The best toys for 5 year olds help them wind down, burn off energy, and practice school skills without it feeling like homework.
Five is the kindergarten year, and wow, does it change the shape of your day. When my oldest started kindergarten, all of a sudden the toys at home had a different job: practice learning skills!
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As a former classroom teacher, I can tell you what kindergarten teachers notice in the first few weeks:
- can they cut on a line
- count out a set of objects
- write a few letters of their name
- take turns without having a meltdown
So this list is built around those skills and sorted into the 11 play categories I use for our toy rotation. Grab one or two from each section and you’ve got a toy shelf that covers the whole kindergarten readiness checklist.
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What 5 Year Olds Are Working On
Here’s the developmental picture before we talk toys. These come from CDC’s milestone checklist for 5 year olds, which lists what most kids (75% or more) can do by their 5th birthday. I kept the CDC’s four groups.
Social and emotional
- Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other kids
- Sings, dances, or acts for you
- Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table after eating
Language and communication
- Tells a story they heard or made up with at least two events
- Answers simple questions about a book or story after you read it
- Keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges
- Uses or recognizes simple rhymes (bat and cat, ball and tall)
Thinking and problem-solving
- Counts to 10
- Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them
- Uses time words like “yesterday,” “tomorrow,” “morning,” or “night”
- Pays attention for 5 to 10 minutes during things like story time or crafts (screen time doesn’t count)
- Writes some letters in their name
- Names some letters when you point to them
Movement and physical
- Buttons some buttons
- Hops on one foot
| What they’re working on | Where it shows up in play | Jump to |
|---|---|---|
| Hopping on one foot, balance, big energy | Gross motor | Gross motor |
| Writing letters, buttons, cutting on a line | Fine motor and art | Fine motor, Art |
| Following rules, taking turns, counting spaces | Close-ended toys and games | Close-ended |
| Telling stories with a beginning and an end | Pretend play and open-ended | Pretend play, Open-ended |
| Singing, dancing, rhymes | Musical and multimedia | Musical |
| Simple chores, helping out | Nurturing | Nurturing |
| Paying attention for 5 to 10 minutes | Building and sensory | Blocks, Sensory |
| Counting, numbers, “what happens if” | STEM | STEM |
🍎 Teacher hat on for one second: milestones are a range. Plenty of kids walk into kindergarten writing only the first letter of their name, and that’s fine. If something is bugging you, bring it up with your pediatrician or your child’s teacher. You know your kid best.
Independent Play & Quiet Time for 5 Year Olds
Good toys for 5 year olds cover a few of my play categories at once, which is why so many of these picks show up in more than one section.
Sort what you already own into the categories above. Five year olds tend to have a mountain of blocks, dolls, and art supplies and not much in nurturing or music.
Keep no more than 8 toys out at a time, and swap them on a schedule you decide (not when someone begs). That’s the toy rotation system in a nutshell.
If your 5 year old still can’t play alone for more than a few minutes, my independent play guide walks through how to build that skill in small steps.
Gross Motor Toys for 5 Year Olds
Hopping on one foot is on the CDC’s 5 year old list, and five year olds need somewhere to put all that energy, especially after a day of sitting at a table. Our gross motor toy guide has plenty of ideas for small spaces and rainy days.
Goliath The Original The Floor is Lava!
We love this game to take a childhood classic like 'the floor is lava,' but save your couches and coffee tables from getting trampled. My only complaint is that the stepping stones are foam, so they slip on carpet.
- ENDLESS GAMES PRESENTS: The Floor is Lava! is a family board game that promotes physical activity, an active imagination, and engaging excitement for kids and adults.
- ACTIVE FUN: Turn every floor into an exciting u201clava jumpingu201d adventure with The Floor is Lava! Get your child up off the couch or away from video games with this fun interactive game!
- EVERYONE LEAP: Real entertainment and laugh out loud fun challenges the whole family. Popular for birthdays, holiday parties, or game night. For 2 or more players ages 5 -105!
- INSIDE OR OUTSIDE PLAY: Each of our cushioned, durable, slip-resistant foam stepping stones can be used during outdoor birthday parties or indoor sleepovers.
Chuckle & Roar 10-Pin Kids Bowling Set
Little Tikes Bouncing Fun! Blue Hopper
Not only are these a great workout (believe me I've tried to bounce on one of these!), they are also perfect for sensory input.
