By the time a child is 5-years-old, they’re beginning to develop advanced motor skills like riding a bike, and specific interests like performing simple science experiments — making gift giving that much more fun.
While they’re likely in kindergarten (or about to be) and learning every day while in school, there are a plethora of educational, musical and creative toys they’ll love at home, too.
Much like 4-year-olds, 3-year-olds and even 2-year-olds or 1-year-olds, 5-year-﷽olds are constantly on the move and likely have a toy collection growing by the year.
Whether you’re a parent looking for a few new toys to change things up during playtime or a family friend who has no idea what to buy a 5-year-old for their next birthday party, we’ve rounded🥀 up the best options according to toy experts, doctors, librarians and even a few recommendations from real-life moms, to make things easier.
“[Playtime] is how children learn. Toys are the tools that help them play and therefore learn. You can play a lot without toys, but developmentally appropriate toys facilitate opportunities for learning and growth,” , developmental-behavioral pediatrician (DBP) at Connecticut Children’s Specialty Care Center and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the UCONN School of Medicine told the New York Post.
While there are a many dir💟ections you can go in when it comes to buying a 5-year-old th📖e perfect gift, Keder, along with the other experts we interviewed, advised a focus on problem-solving products like board games and building kits to kickstart the development of collaboration and competition.
Keep in mind, all children are different when it comes to their development and tastes so no toy or gift is “one-size-fits-all.”
The following gifts have all been hand-picked by experts, so rest assure you’re in good hands to find the perfect gift they’ll love. For more information about the 5-year-old age group, make sure to check out the in-depth FAQ section at the bottom of the article. For now, let’s get to the gifts!
To shop this gift guide by💦 category, simply clic🔥k on a specific section below:
- Developmental Toys
- Musical Toys
- Games and Puzzles
- Books
- Building Toys
- Ride-On Toys
- Stuffed Animals, Dolls and Mini-figures
- Creative Toys
- Outdoor Toys
- Pretend Play Toys
Meet the Experts:
- Jennifer Lynch, Content Developer & Toy Trends Specialist at the
- Jillian Abbinanti, former toy store manager of 25 years
- Laurie Leahey, Senior Editor at
- Liv Hanson, Content Curator for Youth Materials at the
- Eva Shapiro, Associate Director for Early Literacy Programs and Services at the
- Heather Barnum, Senior Librarian at the
- Natalie Martins, owner of the kids’ bike review site,
- Dr. Nicole Napolitano, mother of two boys, 5 and 7-years-old, NY-based dentist
- Jennifer Adams, mother of 5-year-old daughter, NY-based residential mortgage banking specialist
- Dr. Robert D. Keder, DBP at Connecticut Children’s Specialty Care Center
- Keri Wilmot, pediatric occupational therapist, also known as
- Dr. Jacqueline Harding, international child development expert and
- Yesim Kunter, child’s play expert and
- Dr. Lauren Loquasto, Chief Academic Officer at
- Christopher Byrne, toy analyst and consultant, also known as
Developmental Toys
Complete with graduated beakers, flasks and protective goggles, this experiment set has everything a kid need🌠s to feel like🌃 a real-deal scientist. Using food-safe ingredients, children will explore concocting fizzy potions, stretchy slime, color-changing flowers and more.
, a child development and education expert, recommended this science activity kit because she said it “can provide [children] with the opportunity to actively explore and apply STEM
concepts.”
“When a young child begins to engage in simple experiments, it starts to provoke critical thinking,” Harding said. “There is no doubt that in the future the world will need children who are capable of being inquisitive, creative and good at solving problems. So why not help them get started with this simple kit that helps them dip their toes into the wonderful world of science.”
Osmo kits require kids to have access to a tablet (such as an or ) and use the device’s camera to detect provided play pieces that kids set out in front of it. The Osmo app prompts kids with activities to make shapes and practice spelling by following along on the screen — providing a truly responsive and interactive learning experience.
, a pediatric occupational therapist who has over 24 years of experience helping children develop sensory and motor skills through play, recommended this as an alternative to on-screen games that kids may enjoy. “Five-year-olds are working on improving their fine motor skills while also learning about letters, numbers and writing their names,” she said. “Osmo sets include manipulatives, such as shapes and letter tiles, that makes learning fun and hands-on.”
With tools and instructions to build 20 different circuit board-based projects, this kit is a fantastic way to introduce engineering and other scientific concepts. The pieces are safe for kids to use and can be reconfig🎶ured into custom setups when kids want to explore on their own.
, Chief Academic Officer at The Goddard School, recommended this educational toy for inspiring STEM learning at an early age. “Science and engineering come to life with his hands-on science kit,” she said. “Children can build a variety of different circuits and get immediate reinforcement with lights, sounds and more.”
This globe has an accompanying smartphone and tablet app that lets kids enhance their interactio꧃n through augmented reality. Kids simply scan a region on the globe, then see 3D animals and figures come to life. The app includes over 1,000 worl𝐆d facts across categories such as animals, cultures, monuments, inventions, maps and cuisines.
