Toys for Six- to Eight-Year-Olds

The toys suggested below are generally appropriate for typically developing six- to eight-year-olds. Many of these same toys are also suitable for kids who are not developing according to typical milestones, though they may need to be used differently. (For information on selecting or adapting toys for kids with disabilities, see Selecting Toys for Children with Disabilities or visit the National Lekotek Center at www.lekotek.org or www.ableplay.org.) Parents and caregivers must always ensure that any toy they let a child use is safe for that child.

Dolls—washable and with culturally relevant features and skin tones
Doll clothing and accessories
Cash registers and play money
Puppets and simple puppet theater
Play scenes
Small people, animals, and vehicles for acting out stories
Parents who sing, talk, and read to their children
Books: different genres to read aloud, for kids to read silently, for kids to make
Crayons, markers, colored pencils, chalk, and paint
Art supplies: scissors, paper, glue, glitter, paint brushes
Craft materials: looms, fabric, beads, plaster of paris, sewing supplies, weaving materials, jewelry making materials
Book making materials
Clay
Musical instruments
Music for singing and dancing
Audiovisual and technology tools
Replicas of cars and other vehicles
Construction workbench with child-sized tools and real materials
Math manipulatives
Measuring materials
Science materials
Plants and animals to study and care for
Puzzles: three dimensional and jigsaw (50 to 100 pieces)
Balls and sports equipment
Ride-on toys, including bicycles
Climbing toys

Adapted from Martha B. Bronson: The Right Stuff for Children Birth to Eight; and other sources.

Provided By Susan J. Oliver, Tropomedia
This information is provided on behalf of the toy experts at your neighborhood toy store.