I know this is a weird question....

I am starting childcare in my home. I am just starting out and trying to get kids now. I had planned on ages birth to pre-school, but this summer I will be watching a boy who will be 6 on 6/10 and in the first grade this fall (my first official kid in childcare!).

Anyway, what do "just turned 6 years old" boys like? What activities/toys do they like? I don't really have a lot of toys for kids that age, and I don't want to spend a lot of money, just because I know that my focus will be on 2,3,4 year olds. Anything generally about this age that I should know about? I am more familiar with younger kids, so any help you can give me would be appreciated!

TIA!

 

My six year old loves creating things. Old recycled materials and tape. He also in into bug collecting and really loves creative role play (like house/ kitchen things.)

Having three boys in my house - the most important thing to remember is that they are very active. Plan a day full of climbing, running, biking, racing, jumping, and squirt guns and you will stay sane - lol

 

My son is only 5 1/2 but he is very energetic. He loves to be outside, riding his bike/skateboard/scooter..etc Inside he has army men and animals (from the dollar store) he likes to play with along with cars.

 

I teach after school day care and my gang are grade 1 and 2. Outside its very active. Inside its Lego and any other sort of building "stuffs". Cars are a big deal. There are also times when its all about something creative. A big thing is copying pictures (covers of books, Pokemon or Chaotic characters). They also love search and find books.

 

My boys love to draw as well. Pokemon to copy is a real fav. We have a Pokedex that shows many of them, if he's into that. They just need colored pencils and a stack of paper. They like to draw images off the computer too, like butterflies, ladybugs, etc. Let's see. They like the Wii! They also like playing with army guys, stuffed animals, making forts, but especially playing outside. Do you have a scooter, or can he ride his bike? Water play will be big. Squirt gun, or just a bucket or 2 with a hose. They also like a computer game called Age of Empires, but they learned it from their older brother, so it may not be easy to learn for your 6 yr. old guy. Have fun!

 

That is exactly Micah's age. He loves video games (Xbox 360 and DS,) but I limit his time playing. Legos, cars and trucks, basketball, football, soccer, water play, dirt, anything that makes me tired to watch- he loves to do. Also likes to watch movies. Going from Kindergarten to first grade he would probably be well served to have a certain time period (like 45 min to 1 hour during naptime for the other kids) for reading, practice writing etc.

 

My boys are 5 and love pretty much anything sports related. They also like to race cars, draw, ride their big wheels, play board or card games among other stuff.

 

Mine just turned 7. They don't play with toys much, aside from board games. Inside, they love to play guitar and drums or some form of baseball that fits indoors. Outside, it's baseball, basketball, and scooters, and the sandbox is still a big draw. Occasionally they role play with their dress-up helmets. (The other day they were role playing Paul Blart: Mall Cop, wearing their police helmets. That was a stitch!). Video games and TV are big attractions, but they don't get much of those.

 

My son loves playing any type of sports outside. Baseball, basketball, soccer, football, frisbee, also playing on the swing set, riding his bike/scooter, etc. Inside he likes to play dress up (like ninjas, cowboys, policemen, etc.) He enjoys playing with legos, army men, dinosaurs, and CARS. Maybe talk to his mom about him bringing a few toys from home. You could rotate them every week or so. I would also try and find some quiet time activities for him to do while the others are taking their naps, so that you get a little break, some work books, or reading books, or puzzles, something like that.

 

a soccer ball or baseball & glove will keep him occupied for a good 45 minutes at least. also, bikes are big at that age. most kids have started getting the hang of no training wheels by then & they love to ride. if his mom could bring his bike some days & he could ride it in you driveway he'd probably enjoy it. cooking is also something my boys have always liked. we will make sugar cookies or cupcakes & they get to decorate them & they love it.

 

maybe mine are weird, but they get lost in books all the time....they are really getting into things like legos, they love to cook, and they enjoy helping out around the house and with the little ones...hope he's as easy and fun as this age can be - GL with your new venture!