- Safe with a recessed re-inflatable valve
- Helps build coordination skills
Nex Playground
Our experience with this is limited to my in-store demo. We have a Nintendo Switch system (gifted to us), so we didn't want to invest in another system. However, this little cube is like the oldschool Wii but without the need for a controller. Because your body is the controller, I can see kids being able to play this much easier than learning to operate a traditional game controller.
- 5 GAMES INCLUDED. UNLOCK MORE WITH PLAY PASS. Playground comes with Fruit Ninja, Starri, Whac-a-Mole, Go Keeper, and Party Fowl. A separate purchase of a 3-Month ($49) or 12-Month Play Pass ($89) is required to access the full catalog of games and get new games each month, including Barbie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, How to Train Your Dragon, Peppa Pig, Care Bears, Elmo, Miraculous Ladybug, Gabby's Dollhouse, Kung Fu Panda and more.
- GET MOVING WITH ACTIVE FAMILY FUN. Nex Playground is a new kind of video game console that gets your family moving. It easily connects to your TV, transforming your living room into an active play space. Within minutes, your family will be playing Fruit Ninja, Whac-a-Mole and more. Using a built-in camera to track motion and natural body movements, anyone in the family can jump right in.
- JUST USE YOUR BODY TO PLAY. Play naturally just by moving your body. Playground uses the magic of AI to follow your movements using the built-in wide-angle camera. No controllers or clunky trackers! Up to 4 players can play at the same time, so everyone can get moving together.
- SAFE FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES. Playground content is safe and appropriate for all ages. No ads. No in-app purchases. No mature content. Playground is also kidSAFE+ COPPA certified and motion tracking data is never stored or processed in the cloud.
Fine Motor Toys for 5 Year Olds
These are learning toys for 5 year olds in disguise: every snip and every button is kindergarten practice. If your kindergartner only practices one fine motor skill at home, make it scissors. More ideas in our fine motor skills toy guide.
Fiskars 5" Kids Blunt-Tip Scissors
I always like the blunt rounded scissors over the pointed ones for kids. It adds an extra level of safety without compromising on being able to cut.
Fiskars Practice Scissors and Craft Book
These activity books are just meant for cutting (a major fine motor skill needed for school!).
- Safe practice scissors and educational craft book for children aged 3 and over, For right- and left-handed use, Developed together with paediatric occupational therapists
- Craft book with tips & tricks for learning how to use scissors, simple cuts and lines for practising closing the scissor blades
- Safe, plastic-coated, blunt blades and training lever to gently open the blades after each cut – practical for learning the basic scissor movement
Skillmatics Snip Snip, Scissor Skills
These are so fun and there are lots of different themes. Cut and paste to make scenes, toys, diagrams, and more.
- Work fine motor skills in a mess-free way
- Full color pages to cut and paste
Elmer's Repositionable Washable School Glue
For kids who are prone to perfectionism (mine definitely are), these glue sticks are great! You can stick and re-stick as many times as you need. The glue will hold in place as long as you don't purposefully pry it apart.
- Stick and re-stick paper, decorations, and artwork
- Applies smoothly and dries clear
- Safe, nontoxic, acid-free, and photo-safe
- Washable with soap and water
Skillmatics Poke-in-Art Magical Unicorns
This is a fun project for kids to practice fine motor skills with tissue paper. Use pre-cut pieces of paper and a stick to poke tissue into the design.
- POKE-IN ART ACTIVITY: This mess-free activity set sparks creativity as kids create their own magical unicorn dream decor by decorating unicorn-themed foam shapes with sparkly fabric squares and string them all together with the glitter string! It's the perfect way to brighten up a room with DIY room decor!
- INCLUDES: 700+ Fabric Squares, 5 Foam Pieces, 2 Poke-in Sticks, 1 Poke-in Pad, a Glitter String, and an Instruction Manual.
- EASY TO USE: Simply place a foam piece on the poke-in pad, then poke fabric squares into the slots. Repeat for each foam piece. Finally, attach the glitter string to each piece and hang them from the rainbow at varying lengths.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Multi-Craft Weaving Loom
A little space-consuming but can be used to make multiple different projects or just to practice the weaving motion.
Open-Ended Toys for 5 Year Olds
Open-ended toys are the ones with no instructions, and no “right” way to play. We have a whole guide to open-ended toys that last.
