Children's Activities for a 6-Year-Old

Six-year-olds are more articulate and have longer attention spans than preschoolers, making it somewhat easier to entertain them. They still need adult guidance in activities with other children, as their rudimentary social skills often contribute to grave disputes over issues such as who really shouted "Not it!" first. Activities that provide exercise and those that spark their developing intellects and imaginations are best for 6-year-olds, whether they are enjoyed alone, with parents or other children.

  1. Bedtime Activities

    • Your 6-year-old needs about an hour before bedtime to unwind from his day's events, so gear his activities to relaxing ones. Don't let him play video games or watch TV during this time, because these activities will excite him and make it harder for him to fall asleep. Reading to your 6-year-old or snuggling while you talk relaxes him, reinforces your bond and makes it easier for him to go to sleep at his designated bedtime.

    Home Activities

    • Six-year-olds can usually read simple books on their own, so reading with your child, particularly from books with more complex vocabulary than he has been exposed to, helps him learn new words while engaging his imagination. Six-year-olds also enjoy writing, drawing and sharing their creations with others, so encourage him by keeping crayons on hand and give him your full attention when he shares his creations with you.

    Group Activities

    • Six-year-olds take a self-esteem blow from losing, so activities that let children play without worrying about a score are best for this age group. If you want to introduce sports to this age group, let them kick a soccer ball back and forth or throw a football to each other just for the fun of it. If you're supervising birthday party games, clearly explain the rules and be ready to repeat them for children who didn't understand or weren't paying attention the first time. De-emphasize winning and losing with small prizes for everybody, so all the children can feel good about participating, and if you notice their interest waning, move on to the next activity.

    Outdoor Activities

    • Six-year-olds are naturally energetic, making outdoor play essential for exercise and as an outlet for their energy. Activities such as kite flying, building a snow fort or playing on swings and other playground equipment provide exercise and can be good opportunities to socialize with other 6-year-olds in a noncompetitive environment. Most 6-year-olds respond well to responsibility, so this is a good time to have your child start helping you with simple outdoor jobs. You can start by having them help you wash your car or by raking the lawn and rewarding them with a large leaf pile to leap into.

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