, an independent play consultant who has worked as a designer for LEGO, Hasbro and Toys “R” Us, recommended this globe for opening kids’ minds to the world they’re a part of. “A tangible learning tool and augmented reality meet in the best possible way,” she said.
This pop-up play center encourages kids to practice their math skills through interacting with a combination of physical toys and an app that turns math problems into little games. The set consists of a mat and counting objects, and requires the use of a tablet (although you don’t have to get an expensive iPad, any tablet will do fine).
“Five-year-olds need hands-on activities,” said Harding. “A math toy that offers such interactivity can only be a good thing for young inquisitive children ready to tackle the world of numbers. The engaging narratives are a thoughtful aid, encouraging children to dive in and get to grips with the next step in understanding.”
Bring geography, global travel and cross-cultural awareness to life with this interactive world map. As kids press buttons on different countries and landmarks, the map’s built-in speaker shares fun facts about that place in the world. This is also a great toy that parents can play with alongside their children.
“Five-year-olds are on a mission to explore the world and will often ask seriously impressive questions. You can almost see their brains churning over new information,” said Harding. “This interactive map is compelling and sure to be a valued toy for years to come.”
The intuitive interface, protective case and detach🦋able mini tripod make this digital camera an exciting tool for kids to capture photos and videos. Its lens can flip up to activate a selfie mode, and because the camera come👍s with a green screen fabric and preset backdrops, kids can truly bring to life anything they imagine.
“Gradually, a five-year-old will learn how to master the art of making their own videos on this HD video camera,” said Harding. “Exploring the art of filmmaking at a young age is exciting, and with just a little adult support and guidance, children can make great progress. Be prepared to be impressed by your child’s ability to create their own narratives.”
This talking clock announces the time when 🃏kids move the hands, and it can be used for time-telling games where parents challenge kids to figure out setting it to different times of the day. It also doubles as a nightlight and sleep aid with 10 pieces of classical music it can play to lull kids to sleep.
“Learning to tell the time takes time to learn,” said Harding. “The best way to come to terms with the challenging concepts involved in the passage of time lies in the ability to make it fun, and toys like this offer enjoyment in abundance.”
This surprisingly high-tech reusable drawing pad has sensors to detect pressure and movement from the stylus and show lines that look and feel like real pencil strokes. An erase button lets kids quickly clear their canvas, and a short rope attached to the stylus makes sure it can’t be lost.
“Creative and artistic play does its most brilliant and significant work at a deep level and is an important antidote to stress,” said Harding. “This electronic drawing art pad encourages fine motor actions for later writing skills. Besides which, it’s a relief for parents on days when they just feel they can’t deal with the inevitable mess that often accompanies creative play.”
For the little guy or gal who loves learning about our solar system, this play toy is bound to putꦡ a smile 🐻on their face.
“The new GeoSafari Jr. Talking Space Explorer from Educational Insights is a great gift for budding stargazers. Because this is also an age when kids start to absorb more of the information you are feeding them, this toy creates a truly immersive astronomy experience for kids,” Jennifer Lynch, Content Developer & Toy Trends Specialist for , with more than a decade in the toy industry, told The Post.
“They not only learn facts about the universe, narrated by science expert, Emily Calandrelli, but they also get to look at more than 100 images right from NASA,” Lynch said.
“5-year-olds are learning more about the world around them. This is a fun way to see the life cycle of a butterfly in their own home,” Jillian Abbinanti, former toy store manager of 25 years at in Chicago with a degree in Early Child Education from North Park University and a 6-year-old of her own, told the New York Post.
The Nature Bound Butterfly Growing Kit comes with a 13-inch mesh habitat perfect for butterfly viewing. All you need to do is capture a 💜caterpillar! The set also comes with a 🙈bug booklet and complete instructions.
For the 5-year-old who dre๊ams to a be a scientist one day, consider the Breaker Creatures Monsterglow Lab as th✃eir next gift for any occasion.
“Beaker Creatures are a fun exploration of chemistry with easy and safe instructions. Children can see the chemical reactions happen and they have the added bonus of blind bag toys,” Abbinanti said.
Laurie Leahey, Senior Editor at (Toyꦺs, Toys, Pets and More), who has been reviewing toys for more than 17 years and mother of a 7-year-old𒊎 in her own right, raved about this educational toy called, Making Faces.
“Making Faces from Manhattan Toy is a great way to help early elementary children boost their emotional IQ. Kids take magnetic pieces and create different facial expressions with them on the face boards. When parents play along, this toy is a great exercise in identifying emotions and feelings,” Leahey explained.
If you want to gift the lꦕittle one in your life a coding game, Leahey recommends the An🐭dy the Code & Play Robot from Target.
“Andy the Code & Play Robot introducing kids to programming skills in a fun and hands-on way. Use the buttons on Andy’s head to tell him which direction to go. There are three modes of play, including dance mode. The toy also comes with coding cards to give kids a challenge of programming Andy from one location to another,” Leahey said.
Musical Toys
Classical piano lessons aren’t always super popular with kids, but a giant musical keyboard mat such as this ones offers a full-body interactive experience that still develops musical abilities. Kids can adjust settings to make the keyboard sound like a number of instruments, and best of all, the mat rolls up nearly flat when playtime is over.
