Hey there fellow rainbow parents! If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a gay dad about 5-year-olds, it’s that they are upgraded versions of their 4-year-old selves, except now with extra curiosity, better coordination, and an attention span that (thankfully) lasts longer than a few seconds.
They’re talking more, asking a million questions, and suddenly developing interests that seem to come out of nowhere. One day, they’re obsessed with dinosaurs, and the next, they’re giving you a full TED Talk on outer space.
That’s why picking the best toys for 5-year-olds is all about finding things that match their growing minds and new skills. At this age, kids can sit down and focus for longer periods, which means you can introduce toys requiring more patience and problem-solving.
I’m talking about hands-on activities like model kits, board games, craft projects, and even educational video games that get into whatever random passion your kid is currently fixated on.
Your goal? Buy toys that challenge their fine motor skills to boost their creativity, and, most importantly, keep them entertained long enough for you to drink a hot coffee after you just came back from work (a true parenting win).
So, after testing out a bunch of options and burning my eyes staring at my monitor, I’ve rounded up six of the absolute best toys for 5-year-olds in 2025.
These picks are fun, engaging, and perfect for fueling their growing minds. How can you not be excited for these?
If your kid loves stickers and unicorns (which, let me be honest, is a pretty solid combo), this book is going to be their new favorite toy.
It’s like paint-by-numbers, but with stickers, find the number, peel the sticker, place it on the page, and watch a colorful, glittery masterpiece come to life.
The pages are made of sturdy card stock, so once your kid finishes their dazzling unicorn scene, you can tear it out and stick it on the fridge like the masterpiece it is.
Plus, it sneaks in some number matching and fine motor skill practice, which makes me feel slightly less guilty about letting my kid sit quietly for an hour while I scroll on my phone.
This is one of those toys that gets kids running, jumping, and experimenting without them even realizing they’re learning. Just stomp on the air pump and launch one of the three stunt planes into the sky, each one flies differently!
The orange plane glides super far, the green one loops in wild circles, and the blue one flips and twirls like it's in a tiny air show.
My kid immediately turned this into a backyard science experiment, adjusting angles, testing different stomping strengths, and, of course, aiming it at me.
No batteries, no complicated setup, just good old-fashioned outdoor fun.
If your little one is into fairies, flowers, and all things magical, this stamp set is an instant creativity boost. It comes with 20 wooden stamps featuring fairies, animals, mushrooms, and other whimsical designs, plus a two-tone ink pad and colored pencils.
My kid had a blast designing her fairy world, creating little stories with each stamp. And since the ink is washable, I didn’t have to panic when things inevitably got a little messy. Bonus points for the wooden tray that keeps everything organized (at least for five minutes).
THIS THING GLOWS IN THE DARK! The 60-piece jigsaw has a dreamy pink horse, butterflies, and a rainbow, and when you turn off the lights, the whole thing just starts magically glowing.
My kid was obsessed with putting this together just so they could shut off the lights and see it glow.
It’s a great mix of fun and problem-solving, and honestly, I had just as much fun helping them put it together (okay, maybe I took over a little, but in my defense, I love puzzles).
I had no idea what to expect from this thing, but let me tell you, kids love it. It’s a curved plastic board with suction cups on the bottom, and the whole point is to wobble, rock, spin, and balance on it while it makes a super satisfying popping noise.
It’s a core workout disguised as playtime. My kid immediately started trying to balance, roll, and figure out new tricks.
Honestly, it looked so fun that I had to try it myself (I almost broke the thing). It’s fantastic for burning off energy indoors, which is amazing when the weather isn't the best for going out.
If your kid loves monster trucks and getting artsy, this kit is a perfect mix of both.
It comes with four pull-back monster trucks and everything needed to customize them, metallic paints, decals, and detailing guides.
My kid went all out, painting flames, adding racing numbers, and making each truck look unique.
Once the trucks were dry, the real fun began, pulling them back and watching them zoom across the floor, flipping over furniture and terrorizing action figures. Creativity + destruction? A five-year-old’s dream comes true.
Finding the best toys for 5-year-olds isn’t just about buying the latest trendy and expensive toy off the shelf.
Five-year-olds are like little sponges, soaking up knowledge, developing fine critical thinking skills, and forming strong opinions about everything. (Seriously, my kid will debate you on why pink is the best color and why dinosaurs still exist.)
So, what makes a great toy for this age? Here’s my method of choosing the best toy for a 5 year old:
By five, kids have pretty solid coordination and love hands-on activities that let them build, stack, and create. This is a great age for modeling kits, construction toys, and games that require a bit of planning and patience. Think stacking games, simple LEGO sets, and anything that involves following a few steps to get a cool result.
Five-year-olds are deep in their "obsession phase." Each day they have a new favorite thing and the next, it’s like space or sharks or superheroes.
Toys that tap into these interests, like puzzles, coloring books, figurines, or maps, keep them engaged while sneaking in a little learning.
At this age, kids love expressing themselves. They’re starting to form their own opinions and styles, so toys that let them customize, decorate, or build something unique are always great. Craft kits, sticker books, and anything that has them drawing, painting, or sculpting are great for this.
They enjoy practicing new skills, if it’s counting, letter recognition, or problem-solving. Tech-based toys that adapt to their skill level can be great, but even classic games that involve memory, matching, or basic math are perfect for keeping their brains busy.
Oh, and don’t forget, just because they can play independently doesn’t mean they want to. (Trust me, if your kid gets a board game, you will be playing it with them.) Look for toys that are fun for multiple players, so you can jump in when they ask.
Five-year-olds are growing fast, and I think their toys should grow with them.
The best toys for 5-year-olds in 2025 aren’t just for fun, they also help build skills, encourage creativity, and spark curiosity.
Whether your 5 year old loves to build, create, learn, or pretend, there’s a perfect toy out there for them.
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