The 22 Best Gifts for 6-Year-Old Boys in 2020

These gifts will hold his attention and captivate his imagination

Written by
Erica Puisis
Erica Puisis is a writer specializing in interior design. She writes about home products for The Spruce and has used her smart home experience for publications like Smart Home Solver and TechDigg.
Learn about our editorial process
Erica Puisis
Erica Puisis
Published on 10/17/19 by Erica Puisis
Erica Puisis is a writer specializing in interior design. She writes about home products for The Spruce and has used her smart home experience for publications like Smart Home Solver and TechDigg.
Learn about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated 10/17/19

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Our Top Picks

Little Pretender Walkie Talkies for Kids at Amazon

"The walkie talkies work on four different channels and include a privacy code to keep your child safe."

Remote Control Robot at Amazon

"This battery-operated robot features a remote control to coordinate his movements and launch soft foam discs."

Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash Track Set at Amazon

"Motorized wheels propel cars onto the loops of the track and kids have fun tracking which cars go the distance."

VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX at Amazon

"This kid-friendly version of a smart watch features rugged construction and fun activities and games to keep kids engaged and learning."

Nintendo Switch Lite at Amazon

"This handheld gaming device offers access to Nintendo’s downloadable gaming content and also utilizes Switch game cartridges."

Razor A2 Kick Scooter at Amazon

"This lightweight and easy-to-maneuver scooter is popular with kids of all ages."

WisToyz Hover Soccer Ball Set with 2 Goals at Amazon

"The kid-friendly and indoor-safe set includes a lightweight, air-powered hoverball that won't damage furniture."

Flybar Foam Pogo Jumper at Amazon

"This compact pogo jumper features a soft foam bottom that won’t harm floors."

Stomp Rocket Dueling Rockets at Amazon

"This rocket launcher features dual launching pads and four rockets that are designed to be stepped on and sent high overhead."

LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box at Amazon

"These 484-piece set of classic building blocks are among the most popular toys of all time, and comes inside a handy storage container."

  • 01 of 22

    Little Pretender Walkie Talkies for Kids

    Excellent

    The Little Pretender Walkie Talkies for kids will have your child saying, “Roger that!” with delight as they talk to friends through these sturdy and realistic units. This set gives you FRS functionality in a kid-friendly design. The walkie talkies work on four different channels and include a privacy code to keep nearby FRS devices from transmitting onto your child’s walkie talkie. 

    While some people found that the stated 2-mile range of these walkie talkies was more limited, they work well for neighborhood fun and one parent reports that their child is easily able to talk to friends down the block.

    Little Pretender Walkie Talkies Review
  • 02 of 22

    Think Gizmos Robo Shooter

    Very Good

    This battery-operated robot features a remote control to coordinate his movements and launch soft foam discs from within the robot’s chest. You can also pre-program the robot to move on his own, adding to the fun. The included disks are soft, so they don't damage furniture or decor, but cats and dogs do love chasing them, so keep a close eye on pets while this toy is out.

    RoboShooter Robot Toy Review
  • 03 of 22

    Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash Track Set

    hot-wheels-criss-cross
    Courtesy of Walmart

    This Hot Wheels track features four elevated loops for car racing fun, along with multiple ‘crash zones’ for plenty of action and excitement. Motorized wheels propel cars onto the loops of the track and kids have fun tracking which cars go the distance, making many circuits of the track before crashing. Just know that this toy can be a bit loud, thanks to the motor powering cars around the track and the crashing cars.

    Want more ideas? Check out our roundup of the best Hot Wheels tracks.

  • 04 of 22

    VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX

    6-year-old boys that love tech gadgets will appreciate the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX. This kid-friendly version of a smartwatch features rugged construction and fun activities and games to keep kids engaged and learning. 

    Parents find the VTech Kidizoom to be great for getting kids excited about staying active since it counts your steps and has games that are played with the motion sensors. It’s also useful for keeping kids occupied on car rides or running errands—without needing to bring along a larger tablet. This watch is one of the best gifts for 6-year-old boys and is sure to put a smile on his face.

