Best Toys and Gift Ideas For a 5-Year-Old 2025
The Best Toys and Gifts For 5-Year-Olds That Won't Disappoint
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The 5-year-old, aka kindergartener, on your list is now a little kid, and you want to get them the best toys for the holidays or the perfect birthday gifts. When kids move into kindergarten, they start expressing themselves more than ever, and it's the perfect chance for gift givers to find unique presents that match their interests. From learning-to-read activities and practical gifts to a foldable scooter and educational toys, there's something on this list for every 5-year-old child you know. You may feel a bit nostalgic as you peruse this list.
As a mom and aunt, I've watched my children and nieces try out countless toys. These are the ones that capture their attention and are sure to be used in heavy rotation. This list includes mainly affordable options under $100, as well as a few splurge-worthy gifts that are durable enough to be passed down between children and families. Keep shopping our favorite toys and gift ideas for the 5-year-old on your list.
1 Best Book Gift for 5-Year-Olds
Slumberkins "The Feels" Book ($18)
Slumberkins was created by a family therapist and special education teacher to foster children's emotional learnings. Their books cover topics like gratitude, self-esteem, and routine. "The Feels" follows Yeti as she meets her feelings and learns how to take care of each one. It's great for the 5-year-old who is learning to navigate life and independence at school.
2 Best Board Game Gift for 5-Year-Olds
Lotti Karotti Disney Edition ($20)
This board game sees 16 different Disney characters in a race against each other. It's simple, fun, and a go-to on my family game nights.
3 Best Lego Gift for 5-Year-Olds
Lego Friends Creative Beach and Travel Suitcase ($24)
This Lego set is one that children will want to take with them anywhere, and it's easy to carry thanks to the case. With 188 pieces, kids will stay busy making a pizza shop, speedboat, and seating area. This set also includes two mini dolls for imaginative play. This is a great set to keep kids occupied during travel.
4 Best Craft Gift for 5-Year-Olds
MindWare Make Your Own Birdhouse Kit ($24)
With the rise of popularity of birding, this craft kit allows children to create their very own birdhouse.
5 Best Yoga Gift for 5-Year-Olds
Hand2mind BubblePlush Yoga Ball Buddy, Puppy ($25)
This yoga ball and stuffed animal hybrid went viral on TikTok and is a huge hit with my children. As a mom and yogi, I love getting to introduce the different poses to my kids, and the ball assists them.
6 Best Drawing Gift For 5-Year-Olds
Crayola Light Up Tracing Pad ($27)
This tracing pad has LED lights to illuminate the images. With over 100 images, there is something for every kid. It's lightweight, which makes it perfect for taking on the go.
7 Best STEM Gift For 5-Year-Olds
Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope ($28, originally $34)
This microscope will help your little one to learn kid-friendly facts about nature, straight from Bindi Irwin, whose voice speaks from the microscope. There are also options to choose from preferred languages, and you can pick either English, Spanish, French, and German, or English, Korean, Mandarin, and Japanese. It doesn't get much better than this.
8 Best Dress-Up Gift for 5-Year-Olds
Jakks Pacific Wicked Deluxe Glinda Popular Dress ($30, originally $39)
For the child who sings "Defying Gravity" on repeat, this Glinda dress will be heavy in their costume rotation. This dress is inspired by the one Glinda wears for "Popular" in the film and comes with a perfume bottle and a hair clip. Whether you want to shop for Halloween or know a child who prefers to sleep in costume, this will be a beloved gift.
9 Best Imaginative Gift for 5-Year-Olds
Clixo Crew Pack ($39)
Clixo are flexible shapes that attach to each other with magnets to build endless amount of objects. The pack includes two spinners and 28 other pieces. The collection is lightweight, easy to travel with, and doesn't require any batteries, just a whole lot of imagination.
10 Best Magnetic Tiles Gift For for 5-Year-Olds
Magna-Tiles Micromags Travel Set Deluxe ($40)
Magna-Tiles encourage creativity and imagination. Their new Magna-Tiles are 75 percent smaller than traditional tiles and perfect for on-the-go. I recently tried them out with my son on a three-hour flight, and they kept him focused and entertained.
Editor Quote: "When my now-7-year-old was a toddler, I purchased the Magna-Tiles Classic 100-Piece Magnetic Set ($120), hoping it would provide hours of open-ended play. Today, the set is still being dragged out by his 4-year-old brother almost every day. It's definitely earned its title as the best toy purchase I've made by a landslide." — Angela Elias, contributing editor, Shopping
11 Best Sneakers Gift for 5-Year-Olds
Ten Littles Everyday Original Shoes in Neon Glow ($46)
These neon shoes will stand out on the playground. They have a barefoot-friendly fit, a wide toe box, and flat soles. Time and time again, my kids chose Ten Littles over their other shoes.
