• Getting Pregnant
  • Registry Builder
  • Baby Products
  • Birth Clubs
  • See all in Community
  • Ovulation Calculator
  • How To Get Pregnant
  • How To Get Pregnant Fast
  • Ovulation Discharge
  • Implantation Bleeding
  • Ovulation Symptoms
  • Pregnancy Symptoms
  • Am I Pregnant?
  • Pregnancy Tests
  • See all in Getting Pregnant
  • Due Date Calculator
  • Pregnancy Week by Week
  • Pregnant Sex
  • Weight Gain Tracker
  • Signs of Labor
  • Morning Sickness
  • COVID Vaccine and Pregnancy
  • Fetal Weight Chart
  • Fetal Development
  • Pregnancy Discharge
  • Find Out Baby Gender
  • Chinese Gender Predictor
  • See all in Pregnancy
  • Baby Name Generator
  • Top Baby Names 2021
  • Top Baby Names 2022
  • How to Pick a Baby Name
  • Most Popular Baby Names
  • Baby Names by Letter
  • See all in Baby Names
  • Baby Development
  • Baby Feeding Guide
  • Newborn Sleep
  • When Babies Roll Over
  • First-Year Baby Costs Calculator
  • Postpartum Health
  • Baby Poop Chart
  • See all in Baby
  • Average Weight & Height
  • Autism Signs
  • Child Growth Chart
  • Night Terrors
  • Moving from Crib to Bed
  • Toddler Feeding Guide
  • Potty Training
  • Bathing and Grooming
  • See all in Toddler
  • Height Predictor
  • Potty Training: Boys
  • Potty training: Girls
  • How Much Sleep? (Ages 3+)
  • Ready for Preschool?
  • Thumb-Sucking
  • Gross Motor Skills
  • Napping (Ages 2 to 3)
  • See all in Child
  • Photos: Rashes & Skin Conditions
  • Symptom Checker
  • Vaccine Scheduler
  • Reducing a Fever
  • Acetaminophen Dosage Chart
  • Constipation in Babies
  • Ear Infection Symptoms
  • Head Lice 101
  • See all in Health
  • Second Pregnancy
  • Daycare Costs
  • Family Finance
  • Stay-At-Home Parents
  • Breastfeeding Positions
  • See all in Family
  • Baby Sleep Training
  • Preparing For Baby
  • My Custom Checklist
  • My Registries
  • Take the Quiz
  • Best Baby Products
  • Best Breast Pump
  • Best Convertible Car Seat
  • Best Infant Car Seat
  • Best Baby Bottle
  • Best Baby Monitor
  • Best Stroller
  • Best Diapers
  • Best Baby Carrier
  • Best Diaper Bag
  • Best Highchair
  • See all in Baby Products
  • Why Pregnant Belly Feels Tight
  • Early Signs of Twins
  • Teas During Pregnancy
  • Baby Head Circumference Chart
  • How Many Months Pregnant Am I
  • What is a Rainbow Baby
  • Braxton Hicks Contractions
  • HCG Levels By Week
  • When to Take a Pregnancy Test
  • Am I Pregnant
  • Why is Poop Green
  • Can Pregnant Women Eat Shrimp
  • Insemination
  • UTI During Pregnancy
  • Vitamin D Drops
  • Best Baby Forumla
  • Postpartum Depression
  • Low Progesterone During Pregnancy
  • Baby Shower
  • Baby Shower Games

Best toys for 5-year-olds

Joyce Slaton

What toys do 5-year-olds play with?

At 5 years old, your child is likely off to school where she’s developing social-emotional skills by playing with friends, improving her physical development, and beginning to be challenged with more complex cognitive learning. Her toys are increasing in sophistication, too: more complicated gameplay, more tiny parts that have to be finely manipulated, more tasks that rely on memory, creativity, and logic.

With greater demands on toys, we knew choosing the best was an important task, so we started by analyzing word-of-mouth reviews from the moms and dads in BabyCenter’s Community, then fed their recommendations to our team of expert editors. Keep reading for the best educational toy for 5-year-olds, the best outdoor toy for 5-year-olds, and more. And if you’re looking for active toys, maybe our favorite outdoor toys for kids can help.

Best toy for 5-year-olds overall

Lite brite ultimate classic.

Calling all retro toy lovers: Lite Brite is still around, and there’s a reason why. Kids let their creativity run wild with this light up toy, creating beautiful images with colorful translucent pegs that allow backlit illumination to show through. Using predesigned templates or punching in pegs freehand, your child can play for hours with this new and improved version of the original, which has a larger screen and more pegs. 

Some say the stand needs to be readjusted often. 

Best educational toy for 5-year-olds

Osmo little genius starter kit.

Transforming digital fun into a hands-on learning experience, this kit interfaces with your iPad to lead your child through games with tactile pieces like silicone sticks that make the games more fun and immersive. The kit comes with four educational games that help your child learn to recognize and form letters, develop drawing skills, and practice problem-solving. 

This game requires an iPad for play. 

Best outdoor toy for 5-year-olds

Trailblaze ninja warrior obstacle course for kids.

At this age, kids can climb, swing, balance, dangle, and otherwise dominate a playground jungle gym, so give your 5-year-old a real challenge with this obstacle course that you can change anytime you like. Fasten the slackline to two trees, and then pile on the monkey bars, gymnastic rings, seat swing, and so on to give them a new challenge. Once they’ve mastered the obstacle course, use the slackline for tightrope challenges. 

This product can be difficult to set up.

Best ride on toy for 5-year-olds

Costzon go kart.

Great for indoors or outdoor play, the Go Kart is pedal-powered so kids control their own speed or direction, no need for batteries. The high-backed bucket seat is comfy and has a cool speedway look, and it’s easy to adjust for different riders or to adapt to your child’s growing legs. Kids love that they can also pedal this vehicle backwards. 

The wheels feel harder than the rubber claimed on the description.. 

Best STEM toy for 5-year-olds

Plus plus mini puzzle blocks for kids.

This unique 3D puzzle set allows kids to fabricate anything from simple flat designs to complex objects. Each brick connects with every other one, so kids can mix, match, and build creations with a unique pixelated blocky look, polishing up their fine motor and problem solving skills while they do. All the pieces store inside a slim plastic tube that’s easy to take along on car rides or trips to Grandma’s. 

The pieces are small, so be cautious if you have little siblings around.

Best learning toy for 5-year-olds

Botley the coding robot 77-piece activity set.

Introduce your child to the basics of coding with this screen-free toy, which features a cute bot that performs on command, directed by a remote control unit, or can be programmed to perform a routine of up to 120 steps, complete with coding-compliant looping commands and if/then logic. Botley can detect and evade objects in its path too, which might make robot obstacle courses a new hobby at your house. 

Parents say 

“My child has a Botley coding robot and he loves it!”

This toy requires two different types of batteries. 

Best bath toy for 5-year-olds

Baby shark ultimate bath art studio.

Turn bathtime fun up a notch with washable bath paints and crayons to decorate your walls, the sides of your tub, or the included reusable bath clings in the shape of friendly sea creatures. The included paint roller is particularly fun to work with; squeeze out blobs of paint and roll them into ombre rainbows that change every time the water hits them. When bath time’s over, everything washes away clean until next time. 

The stickers disintegrate pretty fast when wet. 

Best train toy for 5-year-olds

Hape kids wooden railway mighty mountain mine set.

What imaginary journeys will your child make on this enchanting miniature mine set with fun features like a car-loading boom crane that makes cool clicking noises as it’s cranked, a conveyor belt to move loads from level to level. Kids will love ringing the warning bell when cars are coming through, and wheeling sick vehicles to the repair station for a little looking-after. 

This set does not come pre-assembled. 

Best dinosaur toy for 5-year-olds

Untamed raptor by fingerlings.

The best thing next to a real live pet are these Fingerlings Untamed Velociraptors. Kids love both modes of these finger-gripping creatures: untamed, in which they chomp and roar, or tame, which transforms the dinos into friendly purring li’l kittens. They have snapping jaws and grippy claws to hold on to your child’s finger, and react to your child’s touch with sound and motions. 

Depending on your child’s personality, parents have found that this toy loses its novelty fast. 

Best active toy for 5-year-olds

Fisher-price think & learn smart cycle.

Like a kids’ version of the Peloton, this smart exercise bike connects with your tablet or TV screen to let your child pedal her way through games and learning adventures connected with letters and logic. They can also play in racing mode to test their mettle against favorite Nickelodeon shows, or driving mode, avoiding virtual obstacles in digital lands. 

Not all devices are compatible with this toy; be sure that you have a compatible device before purchasing. 

Best fun toy for 5-year-olds

Melissa & doug on the go scratch art activity books set.

Sometimes the best toys are the simplest: These spiral-bound Scratch Art books allow kids to etch a dark background with a wooden stylus to reveal hidden pictures of animals or vehicles. Making the black disappear line by line is a curiously mesmerizing activity that’s perfect for travel or anytime you want a few quiet moments. 

While fun and entertaining, these can be a little messy.

Because 5-year-olds are becoming much more coordinated and enjoy showing off their new physical skills, they love toys that they can ride on, stand on, bounce on, scoot with, or kick. Since most 5-year-olds prefer to play with others at this age, games that allow them to play harmoniously together, or ones that allow them to take turns playing are key. 

Five-year-olds are also interested in exploring their own capabilities and enjoy making small decisions for themselves, like what they want to eat for lunch or wear for the day. Toys that are simple enough for 5-year-olds to set up and play on their own without any adult help will be appreciated, as will toys that offer open-ended, independent play. 

As kindergartners develop cognitively and socially, they love to mimic what they are seeing and experiencing in the world around them. Classic 5-year-old toys thus often imitate adult objects: play food, toy kitchens, miniature workbenches. Imaginative, energetic 5-year-olds also appreciate toys that allow them to express their burgeoning creativity: building toys, art kits, paint, clay, crayons, and paper. 

Was this article helpful?

Joyce Slaton

The 50 Best Toys for 5-Year-Old Boys of 2023

Our top pick is the Harry Potter Amazon Exclusive Deluxe Hogwarts Castle

activity toys for 5 year old

We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process . If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

The Spruce / Zackary Angeline

With such dynamic personalities, here's betting that the 5-year-old boy in your life has a ton of ever-changing interests, from early science concepts and cooking, to music and art, which can make it difficult to find the perfect toy.

Luckily, we researched the best toys on the market, considering the recommended age, educational value, and activity level of each. Our top toy pick for 5-year-old boys is the Wizarding World Harry Potter, Magical Minis Amazon Exclusive Deluxe Hogwarts Castle . From an iconic brand, the set is easy to store and assemble and fosters hours of building and racing fun. Here, are the best toys for 5-year-old boys.

Wizarding World Harry Potter, Magical Minis Amazon Exclusive Deluxe Hogwarts Castle

Familiar characters

Hours of play

Parts that are easy to lose

Introduce your little one to the magical Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This Amazon-exclusive playset features an almost 2-foot-tall Hogwarts Castle Playset with Moaning Myrtle’s Bathroom, enchanting lights, and sounds; 22 accessories, and three Classroom Playsets. Children Hogwarts Castle with 3 3-inch collectible dolls of the golden trio.

Price at time of publish: $120

Dimensions:  24 x 7 x 15 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  5 Years and Up

MITCIEN Kids Play Tent with Campfire

Great for Playing Together

Suitable for various ages

Many Pieces

Batteries not included

Welcome the great outdoors inside with this toy that allows kids to use their imagination and learn about the wonders of camping. This pretend play camping set contains just about everything you need for a kid to kick-start imaginative play. This camping set allows children to practice the outdoors in an indoor setting and develop survival skills and have their own little outside world inside their homes.

Price at time of publish: $40

Dimensions:  14.06 x 12.99 x 5.2 inches |  Material: Wood, Plastic |  Recommended Age:  3 years and up

PJ Masks Transforming 2-in-1 Mobile HQ

Courtesy of Kohls

Recognizable Characters

Fans of the PJ Masks superheroes will love the five levels of play this single toy has to offer. It stands three feet tall, can fit up to three cars (though only one is included in this set), and there's even a working elevator.

Price at time of publish: $90

Dimensions:  33 x 8.25 x 12.5 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age: 3 to 8 Years

Hasbro Gaming Monopoly Junior: Super Mario Edition

Great Bonding Activity

Recognizable Character

May be hard for kids to focus on

Adult fans of Monopoly can introduce their little ones to the beloved family board game with Monopoly Junior. Monopoly Junior is designed with children in mind and is meant to be a faster more exciting version of the game. Featuring popular characters from the Super Mario franchise, this version of Monopoly Junior has properties on the gameboard that will be familiar to young Mario fans.

Price at time of publish: $21

Dimensions:  1.61 x 13.11 x 10.51 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  5 Years and Up

Elmer's Celebration Slime Kit

Great bonding activity

Can be messy

Requires parental supervision

Who doesn't love slime? The possibilities are endless with this slime creation kit. This kit includes five bottles of Elmer's slime activator and five bottles of Elmer's glue for mix-and-match fun. Create glow-in-the-dark slime, confetti slime, and more with this timeless gift.

Price at time of publish: $55

Dimensions:  ‎3.06 x 11.25 x 7.19 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  Not Listed

Hauck Batmobile Pedal Go Kart, Superhero Ride-On Batman Vehicle

Easy to assemble

Suitable for indoor or outdoor use

Cool and recognizable design

Difficult to maneuver on uneven ground

Superhero-obsessed 5-year-olds will love this mini batmobile perfect for riding the streets of Gotham City (aka their own front yard). This sleek ride-on toy has a sporty three-point steering for speedy and responsive turns as well as an adjustable seat to suit variously sized kids or grow with them as they get bigger. Kids can ride in style indoors or outdoors as they fight crime and defeat bad guys.

Price at time of publish: $200

Dimensions:  44 x 21 x 22 inches |  Material: Plastic, Rubber |  Recommended Age:  4 years and up

Treasure X Monster Gold

Multiple ways to play

Includes slime element

Collectible figures inside

Instructions can be difficult to follow

Dive into the unknown with this Monster Gold Coffin that has treasures buried within it. Search through spiderweb slime and multiple compartments of the coffin to find collectible figures to display, trade, and collect. The only downside of this toy is you may need to buy more and more to satisfy your now treasure-hunter child as they race to collect all of the monsters.

Price at time of publish: $16

Dimensions:  3.78 x 3.78 x 8.27 inches |  Material: Not Listed |  Recommended Age:  5 years and up

HEXBUG JUNKBOTS Dumpster Kit

Can be difficult for young kids to assemble on their own

This is a toy that truly lets kids use their imagination and building skills. Each Junkbots dumpster includes more than 50 pieces which kids can use to construct a robot or figure. There are enough pieces to make at least four bots, which can be animated using energy and motion modules, as well as a light up core.

Price at time of publish: $14

Dimensions:  3.15 x 1.18 x 1.18 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  3 years and up

Gamewright Outfoxed! Game

Courtesy of Amazon

Fosters collaboration

Tests kids' logic and memory skills

Some reviewers reported receiving a defective version of the game

This is the perfect collaborative board game for kids five and up. Two to four players have to work together to find Mrs. Plumpert's pot pie before they get outfoxed by the sly thief. The game includes an evidence scanner and dozens of clue cards. A single round lasts 20 to 30 minutes.

Price at time of publish: $24

Dimensions:  9.5 x 9.5 x 2.25 inches |  Material: Not Listed |  Recommended Age:  5 years and up

Osmo Pizza Co.

Fun way to learn math concepts

Connects to a tablet game for multiple play options

Collaborative activity

Can be difficult for young kids to understand

If you've been searching for an interactive game that connects to your tablet, here you go. The Osmo base (sold separately) attaches to a tablet and kids take pizza orders and give change to their virtual customers. The set includes a pizza board, more than 40 toppings, and money tiles. This is a great way to learn about adding, subtracting, and communication.

Price at time of publish: $50

Dimensions:  5.55 x 2.2 x 9.15 inches |  Material: Not Listed |  Recommended Age:  5 years and up

VTech KidiZoom Camera Pix

Great starter camera

Camera makes shutter sound and includes filter options

Durable rubber exterior

Low image quality

Instead of handing over your phone or an expensive DSLR to your child, this VTech camera is perfect for them. It's durable, so no need to worry about breaking the device after a few drops, and snaps 2MP digital photos. It has more than 30 photo effects, games, and even a video mode.

Price at time of publish: $45

Dimensions:  1.97 x 5.97 x 3.36 inches |  Material: Not Listed |  Recommended Age:  3 years and up

Educational Insights Design & Drill Space Circuits

Educational

Might be difficult for younger kids to use

Needless to say, your 5-year-old won't be operating an actual drill, but this STEM-based set from Educational Insights is the next best thing. It includes a kid-friendly drill that can be used to complete space-themed missions and repair circuits. Kids will love watching the bolts and connectors light up as they complete the 10 challenge cards.

Dimensions:  11.6 x 12.2 x 3.3 inches |  Material: Not Listed |  Recommended Age:  5 years and up

Treasure X Sunken Gold Treasure Ship Playset

Interactive

Playtime can be short after finishing the treasure hunt

This ship playset has 25 levels of adventure for your little boy to discover. He can explode the hatch, rescue the captain, fire the cannon, and in the end, find the gold-dipped treasure. Because of the small pieces, this is a toy suited for ages five and up.

Price at time of publish: $43

Dimensions:  16 x 5 x 11 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  5 years and up

Hasbro Connect 4 Game

Teaches strategy

Suitable for all ages

Perfect for playing together

Materials can be flimsy

The iconic game Connect 4, which you probably also played as a kid, teaches children about strategizing and predicting, as well as the importance of winning and losing gracefully. Parents will be glad to know that just like in the old days, you can still release the chips so they fall from the rack with a satisfying clatter.

Price at time of publish: $12

Dimensions:  2.13 x 10.51 x 10.51 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  6 years and up

LEGO Juniors Shark Attack 10739 Building Kit

Inexpensive compared to to other Lego sets

Designed for younger builders

Kids may need help assembling

If you haven't introduced him to the world of Lego sets , now is as good of a time as any. This set is for lovers of the movie Ninjango  and lets tiny hands create a training area with a weapon stand, breakable blocks, a spinning training dummy, a motorbike with detachable flame, and a shark car with movable fins and dual flick missiles.

Price at time of publish: $36

Dimensions:  1.81 x 8.07 x 7.52 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  4 years and up

Hot Wheels Track Builder Total Turbo Takeover Track Set

Compatible with other Hot Wheels tracks

Only comes with one car

Some users found it hard for the included car to go through the track

This car toy set can be used with other Hot Wheels sets, and 5-year-olds can customize their own layout by setting up races and stunt challenges, such as a boulder avalanche and two loop-de-loops. It also comes with a pullback launcher and two-way booster that enables cars to move in both directions, as well as one die-cast Hot Wheels car.

Price at time of publish: $49

Dimensions:  3 x 24 x 15 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  4 years and up

Plus-Plus Construction Building Toy

Easy to store

Fosters imagination

Pieces may be too small for younger children

Plus-Plus construction kits are made up of flat, jigsaw-type pieces that can be used to build both 2D and 3D creations. Just think of it as a Tetris game brought to life. This set comes with 240 brightly colored pieces as well as two baseplates. A clear carrying tube corrals the pieces when not in use.

Price at time of publish: $27

Dimensions:  12.1 x 8.5 x 3.5 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  5 years and up

Lakeshore Learning Materials Lakeshore Ultimate Fort Builder

High quality materials

Extra materials needed to complete your fort

If you are looking for a toy for a 5-year-old that will inspire creativity and help hone those STEM skills this fort builder is the ultimate buy. Like peanut butter and jelly, kids and forts just go together perfectly. Yes, they could build a structure using dining room chairs or a table, but this versatile fort-building kit makes it way more entertaining, with poles, connectors, and an illustrated guide with inspiring ideas like a castle or igloo.

Price at time of publish: $95

Dimensions:  10.63 x 5.51 x 18.11 inches |  Material: Not Listed |  Recommended Age:  4 years and up

Marky Sparky Blast Pad Rocket Launcher

Perfect for outdoor use

Material can be flimsy

There are only so many times you can play soccer or frisbee in the park. This stomp rocket provides an engaging alternative outdoor toy for kids five and up who will love leaping onto the launcher and seeing how high they can get the foam missiles to fly (in some cases, more than 200 feet).

Price at time of publish: $25

Dimensions:  ‎14.41 x 10.67 x 2.64 inches |  Material: Foam |  Recommended Age:  6 years and up

Obuby Walkie-Talkies for Kids 3 Pack

Great for playing together

High audio quality

Lots of channels to choose from

Multiple buttons may be difficult for young children to get the hang of

Whether the kids are in the backyard or playing around the house, this set of walkie-talkies will get tons of playtime. It's lightweight, its buttons are designed for small hands, and it has a range of close to two miles. There's even a built-in flashlight.

Dimensions:  5.5 x 2.5 x 2 inches |  Material: Not Listed |  Recommended Age:  3 years and up

Shakespeare Youth Fishing Kits

Lightweight and easy to travel with

Perfect introductory fishing rod

Easy to use

Line can tangle easily

Budding anglers are sure to get excited about fishing with one of these rod-and-reel combination sets, which come with designs such as Marvel's Captain America, Disney's Cars, and Thomas the Tank Engine (there are 12 options total). The 30-inch length is comfortable for small hands, and the rod has a round knob, thumb button, and finger guard to help kids practice proper casting techniques.

Price at time of publish: $15

Dimensions:  31 x 5 x 4 inches |  Material: Plastic, Aluminum |  Recommended Age:  Not Listed

Treewant Kids Hair Salon Playset, Wooden Makeup Toy Set

Carrying Case for Easy Storage

Let's explore this wooden beauty salon set. This pretend play salon kit allows your child to fully immerse themselves in imaginative play in their pretend barber shop. This set includes a brush, hair dryer, mirror, scissors, comb, and more.

Dimensions:  8.9 x 6.81 x 3.35 inches |  Material: Not Listed |  Recommended Age:  3 years and up

TEUVO Pet Care Play Set Doctor Kit for Kids

Carrying case for easy storage

Imaginative play

Small Pieces

Reviewers say product isn't durable

This 16-piece vet set includes a plush dog, pet case, plastic scissors, hair dryer, gel shower, and more. This pretend play vet set not only introduces children to the world of being pet owners, but it also gives them an idea of what proper animal care is like.

Price at time of publish: $30

Dimensions:  9.41 x 7.24 x 3.94 inches |  Material: Not Listed |  Recommended Age:  3 years and up

Magic4U Toy Tool Set for Boys

Reviewers say tool bag may not fit every tool

This play set will let your child pretend to be a repairman while learning about construction tools during play. This set includes a tool backpack, tool belt, electric drill, realistic tape measure, pair of gloves, goggles, earmuffs, and much more. Children will be busy playing for hours trying various small tools to repair around the house.

Price at time of publish: $41

Dimensions:  10.67 x 9.25 x 4.88 inches |  Material: ABS, Plastic |  Recommended Age:  3 years and up

Schleich Tyrannosaurus Rex

Promotes STEM curiosity

Can scare small children

The best dinosaur toys inspire imagination. This singular, hand-painted dinosaur will introduce your tiny tot to a prehistoric world never before imagine or your young dino lover would love to add this toy to their collection - no amount of T-rex's is too many.

Dimensions:  11 x 3.7 x 5.5 inches |  Material: Not Listed |  Recommended Age:  4-12 Years

Melissa & Doug Wooden Snacks and Sweets Food Cart

Bonding Acitivity

This interactive sweets cart allows your child to serve you pretend sweet treats and snacks. This cart includes over 40 play food pieces from popsicles to pretzels, ice cream cones to condiments. Flip the awning and menu to "Hot Dogs" or "Ice Cream" and ring up customers at the register — or give you a snack for free!

Price at time of publish: $240

Dimensions:  8 x 25 x 22 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  3 Years and Up

Star Wars Mission Fleet 2.5-Inch-Scale Action Figure 10-Pack

Small detachable parts

Blast off into galactic action and adventure with the Star Wars Mission Fleet figures. This 10-pack features notable Star Wars characters such as Darth Vader, Grogu and The Mandalorian from "The Mandalorian", Luke Skywalker, and more. Boys will love charing into intergalactic battles with this action figure set. Look out for other Star Wars Mission Fleet figures and vehicles to add to your child's collection.

Price at time of publish: $56

Dimensions: 1.5 x 8.37 x 6.12 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  4 Years and Up

TeeTurtle The Original Reversible Octopus Plushie

Aids in emotional expression

Potential to get dirty

TeeTurtle is the home of the original Reversible Octopus Plushie made popular on TikTok. The super soft, plushy Octopi are easy to flip inside out and have two different faces to help you express yourself. This toy is perfect for playing, collecting, and cuddling.

Dimensions:  4 x 4 x 3 inches |  Material: Plush |  Recommended Age: 3 Years and Up

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Sparkle & Shine Cleaning Play Set

Suitable for multiple ages

Teaches life skills

May get boring after a while

Give your tiny tot the tools to help your clean around the house with this timeless cleaning set. This 11-piece set includes a wooden-handled broom, dustpan, sweeper-mop, duster, sponge, spray bottle, and more. The convenient wooden storing stand allows you to tuck these tiny cleaning supplies away where your child can access them.

Price at time of publish: $65

Dimensions:  6.5 x 12.51 x 20.51 inches |  Material: Wood |  Recommended Age:  3-9 years

Mattel Lightyear Toys Disney Pixar Lightyear Hyperspeed Series XL-15 Spaceship & Buzz Lightyear Figure

Recognizable character

Collectable

Small pieces

This toy is a perfect gift for space enthusiasts and Buzz Lightyear fans. Fan of the Disney movie will love to have their own little Buzz to fly around in his ship. Look out for other "Lightyear" figures and vehicles to add to your child's collection.

Dimensions:  6 x 3.74 x 1.57 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  4 Years and Up

Smashers Epic Dino Egg Collectibles Triceratops

Small parts

This interesting dinosaur excavation set includes a few eggs and compounds for your child to smash, squeeze and fizzle their way through. The kit also includes a scratch map that will guide your child through creating their very own exclusive Dinosaur.

Price at time of publish: $20

Dimensions:  6.89 x 8.27 x 11.02 inches |  Material: Polypropylene |  Recommended Age:  5 to 15 Years

Jurassic World Toys Jurassic World Dominion Dinosaur T Rex Toy, Thrash ‘N Devour

Promotes interest in STEM

Might scare small children

Your kids don't have to be familiar with the "Jurassic World" franchise to enjoy this toy. The T-Rex is the dinosaur that most kids know and love and this toy has all kinds of impressive effects, including a chomping jaw, moveable joints, and realistic sounds.

Dimensions:  21 x 6.75 x 8.4 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  4 Years and Up

TOY Life Light Up Saber - 3 Pack

Makes noise

Calling all sci-fi fans! These light-up swords are small and perfect for little children. Great for hours of play, join your child in fun battle reenactments of their favorite sci-fi shows and movies.

Price at time of publish: $28

Dimensions:  16.02 x 6.26 x 1.93 inches |  Material: Not Listed |  Recommended Age:  3 Years and Up

Pokemon Charizard Deluxe Feature Figure

Collectible

Figure launcher may cause harm

Your kids don't have to be Pokemon fans to enjoy this toy. This Charizard figurine features all kinds of impressive effects, including a chomping jaw, moveable joints, and realistic sounds. Start your little one on their pokemon journey and be on the lookout for other collectible figurines - gotta catch 'em all.

Price at time of publish: $33

Dimensions:  6.5 x 3 x 8 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  4 Years and Up

DC Comics Black Adam and Justice Society Set

Recognizable characters

Little fans of DC will love this action figure set, featuring notable characters from "Black Adam" Black Adam, Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher, and Cyclone. The possibilities are endless with this superhero set making space for hours of taking down imaginary evil and keeping our world safe.

Price at time of publish: $39

Dimensions:  3 x 15 x 10.5 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  4 to 15 Years

Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash Track Set

Hours of Play

Assembly required

Your child will have hours of imaginative play with this race track with intersection crash zones. Little racers can indulge in 16 feet worth of track with twists, turns, and boosters for high-speed action that make near-misses or complete crashes.

Price at time of publish: $58

Dimensions:  2.75 x 24 x 15 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  5 years and Up

Little Tikes 3-Foot Trampoline

Courtesy of Target

Designed for indoor use

well-known toy brand

Not easily stored

Kids have a lot of energy to burn and this mini trampoline is a great way to keep your child busy indoors. The large surface, handlebars, and short distance from the ground are fantastic for your little one to jump safely. Embrace the budding gymnast in your child with this trampoline.

Price at time of publish: $80

Dimensions:  36 x 36 x 33.5 inches |  Material: Plastic, Metal |  Recommended Age:  3 to 6 Years

Hot Wheels Track Set and 2 1:64 Scale Toy Cars

This Hot Wheels City set is the ultimate piece to add to your child's budding car collection. Offering hours of play and storytelling, your child can store dozens of their toy cars in this garage, dodge a snapping robotic T-Rex, and connect it to existing Hot Wheels tracks.

Price at time of publish: $124

Dimensions:  16 x 29 x 35.4 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  5 to 8 Years

Power Rangers Dino Fury 5 Ranger Team Multipack

This Power Rangers multipack comes with 5 figurines for young fans to enjoy hours of play creating adventures for these heroes. The Power Rangers have brought fun to generations of fans and this gift is a great way to introduce your child to something parents enjoyed as children.

Dimensions:  12.25 x 4.25 x 12.13 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  4 Years and Up

Disney Pixar Cars Radiator Springs Mountain Race Playset with 2 Vehicles

"Cars" fans can be transported to the familiar town of Radiator Springs with this playset. This two-car race playset features little caves, buildings, and the Wheel Well Motel from the movie.

Price at time of publish: $38

Dimensions:  22.99 x 15.98 x 17.99 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  4 Years and Up

LEGO Disney Mickey and Friends Castle Defenders

Kids can enjoy hours of adventure with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy in this castle setting. Help Mickey and his friends defend their castle in this set featuring a castle wall with 2 towers, 4 small builds including a stable area to spark nurture play, a buildable dragon, and more. Larger brick pieces make building a breeze

Dimensions:  13.94 x 7.52 x 2.76 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  4 and Up

Magna-Tiles Arctic Animals 25 Piece Set

Larger parts

Introduce your child to Arctic animals with this Magna-Tiles® set. Be on the lookout for more Magna-Tiles® sets to grow your child's animal collection and allow their imagination to go wild.