“This attractive toy offers children the opportunity to experiment with sounds and fosters gross motor control as they coordinate their limbs to jump on the notes at the same time,” said Harding.
While Keder believes kids should only use electronics in moderation, one music-related toy that he does highly recommend is 𒁏the YOTO pla♔yer.
“It’s essentially like a digital Walkman for kids; it’s fairly affordable for what it is, the mini-player travels well, and you have the option of getting books, music, stories, and activity cards for it too; most importantly, you don’t have to fight over your phone and don’t have to worry about dangerous algorithms that suck kids in and risk exposing them to dangerous content,” Keder said.
As a New York Post selection, this Amazon Echo Dot Kids edition smart speaker will make your 5-year-old’s jam sessions that much more fun. All they need to do is ask Alexa to play their favorite song (with parental restrictions of course) from your go-to streaming platform — Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, etc. and they’ll be rocking out in no-time.
In addition to playing music, the Echo Dot Kids w𓆉ill also read bedtime stories, play games, help them with their homework and much more.
“[These] Ukuleles are sized just right for small hands. The four nylon strings deliver a traditional ukulele sound, letting kids strum and make their own music. These ukuleles are a great way for kids to explore music through play,” Leahey said.
In addition to this “Encanto” themed ukulele, the mini musical instrument also comes in fun patterns representing and more.
“My daughter is obsessed with Disney movies and the characters – this toy can be be an annoyance for adults after a while, but kids love it as they can sing along to their favorite songs from the movies they love,” said Jennifer Adams, mother of 5-year-old daughter and NY-based residential mortgage banking specialist.
This boom box set comes with a microphone, easy accessibility to MP3 players and other devices to easily play their favorite tunes through the speaker and built-in music like “Into the Unknown” from “Frozen.”
Games & Puzzles
The brilliance of this card game is that it doesn’t require adults or kids to learn any complicated rules, and it also doesn’t have any winners or losers. Each card prompts parents to speak in a funny way, and it’s up to the kids to decipher what they’re saying. Just good, old-fashioned family fun.
, an experienced toy developer and reviewer, recommended this game for 5-year-olds. “This is part of a truly amazing new line of kid’s games designed for families to play together, and everyone has a good time,” Byrne said. “In this one, parents give clues and kids have to guess, but the parents can only use one syllable words, so they end up sounding like aliens. It’s really funny and everyone gets to laugh.”
Kids take turns spinning the wheel, feeding the kangaroo donuts and finding out who tips the scales and makes the cartoonish animal go to the bathroom. The potty humor angle always brings a smile to kids’ faces, and the simple setup makes this game easy for kids of almost all ages to play together.
“Popping is the height of comedy for kids in this age group,” said Byrne. “This silly game asks kids to feed the Kangaroo ‘donuts.’ Eventually, he’ll have to, well, you know. Then you have to grab the donuts, but not the ‘do’s.’ We played this with a bunch of kids at this age,and they couldn’t stop laughing.”
These Tetris-like blocks give children an opportunity to practice fitting shapes together, as 🌳well as using them to create abstract characters and shapes. The set includes 40 wooden pieces coated in non-toxic paint.
“Here’s a great way to encourage five-year-olds to have a go at new challenges and to learn to problem solve,” said Harding. “This toy is perfect for encouraging logical thinking, persistence, attention and concentration. All vital skills for learning in general. The wood feels good in their hands, too.”
Children develop their hand-eye coordination while enjoying the excitement and high-e🐼nergy fun of trying to not set off the buzzer. This updated model uses a cute, cartoon dog as the patient and is powered by two AA batteries.
“A fun take on the classic version of the original Operation, kids drop small items that dogs commonly eat into it’s mouth, then use the magnetic wand to maneuver it through the dog’s stomach,” said Wilmot. “The dog makes all sorts of silly noises kids love like burping and farting, and even if it’s not used as a game, it makes for a really fun standalone toy.”
When it comes to awesome games for 5-year-olds, Lynch loves this I ℱNeed a New Butt! Game, inspired by the .
“[This game] taps into the silly potty humor that appeals to this age group. I Need a New Butt is a two-to-four player game where players are racing to match ‘butt’ cards, such as ‘rocket butt,’ ‘robo butt,’ and ‘paintball butt.’ The first player to collect all their matching butt cheeks on their New Butt! card wins the game. This is a game with straightforward gameplay that also taps into a storyline they already love,” Lynch said.
Make imaginative sto🐎ry time that much more fun with the assistance of eeBoo story cards.
“EeBoo story cards are so fun. Children pick cards from the deck and begin forming a story with the colorful characters and scenarios on the card. No reading is required and they can play independently or with others,” Abbinanti said.
Dr. Nicole Napolitano, mother of two boys, Grant, 5, and Christian, 7, talked highly of the Monopol꧟y Junior Super Mario edition board🌸 game.