Nutty Toys Pop Tubes
We have used these giant tubes for so many activities. It's amazing how many uses my kids have found for these.
- ud83dude03 FUN STEM TOY FOR KIDS – bright coloured pop tubes are EASY TO CONNECT together giving your little ones freedom to explore designs and applications of their own; teach the kids LETTERS and SHAPES with this educational stem toy and get toddlers to improve their motor skills or simply let them fidget on a car ride; STRESS RELIEF FOR ADULTS – no joke, give an adult a pop tube and transform him into a child who won't let his new toy down and keep popping it and making noise.
Newcotte 5 Set Magic Color Silk Scarf
One minute you're running these silks through your newborn's fingers for sensory play, the next your toddlers are wearing them as capes, tying them into ropes, building forts, and more.
- More Fun Than You Realize: can use it as a game prop, play hide and seek with their friends, throw the handkerchief and more, offering a diverse range of open ended play experiences
- Versatile: we can use this play scarves as carriers, scarves, capes, grass for rocking horses dance props and even to build forts with play clips, and also can be a sling for a doll or stuffed animal, a decorative backdrop for a make faith scene, there is more fun waiting for you to discover
- Durable: our large square scarves are made of durable reusable satin chiffon fabric ideal for playing dress up, doll blankets, dancing and twirling, capes, activities and songs, Halloween costumes, picnics, traveling, movement, juggling, and more
- Promotes Motor Coordination: the flowing scarves are ideal for dance and movement activities helping to improve balance coordination and rhythm they can also for tossing catching waving and storytelling promoting physical development and boosting confidence
Close-Ended Toys and Games for 5 Year Olds
“Follows rules or takes turns when playing games” is the very first social milestone on the CDC’s 5 year old list, so this is the year board games become important. For more first games (and the co-op ones that helped my boys handle losing), see my board games guide.
My close-ended toys guide explains why kids need these just as much as open-ended play (and it’s where we talk about our favorite family games).
Hasbro Gaming Chutes and Ladders
Chutes and Ladders is close-ended play that practices following rules, turn-taking, and win or lose concepts. I also like that there is counting involved with counting spaces.
- NO READING REQUIRED TO PLAY: For kids ages 3 and up, Chutes and Ladders can be a great game for kids who haven't learned how to read yet
- KIDS CAN PRACTICE NUMBERS: Children can practice counting and number recognition as they travel along the gameboard to get to the top
Peaceable Kingdom Count Your Chickens Cooperative Game
Board games are a great way to introduce close-ended toys. They can follow rules, take turns, and either win or lose.
- COOPERATIVE COUNTING PLAY: Removes competitive pressure and teaches little ones how fun teamwork can be. Players work together, count their moves, and celebrate every chick they bring back to the coop
- MADE FOR LITTLE FARMERS: Created for 2-4 players ages 3 and up. Includes a beautifully illustrated board, premium wooden hen and chick pieces, a chicken coop, spinner, and easy instructions. Average play time is about 15 minutes
Mattel Games Kerplunk Disney
Like the classic without the worry of marbles in the house.
- The KerPlunk game kids love featuring the Hi-Tech Edition Buzz Lightyears and crane inspired by Disney and Pixaru2019s Toy Story 5!
- Roll the die and remove a stick of the matching color. If any Buzz Lightyears fall, you must keep them.
- When all the Buzz Lightyears have tumbled down, the player with the fewest wins!
- Clouds on the sticks let colorblind players easily identify which stick to pull.
- Fun for the whole family, kids and adults alike, easy to learn and perfect for family game night or party play!
Peaceable Kingdom Race to the Treasure! Cooperative Game
Kids can learn to work together toward a similar goal. This teaches empathy, listening to others, and seeing other points of view.
- Players work together to beat the Ogre to the treasure by creating a path from start to finish; if they are successful everyone wins!
- Children learn strategy and social development skills with no reading required
Blocks and Building Toys for 5 Year Olds
Paying attention for 5 to 10 minutes is on the 5 year old list, and building can keep their attention that long while they build a model. Our building toys guide breaks down the types.
Building toys for 5 year olds should come with instructions to follow (close-ended play), and enough pieces to make their own ceration (open-ended play).
Educational Insights Design & Drill Marble Maze
We can never decide, what's more fun? Building the maze with the working drills and screws? Or seeing if the marbles make it through the track?!