Dimensions:  12.5 x 2.5 x 12 inches |  Material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene |  Recommended Age:  3 Years and Up

Inklings Math and Memory Card Game for Kids

Some reviewers say directions are unclear

This card game, created by two children in spring of 2020 when the pandemic shut their school down, allows your tiny tot to flex their memorization skills. This game is great for at-home learning and a fun yet educational way to play with your children.

Dimensions:  3.94 x 2.68 x 1.18 inches |  Material: Not Listed|  Recommended Age:  5 Years and Up

Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars

These binoculars are designed specifically for young children without the additional presence of varying buttons and nobs to change the magnification. Perfect for backyard exploration or visits to the park, GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars encourage exploration and discovery anytime, anywhere.

Dimensions:  7 x 5.75 x 2.8 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  3 to 7 Years

Kinetic Sand Treasure Hunt Surprise

Encourages sensory play

Forget the trauma of sticky beach sand: Kinetic Sand isn't anything like those grains that get everywhere/ Kinetic Sand stimulates sensory skills as it holds well when pressed together but functions similarly to a liquid when pressure isn't present. This treasure hunt set is sure to keep your child busy for hours.

Dimensions:  7.5 x 5.13 x 6.75 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  3-12 Years

CoolSand 3D Sandbox

 Courtesy of Amazon

Long playtime

Easy to clean and store

Sand box can be flimsy

Boys will enjoy this sandbox which has them searching for dinosaurs in moldable sand. He can dig, learn, and explore all while looking for extinct creatures. But no need to worry about this being a messy toy. The sand sticks to itself, not hands or clothes.

Price at time of publish: $35

Dimensions:  11.5 x 10 x 2.25 inches |  Material: Plastic, CoolSand |  Recommended Age:  3 years and up

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Stunt Tire Play Set

Can be folded up for easy storage

Trucks don't launch as well as the cars

Perfect for easy storage or on-the-go play, this buildable race track is ideal for 5-year-old boys to build and take apart over and over again for extended play. In between builds, the tracks come apart easily and pack into the included tire-shaped case for easy travel, although some users note that folding up the tracks can be tricky at first. After they create their perfect design, young boys can launch the cars and trucks and watch them race through the track again and again.

There are also two crushed cars included for even more ways to play with or without the track. For even more action, you can connect this set to other Hot Wheels tracks.

Rough play is no big deal, according to users who reported that their set continuously held up for months, even with rambunctious 5-year-olds that are usually prone to breaking toys.

Dimensions: 4.25 x 17 x 10 inches | Material : Plastic | Recommended Age: 4 years and up

KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen

Bonding activity

Requires lots of space

Indulge your little chef-to-be with this realistic, modern play kitchen. Featuring burners with realistic lights and sound, shelving for pots and pans, oven, microwave, and much more - with so much to explore, kids will feel like they're cooking just like mom and dad!

Price at time of publish: $293

Dimensions:  42.5 x 32.5 x 36.75 inches|  Material: MDF Solid Wood Plastic |  Recommended Age:   3 Years and Up

Marvel Black Panther Legacy Wakanda FX Battle Claws with Lights and Sounds

Requires batteries

With Black Panther: Wakanda Forever coming to theaters this year, you can't go wrong with gifting the superhero in your life this movie-accurate set of claws inspired by the Marvel hero. With lights, sounds, and retractable claws activated by the famous wakanda salute, your child can dress up as the Black Panther and spend hours imagining themselves protecting the world from villains.

Dimensions:  3.19 x 16 x 12 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  5 Years and Up

LEGO City Fire Station

Courtesy of Walmart

Easy to follow instructions

Pieces are organized by project

Reviewers found it smaller than expected

This set comes together with more than 500 pieces, and it's perfect for 5-year-old boys who can't get enough of the blaze-battling heroes and Legos. Mini-figures include a fire chief, two firefighters, and a Dalmatian dog. One of the coolest features is the truck's special brick that flashes lights and plays siren sounds. The garage door opens and closes to allow the truck to come and go, and there's a separate water scooter (with its own dock) as well as a toy drone.

Dimensions:  13.94 x 14.88 x 2.78 inches |  Material: Plastic |  Recommended Age:  5 years and up

What to Look For in Toys For 5-Year-Old Boys

Recommended age.

Even though they may think they’re big kids, 5-year-old boys are still pretty young and might not be ready for certain toys. Games with mature themes and overly complex products aren’t a good idea for this age group. Make sure to glance at the age rating on the toy you’re considering to make sure it’s an appropriate fit, says Kristin Morency Goldman , senior advisor of strategic communications for The Toy Association.

Educational Value

As 5-year-old boys advance to kindergarten, they’ll be learning to read, write, tell time, and count. A toy that helps advance any of these skills in a fun, interactive way will definitely be appreciated not only by the young boy in your life, but by his parents, too. He'll be ready for kindergarten before you know it.

Figurines, building blocks, LEGO sets , and other toys that encourage pretend play are also great, says Dr. Sanam Hafeez , a neuropsychologist in New York City, because they foster imagination, providing children with the tools they need to create their own worlds.

It often seems as though 5-year-olds are balls of energy, so a toy that helps to get them up and moving is always a good thing. Consider products that will encourage young boys to play outside, run around, and otherwise expend energy as they explore and create. As a bonus, these toys help solidify gross motor skills, as well as hand-eye coordination.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This roundup was written by  Patrice J. Williams . She has contributed gift guides to The Spruce since 2020. In addition to her work for The Spruce, she writes commerce articles, including product suggestions and reviews, for other outlets as well as appearing on air for The Today Show, WEtv, and she was the Savvy Shopper reporter for WPIX in New York City. Additional research was done by  Megan McCarty , a writer for The Spruce and MyDomaine with over 13 years of experience in both print and digital media. She regularly contributes to design-focused outlets such as Architectural Digest, Domino, House & Home, and Hunker.

Julia is the Assistant Commerce Editor at The Spruce, covering all things toys, gifts, and holiday. She studied English and minored in Journalism and Gender and Sexuality Studies at New York University. 

activity toys for 5 year old

More from The Spruce

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

The Best Indoor Toys and Games for Active Play

activity toys for 5 year old

Ashley Ziegler is a lifestyle writer specializing in motherhood, family health, and consumer products. She has written for Romper, Moms.com, and more.

activity toys for 5 year old

Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician and currently serves as the medical director of an outpatient clinic.

activity toys for 5 year old

Marley Hall is a writer and fact-checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education.

We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process . If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Verywell Family / Lecia Landis

Packing a rainy or cold day full of fun toys and activities will help kids release some energy in a way that is just as fun as being outdoors. That’s why it’s helpful to have a few indoor toys and games on hand that will let kids blow off some steam without destroying the house.

Indoor toys are designed with where the toy will be used in mind, so check where the toy can be used and any age recommendations to ensure safety. We carefully considered design, value, ease of cleaning, material, any age recommendations, and toy safety when reviewing products.

Whether they’re big kids, toddlers, or somewhere in between, here are the best active toys and games kids can play inside.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Best overall, national geographic balance stepping stones.

activity toys for 5 year old

Courtesy of Amazon

The National Geographic Balance Stepping Stones rank high on our list because kids can create obstacle courses, time how long it takes them to get across, or simply work on their balance. They’re made from a lightweight soft material for kids 3 years old and up and come in packs of either five or ten. Each stone is designed at an angle so kids have to pay close attention when they’re stepping on them, and they can be played with indoors as well as outside.

Price at time of publication: $50

Best for Toddlers

Kiddey ball pit play tent.

activity toys for 5 year old

For some imaginative indoor play , kids as young as 2 years old can hop in and out of this 37 x 39 x 37-inch tent. Equipped with two see-through mesh windows and a front entry door that can be rolled and tied up to stay open, this tent will make kids feel like they have a cool clubhouse. While the tent doesn’t come with a set of plastic balls, you can purchase some and turn it into a ball pit for even more active play.

Price at time of publication: $23

Best Sports Toy

Melissa & doug sunny patch dilly dally tootle turtle target game.

activity toys for 5 year old

Great for developing hand-eye coordination , getting out some energy, and just general target practice, this game has kids between 3 and 6 years old toss bean bags at a Velcro board covered with numbers. Perfect to encourage your little ones to play together, the game can be played by one or two kids. If you choose to keep score, you can also use the toy as an opportunity to teach some basic math (either highest or lowest score wins).

Price at time of publication: $35

Best for Multiple Kids

Obuby connect n build kids fort building kit.

activity toys for 5 year old

Creative kids as young as 5 years old can work together to build all kinds of imaginative things using this connection set. Fit the building sticks into the round ball connectors at various angles to build rocket ships, playhouses, tunnels, or whatever kids can dream up. These sets are available with either 85 or 120 pieces. 

Best for Big Kids

Exploding kittens throw throw burrito game.

activity toys for 5 year old

Who doesn’t want to spend their day tossing toy burritos at each other in a dodgeball-like manner? The game has kids trying to collect cards while also trying to dodge burritos being thrown at them by their opponents. It involves strategy, problem-solving , and most of all, energy! This 2- to 6-player game is best for kids 7 years old and up. 

Price at time of publication: $25

Best Quiet Toy

Melissa & doug hop & count hopscotch rug.

activity toys for 5 year old

One good way to burn off some energy? Hopscotch! This rug has the classic game colorfully laid out and numbered 1 to 10. It has a non-slip back so it can be safely played with on uncarpeted floors and it also comes with beanbags to play the classic game. The rug measures 78.5 x 26.5 inches, is machine washable, and best for kids between 3 and 7 years old. 

Price at time of publication: $48

Best for Pretend Play

Endless games the floor is lava game.

activity toys for 5 year old

 Courtesy of Amazon

Remember pretending the floor was lava when you were a kid? Now that concept is an actual game for kids 5 years old and up. The game comes with colored felt squares that are tossed all over the floor. Players spin a wheel to determine which color square they have to jump to next, without touching the lava (floor) surrounding them. All that jumping and lava avoidance will definitely burn off some of your kid’s energy. 

Price at time of publication: $22

Best Splurge

Radio flyer blaze interactive riding horse.

activity toys for 5 year old

If you’re at the point where you would pay just about anything to help your kid get their energy out, splurge on this riding horse. The horse is made for kids between 2 and 6 years old and under 60 pounds. The horse is attached to the framing with large springs that allow the rider to bounce as fast or slow as they want. Your little one will love the sound effects that are triggered by bouncing speed, walking, trotting, or galloping, or when they feed the horse its play carrot. The horse also comes with a comb so kids can feel like they’re really taking care of it. 

Price at time of publication: $226

Best Single Player

Air hogs gravitor with trick stick.

activity toys for 5 year old

Watch your kiddo have a blast defying gravity with the Air Hogs Gravitor! Children ages 4 and up can use their hands to make the gravitor fly like magic with no remote. The toy senses altitude, allowing it to hover above or below obstacles, and it can even master more than a dozen tricks. It's budget-friendly, durable, and rechargeable via a USB cord.

Price at time of publication: $24

Final Verdict

The truth is, if you have an energetic kid, any toy that will help tire them out is a good one, so any of these will do. But, if you’re looking for the best of the best, you can’t go wrong with the National Geographic Balance Stepping Stones ( view on Amazon ), or the Throw Throw Burrito game ( view on Amazon ).

What to Look for in Indoor Toys and Games for Active Play

Indoor specific.

As you're shopping for indoor toys and games for active play, you'll need to make sure the toy is designed specifically for indoor use. Typically, you might see a label on a toy's packaging that states it's made for indoor use only.

Indoor toys are designed with where the toy will be used in mind. For example, some toys involve jumping or throwing, and doing so on concrete could lead to serious injury. There's a reason the toy is labeled for indoor use only as outdoor use may cause safety issues. Also, using an indoor toy outside could cause the toy to become damaged from the weather or lost more quickly.

Age-Appropriate

Age recommendations are set by the manufacturer of the toy for safety, like when there are smaller pieces that could be choking hazards for babies and toddlers.

When you buy age-appropriate gifts, your child has the opportunity to develop at a pace that's appropriate for their age. A toy that is too advanced may overwhelm them while a toy that's too young for them will likely not spark their interest.

Entertaining

Think about your child's interests. What do they love to do or play with? If they thrive on physical activity, check out the Melissa & Doug Hop and Count Hopscotch Game Rug ( view on Amazon ). Or, if they are super into imaginative play, try Endless Games The Floor is Lava! ( view on Amazon ). Imaginary play helps children build social and emotional skills as they imitate and describe realistic events and feelings. While your child isn't likely to encounter a real lava flow (we hope), they can imagine what they might feel, see, and do in such a situation, without any real risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting enough physical activity is important for children's physical and mental development. Babies need 30 minutes of tummy time or other interactive play time each day. By age 3, kids should be getting a minimum of 3 hours of physical exercise each day (spread throughout the day), and by age 6 they need at least an hour.

There's no upper limit to how much physical activity kids get each day. More is generally better, as long as children are getting enough food, water, and sleep. They should be offered 3 balanced meals and 2 snacks, although they may not always eat all of that. Water should be available to them throughout the day.

Infants need 12 to 16 hours of sleep daily, toddlers need 11 to 14, and young children need 10 to 13 hours. Getting sufficient physical activity can improve kids' sleep (and adults').

Going outdoors offers fresh air and sunshine and if it is possible, your child will benefit from playing outside each day. But cold or wet weather, busy schedules, or illness in the family could mean outdoor play is limited or impossible. In these cases, indoor play can help meet kids' need for physical movement. This will help kids feel better, sleep better, and learn better.

Ashley Ziegler is a staff and freelance writer who covers lifestyle, home, parenting, and commerce for a variety of platforms. She’s a mom to 1-year-old and 4-year-old daughters and an aunt to 3 nieces and 2 nephews ranging from 5 to 11 years old. In addition to regularly scouring the internet to find the best things for herself, Ashley spends multiple hours a week researching, comparing, and writing about products specifically for kids and families.

More Toys for Kids

When it comes to toys for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top toy picks for every developmental stage and personality phase here:

American Academy of Pediatrics. Making physical activity a way of life: AAP policy explained .

American Academy of Pediatrics. Making sure you child is eating enough .

Paruthi S, Brooks LJ, D’Ambrosio C, et al.  Recommended amount of sleep for pediatric populations: A consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine . J Clin Sleep Med . 12(06):785-786. doi:10.5664/jcsm.5866

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Benefits of physical activity .

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Popular Searches:   DAP ;  Coping with COVID-19 ;  E-books ;  Anti-Bias Education ;  Online Store

Good Toys for Young Children by Age and Stage

Baby playing with a toy

You are here

In addition to being safe (see  Safety and children's toys  below), good toys for young children need to match their stages of development and emerging abilities. Many safe and appropriate play materials are free items typically found at home. Cardboard boxes, plastic bowls and lids, collections of plastic bottle caps, and other “treasures” can be used in more than one way by children of different ages. As you read the following lists of suggested toys for children of different ages, keep in mind that each child develops at an individual pace. Items on one list—as long as they are safe—can be good choices for children who are younger and older than the suggested age range.

Toys for young infants—birth through 6 months

Babies like to look at people—following them with their eyes. Typically, they prefer faces and bright colors. Babies can reach, be fascinated with what their hands and feet can do, lift their heads, turn their heads toward sounds, put things in their mouths, and much more!

Good toys for young infants:

Toys for older infants—7 to 12 months

Older babies are movers—typically they go from rolling over and sitting, to scooting, bouncing, creeping, pulling themselves up, and standing. They understand their own names and other common words, can identify body parts, find hidden objects, and put things in and out of containers.

Good toys for older infants:

Toys for 1-year-olds

One-year-olds are on the go! Typically they can walk steadily and even climb stairs. They enjoy stories, say their first words, and can play next to other children (but not yet with!). They like to experiment—but need adults to keep them safe.

Good toys for 1-year-olds:

Toys for 2-year-olds (toddlers)

Toddlers are rapidly learning language and have some sense of danger. Nevertheless they do a lot of physical “testing”: jumping from heights, climbing, hanging by their arms, rolling, and rough-and-tumble play. They have good control of their hands and fingers and like to do things with small objects.

Good toys for 2-year-olds:

Toys for 3- to 6-year-olds (preschoolers and kindergarteners)

Preschoolers and kindergartners have longer attention spans than toddlers. Typically they talk a lot and ask a lot of questions. They like to experiment with things and with  their still-emerging physical skills. They like to play with friends—and don’t like to lose! They can take turns—and sharing one toy by two or more children is often possible  for older preschoolers and kindergarteners.

Good toys for 3- to 6-year-olds:

Safety and children's toys

Safe toys for young children are well-made (with no sharp parts or splinters and do not pinch); painted with nontoxic, lead-free paint; shatter-proof; and easily cleaned.

Electric toys should be "UL Approved." Be sure to check the label, which should indicate that the toy has been approved by the Underwriters Laboratories. In addition, when choosing toys for children under age 3, make sure there are no small parts or pieces that could become lodged in a child’s throat and cause suffocation.

It is important to remember that typical wear and tear can result in a once safe toy becoming hazardous. Adults should check toys frequently to make sure they are in good repair. For a list of toys that have been recalled by manufacturers, visit the  Consumer Product Safety Commission  website.

Our Globetrotters

Blog , Product Reviews

15 fantastic travel toys for a five-year-old.

5 year old boy holding a toy plane with aviator goggles - travel toys for 5 year olds

What to pack and be prepared for traveling with a 5-year-old

Once they got old enough, our children loved to help plan upcoming adventures and vacations, especially when the destination included fun things for them to participate in. At around the age of five or six, most kids begin to take an avid interest in travel and the process of getting to and from a magical new place. 

I often think of the range of 5-8 years old as the “Golden Age” in a child’s adolescence.  They’re fully potty trained , in school full-time, and generally responsible enough (and willing) to help with younger siblings – and before the more stubbornly strong tweens kick in! 

Don’t get me wrong – any road trip or flight in our family is still peppered with several “Are we there yet?” questions. Still, five-year-olds are much better about keeping themselves entertained or participating in a side-splitting round of Would You Rather . 

In this article, we’re going to explore the Best Travel Toys for 5-Year-Olds to take with you on your next vacation. We’re sure that these fun, engaging, and humorous options will add some pizazz to your next trip!

This post is part of our tried & tested travel gear reviews and our best travel toys collection

Traveling with a five-year-old.

Before we dive into the fun part, we’d like to take a few minutes to offer some suggestions for traveling with a five-year-old.  These are based on personal experiences and advice from friends with families, and we hope they’ll help with upcoming family vacations.  

Pack a Spare Set of Clothes: Even though most five-year-olds can make it to the bathroom with no accidents, there are times when a toilet is not easily accessible.  Additionally, sometimes children will try to “hold it” because they’re nervous about going to the loo mid-flight. 

It’s helpful to talk with your five-year-old before a long flight or car ride to let them know that everything will be okay if they do have an accident.  It also never hurts to pack a few pull-ups to give them an added sense of security. 

Packing List Sign Up - Kids

Give Them Some Responsibility: When each of our own children was around five years old, we began to give them more responsibilities when we went on family trips, such as packing their own backpack or travel bag to figure out what they could easily carry and what needed to stay home.  

From this experience we designed our own “Kids Travel Packing List” – subscribe to our mailing list and you can download your own copy to use with your kids totally FREE! You’re welcome : )

Provide Several Options for Activities : Five-year-olds may be a somewhat less hyper version of being four , but they still need plenty of travel toy options to keep them entertained along the way.

We recommend a car seat travel tray for long car rides so that everything is close by, and these can also work well for flights. 

Best Travel Toys for a 5 Year Old

Teebee – kids travel toy box, 8.5 inch lcd writing tablet doodle board, skillmatics educational game: dots and mazes, educational insights kanoodle jr. brain boosting puzzle game for kids, coloring books, paint by sticker kids: zoo animals, classic tomy water game, melissa and doug deluxe water wow activity pads, i spy gold challenger: a book of picture riddles, melissa & doug fashion design activity kit, don’t let the pigeon finish this activity book, tangoes animals, spot it junior animals card game, fat brain toys shape game, amazon fire hd 8 kids tablet, 8″ hd display.

If you’re planning a long car or train ride, this travel toy box should be on your list.  It unfolds into a tray table full of engaging activities such as an 80-page puzzle book with pencils and building bricks for hours of play.

Your child can also use the lid of the lap tray for playing other games and coloring, and the travel toy box has enough room to add a few extra essentials for the trip.

We highly recommend this LCD Writing Tablet as one of the best travel toys for 5-year-olds because it’s mess-free, portable, and the screen can be cleared with the simple push of a button. 

This doodle board comes with an easily replaceable, built-in battery that lasts for up to 6 months.  Your child can use the attached stylus to draw endless masterpieces on the large, glare-free screen.   

These Skillmatics reusable activity mats are a sure-fire way to cure hours of boredom while traveling.  This travel toy comes with six double-sided sheets and a skilly billy pen that can be wiped clean with the included duster cloth. 

Your five-year-old can build several core skills with multiple engaging activities that can be completed again and again.  This is an excellent toy to be handed down to other children.

If your child loves to solve puzzles, this travel toy for five-year-olds has 60 challenges packed into one small package.

The Kanoodle Jr. encourages the development of crucial skills, such as spatial reasoning and critical thinking.  The portable puzzle board also acts as a case for all the puzzle pieces and a 60-page booklet to keep everything organized.  

Nothing beats travel boredom like a good, old-fashioned coloring book.  If your five-year-old loves to create vibrant and unique pictures, check out options like this Unicorn Coloring Book or Coloring Books for Boys . 

Each book is appropriate for ages 4-8, meaning they’re versatile enough for several children to use them in one trip.  The illustrations are simple enough so that it’s easy to stay inside the lines but also provide a variety of engaging pictures to keep your child entertained for hours

Don’t forget your marker pens too! Look for the type that click together easily or store in their own case so they don’t go missing so easily, and washable, of course!

Paint by Sticker books are a less-mess alternative to paint by numbers, and they’re very travel-friendly. 

This zoo animals version allows your child to create ten beautiful sticker paintings and helps them to work on both counting and hand-eye coordination skills. The quality cardstock also has perforated edges so that they can be gifted to friends and family alike. 

The best travel toys for five-year-olds are ones that present different scenarios every time, and this portable water game does just that.  Your child must tip the toy so that all three rings are on the dolphin’s nose.  It’s more complicated than it looks! 

The game is straightforward to set up–just fill with water and push the button to play.  Empty the water before going through airport security and fill it up again before your flight.  If you’re traveling with multiple children, see who can capture the rings the fastest!

These Melissa and Doug Deluxe Water Wow! Activity Pads are a go-to for our family trips, and for a good reason.  They’re lightweight, reusable, and appropriate for a wide age range (trust me, even my tween when she’s bored joins in!)

You can refill the water pen repeatedly, and the coloring pages clear up as they dry.  Each pad comes with a red lens to find hidden pictures, and the spiral-bound pad keeps everything together.  Some of our favorite options for slightly older kids include Around Town , Adventure , and Fairy Tale .  

If your five-year-old loves puzzles and riddles, this enchanting I Spy Book of Picture Riddles will keep them coming back again and again to discover new items on each page.

The book is filled with vibrant, eye-catching photographs taken by Walter Wick, and author Jean Marzollo has filled each page with riddles to challenge even the most determined riddle-solver in your family. 

The budding fashion designer in your family will love this activity kit with interchangeable fashion plates that allow them to create endless designs.

Each rubbing kit comes with nine double-sided design plates, coloring utensils, and a carrying case, making it perfect for designing on the go. The kit doesn’t include paper, so remember to grab a blank writing pad for your child’s travel case as well. 

Mo Willems is known for his wacky children’s books, and this hilarious activity book is an extension of his popular series.  The Bus Driver provides instructions for each activity, and all the while, the pigeon tries to convince the reader to put the book down and do something else. 

We’re in love with this particular travel item because not only does it provide a wide range of activities for your child, but it also helps them to develop a relationship with the character within. 

Who knew so much fun was possible with just seven different shapes?  The Tangoes Animal book is an ideal travel toy for five-year-olds because it provides 48 tangram challenges and a magnetized board to reduce the chance of pieces getting lost along the way. 

The attached challenge cards are arranged in three different challenge levels, and each picture resembles a familiar animal.  You’ll find yourself drawn into the fun as well with this refreshing take on the ancient Chinese Tangram puzzle. 

One of our tried-and-true family travel toys has been several different versions of Spot It!  Spot It! is especially fun to play on a long flight, in the terminal, or on train rides, and everyone can participate. 

This fast-paced travel toy works on symbol recognition and eye association because each card is filled with six colorful animals of different sizes.  Regardless of the card combination, two cards always have a matching symbol, allowing for endless playing options.  

The shape game is another intriguing puzzle option for your five-year-old (and maybe you!).  It’s comprised solely of heavy-duty activity cards and wooden blocks, so we recommend storing it in a plastic bag for travel.

 The goal of this travel toy is to follow the stars to arrange the blocks in different challenging combinations.  The Shape Game encourages spatial reasoning, logic, and critical thinking skills, to name a few.  It’s also appropriate for ages 3-6, so younger siblings can join in the fun as well. 

Traveling for any length of time can be exhausting, and sometimes both parents and children need a mental and physical break.  That’s where the Amazon Fire 8 Kids Tablet with an 8” display comes in.

Download a few of your five-year-old’s favorite apps or take advantage of the included year of Amazon Kids+. The tablet also easily connects to in-flight Wi-Fi to stream appropriate movies, and Bluetooth capabilities make it easy to pair with your child’s favorite headphones. 

Speaking of which…. headphones and tablets should always go hand in hand. Your 5-year-old will be at that age where they’re between specialised toddler headphones and using proper kids headphones. Here are a few of our favourites for this age group.

More ideas for entertaining young kids on long trips

Even with all the toys and tech you can throw at a kid to keep them happy on the move, sometimes what they simply want is YOU! Often easier said than done if you’re the one driving or you’ve got younger siblings keeping your hands full.

It is really important to remember though, just because your 5-year-old is more self-sufficient and a much better traveling companion than most tots, some one-on-one time doesn’t go astray. Some engaging games without toys should be used too, why not try:

Family car games – some favorites even 5-year-olds witll understand are

Road trip ultimate entertianment bundle

We have a comprehensive list of family games perfect for long journeys here.

Audiobooks – sharing an audiobook or podcast is a great family activity. You can get absorbed in the story whilst also chatting or explain parts too. Audiobooks need not be something you simply plug your kids in, grown-ups can love them too – here we choose all our family favourites , plus podcasts the whole family can tune in to .

Take some snaps! – Let your kids take control of the camera for a bit. Most 5-year-olds can probably operate a camera better than you can; let them record the journey from their perspective. It can actually be great fun looking back at what they think was important to record or seeing the view from the back seat! We watch these back at our meal breaks and it’s loads of fun for us all.

Snacks! – It doesn’t seem to matter what age kids are, snacks are the stuff of travel dreams. My Master L can remember pretty much any place he’s been simply by the snack he ate there (not bad for a fussy eater ).

The important thing when travelling with your 5-year-old, space out the treats. Whilst it’s tempting to give them sweets if say they haven’t asked “are we there yet?” for 30 minutes, all parents should know the result of too many sugary sweets and cooped up in a car or plane… Not saying never, just space them out and try and keep snacks healthy for longer-lasting energy.

lunch box full of healthy food

More tips for pre-schooler travel

This is honestly a great age to travel with kids. They really get so much easier and so much less gear to contend with! If you’d like more from our blog on travel tips and products you might need from the pre-schooler to a grade school kid age group, why not check out:

Helpful? Bookmark this page or pin it for later

Child holding a toy plan on an airplane

Don’t miss our latest travel toy guides:

Disclosures: We are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can read our full disclosure policy here.

© Our Globetrotters | Feature Images CanvaPro

Like it? Share it!

2 thoughts on “ 15 Fantastic Travel Toys for a Five-Year-Old ”

' src=

Kids Travel Toy Box is one of my son’s favorite toys when we go on long trips, he always takes it with him. Holds legos, other building toys, or snacks. There are fantastic.

' src=

Such a great contraption isn’t it! A bit bulky for international travel but my youngest still uses it on domestic car trips

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

activity toys for 5 year old

Happy Toddler Playtime

PLaY CReaTivEly WitH YoUr LiTtLe OnE

55+ Easy Activities for 5 Year Olds

activity toys for 5 year old

AHEAD: Banish boredom in your house with these 55+ super fun hands on and easy activities and crafts for 5 year olds or kindergartners.

Do you have a 5 year old or kindergartner at home? Then this is the ultimate list for you. Here are 55+ amazing activity ideas to do with your 5 year old or kindergartner. From building an aquarium to making 2 ingredient silly putty to making paper houses and cork boats, there are tons and tons of really cool ideas your 5 year old will love.

activity toys for 5 year old

This amazing list is organized into 4 sections:

OK Let the fun begin!

Boredom Busting Activities for 5 Year Olds

activity toys for 5 year old

2. Build a backyard obstacle course outside .

activity toys for 5 year old

3. Build a fort – used blankets, cushions and chairs to build the ultimate retreat nook. Dontas forget to add lots and lots of books!

4. Build a marble Run – use cardboard, construction paper, tape and marbles. Roll the construction paper up to make a tube and tape them to the cardboard to make a marble run.

activity toys for 5 year old

5. Make silly putty .

activity toys for 5 year old

6. Giant Dots and Boxes .

activity toys for 5 year old

7. Play with giant water beads .

activity toys for 5 year old

8. Nature Tea Party – Collect things from your backyard like rocks, leaves, dirt and flowers to make a nature tea using your favourite tea set or a jug and cups.

activity toys for 5 year old

9. Spr ay Bottle Water Fights .

activity toys for 5 year old

10. Magnetic Tile Ramps .

activity toys for 5 year old

11. DIY Post-It Dominoes .

activity toys for 5 year old

Arts & Crafts for 5 Year Olds

12. Three Marker Colouring Challenge – Close your eyes and choose three markers from a pile. Use those colours and only those three colours to colour a favourite coloring page.

