Essential Toy Box for 6 & 7 Year Olds
We believe these toys are essential members of your family's toy box. Our extensive toy experience (over a decade!) plus years of customer feedback inform this no fluff guide to the very best. Explore consistent favourites that build essential life skills like creativity, emotional intelligence, problem solving and grit.
Browse the collection below for our customers' favourites or keep scrolling for a deeper dive into which toys are best at this age and why.
What Do 6 & 7 Year Olds Need Out of Their Toys?
Children this age are often ready for more independent play opportunities. Playing with things like blocks and construction toys, puzzles, small world and imaginative play toys and art supplies are perfect for your child to enjoy their own company .
They often really enjoy nature and learning about our natural world. Encourage them to play outside often and explore nature themed toys and books. The world needs more nature lovers!!
Their social/emotional world is expanding. Things like school and new friendships bring excitement and challenges and it’s important for them to have ways to let off steam and process their feelings (could be dressing up in costumes, making art or playing out scenes with small world play). They often like creating collections (from play figures to Pokemon cards) to express their personality.
6 and 7 year olds are still really into imaginative play and small world play. Encourage them to play with open ended toys for as long as possible to build creativity and imagination - it will serve them well for life.
They are honing fine motor skills and are ready for more intricate toys (like smaller blocks) and activities (like simple sewing).
Top Considerations
Aim to develop the whole child - mind, body and spirit. Look for toys that develop critical thinking skills and grit (like construction toys, puzzles and games), creativity (like small world play, dolls and stuffies and art supplies) and emotional intelligence (like small world play, dolls and stuffies, books and art supplies).
Don’t shorten childhood by pushing them into older kid toys or books. They’ll never be this young again. Play is the ultimate form of learning for children, so let them play deeply and without heavy expectations.
Keep fueling imaginative play - incredible for brain development and emotional intelligence. Don’t discount the educational benefits of things like stuffed animals, dolls or figures.
You know your kid best - what do they already love? Lean into that and make it possible for them to play more deeply in that zone! Is there an area where they’re struggling? Find fun toys or books that explore that skill they could use more of. There’s no such thing as a Must Have Toy for everyone.
Maileg
Ignite your child’s imagination with these adorable mice with heartwarming personalities! It's a busy world - lots of lights, noises and flashy gadgets competing for (and diluting) our attention and focus. Bring storybook whimsy to everyday moments with your child with these toys designed specifically to help children explore the pure and simple joy of imagination.
Maileg toys invite boundless imaginative play, whether it’s a mouse tea party, tucking baby mice in teeny beds or going on a wild camping adventure,.
Maileg toys are an excellent choice for supporting creativity and emotional intelligence development in your kiddo. Most kids instantly gravitate to imaginative and nurturing play with Maileg toys.
Art Supplies & Craft Kits
Engaging in art creation encourages creativity, abstract thinking, concentration and perseverance - all necessary skills for success in school and life. Generally, kids this age like colourful art supplies like pencil crayons, watercolour paints and felt pens. Origami or craft kits are fantastic options too!