- Working drill and screws to assemble the mazes
- Guide book with example mazes (close-ended play), or make your own design (open-ended)
- Drill has forward and reverse motions
Our gear sets are from Learning Resources, and they get pulled out of the rotation closet more than almost anything.
Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears! Mashines in Motion
We've built a lot of simple machines with our Learning Resources gear sets over the years.
- BUILDS EARLY ENGINEERING SKILLS: Hands-on building play helps kids explore STEM concepts as they design and build moving machines using colorful interlocking gears
- SUPPORTS CREATIVE MACHINE PLAY: Kids can build and rebuild different machines that spin and turn, encouraging creative problem solving and open-ended construction play
- DESIGNED FOR KIDS AGES 5+: Made for kids five year old and up with durable, easy-to-connect gear pieces that support confident building and early learning
- STRENGTHENS MOTOR & THINKING SKILLS: Connecting, turning, and aligning gears helps build fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, and cause-and-effect understanding
Learning Resources Gears Building & Bloom Building Set
I love a block set that's geared (pun intended 😜) toward girls. These blocks combine gears with flowers for endless creative possibilities.
- SPARKS STEM LEARNING THROUGH FLOWER-THEMED BUILDING: Kids connect interlocking gears, petals, and garden pieces to explore motion, simple mechanics, and hands-on STEM concepts
- PERFECT FOR SPRING-THEMED PLAY & CREATIVE ACTIVITIES: Great for imaginative garden building, toddler playtime, preschool centers, or learning activities at home
- DESIGNED FOR KIDS AGES 4+ WHO LOVE FLOWERS & BUILDING TOYS: Ideal for girls, boys, and young builders who enjoy colorful, creative construction sets
- USED TO BUILD FINE MOTOR & PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS: Children snap, stack, and arrange pieces to design moving floral displays that help strengthen coordination and spatial reasoning
Tinkertoy – Retro Building Set Tin
My kids made so many creations with these Tinker Toys. They are big, so they make big builds, and big fun!
- 15 Building Ideas: Unleash your creativity as you assemble 15 different builds! Use the easy-to-follow instructions to assemble your creations, or let your imagination run wild as you build anything you can imagine.
- Includes 85 Pieces: This set comes with 85 pieces, giving your little one everything they need for endless fun and construction opportunities!
- STEAM Building Set: The TINKERTOY Retro Building Set Tin improves your child's learning through STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts & math) concepts.
LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box 10696
We chose this kit specifically for all of the wheels it came with! Who doesn't like building moving things?!
- Endless Builds – This creative toy for boys and girls includes windows, toy eyes, 18 tires and toy wheel rims that can be placed on a green baseplate for kids to role-play; plus the container can be used as toy storage
- Imaginative Play – Kids can use their imagination, picking an assortment of bricks to bring to life any building toy they want with these colorful toys, fostering kids' playtime and building creativity throughout the process
Musical and Multimedia Toys for 5 Year Olds
“Sings, dances, or acts for you” is a milestone at 5, and I think it’s one of the best ones. You don’t need fancy instruments (we have a whole collection of Dollar Tree ones), and audio players count. See our musical toys guide for more.
VTech Kidi Star DJ Mixer Pro
This was a huge hit for my youngest son's birthday. We had a previous model, but this one is updated with even more features. You can even record your own tracks and play them back!
- Record songs, melodies and loops, then play them back to wow the crowd
- Play built-in games, set off the spinning lights; plug in headphones for quieter play
- Scratch, jam and create your own mixes with the turntable and keyboard, or use the sound grid to customize the fifteen included songs in thousands of different combinations
Danny Go! Color Beat Drumsticks
Before these existed, we used cut pool noodles to play along with our favorite Danny Go! videos. These light up, make sound, and have easy-to-grip handles to enhance the experience.
- Get up and go with Danny Go!: itu2019s easy to kick up a beat, start instant dance parties, and enjoy lots of musical fun with the Danny Go! Color Beat Drumsticks.
- Just Like the Show: Kids will have a great time as they press the buttons on the drumsticks to cycle through lights, music, and sound effects. Beat out a rhythm in the air, on the carpet, a couch cushion u2014 almost anywhere!
Danny Go! Dance & Go! Music Mat
It's Dance Dance Revolution for your living room! This mat encourages kids to follow along to steps, getting them up and moving to their favorite Danny Go! songs.
