Best Gifts for Five-Year-Olds
Creative, STEM, Open-Ended & Screen-Free Play
Your five-year-old is full of opinions, questions, and big plans. They’re experimenting with responsibility, getting curious about how things work, and starting to enjoy more structured games and projects, one big idea at a time. Play helps them build confidence, focus, and early problem-solving skills. That’s why this list includes toys that mix imagination with logic, creativity with challenge, and fun. You’ll find options for building, creating, storytelling, science, and simple games with clear rules. No gimmicks. No fluff. Just smart, engaging toys that meet your five-year-old where they are and help them grow through play.
WHAT CAN I HELP YOU FIND?
Best Building & STEM Toys for 5-Year-Olds
A bright, durable set of magnetic tiles in every color of the rainbow. Includes squares, triangles, doors, and windows for building towers, rocket ships, houses—or whatever wild idea your five-year-old dreams up.
Why I chose it: Because this is the age when building starts to get serious. Five-year-olds are ready to think bigger, balance taller, and test their own ideas. Magnetic tiles let them explore symmetry, gravity, and design—all while creating something they can proudly show off. And as they grow, these sets grow with them: the same tiles that make a simple tower today will become elaborate castles, marble runs, and cities a few years from now. A forever toy in our house.
A flexible, double-lane race track that unrolls to eighteen feet of pure momentum. Kids can loop it over furniture, stack books for ramps, or stretch it across the floor to test speed, gravity, and design—all with their favorite toy cars.
Why I chose it: Because five-year-olds are budding engineers. They love experimenting, adjusting, and cheering when their idea works. Blu Track gives them the thrill of motion with endless ways to tweak and test their designs. The cleanup is just as satisfying: roll it up, stash it in the travel case, and call it a win.
Mini, weighted building bricks that feel satisfyingly real in small hands. They stack with a gentle grip and come with design cards for inspiration—or can be used freely for towers, bridges, or entire cities dreamed up on the floor.
Why I chose it: Five-year-olds are builders at heart. These bricks give them a realistic, hands-on way to explore balance, structure, and cause and effect. The weight adds a sensory element that helps them focus and slow down while creating something sturdy enough to be proud of. They’re also perfect for outdoor play—pair them with mud, water, and natural materials, then hose them off and start all over again.
Rainbow Gem Cubes Building Set
A set of colorful acrylic “gem” blocks paired with two natural wooden house frames. Kids can stack, sort, and fit the translucent blocks into the house grooves to create glowing windows, towers, and tiny structures that catch the light.
Why I chose it: Five-year-olds love turning ideas into something real—and this set gives them just the right mix of freedom and structure. The gems feel magical in little hands, and the wooden frames make every creation look finished and proud. Perfect on a light table, sunny windowsill, or wherever creativity strikes.
Extra-Large Wooden Stacking Rocks
Smooth, oversized wooden “rocks” in soft colors that invite stacking, balancing, and sorting.
Why I chose it: These stacking stones grow beautifully with kids. At five, they’ll experiment with balance, symmetry, and design—making towers, bridges, and sculptures that actually hold up. Indoors on the coffee table or outside in dirt and sand, they look good enough to leave out.
A timeless set of smooth, natural wood blocks that build everything from castles to car garages to entire cities on the living room floor. Comes neatly packed in a wooden storage crate.
Why I chose it: Block play just gets better with age. As kids’ ideas grow bigger, so should their block collection—because a five-year-old’s bridge or tower needs more materials than a toddler’s stack. These are the kind of blocks that last through every stage of play and every kid who joins in.
LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box (790 Pieces)
A big, open bin of colorful LEGO bricks, windows, doors, and wheels—everything kids need to dream up and build whatever comes to mind.
Why I chose it: This set grows right alongside your child. Five-year-olds can build simple structures one day and whole story worlds the next. Open-ended, focused, proudly self-directed—and it all packs back into the box for tomorrow’s ideas.
Mushie HEX Connect Building Toy Set
Hexagon-shaped pieces click together in endless combinations, inviting experiments with balance, symmetry, and design.
