Gifts for 5-Year-Olds
- 20 gift ideas
- From under $25 to $100 and up
Good gifts for 5 year olds meet a kindergartner who can build, play by the rules and start to read. Strong picks include a big LEGO brick box or a screen-free coding robot, a Sequence game they can win, a first pedal bike, adjustable skates and beginning-reader book sets.
Quick picks
- Best for builders: A big box of LEGO bricks Open-ended bricks for a child who invents their own builds. Idea 1
- Best splurge: A screen-free coding robot Screen-free coding practice with cards and a remote. Idea 2
- Best game: A four-in-a-row strategy game No reading needed, so a five-year-old can beat the grown-ups. Idea 9
- Best for new readers: A learn-to-read book set Short phonics books with simple words, finished in one sitting. Idea 17
Five is the age of firsts: first real games, first books they read alone, first bike. We sorted these 20 ideas by what a kindergarten-age child actually does, so you can jump to the section that sounds like the child, and every idea keeps its age label visible.
Each idea says who it suits and what to check before you order. For a younger or older child, see our Gifts for 4-Year-Olds guide for a younger child or our 8-year-old guide for an older one. Gifts with wheels need a helmet, and some items here include small parts meant for ages 4 and up.
Ideas 1 to 4
Building and STEM
1. A big box of LEGO bricks
A big box of mixed LEGO bricks suits a five-year-old who builds their own ideas instead of following instructions, because a pile of colors, windows and wheels lets them invent cars, houses and creatures. It works with any LEGO they already have. The set is graded for ages 4 and up, so check the age label, and keep a shallow tray handy for sorting and for stopping bricks from scattering.
Tip: Add a shallow tray or play mat so the bricks stay in one place.
2. A screen-free coding robot
A screen-free coding robot suits a five-year-old who loves robots and puzzles, because planning a sequence of steps with cards or a remote and then watching the robot carry it out teaches how code works without a tablet. Look for a set with coding cards and object-sensing features. Check what batteries it takes, and play the first few challenges together.
Tip: Buy the batteries it needs and do the first few challenges together.
3. A talking microscope for little scientists
A kid-friendly talking microscope suits a five-year-old who loves nature facts, because built-in facts and quizzes turn leaves, bugs and feathers into a lesson they enjoy. Look for a scope with a simple focus and sturdy slides, and check what batteries it uses. Collect a few things from the yard so there is something to look at right away.
Tip: Collect leaves and feathers from the yard so there is something to examine right away.
4. A hands-on learning kit for a tablet
A hands-on learning kit that pairs real pieces with a tablet suits a five-year-old starting to learn letters and phonics, because they practice with their hands, not only a touchscreen. Kits like this often require a compatible iPad that is not included, so check your tablet model first. It connects to an app, so a parent should review the privacy settings.
Tip: Check that your iPad model is compatible and review the app's privacy settings first.
Ideas 5 to 8
Pretend play
5. A family of tiny animal figures
A tiny animal family suits a five-year-old who loves small things and detailed pretend play, because posable figures in removable clothes become a whole story. They can grow the collection with houses and shops over time. The set is graded for ages 3 and up, so check the label on the box, and keep small accessories away from any younger siblings.
Tip: Add a house or a small shop later so the family has somewhere to live.
6. A wooden dollhouse
A wooden dollhouse suits a five-year-old who loves small-world play, because it gives them a whole world to arrange and rearrange, and a wooden one lasts through years of play. Check the doll size the house is built for so the figures fit, and look for a set with furniture included. Plan the floor space and the assembly time before gifting.
Tip: Check the doll size the house fits, and allow time to assemble it.
7. A toy car garage with a racetrack
A toy car garage with a racetrack suits a five-year-old who collects cars, because a tall tower with an elevator parks the collection and doubles as a downhill racing set they can run on their own. The set is graded for ages 5 and up, so check the label on the box. Make space for the garage on a shelf, and add more cars over time.
Tip: Make space on a shelf or low table, and add a few extra cars to fill the garage.
8. A pretend camping set with a pop-up tent
A pretend camping set with a pop-up tent suits a five-year-old who loves outdoor adventures, because a play tent with a pretend campfire and lantern lets them go camping in the living room, and the tent becomes a reading nook afterward. The lights need AA batteries, so check that you have them. Choose a set sized for young children.
Tip: Buy AA batteries for the lantern and campfire, then add a sleeping bag for the sleepover.
Ideas 9 to 11
Games five-year-olds can win
Games with no reading and short rounds let a kindergartner compete with grown-ups.
9. A four-in-a-row strategy game
A four-in-a-row strategy game suits a five-year-old who likes to win at games, because it needs no reading, so they can beat grown-ups fair and square by planning where to place each chip. Look for a version with picture cards that fits a kindergartner, and keep rounds short. Play it with the whole family so a five-year-old can feel the thrill of winning.
Tip: Play with the whole family so a five-year-old can take on the grown-ups.
10. A fishing action game
A fishing action game suits a five-year-old who loves fishing games and silly suspense, because pulling sea creatures out before the shark jumps takes no reading and no batteries. Look for a game with a sturdy rod and a short play time. It is graded for ages 4 and up, so check the label, and keep small pieces away from younger siblings.
Tip: Keep the small fish pieces away from younger siblings, and play a few rounds in a row.