13. Make crazy hats – Construction paper, tape and scissors. Create the craziest looking hats you can using cut out lighten bolts, spirals, and different shapes.

activity toys for 5 year old

14. Make a paper house .

15. Build Easter Egg Boats

activity toys for 5 year old

16. Draw to music .

activity toys for 5 year old

17. Giant Nail Painting Activity .

activity toys for 5 year old

18. Make a garden sensory bottle.

activity toys for 5 year old

19. Paint Kindness Rocks – paint rocks using washable paints and brushes and once dry write kind messages on them.

activity toys for 5 year old

20. Textured Rainbow Sun Catcher Craft

activity toys for 5 year old

21. Family Portrait Sticky Wall .

activity toys for 5 year old

22. Make An Aquarium .

activity toys for 5 year old

23. Cardboard Picture Frame Craft

activity toys for 5 year old

24. Giant Baby Doll Colouring – Not into baby dolls? Trace cars and trucks to decorate them!

activity toys for 5 year old

25. Textured Heart Sun Catcher Craft

activity toys for 5 year old

26. Potato Masher Ice Cream Craft

activity toys for 5 year old

27. Gems and Water Colour Flower Craft

activity toys for 5 year old

Fun Learning Activities for 5 Year Olds

28. Baby Doll Haircuts .

activity toys for 5 year old

29. Colour by Addition – Parents write simple addition or subtraction problems in each section of a colouring paper. Then create a key idenifitin which colour each answer should be. For instance if the answer is 3 then colour that second red.

activity toys for 5 year old

30. Shaving Cream Sight Word Game .

activity toys for 5 year old

31. Build The Alphabet Sticky Wall

activity toys for 5 year old

32. Spray Bottle Letters – use a spray bottle to make letters on a fence or on a sidewalk.

activity toys for 5 year old

33. Ice Cream Skip Counting Sticky Wall – Supplies: contact paper, masking tape, foam sheets, scissors and black sharpie.

activity toys for 5 year old

34. Build A Magnetic Tile Clock – use magnetic tiles to make a giant clock. Use post it notes for the numbers or washable chalk markers.

activity toys for 5 year old

35. Rubber Duck Math Race

activity toys for 5 year old

36. DIY Egg Carton Ten-Frame Game

activity toys for 5 year old

37. Magnetic Tile Ten Frame Game

activity toys for 5 year old

38. Ocean Sight Word Sensory Bin

activity toys for 5 year old

39. Ten Frame Sensory Bag

activity toys for 5 year old

40. Dot Sticker Sight Words

activity toys for 5 year old

41. One More One Less with Dot Stickers

activity toys for 5 year old

42. Post-it Memory Game

activity toys for 5 year old

43. Mystery Math: A Crayon Resist Activity

activity toys for 5 year old

44. Toilet Paper Roll Skip Counting

activity toys for 5 year old

Sensory Activities for 5 Year olds

45. Cork Boat Sensory Bin – make boats out of corks, elastic bands, toothpicks and foam sheets for the sails. Fill a sensory bin with water and blue food colouring, fish, sharks and sea shells.

activity toys for 5 year old

46. Ocean Sensory Bottles

activity toys for 5 year old

47. Wash the Horses Sensory Bin – fill a sensory bin with water and bubble bath to make bubbles. Add horse toys, combs and wash clothes.

activity toys for 5 year old

48. Cloud Dough Kitchen

Cloud dough kitchen sensory bin for toddlers and preschoolers

49. Textured Playdough Activity

Textured autumn play dough invitation for kids

50. One- Step Slime Sensory Bin

one step slime bug sensory bin

51. Under The Sea Bath

activity toys for 5 year old

52. Make Shaving Cream Worms – use shaving cream, colander and a large bowl to make shaving cream worms. Turn large bowl upside down, cover the top with shaving cream, press colander down on the shaving cream to let it squeeze through the holes of the colander.

activity toys for 5 year old

53. Shaving Cream and Baby Doll Sensory Bin

activity toys for 5 year old

54. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Sensory Bin

activity toys for 5 year old

55. PAW Patrol Play Dough Tray

activity toys for 5 year old

56. Colour Mixing Tea Party

activity toys for 5 year old

WILL YOU DO ANY OF THESE ACTIVITIES WITH YOUR 5 YEAR OLD? PIN IT FOR LATER!

activity toys for 5 year old

Share this:

2 thoughts on “ 55+ Easy Activities for 5 Year Olds ”

' src=

Hii all activities are mind blowing. Can u please tell some activities for 3 years old boy baby

' src=

happytoddlerplaytime

Thank you! Yes I have a great post for 3 year olds. Search: 50+ THINGS TO DO AT HOME WITH YOUR 3 YEAR OLD

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Playdough Kits available now. Click SHOP now. Dismiss

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Why Trust Us?

30 Best Toys and Gifts for 5-Year-Old Boys Who Seem to Have Everything Already

Unusual, educational and, of course, 2022 award-winning ideas that are inexpensive.

lego sets and stomp rockets are great toys for 5 year old boys

"At this age, they should be able to maintain a longer play sequence with multiple steps and multiple partners," says Gayle Kligman , M.Ed, the executive chairman of Family of Kidz. "They can negotiate among themselves who will have specific roles. They are more verbal with each other and are able to do more symbolic play."

The best toys and gifts for kids in this age group will stimulate movement in space, challenge their cognition, help to develop balance and coordination, encourage pretend play and help them practice those early reading skills, says Magdalena Oledzka , PT. It's why they'll enjoy toys like sports equipment and outdoor toys , building blocks, activity books, art supplies, role-play items that encourage imaginative games and beginner board games .

With those growing brains and bodies in mind, the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute regularly tests and evaluate toys in all areas of interest. First, the Parenting Lab experts check the toys to make sure they're safe and well-constructed, then hand them off to kids who make sure they're fun to play with. Here's our picks for the best toys and unusual gifts for 5-year-old boys in 2022 .

CrazyForts

Creative Building Toy for 5-Year-Old Boys

Everest toys crazyforts.

Knight Owl

Good Housekeeping Kids' Book Award Winner

Christy ottaviano books knight owl.

Flexistix

Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award Winner

Hape flexistix.

Creative Ocean Fun Building Kit

Inexpensive Gift for 5-Year-Old Boys

Lego creative ocean fun building kit.

Express Your Feelings Sensory Bottles

hand2mind Express Your Feelings Sensory Bottles

Catamaran 3-D Puzzle

Best Puzzle for 5-Year-Olds

Studio roof catamaran 3-d puzzle.

Stunt Planes Set

Best Outdoor Toy for 5-Year-Old Boys

Stomp rocket stunt planes set.

DoodleJamz JellyPics

Unusual Gift for 5-Year-Old Boys

Sky castle doodlejamz jellypics.

Good Housekeeping 123 Cook!

Best First Cookbook

Hearst home kids good housekeeping 123 cook.

Botley the Coding Robot

Best Coding Toy for 5-Year-Olds

Learning resources botley the coding robot.

Many of these picks have earned top marks at the Good Housekeeping Institute's tests, and many are even past Good Housekeeping Toy Award winners . We've also added in a few editor's picks, bestsellers and hot toys of 2022 to keep the list as up-to-date as possible for the lucky kindergarteners out there. Add them to your carts before Black Friday, and you'll be at a huge advantage in your holiday shopping.

Get them designing, building and constructing their own dream blanket forts with this set, which features more than 60 rods and connectors. (You have to supply the sheets and blankets.) They can make their own structures, or use the instructions to get them started on some pre-planned designs. Ages 5+

A little owl becomes an unlikely protector of a kingdom — and, when he's confronted by a dragon, he has get creative. Good Housekeeping Institute testers loved this book for the way it plays on readers' expectations. “I liked the clever play on words and how it teaches that you can be small and still be brave,” one tester said. Ages 2 – 5

RELATED: The 2022 Good Housekeeping Kids' Book Awards

STEM lovers will adore this set, which lets kids use geometry and math to create unique structures. They can play solo or in a group to flex their problem-solving muscles and work on their collaboration skills as they try to build the different shapes. Ages 4+

This LEGO set provides the perfect mix of guided builds and open-ended play . It comes with more than 300 pieces, along with ideas for six mini ocean-themed builds (a Viking ship, a yellow submarine, an underwater drone, a seahorse, a whale and a turtle). They can create their own undersea adventures! Ages 4+

Good Housekeeping testers loved using these as fidget toys, seeing the different ways the different liquids moved through the bottles. But each one also has an emotion that goes with it — angry, scared, happy or worried — so they can be used to start conversations about feelings. Ages 3+

RELATED: The Best Sensory Toys for Exploring Different Textures, Sights, and Sounds

He can keep busy as he puts together this 3-D puzzle. Made of recycled cardboard and vegetable dye, it'll look great on display in his room. Ages 4+

This set includes three different foam planes for kids to launch into the air: a looper, a glider and a wildcat — each charting its own trajectory. The looper is designed to curve in the air, the glider soars high in the sky and the Wildcat is a stunt machine. Kids learn about basic aeronautic principle s as they adjust the flight path angle, apply different forces (it's 100% kid-powered), and factor in wind. Ages 5+

Fidget toys are still incredibly popular, and this gives kids something (quiet!) to do with their busy hands . It's filled with a gel-like liquid and beads that kids can push around against the background picture. The background comes with a two-sided picture, or they can print and use their own. There's also the JellyBoards , which come with colored gel inside and no beads. Ages 5+

RELATED: The Best Pop Fidget Toys to Help with Anxiety

Encourage his love of cooking and baking with this easy-to-follow cookbook. It offers 50 easy recipes they can use to get started. In addition to instructions for how to make things like Ooey-Gooey Glazed Cinnamon Rolls or Totally Twisted Pasta with Cherry Tomato Sauce, it also offers tips from Good Housekeeping experts on kitchen tools and techniques. Once they've mastered these, they can move on to Good Housekeeping Kids Cook! Ages 4+

This fun robot is a great way to introduce kids to coding without using screens. During toy testing, kids immediately loved it — especially since the challenges get more difficult and evolve as skills are mastered . Advanced features include coding up to 120 steps, programs with if/then logic, obstacle avoidance and black-line follow mode. If you're looking for an upgrade, there's also a (more expensive) Botley 2.0 . Ages 5+

RELATED: The Best STEM Toys for Kids

Hanna Andersson Pokémon Holiday Long John Pajama Set

Pokémon Holiday Long John Pajama Set

Now he can get into the holiday spirit and celebrate his love of Pokémon all at the same time. These jams feature a festive Pikachu print, and they're 100% cotton so they're soft and comfy. They come in baby and adult sizes , too, so the whole family can get in on the act.

RELATED: The Best Pokémon Gifts for Fans of All Ages

HEXBUG Real Bugs Nanos

Real Bugs Nanos

Thes robotic creepy-crawlies really look like actual insects — they also have realistic movements and can even scurry around obstacles. You get five bugs in the pack: a cicada, a cockroach, a Japanese beetle, a water scorpion and an assassin bug. Ages 3+

Hasbro L0-LA59 (Lola) Droid Toy

L0-LA59 (Lola) Droid Toy

Whether they watched the Obi-Wan Kenobi series or not, they'll get a kick out of this lifelike little droid. It has lights, sounds and reactions just like the real droid from the show, and it can also be posed in a variety of ways when it's time to go back on a toy shelf. Ages 4+

RELATED: The Best 'Star Wars' Gifts for Adults and Kids

Squishmallow Squishmallows Plush Mystery Box

Squishmallows Plush Mystery Box

He'll get five new, 5" Squishmallows when he opens this box — but he won't know which ones until he opens it. Then, he'll be able to squeeze them and toss them around to his heart's content. Ages 0+

Crayola Light Up Activity Board

Light Up Activity Board

Kids can combine and re-combine the translucent shapes to make endless art projects, then trace and color them in. It'll get them experimenting with color mixing and how shapes can work together to make a larger picture. The set comes with three markers, 22 shape clings, three “Complete the Scene” transparency sheets, along with a light-up board that holds the markers. Ages 3+

Air Hogs Stunt Shot Indoor RC Stunt Vehicle

Stunt Shot Indoor RC Stunt Vehicle

With its big, soft wheels, this remote-controlled car is meant to be driven inside the house. The previous Good Housekeeping Toy Award winner's wheels are large enough to roll over obstacles and carpets, but squishy enough so they don't damage walls or furniture . Ages 5+

Wonder Forge World of Disney Eye Found It Board Game

World of Disney Eye Found It Board Game

You'll need to clear off a lot of space for this game — the board is six feet long! But when it's unfolded, set the timer, and head off to seek out as many of a certain item as you can find in the extra-large scene (bells, flags, cats, apples, etc.), challenging players on their memory and matching skills. It's the perfect family board game, because the rounds are quick by design, it's easy to learn, and the game is cooperative , so if one player wins, everyone wins! Ages 3+

WowWee Untamed Raptor by Fingerlings

Untamed Raptor by Fingerlings

This interactive raptor is sure to entertain kids with its roars, hisses and even purrs. It features the same technology as Fingerlings, so the dinosaur responds to touch, motion and sound , to keep kids busy role playing. Ages 5+

Abrams Books for Young Readers Ada Twist's Big Project Book for Stellar Scientists

Ada Twist's Big Project Book for Stellar Scientists

Kids who are into the scientific method, problem solving and questioning the world around them will love digging into the 40+ science-themed projects in this workbook . They can learn how to track the phases of the moon, grow a garden or make a vehicle that runs on renewable energy, among other fun ideas. Ages 5+

Ghostbusters Proton Blaster

Proton Blaster

Whether the kids are fans of the OG Ghostbusters or the Ghostbusters: Afterlife , they'll have a blast defeating ghouls with this role-play toy. It has two different attachments — "Blast ‘n’ Trap" and "Proton Stream" — and it makes different sounds depending on which one is in use. Ages 5+

Headshot of Marisa LaScala

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother . She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.

Headshot of Rachel Rothman

Rachel Rothman (she/her) is the chief technologist and executive technical director at the Good Housekeeping Institute , where she oversees testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also manages GH’s growing research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. During her 15 years at Good Housekeeping , Rachel has had the opportunity to evaluate thousands of products, including toys and cars for GH’s annual awards programs and countless innovative breakthroughs in consumer tech and home improvement. 

preview for Featured Videos From Good Housekeeping US

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-1yxmhzw:before{background-repeat:no-repeat;bottom:-0.2rem;color:#ffffff;content:'_';display:inline-block;height:1.25rem;line-height:1;margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;position:relative;width:1.25rem;}.loaded .css-1yxmhzw:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-1yxmhzw:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} Toy Reviews

best puzzles for adults

11 Best Magnetic Toys for Kids of 2022

tie dye blanket

40 Best Toys and Gifts for 13-Year-Old Girls

Best Toys and Gifts for 6-Year-Old Boys

28 Best Toys and Gifts for 6-Year-Old Boys

best toys and gifts for 3 year old girls

39 Best Toys and Gifts for 3-Year-Old Girls

best toys and gifts for 9 year old boys

32 Best Toys and Gifts for 9-Year-Old Boys

best toys gifts for 9yo girls

44 Best Toys & Gifts for 9-Year-Old Girls in 2023

toys and gifts for 13 year old boys

39 Best Toys and Gifts for 13-Year-Old Boys

best toys and gifts for 11 year old boys

31 Best Toys and Gifts for 11-Year-Old Boys

a lego car in the best toys and gifts for 10 year old boys

39 Best Toys and Gifts for 10-Year-Old Boys

toys gifts for 3 year old boys

34 Best Toys and Gifts for 3-Year-Old Boys

best toys and gifts for 11 year old girls

38 Best Toys and Gifts for 11-Year-Old Girls

The 29 Best Gifts for 5-Year-Olds

A Loog mini electric guitar, shown on a blue paper background.

By the time kids are 5, they’re developing skills and more-specific interests that open up new gift-giving possibilities. Many 5-year-olds are starting kindergarten, and they’re exploring new subjects and ideas in school for the first time. Toys and kits that let them engage in project-based inquiry—such as performing simple science experiments and exploring nature—can help them make connections between what they’re exposed to in the classroom and what they experience out in the world.

Learning is at the center of a 5-year-old’s life, but that doesn’t mean they need so-called educational toys. Kids automatically get an educational benefit from any number of well-designed, engaging toys, said John Tenuto, a sociology instructor at the College of Lake County, in Grayslake, Illinois, who has studied toys and collectibles (and is an expert featured on the Netflix series The Toys That Made Us ).

You could look for gifts that complement a child’s natural curiosities, whether they love to create art, grow stuff, play sports, make music, or get up close and personal with insects. Books to build their library are wonderful choices, and board games are also great, especially cooperative ones that require working together as a group.

We relied on the advice of Tenuto and other experts—as well as that of parents and caregivers on our staff—to identify memorable and engaging gifts for 5-year-olds. If you’re looking for more kids gift ideas, check out our guides to the best gifts for 1-year-olds , 2-year-olds , 3-year-olds , 4-year-olds , 6-year-olds , 7-year-olds , 8-year-olds , 9-year-olds , and 10-year-olds , as well as thoughtful stocking stuffers for kids. We also have guides to gifts for tweens and teens . (Just keep in mind that kids develop at different rates, so all age recommendations should be taken with a grain of salt.) And please share your own best ideas in the comments below.

Rainbow order

A rainbow acrylic pen holder.

Flytreal Acrylic Pen Holder ($15 at the time of publication)

With two prolific kid artists in residence, my family has struggled to find a good method for corralling our assorted markers, crayons, and colored pencils. This rainbow-shaped Flytreal Acrylic Pen Holder is the best solution we’ve landed on so far, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s also kind of adorable. With five compartments in varying heights, it accommodates a range of different-size drawing tools, from tall to short (though even the shortest compartment isn’t short enough to properly house our teensiest crayon nubbins—once they disappear into a cubby, fishing them out is a nuisance). The container has rubber pads on its underside, so if you grab something out of it or bump it, it won’t send the whole container skittering. And since it’s open at the top (unlike some of the lidded or latched organizers we’ve tried in the past), my kids don’t need my help with it. When they want to get started with a project, I just hand it over to them—or I can ask them to put their supplies away themselves when they’re finished … in theory, at least.

— Ingela Ratledge Amundson

Low-mess modeling clay

A product image of Crayola Model Magic clay.

Crayola Model Magic Deluxe Variety Pack (about $16 at the time of publication)

My daughter loves the tactile and squishy texture of Crayola’s Model Magic . She’s used it to mold everything from a fantastical landscape of fairy houses to a family of tiny pigs. The clay hardens after about 24 hours, so her figurines are sturdy enough to handle and play with (though she’s had pieces fall apart here and there). She was given a set in a range of colors, as well as the white modeling clay , which she stains with acrylic paint. As your child grows older, the clay also comes in handy for school projects; it’s perfect for building a diorama or any 3D design. And as a parent, I appreciate that the clay doesn’t crumble or leave behind a mess.

A story of self-discovery

The front cover of Lupita Nyong'O's book, Sulwe.

Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o, illustrated by Vashti Harrison ($16 for hardcover and $12 for a paperback version at the time of publication)

Sulwe , a children’s book by actor Lupita Nyong’o , is a magical tale that stems from the author’s real-life experiences. Like the titular character, Nyong’o was teased about her dark skin and, according to the book’s author notes, prayed for a lighter complexion. Sulwe , a picture book in which most of the pages display a purple, starry night sky, features Black people in every shade. But the bullying of Sulwe over her deep skin—the color of midnight, as the book describes it—is the real story. Though Black and brown children of color will relate to the themes of colorism, all children will find something to relate to in Sulwe’s spirited journey toward loving herself just as she is.

—Kelly Glass

Creepy-crawlies, close-up

The Carson HU-10 BugView, bug catching and magnification toy.

Carson HU-10 BugView (about $12 at the time of publication)

This contraption’s sliding mechanism lets you trap an insect, an arachnid, or a small lizard from a distance, and it has a built-in magnifier, so you can get a closer look at your catch. My daughter gave this bug catcher to one of her friends for her fifth birthday. The friend and her younger sister love it. They were already pretty into bugs, and they like catching and carefully investigating critters in their yard—and then releasing them afterward.

—Angela Sylcott

An ogre for an opponent

The Peaceable Kingdom Race to the Treasure!, shown in play.

Peaceable Kingdom Race to the Treasure! (about $19 at the time of publication)

Not all games need to produce a winner and a loser to be fun. Cooperative games have all players working together toward a common goal. They can help 5-year-olds practice skills like collaboration, compromise, communication, and conflict mediation, all of which are vital to their social and emotional learning inside and outside of school. In Race to the Treasure! , the goal is to gather three keys to unlock a treasure before an ogre reaches it. First, the players roll the dice to determine where on the grid to place the keys. They then take turns picking game tiles and deciding where to place them on the board in order to lay a path to the keys and avoid the ogre.

—Courtney Schley

What’s in a name?

A photo of the Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza game box.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza ($10 at the time of publication)

This fast-paced party game is a true unicorn: ridiculous, competitive, and fun for both kids and adults. It also couldn’t be simpler to learn. To play Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza , you take turns blurting out the titular words while flipping down each cutely illustrated card. When a match occurs between the word uttered and the card flipped, everyone rushes to slap the pile, and the last slapper inherits the whole pile. (The first person to get rid of all their cards wins.) Three additional action cards ramp up the mayhem and bring out the silly sides of even the most intense, self-serious players. The game is officially recommended for kids over 8, but we’ve participated in hotly contested rounds with fierce competitors ages 4 to 72—all of whom nearly wore out their voices and slapping hands.

—Caitlin Giddings

Books with a message (that kids will actually read!)

A photo of the Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You book.

My Mouth Is a Volcano! ($10 at the time of publication) Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You ($11 at the time of publication)

School introduces kids to a new social order—peers, teachers, administrators—and books can help them navigate it. But there’s one problem: Children can sniff out “boring educational books full of teaching moments” as easily as an organic cereal masquerading as a box of Lucky Charms. Which is why I turn to the pros for their tried-and-true picks. My son’s kindergarten teacher began the first day of school with an animated reading of My Mouth Is a Volcano! , about a boy who struggles to not interrupt others; the class was rapt. And back at the height of the pandemic, our school principal did a Zoom reading of Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor . My eavesdropping was well timed; students unmuted themselves to proudly share stories of the disabilities that make them—or someone they love—unique.

I spy something fun

A Skillmatics Found It! Card Game.

Skillmatics Card Game: Found It! Indoor Edition ($15 at the time of publication)

An elevated scavenger hunt, the Skillmatics Card Game: Found It! Indoor Edition can be played at home without lifting a finger to prepare. If you have a bigger group, you can designate a reader to ask the “Can you find … ?” questions on the cards, with kids competing to be the first to locate a particular item. Or you can play it with just one child, as we’ve often done with our son. The cards direct players to find objects around the house (or indoor space), with prompts ranging from straightforward (“An object that you can write with”) to more complex (“Something that is the color formed by mixing yellow and blue”). If you’re playing as a twosome, the 50 game cards offer supplemental questions or additional tasks for the child to complete, like using their newly found object to write the first two letters of their name. I like that this game can be played for whatever length of time you choose—complete two cards or 20. And my son takes pride in getting to show off his growing knowledge of the world, like words that rhyme and objects that we use in our daily routines. For those who don’t want to be constrained by the limits of four walls, there’s also an outdoor version , which we haven’t yet tried.

— Barbara Kimberly Seigel

A giant pop-up book

A photo of the Ultimate Construction Site book.

The Ultimate Construction Site Book (about $20 at the time of publication) The Ultimate Book of Vehicles (about $20 at the time of publication) The Ultimate Book of Cities ($20 at the time of publication)

Online descriptions don’t do justice to the Ultimate pop-up book series. At about 10 by 13 inches, each has a theme, including The Ultimate Book of Vehicles and The Ultimate Book of Cities . And each book is impressively oversized and contains a bevy of tactile, three-dimensional surprises inside. Over the course of multiple engaging, jam-packed scenes, The Ultimate Construction Site Book uncovers the intricacies of how various structures get built. Among our favorites: the subway section (featuring a subterranean world that literally unfolds to reveal a horizontal expanse of tunnel-boring and track-laying machines) and a pop-up illustration of how to build a roller coaster (with interactive tabs detailing different aspects of its construction). I was especially grateful for the book’s detailed, informative captions; when my curious kiddo asked me “how the track gets curvy without falling down,” I had answers.

Piece by piece

The Equilibloc Balancing Game, shown stacked as a tower.

Janod Equilibloc Balancing Game ($17 at the time of publication)

The Equilibloc Balancing Game is a colorful twist on a family favorite. “Everybody loves Jenga,” said Keewa Nurullah, owner of the children’s shop Kido in Chicago. “This version by Janod Toys includes a die.” The set includes 60 wooden pieces of seven different colors, and the game involves a bit more luck and strategy than traditional Jenga. Whichever color a player rolls on, the die is the color they need to take out. That raises the stakes, especially when the game nears the end and the tower is wobbly. Still, it’s a fun and playable game for kids of all ages. (The manufacturer gives a range of 3 years to 10 years, but we think many 5-year-olds would have a ball with it.) The colors make it challenging and visually exciting for kids to play with—both as it’s intended and as blocks for building structures.

Paleontology meets power tools

The Take Apart Dinosaur Toys on a white background.

Take Apart Dinosaur Toys (about $30 at the time of publication) Note: When we first recommended this pick, the price was $18.

All the kindergartners in my life are united in their love of this construction toy , which combines the joy of brandishing a power tool with the eternal awesomeness of dinos. The set comes with a child-safe power drill, a hand drill, and the parts for three dinosaurs (these can be constructed to form a T. rex , a velociraptor, and a triceratops). My nephew has had his Take Apart Dinosaur since last Christmas, but he still tinkers with it for hours—screwing in the plastic joints to create the three big-name dinos, or mixing and matching the parts to invent hybrids beyond paleontology’s wildest dreams.

Board-em buster

A child on a blue Spooner Freestyle Balance Board.

Spooner Freestyle Balance Board (about $45 at the time of publication)

Created in a surf shop in San Diego, the Spooner Freestyle Balance Board mimics the feeling of surfing—with some skateboarding and snowboarding thrown into the mix. Unlike other balance boards, the Spooner is made from durable plastic material and has a uniquely curved shape that allows for standing, twisting, and rocking, as well as spinning. We keep ours in the living room, where our kids hop on and off it throughout the day. (We found that you’ll need at least a 2-foot radius of indoor or outdoor space to use the board.) And it’s not just a fun way to get wiggles out: The Spooner’s rocking movement also helps kids work on their balance and gross motor skills, according to Allie Ticktin, an occupational therapist in Los Angeles and author of the book Play to Progress: Lead Your Child to Success Using the Power of Sensory Play . Plus, it engages the mind. “I like that the child has to come up with how to play with it, so it’s going to push their creativity,” said Ticktin. These days, my 7-year-old son is trying to master some special tricks , and my 4-year-old daughter loves spinning around endlessly in circles. The Spooner comes in eight colors, and if you don’t want your home to look like a skate park, it can be tucked away fairly easily.

— Lara Rabinovitch

A first gardening set

The Green Toys Indoor Gardening Kit, showing three pots, a small shovel, and soil.

Abby’s Garden Planting Activity Set (about $20 at the time of publication) Green Toys Watering Can Toy (about $12 at the time of publication)

At around age 5, my oldest daughter started helping her grandfather plant, weed, and harvest in his large, lush vegetable garden during our summer visits to California. Whether you have a big garden, enjoy a modest green space (as we do, at our own home in urban Philadelphia), or grow indoors only, the gardening set and watering can from Green Toys are great for encouraging a young kid to develop a green thumb. Wirecutter has recommended Green Toys’s products, including this sandbox set , for kids because they are made from durable but slightly flexible plastic. So they can survive years of indoor and outdoor use, unlike cheaper, more-brittle sets that crack and shatter. The company’s indoor-gardening set includes three pots and a stand (perfect for placing on a windowsill), a trowel, ready-to-go soil discs, and three packets of seeds. The separate watering-can set pairs well with the pot set; the watering can comes with a hand rake and a small shovel.

A little learning lab

The contents of the Learning Resources toy lab set, shown in front of the product's box.

Learning Resources Primary Science Lab Set ($30 at the time of publication)

When my son turned 5, he fell hard for baking-soda volcanoes: the anticipation, the inevitable eruption, the whole frothy affair. This science-lab activity set brought things to a new level, allowing him to fill beakers, pour from test tubes, don goggles, use a magnifying glass, and more. Most of the time he asks to concoct these volcanoes—we just use the larger beaker as our “volcano,” though you could certainly place that inside your own papier-mâché mountain. But we’ve done all of the simple, engaging experiments that come printed on big cards, too. The whole thing stokes his curiosity and keeps us talking about science, which makes me very happy.

—Ingrid Skjong

First-rate fort building

Two children building a fort structure using the Crazy Forts kit.

Crazy Forts (about $50 at the time of publication)

Fort building made a major comeback during the pandemic. As many of us searched for ways to pep up time spent at home , being able to fashion a time machine, a rocket ship, or a privacy nook out of an old blanket and a few pillows became a critical life skill. Crazy Forts is a fort-building kit consisting of 44 plastic poles, 25 connector balls, and building instructions; kids can make endless structural configurations and secret hideouts with the simple addition of a light sheet. (Younger kids may need some assistance in building their creations.) Wirecutter editor Marilyn Ong said the kit has been a big help on the activity front; her 7-year-old leads the building charge with his two younger siblings, who are 4½ and 2½. (Another option is the similarly designed Lakeshore Ultimate Fort Builder , which we recommend in a guide to craft projects and creative toys we love for kids .) Need a structure big enough for, say, the whole family? Consider buying two of the same set and connecting them.

A mythical board game

The HABA Dragon’s Breath children's board game, shown in play.

HABA Dragon’s Breath (about $25 at the time of publication)

Dragon’s Breath , which won the prestigious Kinderspiel des Jahres award for best children’s board game of 2018, has themes and features that are sure to appeal to many 5-year-olds: sparkly gems, cute cartoon dragons, a magical ice tower, and a cleverly designed, two-level game board. Dragon’s Breath differs from more-traditional board games that have you roll a die, spin a wheel, or draw a card to move along on the game board. Instead, up to four players construct a column using translucent plastic rings (representing a magical ice tower); this offers just enough fine-motor challenge for a 5-year-old to find it satisfyingly tricky. Players then fill this tower with small, sparkly gems of different colors. Each player is responsible for collecting a specific color, and players take turns removing one ring at a time from the ice tower, causing the gems to scatter out onto the board (some will slip down into holes in the board). Kids have to gather as many gems of their color as they can. The game requires a mix of strategy and luck, and it’s mildly competitive and quick to play.

