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. Play helps them build confidence, focus, and early problem-solving skills. 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.
*This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I truly stand behind, love, and would use with my own family.
WHAT CAN I HELP YOU FIND?Best Building & STEM Toys for 5-Year-Old
Best Science & Nature Gifts for 5-Year-Olds
Best Art & Maker Gifts for 5-Year-Olds
Best Open Ended Loose Parts Play for 5-Year-Olds
Best Books for 5-Year-Olds (Read-Alouds They’ll Revisit)
Best Movement, Outdoor & Gross-Motor Toys for 5-Year-Olds
Best Pretend Play & Real-World Role Play
Choosing the Right Gift for Your Five-Year-Old
When it comes to buying gifts for a five-year-old, 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’ve been talking to parents about play and parenting for over a decade, and I still don’t think there’s one right way to do this. But when kids have room to play, they get more capable, and you get to stop second-guessing every move.