11. A crocodile action game
A crocodile action game suits a five-year-old who enjoys a jump scare, because quick rounds of press-and-hope are a giggly game of nerve that the whole family can play. It is listed for ages 4 and up, so check the label on the box. Keep the game on a low table so the whole family can gather, and let them be the one who sets it up.
Tip: Let them set up the game, and keep it on a low table so everyone can reach.
Ideas 12 to 14
Outdoor and active gifts
Add a helmet to anything with wheels, and pads for skating.
12. A first pedal bike
A first pedal bike suits a five-year-old ready to ride, because having both a hand brake and a coaster brake gives them two ways to stop as they learn. Measure the child's inseam and choose the wheel size to match, since the listing covers several sizes. Add a helmet that fits, and plan time to practice on a flat, empty surface with a grown-up nearby.
Tip: Measure their inseam, pick the wheel size to match and add a helmet.
13. Adjustable beginner roller skates
Adjustable beginner roller skates suit a five-year-old who wants to learn to skate, because they adjust up to four sizes, so a child can learn now and keep skating next year. Add a helmet, plus wrist, elbow and knee pads, and practice on a smooth, flat surface with a grown-up nearby. Check the size range on the listing against their shoe size.
Tip: Add a helmet and wrist, elbow and knee pads, and check the size range.
14. A pair of pop-up soccer goals
A pair of pop-up soccer goals suits a five-year-old who plays soccer, because two small goals turn any backyard or park into a field and fold up in seconds when the game is over. Look for goals that come with a carrying case and cones. Add a size 3 ball if they do not have one, and invite a friend or sibling for the first match.
Tip: Add a size 3 ball and invite a friend, since goals work best with two.
Ideas 15 to 20
Reading, art and creative play
15. A tabletop sandbox set
A tabletop sandbox set suits a five-year-old who loves sensory play, because moldable sand in a folding tray brings sandbox play indoors without the mess spreading, so they can build castles all winter. Look for a tray with raised edges and a few molds. The listing is graded for ages 3 and up. Keep the sand on a table, away from carpets.
Tip: Use it on a table over a tray or a sheet so cleanup is quick.
16. A kids' smartwatch with cameras
A kids' smartwatch with cameras and games suits a five-year-old who wants a watch like yours, because it feels grown-up without needing a phone. It has a built-in rechargeable battery, so keep the charging cable handy. Check the age label on the box, and set expectations for how long the games and camera are allowed each day.
Tip: Keep the charging cable handy, and set a daily limit for games and photos.
17. A learn-to-read book set
A boxed set of phonics-based beginning readers suits a five-year-old who is learning to read, because short books with simple words give them the thrill of finishing a whole book on their own. Look for books that build in small steps and have clear illustrations. Read them together at first, then let the child lead and celebrate each finished book.
Tip: Read the first book together, then let them read the next one to you.
18. A collection of funny early reader stories
A collection of funny early reader stories suits a five-year-old who loves silly stories, because books told mostly in dialogue are easy to follow and fun to read aloud with a grown-up, taking turns with the voices. The listing gives a customer reading age of 3 to 6, so it also works for a beginning reader. Keep the collection on a low shelf.
Tip: Take turns reading the voices aloud with a grown-up.
19. A jumbo spiral drawing set
A jumbo spiral drawing set suits a five-year-old who loves to draw, because big, easy-to-hold gears let them make spiral art that looks impressive on the first try. Look for a set with a built-in design desk so the pieces do not slide around. Add extra paper so they can fill plenty of pages, and sit with them for the first few designs.
Tip: Add extra paper, and show them how to hold the gear steady for the first design.
20. A big art supply case
A big art supply case suits a five-year-old who is always drawing, because a case of crayons, markers and pencils gives them their own art station and an easy way to keep supplies together. Look for latches and a handle so it travels to grandma's house. Add a sketchbook, and keep the case where they can reach it.
Tip: Add a sketchbook and keep the case where they can reach it themselves.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best toys for 5 year olds?
Look for toys that match a kindergartner's skills: open-ended builders such as a big LEGO brick box, a screen-free coding robot, games with no reading such as Sequence for Kids, and beginning-reader books. Add something active, such as adjustable skates or pop-up soccer goals, to balance indoor play.
What are good gifts for a 5 year old boy or girl?
Choose by interest, not by gender. A child who loves cars might like the toy car garage, one who loves tiny animals might like the critter family, and one who draws all day might like the art case. Watch what they reach for at home and pick from that section.
What is a good Christmas gift for a 5 year old?
A first pedal bike, a big LEGO brick box or a tabletop dollhouse makes a strong main gift, and a card game or a set of beginning readers works as a small extra. If you buy a bike, add a helmet. See our Christmas Gifts for Kids guide for more holiday ideas.
What gifts help a 5 year old learn to read?
A boxed set of phonics beginning readers, a collection of funny early readers told in dialogue and a hands-on learning kit that pairs real pieces with a tablet all fit. Keep the books short and the mood playful, read the first one together, and let the child take over. They also work as quiet bedtime gifts.
Is a 5 year old ready for a pedal bike?
Five is a common age for a first pedal bike, but readiness depends on the child. Measure their inseam and choose the wheel size to match, make sure the bike has brakes they can operate, and always add a helmet. Practice on a flat, empty surface with a grown-up nearby.