An at-home dino dig

Three "dinosaur eggs" from the Dig It Up! Dinosaur Eggs children's toy.

MindWare Dig It Up! Dinosaur Eggs (about $30 at the time of publication)

A soft intro to paleontology, the Dig It Up! Dinosaur Eggs set offers little explorers the hands-on experience of excavation. The kit includes 12 individually wrapped clay eggs and 12 chisel tools. Keewa Nurullah, owner of the children’s shop Kido Chicago , loved watching her youngsters get their hands messy as they soaked the eggs in water and then chipped away at the softened clay to reveal the dinos inside each one. An excavation guidebook explains more about each find, but the digging is where it’s at. When editor Ingrid Skjong’s 5-year-old received this as a gift, he was set to free all 12 dinos in one sitting. Doling them out over several weeks proved a bit more reasonable—and extended the fun.

Metamorphosis in your living room

The butterfly farm butterfly net enclosure, shown with other butterfly raising supplies.

Insect Lore Butterfly Farm with Live Cup of Caterpillars (about $40 at the time of publication) Insect Lore Butterfly Garden with Voucher (about $25 at the time of publication, plus an additional $9 to order the caterpillars)

Whether you’re 5 or 35, watching the lifecycle of a caterpillar as it transforms into a big, beautiful butterfly is an incredible thing to experience, and this simple butterfly farm was a big hit in my home. My kids fell in love with the tiny baby caterpillars, which started off the size of rice grains and grew to the size of my 5-year-old daughter’s pinky finger before metamorphosing into Painted Lady butterflies. After a few days of watching them flitter about, we released them in the park. This was perfect, wholesome, educational fun, especially for my daughter, who considered the butterflies to be her babies because she assisted in their “birth.” If you’re planning to gift and use the Butterfly Farm immediately, get the kit that comes with live caterpillars . If you need to wait for warmer weather or would prefer to ease into butterfly rearing, buy the kit that comes with a coupon to send off for your caterpillars when you’re ready to watch nature’s magic.

—Nancy Redd

Nature’s night-light

The Uncle Milton Moon in My Room light up moon toy.

Uncle Milton Moon in My Room (about $20 at the time of publication)

We bought the Moon in My Room for my son when he was a toddler for a couple of reasons, the first being that he was afraid of sleeping in the dark. We also got it because he loved spotting the moon in the night sky and pointing it out to everyone, shouting, “Moon! Moon!” When he started learning about the planets, the sun, and, yes, the moon in school, he found a renewed appreciation for the night-light—the craggy detailing, for instance, that’s evident even way up on the wall. The remote (which we initially kept to ourselves) lets him choose a phase and adjust the brightness, depending on his mood or how the actual moon looks outside. As parents, we appreciate that the night-light shuts off by itself. (If you’re giving it as a gift, we recommend that you include batteries; it requires four AA and two AAA.) Our son is now 10, but the moon is still on his wall. It currently matches his room’s Star Wars decor, and, truth be told, he still hates sleeping in the dark.

—Joanne Chen

A charming treasure chest

The Melissa & Doug Wooden Pirate Chest, shown with coins, a pirate flag, and an eye patch.

Melissa & Doug Wooden Pirate Chest (about $30 at the time of publication)

Aside from a live parrot, a treasure chest is the ultimate in pirate-themed accessories. My son got this Melissa & Doug version when he was 5, and it quickly became a staple in his toy rotation. It comes with an eye patch, plastic gold coins, and a skull-and-crossbones bandana. (It’s also customizable; my kid’s name is etched into the top.) The middle slat of the bottom pops out to reveal a secret compartment, and the chest as a whole is large enough for stowing small toys and other miscellany. (We added these jewels . Can there ever be too much treasure?) If looking the part is crucial to your little one’s swashbuckling vibe, consider getting this pirate costume , which includes a one-piece outfit, a hat, and a plastic eye patch and dagger.

A moment of Zen

A photo of the Kiko+ Wakka Retro Water Game.

Kiko+ Wakka Retro Water Game ($30 at the time of publication)

This is one of the weirder—and more delightful—things in my house. From across a room, the Kiko+ Wakka Retro Water Game looks like a traditional, old-fashioned wooden toy—something a character from Little House on the Prairie might have received in her Christmas stocking, along with an orange, on a particularly good year. But once you’ve got it in your hands, the Wakka immediately evokes flashes of those cheapo handheld plastic water games from the ’80s—with all the addictive, nostalgic fun and frustration that entails. Children are drawn to its deceptive Gameboy appearance and then sucked in by the challenge of trying to spear plastic floating rings using only puffs of water. Adults tend to appreciate the stress relief that comes along with spending more than five minutes on something that doesn’t involve a screen. They also like the Wakka’s lovely, minimalist aesthetic. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure why it’s so satisfying, but I do know that I could play with it for hours if my kiddo would only let me have a turn.

Magna-Tile-a-saurus

A Magna-Tiles Dino World XL set.

Dino World Magna-Tiles XL 50-Piece Set ($130 at the time of publication)

We’re such big fans of Magna-Tiles that we feature them in our guides to our favorite learning and STEM toys , the best gifts for 4-year-olds , and Valentine’s Day gifts for kids . The colorful plastic tiles with built-in magnets encourage lots of open-ended building and imaginative play, and you can easily add, mix and match different sets—including this 50-piece Dino World Magna-Tiles XL . For dinosaur-loving kids like my son, this particular collection stands out with its 16 dino-sized (that is, extra-large) square and triangle pieces. Some of the pieces are illustrated with tropical leaves and dino footprints; others have extendable tree trunks and attachable magnetic leaves. (For kiddos who are only accustomed to traditional Magna-Tiles, these cutout shapes and interactive designs can feel like an exciting departure.) The six dinosaur figures have body parts that move: For instance, the Pteranodon’s wings flap, the T-rex’s mouth opens and closes, and the Stegosaurus’s tail can whack an oncoming predator. My son likes moving the neck of the leaf-eating Brachiosaurus to reach its food at various heights; he also creates a structure to keep the herbivores safe from the carnivores. If this set is too large, Magna-Tiles also makes a 40-piece volcano-themed dino set and a five-piece dinosaurs-only set .

—Barbara Kimberly Seigel

A sweet strummer

The Loog children's mini electric guitar toy.

Loog Mini Acoustic Guitar (about $90 at the time of publication)

When our oldest son turned 3, my husband and I gave him a glossy red Loog Mini Acoustic Guitar . We listen to a lot of music, and his uncles all play the guitar, so I hoped that he’d be keen to connect with his very own musical instrument. We didn’t expect him to play it (he didn’t), but we did want him to love it (he did). By the time he turned 5, he had “played” too many rock concerts with his axe to count. He’s ready for some sit-down instruction—and so is the guitar, which has stood up well to its status as a daily favorite. An actual instrument, the Mini has nylon strings (the first three strings on a real guitar, making the transition to a 6-string easier), and it is a comfortable fit for little hands. My kid learned to correctly hold this guitar and how to strum. And he’s learning even more with the help of the Mini’s included flash cards and the app, which features a tuner and video lessons. (The Mini is suggested for ages 3 and older; the starting age for the next model up, the Pro Acoustic , is 8; and the Pro VI Acoustic is for ages 12 and older.) Whether or not our son grows up to be the next Dave Grohl, the Mini has made quite an impression—he’s asked for the electric version next; it comes complete with a built-in amp and speaker. Note: Only items purchased directly from Loog are covered by the company’s 30-day return policy and one-year warranty ; Loog products purchased elsewhere are subject to those retailers’ respective return and refund policies.

For a playful rainy day

A photo of the Holly & Beau raincoat.

Holly & Beau Color Changing Raincoats ($60 at the time of publication)

Thanks to Holly & Beau’s delightful raincoats , my 5-year-old son can’t get enough of a downpour. They are available in a range of cute prints, including dinosaurs, monsters, unicorns, and cars. And the designs on the jacket change color when they get wet (for example, a white dog will turn purple) and revert to their original state when dry again. The color shifts are really fun (though after nearly two years of wear, many of the designs have permanently changed color), and my son has a ball putting up the hood and tromping through the elements without a care in the world. On one particularly rainy day, he looked up at me and chirped, “This isn’t so bad!” Made by hand and machine-washable, the jacket folds into a neat pouch. And unlike umbrellas that break, this raincoat is guaranteed to brighten up a drippy day.

An heirloom-worthy wooden toy

The Tedco Blocks and Marble toy set, shown in its packaging.

Tedco Super Set Blocks and Marbles ($55 at the time of publication)

A wooden set of Tedco’s original Blocks & Marbles is truly timeless. I spent years creating elaborate, Rube Goldberg –like towers with my set in the ’80s. My sister’s five kids have taken over in the decades since. And when my daughter gets a bit older, she’ll be ready to inherit the fun. Handmade by the Amish in Indiana, the set includes 14 marbles and 45 sloping tracks, and it has blocks made of tunneled wood that can be stacked and combined any way you choose. Together, kids and adults can build marble-racing runs in endless configurations that are as fun to design as they are to play with.

A building toy that really clicks

The Clixo Rainbow Pack children's puzzle toy.

Clixo Rainbow Pack ($60 at the time of publication)

“Like Magna-Tiles but bendy” is how my daughter described the Clixo building kit, which has flexible plastic pieces with strong magnetic nodes that snap together with a satisfying click. Instead of castles and cubes, Clixo pieces can be used to build curving, jointed, movable creations. The 42-piece Rainbow Pack has a variety of brightly colored, differently shaped pieces, and it comes with three spinners to make things like pinwheels, whirligigs, or helicopters. I sometimes divvy up the pack for car rides, and the pieces stack together efficiently for cleanup.

The most Mo Willems

Four books from the Mo Willems Elephant & Piggie: The Complete Collection set.

Elephant & Piggie: The Complete Collection ($95 at the time of publication)

Elephant and Piggie , created by beloved children’s author Mo Willems , are two of the most charming characters in modern children’s literature. I was a school librarian for almost a decade, and I don’t think I’ve met a single kid who didn’t fall in love with these hilarious books when we read them together. They were favorites of my daughter’s for years, and they’re perfect for young kids just learning to read on their own. Willems ended the series at 25 books, and this set (which comes with metal Elephant and Piggie bookends) has all of them. Throw in the stuffed versions of Elephant and Piggie for the full story-time experience.

—Jackie Reeve

A tough two-wheeler

The Co-op Cycles REV 16 Kids' Bike, shown in blue, outdoors.

Co-op Cycles REV 16 Kids’ Bike (about $230 at the time of publication)

Note: When we originally published this guide, this bike was $155. 

A 5-year-old may be ready for that classic big gift: a first real bicycle. The Co-op Cycles REV 16 Kids’ Bike , our pick in the guide to the best first pedal bike , is a great choice for a brand-new rider. It’s light (16.9 pounds) and highly adjustable, and it comes with training wheels (though if your child has mastered a balance bike , they may not need them). The semi-knobby tires perform well on dirt or pavement. And an adjustable seat post as well as the handlebar stem’s 1½-plus inches of adjustability mean this bike can grow along with a kid. This model’s old-school coaster brakes make it easy for kids to get going without much fuss. Also, unlike most similar bikes we tested, the REV 16 comes nearly completely assembled, so you won’t have to do a lot of painful wrenching (or visit a bike shop) before your kid takes it out for a spin.

—Chris Dixon

An at-home Ninja course

Three children play on the Gentle Booms Ninja course.

Gentle Booms Sports Family Obstacle Course (about $100 at the time of publication)

Ninja Warrior–style classes are popular in our community—they give high-energy kids an introduction to gymnastics and martial arts at an age when they might not be able to focus on traditional training in those practices. When the pandemic shut down the local Ninja gyms, our friends replaced their memberships with this fun obstacle-course kit for the backyard. The kit consists of a sturdy, 56-foot slack line with rings, monkey bars, and rope ladder obstacles—all of which can hold up to 440 pounds. Provided you have two trees that are 15 to 40 feet apart (or a tree and a playscape), it’s a cinch to tether the kit and attach the rope obstacles, and then reconfigure them to create new challenges. For more than a year now, the course has proved irresistible to our prospective mini ninjas—and even the adults have taken a crack at it to assess their potential for American Ninja Warrior fame.

We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend .

— This article was edited by Ingela Ratledge Amundson, Ellen Lee, and Kalee Thompson. 

About your guides

activity toys for 5 year old

Kelly Glass

Kelly Glass is a writer and editor whose interests focus on the intersections of parenting and health. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, HelloGiggles, What to Expect, Livestrong, and more.

activity toys for 5 year old

Caitlin Giddings

Caitlin Giddings is a freelance writer based in Austin, Texas. Her work has appeared in Bicycling, Runner’s World, Lonely Planet, Outside magazine, and more.

Wirecutter Staff

Mentioned above

Further reading

Magna-tiles shown assembled in various structures against a blue background.

The 26 Best Gifts for 4-Year-Olds

by Kelly Glass and Wirecutter Staff

Many of the best gifts for 4-year-olds give kids lots of options for building and experimenting with mechanics and movement.

A few of our picks for best gifts for tweens, including ice cream pints, a pineapple neon sign and a pair of sunglasses.

The 20 Best Gifts for Tweens

by Ellen Lee and Wirecutter Staff

The best gifts for tweens acknowledge that they’re growing up and moving on to young-adult pursuits—but still love to have fun.

a collection of acrylic paint tubes scattered over a lilac backdrop.

The 21 Best Gifts for 9-Year-Olds

By age 9, many kids are ready for toys and tools that aren’t meant just for kids—ones that can help cement hobbies as well as friendships.

A white ball of kate mcleod stone solid moisturizer, next to the wooden box and brush that come with it.

The Gifts We Want to Give in 2021

by Dorie Chevlen and Wirecutter Staff

From a Bond-esque phone charger to the best bacon ever, here are the gifts our staff can’t wait to bestow this holiday season.

See our latest activities and ideas first!

Natural Beach Living

30+ Educational Toys for 5 Year Olds – Best Toys

Share Button

With the holidays approaching, now is a good time to start looking for fun educational toys for 5 year olds . This massive list of ideas is perfect to get you excited about all the awesome learning toys that there are.

This year, give the gift of learning, combined with fun, and watch how they’ll love to explore and continue to feed their minds with these educational toys!

Toys for 5 Year Olds

30+ best Educational Toys for 5 year olds! They focus on many different skills and activities, Give the gift of learning, combined with fun, and watch how they'll love to explore and continue to feed their minds with these educational toys, Montessori Toys, STEM Toys, Art Supplies and so much more.

Educational Toys for 5 Year Olds

Depending on what type of interests your child has and what kind of toys they like, there is certain to be something on this list that they’ll love and enjoy.

And who knows, you just might discover something new for them that they’ll love, too. The whole purpose of choosing an educational toy is so that they can use their minds and combine that with their creativity and imagination. Learning and playing can go hand in hand!

30+ best Educational Toys for 5 year olds! They focus on many different skills and activities, Give the gift of learning, combined with fun, and watch how they'll love to explore and continue to feed their minds with these educational toys, Montessori Toys, STEM Toys, Art Supplies and so much more.

What should my 5 year old be doing?

All children are different so it’s best to not compare. But for a 5 year old, they should be working on gross motor skills like jumping, hopping, and running. They might also be starting to rhyme and recognizing letters and numbers. Some may be more advanced in certain areas while others may not, and that is 100% okay.

Make certain to do what is best for your child and don’t worry about all the other outside pressures.

30+ best Educational Toys for 5 year olds! They focus on many different skills and activities, Give the gift of learning, combined with fun, and watch how they'll love to explore and continue to feed their minds with these educational toys, Montessori Toys, STEM Toys, Art Supplies and so much more.

Why Educational Toys are Important for 5 Year Olds

According to education expert, Janet Renee, “most parents want the best for their child when it comes to education.” And that’s exactly why educational toys are important for 5 year olds to help them build key skills in different areas.

            Not only do educational toys introduce children to concepts they otherwise wouldn’t be exposed to so young, but they also provide education that’s suitable for each child’s cognitive abilities.

            Children absorb and retain information at an astonishing rate during their first 5 years, so education is crucial during this age. That means educational toys for kids should be designed to foster children’s learning and cognitive skills, as well as their creativity.

What are good gifts for a 5 year old?

There are so many great options ! Building blocks, art supplies, puzzles, books, STEM supplies and so much more. As you can tell, we’ve got lots of educational toys for you to check out. And if you’re looking for other fun ideas 5 year olds love we have so many great ideas below.

Montessori Toys

30+ best Educational Toys for 5 year olds! They focus on many different skills and activities, Give the gift of learning, combined with fun, and watch how they'll love to explore and continue to feed their minds with these educational toys, Montessori Toys, STEM Toys, Art Supplies and so much more.

One of the best educational toys for five-year-olds is a science kit. A science kit helps teach children about the world around them. It also teaches them how to experiment and ask questions.

Building blocks are also great educational toys for five-year-olds. Children use these blocks to build many structures, which helps with the development of their problem-solving abilities. The blocks also help children to build a sense of accomplishment.

Puzzles are another great educational toy for five-year-olds. These puzzles teach children how to problem solve, as well as the importance of working through an issue methodically and accurately. Puzzles can be purchased with varying difficulty levels, making them a good educational toy for all ages

Best Educational Toys

30+ best Educational Toys for 5 year olds! They focus on many different skills and activities, Give the gift of learning, combined with fun, and watch how they'll love to explore and continue to feed their minds with these educational toys, Montessori Toys, STEM Toys, Art Supplies and so much more.

Spelling Puzzles

Get kids excited to spell with these simple, but fun puzzles. Practice spelling with these puzzles that offer visual clues.

activity toys for 5 year old

Educational Insights: The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel

This fun game gets kids interacting with each other as well as their own minds!

Wipe Clean: First 100 Words

Kids will start to recognize words after playing with this interactive book each day.

Wood Number and Math Symbol Blocks

Toys that get your young ones engaged with math and numbers! Make solving problems fun.

Melissa & Doug See & Spell Wooden Boards

Get your child into the habit of knowing letters and learning to spell with this toy. It makes learning so fun!

activity toys for 5 year old

World Map Puzzle

Start to introduce your child to the world around them with this wooden puzzle.

Nature Explorer Kit

Your little ones will be so excited to go out and learn about nature with this fun kit in their hands!

Wooden Jigsaw Board Puzzles

Get your children familiar with matching and thinking strategically with these simple cube puzzles.

activity toys for 5 year old

STEM Engineering Construction Set

Help your child construct with this STEM engineering set. They’ll want to keep building and building all day.

Melissa & Doug Magnetic Human Anatomy Wooden Set

Help your child learn about the human body and its parts with this magnetic set.

Box and Balls

This fun game introduces sound to kids as well as helps out with their hand-eye coordination.

Wooden Letter Puzzle

Help your child recognize letters and learn the order of the alphabet with this wooden puzzle.

activity toys for 5 year old

Magbuilder STEM: Build and Play

These magnet building blocks allow children to utilize their fine motor skills and their imaginations.

Wooden Learning Numbers Kit

Use the various activities within this kit to learn numbers and simple math with your child.

Interactive Microscope

This talking toy will help get kids engaged with the world around them. Get kids exploring with this microscope made for preschoolers!

activity toys for 5 year old

Portable Light Table and Trace

Kids can get started with letter recognition as well as learning to write. This light up drawing table also gives them the space to just be creative!

A toy that always keeps the kids entertained! This gooey stuff never dries out and really helps with sensory development!

Mosaic Building Block Drill Kit

Your young ones can utilize their motor skills and build their own creations with this fun kit. It not only gives them creative space, but can also help them with pattern and color recognition.

activity toys for 5 year old

Toys for 5 Year old Boys and Girls

30+ best Educational Toys for 5 year olds! They focus on many different skills and activities, Give the gift of learning, combined with fun, and watch how they'll love to explore and continue to feed their minds with these educational toys, Montessori Toys, STEM Toys, Art Supplies and so much more.

Studies have shown that if you like this, you will also love the following articles. I have pulled them together for you right here!

Best Montessori Toys for Birth – 6 Years old

30+ best Educational Toys for 5 year olds! They focus on many different skills and activities, Give the gift of learning, combined with fun, and watch how they'll love to explore and continue to feed their minds with these educational toys, Montessori Toys, STEM Toys, Art Supplies and so much more.

ABCDee Learning

The 31 BEST Toys for 5 Year-Olds

Looking for a list of the best toys for 5-year-olds.

I have some amazing learning and play toy ideas that will be a HUGE hit!

It’s the best feeling to give gifts to kids that they will enjoy and use repeatedly. It drives me crazy when toys just sit on the shelves for months and they don’t get played with. I promise you, with the toys on this list, that won’t happen!

Let’s get started with my list of The 31 BEST Toys for 5-Year-Olds!

#1: Connetix Magnet Blocks

Connetix Magnet Blocks are one of the most popular open-ended toys on the market.

Kids can build many different structures with them, make patterns, create shapes, put them on the fridge, the list can go on and on. They are definitely one of the best toys for 5-year-olds.

activity toys for 5 year old

Ways to Play

A. build structures.

Build amazing structures with Connetix Tiles ! Let your little one’s creative juices flow by allowing them to come with their own design ideas or help them come up with a plan. Create castles, a car garage for their vehicles, or a home for their toys!

My kids love dinosaurs at the moment! They love building dinosaur cages!

activity toys for 5 year old

B. Practice letter/number learning

Write on the blocks using a chalk marker! It wipes right off using a wet wipe. Make a letter match or create a number line. Have even more fun by doing this on the dishwasher, fridge, or even the garage door outside!

C. Color Sorting

Work on those fine motor and color matching skills with this fun sorting activity. It’s SO simple to put together and the kids will love being able to use kid-friendly tweezers .

One of my best toys for 5-year-olds is Osmo!

When I talk to teachers that have Osmo in their classrooms, every one of them has said GREAT things about it!  Osmo is an interactive gaming system for learning! Say what?!

Yes, kids love Osmo because they are playing games. I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel too badly about some screen time when it engages my kids in learning.

osmo

View Osmo Price

When children play with Osmo, they are doing hands-on learning games that involve math, science, and art! The tablet doesn’t come along with the Osmo; a piece goes on top of your tablet.

Want to learn more about Osmo? Take a look at the following review!

LEGOs have quickly become one of our favorite toys around here. We have these regular sets of LEGOs along with the DUPLO blocks. My kids love both!

This set is one of the best toys for 5-year-olds because they can create whatever they want.

This is a great set because you can build a whole bunch of different things; it’s not a themed set.

LEGOS

View Amazon's Price

1. Build structures-  We buy LEGOs to build, right?! Let your kiddos go to town and build whatever structure they like. It doesn’t even have to be anything specific. My kids love to be creative and make their own buildings from video games they like to play, imaginary castles, etc.

2. Letter building- Play and learn by creating letters of the alphabet with my LEGO letter-building worksheets! Letters A-Z are available!

LEGO Letters Mat

CLICK HERE TO GRAB THE LEGO BUILDING WORKSHEETS!

or… if you have older ones, you can practice

Word building- I love using LEGO blocks to work on spelling and sight word building with my 5-year-old. What a fun way to practice sight words, right? Write letters on the blocks with a dry-erase marker to build specific words. You can write the full word on a bigger LEGO piece, and then they can use the blocks to match up the letters to create the word.

3. Bath time with blocks- You will thank me after this recommendation! Bring your LEGO blocks into the bath with your little ones. They will love filling them up with water and also creating things that can float in the water!

RELATED: Teaching Resources

#4: color chemistry set.

This science set is one of my favorites on my list of best toys for 5-year-olds! There are hours of fun to be had using this set.

The Crayola Color Chemistry Set focuses on both science and art with it’s 50 different experiments that you can try, including making your own colorful volcano, bouncing colored bubbles glow in the dark worms, and of course, slime!

crayola chemistry set

Age Level: This toy does say that it’s for 7+, but my daughter was doing the experiments with us at age starting at age 3.

Adult supervision is needed for them to do these safely and correctly!

I will advise that some of these activities can be quite messy! Place an art tray down to help with the cleanup.

How this toy can help your child learn

a. This toy helps your children learn about mixing colors to create a new color! Kids can discover how to combine two colors to make a new color.

b. By doing experiments like the erupting volcano, your child will learn how mixing certain elements can cause a chemical reaction.

#5: Butterfly Garden

This butterfly garden had to make my list of the best toys for 5-year-olds!

These kits have been something we look forward to getting every year. The kids get to learn about each insect’s lifecycles and learn how to take care of each one to set them free outdoors when they are ready!

Insect Lore Butterfly Garden STEM toy

The picture you see above is what the kit comes with and the caterpillars in their chrysalis!  

How your child can learn from this toy:

a. They will get to the life cycle of a butterfly see up close! How cool is that? They will learn how a live caterpillar turns into a chrysalis and then transforms into a beautiful butterfly!

b. Your child will be able to take care of butterflies by providing them with nourishment.

c. They will learn why it’s important to let the butterflies go in their natural habitat, and they can also learn about flowers that could provide them with nourishment outdoors!

RELATED: 20 Proven Plants that Attract Butterflies (2019)

#6: stem building blocks.

STEM building blocks are TOO much fun! It’s perfect for the list of the best toys for 5-year-olds.

There are so many different objects that you can build and create with these blocks. What I love most about these is that toddlers can even use the tools to make designs! My 3 year old helps me build what he wants, and he is always very eager to do it himself.

STEM building blocks

1. Create objects in the booklet-  There are 42 designs provided in this booklet for you and your little one to create. There are things like animals, cars, letters, and numbers. What a fun way to practice letter and number learning! These are varied levels of designs for a variety of ages.

STEM building blocks

2. Race vehicles- Create two types of cars and race them around the house. You can even make a painter’s tape track like the one you see below to make the race more realistic!

3. Design your own ideas- One of my favorite things to do with these blocks is to let kids create whatever they want. Often, we end up creating homes or vehicles for their toys to ride or play in!

RELATED: STEM Toys For Kids

#7: puzzles.

I love puzzles because they help kids use their critical thinking skills! I especially love puzzles like this that can help kids learn after they build! It’s a great addition to the best toys for 5-year-olds.

This space puzzle is amazing from Mideer products. This one is especially unique from other puzzles out there because it’s a circle shape! The kids wanted to create this one over and over!

space puzzle

Ways to play

A. build the puzzle.

Work on this puzzle as a family or challenge your child to build it on their own! This is a puzzle that grows with kids, which makes it perfect for preschoolers and early elementary-aged kids!

B. Teach the planets

Build this puzzle and then review the planets with your kids! Also, teach them some important facts about each planet.

C. Shape Building

Here’s another Mideer puzzle product we love! This is a magnet set that kids can build vehicles with!

My 3-year-old LOVED this puzzle. This is great for STEM skills.

activity toys for 5 year old

Talk about different forms of transportation with this fun magnetic puzzle. Also, have the kids work on building skills by showing the cards to the kids to see if they can build each one!

#8: Me Reader

We’ve had our Me Reader for about 3 years. In the beginning, my daughter just listened to the stories; now, she is actually reading the stories without the Me Reader.

These stories have been her favorite ones to read lately! She is so proud of herself for reading these books. This set is perfect for the best toys for 5-year-olds.

me reader books

View Amazons Price

There are other characters available in these ME readers! We have the Disney Princess ones, and this Mickey set!

Ways to Play:

1. Listening – The Me Reader is designed for your little one to flip the book’s pages and click on the shape that matches the page to hear the story. If your little one is too little to do this, you can do this part for them.

2. Looking at the pages – Looking and imagining what’s happening in the story is an excellent activity for kids. They will create ideas about the story, discover different characters, and learn about different settings.

3. Reading – Once your child gets old enough, they can start reading the books on their own without the Me Reader. Even if they have memorized the words to the book, this is still helpful because they see the words on the page and recognize them.

RELATED: Engaging Sight Words Activities For Kids

#9: doll houses.

We use our dollhouse for an unbelievable amount of play scenarios! It’s a great addition for the best toys for 5-year-olds.

My kids just come up with new ways to play with different figures/dolls each time we play.

doll houses

I know there are a ton of different dollhouses out there. I like this one because there is SO much room to place the dolls and play . Some of the houses are too small, and the kids can’t actually play with their Barbies or other figures!

1. Free play- Let the kids have fun playing with the toys included with the house and their toys. They will have so much fun just playing out a variety of different play scenarios on their own! My kids just love lining up their toys in a row on our dollhouse.

2. Play games about things that happen at home- Play bedtime routine, dinner, practice talking about the potty, etc. These real-life situations that occur at home are so much fun to play out with their little toys.

3. Add something new into play-  Bring in some other toys for different types of play with the dollhouse. For example, you can bring in a tea set, doctor’s kit, or animal toys to engage with the dolls to bring new play experiences in.

#10: Teaching Time Clock

A wonderful skill to start teaching is how to tell time! My 5-year-old is constantly asking me what time it is or how long it is until we leave to go somewhere!

It’s a life skill that we use EVERY DAY!

teaching time clock for kids to learn how to tell time

This clock’s name is Telly. He’s an interactive teaching time clock!

1. Exploring the clock – First, just let your child move the hands of the clock. Telly will tell them what time it is when they stop moving the hands. This will give them the feel of how this toy works!

2. Teaching – To start, teach your child about each o’clock (1:00, 2:00, 3:00, etc.). After that, I showed my daughter the half hours, then 15 and 45 minutes. Then we went into going around the clock counting by 5’s.

3. Show digital and analog time – You can show your kids both the digital and analog time on this clock! They should try to read the digital clock’s time and then move the hands on the clock to show what it would look like on the analog clock.

Interested in some FREE printables about clocks?

clock learning packet

Click HERE for your Clock Learning Packet!

#11: botley: the coding robot.

Introducing the concept of coding to your child is wonderful! It’s something that they learn now in school, so giving them a start to understanding how it works at home is an excellent experience!

Botley makes my list of the best toys for 5-year-olds because it’s a toy to start learning how coding works!

botley the coding robot

Take a look at this video to see how Botley works and all the fun things you and your child can do with him.

1. Your child will gain coding skills by learning how to use the remote to program Botley to do specific things like moving forward, backward, spin, follow lines, go through an obstacle course, and more.

