It can be hard to get everything done in time for holiday shopping. Add to that not knowing exactly what we're looking to buy for the kids we love, and the stress mounts quickly. We just want the holidays to be magic, and even though that's a lot of pressure, it really all comes down to making sure the planning and research has been done — and we're here to help.
For anyone looking to buy the perfect gift for a 5-year-old, it's one of the most fun age stages in childhood, which makes shopping more enjoyable. Their personality is out so they can really communicate their interests and let us know what they're into and what they don’t like. Although their interests are still developing, they're open to trying new things, so it's the right time for us to open up their experiences.
Check out our ideas for the best gifts for 5-year-olds, and get ready to make some amazing memories.
Unicorn Pop Up Umbrella
Five-year-olds really are huge into being independent, and that means holding their own umbrella when it's raining. Having something that is just for them is a source of happiness at this age. And it's adorable for us to see. Plus, the only thing that can make their own umbrella more fun is a unicorn, of course!
Vet Practice Playset
For the kids who love animals and have said they want to have their own farm or veterinary practice, this 27-piece set has everything they need to encourage their nurturing side. This thoughtful gift promotes imaginative play while also building up their love for animals. And we're pretty sure by 5, kids might imagine being a vet.
Rideamal Unicorn
Move over cars. This rideable unicorn is here to win the gift game. Although little ones love horses, this one is the next level up and just right for kids who have a lot of energy. This unicorn makes 100 sounds and noises, and kids can dance, walk, ride, brush, and feed the light-up unicorn with motorized eyes.
The Floor Is Lava Game
Kids at this age always seem to have an endless amount of energy, and they spend it wanting to give us a heart attack. Kids love to jump off the couches and parkour off the walls, and this game encourages them to do that in a more focused — and hopefully less destructive — manner.
Rainbow Stainless Steel Five-Piece Set
$64
from
Ahimsa Home
For picky eaters who don't like to venture out and try new things, this plate set that's a gorgeous rainbow color may encourage them to try something new. It's can be their very own dishes to help get them more excited about mealtime. Hopefully, it will encourage them to be more adventurous, too.
Pediatrician Baby Activity Set
$33
from
Little Medical School
It's never a bad thing to get kids toys or gifts that encourage their interests. Those are more likely to be the biggest hits, after all. This pediatrician activity set allows little ones to pretend they're a doctor — complete with all the forms they have to fill out, just like the real thing.
American Girl: Courtney
$145
from
American Girl
Any American Girl doll is a classic and beloved gift for kids who are starting to get to the age where they can play with their toys and not break them. But with this new doll that's a throwback to the '80s is a nostalgic gift for kiddos and their parents, with every detail a total hit.
Perler Beads Pet Pals
Chances are there are some parents who are feeling a burning inside their chest with this set because it's got more than 8,000 pieces. But that's also what makes this beading set so fun! It works well for kids to perfect those fine motor movements and have pride in something they've made, and it will keep them busy!
RV Camper Set
$30
from
Green Toys
RVing became super popular when everyone was social distancing, so whether toddlers have their own family RV or just would love to pretend to go camping with their own set, they'll be able to to do so on their terms with this RV Camper Set from Green Toys. It comes with a pickup truck, a camper, and a boat with its own trailer.
Walkie Talkies
Although this may seem like super outdated technology, kids at this age love being able to talk to anyone on the other end. These walkie talkies have an impressive range, whether they're talking to one of their siblings in another room or give the other to a friend who lives close by. It's sort of like their first phone.
Sago Brothers Air Dry Clay
Sago modeling clay kit is the perfect balance between keeping the kids busy and happy while they play, while also building important skills. This set includes a 72-page guide on how to make many of the common shapes so they can experiment and tackle projects themselves. That is sure to keep up with their imagination.
V-Tech KidiZoom
For the budding photographer, this kid-friendly digital camera, the VTech KidiZoom, includes everything they need to start practicing their craft. The camera can take selfies and will automatically detect faces. The camera also allows young photographers to use a variety of different effects.
Magna-Tiles Structures-Rocket
$50
from
Maisonette
This gift is like a puzzle but even better because the rocket is made of tiles that are placed together to create it. There's also another side of the tiles that contain the planets of our solar system, with two different versions of the moon, sun, and an astronaut. Maybe it'll start them on the path to a career with NASA.
Kiwi Crate
Starting at
$23
from
The gift that keeps on giving: A subscription box with different toys each month means that kids get to enjoy opening presents year-round with the same excitement. There are several different boxes to choose from and the prices vary, starting at $20 per month. Five-year-olds can learn while they play and won't even realize they're learning new things.
Power Wheels Dune Racer
This Power Wheels car works well for kids who are 5 years old because it's right at that age where they will get a huge kick out of driving it. Also, they're independent enough to do so while we watch closely from the sidelines instead of holding on to them. This one says it can handle any terrain, which is a bonus!
Makeup Kit Play Set
$32.5
from
Melissa & Doug
Beauty has always been something children have loved to dabble in, sometimes on themselves, sometimes as toddlers on walls, but by 5, they know roughly where to put what. They can practice with this Melissa & Doug makeup kit play set or they can even pretend to have their own beauty YouTube channel.
Young Chemist Set
KiwiCo sends subscription boxes with different kinds of toys, but it also makes specific toy boxes and sets, like these chemistry sets. There are three kits that come with the project set, which means three new science experiments for kids to work on. Five-year-olds are old enough to get the science concepts in this set and enjoy the projects.
'I Spy Gold Challenger' Book
$15
from
Fat Brain Toys
Does this book look familiar to millennial parents? It should! This I Spy book has been around for a few decades, and for good reason. Each page features a scene and hidden items for kids to find. It's a brain buster and also genuinely fun. We'd know! We played it.
Guess Who?
There are lots of kids' games out there, but some are too childish for 5-year-olds while others may be a little to mature for them. But there are a few that are just right, including this Guess Who? game. It's a great family game to play that the kids will keep up with, too.
Deluxe Double-Sided Tabletop Easel
$43
from
Melissa & Doug
Kids who love to draw or get artsy will enjoy this tabletop easel. It comes with a roll of paper for them to color, draw or paint on, but the paper flips back to expose a chalkboard for them to draw or use to their heart's desire on one side and a dry-erase board on the other. The set itself comes with a 50-foot paper roll, a dry-erase marker, eraser, colored chalk, and 36 letter and number magnets.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, CafeMom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
