22 Best Toys & Gifts for 5-Year-Olds

Alexandra F.:  This marble run has been going strong in our family for years, and is always a favorite. It provides hours of entertainment for a wide range of ages, and is one of the first toys I suggest to our 4-year-old when we are playing together since I love building with it as much as he does! This set has held up really well over the years, is super easy to put together, and is my favorite among several different marble runs we've tried.

Kelly R:  This bingo-style family board game is perfect for both pre-readers and early readers. Players race to match words and pictures to the spaces on their cards. We played this A LOT when my kids were little, though we always had to establish ground rules for who got to slide the tile spitter outer (technical term) to release the tiles each turn.

Shila:  These glow-in-the-dark stars stick on your walls or ceiling, & can shine for about 15 hours. They illuminate your child's room in any design you can imagine. There are hundreds of other sticky, glow-in-the-dark options you can find for purchase, but this particular set comes with a constellation guide, supplies extra putty & offers a guaranteed return policy.

Chrissy OGorman:  I love creative building toys for 5 year olds, and this is a great one for the kid who loves to build forts! With this kit your child can move beyond laying a sheet between the couch and coffee table and can really let their creativity and imagination shine!

Nancy L.:  New versions of Lite Brite offer the best of the original with updated features. It still has the pegs, templates, and lights to create a cool design with a rewarding, bright payoff. This version features a sleek tablet rather than the big, bulky original unit.

Dawn Denning:  My entire family loves the Big Book of Why! This nonfiction favorite offers huge colorful photos of interesting things and explanations of how things came about or why things exist. My kiddos loved reading it everyday to learn more about plants, food, animals and their bodies! The Big Book of Why has an entire series covering animals, science, space and more! We can't get enough of these books! It is fun for the entire family!

Shila:  Aquabeads are hundreds of colorful beads that individually line up to create any pattern or design. Kids then spritz water over it, and once dry, have created a little sturdy craft toy. It only takes water to adhere the beads together. In our house, it's a self-sufficient arts & crafts kit that our 5 year old girl & her friends enjoy.

Personal tip: don't spill the beads on the floor like I've regrettably done before. And wait a bit longer than the recommended 10 minutes for the design to dry before peeling.

Kelly R:  The 500 colorful pieces in this bead jewelry set pop together in countless ways to create custom necklaces, rings, and bracelets - and pop apart again for endless repeat play. This toy is great for a wide range of ages to play with together, and inspires creativity while improving fine motor skills and grip.

Jennie Utsinger:  Sturdy and high quality, this toy will be a favorite for many years!

Tim Ponisciak:  If your kids are into board games and games of skill, they will really enjoy Klask! Try to steer the ball into the goal of your opponent by using a magnetic handle. The game has won a number of awards as it appeals to those young and old.

Chrissy OGorman:  Great for creating a young gardener and encouraging your child's creative side. This garden set comes with seeds and decorations. For even more fun let your child create their own additional decorations out of clay!

Chrissy OGorman:  Great starter-kit for collecting rocks and minerals, including fun geology science game for up to 6 players. This kit is full of STEM fun and interesting facts.

Lisa R:  If you're trying to please a princess lover, then this epic doll set is your ticket to cool adult status. This set of 12 dolls includes many of the most loved Disney princesses in their signature movie outfits. Kids will be thrilled to have this entire set to dress and act out their favorite movie moments.

Amanda Banta:  My 5-year-old loves to take pictures with my DSLR camera, but, in all honesty, seeing him with one of my favorite possessions gives me a bit of anxiety. While trying to smile for his pictures I'm usually muttering "don't drop it, don't drop it." Knowing how much he likes to snap pics with my camera, my parents gave my son this VTech camera for his birthday and he loves it. He has taken tons of pictures since the night he got it, even snapping a few on selfie mode! The camera is easy for little hands to hold and to use, which were the most critical features for me after durability.

Dawn Denning:  Constant motion is the norm in my house. The Hover Ball helps keep the motion productive and nondestructive by floating across the floor instead of flying through the air. The Hover Ball kicks like a soccer ball, but doesn't launch through the air. Your kiddo can practice their skills and burn some energy without messing up the house!