It seems like our little, beautiful babies turn into big kids overnight. They’ll quickly start hitting the 5-year-old milestones, like speaking really clearly, becoming more vocal about likes and dislikes, and telling some amazing stories. But perhaps the most amazing is the burst of independence. They truly start to become their own little people and want to explore and learn on their own. As they continue to grow, an upcoming birthday, celebratory occasion, or holiday gathering is the perfect opportunity to find the best gifts for a 5-year-old. Toys that support development, independence, and curiosity are great for 5-year-olds.
And, despite our reluctance, we have to admit that they aren’t babies anymore. They are starting to grow into more age-appropriate toys. Toys that not only entertain them but also stimulate their mental growth. To aid in your 5-year-old gift-shopping endeavors, we’re providing this list of the best gifts for 5-year-olds on any budget.
How We Chose These Gifts
There are moms with kids of all ages on The Everymom team. They’ve conquered the baby phase, changed all the diapers, and celebrated 5th birthdays. And as a mom of a 5-year-old, I’m constantly hearing about the toys he and his friends have added to their wish lists. On top of that, our commerce and editorial teams are always on the hunt for the best products for kids, moms, and families. If there’s a new must-have, must-try, or must-see in the kids or parenting space, we’re on it. Real-life experience combined with knowing the current trends allows us to put together a well-rounded list of gifts.
What To Look for in a Gift for a 5-Year-Old
Whether you have a soon-to-be 5-year-old of your own or a little one in your life with this exciting birthday coming up, another celebratory moment, or just simply want to shower them with a brand new toy, we know you’ll want to pick out the perfect gift. Age 5 is such a fun one to buy toys for. They’ve well surpassed the “for 3-year-olds and up” disclosure on most games. They’ve got the basics of motor skills down to a science, and their curiosity is higher than ever. Needless to say, they’re ready for some fun.
The 5-year-old mark is extra exciting because the possibilities are wide open. So we included options at all price points, from budget to big-ticket. These gifts were hand-picked because they inspire creativity, help development, and encourage meaningful playtime. Some of my favorite options are STEM gifts that will help little ones learn and get excited about all of the fun lessons they’ll get in school. And, truthfully, some are just plain cute! Check out our picks below.
Featured Gift Picks
A friendly game of mini basketball is a nightly ritual in my household. What would make it even better, you ask? A basketball hoop that glows in the dark!
What kid doesn’t love stickers? Snag this viral toy that has sold out several times! Read more about the Stickerbox and why it’s so popular.
Whether they’re heading to Grandma’s house or their next sports game, this adorable personalized bag is a fashion statement for a kid.
The cutest gift for a kid who loves to play dress-up: give them a vanity to make playtime more fun. This set includes a wooden hair dryer, mirror, comb, and more!
My 5-year-old is learning how to read, and this gift is perfect for a little bookworm. The Cali’s Books company recently released a Cali Reader to pair with all their books! Record your voice (or theirs) and make storytime extra special.
If your kids love stories, gift them the newest Yoto Mini. This screen-free, parent- and kid-approved toy can easily be packed and used on the go. Read all the details about the new features in the fourth generation of the Yoto Mini.
It’s a landline phone for kids that makes calling their friends and family a fun experience. Parents don’t have to worry about unwanted callers: set approved phone numbers at the time of setup, and kids can easily call from tin can to tin can for free.
Bedtime has been less of a struggle with our star projector. Kids can set 13 space scenes to help them fall asleep. Plus, each projection disc includes an intro on each subject! Stargazing indoors? They’ll love it!
The ultimate fort-building kit. Piece the magnetic panels together, and they can build anything and everything.
This adorable retro cruiser bike will get them excited to get outdoors and ride. When they’re ready, remove the training wheels and make it even more special by picking out their favorite color.
Best Gifts for 5-Year-Olds Under $50
Whether they’re baking or crafting, a creative kid’s activity is always more fun (and less messy) with a personalized apron!
When my kids hear “slime,” their faces always light up. Slime making is even better with Canal Toys’ Twist N Slime Mixer. Blend all the ingredients to make the coolest slime.
Know a 5-year-old who’s fascinated with stars and planets? Then an astronomy telescope is the ultimate gift. This out-of-this-world toy sells for just under $50!
Blast off with Fat Brain Toys’ rocket ship. Kids can press the button and hear it rumble to life.
This long-awaited toy is finally here! Snag your HUNTR/X wannabe Rumi, Mira, or Zoey (or all of them!) from the Netflix favorite kids’ movie, KPop Demon Hunters.
Mermaid lovers, rejoice! This is a great gift for kids who love mermaids or cuddling up on the couch. With multiple colors available, it’s hard to choose which one to gift.
Bedtime is more fun with a dino night light. You can personalize it with their name, too.