    For more ideas, take a look at our roundup of the best electronics for kids.

    Continue to 5 of 22 below.
  • 05 of 22

    Nintendo Switch Lite

    If you’re looking for a top gaming gift for 6-year-old boys, look no further than the portable and fun Nintendo Switch Lite. This handheld gaming device offers access to Nintendo’s downloadable gaming content and also utilizes Switch game cartridges. It won’t dock to the television like the standard Nintendo Switch and is only intended for single player use. However, it’s more affordable than the Switch and gives your 6-year-old a fun and portable gaming experience.

  • 06 of 22

    Razor A2 Kick Scooter

    Give your 6-year-old a new set of wheels with the Razor A2 Kick Scooter. This lightweight and easy-to-maneuver scooter is popular with kids of all ages. It features a wheelie bar in the back for fun moves and a shock absorber in the front for a smooth ride. The Razor A2 supports up to 143 pounds and folds up for easy storage. It's a great way to encourage kids to get outside and stay active, as they race with friends or try new moves in the driveway.

  • 07 of 22

    WisToyz Hover Soccer Ball Set with 2 Goals

    This kid-friendly and indoor-safe set includes a lightweight, air-powered hoverball that doesn’t do damage to furniture or walls, thanks to the built-in foam bumper. While some people find the goals to be a little light to stay steady, you can anchor them with a heavier object to keep them in place. This hoverball soccer set is a great choice for a sports fan or as an indoor toy for any active child.

  • 08 of 22

    Flybar Foam Pogo Jumper

    Provide a fun, safe way for your kid to let loose with the Flybar Foam Pogo Jumper. This compact pogo jumper features a soft foam bottom that won’t harm floors and a stretchy handle that enables kids of different heights to use it easily. It has a 250-pound weight limit, and plenty of parents have been known to give the Flybar Foam Pogo Jumper a test run. The only common complaint is that the pogo jumper makes a squeaking sound with every jump, but most parents agree it’s a small price to pay for the active enjoyment that kids have with this toy. 

    Continue to 9 of 22 below.
  • 09 of 22

    Stomp Rocket Dueling Rockets

    Stomp Rocket Dueling Rockets features four rockets and dual launching pads that are designed to be stepped, stomped, and smashed by kids looking to send the rockets high overhead. The rockets themselves are soft and kid-friendly but can soar to great heights.

    While Stomp Rocket offers a single rocket launcher, the Dueling Rockets version is our top pick since it offers the ability for two kids to play simultaneously. Many users also found the Dueling Rockets set-up to have a sturdier base and easier rocket loading system. 

  • 10 of 22

    LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box

    These classic building blocks are among the most popular toys of all time, and many young boys enjoy the endless engineering and tinkering that comes with a set of LEGO blocks. This 484-piece set comes inside of a handy storage container, though don’t be surprised to find that the included bricks don’t fill the container to the brim. Instead, parents say it’s only partially full—but allows plenty of room for your child to grow his LEGO collection over the years. 

    Want to take a look at some other options? See our list of the best LEGO sets.

  • 11 of 22

    Scientific Explorer My First Mind Blowing Science Kit

    This easy-to-use and educational lab kit will open up a whole new world of experiments that are age-appropriate and fun for young boys. The kit includes the basics needed for 11 different activities, though you’ll need to supply a few common essentials along the way (like flour and water). To really make your child feel like a scientist, it includes equipment like a pipette, test tubes, a stand, and various scoops to measure ingredients. 

    While some parents said that a few of the experiments seemed to be repetitive (several focus on acid reactions), others point out that reinforcing these lessons can be a good learning aid.

    If your child loves STEM activities, consider a gift from our roundup of the best STEM toys for kids.

  • 12 of 22

    Adventure Kidz Outdoor Exploration Kit

    Does he love the great outdoors? Equip him for his next adventure with the Adventure Kidz Outdoor Exploration Kit. This child-friendly set includes all the basics for a family camping trip, hike, or afternoon in the background.