- Get Up and Go with Danny Go!: Energetic kids can play tunes and find a groove along with songs from the hit YouTube series with the Danny Go! Dance & Go! Music Mat.
- Music Maker Mode: Step on instrument buttons to hear piano, drum, guitar, and saxophone sounds. Make up dances, compose tunes, sing along, and have fun.
Yoto Mini
I could go on and on about how much we love Yoto players at my house, and I do in my full Yoto review! These are a part of our daily routine, and come with us wherever we go.
- SMALL SPEAKER FOR BIG ADVENTURES: Yoto Mini lets kids explore their imaginations as they explore the world. Fill road trips, car rides, flights, long journeys & play dates with inspiring audio!
- EASY TO SET UP & USE: Children from 3-12+ use physical cards to explore the best audio content on the move. Simply pop an audio card into the Mini to play & remove to stop. Adjust volume or tracks with the dials. Alternatively, control the Mini via the free app!
- KID-FRIENDLY WITH PARENTAL CONTROL: Enjoy up to 14 hours of safe & screen-free entertainment per charge. No cameras. No mics. No ads.
- MULTI-PURPOSE: Features a pixel display to bring the audio to life, play sleep sounds, use as bedtime storyteller, an OK-to-wake clock, a portable audio speaker or use with headphones!
- CONTENT THAT GROWS WITH KIDS' MINDS: Explore 1000+ cards of bestselling audiobooks, music, educational activities, free podcasts, radio, soundscapes, timers or even create content with a Make Your Own card!
YOTO: Disney Animals Storybook Collection
- DISNEY ANIMALS STORYBOOK COLLECTION: 17 stories featuring new & old Disney animal friends & stories full of heart, friendship & adventure! Tag along with Pua, Heihei, Lucifer, Simba & Nala & more on their quests!
- IN THE BOX: Single audiobook card; Author: Disney; Read by: Erin Bennett; Language: English; Accent: US; Running Time: 1h 39 min; Ages 5+
Toniebox 2 Disney Bundle
We love our Tonie player so much that I have a whole review dedicated to it. Plus Tonies have come such a long way since our original player!
- Screen-free music and stories for children
- Hundreds of audio choices or make your own audio
- Kids can control with the simple buttons
Art Supplies for 5 Year Olds
“Writes some letters in their name” is another milestone on the CDC list, and the art table is a great place to practice without feeling like homework. Art doesn’t have to mean mess, either. Our art supplies guide sorts everything by mess level. We are a proud Crayola family, so you’ll see their stuff all over our house.
Crayola Mini Twistables Crayons for Kids (50ct)
I love coloring with crayons, but even the best crayons tend to break in bookbags and supply bins. These crayons solve the breaking problem!
- CRAYOLA TWISTABLES CRAYON SET: This kids' coloring set includes 50 Crayola Mini Twistable Crayons, perfect for little hands.
- LESS MESS COLORING: Unlike traditional crayons, Crayola Twistable Crayons require no peeling or sharpening, making them a great less-mess option for coloring.
- DURABLE AND LONG-LASTING: Made with high-quality materials, these crayons for toddlers and kids are built to last.
Crayola Modeling Clay
This modeling clay is a lot of fun because it never dries out! The only draw-back is that it can be a little messy (especially once the clay gets warm from little hands).
- NON-DRYING MODELING CLAY: Itu2019s the lightweight, spongy modeling material that sticks to itselfu2014not your hands. Doesn't dry out, so you can shape and reshape! Choose from 8 classic colors in 4 ounce mylar packages.
- 3D ART: Create anything from simple shapes to intricate dioramas with this clean, pliable modeling compound. Doesn't dry out, so you can shape and reshape to your heart's content.
- TACTILE ART: Let your little artist express themselves through sculpting, molding and modeling. Kids love the 3D nature of clay & dough. Our Air-Dry Clay hardens on its own, and our Modeling Clay can be sculpted, squished, and reused without drying out.
Educational Insights Jumbo Gem Kit
This is like diamond painting for little kids! The gems are big and easy to maneuver and stick with the included tool.