“My 5-year-old will play this game for hours! It’s a fun twist on Monopoly Junior that includes rolling two dice — one for the number of spaces [and] one that will dictate if the player gets extra coins on the turn. When you press the extra coin button it makes the classic ‘coin dropping’ sound in Super Mario. My son loves it! Also, it’s a great game to teach critical thinking and strategy skills,” Napolitano shared.
For those looking to up their child’s social skills, Leahey likes Upbounders’ board games.
“Picnic Panic and board games are both great ways to help kids practice teamwork, strategy, and social skills. In Picnic Panic, kids work together to collect all six supply cards before the guests arrive at the picnic party. Block Party is a Chutes and Ladders-style game,” Leahey said.
Another favorite of Abbinanti’s? eeBoo’s “Lion in my Way” imaginative game.
“5-year-olds [can] flex their problem solving skills by being presented with a scenario, such as a lion ♉in their way, and they use the cards to figure out how to get past him. Will you scare him off? Give him a bite to eat?” said Abbinanti.
While Napolitano’s kids love Monopoly Junior Super Mario edition, Leahey’s 7-year-old loves Monopoly Discover.
“If your family loves Monopoly, then introduce the game to the youngest players with Monopoly Discover. This game has two levels (and a double-sided game board) to grow with kids as they learn the basics of the game,” Leahey said.
Books
Both a New York Times bestseller and a finalist for the National Book Award, “Big” is a popular children’s book worth checking out. It deals with themes such as self-love and the power of words (for good and bad), so it’s a highly educational choice, too.
Heather Barnum, Senior Librarian in the Reader Services division of the , recommended this book for 5-year-olds. “A beautifully crafted story of a young girl finding her space in the world, ‘Big’ is terrific for helping kids start social and emotional learning conversations and learn about the power of words,” she said.
This book offers a clever way of introducing children to reading maps by weaving them naturally into a story about a little girl charting her own neighborhood. The book also highlights different kinds of “maps,” such as family trees, to get kids thinking about the roles that friends and family play in understanding their own lives.
“Just right for children developing a sense of place and learning to follow directions, ‘From Here to There’ shares the essentials of how maps work with a charming story and even an opportunity for young readers to create their own maps,” said Barnum.
The beauty of a book that focuses solely on images is that you and y🔜our child can enjoy exploring all their details and gain your own insights into the story at hand. Each page is filled with details for young minds to discover as they learn about the effects of t🐽ime on the natural world.
“Engaging and detailed illustrations let children create their own narratives as they page through time watching civilization flow past one tree standing by a river in this lovely wordless picture book,” said Barnum.
The artwork in this book is enough to keep any kid engaged during story time. The narrative focuses on a tree that’s the centerpiece of a vibrant urban neighborhood, teaching kids about the importance of nature and reminding them of how influential it can be to their daily lives.
“A simple story and vibrant illustrations celebrate the joy a tree brings to a city neighborhood throughout the seasons,” said Barnum. “Lots of great information in the back lets children dig a little deeper into the subject.”
Both representatives at the New York Public Library and the Chicago Public Library raved about “Bathe The Cat” for the 5-year-old age group.
“‘[It’s] a fabulous book for 5-year-olds because it employs zany humor and supports developing reading skills through its use of sight word scrambles and rhyme,” Liv Hanson, Content Curator for Youth Materials at Chicago Public Library told the New York Post. “The story will appeal to kids who love absurdist humor which, in my experience, is most. And I think the scramble to tidy the house is a familiar predicament for the families of most young readers.”
“5-year-olds are sure to laugh as letters are rearranged and the day of chores devolves into chaos,” Eva Shapiro, Associate Director for Early Literacy Programs and Services at the New York Public Library told The Post.
For fun ways to learn how to rhyme and count, Shapiro loves “Grandma’s Tiny House” by JaNay Brown-Wood.
“This is a delightfully fun rhyming and counting book about a big party at Grandma’s house at Brown Street. Everyone is invited, family and friends, aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces, and so much food for a large family feast. But Grandma’s house is too tiny for such a big party!” Shapiro said. “5-year-olds will love how one grandchild saves the party with a clever solution.”
If the 5-year-old you’re shopping for is still in the beginning stages of learning how to read, Hanson recommends “Mell Fell” by Corey R. Tabor.
“The simple text and vocabulary make it an ideal read for budding and beginning readers, while the clever formatting and surprise twist make it a genuinely suspenseful and satisfying read,” Hanson said. “Many 5-year-olds are natural scientists and the text supports further exploration of the natural world. I also think that Mel’s decision that she’s ready to take a big leap (all by herself) will appeal to the budding autonomy of most 5-year-olds.”
“The first book in a series, All Aboard, is a gentle beginning reader that respects the common challenges many 5-year-olds face (busy adults, changes in schedules, etc.) with a plucky protagonist who uses his big imagination to save the day. The loving family dynamics and familiar routines are reassuring,” Hanson said of the “All Aboard” picture book series by Kelly Starling Lyons.
“Have a 5-year-old that loves stories but can’t read on their own? Check out Tonies, the screen-less storytelling device with characters that they love,” Abbinanti recommended.
