 year olds are at an age where they are becoming increasingly physical and have greater amounts of energy. While club-based sports like T-ball and soccer are great for children, it can help to bring the action home through some cool sports toys, like street hockey nets and hovering soccer balls. Franklin Sports also makes a pretty awesome MLB-licensed pitching machine that can do wonders for a youngster’s batting average.

 

When shopping for sports equipment for boys, take some time to make sure that you are getting the sizing correct. Check the manufacturer specifications to see what they recommend, and whenever possible, try to find adjustable equipment that won’t be so easy to outgrow.

Collectible Cars And Figurines

This is a prime age for collecting, which is evident by the incredible sales behind such toy franchises as Hot Wheels and Lego. Boys love to watch their collections grow, and toys like these are able to remain relevant as they grow up. As an example, a Hot Wheels car can be just as much fun to a 3 year old as it is to a 7 year old, though the way in which they engage with it might be a little bit different.

 

6 year olds have the unique advantage of being able to play with more advanced play sets that are designed for their toy cars, such as the Nerf Dual Fury car launcher (reviewed above).

Building And Construction Sets

Building sets like Lego, Duplo, and Erector are just a small ex ample of what is available in the way of building toys for 6 year olds. In recent years a number of different companies have begun to produce high-quality wooden building sets as well, increasing the amount of variety and selection that is available.

 

Building sets are great because once you pick a brand, you can generally assume that all other kits and pieces from that brand will be interchangeable with one another. Lego is certainly the most popular example of this. The other benefit however is that these toys encourage children to come up with their own ideas and then work to put them into action. It is a blend of creativity and ingenuity that is going to do wonders for their developing brain.

Board Games

Boys love to compete, especially around the age of six when they are growing fast and learning lots. Board games are a great way to funnel this competitive nature into a restrained, fun activity that can be shared by multiple children. For 6 year olds specifically, games like Monopoly Junior and Roller Coaster Challenge offer engaging play styles with a great re-play value.

Science & STEM-Based Toys & Activities

Anytime you buy a toy for your kid, it is worth looking into whether there is a version of it that is a bit more educational. Toys marked with the STEM acronym are a great place to start. Representing the core principles of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, STEM-based toys are educationally stimulating as well as just plain fun. With STEM toys ranging from Dinosaur Digging Kits to Grow-Your-Own Terrariums, there is a good chance that these are the real home-run gifts for this age range.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

Q: What is a good toy for 6 year old who needs less screen time in his life?  

 

A: One of the things that a lot of parents have to worry about these days is how much screen time their child is getting, whether it is on smart phone, laptop, or tablet device. Sometimes it doesn’t even matter what the actual digital activity is … the real damage comes from simply spending too much time looking at a screen.

 

The antidote to screen addiction is simple. Toys that encourage your boy to get out and into the world are going to automatically make them put the screens down in favor of big adventure. A pair of Light-Up Roller Skates, for example, or a Pro Scooter, either of which will really get them rolling.

 

STEM toys are also great for providing an alternative to video games and smart phones. These science-based activities can be highly engaging and provide intellectual stimulation that makes them more addictive than they appear.

 

Q: What are those “coding” & “programming” toys all about?

 

A: Coding toys can come in a few different forms these days, but the ones that you see for boys around this age are almost all Toy Robots. For these robots, the programming element comes from arranging movement commands one by one using an included controller, which then dictate how the robot will move, dance, or sing his way around the room. There are certainly exceptions to this, but most coding toys follow a fairly similar design.

 

Conclusion: The Best Anytime Gifts For 6 Year Old Boys

 

Dinosaurs or race cars? Punching Bags or hockey nets? The wide array of toys that are available to the modern six year old are staggering, especially when you consider how many of them have added educational or physical benefits that go beyond mere entertainment.

 

We’ve reviewed the facts, and the results are in. Our Top Pick toy for a 6-year old boy has to be the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, simply because of how much fun they are to play, even when your 6-year old is actually beating you. But because our pick was no doubt motivated by no small amount of nostalgia, we’re going to offer an additional recommendation to cover our tracks.

 

The all-around best value gift for a 6 year old is probably the Outdoor Exploration Kit by Adventure Kidz. Both the nature lover and wannabe super-spy will appreciate this collection of useful guy-gear and the durable orange carrying bag.

Dan Wiener
Hey there! I'm Dan, the founder behind Kids Love WHAT. I started this blog as a way to document all of the things that my 4 kids love: crafting, science experiments, good food, fun games and of course lots of toys! When I'm not busy chasing them all around, you can find me scouring the web to find the next best thing to keep them busy and out of my hair!