    Along with a drawstring backpack, the set includes binoculars with 4x30 magnification, a crank-operated LED flashlight, a 3X magnifying glass, a compass, and a whistle on a lanyard. While the kit isn't filled with high-grade survival equipment, it’s fun and functional for a child. In particular, parents like the compass, which helps to teach kids the basics of navigation.

    Continue to 13 of 22 below.
  • 13 of 22

    Think Gizmos Take-Apart Racing Car

    For young motor enthusiasts, the Think Gizmos Take-Apart Racing car is a great hands-on gift. This build-your-own-car kit is designed to be assembled by your child and includes a kid-friendly battery-operated drill and 30 pieces. 

    While it may sound challenging for a 6-year-old, most reviewers found it to be a fun and age-appropriate challenge for their child. One thing to know is that a motion sensor allows the car to make sounds for realistic play, but you can turn this function off with a switch on the engine.

  • 14 of 22

    Creativity for Kids Create with Clay Dinosaurs

    For a budding paleontologist or any little boy that loves prehistoric action, this clay dinosaur kit from Creativity for Kids is a great activity. The kit includes three plastic dinosaur skeletons and five colors of modeling clay to bring the dinosaurs to life. This STEAM toy combines science and art for a hands-on activity any child will enjoy. It’s worth noting that the clay stays moldable for quite a long time, so your child can re-configure the dinosaurs over and over for hours of fun.

    If you're looking for more gifts like this, check out our list of the best dinosaur toys for kids.

  • 15 of 22

    Yulu Operation Escape Board Game

    Operation Escape Room

    Yulu 

    Challenge the mind with the Operation Escape Board Game. This logic and critical thinking game brings the excitement of an Escape Room into your living room. With three challenges to solve and varying degrees of difficulty, it appeals to children's sense of adventure.

    For more fun that the whole family can join in on, check out our list of the best board games for kids.

  • 16 of 22

    IQ BUILDER STEM Construction Set

    For the little boy who loves to build and tinker, the IQ Builder STEM Construction Set provides an abundance of possibilities. This introduction to engineering set helps kids build structures and shapes with 164 pieces, including building rods in various lengths, connecting balls, and wheels. Just know that if your child really takes off with this STEM construction set, they’ll probably need to add to the initial inventory of pieces to create large-scale projects or more specialized designs.

    Continue to 17 of 22 below.
  • 17 of 22

    LEGO Marvel Spider-Man: Spider-Man Bike Rescue Building Kit

    For hours of webby fun, look no further than the LEGO Marvel Spider-Man Bike Rescue Building Kit. This set lets your child build exciting pieces for dramatic action, including a Spider-Man motorcycle and power generator along with a variety of figures and accessories. Altogether, there are 235 pieces to this Lego kit—which is enough to challenge a 6-year-old builder or be combined into larger building projects.

  • 18 of 22

    Treasure X Aliens Dissection Kit

    This out-of-this-world set includes a creature filled with reusable slime and hidden surprises inside. Kids use the tweezers to find the hidden objects, including 1 of 18 different treasure hunter action figures. Parents appreciate the fact that the set doesn’t contain a lot of small pieces that make a mess or get lost and everything fits back inside the tube for easy storage.

  • 19 of 22

    Osmo - Detective Agency: A Search & Find Mystery

    Osmo creates interactive games that combine a hands-on board and pieces with the expansive learning opportunities available through a tablet. Compatible with an iPad or Fire Tablet, parents love how the Osmo Detective Agency game helps kids learn more about geography while using critical thinking skills. You can easily expand your Osmo learning collection with more games once you have the base, which is sold separately.

  • 20 of 22

    Marvel Spider-Man Super Web Slinger

    spider man glove

    Marvel 

    Let your 6-year-old’s imagination run wild with the Marvel Spider-Man Super Web Slinger. Simply slip on the special Spidey glove and attach the canister and holster to sling webs or spray water. The set includes a can of web fluid—which is similar to silly string. Once the canister runs out, you can buy replacements but it’s nice to know that the sprayer also works with water. This Spider-Man Super Web Slinger takes playtime to a whole new level, and parents like that it’s not necessary to keep replacing the web fluid for the glove to remain fun.

