Activities and games for 6-to-8-year-olds

Welcome to the developmental stage known as “middle childhood”! 

During this period, your child will develop their social and interpersonal skills and progressively gain independence. It’s important to engage them in activities that help them understand their role in society as they become increasingly aware of the world outside themselves. Engaging them in some of these activities will help them to develop socially, mentally, and physically.

1. Team Sports Time!

Congratulations! Your child has developed the physical capabilities and skills to engage in group sports. If this is something that interests your child, check out our Here’s Why That Rocks series article on sports! Knowing how and when to start your child in team sports is difficult, but the rewards can be immensely gratifying. Be sure to consult with your physician on whether your child is ready to join a recreational sports league.

2. Extra-Curricular Excitement

Even if your child isn’t into sports, they are now school-aged which means after-school extracurricular programs are a new and exciting possibility! Enrolling your child in a dance or performing arts program can teach them valuable lessons about expressing their emotions and working as part of a team to create art. Group art programs can foster your child’s creative identity while exposing them to the unique styles and techniques of others. Any social after-school program, from ballet to chess, can prove essential to your child’s development at these ages. They are learning to put themselves in the context of a larger society, and being able to both express themselves and learn from the experiences of others will serve them well in the future.

3. Dear Diary…

Journaling is a habit which is popular among adults, and often praised for its calming effects. It is a habit, however, that many people struggle fruitlessly to keep. Habits which are implemented in childhood are far sturdier and harder to break than those we try to take up in later life. Why not encourage your child to develop a journaling habit now? Journaling can improve writing skills and emotional awareness from a young age, and since your little ones are likely developing writing skills with rapidity, the practice will come in handy! Have fun decorating your child’s journal with them. Encourage more visually minded children to doodle or scrapbook. Give your little ones an easy way to express themselves that will build healthy habits for life!

4. When I Grow Up…

As we’ve already mentioned, the middle childhood years are largely dedicated to identifying one’s place within a larger world. Part of this is realizing they’ll need to grow up and get a job one day! Children may engage in an increasing amount of make-believe play emulating professionals they admire during this time. Playing at operating a hair salon, being a firefighter, a chef, a mechanic, a teacher, etc. at this age is common and very healthy. Encourage your little one to (politely) ask questions of professionals they look up to in everyday life. If engaged in casual conversation with the hairdresser, doctor, vet, or bank teller, ask them why they chose or why they like their job. Encourage your child to do research on professions that interest them, but keep in mind they have a long time to decide! Remind them that it’s always okay to change their mind and try something else. This is a time of exploring infinite possibilities, after all!