After purchasing the that comes with the Toniebox needed to listen to the stories, kiddos of all reading levels can grow their collection with additional Tonies characters based🗹 on their favorite books, shows, movies and more.
Building Toys
The beloved blue train still resonates with today’s kids, and this set lets children play with Thomas on a classic wooden track set that they get to build themselves. It also includes adapters to connect the tracks to other kids from the “Thomas and Friends” world, and the magnetic Thomas can of course accommodate other train cars.
“It is well established that imaginary play with small-world toys offers exciting biological and neurological benefits for children,” said Harding. “Children who play with toy trains can develop better thinking and social skills, allowing them to learn and practice collaboration, cooperation and social understanding while interacting with others.”
Wilmot recommended this creative building toy, which lets kid practice constructing different setups and experimenting how colorful balls fly through them. The purchase includes a fan to create air flow, and the tubes can be connected in so manyꦿ different ways that they encourage hours of play.
“Use the different connectors to create a unique path, attach the air turbine and watch the balls zip through the maze,” Wilmot said.
This 52-piece set of magnetic panels allows kids to construct buildings and shapes to create a mini world to play in. The versatile pieces can also be us๊ed to build toy rockets, trees and other shapes that🥂 become part of the play world. Plus, if kids set this up in a room with natural sunlight, everyone at home can enjoy the pretty colors that shine through the colorful pieces.
“Play and brain growth are happy companions along the journey of development. Young children can make sound educational progress with well-designed toys like these magnetic tiles for building,” said Harding. “They are perfect for nudging children toward beginning to explore and foster a love of exciting fields such as science, technology, engineering and math.”
While many kids and adults of all ages enjoy LEGOs, when it comes to the 5-year age💜 group, Lynch recommends starting with the LEGO Classic set fi♔rst.
“The LEGO Classics Lots of Bricks set is perfect for inspiring kids to build literally anything they want. Designed for ages 5 and up, this set is a stepping stone to more complex building kits and a step up from the sets designed for younger kids,” Lynch said. “The guides are easy enough to help kids get started with basic builds and spark their imaginations to keep building.”
“The Marble Rush Corkscrew Set lets kids build their own marble runs, complete with lights and sound effects. There are three ways to build, giving kids easy, intermediate, and advanced build options. But, of course, kids can get creative and build a marble run of their own design,” Leahey said.
The VTech Marble Rush Corkscrew Set includes 10 marbles an🌠d 102 ꧒building pieces featuring a musical corkscrew, fast tracks, dizzying vortex and more that easily connect.
Another great marble run toy? Abbinanti’s choice resides with the brand Hape.
“I love the Quadrilla Marble Runs. They are sturdier than a plastic marble run and easier to build with small hands. 5 year olds will be familiar with using this set since it mirrors playing with traditional wooden blocks,” Abbinanti said.
Both Lynch and Abb꧟inanti recommended this building blocks set.
“If there’s a little builder in your house who wants a bit more direction and structure, another option is HABA’s Logical Master Builder Blocks. The set comes with cards featuring builds of different difficulty levels, which they can then figure out how to replicate on the included template board using blocks,” Lynch said. “5-year-olds are very much into experimenting and problem-solving and building sets are a great way to encourage that skill set.”
“It adds an extra brain teaser element for 5-year-olds. Children must follow the 2D cards provided to build 3D structures,” Abbinanti said.
Paint by Numbers but for kids? Try out PlusPlus.
“PlusPlus Puzzle by Number Space is a cool construction toy that resembles paint-by-number. Use the included pattern to match each number with its corresponding color. When kids are done building, they have two space-themed mosaics that they can hang for display!” Leahey said.
For an even more adventurous train set, Leahe𝓡y loves the Thomas & Friends Launch & Loop Maintenance Yard.
“It’s really cool to watch Thomas the Tank Engine chug along and then launch through a spiral like he’s riding a rollercoaster!” Leahey said. “That’s the fun of the Thomas & Friends Launch & Loop Maintenance Yard. It’s got all the fun of a Thomas train set, plus the action of the 360-degree loop and a fixable broken track for more adventure.”
Ride-On Toys
5-year-olds tend to have a lot of energy to exert, which is why it’s great to have a quality scooter on hand.
“Designed with intuitive lean-to-steer functionality, the Maxi Deluxe scooter creates a unique ride experience that kids love!” said Natalie Martins, owner of the kids’ bike review site, , who has been reviewing kids’ bikes and scooters for more than a decade. “Like a skateboard, the lean-to-steer design allows the rider to carve into turns, while also providing a handlebar for extra stability. As an added bonus, the Micro Deluxe Maxi features a reinforced, flexible fiberglass foot deck that helps to provide one of the smoothest and quietest rides around.”
“Micro Kickboard scooters are one of the sturdiest ride on toys [I’ve ever seen.] They can be adjusted for different heights and I’ve seen them past down several generations,” Abbinanti added.
Calling all Hot Wheels fan!
“Kids can race their Hot Wheels cars and pretend to drive one with the Power Wheels Hot Wheels Racer Ride-On. It’s easy for kids to drive, with two speed options (2.5 or 5 miles per hour). And tracks on either side let kids race their Hot Wheels cars and bring them on the go,” Leahey said.