- MESS FREE ART: No need for glue, tape, or scissors; this preschool craft kit includes all tools and materials, so kids can enjoy crafting independently and safely without creating a mess
- TODDLER CRAFT KIT INCLUDES: Gem popper tool, 500 jumbo craft gems, and 16 fantasy design cards that can be pieced together and displayed to showcase a magical, sparkly scene; for children ages 5+
Skillmatics Rock Painting Kit
Our kids love painting rocks for rock gardens, outdoor kitchens, and even to make collections for their rooms. This kit gives the precision of markers with the pigment of paint.
- MESS-FREE ROCK PAINTING KIT: Explore the world of creativity with Skillmatics' Mess-free Rock Painting Kit. This engaging art and craft activity allows children to express themselves through vibrant designs inspired by their favorite animals, planets, and more. Start your own rock collection today!
- INCLUDES: 8 Rocks, 8 Paint Markers, Colorful Gems, Googly Eyes, and an Instruction Manual.
- HOW TO USE: Start by using the paint markers to color the rocks. Then, use the different colored markers to create vibrant designs and add details. Finally, decorate your rock with colorful gems and googly eyes!
- DEVELOP KEY SKILLS: While having fun, children develop essential skills like creative thinking, fine motor abilities, spatial reasoning, and focus. It's an engaging way for them to grow and learn!
Skillmatics Magical Scratch Art Book
We love scratch art for traveling, restaurants, and quiet-time activities. It practices fine motor skills with satisfying sensory feedback with each stroke!
- MAGICAL SCRATCH ART BOOK: Scratch over and make patterns to reveal colorful pictures, and create your own sticker art with animals found in the wild, on the farm, and underwater as you paste them on enchanting backdrops!
- INCLUDES: 10 scratch pictures, 30+ scratch stickers, 2 wooden styluses, and an instruction manual.
- TRAVEL-FRIENDLY: Includes a convenient holder for easy carrying, making it travel-ready. Perfect for long road trips, flights, and train rides, offering hours of fun on the go.
- CHILD-SAFE: Made with high-quality, odorless and non-toxic materials, this scratch art book is 100% safe for children to use.
Spirograph Jr. Classic Retro Kit
My oldest got a Spirograph set that was too tricky for our youngest. We found this junior kit that's perfect for small hands and easier to coordinate.
- CREATED WITH JUNIOR ASPIRING ARTISTS IN MIND! The large design gears are easy to work with, and our instruction guide shows young imaginations how to turn Spirograph designs into awesome pictures
- ASPIRING ARTIST OF ALL AGES can draw colorful, spiraling designs with Jumbo-size pieces, washable markers, built-in storage, a cool carrying case and drawing desk
- SET INCLUDES – 4 Gears, 1 Gear Ring, 5 Art Markers, 24-Page Design Paper Pad, 8-Page Design Guide Book, and Carry-Along Case with Built-In Design Desk, Storage and Gear Frame
Sensory Toys for 5 Year Olds
After a long school day, sensory play is one of the fastest ways I know to help a kid settle their body. It can be as low-mess as you want. Our sensory toys guide has plenty of tidier options.
Kinetic Sand Dig N' Demolish
This is so fun to mold and stack bricks (yes they actually stay bricks!) and then demolish them!
- 2-in-1 truck & mold: Scoop & crush with the trucku2019s detachable Kinetic Sand tools. Mold bricks & crush them with the jackhammer tool, then clip the scooper onto the front loader & clean up your site
- Enclosed play space: Open the box to reveal a play space for the setu2019s 1lb of brown Kinetic Sand for kids. When youu2019re finished playing, pack everything back into the box for easy clean up & storage
- One & Only Kinetic Sand: Feel the difference with Kinetic Sand, the original moldable & mesmerizing magic sand. Kinetic Sandu2019s unique formula makes it stick together so it easily shapes & molds
Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Ice Cream Shop
I love sensory bins (they keep my kids busy for so long!). They can be time consuming to come up with a theme and gather all of the supplies, so this is a done-for-you option.
Newcotte 5 Set Magic Color Silk Scarf
One minute you're running these silks through your newborn's fingers for sensory play, the next your toddlers are wearing them as capes, tying them into ropes, building forts, and more.
