Toys for 5 Year Old Boys & Girls

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Five is a magical age! Children at this stage are bursting with boundless energy, possess an insatiable curiosity about the world, and are rapidly building skills across the board.

Choosing the right toys taps into their natural enthusiasm, fueling their growth in exciting ways.

Let’s dive into the best types of toys for this dynamic age group and understand why they’re developmentally perfect.

Plus, you’ll find expert videos and resources for even more insight into the power of Play & Toys!

Table Summery of Toys for 5-Year-Olds.

Popular & Trending 5 Year Old Toys on amazon.com

• (Paper Airplanes) – Klutz Book $16 on amazon.com
• Melissa & Doug Let’s Play House Dust! $34 on amazon.com
• Crayola Clicks Retractable Tip Markers $11 on amazon.com
• Crayola Light Up Tracing Pad $26 on amazon.com
• Tie Dye Foldable Scooter – Light UP Wheels on amazon.com
• LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Space Shuttle on amazon.com

Montessori Toys for 5-Year-Olds

The Montessori philosophy centers on hands-on learning and helping children develop the skills they need to navigate daily life. Five-year-olds are eager to do things themselves, and Montessori toys empower them to do just that.

• LEGO City Toys: The perfect gift for little builders and big imaginations! LEGO® City sets let kids create their own bustling city, sparking hours of creative play. The best choice for birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion.
• Sorting and Classifying: This might include bead threading sets for honing fine motor skills, pattern blocks to explore shapes and colors, or even natural items like leaves and rocks to sort by size, texture, or type.
• Dressing Frames: Frames with various fasteners (buttons, zippers, snaps, buckles) help them master dressing independently.
• Practical Life Tools: Miniature versions of familiar household items— child-sized brooms and dustpans, watering cans for tending to plants, or simple baking tools to assist in the kitchen–allow them to participate in real-world tasks.
• Open-Ended Building Toys Traditional wooden blocks, magnetic tiles like Magna-Tiles, or interlocking bricks suitable for their age group (like LEGO Duplo) spark creativity, problem-solving, and spatial reasoning.

Educational & Learning Toys for 5-Year-Olds

A 5-year-old’s brain absorbs information like a sponge! Educational toys make learning an exciting adventure, sparking interest in diverse subjects and laying the foundation for future academic success.

• Puzzles and Games: Look for more complex jigsaw puzzles, age-appropriate board games focused on strategy, and card games to introduce numbers, letters, or simple concepts like matching.
• Geography: Maps (both world and local), globes, and puzzles with countries or continents promote a sense of global awareness.
• Science: Magnifying glasses, bug collecting kits, and beginner science experiment sets allow them to investigate the natural world and answer their “why” questions.
• Music and Art: Simple instruments like recorders, tambourines, or a child-sized keyboard, along with a wide array of art supplies (paints, crayons, markers, clay), encourage creativity and self-expression.

Ride-On, Push & Pull Toys for 5-Year-Olds

Five-year-olds never seem to stop moving! Ride-on, push, and pull toys support their gross motor development, coordination, and expend some of that abundant energy in a positive way.

• Bikes with Training Wheels: Help them transition to a “big kid” bike and gain a sense of independence.
• Scooters: Classic two-wheeled scooters and wider, three-wheeled versions are ideal for practicing balance and building core strength.
• Wagons: Perfect for hauling toys, treasures, or even giving younger siblings a ride.
• Large Construction Toys: Think giant building blocks made of cardboard or foam that they can use to create forts, tunnels, and imaginative structures.

STEM Toys for 5-Year-Olds

STEM toys offer a playful introduction to science, technology, engineering, and math concepts without overwhelming them. The focus is on hands-on exploration and developing essential problem-solving skills.

• Advanced Building Sets: Look for sets incorporating gears, simple machines, or introduce basic coding concepts (like programmable robots designed for younger children).
• Marble Runs: Designing and building paths for marbles teaches them about physics and engineering in a visually engaging way.
• Circuit Kits: Snap-together circuits give a safe and fun introduction to basic electronics.
• Robotics: Simple programmable robots that execute basic commands offer the first taste of coding.

Water Toys for 5-Year-Olds

Few things captivate a 5-year-old quite like water play! It’s a source of pure joy, sensory stimulation, and even scientific experimentation.

• Sprinklers: Choose from a variety of shapes and spray patterns for extra fun.
• Water Tables: A dedicated space for water play with scoops, funnels, and water wheels.
• Watering Cans: For gardening or imaginative water-themed activities.
• Pool Toys: Floats, diving toys, pool noodles, and inflatable balls for summertime adventures.

Outdoor & Sports Toys for 5-Year-Olds

Fresh air, sunshine, and active play are essential to a 5-year-old’s healthy development. Outdoor and sports toys get them moving, build physical skills, and provide opportunities to socialize with other kids.

