It seems like overnight my little, beautiful baby boy has turned into a big kid. He’s already hitting the 5-year-old milestones. He’s speaking really clearly, becoming aware of his gender, and telling some amazing stories. But what truly amazes me is his burst of independence. He loves getting his own snacks from the fridge, filling up his cup with water, and is no longer shy about telling his father and I what he wants to eat or do each day. He is truly becoming his own little person and wants to explore and learn on his own.
As he’s continuing to grow, I’m using his upcoming birthday as the perfect opportunity to shop for some new toys. I’m opting for toys that support his development, independence, and curiosity. Plus, he’s no longer obsessed with many of the toys I carefully picked out for Christmas and his previous birthdays.
Despite my reluctance, I have to admit that he isn’t my baby boy anymore. He is starting to grow into his own person who needs more age-appropriate toys. Like toys to not only entertain him, but also stimulate his mental growth.
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, we know you’ll want to pick out the perfect gift. Age 5 is such a fun age to buy toys for. They’ve well surpassed the 3 year+ 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.
To aid in your 5-year-old birthday gift shopping endeavors, we wanted to provide this list of the best 5th birthday gifts for any budget.
Gifts for 5 Year Olds Under $50
Budget gifts that kiddos will love are always our favorite. Check out these awesome gifts that will make any 5-year-old excited for under $50. These gifts were hand-picked because they inspire creativity, help development, and encourage meaningful play time.
Children will love how these bath bombs fizz and turn their bath water different colors. Plus, each one comes with a space-themed prize inside.
This toy is great for children to work on their fine motor skills and introduce engineering concepts.
Flybars are a blast from the past that offer fun for kids and nostalgia for their parents.
Dinosaurs are a tried-and true-gift for kids at this age, and this one's 3D appearance makes it extra special.
Little ones who enjoy helping out in the kitchen will be excited to receive this adorable chef costume.
Montessori toys encourage independent play and this screwdriver set can help improve hand-eye coordination.
Kids will love getting creative with this DIY light-up unicorn costume kit that they can later wear during many play times to come.
Little explorers with curious minds will love this bug-catcher kit. With tools like a magnifying glass, compass, flashlight, and more, the world (or at least the backyard) is their oyster!
LEGOS are a classic for a reason. This box of nearly 800 pieces encourages children to use their creativity.
This camera is perfect for the kid who's always asking to take pictures on your phone. Encourage their interest in photography with their own digital camera.
Puzzles are always a good idea, and this one has the added challenge of being double sided—which also means double the fun!
This fort building kit offers endless imaginative possibilities while also boosting problem solving and cognitive skills.
Littles will love creating their own friendship necklaces and bracelets with this cute kit that includes everything they need to get crafty.
There are few things as fun as an afternoon tea party with their favorite stuffed animals. Gift this personalized tea set for the ultimate tea party experience.
Board games are entertaining fun for the whole family, and Blokus helps kids practice spatial reasoning and problem solving.
This set is perfect for practicing self-love and reinforcing the alphabet.
Source: Kampus Production | Pexels
Gifts for 5 Year Olds Over $50
If the budget can be stretched a bit but we still want to stay under the $100 mark, there are some great present options out there. Some of our favorite options are STEM gifts that will help little ones learn and get excited for all of the fun lessons they’ll get in school.
Encourage outdoor play and creativity with this one-of-a-kind gift. Kids will love making their very own Kaleidoscope either with the included plastic flowers, or anything they find in nature. It's easy for kids to make and is sure to be a gift they don't want to put down.
The perfect duffle bag for camp, sports, sleepovers or anything else your big kid is into.
Give little artists a gift they're sure to love with this personalized art kit. With two lines of personalization on the front and filled with the essentials like colored pencils, crayons, and more, they'll want to start creating right away.
A fun game that's also educational, this word-building set includes nine different games for kids to practice phonics, spelling, grammar, and more.
We're big fans of pretend play toys for kids of all age groups here at The Everymom. This play set by Melissa & Doug is perfect for helping kiddos learn real-life skills within hours of entertainment.
Introduce coding concepts to kids with this next generation of the award-winning Botley robot toy.
Gift this three-crate KiwiCo set for hands-on learning and DIY fun. Designed by childhood development experts and educators, KiwiCo's STEAM activities make it easy for parents to offer their kids something new and engaging with each box.
The Zoe Doll is a beautiful representation of Black children, and helps teach Black kiddos and parents how to style Black hair.
There are few things more interesting than outer space. Get your 5-year-old learning about the solar system with this telescope that was designed specifically for kids.
Gifts for 5 Year Olds Over $100
If higher ticket items fit in the budget this year, consider these options that the 5-year-old you’re shopping for will love. We know it can be tough to spend money on gifts that will only be used a handful of times. We guarantee these will be one of their go-to’s from now on.
The perfect ride to grow with your kid, Micro Kickboard's scooter is made for ages 5-12. It has an adjustable handle and smooth gliding ride. Plus, this version comes with LED light-up wheels.
This kids' bike intended for 4 to 6-year-olds is the perfect investment gift. Kiddos can learn how to ride a bike with the removable training wheels. We love that the wicker basket makes this bike oh-so cute and that it's available in several colors, too.
For the car-loving kids in your life, this Hot Wheels Track Set is sure to be endless fun—and it's over 3-feet tall!
Tablets offer endless entertainment and educational options for children. A 5-year-old's birthday could be an occasion to gift them one of their very own (with limits, of course).
Little trampolines make the days a lot more fun (and bedtime a lot easier for parents).