Bring yard games to the next level with HearthSong’s Inflatable Ride-On Hop ‘n Go Horses.
“Hop ‘N Go Horses will get kids active as they pretend to gallop around on these inflatable horses. You get two horses in one set, and they each hold up to 200 pounds, so even adults can play with these!” Leahey said.
Since biking levels can vary for the 5-year age group, Martins recommended an option that can be used with or without training wheels.
“Offering great quality, as well as playful color options for a low price point, the Koda 2 16″ is a great bike for neighborhood riders. Coming complete with training wheels if you need them, the Koda is sure to bring plenty of smiles,” Martins told The Post.
Stuffed Animals, Dolls & Mini-Figures
This doll comes from the , which claims to be “the largest Black-owned multicultural doll company.” Their dolls are fully posable and have more modern, fashion-forward looks that actually resonate with younger kids.
“Inspired by different musical styles including pop, rock and hip-hop, these really stunning dolls celebrate diversity and authenticity,” said Byrne. “They’ve got custom-blended skin tones and great hair. Plus they’re gorgeous.”
This play set includes a rainbow-themed house (with very cool water slide) that kids can assemble and then use to play with their four included Hatchimals. Each Hatchimal animal comes to life through a simple and mess-free “hatching” process that requires only water.
“Five-year-olds love to use their imagination and nurture others,” said Wilmot. “Fill up a tiny baby bottle with water, remove the pacifier from the Hatchimal egg, feed it water and wait for the reveal! Then kids can use their Hatchimals inside the nursery play set.”
For the little one who loves playing with dolls, you can’t go wrong with the BFF by Cry Babies Fashion Dolls.
“At this age, kids are still looking to imitate moms and dads and create nurturing play experiences. [Dolls] bring these elements to life for kids, and these types of toys often come with added tech features to make the play experiences more realistic,” Lynch said. “[These are] grown-up versions of the , dressed in trendy outfits and accessories to introduce more fashion play.”
For the 5-year-old who loves witches, potions and maybe even Harry Potteꦍr — considerꦗ this Magic Mixies toy.
“The Magic Mixies Color Surprise Magic Cauldron has all the fun of the original Magic Mixies but at a lower price point. Kids follow the steps to mix a magic potion that reveals one of six surprise Mixies! These cute plush have some color-change features for even more surprises,” Leahey said.
It’s probably no surprise that the popular 5 Surprise Mini Brands collection is featured on🌳 this lis♉t.
“Because this age level is also starting to become more heavily invested in the brands and characters they love, collectible lines like the 5 Surprise Mini Brands Disney Store Series 2 collection from ZURU invite kids to unbox and collect dozens of characters from across the Disney universes,” Lynch said.
Lynch is also a fan of the .
If you’re looking for the perfect toy to add to your child’s Easter basket this year, we have🐼 a great pick for any young pet lovers out there.
“Inside the house is an egg that is ready to hatch. You’ll even hear the surprise chick tapping to get out! Eventually, the egg hatches, and the interactive chick starts bopping all around the house play set and reacting to a child’s touch,” Leahey said.
Thiꩲnk Color Me Mine, but with a plush they♛ can cuddle with afterwards!
“I love a duel toy. Kids can create their own snuggly soft [stuffed animal] with this Klutz kit,” Abbinanti raved.
This craf𓆉t and plush kit comes with a unicorn stuffed animal, a pretend adoption certificate, a pre-made tutu, pre-cut felt pieces, beads, glitter stickers, pipe cleaners, and a paper punch-out sheet.
Another not-so-surprising toy on our list is the Su𝕴nshine Makeoverꦚ edition.
“L.O.L. Surprise! dolls continue to be a favorite, and the latest series — Sunshine Makeover — adds a new twist. After you unbox the doll and accessories, take the doll out into the sunshine for a color change! This gets kids playing outside, too.” Leahey said.
Creative Toys
Inspire your 5-year-old to explore their artistic interests with this comprehensive drawing su🐠pply kit. It includes 140 crayons, pencils and markers in a literal rainbow of colors. Plus, everything fits neatly inside a briefcase-style carrying case.
“This is one I would have loved when I was a kid,” said Byrne. “It’s got a complete art studio’s worth of markers and crayons. For open-ended creative play, drawing and coloring, this is outstanding.”
Foam wheels make this radio-controlled car safe to use indoors without worrying about scuffing floors or denting drywall — so this toy is a win-win for both kids and parents. Plus, it’s engineered to flip around and move in any number of directions, so driving it around small or large spaces is always a blast.
“Kids love driving R/C, and this one is particularly good for younger kids,” Byrne said. “It’s easy to drive and easy to learn. It does impressive tricks and the soft tires mean that when kids drive it around in the house, it’s not gong to ding the floorboards or furniture.”
Children can use the simple sticks and connector orbs to build frameworks that b🦋ecome tents once you toss the included outer space tarp over top. This toy can be used indoors and outdoors, and is a big h༒it at sleepovers.