- More Fun Than You Realize: can use it as a game prop, play hide and seek with their friends, throw the handkerchief and more, offering a diverse range of open ended play experiences
- Versatile: we can use this play scarves as carriers, scarves, capes, grass for rocking horses dance props and even to build forts with play clips, and also can be a sling for a doll or stuffed animal, a decorative backdrop for a make faith scene, there is more fun waiting for you to discover
- Durable: our large square scarves are made of durable reusable satin chiffon fabric ideal for playing dress up, doll blankets, dancing and twirling, capes, activities and songs, Halloween costumes, picnics, traveling, movement, juggling, and more
- Promotes Motor Coordination: the flowing scarves are ideal for dance and movement activities helping to improve balance coordination and rhythm they can also for tossing catching waving and storytelling promoting physical development and boosting confidence
Learning Resources Jumbo Tweezers
These are great for DIY sensory bins, science experiments and crafts.
- FINE MOTOR DEVELOPMENT: Strengthen hand muscles, pencil grip, coordination, and fine motor skills with easy grip preschool tweezers designed specifically for growing hands
- 12 JUMBO TWEEZERS INCLUDED: Comes with 12 colorful jumbo tweezers in 6 vibrant colors, perfect for group activities, preschoolers, and fine motor skill development
- BUILT FOR LITTLE HANDS: Ergonomic design naturally supports proper grasp and hand positioning, making these fine motor tweezers for kids great for ages 5+ learning and play activities
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Pretend Play Toys for 5 Year Olds
Telling a story with at least two events is a 5 year old language milestone, and pretend play is where kids do it all day long. More ideas in our pretend play guide.
Five year olds also love real-life roles: the dentist, the cashier, the pirate. Our dentist kit came from Melissa & Doug, and it still gets used.
Melissa & Doug Super Smile Dentist Play Set
We bought this for our son who was apprehensive about his first dentist visit, and we wanted to show him all of the tools that he would see at the office. He brought the kit to the dentist with him, and too this day they call him "doctor," when he walks in 😂
- Complete Dentist Play Set: Featuring oversized teeth & big, chunky dental toolsu2014a vibrating drill & polisher, cavity stickers, floss, wiggly teeth, braces & moreu2014just like in a real dental office
- Skill-Building Pretend Play Toys: Kids can role play teeth cleaning, putting on braces & even tooth extractions, with premium-quality dentist toys, that will complement any doctor kit for preschoolers 3-5
- Open-Ended, Screen-Free Play: Teaches dental hygiene & preschool learning activitiesu2014counting, hand-eye coordination, memory & empathyu2014using kids' dress up & pretend play to keep them active & engaged
Battat Cash Register with Scanner
Cash registers are so fun for kids. Set one up next to your pretend kitchen, and voila! You have a restaurant. Set one up beside your ice cream counter toy, and now you're a parlor. Not to metion scanning empty packages from your pantry is fun for pretend grocery shopping.
- Develops fine-motor skills as children handle money, use the scanner, and press the buttons on the cash register
- Play money (bills and coins) that creates an authentic shopping experience
- Realistic credit card with chip and tap symbols
- Beeping button sounds on the cash register for added authenticity
Melissa & Doug Chef Costume
We love that Melissa & Doug costume sets are high quality and come with lots of fun accessories.
- INSPIRES CREATIVITY & LEARNING:This chef role play costume inspires storytelling, creative expression, and pretend restaurant play as kids explore life as a chef through dress up and role play
- VERSATILE FOR ALL OCCASIONS : For pretend play, school performances, classroom dress up clothes, cooking theme parties, Halloween, Christmas, birthdays, and everyday adventures
Playmobil sets are the big-brother to Little People sets. They allow for imagination and pretend play, but the characters are more grown up with more pieces and accessories to play with.
Playmobil Country Farmhouse
- CONTENTS: farmer, farmeru2019s wife, child, goat, kid, cat, mice, birds, farmhouse with balcony and terrace, sink, stove, double bed, childu2019s bed, dining table, chairs, stool, wheelbarrow, shovel, flowering bushes, toaster, birds nest, sticker sheet, plus lots of other great accessories.
- THE ORIGINAL: PLAYMOBIL has been inspiring children and adults since 1974. High-quality and durable materials ensure your child will be playing with their PLAYMOBIL for many years to come
Playmobil Dinos: Research Camp with Dinos
- Comprehensive research equipment for little explorers: Included are two brave researchers, a Stegosaurus, a Deinonychus, and everything you need for your expedition: microscope, laptop, walkie-talkies, camera, and much more!
- The PLAYMOBIL Dinosaur World invites children aged four and up to dive into exciting role-playing adventures and experience the fascination of these giant reptiles at home. Includes a knowledge card with fascinating dinosaur facts.
