"Educational" toys/gifts for 6 yo girl?

[kedss]

There is a set of the EB White books, Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little and the Trumpet of the Swan. I am reading CW to my 5 year old son, he loves it, and he's seen the recent movie version, so he was ok with the beginning and the end.

Also, I loved the Nancy Drew books at age 6.

Or some cool puzzles, it depends what she is into.

[Piglet]

Depends on her abilities, but good strategy board games. My 5 1/2 year-old loves Blokus. The rules are simple, which is great for younger kids, but it can keep even adults on their toes. I was beaten by both my boys yesterday (hangs head).

I second Blokus - that is my "go-to" gift for everyone in that age range. We all play it and everyone I know who has it loves it.

[bubbaray]

Monopoly Junior. My DD#1 got this for her 4th b-day even though its for 5+. She LOVES that game.

[hellbennt]

ds1 just turned 6 and Blokus is a hit!
so are: SEQUENCE!
Caves & Claws by Family Pastimes
Make a Pie! (learn fractions) by Eboo
we're all about educational games here, too!

[MamaKath]

How about a small Buddha Board? It is made for you to paint with water. Then the water dries and you can start again. www.buddhaboard.com

Or a game? Blokus and Walk the Dogs are favorites here. Set is good if an adult will work with the child to learn it.

[justlearning]

The other suggestions are great. Here are a couple of cheap ones to add to the list:

* a wood puzzle of the United States -- my 6 year old got one a year ago and now knows nearly all of the states

* an inflatable globe of the United Sates -- ours recently popped so I'm going to get another one. I bought it for $8 and it was very detailed globe and easy to read. Whenever we'd talk about ethnic food or anything going on in the world, we'd grab the globe. As a result, my boys learned many other countries. Of course, a more expensive globe or a large wall map would also work, but the inflatable seemed to be nice for the kids because they could turn it over, really interact with it, etc.

[AngelaS]

My girls love Sticky Mosaics --not super educational, but still great. You could throw in a book about the Greeks and how they first made mosaics. LOL

A gc to Barnes and Noble would be a hit w/mine.

Our favorite games at that age are Monopoly Jr, Herd Your Horses and Clue jr. SkipBo is good too.

[hellbennt]

forgot another hit!
ds1 got this Moon In My Room

ds likes it to go to sleep at night...

[Ladybug47]

Is Castle Logix good/interesting for girls, or is it something a boy that age might appreciate more? (She has a younger brother who loves to build things...)

I love the inflatable globe idea!

[mytwosons]

* an inflatable globe of the United Sates -- ours recently popped so I'm going to get another one. I bought it for $8 and it was very detailed globe and easy to read. Whenever we'd talk about ethnic food or anything going on in the world, we'd grab the globe. As a result, my boys learned many other countries. Of course, a more expensive globe or a large wall map would also work, but the inflatable seemed to be nice for the kids because they could turn it over, really interact with it, etc.

I picked up a cheap ($14) globe this time last year at Target and DS1 (5 at the time) LOVED it! It was very easy for him to manipulate and we also always found ourselves pulling it out. While he learned a lot of countries, it also helped him see/process/cope with two friends moving far away. Anytime another country/state/city is mentioned, he grabs his globe.