Activity Bins for Kids – 6 & 7 Year Olds

Ah, my baby is growing up and is no longer a kindergartener! Do you have a growing “up too fast” little one at home and thinking about ways to boots creativity while encouraging quiet time during the summer? Or anytime? In general, our daughter loves playing quietly and independently with her toys. But I still love to have a bin of activities she could use in times when I’d prefer to have her and her siblings do something quietly and creatively that does not include only playing with their toys. Especially during the afternoons when I want to encourage downtime for everyone (including me).

I’ve put together a list of items you could use to create an activity bin for your little one (who may be around 6 or 7 years old).                Note: Consider what your child loves and their age level before collecting or buying items to add to their bins. Basically, don’t add a drawing book if your child doesn’t like to draw. Or try not to add a 5-page toddler picture book if your kid is past that level and could already read. Add a book they can read instead.

Here’s what’s in this bin:

• A DIY craft kit (our child loves to create)
• A coloring book/Crayons/Colored pencils
• Drawing book/Pencil/sharpener
• A sticker book (create faces, princesses, animals)
• A journal (optional)
• 2 Favorite Reading Books (fun and educational)

Sticker Books – The girls are into sticker face books. They add faces to princesses and animals and really have fun doing them. We found the newer style with the cat recently that the kids can dress up the animals and even draw and create their own style.

Regular stickers are always fun, too! Kids can use the stickers to decorate books, cards, friendship notes or art work they’ve created on paper.

Coloring Books – Coloring books are great for this fun age. And unicorns, of course! These books can be both fun and educational at the same time. So pick a few favorites to add to their bins.

Drawing Pad – From around age 5 kids seem to really get into drawing all sorts of imaginative stuff. Let them create with a drawing pad, a pencil, and some crayons.

You can also look into one of these designer sketch pads for your little one. They get to match designs together and come up with their own.

Craft kit – At that age, girls especially seem to get more into crafting and making all sorts of little creations. A simple craft kit during quiet time will be of help to their developing skills.

A journal set – Your little one may be just learning to write but can use a journal set to add some fun entries such as drawing and decorating with simple descriptive words. Look how cute this set is for little ones.

Books – I like to include books in their activity bins to help them practice their reading. If your little is into puzzles you can also add a simple puzzle book.

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Do you have a 6 or 7 year old child at home that could use a bin like this? What other ideas can you think about that could help you create an activity bin for him/her? Share your ideas in the comments below!