2. They will use problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills if they aren’t doing it correctly to try to figure out what to do to make Botley do the things they want him to do.

3. Learn about Botley’s hidden features and see how they can use those features to have even more fun learning how to code him to do those secret features!

#12: Doctor Kit

It’s so funny because when it’s actually time to head to the doctors, my kids are NOT excited most of the time. But, when it comes to playing doctor, well, that’s a completely different story.

We love to play doctor at our house. We have these fun toys that we use on each other to play and also our other toys!

doctor kit for kids

1. Stuffed animal check-ups – Bring in the toys for a check-up! Use their favorite toys to go to the doctor’s office to feel better again!

2. Play dentist – There are also some dentist tools inside this doctor’s kit! Pretend like one of you are the patient, and one is the dentist. Talk about the importance of keeping our teeth clean by flossing and brushing!

3. Talk about health – Talk about ways to keep your body healthy when playing with these toys. Discuss with your little ones why people go to the doctors to get well checks, and when they are sick. Also, talk to them about the importance of taking medicine to feel bad if they are sick (we struggle with this sometimes because they are scared to take medicine), so if you role play it, it might be easier!

To go along with this toy, I also have a packet on community helpers! Talk about what community helpers are and what they do for a job.

community helpers prints

Click here to check out my Community Helpers Learning Packet!

*14 pages with 3 different activities included.*.

Activity #1: Color in the community helper and circle which career they have. Then color in the pictures at the bottom that go along with that community helper!

Activity #2: Community helper match-up: Draw a line from the community helper to the correct supply.

Activity #3: Community helper puzzle cards- Cut out both the community helper and the description. Match up the community helper to the right description!

#13: Water Beads

Fine motor activities are essential for kids to practice because they help develop the small muscles in your child’s hands to help them to important daily activities.

These include things like zipping up their jacket, buttoning buttons on a shirt, tying their shoes, and handwriting! This is a great set for the best toys for 5-year-olds.

water beads

These are water marbles! If you haven’t ever heard of them, this is a MUST-try activity. It’s amazing for sensory play as well as fine motor skills.

How to use water marbles

1. You have to let the water marbles sit in water for a while so they can grow. The longer you let them sit, the bigger they will become!

2. Once they reach full size, dump them out into a sensory bin.

3. Have your kids use the fine motor tools provided to play with the water beads! When we play, I like to have them sort them out by color. We use silicone cupcake holders to play and sort with! 

RELATED: Best Sensory Bins For Kids 

#14: barbies.

Barbies are such a HUGE hit over here at our house at the moment. My 5-year-old just can’t get enough of all her Barbies and changing their outfits!

What I love about Barbies is the fact that they are open-ended. She has brought them in the bathtub, in our pool, on vacation, and plays with them in her dollhouse.

barbies

1. Dress up – Change the Barbies outfits! It’s so much fun putting on different outfits and pretending to play in different scenarios with your little ones.

2. Dollhouse play – Barbies fit along perfectly with a dollhouse. We played for so many hours having the Barbies go to different rooms in the house.

3. Bathtub play – We bring some of our Barbies into the pool or tub with us! We don’t like to get their outfits ruined, so we make sure it’s a swim Barbie. Bring in a toy boat for even more fun!

#15: Action Figures

Here are some action figures for the kiddos who love superheroes! This is great for the best toys for 5-year-olds list!

These action figures just make me so happy! These are on my list for my little guy this year!

action figures

I just love that you get ALL the action figures in this set! I can just imagine all the fun we would have with these.

1. Playtime – just let your little one’s imagination run the play! Allow them to come up with ideas on situations where the superheroes will save the day!

2. Playhouse – So I went on searching for a superhero-themed playset, and I found the cutest one!

boys superhero house

These dolls would go along well with this house! Plus, you get the other items included, which makes it more fun to play along with the characters! What great imaginative play.

3. Learn and Play – Kids LOVE when you bring in their likes during learning. While practicing some sight words or math facts, have the kids talk like the figures to answer the questions. Believe me; they will love it!

RELATED: Sight Words Activities For Preschoolers

#16: moonlight stories.

Do you do a bedtime story with your kids at night?

The Moonlight Story set is a different way to tell stories. Turn off the light and watch the story unfold by listening and watching the pictures appear on the wall! We got this last year and my 5 year-old couldn’t get enough of it.

moonlight stories

There aren’t a whole bunch of different ways to play with this toy; I  just had to include it on my list because it’s such a neat spin on reading!

#17: Cash Register

Looking for a fun way to introduce the concept of money to your little ones?

A toy cash register can be used for so many different play scenarios to show your child about the different coins, dollars, and how to give change.

toy cash register

1. Coin sorting- Coin sorting activities are a great way to introduce the concept of money to your kids. I have a Money Learning Packet available for you to work on these skills with your kids. Use the coins and the dollars to bring these worksheet activities to life to help your kids learn about money.

coin sort worksheet

CLICK HERE to grab your FREE Money Learning Packet

2. Play store- This can be any type of store! The grocery, ice cream shop, restaurant, Starbucks, Target are some of our favorite pretend scenarios. Have your child ring up the items, type it in the cash register, and then return change if needed! This is a play-based learning strategy that will help teach the concept of money.

3. Add money-  While playing store, switch roles, and have them be the person who buys the products. Work together with your child to add the money to see if they have enough to buy each item. Inside the Money Learning Packet, there are also activities to add pennies, dimes, quarters, and dollars, along with this fun who has more activity! 

adding money

#18: Blocks Rock!

These blocks are perfect for the best toys for the 5-year-olds list! We have a set, and we just adore them! There are so many learn and play activities that you can do with these.

I love STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) toys. They have the kids use critical thinking skills as well as their creativity.

blocks rock

1. Color Match

The kids got to be active in this activity! I placed some colored tape on the floor. Then, the kids matched up the colored blocks with the correct squares on the floor.

2. Math Comparisons

Grab my FREE printable on my website for these blocks! These are great for work on math comparisons like greater than, less than, and equal. Use a dry erase folder to do this activity over and over again.

Click HERE for your FREE Blocks Rock Math Sheet

3. Building Competitions

Use their building cards to do building competitions to see who can build their towers faster. Ring the bell when they are finished!

Check out the video below to see how these activities are done!

RELATED: STEM Toys for Kids 

#19: slime kit.

Are your kids obsessed with slime as much as mine? The Nickelodeon slime kit is the best! I don’t know why this isn’t actually at the top of my list!

My kids play with this slime kit almost daily! Slime is just a blast to play with! 

slime kit for kids

*There are some parts in this toy, so make sure to have a parent watching children who are younger playing with this toy.*

When playing with slime, I also suggest grabbing an art smock. This way, your little ones’ clothes won’t get slime all over it when they are playing!

art smock

1. Create blends – There are SO many different colors to choose from in this set. Mix colors to see what they would change into! See if you mix the colors if they would make a new color!

2. Add in the extras – You get some little foam balls, pom-poms, and sequins to add in the same. This will change the consistency. This is a great sensory activity for the kids to explore!

3. Cover toys – Grab those TOOB toys or other small figures and cover them with the slime! My kids love doing this activity the most. They love pretending and imagining by doing this activity.

#20: Interactive Globe

Into traveling? Or have a little one interested in learning about our world? This is the BEST interactive globe out there.

We just got this globe a few months back, and we really enjoy learning about all the different countries.

interactive globe

1. Exploring the globe – Let your child use the interactive pen to click around the globe and start learning about different areas of our world!

2. Buttons to learn – Use the buttons at the bottom of the globe to guide learning. There are 5 functions (nature, continents and oceans, countries, cities and capitals, and U.S.A Cities and States.

3. Questions – There is a find it mode on each of the categories on the globe! This tests kid’s knowledge about what they have learned, and you can earn points! I love this way of checking for understanding.

#21: Sports balls

Yes, that simple, a ball! These are great for the list of the best toys for 5-year-olds.

There are ENDLESS amounts of gross activities that can be done with a ball for kids. I am a physical education teacher, and one of the must-haves in my gym is a bunch of playground balls.

sports balls

1. Throw and catch-  Practice throwing and catching skills with the football and basketball! Show your child the correct way to throw the ball underhand and overhand. These are critical gross motor skills that will help them later when playing sports and games at school with their friends. Make sure to have them step with one foot towards their target, throw with one hand, and aim for their partner’s hands!

RELATED: 14 PROVEN Basketball Drills For 5-Year-Olds

2. Kick and trap- Soccer is one of the best games for little ones because it’s all about running and kicking! Also, work on trapping and passing skills by passing back and forth with this soft soccer ball!

5 year old soccer spot shot

RELATED: 26 Soccer Activities for 5-Year-Olds

3. Aiming skills- With the soccer ball, practice how to kick the ball to a target like a soccer goal or in-between cones . If you also have a smaller basketball hoop , you can practice aiming skills in the basket! Your kiddo will be a step above the rest if they start practicing these gross motor skills at a young age. Plus, it’ll boost their confidence if they practice these skills! They will be more willing to play in the future if they know some skills already.

#22: Fit Bit for Kids

My 5-year-old just loves her Fitbit! She loves to check it to see how many steps she has gotten for the day.

Wearing a Fitbit helps kids want to move and stay active! They will get excited to see if they could beat their previous steps from the day before.

fitbit for kids

1. Exercise together – Challenge your children to exercise with you! It’s a great way to bond together and teach your kids the importance of staying active to keep your body healthy. They should wear their Fitbit to see how their steps will increase when they move.

2. Create a family fun day – Due to COVID-19, I created a Virtual Field Day for my physical education students. I also created it to share with all of you! Check out my field day activities that you can do at home with your kids to exercise and have a great family fun day. Have the kids wear their Fitbits so they can track how many steps they took throughout the day!

CLICK HERE for the Virtual Field Day Link!

3. Try to beat the previous day – Have a calendar set up so your child can track their progress throughout the week! Set goals together to see if they can beat their previous day’s score.

RELATED: 20 AWESOME Exercises For Kids

#23: tricycle.

We love getting outside as a family to take bike rides! It’s so nice that my daughter can ride her tricycle on her own now! This is a must-have on the best toys for 5-year-olds list.

Learning how to ride a bike is something all children learn how to do! Building their skills by getting a tricycle is a critical step in learning how to ride a bike! This is how they learn how to steer, keep balance, and use those legs to move the pedals.

tricycle

Materials to extend learning: sidewalk chalk and toddler’s helmet

1. Start slow- Whenever you introduce a new concept, have your little ones start slow. Show them how to use the tricycle correctly. Also, show them the importance of putting on a helmet correctly whenever using the tricycle.

2. Practice on a flat wide surface-  I’d recommend starting in your driveway or a wide-open area. This way, they won’t steer themselves right into the grass. Once they get the hang of learning how to steer, they can go to narrow areas like the sidewalk.

3. Hills – Once they get more confident riding, have them try to ride up some small hills. This will challenge them a bit more and get them a little more exercise!

RELATED: Outdoor Toys for Toddlers

#24: vtech write and learn creative center.

I am always looking for fun ways for my kids to learn! Children are more likely to engage in a learning activity for a more extended time if they are enjoying themselves.

When it comes to writing, it’s a little more complicated because kids need the chance to practice with worksheets. However, there are a few toys out there that are great for early writing skills!

Vtech Writing Creative Center Toy

Check Price - Amazon

This writing center has 6 activity modes to practice upper and lower case letters. It also has fun stamps and stencils so kids can practice making shapes and different objects as well.

How to help your child learn with this toy

A. Show your child how to hold a pencil before they begin!

B. Have your child choose which letter they want to practice writing so they can see what it’s supposed to look like on the screen above the writing center.

C. If they are just beginners, have them hold the pencil along with you to get a better understanding of how the letter is made.

D. Have them practice writing the upper case and lower case letters on the writing center together to start connecting that they are the same letters even though they look different.

E. You can also practice writing numbers, their name, and making shapes! 

RELATED: FUN Handwriting Activities For Preschoolers

#25: hot wheels.

Hot Wheels cars had to be on the list of the best toys for 5-year-olds.

Many people mentioned Hot Wheels!   I love being able to share ideas with everyone!

hot wheels garage

How cool is this set?! I’m so excited to grab this for my little guy; I know he’s just going to love it. He loves dinosaurs and cars! The fact too that it’s a storage area and has tracks is awesome.

1. Race cars – Put the cars on the tracks and watch them! See them go through the dinosaur’s mouth!

2. Storage – My son loves lining up toys and having particular spots for them. He’s going to love just placing the cars back in their specific spots!

3. Connecting tracks – This set can also connect to other track sets if you have others. This is a really cool feature of Hot Wheels products! I love that you can mix and match them.

hot wheels set

This is an example of how other tracks can be connected to this garage! This would seriously be hours of playing time for my kids! 

#26: Sensory Table

One of the most beloved toys that we use outdoors is our sand table. I especially love the one that is shown below because there is a space for sand and water!

There are so many ways to play with this table! I love that it has two sections and there is a cover for it so it won’t get dirty inside if you want to keep it outdoors!

sensory table

Materials to extend play: magnetic letters/numbers

1. Sand handwriting- Have your kids practice upper and lower case letters, numbers, and writing their own name in the sand! Grab my FREE letter and number traceable, so they can look at each letter or number’s shape so they can recreate it in the sand. 

Upper Case Traceable Letter Cards

Lower case letter traceable cards, traceable number cards.

2. Alphabet search – Do your kids love to play searching games? Hide some letters or numbers in the sand. When they come across one, have them tell you which one they found! You can also use my FREE Alphabet sheet so they can match it up like a puzzle.

3. Bury toys – This is kind of the same concept but with toys that they love! We hid our play bugs in the sand, and my son wanted to do this over and over again. Find some toys that won’t get ruined if you put them in the sand and see if your kids can find them all! They can also count the items they found to add some learning into play.

#27: Preschooler Trampoline

Does your child have a lot of energy that they need to burn off positively? This is a great addition for the best toys for 5-year-olds.

Look no further! Toddlers can jump their little hearts out in a safe way since this trampoline has netting around it to keep them inside the trampoline while they play!

activity toys for 5 year old

Materials to enhance play: mini basketballs and inflatable pool basketball hoop.

1. Free play- Let your kiddo jump their little hearts out! They will love just getting the chance to explore the trampoline and see what fun tricks they can do on it! They will burn off some energy and get some great exercise by using the trampoline.

2. Basketball play- Set up the inflatable pool hoop on the trampoline. Your little one will LOVE jumping and shooting it into the hoop. They can work on aiming skills from farther away as well!

3. Practice types of jumps- Practicing jumping skills develop gross motor skills! Here is a list of jumps to practice: straight, tuck, straddle, half turns, whole turns, and frog jumps!

RELATED: 20 AWESOME Exercises for Kids

#28: arts and crafts kit.

This arts and crafts set is perfect for the best toys for 5-year-olds!

This art set has everything you could want when making crafts, art projects, or just creating whatever they want!

arts and craft set

1. Threading – There are a bunch of bright-colored pipe cleaners and beads in this kit. Practice some fine motor skills by threading the beads on the pipe cleaners! You can even have them find the letters of their name and put them in order on the pipe cleaner.

2. Popsicle stick crafts – Popsicle stick crafts are so fun to make and simple! Create fun faces using the googly eyes and pom-poms! T

popsicle stick christmas tree craft

3. Get creative – Put all the pieces and parts out and let them go to town and create whatever they want to make! Having a kit like this will be exciting for the kids to experiment with new supplies!

 #29: Kid’s Camera

A camera is the best toy for 5-years-olds because they LOVE taking pictures.

This way, they won’t take your phone to take photos, am I right?!

kids camera

We have this camera, and it has been a major hit with my daughter! She can take as many pictures as she wants! It’s really heavy-duty too, which is nice in case it gets dropped.

1. Take photos – The main reason you want the camera is for the kids to take photos! Upload their pictures to the computer if you want to save any.

2. Add fun backgrounds – Kids have the ability to add on some fun backgrounds or silly pictures into their photos. They can have fun adding their face into the backgrounds!

3. Games – There are a few games that they can play on the camera. 3-year-olds may struggle to play some of the games, but it’s nice that they can use it for years to come, and they will get better at it.

#29: Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet

While this is not really a “toy,” this tablet has educational games and hundreds of FREE books!

We have this tablet for our kids, and it is perfect for young children to use. You can also link your Amazon account to the table so all the items you download from your account will show up on the Fire!

amazon fire

1. Play educational games – There are tons of educational games that your little ones can play. When you choose to do screen time, it always feels better when they are learning, doesn’t it?

My favorite learning games

a. ABC Mouse- you have to have a monthly subscription for this program, but it has 100’s of educational age-appropriate games for your kids.

b. Teach Your Monster To Read- this is a phonics and reading game!

c. 123 Numbers- Trace and counting game

2. Read books – My favorite part about having the Amazon Fire is having access to an incredible amount of FREE books. It’s fun to look through them and read them with your little ones.

3. Watch shows – Going on a road trip or plane ride? We use this tablet for the kids to be able to watch shows when we are traveling. We don’t like to use it the entire time, but it is nice to have something for them to do when they are just sitting there for a while.

#30: Chutes and Ladders

Chutes and Ladders is a great game for the best toys for 5-year-olds because it’s jam packed with learning!

I also remember playing this around that age when I was little too! Isn’t that amazing? It’s been around for so long, but it’s just a classic that is fun for kids to learn how to play board games!

chutes and ladders

How this game involves learning:

1. Number recognition – This board game goes all the way up to 100! Counting to 100 is a skill that kids are asked at the beginning of the year in Kindergarten. What a fun way to practice counting, right?

2. Counting – They have to spin the spinner and count how many spaces they are supposed to move! This is a great way for them to work on counting correctly.

3. Taking turns- Half the reason I love playing board games with the kids is that it teaches them how to take turns! This is an important skill they will need for the rest of their lives.

4. Following rules – They have to follow the game rules and learn they can’t cheat to win! They need to understand that they can’t take extra turns or move their player to different spots on the board to get ahead.

RELATED: Kindergarten Activities For Kids

#31: vtech watch.

This watch is perfect for the best toys for 5-year-olds. I actually just got this one for my daughter; I know she’s just going to love it.

It is very similar to the camera that I mentioned above. However, it is a watch, so kids can wear it all the time and check the time!

vtech watch

1. Practice telling time – Check in with your little ones every now and then to see if they can read the time on their watch!

2. Take photos – This watch has a feature where the kids can take their own photos! There are also some fun picture effects that they can add-on to their photos for more fun!

3. Action challenges – There are several active challenges on this watch! This is a fun way to get kids moving! Try the 3 challenges and see if they can beat their score each time.

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

There are so many toys out there; it feels overwhelming to choose the right gift for kids! I hope my list of the best toys for 5-year-olds was helpful in narrowing down your search.

All of the gifts that I mention in this article are open-ended toys. That means that if you choose to give one of these as gifts, it can be used in an endless amount of ways. These won’t sit in a closet for a year; I can promise you that!

Do you have any toy recommendations for 5-year-olds that you didn’t see on this list that you think should be added? I’d love to hear about them! Please share your ideas with our community by commenting below!

Happy Toy Shopping!

Share this:

Similar Posts

30 toys for 4-year-olds, the best toys for 3-year-olds.

The BEST Toys for 2-Year-Olds

The BEST Toys for 2-Year-Olds

30 Thanksgiving Activities for Toddlers

30 Thanksgiving Activities for Toddlers

The 50 BEST Kids Toys (2023)

The 50 BEST Kids Toys (2023)

Would some of these be okay for a 6 year old to?

Yes! I think they are perfect for a 6-year-old too! I also have a 6yo at home and she loves these toys!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Oriental Trading

Category by  "5 years old"

activity toys for 5 year old

FirstCry Parenting

Top 26 Activities for 5 Year Old Children

Top 26 Activities for 5 Year Old Children

Video: Fun and Learning Activities for 5 Year Olds

Educational and learning activities, art and craft activities, fine and gross motor activities, montessori activities, indoor activities, outdoor activities.

It is essential to keep young children engaged through activities as their mind and body need proper stimuli for healthy growth and development. Physical movement keeps the body healthy and boosts brain development. Creative activities improve their imagination, make them feel good, increase their self-confidence, and develop a sense of independence.

Here are some educational and learning activities for 5-year-olds:

1. Word Board

This is one of the simple activities for 5-year-olds at home that can be done with the easily available material.

How to Play?

Use a bulletin board and write down words on strips of paper. The words should be those that your child comes across in everyday life during play time, mealtimes or in school. Put a picture next to the word to indicate what it means. For example, truck, car, bus, toy, daddy, mummy, rain, sun, etc.

What Does it Teach?

It improves their reading ability.

2. Skip Counting

This activity is one of the simple math activities for 4-5-year-olds.

Draw or stick pictures of objects like apples, cars or butterflies on cards to help your child count in twos, threes, etc. For example, to do skip counting by twos, stick two apples on the first card, four apples on the second, six apples on the third, and so on.

It improves their math skills.

3. Dice Game

This game is a math activity that can be played with easily available items in the house.

You need an ice-cube tray, a couple of game dice, whiteboard markers, and kitchen tissue. Put one of the dice into one ice-cube hole and the other into the adjacent hole. Use the marker to make plus, minus, and equal-to signs between the holes where the dice are placed. Help your child add or subtract the number indicated on the dice to arrive at the answer.

Improved basic arithmetic skills

4. Butterfly life-cycle activity

This activity can be done using craft paper or different shaped pasta.

Draw the stages of a butterfly’s life cycle on a chart paper. Use craft paper or pasta shapes to make the shapes of the egg, caterpillar, cocoon and butterfly.

Teaches kids about the life-cycle of a butterfly.

5. Junior Scrabble

It is structurally similar to regular scrabble but designed for young kids.

The words are already printed on the board. All your five years old has to do is match the tiled letters on to the letters on the board.

What Does It Teach?

Improved vocabulary

Here are some examples of art and craft activities:

Origami or paper-folding is an activity that children will enjoy immensely.

How to Make?

You can use coloured origami paper , craft paper or plain old white sheets coloured with crayons for this. Teach your child how to fold paper to make interesting shapes like aeroplanes, rockets, boats, birds, etc.

Improves spatial reasoning

2 . Craft Box

This is one of the fun activities for 5-year-olds that helps them explore their creativity.

Fill up a craft box with supplies like pipe cleaners, craft eyes, colourful yarn, safety-scissors, coloured mini-puff balls, ice-cream sticks, felt squares, and tape. Let your child get creative with these. For example, your child can draw a garden scene or playground scene on paper and make it come alive by sticking green felt for grass, puff-balls for flowers and trees, etc.

Improve the imagination and creativity of the child.

3. Squeeze Paint

Kids love this activity as it is a lot of fun and they can let their imagination run wild.

Put plain white glue in several empty, squeezable plastic containers and add various watercolours to make bottles of different coloured glue. Now let your child squeeze out various coloured patterns onto white chart paper and let it dry. This will make a colourful display piece once the glue has dried.

It teaches them about colours and art.

4. Art with Seeds and Grains

This activity is fun to do for kids and can keep them engaged for hours.

Draw the shape of a flower or an animal like a dinosaur, duck or dog on a sheet of paper. Spread glue inside the shape and ask your child to fill it with seeds and grains to make the picture beautiful. You can use bird seeds, toor dal, masoor dal, moong dal, chana dal etc. to fill the picture.

Kids develop better hand-eye coordination when they pick up little seeds and glue them onto paper.

5. Parts of a Plant Craft

This is a simple craft idea that is also a learning activity.

Use markers, ice-cream sticks and coloured paper to make a picture of a plant on chart paper. Once this is done, label all the parts such as flower, petal, stem, leaf, root, etc. and teach your child the part of a plant.

This teaches the kids about the different parts of a plant.

Here are some activities that boost the development of your child’s fine and gross motor skills:

1. Lego City

This activity makes kids use their hands, wrists, and fingers, thus helping them develop their fine motor skills.

Use legos, regular building blocks, toy cars, trucks, aeroplanes, and small animal and human-shaped toys to build a city. You can let the children use the entire room, including the bed and study table . They can make a parking garage to park trucks and cars, use railway lines and trains to build a railway crossing. They can also put little shapes of animals and humans in various places in their toy city.

What Does it Teach

This activity makes kids use all the muscles of their body, thus helping them gross and fine motor skills.

2. Barbie Dress-up

This is another activity that helps children develop their fine and gross motor skills.

Kids love to play with dolls. Create a theme such as a house party or day on the beach and help them dress up their dolls with dresses and accessories to suit the theme. Let them make up stories about each activity that the dolls are engaged in. They can also comb or braid the dolls’ hair and style it with tiny clips that come as doll accessories.

The kids develop their fine motor skills when they work with tiny doll accessories to dress up the dolls.

3. Sorting Coloured Candy

This activity is excellent for helping kids develop their fine motor skills.

Give your kids a bowl full of coloured candy like jelly beans or gems. Ask them to sort them colour-wise and arrange them in different cups.

This teaches kids about colours.

It also helps them develop their fine motor skills as they use their fingers and hands to sort the little candies.

4. Art using Leaves and Petals

This is a fun activity that helps children develop both gross and fine motor skills.

First, ask your child to go out to the garden and collect different leaves, petals and tiny sticks. Next, use chart paper to draw an outline of scenery, flowers or a tree. Now spread glue over the outline and stick real petals, tiny branches and leaves to form a beautiful picture.

This helps kids develop both fine and gross motor skills.

It also teaches them about nature and plants.

5. Bubble Art Using Straws

This is an activity that 5-year-olds find immensely enjoyable as they love blowing bubbles!

Fill several cups with mild soap solution and add drops of different food colour to it to make colourful liquid soap. Let your child blow bubbles into the cup with a straw. Make sure the child does not sip or swallow the soap solution. When the bubbles rise to the surface of the cup, place a white card over them. As the bubbles burst, they leave a colourful imprint on the card, making beautiful patterns.

This helps kids use the muscles of their hands, fingers and lip, thus helping them develop fine motor skills.

Here are some Montessori activities for young children:

1. Things that Go

Young children love vehicles. This activity will keep them constructively engaged for hours.

Get them vehicles of various types, like cars, trains, trucks, diggers, buses, auto rickshaws, etc. Let them play with the toys.

This teaches kids about various means of transport and the types and uses of different vehicles.

2. Animal Habitats

Animal habitats are fun to make and can keep your child engrossed for a long time.

Collect plastic animal toys like bears, apes, lions, giraffes, polar bears etc. Help your child use cotton and thermocol balls to make an Arctic habitat covered with snow and icebergs. You can put toys such as polar bears and arctic foxes in the habitat and teach your kids about how these animals live in such places. Similarly, you can make an African or Amazonian jungle.

This teaches kids about animals and their habitats.

3. Study of Colours

This activity is fun for young children as they love learning about colours.

Cover one or two colours at a time. If you are studying red, collect various things that are red, like a picture of a ladybug, a strawberry, etc. teach your child about that colour.

This teaches kids about colours in nature.

Here are some indoor activities that can be performed in the comfort of your home:

1. Story Time

This is one of the best quiet time activities for 5-year-olds.

What to Do?

Use different voices, impressions and facial expressions to make the story more fun and animated.

This activity helps you bond better with your child and teaches a love of reading.

2. Watching Favourite Shows

This is one of the perfect rainy day activities for 5-year-olds.

Pick a favourite animated movie such as Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, etc. and watch it with your child.

The sad and happy moments in the movie will teach kids about emotions and how to handle them.

3. Building Blocks

This is an indoor activity that can keep your child usefully occupied for hours.

Give your child legos or building blocks and ask her to make different constructs with them.

This can teach kids about the stability and balance of a construct and help them develop better hand-eye coordination.

Here are some outdoor activities for 5-year-olds:

Children love playing in the sand, so this will be an enjoyable activity for your child.

Get your child a sand castle building set and let her play in a sand pit with other children, building sand castles and shapes.

It teaches kids about the feel and texture of dry and wet sand and also about how to share things and play well with others.

2. Running through Sprinklers

This is a really fun thing to do for kids.

Turn on the garden sprinklers and let your child run through them, getting wet.

It teaches kids about water and balance. It also is immensely amusing for the children.

3. Bug Hunting

This is an interesting outdoor activity for young kids.

Go bug-hunting with your kid in the garden. Find different insects and explain about them to your child.

It teaches children about nature and insects.

4. Gardening

This is an enjoyable activity and also is educational.

Get your child to help you with weeding the garden or planting a sapling.

It teaches kids about plants, soil and how plants grow.

5. Play Park

This is the best outdoor activity for kids.

Take your kids out to a play park and let them play with other children.

It teaches kids about how to behave with peers in a social setting and teaches them to get along with other kids of similar age.

With these 26 activities, you’re bound to keep your kid occupied while at the same time taking care of their development.

It is important to give your child different games to play every now and then, because each one has the ability to develop 8 different kinds of ‘smarts’ in your child. To help nurture these ‘smarts’, get your hands on FirstCry Intellikit – a fun activity box that encourages learning through play. To know more or subscribe to the Intellikit, click here.

Also Read:  Creative Activities for Children

activity toys for 5 year old

4 Year Old Birthday Party Ideas

4 Year Old Birthday Party Ideas

Exciting Escape Room Ideas For Kids

Exciting Escape Room Ideas For Kids

Teaching Preschoolers How to Use Scissors

Teaching Preschoolers How to Use Scissors

10 Fun Chalk Art, Games, and Activities for Kids

10 Fun Chalk Art, Games, and Activities for Kids

22 Easy Homemade Father's Day Gift and Craft Ideas for Kids

22 Easy Homemade Father's Day Gift and Craft Ideas for Kids

अच्छी आदतें जो हमारे बच्चों को ज़रूर सीखनी चाहिए

अच्छी आदतें जो हमारे बच्चों को ज़रूर सीखनी चाहिए

Stay connected.

POPULAR ON PARENTING

175 Rare Baby Names For Boys And Girls With Meanings

175 Rare Baby Names For Boys And Girls With Meanings

Top 22 Short Moral Stories For Kids

Top 22 Short Moral Stories For Kids

170 Baby Boy & Girl Name That Mean 'Gift from God'

170 Baby Boy & Girl Name That Mean 'Gift from God'

600+ Unique & Cute Nicknames for Boys & Girls

600+ Unique & Cute Nicknames for Boys & Girls

Latest posts.

