6 year old girls likes

kingfisherblue

That's great Jen - it just goes to show what can be achieved with understanding leaders and decent support.

beautiful_ravens

Ooh, Im not a supporter of separating play and toys for kids into gender, as I think we shape our children by doing it, rather than the other way round. I know they have preferences, but I try and get a well rounded variety -

So, lego - big blocks or ordinary lego depending on her ability. She should be able to manage that kind of building on her own?

I would say anything that makes a mess...Clay? I mean real clay that hardens without a kiln so theres an end product [which she might want to paint]

Music/instruments that work - you can get battery microphones with built in amps so she can sing loud; keyboard; guitar; mini drum kit! [earplugs for mum]
Sing along CDs or story CDs
Dance mat - might this help with her motor skills?

Garden - digging holes and playing with toy cars in the holes, making bridges with twigs etc.
Planting seeds.
Making mud pies.
Making garden potions in a bucket [depends on your garden]

I know your predicament, as my eldest never seemed interested in playing with small toys on her own. As she grew up a bit, turns out she just likes activity - running, tree climbing, cycling etc which she can now do, or watching films. But give her barbie/beads/paper dolls/crafts - no chance.

kingfisherblue

Beautiful_ravens, why would you not give a child crafts? It isn't a gender thing. Both my boys love crafts, as did their older sister. My disabled son can't manage as much as his younger brother, but he enjoys stickers, cutting and gluing, making things from kits (with help), etc. He used to like dolls, but has outgrown this now.

My younger son is 12 and can knit, sew simple tapestries, and is now learning how to use a sewing machine. He muddles cross stitch though, as he lacks patience. He is happy to iron the never ending pile of clean clothes occasionally.

Both boys enjoy cooking and baking, although my older son needs a lot of help.

My daughter spent one summer kayaking every chance she could. She can't knit or sew, and ironing - no chance :rotfl:

SueC_2

But it doesn't all have to be about 'practical' stuff. A few years back I had the privilege of 'inheriting' a 6 year old on a part time basis. It was in at the deep end time for me - I had no experience of children or childcare, and absolutely no idea of what the latest trends or fads were.

Out of necessity I resorted to all the things I had enjoyed as a child. By far far far the favourites were

- The 'Yes/No' game (she would happily play this for hours on end until I was begging for mercy and to be allowed to do something else.

- Playing 'schools' - taking it in turns to be the teacher.

- 'Cooking' with me - helping to chop things, mix things, decorate biscuits etc (also helped hugely with her eating 'issues' - she was far more keen to try new foods if she'd had a hand in stirring them along the way.

- Simple card games - Snap / Happy Families and the like.

- Connect 4.

She did also like the arty crafty stuff, but if that's not your little one's strong suit, then why force it?

Oh, and back then I think Polly Pocket was probably the Moshi equivalent. But never having been a 'girly girl', and not a particularly dextrous one at that, that really wasn't for me... I can't tell you where I'd like to put Polly bleedin' Pocket!