Why I chose it: Five-year-olds are ready for the kind of building that asks for patience and precision. HEX Connect lets them tinker, test ideas, and proudly display what they’ve made—no noise, no flashing lights, just thoughtful, hands-on play.
Best Science & Nature Gifts for 5-Year-Olds
Praying Mantis Egg Case + Hatching Habitat (2-Pack)
A clear hatching bag and two real egg cases that can produce hundreds of tiny nymphs to observe before releasing outdoors.
Why I chose it: Five-year-olds are natural scientists. They love checking, waiting, and announcing discoveries—this gives them a front-row seat to real-life nature magic. Teaches patience, care, and awe. Bonus bragging rights: “We raised these ourselves.”
All-Weather Tabletop Magnifiers (Set of 2)
Sturdy, real-glass magnifiers made for curious hands and outdoor adventures.
Why I chose it: Five-year-olds love noticing tiny details. These slow them down and invite wonder—tough enough for the backyard and gentle enough for indoor exploration.
Smooth wooden frames with transparent windows that hold tiny treasures—leaves, beads, shells—so kids can fill, seal, stack, and display.
Why I chose it: Five-year-olds are natural collectors. These give their “pockets full of stuff” phase a purpose and a place, while practicing observation and care.
Plastic Graduated Cylinders & Beakers Set
Beakers, cylinders, and pipettes for pouring, measuring, mixing, and experimenting—at the sink, in the bath, or in the mud kitchen.
Why I chose it: Real tools make real scientists. Open-ended, washable, and perfect for years of water + potion play.
Best Art & Maker Gifts for 5-Year-Olds
Kid Made Modern Arts & Crafts Supply Library
A giant box of 300+ pieces—pom poms, pipe cleaners, sequins, beads, sticks, glue, and more.
Why I chose it: Five-year-olds live for the process. This kit says yes to “Can I make something?”—building fine motor skills, focus, and pride in their wild ideas.
Non-Toxic Tempera Paint Cakes – Set of 6 Fluorescent Colors
Bright, vibrant color with minimal mess; easier than watercolors with the same joy.
Why I chose it: Instant payoff and low cleanup. Perfect for mix-experiment-explore energy without spills or waste.
Magnetic Dry-Erase Teaching Clock
Movable hands and a write-on surface for matching digital time.
Why I chose it: Kids are noticing daily rhythms. This turns “learning to tell time” into capable, hands-on play.
Wooden Lacing & Weaving Board with Play Silks
A smooth wooden board with colorful silks for threading, weaving, and designing.
Why I chose it: Calming, creative, and proudly independent work—an easy “project” they can return to.
Sturdy clips for fort-building, blanket tents, and silk play.
Why I chose it: Turns everyday materials into epic setups; ownership + creativity, no batteries required.
Mushrooms, cones, bowls, coins, and more for sorting, stacking, counting, and mandalas.
Why I chose it: Simple parts, endless possibilities—focus, creativity, and early math thinking all at once.
No-string jewelry kit—snap together bracelets, necklaces, rings.
Why I chose it: Wearable creativity with zero frustration; perfect for playdates and rainy afternoons.
Best Math & Logic Toys for 5-Year-Olds
Classic geometric shapes in six colors and sizes for pictures and patterns.
Why I chose it: Five-year-olds are wired for patterns and pride. Quiet concentration + “look what I made,” while building math and spatial skills.
Wooden Memory Chess Matching Game
A simple wooden board, colorful pegs, and one die for memory and focus.
Why I chose it: A quick, portable challenge that teaches turn-taking, patience, and self-control.
Hape Chunky Number & Counting Puzzle
Numbers 1–10 plus +, –, = signs; thick pieces stand up for play.
Why I chose it: Hands-on number sense without pressure or screens—great for quick family math.
Rings, felt balls, and number blocks for sorting, stacking, counting, and simple equations.
Why I chose it: Busy hands, curious minds—Montessori-inspired math made tangible.
