The Best Toys for 5-Year-Olds to Nourish Curiousity and Imagination

Being 5 years old is epic. Little ones are finally coming into their personality, sharing big ideas, and being extra helpful around the house—sometimes too helpful. And since playtime is still the driver for education and skill building at this age, you want to get them toys that promote learning but are also fun, engaging, and durable.

To find the best toys for 5-year-olds, we went straight to the source: We surveyed 774 caregivers and parents, along with 101 of our staffers, to learn more about their kids’ favorite toys. We asked participants to rate factors such as price, age appropriateness, durability, longevity, and how engaging the toys are. Our editors also researched the biggest toy trends of the year and even tested many of the brand-new toys that 5-year-olds will be requesting this holiday season.

Additionally, we asked experts to provide insights into the minds and bodies of 5-year-olds before coming up with this list. With their advice, we focused on toys that incorporate everything from motor skills to STEM to socialization—all through play. 

Our Favorite Toys for 5-Year-Olds

Puzzles and Board Games for 5-Year-Olds

Fancy a family game night? Get your 5-year-old involved with family classics like Trouble, Yeti in My Spaghetti, and Don’t Break the Ice. Or, cater to their interests with some new board games featuring Squishmallows or Bluey. Either way, you can have a blast playing games together—and maybe even get some friendly competition going. 

Arts and Crafts for 5-Year-Olds

There is nothing that my 5-year-old loves more in this world than crafting. From coloring to playing with modeling clay and making friendship bracelets, if it involves getting her hands dirty, she is up for it. And as a parent, it feels good to spend money on a toy that provides all the benefits of screen-free, hands-on creativity.

Tech and STEM Toys for 5-Year-Olds

STEM toys incorporate science, technology, engineering, and math to build learning directly into having fun—which is exactly how all toys should be, right? We’re huge fans of kits that make STEM easy for parents and kids alike. We also appreciate tech toys that enhance learning and introduce kids to higher-level concepts. The key is choosing age-appropriate technology that augments—not replaces—child-led play. For instance, even today’s tech-savvy kids will get a kick out of the nostalgic Lite-Brite toy, and the whole family can get involved by playing together with Nex’s Playground. 

Pretend Play Toys for 5-Year-Olds

No one does pretend play quite like a 5-year-old. Whether your child wants you to get involved in the fun with them or they’re ready for more independent play, there are plenty of options to get their imagination going. For instance, they can set up their salon with hair styling options, host their own Blippi show, or unbox a new mystery plush for even more fun. 

Learning Toys for 5-Year-Olds

Maybe you’ve got a budding dentist on your hands or an early learner who begs for just one more bedtime story. Since kids are like little sponges, age 5 is a great time to introduce them to toys that will open up their minds or teach them a new skill. 

Building Toys for 5-Year-Olds

If you want to be amazed at the creativity of 5-year-olds, give them any kind of building element and watch their imagination go. I’m always pleasantly surprised at what my kids can create, especially when given the opportunity for free-ended play that’s not directed by an adult. Even young kids can get started with age-appropriate Legos and Magna Tiles or build a track that’s race-ready. 

Sensory Toys for 5-Year-Olds

Sensory toys can look different for every age and every child, but they can be a great way to provide hands-on learning and play opportunities. We’re of the belief that you can never go wrong with Play-Doh—especially the type that allows your child to become a creative chef. Or, for a different hands-on experience, consider Kinetic sand, which, unlike real sand, will not make a complete mess of your house. 

Sports and Outdoor Toys for 5-Year-Olds

While the weather is nice, you definitely want to encourage kids of all ages—but especially those of the younger variety—to get outside and get moving. Kick, glide, or ride with an assortment of kids’ toys that will keep them engaged and active. 

Our Review Process

In addition to our detailed expert research that includes hands-on testing and personal review of many of the toys we recommend, Parents conducted a poll of 774 caregivers and parents and 101 staff members to learn about their favorite toys for 5-year-olds. We asked them to consider the following criteria when evaluating each toy: 

• Uniqueness: Was the toy unique enough to stand out against the competition?
• Longevity: Did the toy allow for flexible play purposes to grow with a child? 
• Value: Was the toy’s perceived value in terms of design, function, or durability justified by the associated cost?
• Assembly: Was the toy a chore to assemble? Was there frustration-free packaging or did adults have to fight to get it out of the container?
• Age Appropriateness: Given their child’s maturity level and skill set, was a toy appropriate for the suggested age range?

We also spoke to Norline R. Wild, PhD, assistant professor of early childhood education at Niagara University in New York, as well as Kelsey M. Latimer, PhD, CEDS-S, BSN, a pediatric psychologist, certified school psychologist, and registered nurse based in Florida to get expert insight into features to look for in toys for 5-year-olds. 

How to Choose the Best Toys for 5-Year-Olds

The best toys for 5-year-olds balance educational value, a reasonable price, and enough engagement to ensure the toy won’t be abandoned 10 minutes after opening the box. When choosing a toy for a 5-year-old, it can be helpful to keep factors like their developmental milestones, safety, and educational value in mind.

• Development milestones: Age 5 is a big deal developmentally as kids start flexing their fine motor skills. According to Dr. Wild, ideal options to encourage creativity and strengthen fine motor skills include art supplies, such as paper, paint, brushes, clay, scissors, and glue. 
• Interests: By age 5, kids usually have defined interests that can guide a toy-shopping search. Be mindful that kids learn through play, so if they don’t like the toy, they won’t play with it. Dr. Latimer adds that parents should “consider games that reinforce their creativity with dancing, music, and turn-taking with friends.” 
• Safety: Choking is less of a concern with 5-year-olds, but many still put toys in their mouths. Look for items that are confirmed to be free from lead or toxic plastics and paints. Also look for durable items to prevent pieces from breaking off and becoming dangerous. You may need to modify your search if there are younger children in the home to avoid toys that pose a choking risk for them. 
• Educational Value: Playtime is still the primary learning opportunity, so introducing more complex concepts like STEAM through casual play is preferred. Even games like Don’t Break the Ice or Trouble require deductive reasoning and controlled fine motor skills. Meanwhile, technology immersion is central at this age, but ideally in a screen-free format. This is why we highlighted the Amazon Echo Dot Kids.
• Trends and Gender Norms: Don’t feel bound by the outdated notion that only girls play with dolls and only boys can enjoy cars, trucks, and sports gear. If you know a child’s personality and interests, you can toss gender norms out the door. If you don’t know the child very well, consider buying something gender-neutral.
• Cost: Toys for 5-year-olds can range from inexpensive to costing a pretty penny. We tended to focus the bulk of our recommendations on toys that weren’t over $50. However, there are some splurges in our list, so consider your budget over any expert recommendation. And take note: more expensive doesn’t always mean better, more durable, or more fun.