“The flexibility offered by toys like this means that children are in creative control with a range of possible building structures available to them,” said Harding. “This exciting building kit can ignite a child’s imagination as they build caves, tunnels, forts, rockets, tents and houses. The opportunity to appreciate more about how to plan and execute ideas to create different structures is learning at its best.”
In addition to seven tubs of Play-Doh, this kit includes molds and pieces that children can attach together (using their colorful Play-Doh) to create a mini treehouse with a working slide. ꦛWhile Play-Doh will always be an engaging toy, kits such as these encourage kids to go above and beyond with their creations by giving them a structured framework to play with.
“With no defined end, this product offers children the opportunity to be truly creative in their thinking,” said Harding. “The young child’s brain soaks up every opportunity to learn about the world, and toys that have the capacity to tease out even greater fascination can provide endless hours of fruitful playtime.”
If you’re looking for a clay set with a modern-day twist, Hey Clay sets are the way to go.
“Fat Brain Toys’ Hey Clay sets elevate the experience of playing with compound doughs and add a bit of tech to the play. This can be a great compromise if you’ve got a child that is always asking to play with your tablet; it’s educational screen time,” Lynch said. “Using 3-D, step-by-step instructions, kids can follow along and use the kits’ included dough to mold cars, sea creatives, and more. With the , an added bonus is that the cars actually roll once constructed.”
To get the 5-year-old𒆙 in your life using their lit✤tle hands during playtime, consider this Kinetic Sand set.
“Kinetic Sand is fun to play with on its own because of its great tactile feel. But with the Kinetic Sand Deluxe Swirl N’ Surprise, kids can also create sand art with it! It comes with six colors of sand that get swirled around, plus there are tools for slicing through the sand and creating different shapes,” Leahey recommended.
Outdoor Toys
The right tools can inspire any kid to spend more time outside interacting with the natural world — and this junior explorer’s kit does just that. It includes adjustable binoculars, a clip-on compass and a magnifying glass for examining plants and insects.
“Five-year-olds are full of life and seem to have boundless energy, so getting out and about in nature is just what their bodies and minds crave,” said Harding. “This set has all they need to run around a wooded area making discoveries that they will be keen to chat about.”
Kids don’t always need expensive toys to play outdoors. Sometimes their outdoor environment can become its own kind of toy. This clever card game sends kids on scavenger hunts to identify and collect objects from their surroundings, making it a nice educational choice, too.
“This outdoor scavenger game hits the spot for children who are ready to engage in play that involves a little critical thinking and problem solving, and you are likely to see the sheer joy on their faces when they search and find the right item,” said Harding. “Moving their bodies while learning is a recipe for success for the young developing brain.”
Suit up🐈 and transform any backyard, public park or green space into an area ripe for exploring. In addition to a fetching utility vest and wide-brim hat, this kit includes binoculars, a magnifying glass, a butterfly net and all the other tools that kids need to investigate the world around them.
“Children reap so many developmental benefits by getting outdoors and exploring the world,” said Harding. “Toys like this offer the opportunity to pop on an explorer’s hat, scoop up the necessary equipment and be ready to take a deeper interest in nature and wildlife in the local park or woods.”
Meet the water balloons of the future. These reusable toys are easy to fill with water and have a magnetic closing mechanism to keep them from leaking until impact. They’re made of a soft silicone that’s safe to play with and won’t hurt kids, and unlike the balloons of yore, these can be used over and over again.
Kunter recommended these because she said they promote outdoor play in a safe and engaging way. “[They’re] great for exploration and keep kids active,” she said. “The simple magnetic closure makes it easy to seal water and makes it fun for kids of all ages.”
Walkie talkies open up a world of play possibilities for kids, and because these have an impressive range up to 1.8 miles, they’re a fun way for neighborhood friends to stay in touch without interfacing through screens. This three-pack is available in a few color options, too, which can make keeping track of them easier.
“Learning how to play and cooperate with others takes time and practice, so why not offer them the opportunity to practice these essential life skills through outdoor fun,” said Harding. “Connecting with friends and family through a fun toy like this is social play at its best.”
One of the best way to foster interest in hobbies that children can enjoy throughout their lives, such as gardening, is by giving them the tools to emulate and follow along with you. This set includes pl🍌ay tools that are sturdy enough to use with real dirt and sand, as well as a rolling wagon to keep everything organized.
“This great outdoor toy is brilliant for getting your child out and about and away from screens,” said Harding. “Playing outside can have a therapeutic impact on the nervous system, and the young developing brain will make the very best use of exploring the natural world.”
“Stomp rockets are another great solo or group activity. [Just] stomp on the pump, watch them fly, and try to catch them before they hit the ground,” Abbinanti said.
The Stomp Rocket Original Ultra Rღocket Launcher for Kids comes with a stomp launcher, four foam-tipped ultra stomp rockets and a refill pack that contains two foam-tipped ultra stomp rockets that work with three different stomp rocket launch sets.
Take active play to a whole new level with this brightly colored inflatable ro🌳cking ball; grab on to one o🌠f the six handles and make it move!
