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Logo design credit goes to: tubbadu
If you want diy that’s not Lego for a 6 yo, I’d go with magnetites. The original brand is best but the knock off brands are good too. Not all brands are compatible, though, so if you plan to get a recurring gift and add to it over time, I’d stick with the magnetile brand.
My 8yo boy loved them at that age. However, they don’t have the staying power of Lego. Why not Lego?
My brother has done quite well for himself, and married a lawyer and what not on top of it, so I know he's already got a game room with that really nice millennium falcon and such next to his game consoles. I just kind of figured any Legos she would have wanted that were on the cheaper side they would have bought her. So I figured more obscure gifts or something different would end up being something she already has.
Lego update their range every few months. If you know they like Lego and she does, I'd pick one and ask if they have it.
I'm sure any gift you out this much thought into will be perfect. From my kids point of view, they get excited about presents whether they end up playing with it or not. What I've found works for spenifn time together is zoom videos with books that you can read to them while they read too. So you both have a copy of the same book.
At 6 they will be learning to read, presumably, so you can also listen to them read to you. All of the Julia donaldson books are great. However, I'd still get a toy present. This is more a thought for developing a relationship while apart, seperate to the birthday. You can even just pick up a copy of their favourite book near you and then only one copy needed. I love overseas from my family and at that age they are not able to hold a conversation on zoom for long as their attention span is low. Having the book brings a focus.
I've had friends bake together over zoom and also build the Lego together over zoom, so if you have the time that would work also.
Kids don't differentiate between expensive and smaller sets of Lego at that age. The bigger sets are normally more advanced, so I wouldn't stress about the size or cost.
I recently had my kids friends for sleep over. We got some Lego that day as a reward for something else. It was about Aussie $30, so maybe 25 USA dollars, and was 3 Harry Potter characters. They each were entertained for about an hour making them. Then an hour playing and they could each bring one home. There were 3 characters to build. They got more fun out of that each and collectively than a 100 dollar set.
Get a world map for her room and an age appropriate atlas.
What would an age inappropriate atlas be? 👀
Obviously, a book too heavy for a six year old to pick up.
A guide to nude beaches
That doesn't sound either like an atlas, or something necessarily inappropriate for a 6 year old.
Educational books at or slightly above her reading level? My kid is crazy about dinosaurs, so he'll read and re-read books about them even though he doesn't understand all the words yet.
Sounds like a great idea, know any series that kids are into these days, when I was a kid it was goosebumps, the cabbage patch kids, and a few others like wishbone, but I'm sure those are out of style
Books: Narwhal and Jelly was a favorite at that age. Also if an adult reads with her, we were reading the Mercy the Pig, and Zoey and Sassafrass series at that age.
I’m pretty sure that was also about the age we got our first Snap Circuits set. It still gets pulled out and built every so often - the flying “helicopter” is still a favorite.
However, Play-Doh is one you can never go wrong with at that age.
Edit: Forgot to add that Dr. Seuss and PD Eastman books are very good for the typical 6-7 year old reading level.
+1 on the Dr Seuss - such a fun and joyful way to explore unusual language and weird concepts in fantastical worlds.
I'm not American (and I assume you are), so I'm afraid I can't help with that 😅
mechanical 3D wooden puzzles are great! and if you get some time to hang around it'd be an amazing bonding experience to build one together :) and if not, nudge your sibling/cousin to build it with her
Not a parent, but when I was a kid I loved rubik's cubes. 4x4 or 5x5 ones are even more fun. (probably need a youtube video guide lol) Don't get the cheap ones, those suck, get those high quality ones. Should fit within the budget.
My daughter around this age loves to draw, dance, dress, up in constumes (dinosaurs and what not). She is definitely interested in science and we have little lab kits and what not. I highly recommend Snap Circuits which should be in your budget. As with most things, important to do it with her at least once to help guide her and create that spark.
People underestimate kids. Whenever possible get them the real real of something, even if more limited. For instance my old man got her a real (cheap) cordless drill and a toolbox and she loved it. Kids know fake from real.
At this age interests come and go and it's more about breadth / exposure / exploration.
6 is a perfect time to introduce them to a musical instrument. Or music genres themselves! Chess with uncle? Use this chance to both bond and expose her to one of your interests, with mentorship.
Get her Minecraft; set up Scratch programming for her.
Tobbie 2 - build and program a simple STEM robot.
Or an offline tablet with GCompris, Scratch(junior programming suite) and a selection of Kiwix libraries suitable for younger kids.
Or a few HABA boardgames.
A book maybe.
Thanks that would probably be a good idea
I just ordered a few of these craft kits for my neice’s 7th birthday.
Going to save this to look at later, thank you
Great ideas, I am starting to wonder if I should start a instance on Lemmy or Piefed to host a gift idea sub, you guys have been wonderful
to add to the puzzles: there are dexterity puzzles like these that i know from ex-wifes job are a big hit in the age 6-10 bracket!
It’s a bit more than your budget, but Edison robot is a pretty fun way to get into programming. It’s also used by schools in some countries. You may be able to find a v1 or v2 cheaper. I have a v1 and it is pretty cool.
There have been a lot of great recommendations on here, and I want to add Perplexus balls. My 5yo played a LOT with the blue one and we recently bought him the next one that is more difficult. He loves them.
These things are very cool. My son had one when he was about that age and he loved it.
I hear cheap 3D pens are all the rage now.
Get her started on the "exclusive club" membership scam. She makes a "Super Secret Smart Kids Only Club" in the backyard, charges neighborhood kids $5 to join, promises amazing activities and snacks. First meeting is just them sitting in a circle while she explains the "rules" for 10 minutes, hands out one Oreo each, then says they need to pay another $3 for "premium membership" to unlock the good stuff. The good stuff never materializes but somehow kids keep showing up... What? Oh.. GIFT, I thought you said... Nevermind.