The 10 Best Solutions for a Colicky Baby – As Told by Parents Who Have Survived It

The 10 Best Solutions for a Colicky Baby – As Told by Parents Who Have Survived It

Protecting Adolescents From Common Food and Waterborne Diseases

Protecting Adolescents From Common Food and Waterborne Diseases

Why an Ideal pH 5.5 is Important for a Newborn’s Skin

Why an Ideal pH 5.5 is Important for a Newborn’s Skin

Baby or Toddler Waking Up Too Early - What You Can Do

Baby or Toddler Waking Up Too Early - What You Can Do

26 of the best toys for 5 year olds in 2023

Stuck for gifts? Here are the best toys for 5 year olds

A collage of images of our pick of the best toys for 5 year olds

Best toys for 5-year-olds: our consumer editor's top picks

Best toys for 5 year olds - how we tested them.

Choosing the best toys for 5 year olds can be a really fun process. 

Now that your child is five, they’re full of personality with their own interests, likes, dislikes and character quirks. Whether you're browsing this year's top Christmas toys or shopping for a birthday present, gifts with a competitive edge are a good choice for five year olds - who also tend to like to win.

In addition to physical changes, 5 year olds are going through intellectual and emotional changes that may affect the kind of play they enjoy. Child psychologist Dr Pat Spungin (opens in new tab) told us: 'This is a period of great intellectual growth as your child begins to grasp more abstract ideas, like numbers, time and distance.'

Some children at the age of 5 are ready to start to read. So educational toys (opens in new tab) or books that help build towards this stage are a good choice. However, it’s important not to pressure your child into learning to read. Don't push it unless they are interested in learning how. ‘It’s important to realise children develop at different speeds both physically and mentally,’ Dr Pat explains.

Five-year-olds love a bit of competition, so competitive board or card games are always a hit, especially if they encourage silliness or fun alongside the educational aspects. Imaginative play is also hugely important at five, so games that stimulate creativity and imagination will go down a treat. 

At five, your child will also be able to build and craft better on their own, with improving manual dexterity making them able to tackle more difficult construction or craft-based toys. Games, toys and kits that encourage independent physical challenges will also be welcomed with open arms. 

All the products in our roundup have been selected because they were a big hit with our panel of five-year-old testers. However, one standout was the Mega Marble Run (opens in new tab) from Galt Toys, which gives creative kids the chance to build everything from simple marble runs to complex, winding structures. Our tester said this was "one of my favourite toys", and added that it was "so much fun for adults too". 

Another big hit was the Happy Cube Pro 6-Pack (opens in new tab) , which won points for not just being fun and challenging, but affordable too. Our tester said the cubes were a really purse-friendly buy and something she would buy for other children too.

If you're looking to buy imaginative games your child can play with other kids, then the word and picture rhyming game Orchard Toys Slimy Rhymes (opens in new tab) went down a treat with our testers. "This is an ideal way to have some fun as your children practice words and sentences while being a little bit silly, and my son loved it," our tester revealed. "It’s compact and easy to transport, so would make an ideal travel game.” 

We enlisted a panel of five-year-old testers to put the toys in our roundup to the test, rating them on everything from how fun they were to use to whether they’d buy them again. All the toys we’ve included are designed to have your child returning to them again and again, with many becoming family favourites, not just with our testers, but with their parents too. In our quest to find the best toys for five-year-olds, we made sure to include toys across a range of budgets and types to appeal to even the fussiest of five-year-olds. 

Image

Orchard Toys Slimy Rhymes, £10.99 | View at Amazon (opens in new tab) GOOD FOR: Language skills and memory Age suitability: 5+ Batteries required: No

Watch the smiles on your children’s faces as they get stuck into this fun word and picture rhyming game from Orchard Toys. Slimy Rhymes encourages imaginative and social play, as well as language development, by encouraging your kids to match rhyming pairs, and then feed them to the included 3D slime monster.

'Slimy Rhymes is an excellent way to incorporate fun into play time and my five-year-old jumped to the challenge,' said Helen, mum to Finn. 'This is a game of matching pairs with a difference. This is an ideal way to have some fun as your children practice words and sentences while being a little bit silly, and my son loved it. It’s compact and easy to transport, so would make an ideal travel game.'

Image

Hape Furry Friend Vet Set, £31.47 | Amazon (opens in new tab)

GOOD FOR: Roleplay and portable play Age suitability: 3 - 7 years Batteries required: No

Animal lovers will adore this miniature, fully-stocked veterinary surgery from Hape, which comes kitted out with a dog house, a cat house and plenty of accessories to help look after the included mini creatures. It’s portable too, with the roof doubling as a carry handle. 

'This vet set has been a massive hit with my five-year-old. He’s never shown much interest in animals before but he does love small-world play so this was something new for him to play with at home - which he declared was the best thing ever!' Cora, mum to Teddy, told us. 'He is happy to play for an hour or so with this - leaving me in peace - which usually only happens when the TV is on. The true test of how much he enjoyed this was when I woke up early to find he’d already gone down and had been merrily playing with it for who knows how long. It’s a lovely, well-built set.'

Image

Aquabeads Deluxe Carry Case, £34.73 | Amazon (opens in new tab) GOOD FOR: Creative play Age suitability : 4+ Batteries required: No

Crafty kids will love getting stuck into the water-activated fuse bead craft activity Aquabeads, and this mega deluxe carry case includes everything your child could want in order to make their very own bead creations. There are over 1,400 solid, jewel and star beads in 48 colours, a flip tray, a wearable bracelet base, and much more, plus, the fact it’s designed as a carry case is great for portability and storage. All it takes is spraying with water in order to fuse the beads together. 

'Milo loved the bright blue colour of the carry case and the novelty of having a toy he could carry around,' said Nilufer, mum to Milo. 'He has a smaller Aquabeads beginner’s case already, but much preferred this one as it comes with 1,400 beads and 24 colours along with lots of designs you can follow. There is also a nifty little bead dispenser with compartments so you can put different beads in each and combine the colours. Milo simply had to turn the wheel to dispense the various beads and he liked having the choice to change colours instantaneously. The beads did occasionally roll away from the dispenser, making application a little tricky at times, but Milo was so focused on the end product, he didn’t grow bored. 

'He made a rainbow first, copying the bead design underneath to follow the bead colour pattern, then spraying with water to ‘mould’ the beads together, before putting the drying tray on top. The rainbow design came away easily and intact and looked like a pretty jewelled ornament. Milo liked it so much, he put a thin ribbon through it and wore it around his neck.'

Image

Melissa & Doug Super Smile Dentist Kit Play Set, £34.99 | Amazon (opens in new tab) GOOD FOR: Eductional play Age suitability: 3+ years Batteries required: No

If your five-year-old wants to be a dentist one day, encourage their training early on with this realistic pretend play dentist kit. It includes 25 pieces, including an oversized set of toy teeth to help your little one get to grips with cleanings, cavities and even fitting retainers and braces. 

'My son absolutely loves playing with this dentist toy set,' Ilana, mum to Jonah and Millie, told us. 'Coming from a dental background myself, the pieces included are really life-like from a vibrating drill to the hand mouth mirror. I have my teeth checked by my son a few times a day, as has everyone else in our family. It’s a really great educational and interactive way to learn about teeth and the dentist - I would highly recommend this product.'

Image

Janod WWF Educational Puzzle, £33.49 | Amazon (opens in new tab) GOOD FOR: Learning about the world Age suitability: 5 + Batteries required: No

For a game that’s both educational and fun, opt for this mega, 350-piece WWF puzzle from Janod. The puzzle has 44 cardboard animals for kids to put together, which are then placed on the board to complete the puzzle. Kids will learn about the most endangered animals on each continent, and the set comes with a poster to help kids complete the puzzle, as well as a booklet which explains the work of WWF. Plus, with each sale, Janod will donate a percentage to WWF’s charitable activities.

'Perhaps not surprisingly this sustainably produced jigsaw from the World Wildlife Fund comes in recycled packaging with not a trace of plastic in sight,' Rhiane, mum to Harriet and Elliot, said. 'The 350 cardboard pieces are high quality, sturdy, and fit together easily, and the 3D animals which sit on top of the completed puzzle add an extra dimension and were a big hit with my children. The booklet which comes with the jigsaw explains clearly and in age-appropriate language why each of these species is under threat. If you’re looking for an educational puzzle which will stand the test of time, then this ticks all the boxes.'

Image

Lilliputiens Little Doctor Alice Bag, £41.99 | John Lewis (opens in new tab) GOOD FOR: Role play and imaginative play Age suitability: 18 months + Batteries required: No

An adorable and educational game for budding doctors, the Lilliputiens Little Doctor Alice Bag comes with everything your child will need to take care of the included Alice Fox toy. You’ll find bandages, a thermometer, a stethoscope and more. This game encourages imagination and could even help your little one feel more confident going to the doctor themselves. 

'This is a really beautiful-looking toy that any child (or parent) would love for their little one,' Lynsey, mum to Jacob, Olive and Ivy, told us. 'A cute little cuddly toy, Alice the fox, is not feeling well and Alice comes with all the tools a budding young doctor needs to make her feel better including a mouth mask, thermometer, plaster and stethoscope all made with recycled polyester. She comes in a little bag that doubles up as a sick bed. 

'It's well-made and my daughter Olive, five, adored it. As soon as I handed it to her, she disappeared to look after the fox and she has barely put it down since. When I asked if she liked it, she said she loved it. Her favourite bit was the mask! It's beautiful quality and not a bit of plastic in sight. As a parent, I'd love to gift this to any child.'

Image

Clementoni Science and Play Kit – Apprentice Explorers, £13.59 | View at Amazon (opens in new tab) GOOD FOR: Outdoor learning Age suitability: 5 - 10 years Batteries required: No

It’s always a struggle to drag kids away from screens and into nature, but this Apprentice Explorers kit from Clementoni should help. It comes with all the accessories you’ll need for introducing children to nature-watching, including a pair of birdwatching binoculars, a special bug viewer and plaster casts for taking animal footprints, and cards full of useful information about nature.

'This is the perfect toy to take when going to the park or even if you have some plants in the house,' said Amancay, mum to Alba. 'The play kit keeps my child not only entertained but curious to learn more about insects, plants, birds, and mother nature. She loves observing the birds and bumblebees that come near our plants with the birdwatching binoculars included in the kit. 

'As for the special bug viewer, she was fascinated observing ladybirds. The toy comes with cards so you can read to your child about nature. I can tell that this is a kit she will use for years to come and hopefully get her interested more and more in nature-watching. She played with a friend and both were equally interested in little things happening around our balcony plants.'

Image

Galt Mega Marble Run, £33.99 | Amazon (opens in new tab) GOOD FOR: Problem-solving Age suitability: 4 + Batteries required: No

The imaginative possibilities are endless with this fabulous Mega Marble Run from Galt. The game comes with 100 pieces, including 20 marbles, three paddle wheels, a wiggly bell chute, a staircase, a two-way chute and more. You can use the pieces to create everything from simple marble runs to complex, winding structures, thanks to its plastic pieces, which are easy to slot together. 

'My son really loves puzzles and thinking games, but being five years old, he also loves playing,” Helen, mum to Finn, said. “The Mega Marble Run was perfect for him as he got to construct his own course and then play with it, which was exactly what I was looking for. The Mega Marble Run comes with 100 pieces and a guidebook to give the children ideas of how to put them together. Then, of course, they can use take the run apart and rebuild using their own creativity. 

'There are some really fun components, such as a bell, a spinning mill and a step piece, which made the marbles rattle and Finn loved those the most. It’s very easily assembled and taken apart, so ideal for smaller homes with less storage capacity. Using your imagination, you can create games using the Marble Run. We built two separate runs using the pieces and then raced our marbles to the bottom. So much fun for adults too - it’s one of my favourite toys to play with Finn.'

Image

Waboba Backnine, £17.60 | Amazon (opens in new tab) GOOD FOR: Hand/eye coordination Age suitability: 5+ Batteries required: No 

Billed as a “nomadic disc golf game”, Waboba Backnine features a flying target ring and four silicon Wingman discs. All you need to do is throw the flying target ring to set the course challenge, then throw your Wingman disc to land on or inside the ring with the fewest amount of throws you can. You can even make up more rules as you go. Fun for both kids and adults, this is a game for the whole family to get stuck into, and it’s versatile too: you can play it on sand, snow, grass and more. 

“This frisbee game is perfect for all ages and a must-have addition to any toy collection,” Rhiane, mum to Harriet and Elliot, said. “It’s high-quality and portable and a great way to get the whole family moving outdoors. That said, it also works really well with just one player. The flying ring and discs are bright, light and very easy to throw, perfect for use on any surface – even the beach. 

"They’re suitable for both big and little hands and are easy to locate in a big open space. It’s hard to get bored as the game can be changed every time and kids can get creative making up their own challenges and rules. And who is going to say no to that?!”

Image

Marvin’s Magic Treasured Tricks – Wooden Set, £28.99 | Amazon (opens in new tab) GOOD FOR: Creative thinking Age suitability: 6 + Batteries required:  No

Which child isn’t impressed by magic tricks? Your little one can learn the secret behind some seriously impressive tricks with this wooden set from Marvin’s Magic. Beautifully presented in a durable wooden box, the set includes plenty of tricks, including the incredible escaping coloured blocks, the vanishing rabbit illusion, the amazing rising cards and more. It comes with an illustrated booklet for a step-by-step guide to pulling off the various magic tricks, or there’s an app where you can watch and learn from magic videos.  

“This comes in a lovely wooden box and looks appealing for any budding young magician,” said Lynsey, mum to Jacob, Olive and Ivy. "What I loved most is that it is all wooden with no tacky plastic in sight and if you’re giving it as a gift, I think most children would be very happy with this. Most of the tools are quite easy for little hands to handle. My kids' favourite tricks were the Amazing Vanishing Rabbit and the Mind Reading Dice.”

Image

VTech KidiZoom PrintCam, £79.99 | Amazon (opens in new tab) GOOD FOR: Observation and concentration Age suitability: 5+ Batteries required: Built-in Rechargeable Li-ion Polymer (included)

If your child is constantly grabbing at your phone to take pictures, get them their very own camera in the form of the VTech KidiZoom PrintCam Blue. It’s full of features they’ll appreciate, such as special photo effects, stamps and borders, games, panoramic prints and a comic strip maker. It can function either as a normal digital camera with video function or, thanks to its built-in thermal printer, can take photos and print them instantly.

“My son absolutely loves playing with the Polaroid camera,” said Ilana, mum to Jonah and Millie. “He has learnt to navigate his way through all the different features the camera has to offer. It has a flip-up lens for taking selfies which is a really fun feature. He loves to print off the pictures, which print instantly. We have stuck them all over the fridge. I would highly recommend this product and will be taking it on holiday with us!”

Image

Sylvanian Families Pony's Stylish Hair Salon, £69.99 | Amazon (opens in new tab)

GOOD FOR: Fine motor skills and pretend play Age suitability: 3+  Batteries required: No

If your child loves all things hairdressing, give them a treat with the Sylvanian Families’ Pony’s Stylish Hair Salon. Kids can try out their best hairdressing skills on Sally the Pony Girl, with a styling book offering helpful tips on different hairstyles. The set includes plenty of miniature hair accessories, such as a curling iron, extensions, clips and a hairdryer, while the intricate two-storey salon has a shampoo station, hair and makeup station and even a reception desk. 

“My daughter tested out the pony stylist set and loved it,” said Gabrielle, mum to Evie. “She found all the individual pieces, like comb, clips and pretend hairspray super fun and exciting to play with. She created a little game with her other Sylvanian families where they came to the hairdressers each to have their hair done, and it kept her entertained for ages. What I enjoyed was her having to use quite small movements, great for fine motor skills, to utilise all the individual pieces and to comb the pony's hair!”

Image

Happy Cube Pro 6-pack, £12.99 | Amazon (opens in new tab)

GOOD FOR: Problem-solving Age suitability: 8+ Batteries required: No

For an affordable buy that kids will be obsessed with, opt for the Happy Cube Pro 6-Pack. The foam cube kits come with six coloured puzzles which are flat-packed, so your child’s first challenge is to make the six cubes, and once they’ve conquered that, to fit them all back into their flat packs. You can also make a variety of shapes out of each cube - and don’t be surprised if you’re just as intrigued by the challenge as your kids.

“The bright colours of these foam cubes were a big hit with Teddy,” said Cora, mum to Teddy, one of our testers. “He loved the rainbow colours and spent a long time making rainbow patterns with them. Teddy spent a good hour using the foam jigsaw pieces to make lots of different shapes - at first flat shapes, but then with some guidance from big sister he had a go at making 3D shapes. Overall these are a really purse-friendly buy, something that Teddy has returned to, and something I would buy for other children too. I think this is a toy that will grow with Teddy too. 

“I think this is the beauty of this toy for someone around the age of five - they're free to do their own thing, and take on trickier challenges as they get older. They're a great introduction to 3D puzzles for younger children. Plus for children who love to take their toys to bed with them - as my son does! - they're lovely and soft when he rolls over.”

Image

Tiki & Toko Gorillas, £55.99 | Very (opens in new tab)

GOOD FOR: Sounds and listening Age suitability: 4+ Batteries required: 4 x C and 3 x AAA

An ideal gift for animal lovers, Tiki and Toko are an adorable interactive mother and baby gorilla duo which do everything from talk and sing to cuddle together and eat. The pair will even notice when they’ve been separated and with over 100 sound and movement sequences, including giggling, snoring and burping, your child will be entertained for hours on end. 

“My daughter loves playing with mum and baby gorilla duo Tiki and Toko,” says Amancay, mum to Alba. “They have achieved what I could not, as since she welcomed them into the house, she is no longer asking me daily to get her a puppy! Pretend play comes naturally when you have a mum that can feed her baby with a bottle and a baby gorilla toy that burps. The sound effects they make are her favourite thing. Their giggles and snores make my daughter crack up with laughter. She also enjoys feeding Tiki her banana. We are going on holiday soon and she already told me which toys she is taking with her. Yep… Tiki and Toko.”

Image

Elephant Kit, £14 | Mosaikit (opens in new tab) GOOD FOR: Creativity and manual dexterity Age suitability: 4+ Batteries required: No

To encourage creativity and perseverance in your child, gift them a Mosaikit. With over forty designs on offer, including animals, magical figures and even emojis, each Mosaikit comes with child-friendly craft glue, MDF baseboards and ceramic mosaic tiles, presented in a pretty cotton bag. The pixelated design means there’s no need for cutting and no risky sharp edges. They make a great activity for crafty kids, or can be used in bulk to make a fun party activity too. Once completed, the designs will look great hung up in the bedroom as a decoration. 

“The mosaic tiles were all brightly coloured in a range of shades which appealed to my son,” Nilufer, mum to Milo, told us. “The glue was easy to apply and Milo liked having a pattern to follow. The kit comes with a printed picture of the completed mosaic which makes it easy to put together. I would say this is a great craft project for a five-year-old but a parent would need to help.”

Image

Frog Frenzy, £15.30 | Amazon (opens in new tab)

GOOD FOR: Encouraging screen-free play Age suitability:  4+ Batteries required: None

The aim of this game is to see who can eat the most balls. Similar to Hungry Hippos, each person has to control a colorful frog and scoop up all the balls to win. It’s simple to follow and a lot of fun for up to four players. A simple game with not a screen in sight, it will keep kids suitably entertained and adults will have fun playing it too.

‘A toy like this is easy for little kids to follow the rules and play,’ says Emily, mum to Bethany and William. ‘It is surprisingly fun for such a simple game too. Under £10, I think it’s great value and makes for a good birthday gift for a 5 year old.’

Image

John Lewis Keyboard, £35 | John Lewis (opens in new tab)

GOOD FOR: Musicality and listening Age suitability:  5+ Batteries required:  Yes

This electric keyboard comes with 8 different instrument sounds. The 49 keys are able to play the Piano, Organ, Trumpet, E. Piano, Bass Guitar, Xylophone, Music Box and E. Guitar. This means kids can switch between traditional piano and more adventurous sounds.

‘I like the way kids can hold the sides of this keyboard to move it around the house easily,’ says Gemma, mum to Oliver and Sienna. ‘It makes it much more space-saving than designs you can buy with legs.’

Image

LeapFrog Magic Adventures Globe, £89.99 | John Lewis (opens in new tab)

GOOD FOR: Reasoning and educational play Age suitability:  5+ Batteries required: Yes

This Leapfrog Magic Adventures Globe is a great way to help kids understand their place in the world and discover other countries. The 10-inch interactive globe includes a 2.7” integrated video screen on the base. Kids can use this to navigate the controls and on-board offering. Animations and action videos on the screen will keep kids engaged as the globe asks questions, offers information and sets challenges,

The on-board games include Around the World, Quiz Show and Where in the World. The latter game sees kids having to find certain countries and placed on the map – pinpointing them with the on-board stylus. 'This interactive toy is very engaging and my kids and any children we have over for playdates we have seem to gravitate towards it,' says Gemma, mum to Oliver and Sienna. 'It has definitely taught my kids some useful facts about the world too.'

Image

Super Hero Cape, £26, Not On The High Street (opens in new tab)

GOOD FOR: Creative and imaginative play Age suitability: 3+ Batteries required: No

Every kid will love to be a super hero at one point or another and this Super Hero Cape lets them design their own cape. It comes with a mix of retro super hero and comic strip icons, and there are seven fabric pens in the kit, so kids can get creative and colorful designing their own cape. A practise sheet comes included too so they can have a go at working out how they want to color their cape before they actually do.

If you want to create an even more unique gift for a 5 year old, you can opt for the personalised option and have their name printed on the cape. The great thing about this cape is that the colors won’t fade and lose their vibrancy either.

Image

Swingball All Surface, £34.99 ? Amazon (opens in new tab) GOOD FOR: Physical play and coordination Age suitability: Any age Batteries required: No

Hundreds of these bestselling tennis toys are sold every week as parents and children alike continue to enjoy this fun outdoor game. With an adjustable pole to make it suitable for all ages, this well-loved outdoor favourite is ideal for kids, adults and competitive families alike.

The great thing about this set is that it’s so durable it can be left out in the garden for most of the year. Its base can be filled with earth or sand so it stays secure enough to the ground too. ‘This is a great way to get kids used to the idea of hitting a ball with a bat,’ says Emily, mum to Bethany and William. ‘My kids enjoy playing with it and practising their skills, and as the ball is tied to a string there is no need for us to run over to the neighbours to retrieve any rogue balls.’

Image

eeBoo Sloth in a Hurry Board Game, £21.99 | John Lewis (opens in new tab)

GOOD FOR: Critical thinking Age suitability: 5+ Batteries required: No

This quick-action game gets everyone up, active and laughing. Easy to learn and play, this is a confidence building game that asks children to use their imaginations and act out scenes based on who, what and how.

Players need to take turns drawing the who and what card, and then spin for the how. It’s easy and quick for a 5 year old to pick up and lots of fun. eeBoo has a number of other board games you may also like to try including the eBoo Spottington Looking Game.

Image

Learning Resources Primary Science Lab Set, £37 | John Lewis (opens in new tab)

GOOD FOR: STEM-based play Age suitability:  3+ Batteries required:  No

This toy is great for sparking curiosity and introducing children to scientific concepts such as common science vocabulary, observation, cause-and-effect and basic science lab safety. Get hands-on with the wonders of chemistry and science using real science laboratory equipment made especially for kids.

'My boy loves anything to do with experiments and messy play,' says Lindsay, mum to Arlo. 'This set is the perfect way to get him interested in science as it comes with 10 activity cards to follow and all the kit you need to conduct an experiment.'

Image

Playmobil Horse Tack Shop, £47.20 | Amazon (opens in new tab)

GOOD FOR: Manual dexterity and fine motor skills Age suitability: 4+ Batteries required:  No

For any child that loves horses, this Playmobil set is sure to be a hit. It includes a host of figures and characters for imaginary play including 3 figures, 3 horses, 2 lockable stables and a flexible fence. The set includes a stable to build along with accessories to make the set come to life including a ladder, a pond, ponies and horses. There are in fact 194-pieces in the set, which also comes with instructions on how to put the set together.

Image

My Living World Bug Explorer Activity Kit, £13.99 | John Lewis (opens in new tab) GOOD FOR: Outdoor exploration Age suitability: 5+ Batteries required:  No 

This bestselling kit is great for kids who love to spend time in the garden hunting for critters and children who are fascinated by bugs! This kit will help children capture and study bugs to help their interest in the natural world grow. Learning about the garden and how to care for all the insects, animals, flora and fauna you may come across outside is great for their well-being too. The box contains a host of insect hunting tools and a fact-filled guide too, which is why we've included it in our round-up of best toys for 5 year olds.

Brainstorm Toys Glow Stars and Dinosaurs

Brainstorm Toys Glow Stars and Dinosaurs (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) BEST FOR: Sensory Exploration and space play Age suitability: 3+ Batteries required:  No No kid's room is complete without a bunch of glow stars adding interest and magic to their ceiling. We love these Brainstorm Toys Glow Stars and Dinosaurs, which is a themed take on classic stick-on stars. The company also sells other themes such as Fairies, Planets, Mermaids and Unicorns, which we think would all go down well as a great gift for a 5 year old.

'These stickers are really easy to peel off and stick and won't lose their stickiness,' says Jenny, mum to Logan and Becky. 'My kids enjoyed helping me put them on the walls and ceiling of their bedroom and turning off the lights to see the stickers glow in the dark.'

Image

Squishville Rainbow Dream Squad (opens in new tab) BEST FOR: Social skills and emotional development Age suitability: 3+ Batteries required:  No

Little kids love to squeeze and play with sensory toys -  be it a squishy cuddly or a pot of slime – which is why we think a Squishville makes for a fail-safe fun toy for a 5 year old. Squishville by Squishmallow is a plush toy world of playsets, vehicles and characters to collect. There are five characters in the ‘Wildlife Squad’, each with their unique design. Not only do they look cute, but they are very squishable and fun to play with. The Rainbow Dream Squad is a 6-pack of mini 5cm 'squishmallows' to collect, which is currently particularly popular with 5 year olds.

As a parenting specialist, Heidi has written for Prima Baby, Gurgle and Practical Parenting and was baby gear editor of Mother & Baby magazine for six years, looking after regular consumer features for the shopping pages as well as specialist consumer content such as buying guides and gift guides. 

See more of our toy features:

Video of the week:

Deborah Cicurel is a London-based freelance journalist specialising in parenting, reviews, lifestyle, travel, interiors and more.

Kerry Katona says what most women are thinking

By Stephanie Lowe • Published 28 February 23

Adele is reportedly engaged to boyfriend Rich Paul after nearly two years of dating

By Emma Dooney • Published 27 February 23

An easy-to-use, efficient slow cooker by Crockpot. The latest CSC085 model features three heat settings and dishwasher-safe components…

By Jessica Dady • Published 20 February 23

Toys expert Peter Jenkinson shares his 10 best toys to keep the kids entertained over half-term

By Peter Jenkinson. The Toyologist • Published 14 February 23

The DockATot Moses Basket review, as tested by our Editor and daughter Freddie

By Heidi Scrimgeour • Published 3 February 23

Galentine's Day gifts for your favourite gal pals - shop our edit

By Heidi Scrimgeour • Last updated 8 February 23

Rise and shine! Shop our edit of the best alarm clocks for kids

By Heidi Scrimgeour • Published 31 January 23

Best Valentine's gifts for her - shop our edit

By Heidi Scrimgeour • Last updated 31 January 23

The Lollipop Smart Baby Camera is a really portable WiFi baby monitor with excellent video quality and an easy-to-use smart phone app

By Heidi Scrimgeour • Published 20 January 23

Read our very own Editor's review of this brilliant, breathable Swaddle Bag from ergoBaby

By Heidi Scrimgeour • Published 19 January 23

Useful links

GoodTo is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

activity toys for 5 year old

Select Your Cookie Preferences

We use cookies and similar tools that are necessary to enable you to make purchases, to enhance your shopping experiences and to provide our services, as detailed in our Cookie Notice . We also use these cookies to understand how customers use our services (for example, by measuring site visits) so we can make improvements.

If you agree, we’ll also use cookies to complement your shopping experience across the Amazon stores as described in our Cookie Notice . This includes using first- and third-party cookies , which store or access standard device information such as a unique identifier. Third parties use cookies for their purposes of displaying and measuring personalised ads, generating audience insights, and developing and improving products. Click ‘Customise Cookies’ to decline these cookies, make more detailed choices, or learn more. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie Preferences , as described in the Cookie Notice. To learn more about how and for what purposes Amazon uses personal information (such as Amazon Store order history), please visit our Privacy Notice .

activity toys for 5 year old

activity toys for 5 year old

Sorry, there was a problem.

activity toys for 5 year old

Image Unavailable

Arts and Crafts for Kids 5 6 7 8 Year Old-Craft Kits for Kids Age 10 Girls Boys Dinosaur Gift for Kids Age 6-12 Children Birthday Gifts for Girls 5-10 Year Kids Early Development & Activity Toys

Arts and Crafts for Kids 5 6 7 8 Year Old-Craft Kits for Kids Age 10 Girls Boys Dinosaur Gift for Kids Age 6-12 Children Birthday Gifts for Girls 5-10 Year Kids Early Development & Activity Toys

Dessert

Enhance your purchase

About this item.

Additional details

activity toys for 5 year old

Frequently bought together

Arts and Crafts for Kids 5 6 7 8 Year Old-Craft Kits for Kids Age 10 Girls Boys Dinosaur Gift for Kids Age 6-12 Children Birt

Brands in this category on Amazon

Sponsored ad from DQMOON. "Boys Toys for 3-8 Year Old Kids." Shop DQMOON.

Product details

Product description

🎃 Craft Kits for Kids Ages 3-7

For kids who love crafts, they all love to draw sun catchers. After the DIY patterns are done we have to wait for them to 

dry overnight so we can hang them. Great way to learn about delayed gratification! The set comes in a wide variety of paint 

colors and visor designs. This craft set makes a great gift for kids as young as 4-9 and is a great activity for kids to play with.

👑 Child Sharing is An Art

Everything needed is included in this kit. It includes sun catcher, rope and paint. Its quality and supplies are all you need to 

make some fun little sun catchers. Got creative, drew them and sent them to friends and family with a note hoping it would 

brighten their day. Since no one can leave their home, it's a fun little thing to make them smile.