• Balls: A classic toy! Offer balls of different sizes, textures, and types (soccer balls, basketballs, kickballs, beach balls) for versatility and skill-building.
• Frisbees or Throwing Discs: Fantastic for practicing hand-eye coordination and catching.
• Jump Ropes: A favorite for individual play or group games, improving rhythm and coordination.
• T-ball Set or Basic Sports Equipment: Gently introduces team sports and helps develop fundamental skills.
• Sidewalk Chalk: Transforms their driveway or playground into a giant artistic canvas.

Climbing Toys for 5-Year-Olds

Climbing comes naturally to most kids, but a safe and stimulating environment is crucial. Choose climbing toys that challenge a 5-year-old appropriately, promoting strength, balance, and risk assessment.

• Jungle Gyms or Climbing Structures: Look for backyard setups or explore playgrounds with age-appropriate climbing equipment.
• Pikler Triangles: Versatile climbing frames that can be used indoors or outdoors, offering adjustable challenges.
• Climbing Holds: Brightly-colored climbing holds can transform a fence or designated wall into a DIY climbing adventure.
• Low Balance Beams: Help children develop balance and focus while providing a fun physical challenge.

Musical Toys for 5-Year-Olds

Music sparks joy, helps with self-expression, and offers lifelong benefits. Provide age-appropriate instruments and opportunities to explore their innate musicality.

• Real Instruments: Consider a child-sized ukulele, mini keyboard, percussion instruments (tambourines, shakers, maracas), or even a child-sized drum set.
• Karaoke Microphone: Encourages them to sing their hearts out and playfully builds confidence.
• Musical Books: Interactive books with buttons that play sounds or short songs related to animals, instruments, or familiar tunes.
• Music Classes:” If your child shows deeper interest, consider enrolling them in early music classes to foster their growing talent.

Interactive Toys for 5-Year-Olds

Five-year-olds thrive on social play and using their imaginations to create elaborate scenarios. Interactive toys let them act out their fantasies, practice real-life situations, and develop crucial communication and collaboration skills.

• Dolls and Stuffed Animals: Encourage role-playing, nurturing, and empathy.
• Dress-up Clothes and Costumes: Transform them into princesses, pirates, superheroes, or anyone they can dream up!
• Play Kitchens, Tool Sets, etc.: Let them mimic the grown-up world, creating their own narratives and problem-solving along the way.
• Board Games and Card Games: Family game nights promote turn-taking, strategy, friendly competition, and good sportsmanship.

Sensory Toys for 5-Year-Olds

Sensory play allows children to learn about the world through touch, sight, sound, smell, and even taste. It can be both stimulating and calming, depending on the materials used.

• Kinetic Sand or Play Dough: Excellent for molding, shaping, and tactile exploration.
• Water Beads: Their unique texture offers a squishy, slippery sensory experience.
• Sensory Bins: Fill a bin with dried rice, beans, small pasta, or similar ingredients and add tiny toys, scoops, and funnels for open-ended play.
• Fidget Toys: Offer a variety of textures and manipulations, providing sensory input that can be calming and help improve focus and attention (think stress balls, pop-its, and other manipulatives).

Choosing the Best Toys

The most important factor to consider when choosing toys is your child’s unique interests and personality! Here are some helpful tips:

• Observe and Engage: Watch how they play, what themes they gravitate towards, and get down on their level to play with them.
• Variety is Key: Provide a mix of toys across different categories to support well-rounded development.
• Less is More: Avoid overstimulation with too many toys at once. Rotate toys regularly to keep things fresh.
• Safety First: Ensure toys are age-appropriate, have no small parts (choking hazards), and are made from non-toxic materials.

Let toys be their tools for learning, exploring, and expressing themselves. The right toys will bring joy to their play experiences and ignite a love for discovery that lasts a lifetime!

Tips for Playtime Success

• Embrace Their Interests: Choose toys that align with your child’s unique passions, whether that’s dinosaurs, space, art, or animals.
• Storage Solutions: Ensure well-labeled storage allows your child to independently manage toys.
• Think Open-Ended: Toys that inspire creativity and can be used in many ways will have lasting appeal.
• Balance with Basics: While new and exciting toys are great, don’t forget the power of simple classics like blocks, dolls, and art supplies.
• Supervision as Needed: While five-year-olds are independent, ensure toys are age-appropriate and supervision is provided when necessary.

Note: This article is intended for informational purposes. Always consider your individual child’s interests and developmental needs when selecting toys.

Resources

• UNIEF Parenting – 8 playful ways to prepare your child for preschool
• Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University: – Key Concepts of Child Development
• National Institute of Play – Play for Kids
• Harvard – Center on Developing Child – Activities for Infants, Toddlers, and Children
• Harvard Health Publishing – The 3 kinds of toys that really help your child
• Play Safe – Age-by-age toy buying guide