Based on child development research, the following guide will help in your selection of toys this age group. Some playthings are recommended for more than one age category, as children of different ages often enjoy the same toy, each playing with it at his or her own level.

Six to Nine Years

Abilities and Interests

School-age children enjoy play that requires strategy and skill. Board games, tabletop sports and classic toys like marbles and kites are favorites. Grade-schoolers also enjoy exploring different kinds of grown-up worlds and like fashion and career dolls and action figures. Children this age seek out new information and experiences through play and enjoy science, craft and magic kits. In addition, this age group possesses the physical skills and coordination to enjoy junior versions of adult sporting equipment.

Toy Suggestions

Complex gym equipment
Bicycle and helmet
Ice or roller skates/roller blades and protective gear
Sporting equipment (baseball glove, hockey stick, tennis racket) and protective gear
Simple swimming equipment
Stilts
Pogo sticks
Jump ropes
Construction toys
Jigsaw puzzles, including three-dimensional puzzles
Fashion/career dolls
Puppets, marionettes and theaters
Doll houses and furnishings
Action figures
Paper dolls
Science sets
Model kits
Craft kits
Magic sets
Art supplies
Tabletop sports
Video games
Electronic games
Board games
Tape player and tapes
Books (children's classics, fairytales)