✨ product information:

Product Name: Window Art Kit

Product gross weight: 230g

Package size 24.5 × 4.3 × 19.8 cm

✨ Accessories:

6*Plastic sun visor

6*Paint Tube

✨ Precautions:

1. The paints should be a little thinner so they flow better into the space.

2. The opaque "paint" takes about 24 hours to dry completely.

Similar brands on Amazon

activity toys for 5 year old

Looking for specific info?

Customer reviews.

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings, help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Top reviews from United Kingdom

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

activity toys for 5 year old

activity toys for 5 year old

activity toys for 5 year old

The 5 Best Climbing Toys For 3-Year-Olds

Updated: February 27, 2023 by Jenna Jury

activity toys for 5 year old

Your toddler is now 3! There are so many activities your 3-year-old may enjoy. Their gross motor skills are more developed than they were a year ago. Your toddler may now be ready for more challenging climbing toys! On this list are the best climbing toys for 3-year-olds.

What to Look For When Shopping For a Climbing Toy For a 3-year-old

When you are shopping for climbing toys, there are many factors you will need to consider. With your toddler now being older, they can handle a more challenging toy. Look for a climbing toy that continues encouraging their gross motor skills, coordination, and balance. In addition, 3-year-olds are now  playing more intentionally with their peers , according to Kids Health. Finding a climbing toy to enjoy with other children can also encourage your toddler to engage in group play! 

You will want to consider the same factors that you did when looking for a  climbing toy for your 2-year-old.  Look for a climbing toy that is challenging enough for your child but manageable to the point that they will not become increasingly frustrated if they cannot learn new skills.

The play gym will need to be the right size. Your toddler may become bored or accidentally break it if it is too small. If the play set is too big, it may overwhelm your toddler. The best climbing toy will be challenging, fun, and the correct size. 

What a 3-Year-Old is Learning Right Now

Your 3-year-old has grown up before your eyes! They are learning so many new skills right now. You can carry an entire conversation with your 3-year-old and understand most of what they say.

Your toddler understands more complex concepts and loves to explore all their bodies can do! Utensils may now be a breeze for your child, and they are ready to take on more challenging adventures, such as climbing even higher! 

What to Encourage When Your Child is 3

Your 3-year-old is ready to be challenged. You can encourage gross motor skill development in your toddler in many ways. Offer plenty of room to run and explore how fast they can go in a safe place. Opportunities to work on their fine motor skills and pincher grasps should still present themselves. If your child is great with a utensil, offer them toys they can manipulate with their fingers! 

Continue to have conversations with your toddler. Toddlers absorb everything you say and do! One of the best ways to encourage vocabulary growth is to talk to your child like you would anybody else. Even if they do not quite understand the meaning of a word, they are storing it away for later in their minds! 

Gross motor skill development can be encouraged by offering plenty of space to explore what their bodies can do now that they are 3! 

climbing toy for three year old

©SylwiaMoz/Shutterstock.com

Best Activities to Encourage Gross Motor Skills

Some fun gross motor skill activities are:

These are just a few simple activities your toddler can do to help encourage their gross motor skills! 

Best Climbing Toys For 3-Year-Olds

Below are the best climbing toys for 3-year-olds! No matter what you may be looking for, these toys are top-rated by parents and loved by children. In addition, they have many characteristics that encourage independence, autonomy, skill growth, and more. So, if you are looking for the best climbing toy for your 3-year-old, you have come to the right place! Let's take a look below at the best climbing toys for 3-year-olds. 

Costzon Triangle Climber, Wooden Climbing Toys for Toddlers

Costzon Triangle Climber, Wooden Climbing Toys for Toddlers

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

ECR4Kids SoftZone Climb and Crawl Activity Playset

ECR4Kids SoftZone Climb and Crawl Activity Playset

Foldable Climbing Triangle Ladder Toys

Foldable Climbing Triangle Ladder Toys

Indoor Jungle Gym, Toddler Climbing Toys Indoor

YOLEO Pikler Triangle Ramp Toddler

The Costzon Triangle climber is made of pine, birch, and beech wood and has three different levels of climbing difficulty to explore. Develop gross motor skills through this climber; your child can grow in their sense of freedom. The triangle climber can hold up to 135 pounds and is completely non-toxic, easy to assemble, and portable enough to be moved if needed. Kids and parents love this climber for the simplicity and opportunity it gives children! 

If you are looking for a safe and soft climbing set for your toddler, this is it! Foam activity climbing mats are soft, sturdy, and durable, offering a soft-impact landing. Your toddler can work on their gross motor skills and creativity and engage in group play with this climbing toy. It is 24 inches long, 16 inches wide, and eight inches high, making it small enough to be moved around and transported to other rooms. Parents love this climbing set because it's easy to clean, protects against wear and tear, and offers soft padding for children practicing their climbing skills. 

This foldable climbing triangle ladder toy encourages multiple skills at once. Your child will gain autonomy and confidence while working on their ability to control their body. This toy is durable and BPA-free, and non-toxic. The smooth wood will keep your child from getting hurt on sharp edges. Your toddler can play on the climbing arch and ladders, and you can adjust this toy to their size. 

This is a great climbing toy to encourage group play. It can hold up to 130 pounds and offers hours of entertainment to ignite imaginations! 

Indoor Jungle Gym

This indoor jungle gym is appealing to children because it offers multiple activities, and the colors pop! This 6-in-1 indoor jungle gym has a mini rock climbing wall, monkey bars, wood ladder and swing, Swedish slide, and rope ladder. Your toddler will love all the activities, and you can watch them grow in their confidence and abilities!

The quality of this indoor jungle gym is excellent, and the materials are safe, non-toxic, and easy to clean. Parents love this climbing gym because it encourages children to gain confidence. It is big enough for older children to play on. However, it can still fit inside a living room or playroom. Parents also love this climbing gym because it is easy to assemble and supports all their child's play! 

3-in-1 Foldable Climbing Triangle with Thicker Ramp for Climb and Slide

Children love the 3-in-1 Foldable Climbing Triangle! It helps children practice their gross motor skills and stimulates their senses. This climbing triangle can support up to 260 pounds, allowing children to play together!

The foldability of this climbing triangle is perfect for parents who want to store this toy away when it is not being used. The wood is safe and non-toxic, and also smooth. This a feature parents love because it keeps little hands from getting hurt. This is a great climbing toy if you are looking for something that is easy to store and transport and encourages your child to practice the many skills they are learning daily! 

In Conclusion

This list is excellent if you are looking for a climbing toy for your 3-year-old! No matter what you are looking for, you will be able to find something that continues to encourage your child to meet challenges and conquer them. The climbing toys on this list are different enough that you can find something you are looking for, but all offer unique characteristics that will encourage continued growth in your toddler. For example, the foam mats are excellent if you are looking for a soft climbing toy. On the other hand, you may want a climbing toy that is more challenging. The indoor-jungle gym is perfect for children who wish to play with other kids while working on many skills simultaneously! 

 3-year-olds are learning many new skills and are storing away all the information in their ever-growing brains. Giving your child a climbing toy will encourage independence, imagination, creativity, autonomy, and much more! 

The 10 Best Gifts and Toys for 5 Year Old Boys

If you're looking for the best gifts and toys for 5 year old boys, look no further! Shopping for 5 year old boys can be a challenge, as they often have very specific interests and passions.

With this list of the top 10 gifts and toys for 5 year old boys, you'll be sure to find something perfect for your little one. Whether you're looking for educational toys, outdoor activities, or just something fun, we've got you covered! From building blocks to remote control cars, these gifts for 5 year old boys will bring a smile to their face and hours of fun!

1) AmazonBasics Bike

The AmazonBasics Bike is a perfect gift for 5 year old boys who are ready to explore the world around them. This sturdy bike features a lightweight aluminum frame, 16-inch wheels, and an adjustable seat and handlebars that make it easy to grow with your child. The adjustable training wheels help to get your child accustomed to balancing and maneuvering. Plus, the bright colors and fun design will have your 5 year old boy eager to explore the world around him on his new bike. As an added bonus, it also comes with science toys, like a colorful balloon launcher, to make their outdoor adventures even more exciting.

2) LEGO Classic Creative Box

If your 5 year old loves building and science, then the LEGO Classic Creative Box is the perfect gift. This set includes over 800 pieces that can be used to build anything from castles to robots. With a variety of colors and shapes, your child can use their imagination to create whatever they want. The pieces are also great for learning about basic principles of science, making them a great way to introduce science toys for 5 year olds. The set also includes an inspirational guide with ideas for building models and other projects, which encourages creative play and problem-solving skills. It’s the perfect way to let your child explore the world of science while having fun.

3) Little Tikes Cook 'n Learn Smart Kitchen

This fun and interactive kitchen set is perfect for encouraging your 5-year old to get creative in the kitchen. With an array of science toys and fun activities, the Little Tikes Cook 'n Learn Smart Kitchen will help your little one learn while they play. This kitchen includes a pretend oven, stovetop, microwave, sink, and refrigerator, each equipped with its own interactive lights and sounds. It also comes with two spatulas and two plates that are recognized by the Smart Kitchen's artificial intelligence so your child can enjoy role playing and pretend cooking. Your 5 year old will have hours of fun discovering the science behind food preparation with this kitchen set.

4) National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Why

The National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Why is a great educational toy for 5 year olds. This book is full of interesting questions and answers that young children are sure to enjoy. It includes topics such as animals, space, the human body, and the world around us. Kids will learn a lot while they explore the answers to their own questions. The vibrant images and simple explanations provide an engaging way to understand the world. Plus, the fun facts, quizzes, activities, and games will keep kids entertained for hours. This book is the perfect way to spark a child’s curiosity and imagination!

5) VTech KidiBeats Drum Set

The VTech KidiBeats Drum Set is one of the best toys for 5 year old boys. This interactive drum set allows your child to explore music in a whole new way with fun sounds and bright lights. Your child can choose from four percussion instruments, each with its own unique sound and LED light. They can also learn letter and number recognition through the drums. The drum set also has 3 game modes that allow your child to experience an interactive musical environment as they play along. With the VTech KidiBeats Drum Set, your child can develop their rhythm and timing as they tap away on the drums. This drum set is a great way to introduce your child to music and help them explore their creativity.

6) Hot Wheels Super Ultimate Garage Playset

This amazing playset is perfect for any 5-year-old boy who loves cars! This Hot Wheels Super Ultimate Garage Playset will provide hours of fun as your little one drives their cars up the tower and launches them down the double-decker loop. The set includes five different levels, 36 feet of track, two battery-operated cars, a gas station, parking spaces, an elevator, and a giant crane to pick up and move vehicles. Your child can also explore the science of motion by crashing cars together in a variety of ways. Plus, this set comes with two exclusive Hot Wheels vehicles that your child can add to their collection. This is the perfect gift for a 5-year-old boy who loves science toys and racing around the house!

7) Magna-Tiles 32-Piece Clear Colors Deluxe Set

Magna-Tiles are a must-have for any 5 year old, and the 32-Piece Clear Colors Deluxe Set is a great way to introduce them to this exciting and engaging toy. Made of durable, non-toxic plastic, these tiles easily click together to create 3D shapes, buildings, and structures. Kids can explore basic engineering principles through building as they work together to construct various designs. This set is a great way to encourage creative play, problem-solving skills, and basic math concepts. Additionally, the bright colors and fun shapes make it a great science toy for 5 year olds, as they can use their imagination to explore the physics of the tiles while having fun.

8) Wonder Workshop Dash Robot

The Wonder Workshop Dash Robot is one of the most innovative and interactive gifts for 5 year old boys. This unique robot provides hours of entertainment while teaching them valuable coding skills. Dash responds to voice commands, follows movement, and can even play music! It comes with three free apps – Go, Path, and Xylo – that can be used to help your little one create, control and explore their very own robotic world. With all these features and its adorable design, Dash is sure to be a hit with your five-year-old!

9) Anki Cozmo Robot

If your 5 year old loves science, the Anki Cozmo Robot is a great option. This little robot has been designed with interactivity and STEM education in mind, allowing it to become your child’s personal robot companion. It features advanced facial recognition technology, allowing it to recognize you, other people and even pets. You can program Cozmo with basic coding commands and get creative with animations, voice commands and more. Cozmo also comes with three different cubes which can be used to teach simple coding commands as well as play games with Cozmo such as Quick Tap, Keepaway and Memory Match. All of this makes the Anki Cozmo Robot one of the most unique and engaging science toys for 5 year olds .

10) Sphero SPRK+

Sphero SPRK+ is an amazing STEM-focused science toy that is sure to excite 5 year old boys. This incredible toy is a robotic ball that can be programmed using the Sphero Edu app and comes with hundreds of exciting coding challenges. The robot teaches basic coding skills and commands, making it the perfect gift for young tech enthusiasts. With a range of fun activities and tools, the SPRK+ encourages 5 year old boys to explore the world of robotics and technology. With the included app, kids can also access step-by-step video tutorials, open source tutorials, and sample projects to gain a deeper understanding of coding and science. This awesome toy is an excellent way to introduce 5 year old boys to science and technology in an engaging and educational way.

Why Smart Kids Planet?

When it comes to finding the best gifts and toys for 5 year old boys, it’s important to look for something that will engage their minds as well as inspire their imaginations. At Smart Kids Planet , we understand this and strive to provide the best selection of science toys for 5 year olds. From robotic toys to interactive learning activities, we have something to captivate every curious young mind. Our products are designed to promote problem-solving skills, encourage exploration, and introduce kids to STEM concepts. With our science toys for 5 year olds, you can give your child an early start on a lifelong love of science and technology. Plus, with our wide selection of educational toys, puzzles , and games, there's something for every child to enjoy!

It's important to consider your 5 year old's interests when picking out gifts or toys. There are so many great options available to make them feel special, whether it's a traditional bike or science toys like robots. Ultimately, the best gift is one that they can explore, discover and have fun with. We hope this list of the 10 best gifts and toys for 5 year old boys has helped you choose the perfect present.

activity toys for 5 year old

Copyright ©️ 2020 Smart Kids Planet. All Rights Reserved.

logo

Best Toys For 4 Year Old Girl For 2023

Gretchen rubin   mar 3, 2023 11:41 pm.

Looking for an best toys for 4 year old girl but can't find one? Because we've been through the entire best toys for 4 year old girl research process ourselves, we've put together a complete list of the best toys for 4 year old girl now on the market.

Compare Products

Shemira Play Purse for Little Girls, Princess Pretend Play Girl Toys for 2 3 4 5 6 Years Old, Toddler Purse with Accessories, Kids Toy Purse, Gifts for Girl Age 3-5 4-6 6-8

Shemira Play Purse for Little Girls, Princess Pretend Play Girl Toys for 2 3 4 5 6 Years Old, Toddler Purse with Accessories, Kids Toy Purse, Gifts for Girl Age 3-5 4-6 6-8

AI Score is a ranking system developed by our team of experts. It from 0 to 10 are automatically scored by our AI tool based upon the data collected. This score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturer or sales agent websites.

Great Gift Idea for Little Girl. Shemira play purse toy set with pretend markup kits and everyday carry accessories is a great pretend play set for little girls. Every little girl love princess toys and enjoy role-playing fun to pretend as a shopping mom just like you. This 21 piece pretend play set is a perfect gift for girls ages 3 and older for Christmas, birthdays, holidays, and any other special occasion!

Stylish Purse. Measuring about 8.9 x 6.7x 3 inches, is suitable size for little girls to carry and roomy enough for your princess wallet, cellphone, pretend makeup, and car keys. Made of soft and high quality PVC. Smooth Metal Zipper closure is easy for the little finger to operate. The adjustable and soft strap will make her little hand free ease and make it accompany with her over the whole childhood. It makes a great girl's purse for any age.

Interactive Toy Set. The little girl purse comes with everything a little one needs as she heads out to the store. Wallet, credit Cards, play money, sunglasses and watch. The smartphone make camera sound, have light on back and the 3D panel is changeable. kids can pretend to take photos with this toy phone. The car keys also make sounds. All this details make this purse set super cute and realistic. Perfect toy for girls 2 3 4 5 6 years old.

Makeup without the Mess. Young girls will love pretending to put on a bright shade of lipstick just like you do each morning. This makeup set looks like the real deal, but you don't have to worry about the mess! Non of these components apply to the skin. Your little girl will definitely love the mess-free makeup kits.

More than Role-playing Fun. Not only the purse with accessories play sets can help develop kid's imaginary and cognitive skills, but also the adorable purse go above and beyond to make fun. You may have no idea about what a purse means and how important to a little girl. Its hers and her little private space and her treasure. It worth every penny and will surprisingly better made than you'd expect a toy set to be. We stand behind our product. Any problem please feel free to contact us.

Customer Reviews

CENOVE Toddler Toys Gifts for 3 4 5 6 7 Year Old Girls Boys,Flower Garden Building Toy STEM Educational Activity Preschool Toys for Kids Age 3-6(130 Pcs)

CENOVE Toddler Toys Gifts for 3 4 5 6 7 Year Old Girls Boys,Flower Garden Building Toy STEM Educational Activity Preschool Toys for Kids Age 3-6(130 Pcs)

Safety Toddler Toy:CENOVE pretend flower garden toy set is made with Eco-friendly materials. BPA-Free,Non-toxic, No smell.Smooth surface,won't hurt kids' hands.Meet with ASTM F963-16/-17 and CPSIA safety standards.

Easy to Clean and Store: Comes with a convenient green carry box for easy storage and organization. All parts can be washable with water or in a dishwasher.

Educational Tool: Learning about the parts of a plant. Bright, colorful STEM garden toys help hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

Cool Toys Gifts for 3 4 5 6 7 Years Old Girls and Boys:Best gifts for birthday,Children’s Day,Christmas,Easter,Summer camp activities.

Creative Development:This build a bouquet craft kits allow young children to build, match and sort. They can mix and match pieces to create different flowers at will.Flower Set provides children with realistic early STEM support skills

SpringFlower Gifts Toys for Girls 3 4 5 6 7 Years Old, Flower Garden Building Kit with Storage case,Educational STEM Toy and Preschool Garden Play Set for Toddlers, 148pcs

SpringFlower Gifts Toys for Girls 3 4 5 6 7 Years Old, Flower Garden Building Kit with Storage case,Educational STEM Toy and Preschool Garden Play Set for Toddlers, 148pcs

Best Gift for Kids- Building your own garden kit is an ideal gift for girls age 3 and up. Parts are all interchangeable, allowing for endless combinations and designs. Countless possibilities make it a great birthday gift and Christmas gift for 3 4 5 6 year old kids.

Safe for Toddler- This flower garden building kit for kids is made of upgraded Non-Toxic and durable ABS plastic, eco-friendly, smooth surface, safe for little hands. The pretend gardening toy set could be washed with water. Easy to clean makes it more perfect for kids to play indoor or outdoors. Come with a storage case.

Educational STEM toy for 3+ kids - This build a bouquet craft kits allow kids to build, match, sort and mix pieces to create different flowers at will, this leads to a deeper understanding of plants. Greatly help to develop their imagination, creativity and concentration, improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills while playing.

Hours of Fun - Assortment of vibrant and colorful flower toy. Kids will have fun building a garden, DIY flowerpots, watering the flowers even decorating own room with the finished flowers. Suitable for school classrooms, family parties or beach games, etc. A great gift for kids at birthday, Thanks giving day and Christmas.

Premium quality and aftersale service: Made with durable 100% safe Abs plastic. Toy set Certified Conforms to USA toy safety standards Astm F963.-Any quality issue please return it within 180 days for refund or replacement, and if you have any questions. Please contact us freely. We will reply to you within 24 hours.

Tara Toys Disney Princess Necklace Activity Set, Create your own jewelry, easy for little hands [Amazon Exclusive]

Tara Toys Disney Princess Necklace Activity Set, Create your own jewelry, easy for little hands [Amazon Exclusive]

5 DISNEY PRINCESS RUBBER CHARACTER CHARMS Kids will have tons of fun with this set

MULTIPLE CONFIGURATIONS Create new looks over and over again

DESIGN 5 NECKLACES Includes 5 character charms, 150 beads, & 4 silicone necklaces

STORAGE Everything stores inside plastic carrying case for easy cleanup

MIX AND MATCH Make and remake necklaces with easy closure

Skillmatics Educational Game - Search and Find, Reusable Activity Mats with 2 Dry Erase Markers, Gifts for Ages 3 to 6

Skillmatics Educational Game - Search and Find, Reusable Activity Mats with 2 Dry Erase Markers, Gifts for Ages 3 to 6

REUSABLE ACTIVITY MATS : Includes 6 double-sided activity mats, 2 Skilly Billy pens, 1 Duster cloth and 1 Skilly Billy Achievement Certificate.

LEARN THROUGH PLAY : 12 highly engaging and repeatable activities which build core skills through fun learning methodologies.

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES : Build your child's vocabulary at these amazing places - Park, Amusement park, Camp, Outer Space, Jungle Safari, Vegetable Market, Under the ocean, Restaurant, Medical Center, Farm and more.

FUN EDUCATIONAL GAME : Truly innovative content which is age appropriate, skill oriented and infinitely engaging for young learners.

PERFECT GIFT : This is an ideal gift for any occasion that ensures kids learn through play!

Byserten Gifts for 3-6 Year Old Girls Flower Garden Building Set 98 PCS Arts and Crafts for Girls 11 Colors Birthday Gifts Christmas

Byserten Gifts for 3-6 Year Old Girls Flower Garden Building Set 98 PCS Arts and Crafts for Girls 11 Colors Birthday Gifts Christmas

Multifaceted development - 🌸Flower building toy is designed for developing the multi-faceted ability of your child. 🌱Color and Shape Recognition, Fine Motor Skills, Thinking and Problem Solving Ability, and Design Ability are developed while playing.

Green Toy - 🍀Made of upgraded Non-Toxic and durable ABS plastic, which perfectly prevents breaking apart while playing. Eco-friendly, smooth surface, safe for kids to play.

Endless Combinations - 🌷Parts are all interchangeable, allowing for endless combinations and designs. An assortment of vibrant and colorful lilies, petunias, and daisies will help them understand about stacking.

Family Game - 👪Garden Building Blocks Playset becomes part of family interaction, Have a wonderful family time and precious memories together.

Rich accessories - 🌴98 colored playset includes 8 bases, 38 stem and leaf pieces, 18 flower cores and 34 brightly colored flower pieces. Ideal birthday gifts for girls.

Doctor Jupiter My First Science Kit for Kids 4-8 Years Old | STEM Toys | Gift Toys for 4-8 Year Old Boys & Girls | Birthday Present for 4, 5, 6, 7 Year olds

Doctor Jupiter My First Science Kit for Kids 4-8 Years Old | STEM Toys | Gift Toys for 4-8 Year Old Boys & Girls | Birthday Present for 4, 5, 6, 7 Year olds

SCIENCE FOR KIDS - Doctor Jupiter science kits come with a massive variety! Your kids will make magic potions, bath bombs, do color-changing experiments and many more experiments!

EASY-TO-FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS - In this kit every experiment has illustrated, step-by-step instructions that are easy to understand. Your kids will feel like real scientists as they play!

COMPLETELY SAFE - This kit meets all the U.S safety standards of ASTM F963-17. All the chemicals are food grade and is completely safe! All the equipment are just right for small hands.

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED - Our products are hand-selected to meet the highest quality standards.

Light-Up Unicorn Terrarium Kit for Kids - Kids Birthday Gifts for Kids - Best Unicorn Toys & Activities Kits Presents - Arts & Crafts Stuff for Little Girls & Boys Age 4 5 6 7 8-12 Year Old Girl Gift

Light-Up Unicorn Terrarium Kit for Kids - Kids Birthday Gifts for Kids - Best Unicorn Toys & Activities Kits Presents - Arts & Crafts Stuff for Little Girls & Boys Age 4 5 6 7 8-12 Year Old Girl Gift

What is a fantasy terrarium? It is a miniature faux unicorn garden within a container that simulates a natural environment. So, let your child discover the beauty of nature and the magic of unicorns by creating their own beautiful unicorn terrarium with this all-inclusive kit.

Let it Glow: Beneath the lid, a built-in innovative LED light transforms the experience into something magical. At night, just hit the small switch to turn on the light and watch how your terrarium turns into a gorgeous illuminated fantasy garden. You have to see it to believe it! The light can easily be recharged with the included Micro-USB cable.

Kit includes: Terrarium jar, light-up jar lid with handle, Micro-USB charging cable, clear and easy step-by-step instruction booklet, unicorn, variety of colored and transparent crystals, pebbles, moss, faux succulents, mushroom miniatures. The ultimate arts and crafts project for kids.

A Fun Gift For All Ages: It fascinates children as soon as they pull it out of the box and is a perfect family project. The assembly is fun, and the final result is immensely satisfying.

100% satisfaction guaranteed: Love it, or your money back! We're sure that the child will have a blast, but if you are not satisfied with the kit, we'll refund you 100% of the money, no questions asked.

SUNLIN Dance Mat - Dance Mixer Rhythm Step Play Mat - Dance Game Toy Gift for Kids Girls Boys - Dance Pad with LED Lights, Adjustable Volume, Built-in Music, 3 Challenge Levels (35.4"X36.6")

SUNLIN Dance Mat - Dance Mixer Rhythm Step Play Mat - Dance Game Toy Gift for Kids Girls Boys - Dance Pad with LED Lights, Adjustable Volume, Built-in Music, 3 Challenge Levels (35.4"X36.6")

💯【DURABLE & ANTI-SLIP】 Made of heavy duty vinyl material, the SUNLIN dancing challenge playmat is toxin-free and soft padded, easy to wipe clean. And it is durable enough to last through endless dancing and jumping. Patterns on back is deigned for non-slippery. 𝘿𝙀𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉𝙀𝘿 𝙄𝙉 𝙃𝙆, 𝙐𝙎 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙀𝙉𝙏

💯【3 LEVELS DIFFICULTY】 Follow the beat of the built-in music, dance to the cues of the blinking on the LED board. Keep up with the move and try to challenge 3 different levels! Kids will get music and lights feedback from every their every step. So much fun for girls age 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 year old! Uses 3×AA batteries. (not included)

💯【PORTABLE & EASY to STORE】 Size 35.4"X36.6". Folds up easy and stores nicely in a closet or under the bed. This makes collecting toys easier for parents and kids. The dance mat can perfectly fit into a bag for outing. Enjoy the dancing game both indoor & outdoor!

💯【DEVELOPMENTAL BENEFITS】 Get your kids to work out in the most entertaining way! This SUNLIN dance pad game encourages collaboration and physical activity. The game also facilitates interaction and cooperation between parents and children. Kids and adults both have fun.

💯【UNIQUE GIFT FOR KIDS】 Do not miss this musical dance mat if you are looking for a perfect Christmas, Valentine or Birthday gift for girls! Present this to children and get ready for the cheers! It is an ideal gift for 3-4 5-7 6-8 8-10 10-12 year old girls.

ICERONG 3D Jigsaw Puzzle for Children Paper 3D Jigsaw Art for Children Building Model DIY for Boys and Girls Toy Gift for Boys and Girls Birthday Gift (Castle)

ICERONG 3D Jigsaw Puzzle for Children Paper 3D Jigsaw Art for Children Building Model DIY for Boys and Girls Toy Gift for Boys and Girls Birthday Gift (Castle)

The best gift: Preschool puzzles can exercise children's observation skills, cultivate patience, concentration, thinking ability, etc. Every child should have a set of puzzle toys.

Jigsaw puzzles cultivate thinking and logical ability Jigsaw puzzle toys can learn to use the brain, observe and try, and find the correct spelling method through pieces of picture information. The brain needs to be running all the time, and the patterns can be completed through repeated combinations to improve memory ability, judgment ability and thinking ability, and promote brain thinking. development. promote intellectual development

Jigsaw puzzles cultivate self-confidence for success When all the jigsaw puzzles are completed, there will be an infinite sense of satisfaction in their hearts, which will stimulate their self-confidence. Fourth, the patience and concentration ability cultivated by jigsaw puzzles.

Easy Puzzle Help: The puzzle cover has colored legends for reference and detailed puzzle steps behind. The preschool puzzle pack has different sized pieces that are easy to grip and develop your child's grasping ability.

High degree of safety: For young children, the material of paper + EPS has the advantages of not being easily smashed or cut, and the paper pulp is hygienic and safe.

Last update on 2023-03-03 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

How To Choose The best toys for 4 year old girl On Customer Reviews in 2022.

With the development of the internet, online platforms offer a variety of products to their audience. Among so many products, it is important to know how to sort, recognize and choose the best best toys for 4 year old girl for you. What are the criteria for choosing the best toys for 4 year old girl?

Reputation of the brand

Consumers' purchasing decisions are heavily influenced by the best toys for 4 year old girl brand's reputation. Your e-previous store's customers' reviews or the brand's longevity are both taken into consideration while making this decision. More than 60 percent of buyers will abandon their shopping carts if the quantity of bad reviews on their best toys for 4 year old girl product or service is significant. As a result, it is critical to keep an eye on the online store's reputation.

The world is filled of best toys for 4 year old girl, making it difficult to choose. Looking at the design might help you make a decision. Material selection, color scheme, and even visual weighting all have an impact on how well a product looks in its final form.. You can find a product that exactly matches your preferences and requirements by being aware of this.

Customer Ratings

While making a purchase decision, many people take into account customer feedback. For obvious reasons: after all, who knows a product better than its own users? Looking through customer reviews before making a purchase decision can offer you a decent idea of what other people thought of their experience with the goods. Some people are more inclined to leave a review than others for a certain product. Customers' overall satisfaction with a product can be gauged from their product reviews.

Price and delivery time

The cost of the best toys for 4 year old girl is a critical consideration during the purchasing process. However, although some best toys for 4 year old girl are pricey due to their quality or functionality, others are not. To avoid overcharging, it is essential to pay attention to these factors. In addition, the product's arrival time is critical, and it should be as brief as possible.

Final Thought

If you're looking for best toys for 4 year old girl reviews, we hope you find this post useful. Share it with others who might be looking for a trustworthy review source while they're shopping for a new product. You may show us how you feel about product reviews by telling us which one of your favorite products you use.

Related reviews

best at home gym equipments

Never miss a Busy Toddler Newsletter!