    Continue to 21 of 22 below.
  • 21 of 22

    Hasbro Connect 4 Game

    Introduce your child to a classic game for hours of fun. Hasbro’s Connect 4 is a top seller that is simple to learn but offers competitive gameplay. It’s the perfect game for keeping kids occupied on rainy days or to play with parents during a family game night. What people love most about Connect 4 for kids is that it’s ready to play out of the box and a quick round can be played in a few minutes or longer tournaments can lead to an hour or more of fun.

    Interested in reading more reviews? Take a look at our selection of the best family board games.

  • 22 of 22

    Alex Toys Fold N Fly Paper Airplanes Kit

    Enhance fine motor skills while giving flight to the imagination with this Fold N Fly Paper Airplanes Kit. This kit includes enough printed paper and instructions to make 18 different paper airplanes. While some kids found the instructions for more advanced folding techniques to require help from an adult, most people agree that it's a fun and simple way to entertain 6-year-olds for hours at a time. 

Products Tested by

Our Process

Our writers spent 3 hours researching the most popular gifts for 6-year-old boys on the market. Before making their final recommendations, they considered 40 different gifts overall, screened options from 34 different brands and manufacturers, read over 200 user reviews (both positive and negative), and tested 3 of the gifts themselves. All of this research adds up to recommendations you can trust.

How We Tested

We bought three top-rated gifts for 6-year-old boys and our reviewers (and their kids) tested them for six hours. We asked our testers to consider the most important features when using these gifts, from their entertainment value to their durability. We’ve outlined the key takeaways here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.

What to Look for in a Gift for a 6-Year-Old Boy

Action Look for gifts that’ll keep a 6-year-old boy engaged and on the move. There are action-oriented toys that work on major motor skills or options for improving precision and aim. Either way, any 6-year-old will enjoy a gift that gives him a reason to run, jump, or get active during playtime.

Imagination At the age of 6, most boys have an active imagination. Put their creativity to use with a toy or game that has multiple configurations or outcomes, allowing them to think outside the box and make creative decisions for themselves.

STEM skills Who says learning can’t be fun? Help your 6-year-old boy to learn more about science, technology, engineering, or math with fun gifts that teach skills in these useful areas. Many STEM toys and games involve robotics, fun chemistry experiments, or building play structures like forts while using basic principles of engineering. Just be sure to choose an age-appropriate gift and be around to give a helping hand if your child needs help mastering a certain skill.

Test Results: Little Pretender Walkie Talkies for Kids

Excellent
What We Like

  • Easy to use

  • Clear sound quality

  • Flashlight feature

What We Don't Like

  • No volume control

  • Wish it came in other colors

These walkie-talkies were a hit with one of our testers because they were easy to use and their sound quality was “clear with no static.” One reviewer also noted that they had a “fun built-in flashlight.” In terms of negatives, our testers didn’t like that there was no way to control the volume, and one reviewer wished there were more color options.

Test Results: Thinkgizmos Remote Control Robot Fires Discs, Dances, Talks - Super Fun RC Robot

Very Good
What We Like

  • Entertaining

  • Kid-friendly materials

  • Discs shoot fast

What We Don't Like

  • Very loud

  • Cheap-looking packaging

One of our testers observed that her children loved using this kid-friendly toy: “The discs shoot far and fast which was exciting for my son,” she explained. “It’s also great that the discs are soft so I didn't have to worry about them accidentally hitting his younger brother.” On the other hand, one reviewer didn’t like that the toy was “very loud,” and also that its packaging “felt cheap and made the toy feel less special.”

Test Results: Foam Strike Sling Shot

Very Good
What We Like

  • Easy to use

  • Entertaining

  • Balls soft and kid-friendly

What We Don't Like

  • Made with cheap plastic

  • Some balls arrived dented

This toy was easy for kids to set up themselves, noted one of our testers. One reviewer also thought it was kid-friendly and entertaining: “The balls are soft and made of foam so we don't have to worry about injuries,” she explained, “and they go far!” The downsides? Our testers thought that the frame was made of cheap plastic, and one reviewer reported that when the toy arrived, some of the balls were already dented.