“The Dome Rocker is an inflatable outdoor sphere that kids can climb, bounce, and roll on. With a weight limit of 250 pounds, up to three kids can play on this at the same time,” Leahey said.
For the moments when you need to get the kids out of the house and preoccupied for hours, you’ll probably be thanking the KidiGo NexTag.
“Get kids active with KidiGo NexTag. This is a high-tech twist on 20 backyard games, from hide and seek to capture the flag. It comes with four electronic units and adjustable armbands so kids can play with their friends right out of the box. Once kids choose a game, the toy explains the rules and keeps score!” Leahey said.
Pretend Play
With four sets of capes and masks based on popular superheroes, this costume kit gives kids (and their friends or siblings) an imaginative way to run around and play together. These costumes also make good gi🐬fts for birthday ജparties.
“What self-respecting five-year-old can resist turning into a superhero for a while?” Harding said. “Throwing on a cape and taking yourself off on a journey of imagination does wonders for building self-esteem and is just pure fun.”
“This is a great toy for this age group! It encourages imagination and pretend play, yet there is nothing too complex to work or ‘babyish.’ My son is so proud that he is able to lock the chest on his own! It’s also great because he can play with the toy by himself or with a sibling or friend,” Napolitano said.
This Target exclusive treasure chest toy is based on Ryan’s World, one of the most popular kids YouTube channels these days and features two mystery figures, four micro figures, an ultra-rare XL figure, squishies, putty, a foam swordꩲ for pretend play, a spinner, and a pretend drone vehicle.
“I love Playmobil’s new line Wiltopia. Made with sustainable materials and digital content about the animals this is more than just your average animal play set with learning beyond the figures themselves,” Abbinanti said.
The Playmobil Wiltopia Anteater Care set is made of more than 80% sustainable materials and features two teenaged figures, an anteater with baby, an anthill with plants, a handcart, an inf🙈ormational anteater animal card to unlock digital content, a crocodile🍃, and more.
F🐻or next NASA astronaut in the making, gift them this epicﷺ Space Rocket.
“I love this play set it encourages the exploration and ideas of space travel. Kids love that this toy counts down and blasts off. The handle makes it easy to fly it around the room,” Abbinanti raved.
An FAQ on the 5-year-old age group, from experts
Ahead, our team of child development experts provide insight into theꦅ 5-year-old age group and what defines playtime at this stage.
Please note, the following responses are attributed to Dr. Keder.
What child development skills are prominent in the 5-year-old age group?
- Language: Begin taking perspectives, keep conversations going, recognize and use rhymes, start telling and making up stories and answering questions about the story
- Cognitive: Counting, identifying numbers, identifying letters, using words relating to time (yesterday, tomorrow, etc), writing their name.
- Motor skills: Can do more fine motor skills like buttoning their own shirt, drawing, hopping on one foot, etc.
- Social and emotional skills: Able to follow rules and take turns, play games, sing, act, dance, do simple chores, play more elaborate “pretend play” games and start changing their behavior based on where they are (home, school, with friends, etc.)
What’s the difference between toys for 5-year-olds and toys for 4-year-olds or 6-year-olds?
“As kids start hitting the 5 and 6-year-old [age] group they have more advance motor skills and planning skills (executive function). This is why plastic bricks like LEGOs get smaller and designs become more complex. This is also an age where the options for board games really take off!” Keder said.
How can child development issues impact the type of toys 5-year-olds play with?
“Toys should always meet a child where they are developmentally. Some kids are more advanced, and some need more time, support, and repetition,” Keder told The Post. “It’s important to note that the age on a lot of toys is not always where a child is developmentally but is more often at what typically developing age it is thought for the child to be safe to play with a toy.”
“Children with developmental delays/disabilities might like toys that are designed for younger children. That’s okay! Each child has their own interests. Children with autism may play with toys in a different way, seeking more sensory enjoyment from it that playing with it how a neurotypical child might. That is okay,” Keder explained. “We have to check our social skill and thinking privilege; it might cause us to be biased and prefer that a child plays a certain way. What is most important is does the toy help their learning? And does it help them continue to develop loving relationships with supportive adults.”
Are there any types of toys in particular that will help encourage 5-year-olds to listen?
“Board games help with planning and turn taking. Social play ground games like Simon Says encourage listening and learning how to control impulses. Electronic toys may claim they help develop these skills, but they are nowhere near as effective as doing activities one on one with a child or in a group,” Keder said. “Puzzles and construction sets do encourage learning how to check yourself and provide opportunities to check for and rewind and do over when mistakes happen (in a nice and safe no risk environment too!)”
Games to avoid buying for 5-year-olds?
While Keder doesn’t mind video games, he recommends steering clꦅear of them while your little 🐼one is so young.
“Children still struggle with knowing when things have their hooks sunk into them. Video games are built to be addictive [and 5-year-olds] don’t often have the control to stop and wait because the game is too tempting,” Keder said. “On the same note, kids this age are not the best planners and are not able to see possible dan☂gerous consequences. I ♏avoid toys that shoot things, have sharp parts, or could do damage to siblings, pets, and furniture at this age.”
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