Busy Toddler

Busy Toddler

making it to naps, one activity at a time

Best Toys for 5 Year Olds – 9 Year Olds

activity toys for 5 year old

Check out the best toys for 5 year olds to 9 year olds. This open-ended list of toys is filled with hands-on, playful ways for big kids to play without having to rely on battery or screen operated fun. These toys are neutral, and categorized by interests not genders.

Best Toys for Big Kids: open-ended toys for ages 5-9+ (image shows toys on a white background)

The best toys for 5 year olds to 9 year olds

What toys do 5 – 9+ year olds need, why focus on open-ended toys, how to build a foundation of open-ended toys, big kid toys to promote skill building, toys don’t have a gender.

Frequently Asked Questions

We cannot afford to undervalue toys – especially as our kids age.

There’s a shocking belief that as kids age, toys should be more technology focused. This is simply not true. As kids age, toys do not need to focus on latest tech trends or pop culture fads.

Instead, toys for older kids need to foster interests and passions, introduce them to new skills, and broaden their experiences.

Our big kids need play: hands-on play that is still imaginary-based. Big kids need to still be in the driver’s seat of their play. Don’t let flashy, one and done, “of the moment” toys take over in these still developing years of childhood.

Big kids still need open-ended toys and here’s why.

RELATED: Read more about my thoughts on toys in this article .

Click here to see more toy lists (white background with toys)

In my humblest opinion, there are two toy categories:  “One and Done Toys” and open-ended toys. We want to fill our homes with open ended toys.

“One and Done Toys” have short life spans for kids: they grab attention quick but can’t sustain it. The child is likely to be over the toy in a few days or months.

We don’t want that.

We want children to be able to continuously play. This makes for deeper play learning (and it’s more cost effective: you aren’t having to buy new toys to sustain play).

By giving our kids open-ended toys, we are giving them the chance to learn by doing. And that’s the most powerful learning we can give them.

At this age, our five to nine year olds can do some pretty amazing things with open-ended toys and you can see the learning immediately. It’s not hidden.

Toys are the tools for play

In my previous two gift guides ( best toys for toddlers and best toys for preschoolers ), I laid out a solid foundation of toys for a child’s home environment.

While these lists say “ toddler ” or “ preschoo l” – that’s really a fallacy. Those lists are designed as the earliest age a child might be interested in the toy.

My toy lists are like board game boxes. A box of Monopoly says “for ages 8+.” This doesn’t mean only eight-year-olds like Monopoly.

Toy lists are the same.

Toys have a broad age range. For example: Toddlers are the first age group to enjoy wooden blocks. Nine year olds still play with them. We can’t limit wooden blocks only to toddlers – that’s simply the first age a child might start to enjoy them.

Please go back and review previous lists before settling on this one.

Here is a brief list of toys my kids (6, 7, 9) play with every single day:

All of those toys are found on the toddler toy list AND preschool toy lists , because that’s when my kids first fell in love with them.

Best Toys for Toddlers: Open ended toys to grow with (image is a white background with toys like a train, airplane, and barn on it)

As our kids age, they develop interests and skills through their play. This list is different from my other lists: it’s organized by “subject area.”

Some of these aren’t even toys – but they promote growth, learning, skills, and fun in our children.

We need to remember that even with big kids, we are still gatekeepers to the toys in our homes and we decide which toys get to stay (and which get the boot).

We do not need to shift to all electronics or fluffy fad toys as our kids age. As with everything, balance is key.

This list is gender neutral (as all toys are). Everything on this list is fantastic for both boys and girls, and equally loved and used by all. Don’t miss a chance for amazing learning just because of your preconceived notions.

Our girls deserve the chance to engineer just as much as our boys need the chance to create. Please do not gender toys.

Here are the best toys for 5 year olds – 9 year olds:

Busy Toddler is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.

Image shows a toy: watercolor travel paint set

Travel Watercolor Set

A very thoughtful gift for a budding artist, this travel watercolor set has been a 10/10 for my 7 year old (suggested by an 11 year old friend). This is a wonderful gift for a child and opens up the possibility of easily taking art with them on the road.

Gift ideas to pair with this watercolor set:

Image shows a toy: Friendship Bracelet Maker

Friendship Bracelet Making

It’s a step up from taping strings to your jeans or a school desk like back in my day, but the friendship bracelet maker is really cool. This helps kids be a lot more successful and self-sufficient with their bracelet making.

Image shows a toy: Perler Beads

Perler Beads

I know you made these as a kid and what fun they were. Guess what? They still are (and the only thing I use my iron for). This set comes color sorted but doesn’t have any pegboards so we got this Perler bead pegboard set.

Image shows a toy: Spirograph

Did you have a Spirograph? This is math and art and creating at its finest – I’m so glad they never stopped making these. My 6 year old loves this at Grandma’s so she’s buying him his own set for our house.

Image shows a toy: Klutz Book of Paper Airplanes

Paper Airplane Book/Ki t

We have been deep into paper airplanes at our house for four years now, all thanks to this book. The step-by-step guide is easy for kids to follow (and for adults who are less than paper airplane proficient).

Image shows a toy: Crayola "Light Up Tracing Pad"

Light-Up Tracing Pad

A thin, lightweight board that helps kids trace their art. My older kids (7 and 9) really enjoy drawing with this. It’s been a big hit.

Image shows a toy: Art Kit

I gifted this to my daughter last Christmas and it’s been such a hit, we bought a second one for the neighbor boy. This is a great set of “just your own” art supplies for big kids.

RELATED: Don’t miss my Best Art Supplies for Kids to gift list – so many good ideas for big kids.

Image shows a toy: Sewing kit with sewn elephant

Sewing is such a lost art but it doesn’t have to be. ALL kids can benefit from learning this very real life skill. This is a great kit to start with.

Image shows a toy: Picasso Magnetic Tiles

Magnetic Tiles

Magnetic tiles are amazing for older children to build with – we have this Picasso brand (considerably cheaper and we haven’t noticed a difference).

Image shows a toy: Hape Quadrilla Marble Run

Wooden Marble Run

This is the marble run we have – we love it. Marble runs are complicated to set up, but 5+ year olds rock at it. After struggling with plastic sets for years, we upgraded to this wooden one and never looked back.

Image shows a toy: GraviTrax

This is like next level marble-run and it is very much for the 8+ crowd. Amazing. Challenging. Very very cool toy for the big kids who love to tinker.

Image shows a toy: Brio building set

BRIO Building Set

This is NOT a train product. This is truly a building set. While it says 3+ on the box, that is NOT accurate. This is a minimum 5+ toy and it is AWESOME. This is significant building for kids – and expansion packs have motors to make their creations move or talk.

Image shows a toy: Classic LEGO yellow box

LEGO Bricks

By age 5 years old, all kids should have a box of LEGO bricks for building and creating. Nothing invites invention and engineering quite like a LEGO.

Image shows a toy: LEGO gadgets books

Lego Project Books

Have a big kid into LEGO bricks? Take it to the next level with this kit. All the pieces to make all the contraptions come with – it takes LEGO and systems and STEM to a huge level.

Image shows a toy: Lakeshore's Ultimate Fort Builder Kit

The Ultimate Fort Builder Kit

Have a kiddo who loves building forts? This is the kit and way better than any other kits like it. Trust me, I’ve tried others and this one is “The Ultimate” for a reason.

Image shows a toy: The game suspend

This is a game for kids who love to build . Using their knowledge of weight and balance, suspend is great both as a game and as something fun to build (think sculpture art).

Image shows a toy: a child's microscop

Kids Microscope

We got this for my now 8-year-old last Christmas. What an amazing product! It is definitely an 8+ gift.

Gifts that pair well with a microscope:

Image shows a toy: a child's pocket microscope

Pocket Microscope

Not ready for a full blown microscope (or don’t have the space)? I get it. We LOVE this pocket version (and so do all my kids ages 6-9 years old). It comes to the park with us a lot. We get so much use out of it.

RELATED: Looking for other great “non-toy gift ideas?” This is a great list of really unique ideas.

Image shows a toy: Extreme Kids Chemistry Kit!

Chemistry Kit

We have this, we love this, it’s shockingly good. I was skeptical when we got this (other kits have been lack luster). This has been great. The supplies are good, the directions are great, and my kids have learned a lot.

Gifts to pair with a chemistry kit:

Image shows a toy: Electronic Snap Circuits

Snap Circuits

Let your child build circuits and systems with this amazing hands-on learning toy. Easy to follow directions let your child learn so much about electricity. This is a standard 6-8 year old birthday gift from me (regardless of gender).

Image shows a toy: Real tools for children

Yes, these are real tools specially sized for kids. You can decide if your child is ready for this, but there’s no substitute for learning to working with real tools. Tools are for all genders – all kids can build. All kids can create.

This pairs well with some wood and nails from the hardware store.

Image shows a toy: rainbow lava lamp

This became my go-to 8 year old gift in 2020. I couldn’t find many colors of this online – but I see them at all the local toy stores (which is where I buy them). This 14.5 inch size is perfect for growing big kids.

Image shows a toy: child's pink binoculars

A good pair of binoculars is everything for bird watching to jungle hunts to spy missions. They come in 6 different colors so you’ll find the right style for your child.

Gifts that pair well with binoculars

Image shows a toy: wooden pattern blocks

Wooden Pattern Blocks

If your child has been to a classroom, they’ve played with pattern blocks before. Having them at home is the best – anyone else remember making giant flowers with these as a kid? My youngest has spent about a year making elaborate designs with these shapes day in and day out.

Image shows a toy: Labyrinth

Labyrinth Game

The most played with new game from last year’s holidays. This labyrinth was/is fun for all of us. From age 5 to 65 (Grandparents too), everyone keeps trying their luck. It comes with 3 mazes of varying complexity.

Image shows a toy: mancala

Image shows a toy: a child's magic kit

Not sure which category this belongs in, so we’ll toss it in games. It’s awesome. If you have a budding magician at home, this has been a fantastic toy for our family and the tricks are fully doable for ages 5+. Absolutely have loved this!

Image shows a toy: IQ Twist Brain teaser

IQ Twist Brain Teasers

This is SUCH a great gift to give – especially for an older child who likes to or often needs to play solo. It’s a great puzzles/brain teaser.

Image shows a toy: Brio pin ball

Brio Pinball

A 10/10. My 6-year-old asked for an entire year to buy this toy and finally got his wish at his birthday. I should have bought it sooner. It’s simple, engaging, challenging, and perfect for big kids. Brio made a good one here.

Image shows a game: Fluxx card game

A true “big kid to adult” game. This card game changes its rules every round… they’re in constant… flux. My son and husband love this game. They play almost nightly.

RELATED: Don’t miss my list of the Best Board Games for Kids ! There’s tons of big kid games on that list.

Image shows a toy: Bop It

The skills needed to play Bop It! and the thrill of it all makes this such an addicting game – trust me, I’m as hooked as the kids are. This can be solo or with a partner.

Image shows a toy: Super Stadium Baseball Game

Super Stadium Baseball Game

Oh em gee… this is so much fun. This took our family by storm this year: one person is the batter, the other is the pitcher. One launches little marbles and the other actually swings the bat. I wish I could better explain this game. I didn’t believe in it until we got it… now I’ll shout it from the mountains how fun this toy is.

Especially if you have a child in little leagues, this is a great gift.

Image shows a toy: Gravity Maze

Gravity Maze

Think marble run meets logic puzzle. This single player game has kids building small marble runs to complete each logic puzzle. It’s a very cool concept – my kids love it.

Image shows a toy: I saw it first! Egypt

I Saw It First! (Egypt)

Awesome, awesome, awesome. There’s two versions of this game (Egypt or an ocean-themed one ). Six triangles unfold into a large hexagon. Draw tokens from a box and be the first to “find it.” It’s hard!!! This game is double sided, the pieces rotate, so you’ll never remember where anything is…

This is a standout product. Really love it.

Image shows a toy: Klask

Think “air hockey with magnets.” Klask is really fun for a broad age range (even younger siblings will be able to play). I really like the simplicity here (and we need more simple these days).

Image shows a toy: mini simon

I loved Simon as a kid but Mini Simon is even more fun. It’s a great extra gift or stocking stuffer. It says 8+, but it was a gift for my 4 year old last winter who loved it as much as the bigger kids.

Image shows a toy: Razor Trike

Razor Trike

Do not let the word trike fool you. This thing spins 360 and is epic. Being able to ride it has become a right of big kid passage in our neighborhood. This beloved “trike” has been in play almost every day for 7 years. It’s wild, big kid excitement and so cool.

Image shows a toy: Stomp Rocket

Stomp Rocket

There’s no more beloved toy in my backyard than this stomp rocket – from ages 2 to age 11 – shooting a rocket into the air is fun for everyone.

Image shows a toy: Ribbon Ninja

Ribbon Ninja

Ribbon Ninja took our neighborhood by storm this year with every kid from 4 to 14 getting in on this fun. It seems simple but it’s fantastic: it’s like tag meets flag football. Absolute 10/10. I never could have imagined how much fun this would be.

Image shows a toy: Kids pod or swing

Kids Pod Swing (indoor or outdoor)

These are sweetest, coolest – just a great little space for growing big kids. They can relax, grab a book, unwind, etc… all in the comfort of their own pod. Lots of different colors available.

Image shows a toy: Rainbow silk fox tail

Fox Tail Ball

This is a GREAT way to help kids learn to catch and throw in a fun and successful way. I highly suggest fox tails. Here’s a link to another set that’s a 6-pack if you need more than 1: Lakeshore’s Soft and Safe Comet Balls.

Image shows a toy: Set of 3 walkie talkies

Walkie Talkies

These become REALLY fun for kids around age 5 years old – and also around age 37. The distance on these is at least a mile (and so cool that it’s a 3 pack). These are obviously indoor or outdoor, but I see them outside with my kids most often.

Image shows a toy: Bow and arrow

Bow and Arrow

This is from a small business. It will need 1-2 weeks of lead time.

We love this bow and arrow. The design is far superior to others we’ve owned (the arrow goes through the bow helping kids be more successful). I’ve linked to the 18 inch size bow; the smaller size is 12 inches (this has been great for my 6 year old).

Gifts to pair with a bow and arrow:

Image shows a toy: Goodminton

A GREAT way to introduce paddle sports to kids – they can be really, really successful with this set up.

Image shows a toy: Caution tape

Caution Tape

This is a funny gift to give any age, and I give it out a lot. There’s a lot of imagination that takes over with caution tape – you’d be surprised the possibilities kids see with this “non” toy.

Remember that kids learn through play so literally all toys are education and learning toys. Ironically, toys that call out their “learning” features often support far less learning than (for example) a set of wooden blocks. Terms like “educational” and “learning” are more of a marketing ploy than a legitimate category.

That’s personal to each family and the variables within the home (size, location, number of children, etc). If you are concerned your child has too many toys, audit your child’s play. A good indicator of too many toys is when it takes a long time for a child to “find their play.” Similar to having a hard time finding tools in a crowded kitchen, too many toys can be overwhelming and actually limiting to a child.

That’s personal to the family. Rather than follow any preset guideline, work within a budget and within what the child will find enjoyable to open and not overwhelming. I find preset guidelines for holidays limiting and prefer to use my gut rather than someone else’s poem.

activity toys for 5 year old

Susie Allison, M. Ed

Owner, Creator

Susie Allison is the creator of Busy Toddler and has more than 2 million followers on Instagram . A former teacher and early childhood education advocate, Susie’s parenting book “ Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting ” is available on Amazon.

activity toys for 5 year old

Other posts you may like

20+ Awesome Puzzles for Kids

Reader Interactions

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Kidbazzar says

November 2, 2022 10:25 AM

THANKS FOR SHARING THE DETAIL INFO ABOUT KID’s toys. I like this post very much. best kids toys

activity toys for 5 year old

Subscribe to my free newsletter and I’ll send you “35 Easy Toddler Activities to Break Up the Day!”

Thank you for subscribing!

activity toys for 5 year old

Never miss a Busy Toddler newsletter!

Enter your email to download PDF and receive updates from OSMO

Scan to get started.

The Assessment App is available only on the Apple App Store . Please scan the QR code below with your iPhone device to download the app.

Osmo

Learning Activities For 5 Year Olds

Best learning activities for 5 year olds.

What’s the best way to connect with your 5 year old child? Have you thought about activities to do with a 5 year old? If not, let us take you through some of the activities for 5 year olds that can help them to develop important life skills. To achieve this, conduct learning activities for 5 year olds in a creative way. You come up with different activities for kids at home so that they learn new things by themselves and eventually help in their curriculum. 

What are the activities for 5 year olds to do at home? We can think of many things that a 5 year old can do to learn and improve their cognitive skills. These developmental activities for 5 year olds motivates them to excel in academics as well as become independent learners. Apart from this, there are kids learning toys that can help them learn new things. These activities for 5 year olds are extremely beneficial for their educational development. 

15 Fun Activities For 5 Year Olds

Children love playing so why not engage them in learning activities that they find exciting and fun, while you spend quality time with them? Sounds good, right? Here, we will be listing down some enthralling games and educational activities for 5 year olds to do at home. As we said, these are learning activities, which implies that kids will learn something new and build better skills while performing these activities. So, let’s begin

What do kids learn through this? Through flashcards, children can learn and practice alphabets, words, numbers, colors and much more.

  What do kids learn through this? This activity sharpens mental ability in kids and improves their attention to details.

What do kids learn through this? Children get to refine their attention to details and problem-solving skills. 

What do kids learn through this? This game teaches kids to be patient and improves their problem-solving skills and muscle memory.

What do kids learn through this? Children get a sound understanding of shapes and develop better creativity. 

What do kids learn through this? Tracing helps kids have a good grip which eventually assists them in picking good handwriting and learning to draw objects faster. 

What do kids learn through this? Making emoticons and identifying these expressions will let kids develop better social understanding.

What do kids learn through this? Kids get a better understanding of numbers, counting, and you can even teach them addition, subtraction and multiplication with this activity. 

What do kids learn through this? This game improves vocabulary and linguistic skills in children.

What do kids learn through this? Kids get to work on spellings of different words and object recognition.

What do kids learn through this? This activity works on kids’ motor skills, improves muscle memory, requires concentration and develops social skills. 

What do kids learn through this? Kids will learn more about colors, sharpen their motor skills and of course, learn the importance of time. 

What do kids learn through this?  

With this, kids will learn about words and other important concepts. Besides this, there is a lot of improvement in concentration and being able to focus on things that they are doing. 

What do kids learn through this? 

Kids will learn different concepts to Science, Maths and other curriculum topics while coloring. The main objective is to make them understand the concept that they are learning with the help of art. 

Kids will learn to systematically plan strategies to build the structure being assigned to them. They will read and discuss ideas with others in order to come up with perfect structure. Besides this, they will learn creativity, critical thinking and problem solving skills. 

Benefits Of Educational Activities For 5 Year Olds

Some of the benefits of activities for 5 year olds are mentioned below: 

Frequently Asked Questions on Learning Activities for 5 Year Olds

What are the learning activities for 5 year olds.

Some of the Learning Activities for 5 Year Olds are spotting the changes, number flashcards, alphabet bingo, matching the relevant objects, tracing the numbers and letters, playing with educational toys, origami, organizing the blocks, etc.

What are the benefits of Learning Activities for 5 Year Olds?

The advantages of Learning Activities for 5 Year Olds are that it allow kids to have fun while learning, develops their logical thinking and critical thinking skills, and motivates them to think independently and make right decisions.

Banner title icon

activity toys for 5 year old

Get more for way less. Get more for way less.

Savings on toys.

activity toys for 5 year old

Toys by Categories

activity toys for 5 year old

Featured Brands & Characters

activity toys for 5 year old

New & Trending Toys

activity toys for 5 year old

Shop by Age 5-7 deals

Toys by category.

activity toys for 5 year old

Squishmallows

Collect all the huggable critters.

activity toys for 5 year old

Disney's Encanto

Explore the magic for epic fun.

Only at Walmart

activity toys for 5 year old

Adventure Force

Get in on RC cars, foam dart blasters, and more fun.

activity toys for 5 year old

Let imaginations soar with playtime friends.

Trending right now

activity toys for 5 year old

Shop toys by age

activity toys for 5 year old

activity toys for 5 year old

Buy new: $31.99

activity toys for 5 year old

Sorry, there was a problem.

Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required . Learn more

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web .

Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle app

Preschool Learning: Alphabet Number Writing Activities for 3 Year Old|Kids Busy Book for Kids 2-5 Years|Toddler Learning Games for Boys Girls|Montessori Educational Toys for Boys Girls Age 2 3 4 5

Enhance your purchase.

Similar Brands on Amazon

activity toys for 5 year old

Product details

Customer reviews

No customer reviews.

activity toys for 5 year old

IMAGES

  1. Educational Toys For 5 Year Old Boy Australia

    activity toys for 5 year old

  2. Best Toys for 5 Year-Olds

    activity toys for 5 year old

  3. Best STEM Toys for 5-Year-Olds in 2022

    activity toys for 5 year old

  4. 70 best Best Toys for 5 Year Old Boys images on Pinterest

    activity toys for 5 year old

  5. Best Gifts and Toys for 5 Year Old Boys

    activity toys for 5 year old

  6. Best Multi-Sensory Toys for 5-Year-Olds

    activity toys for 5 year old

VIDEO

  1. GIFTS FOR A 5 YEAR OLD BOY

  2. Toddler Favorite Toys + Gifts

  3. Hunting Found Jurassic World Evolution 2 Trex, Brontosaurus, Triceratops, Superheroes Toys, Kitten

  4. Hunting Found Jurassic World Evolution 2 Trex, Brontosaurus, Triceratops, Superheroes Toys, Kitten

  5. Count Along Basket Scanner_Digital_Parent_ALL_15

  6. How to Let a 3-year-old Play with Toys for FREE?! #shorts

COMMENTS

  1. The 38 Best Toys for 5-Year-Olds of 2023

    At age 5, your child is ready to graduate from Duplo Lego blocks to real Lego kits. They can follow the directions and build a set from start to finish, then start over again. This kit creates a Mars shuttle that will inspire an interest in space exploration and pretend play and includes a rover and astronauts. Price at time of publication: $58

  2. 11 Best Toys for 5-Year-Olds 2022

    TrailBlaze Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course for Kids. Best ride on toy for 5-year-olds: Costzon Go Kart. Best STEM toy for 5-year-olds: Plus Plus Mini Puzzle Blocks for Kids. Best learning toy for 5-year-olds: Botley the Coding Robot 77-Piece Activity Set. Best bath toy for 5-year-olds: Baby Shark Ultimate Bath Art Studio.

  3. The 50 Best Toys for 5-Year-Old Boys of 2023

    Our top toy pick for 5-year-old boys is the Wizarding World Harry Potter, Magical Minis Amazon Exclusive Deluxe Hogwarts Castle. From an iconic brand, the set is easy to store and assemble and fosters hours of building and racing fun. Here, are the best toys for 5-year-old boys. In This Article Our Picks What to Look for Why Trust The Spruce

  4. The Best Indoor Toys and Games for Active Play

    Creative kids as young as 5 years old can work together to build all kinds of imaginative things using this connection set. Fit the building sticks into the round ball connectors at various angles to build rocket ships, playhouses, tunnels, or whatever kids can dream up. These sets are available with either 85 or 120 pieces.

  5. 20 Best Craft Kits for Kids in 2022

    Melissa & Doug Paint & Decorate Wooden Vehicles. $17 at Walmart. Credit: Melissa & Doug. This kit is part-craft and part art project, since kids have to assemble the wooden train and monster truck ...

  6. Good Toys for Young Children by Age and Stage

    Things to pretend with—toy phones, dolls and doll beds, baby carriages and strollers, dress-up accessories (scarves, purses), puppets, stuffed toys, plastic animals, and plastic and wood "realistic" vehicles Things to build with—cardboard and wood blocks (can be smaller than those used by infants—2 to 4 inches)

  7. Amazon Best Sellers: Best Kids' Fitness Equipment

    6 Pack Toy Hoop Bundle Pack - Snap Together Detachable Adjustable Weight Size Plastic Hoops - Kids Hula Rings for Sports Playing, 32-Inch 942 1 offer from $29.95 #26 makarci Stepping Stones for Kids, 5pcs Non-Slip Plastic Balance River Stones for Promoting Children's Coordination Skills Obstacle Courses Sensory Toys for Toddlers 360

  8. 15 Fantastic Travel Toys for a Five-Year-Old • Our Globetrotters

    The Tangoes Animal book is an ideal travel toy for five-year-olds because it provides 48 tangram challenges and a magnetized board to reduce the chance of pieces getting lost along the way. The attached challenge cards are arranged in three different challenge levels, and each picture resembles a familiar animal.

  9. 55+ Easy Activities for 5 Year Olds

    5. Make silly putty. 6. Giant Dots and Boxes. 7. Play with giant water beads. 8. Nature Tea Party - Collect things from your backyard like rocks, leaves, dirt and flowers to make a nature tea using your favourite tea set or a jug and cups. 9. Spr ay Bottle Water Fights. 10. Magnetic Tile Ramps. 11. DIY Post-It Dominoes.

  10. 30 Best Toys and Unusual Gifts for 5-Year-Old Boys 2023

    Best Outdoor Toy for 5-Year-Old Boys Stomp Rocket Stunt Planes Set Now 29% Off $25 at Amazon Credit: Stomp Rocket This set includes three different foam planes for kids to launch into the air: a...

  11. Amazon.com: Best Learning Toys For 5 Year Old

    Magnetic Wooden Fishing Game Toy for Toddlers, Alphabet Fish Catching Counting Games Puzzle with Numbers and Letters, Preschool Learning ABC and Math Educational Toys for 3 4 5 Years Old Girl Boy Kids 4.5 (1,749) Limited time deal $1432$24.99 FREE delivery Fri, Jan 13 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon More Buying Choices

  12. The 29 Best Gifts for 5-Year-Olds

    Learning Toys and STEM Toys We Love. After spending 30 hours testing 13 pedal bikes, we've picked the fun, no-fuss, Co-op Cycles REV 16 Kids' Bike as the best first pedal bike for most kids ...

  13. 30+ Educational Toys for 5 Year Olds

    Montessori Toys. One of the best educational toys for five-year-olds is a science kit. A science kit helps teach children about the world around them. It also teaches them how to experiment and ask questions. Building blocks are also great educational toys for five-year-olds. Children use these blocks to build many structures, which helps with ...

  14. The 31 BEST Toys for 5 Year-Olds

    Let's get started with my list of The 31 BEST Toys for 5-Year-Olds! #1: Connetix Magnet Blocks Connetix Magnet Blocks are one of the most popular open-ended toys on the market. Kids can build many different structures with them, make patterns, create shapes, put them on the fridge, the list can go on and on.

  15. Educational Toys & Learning Games for 5-Year Old Boys & Girls

    Educational Toys & Learning Games for 5-Year Old Boys & Girls Search: Gifts For Five-Year-Olds Reset Filters 5 years old Skip Left Nav Gifts For Five-Year-Olds (289 items) Sort by Early Learning Games Active Play Award Winners Stratos Sled: Mystic Green Each #13971107 $115.95 (11) Quick View Putty Scents Cloud Putty: Strawberry

  16. Top 26 Activities for 5 Year Old Children

    This is one of the fun activities for 5-year-olds that helps them explore their creativity. How to Make? Fill up a craft box with supplies like pipe cleaners, craft eyes, colourful yarn, safety-scissors, coloured mini-puff balls, ice-cream sticks, felt squares, and tape. Let your child get creative with these.

  17. 26 of the best toys for 5 year olds in 2023

    The box contains a host of insect hunting tools and a fact-filled guide too, which is why we've included it in our round-up of best toys for 5 year olds. View at John Lewis. Brainstorm Toys Glow Stars and Dinosaurs. BEST FOR: Sensory Exploration and space play. Age suitability: 3+. Batteries required: No.

  18. Arts and Crafts for Kids 5 6 7 8 Year Old-Craft Kits for Kids Age 10

    Arts and Crafts for Kids 5 6 7 8 Year Old-Craft Kits for Kids Age 10 Girls Boys Dinosaur Gift for Kids Age 6-12 Children Birthday Gifts for Girls 5-10 Year Kids Early ...

  19. The 5 Best Climbing Toys For 3-Year-Olds

    Indoor Jungle Gym, Toddler Climbing Toys Indoor. $299.99. This indoor jungle gym is perfect for little climbers and offers room to grow! Children will be able to develop gross motor skills and gain confidence while doing it!

  20. The 10 Best Gifts and Toys for 5 Year Old Boys

    7) Magna-Tiles 32-Piece Clear Colors Deluxe Set. Magna-Tiles are a must-have for any 5 year old, and the 32-Piece Clear Colors Deluxe Set is a great way to introduce them to this exciting and engaging toy. Made of durable, non-toxic plastic, these tiles easily click together to create 3D shapes, buildings, and structures.

  21. 10 Best Toys For 4 Year Old Girl (March:2023)

    Safety Toddler Toy:CENOVE pretend flower garden toy set is made with Eco-friendly materials. BPA-Free,Non-toxic, No smell.Smooth surface,won't hurt kids' hands.Meet with ASTM F963-16/-17 and CPSIA safety standards.

  22. Best Toys for 5 Year Olds

    Check out the best toys for 5 year olds to 9 year olds. This open-ended list of toys is filled with hands-on, playful ways for big kids to play without having to rely on battery or screen operated fun. These toys are neutral, and categorized by interests not genders. Table of Contents: The best toys for 5 year olds to 9 year olds

  23. Learning Activities For 5 Year Olds

    Some of the Learning Activities for 5 Year Olds are spotting the changes, number flashcards, alphabet bingo, matching the relevant objects, tracing the numbers and letters, playing with educational toys, origami, organizing the blocks, etc. What are the benefits of Learning Activities for 5 Year Olds?

  24. Toys for Kids 5 to 7 Years

    Shop for Toys for Kids 5 to 7 Years in Shop Toys by Age. Buy products such as Disney Pixar Toy Story Roundup Fun Woody Talking Toy, 20 Phrases at Walmart and save.

  25. Preschool Learning: Alphabet Number Writing Activities for 3 Year Old

    PRESCHOOL LEARNING 💯 Toddler learning toys, specially designed for toddler learning activities ages 2-6, Preschool learning shapes, numbers and fine motor skills training, Keep preschool away from the screen and learn skills while playing. 💯 controlled by the right hold pens, toddler activities tracking and other functions, you can cultivate the child's attention, imagination ...