When you’re looking for a cool birthday gift for a 6-year-old, it’s all about fun. Kindergarteners and first-graders are ready for more complex toys and games that stretch their imaginations and sometimes even their bodies.

We love gifts for 6 year olds that get them thinking, moving, and — most importantly — having a blast just being themselves. While it’s also worth looking at our ideas for the best gifts for 5 year olds and best gifts for 7 year olds, here are just some of our (very many) favorite cool gift ideas that we created specifically with 6 year olds in mind. You’re sure to find something perfect that goes beyond the expected.

Above: Yezi Kids’ Ukelele

Be sure to see our full list of the best gifts for kids by age

The best gifts for 6-year-olds

All gifts have been editorially determined by our staff, there is no compensation in exchange for picks. We may get a small commission from affiliate link sales at no cost to you. This helps us remain independent and support our team.

Super Mario Mushroom beanbag chair

($359 at Pottery Barn Teen)
Arguably the most snuggle-able of all the Mario characters — and a huge hit with our readers. But then, so are all the beanbag chairs there!

Kids’ volume-limiting headphones

($29.95 and up at Amazon)
The Cool Mom Tech team gives the thumbs up to these durable, volume-limiting kids’ headphones from LilGadgets. They come in tons of cool colors, fold up easily when not playing their favorite tunes, and of course, protect little ears. One of the best gifts for 6-year-olds who love music, videos, and audiobooks. So basically, all of them.

LEGO Animal Crossing Isabella’s House Visit Set

($39.97, Amazon)
The hottest new LEGO set for kids 6 and up is just made for building meets creative play meets storytelling. Smart way to take the online fun offline. PS The LEGO Animal Crossing Julian’s Birthday Set is a fantastic option under $15, for those many birthday gifts you’ll be needing.

Personalized child’s name bracelet

($20-22 at Positive Charm on Etsy)
Such a pretty personalized gift at a great price, this also makes a thoughtful present for one of their many 6-year-old friends.

VANS Kids Sneakers

($21 and up, Zappos
From the classic checkerboard pattern to the easy-close Velcro skate shoes, these always-cool kids’ skate shoes slide on in a sec and look great with anything.

Kids’ ukulele

($10.99, Amazon)
How soon til they can play the entire Taylor Swift catalog? We’ll go ahead and say the headphones, above, are not really required for this one.

Interactive kids learning globe

($34-104 at Amazon)
6-year-olds are learning about everything around them, and this interactive globe from LeapFrog will bring them around the world with just a touch of the stylus. For other options, compare with the Talking Interactive Globe from Educational Insights and the very affordable illuminated learning globe by USA Toyz

Eco Fubbles Bamboo Bubble Wand Set

($7.95, Fat Brain Toys)
Comes with the Fubbles Bubble Solution but you’ll definitely want to order more.

Gross Gummy Candy Lab

($22.15 on sale at Amazon)
Kids love science experiments, but it might be most fun when you get to eat the results at the end. Love this kit from Thames & Kosmos because you know, anything with “gross” in the name is going to be a smash hit as a best gift for a 6 year-old.

Star Friends 4-Book Boxed Set

($19-26, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org)

Linda Chapman’s wildly popular, best-selling chapter book series now comes in a gift box of the first four titles: Mirror Magic, Wish Trap, Secret Spell, and Dark Tricks. If your 6-9 year-olds haven’t read them yet, they’ll never put them down.

Cool sleepover air mattresses

($79 at Funboy)
Great for sleepovers or to keep at the grandparent’s house for overnights, this snazzy convertible in pink or blue deflates for easy storage. Or set them up in front of the television for a unique “drive-in movie” night! It’s available as a sleek speed boat air mattress if your 6-year-old prefers that mode of travel — or a pink or blue fairytale castle air mattress if they’d rather just stay put.

Kids Indoor/Outdoor Pickleball Set

($80 for full set with net; additional pair of paddles and silicon balls $30, Uncommon Goods)
The fastest-growing sport in America for six years running, so no surprise our kids want in too. Very cool gift for 6-year-olds who can play with their older siblings — and adults too.

Little Tikes Karaoke Machine

($17, Amazon)
Our favorite 6-year-olds can be their own rising stars with this new Tobi 2 interactive karaoke machine, which includes wireless Bluetooth connectivity. Not only can they sing along to any song, there’s also a pitch correction feature which, depending on your child, may be the best feature of all.

“Oh Synapse!” Short-Sleeved Neuron Polo Shirt

($22, Princess Awesome/Boy Wonder)
This ethically-made, comfy, stretchy shirt comes from one of our favorite indie label’s that’s smashing gender stereotypes and opening up fashion options for creative kids. Perfect for the 6-year-old science fan, the pattern mimics the appearance of magnetic resonance imagery of the brain. TLDR; they’re neorons.

FUNKO Disney Happiest Day Game

($22 at Amazon)

Bring some of the fun of the Magic Kingdom to family game night with this beautifully illustrated, easy-to-play game that can be completed in about 20 minutes. Or, the time it takes to walk from Cinderella’s Castle to Space Mountain.

Pop-a-Shot Arcade-Style Basketball Game

($49.99, Walmart)
Kids get a true arcade experience with the game’s digital LED scoring and sound effects — but no quarters required. It’s one of the best birthday gifts for a 6-year-old because they can use it right up until 12…and even then they might not part with it.

Lilo & Stitch Kids Mini Backpack

($49.99, Claire’s)
Stitch comes to life adorably on this brand-new backpack exclusively for Claire’s. What a perfect (and practical) gift for a 6-year-old heading off to summer camp or first grade. Popcorn not included.

Wakanda Forever fashion dolls

($39.99 each at Target)
Okoye, Shuri, and Nakia are beautifully made, bendable and posable dolls from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. They’ll look great displayed in your child’s room which is good because we couldn’t bear to see them tossed in a toy box.

Butterfly wings dress-up clothes

($25 at Butterfly Flight Shop on Etsy)
Handmade from lightweight parachute material, they’ll love fluttering around with these pretty wings.

100-piece outer space jigsaw puzzle for kids

($5 on sale, Ravensburger storefront on Amazon
Puzzles are always a fantastic, affordable gift for kids of any age, and this one is a cool gift for 6-year-olds who have a love of outer space — or a newfound one after the 2024 total eclipse.

Mother-Daughter Love You More bracelet set

($14 each, Brooklyn Rose Beads)
Tons of adorable, affordable gifts for kids under $15 at this sweet Etsy shop.
Psst…this can be from a Dad, an Aunt, a Grandma or Grandpa, or even a big sibling.

Fairy garden kit

($39.55 at The Felted Tree on Etsy)
If you’re a fan of Waldorf-style toys, or you have a kid who adores tiny things, this lovely DIY fairy garden kit is worth a look. It comes in its own container ready to be set up indoors or out. Just add soil, plant, and magic.

Kindle Kids or Kindle Paperwhite Kids Reader

(From $119 at Amazon)
With more storage and a longer battery life than older models, the new Kindle Kids tablets can be a voracious reader’s best friend– or turn your child into one. The included one-year Amazon Kids+ subscription is a sweet bonus, giving them access to thousands of books and hundreds of audiobooks. (Plus that space whale cover is awesome.)

Minor League Baseball tickets

(prices vary; find your nearest Minor League Team here)
Experience gifts are the best! So them out to the ballgame to see games played by teams with awesome names like the Akron Rubber Ducks, Richmond Flying Squirrels, or the Montgomery Biscuits. With game nights especially for kids, Minor League teams make it so fun with contests, giveaways, and fireworks to end the night. Plus, a lot cheaper than the Majors.