12 Best Building Gift for 5-Year-Olds
Brio Builder Apollo Saturn ($41)
Brio is known for its wooden train sets that can be handed down from generation to generation. My son even plays from a set his dad used as a child. The brand's new Appollo Saturn construction set can be built into a rocket, air shuttle, aircraft, or for open-ended play. It captivates my son's attention and keeps him engaged.
13 Best Hot Wheels Gift For for 5-Year-Olds
Hot Wheels Toy Car Track Set, Mario Kart Bowser's Castle Playset ($42, originally $86)
You can't go wrong with a Hot Wheels track set. This massive set, which has room to store 30 cars, is sure to wow the recipient. Just make sure their parents have space for it, since it is large. After it is assembled, kids can spend hours racing all their cars.
14 Best Storytime Gift for 5-Year-Olds
Little Tikes Story Dream Machine Starter Set ($55)
This projector makes storytime more magical. This screen-free storyteller offers a low stimulation way for children to watch and listen to a story. I've noticed that it helps to facilitate an easier bedtime since you can dim the lights to use it and it sets a relaxing tone. The nostalgia I feel using this makes me smile every time.
15 Best Play Set Gift for 5-Year-Olds
Melissa and Doug Sort-Stock-Select Wooden Vending Machine Toy with Play Food ($55, originally $88)
My son has started to lose interest in his play kitchen. This wooden vending machine has been his preferred substitute. From stocking it, counting the coins, and sharing the snacks with his stuffed animals, it's gotten hours of play.
16 Best Sweater Gift for 5-Year-Olds
Gray Malin x Janie and Jack Cozy Dog Sweater ($59, originally $69)
It can be a battle to get a child to wear a sweater or a jacket but this adorable sweater is one they'll want to wear. It's super soft and the knit dog is cute.
17 Best Barbie Gift for 5-Year-Olds
Barbie Dream Camper ($75, originally $105)
This Barbie playset comes fully loaded with seven areas and more than 60 accessories. My kids' favorite part is the grilling station with color-changing food pieces. I like that all the pieces can be stored in the camper for easy, quick cleanup.
18 Best Dollhouse Gift for for 5-Year-Olds
Gabby's Dollhouse Interactive Dollhouse ($90)
Take it to the dollhouse with this interactive Gabby's Dollhouse. It includes 11 songs and 60 interactive animations, including Cat of the Day. I love it as a transition after watching "Gabby's Dollhouse" on TV, back into screen-free play. Bonus: it's easy to assemble.
19 Best Jacket Gift for 5-Year-Olds
The North Face Kids' Thermoball Hooded Jacket ($120)
Pickle-colored apparel has been all the rage on TikTok, and this North Face jacket will get the young fashionista in on the trend. The North Face is always my go-to for children's outerwear because the durability allows them to be passed on as hand-me-downs.
20 Best Educational Gift for 5-Year-Olds
Lovevery The Reading Skill Set Part 2 ($160)
Encouraging a child to read takes patience and skills. This collection of books, toys, and activities helps teach them how to blend sounds and build comprehension skills. Recommended for kindergarten and first-grade skills, the crossword builder is my son's favorite activity within the set.
21 Best Scooter Gift for 5-Year-Olds
Micro Maxi Foldable LED Scooter ($195)
The foldable scooter is an excellent way for kids to get their energy out. My son loves taking it to the park, and it is one of the few toys that really tires him out. It folds up compactly and is very stable.
22 Best Furniture Gift for 5-Year-Olds
House of Noa Play Chair ($219)
Children's furniture continues to evolve, and my kids' rooms are slowly becoming the most aesthetic ones in my house. The standout piece is this House of Noa chair in Rosewood, featuring a floral design that is machine-washable. For larger spaces, the brand also has play couches ($249), which make the best reading nooks.
23 Best Bike Gift for 5-Year-Olds
Woom Go 3 ($449, originally $499)
As someone who didn't learn to ride a bike as a child and only had moderate success as an adult, I'm taking teaching my son how to ride a bike very seriously. Woom bikes are splurge-worthy and designed to help build confidence. It has an upright riding position and intuitive handling to help kids learn to ride.
—Additional reporting by Genevieve Farrell Roston, India Yaffe, and Kate Schweitzer
Genevieve Farrell Roston (she/her) is an award-winning filmmaker and the director of fitness and wellness video at PS. She oversees the Webby-nominated PS Fit video series, which makes fitness fun and accessible. She has more than 10 years of experience in the entertainment industry. A certified personal trainer, she loves running, Pilates, and rest days. As a mom of two, she is an avid reviewer of children's gear and products.
India Yaffen was an associate editor on the Shopping team at PS for five years. She focused on curating the best fitness, fashion, beauty, and home products on the market for the PS audience.
Kate Schweitzer is a former senior editor for PS Family.