Wooden Color Sorting & Stacking Rings Set
Bright rings, peg dolls, and a base for sorting, stacking, and matching.
Why I chose it: Order, symmetry, design, and fine-motor work in calm, open-ended play.
Guidecraft Flower Pot Sort & Match
Magnetic board with flower pieces and pattern cards.
Why I chose it: Quiet patterning + color + symmetry—part puzzle, part pretend play.
Lightweight circle, square, and triangle frames for weaving and filling with natural finds.
Why I chose it: Bring the outdoors into art; texture, color, and composition from backyard treasures.
100+ wooden dominoes, ramps, a bridge, and a bell for chain reactions.
Why I chose it: Planning, sequencing, and pure “ding!” joy—cause and effect made irresistible.
Best Books for 5-Year-Olds (Read-Alouds They’ll Revisit)
Maps by Aleksandra & Daniel Mizielinski
An oversized atlas of hand-drawn maps packed with animals, landmarks, foods, and details.
Why I chose it: Feeds big “why/where” curiosity with slow, beautiful wonder.
What Should Darla Do? by Adir & Ganit Levy
A choose-your-own-adventure day of decisions and outcomes.
Why I chose it: Practice the power of choices—reflection, empathy, and confidence.
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty; illus. David Roberts
A rhyming celebration of curiosity, persistence, and messy experiments.
Why I chose it: Curiosity is a strength; mistakes are data. Inspires little thinkers to keep exploring.
Best Movement, Outdoor & Gross-Motor Toys for 5-Year-Olds
A steel bar that transforms a doorway into a swing/ladder/trapeze/rings/rope gym.
Why I chose it: Safe, weatherproof movement on high-energy days—strength, coordination, and confidence (plus pre-dinner wiggle relief).
Indoor Scooter Board with Handles
Low, sturdy scooter that glides smoothly for spins and races indoors.
Why I chose it: Recess energy, living-room style—balance, core strength, and instant obstacle courses.
A timeless 16" bike with wicker basket and light frame.
Why I chose it: Sturdy, stylish, and built for years; a true forever favorite for riders ready to roam.
Best Pretend Play & Real-World Role Play
Coins, bills, scanner, and card—FSC® wood with water-based paint.
Why I chose it: Cooperative shop play that naturally weaves in counting, sorting, and money sense.
Tender Leaf Toys Waggy Tails Dog Salon
A wooden grooming shop for washing, brushing, and caring for pups.
Why I chose it: Caregiving builds empathy and responsibility through calm, story-rich play.
Wildflower Wooden Pony by Laurel
A handcrafted pony with a yarn mane and tail in soft, earthy tones.
Why I chose it: Timeless pretend—no batteries, just imagination and evolving stories.
Bruder Mercedes-Benz Sprinter UPS Truck with Pallet Jack
Doors open, lift gate works, pallet jack really moves.
Why I chose it: Real-world systems in kid hands—load, lift, deliver, repeat.
Handcrafted Rattan Shopping Trolley
A rattan trolley with wooden wheels and a detachable tote.
Why I chose it: Independence and everyday errands turned into rich pretend play.
Guidecraft Acadia Outdoor Mud Kitchen
Weather-resistant acacia with sink/stove/oven and plenty of space to mix and pour.
Why I chose it: A long-lived stage for tinkering, experimenting, and café play that evolves over years.
Choosing the Right Gift for Your Five-Year-Old
When it comes to buying gifts for a five-year-old, less is more. Look for open-ended toys that grow with your child, encourage curiosity, and invite real play—not noise or lights or screens. The best toys are the ones that keep your child learning and exploring, without over stimulating them (or you).
Hi! I’m Lizzie Assa, and I’m not here to fix your kid.
I’m here to help you feel better while you raise them.
I’m a parenting strategist, educator, and mom of three big kids who were once little and loud and made me question everything. Now I help parents of kids under 12 do it differently. Not perfectly. Just with more clarity, more connection, and way less second-guessing.