If your kid is anything like mine and loves yardwork day, give them their own kid-sized set of lawn tools. It comes with a weed whacker, a leaf blower, a chainsaw, and protective goggles. It’s a great setup before they’re old enough to use the real tools!
Encourage their artistic side with a personalized art set, filled with markers, colored pencils, watercolor paint, and oil pastels.
Little artists will absolutely love a gift that lights up when they draw!
5-year-olds who are obsessed with Toy Story 5 (and picture-taking) will love their very own digital camera, as seen in the movie.
Little designers can make their very own keychain and make a fashion statement with their creations.
My kid loves this toy, and I’ll admit, it makes a fun activity for parents, too. The arrows shoot far, and they’ll love that it comes with a quiver to store their arrows.
In my household, Halloween costumes are out all year round because playing dress-up is so much fun. Add a wizard cape and hat, a knight costume, or a dragon costume to their wardrobe.
5-year-olds love to learn and explore. National Geographic’s Earth Science Activity Kit is both fun and educational.
MIT engineer Emily Calandrelli of Emily’s Wonder Lab shares her awesome science experiments and STEM concepts in this educational book. There are 50 hands-on experiments for the little scientist in your life.
The Disney Eye Found It Board Game is the go-to game night pick for my 5-year-old. He loves it so much that we have the card version for travel.
If you’re looking for an experience gift, then a Build-A-Bear Workshop gift card is a wonderful choice. Go through all the steps in making their very own stuffed toy, with added personalizations along the way. Senior Branded Content Editor Steph took her kids to Build-A-Bear, and they loved it just as much as she did when she was a kid.
Splurge-Worthy Gifts for a 5-Year-Old
Bring the theatre to their living room with a beautiful arched play theatre from Gathre. No need to leave the house for a theatrical show!
Mount their art workspace right on the wall. With a drawing board, they can easily display their art pieces.
This interactive gaming console gets families up and off the couch! It uses AI to track your body movements in the game, making for fun family gaming time that’s actually active. Multiple editors on The Everymom team have a Nex Playground and all agree that it makes for a great gift. Read the full review of the Nex Playground.
They can organize and display their entire collection of cars with a personalized toy car garage.
Give them a fun way to show off their pretend culinary skills with an outdoor playhouse that has a pizza oven and a BBQ grill. Their favorite phrase will be “bon appétit!”
Little artists can enjoy tracing with a smART Sketcher Projector. Project images for easy tracing.
This highly-rated scooter is a great pick for a 5-year-old. Multiple color options are available.
If they’ve outgrown their Pottery Barn Anywhere Chair, then it’s definitely time for an upgrade. Gift them an Anywhere Beanbag and personalize it with their name.
FAQs About 5-Year-Old Gift Ideas
What are the best gifts for a 5-year-old?
The best gifts inspire creativity, help development, and encourage meaningful playtime. Some of my favorite options are STEM gifts that will help little ones learn and get excited about all of the fun lessons they’ll get in school.
What do 5-year-olds like to play with?
5-year-olds love to play with interactive toys or toys that spark their imagination. Great gift picks include the magnetic fort-building panels and the outdoor playhouse.
What are the best educational gifts for 5-year-olds?
The best educational gifts for 5-year-olds are the Stay Curious and Keep Exploring book by Emily Calandrelli, the science kit from National Geographic, and the Yoto Mini.
What are the best gifts for 5-year-olds under $50?
My top picks under $50 are the beginner astronomy telescope, the indoor basketball hoop, and the slime mixer.
What are the best screen-free gifts for 5-year-olds?
The best screen-free gifts are the Cali Reader, the Yoto Mini, the Stickerbox, and Nex Playground.
Why You Can Count on Us
The Everygirl Media Group has brought valuable content to our readers for 12+ years. In 2018, The Everymom set out to ensure that all moms know they’re not alone. If you find yourself seeking advice on how to style the latest fashion trend or searching for the best kid-friendly coffee table, we have the answers. And if you’re wondering what’s actually worth it from a sale or looking for a review of the hottest new kids’ product, we’ve got that covered too. From our annual Registry Awards and beloved holiday gift guides to the shopping round-ups you find on our site every day, The Everymom commerce team is well-versed in sifting through thousands of products to curate a digestible list for you. We combine our own experience with in-depth research to bring you a selection that meets our high standards for both fashion and function.
Patty Schepel, Associate Editor
As the Associate Editor, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, editing freelance articles, and more. With Patty’s passion for writing, experience as a mother of two, and expertise as a pediatric nurse, she brings a thoughtful and informative perspective to The Everymom.
Products included in graphics linked within the article. Feature graphic images credited to: Pottery Barn Kids, Gathre, Fat Brain Toys, Amazon | Ravensburger, Tin Can, Wayfair | George Oliver, Amazon | Umoving, and Enjoy The Wood.