- All PLAYMOBIL Dino World sets are made of over 80% recycled and bio-based materials.
- Contents: 93 pieces with instructions: 2 figures, 4 animals, 87 additional accessories; materials made from plastic; LxWxH: Base plate with tree and tarp: approx. 6.8 x 5.1 x 6.7 in; Terrain vehicle: approx. 6.8 x 3.9 x 3.7 in, 71523
Playmobil Puppy Care Center
We love that Playmobil offers so many different types of sets. There is something for every interest from animals and dinosaurs to dragons and knights.
- PLAY FUN FOR CHILDREN 4 YEARS OLD AND UP: Ideal for children's hands thanks to its age-appropriate size and safe rounded edges. Encourages your child's imagination.
- CONTENTS: Set includes one figure, eight puppies, puppy beds, wash station, leash, grooming tools, and other accessories.
- THE ORIGINAL: PLAYMOBIL has been inspiring children and adults since 1974. High-quality and durable materials ensure your child will be playing with their PLAYMOBIL for many years to come.
Nurturing Toys for 5 Year Olds
Doing simple chores like matching socks or clearing the table is on the 5 year old list. That’s the nurturing category in real life: taking care of themselves, their space, and other people. It’s the category nobody talks about, so I wrote a whole guide to nurturing toys.
Dyforce Kids Step Stool
Teaching kids to nurture can also apply to themselves. Teach them to care for their hygiene and solve small problems (like getting a cup of water) by themselves. We use these foldable stepstools at home for just these uses.
- Perfect for office environments, this foldable step stool provides ergonomic support for reaching high shelves or filing cabinets, while its compact design tucks neatly under desks for space-efficient storage
Wooden Cooking & Baking Set
Kids can learn all about caring for others when preparing food. Food needs to be handled gently, and requires patience.
- Complete Kit For Budding Chefs: The kids kitchen tools set has all the essentials for real cooking fun – 2 kids-safe knives, a cutting board, a wooden chopper, whisk, rolling pin, 4 spatulas & 4 shape cutters. It also includes a recipe card & convenient storage bag
- Safe, Durable and Just The Right Size: Crafted for little hands, the toddler cooking set is made from durable beech & bamboo wood, BPA, PVC & Phthalate-free. Cleaning the top-notch toddler kitchen tools is easy, just wipe or hand wash (no soaking)
Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Gargening Tote
Let your kids help in the garden and teach them about how to gently care for plants and trees.
- Brightly patterned tote, complete with child-sized garden tools
- Garden tools–shovel, rake, and spray bottle–made of easy-clean plastic
- Encourages outdoor exploration and an interest in the natural world
STEM Toys for 5 Year Olds (Bonus)
If you’re shopping for educational toys for 5 year olds, start here. The balance scale and binoculars can also be used as a Montessori toys for 5 year olds.
Counting to 10 and naming numbers are both on the 5 year old list, and STEM toys are a fun way to put numbers to work. At this age, it’s all about comparing, predicting, and testing. More in our STEM toys guide.
Battat Penguin Math Balance Scale
Use the build-in cards to solve problems and make predictions about how much things weigh. My kids also use this to "weigh" random items around the house.
- 38-Piece Set: Includes 1 penguin scale with 2 balancing trays, 1 storage container with 1 lid, 30 sea creature weights, and 3 playbooks.
- Playbooks Included: Comes with 3 playbooks, filled with educational play ideas, at different developmental levels.
- STEAM Toy: This penguin scale is an accredited STEAM toy!
BRIO World Lift & Load Warehouse Set
We love trains at my house! The are great for building tracks, understanding hills and valleys, and more! They are pricey, so try and find them second-hand to grow your collection without breaking the bank.
- Timeless Keepsake: Built to last, this enduring wooden toy train accessory will ignite your child's imagination and foster creativity through engaging play.
- Effortless Compatibility: Expand your child's imagination with this versatile elevator, vehicles, and wooden tracks.
- Planet-Friendly Choice: Made from sustainable materials and thoughtfully designed, these wooden train and railway sets and accessories support responsible forestry. They're easy to clean and a durable choice for parents who value quality.
- Unmatched Safety Assurance: all BRIO products undergo over 1,000 safety tests each year to ensure they exceed safety standards.
Learning Resouces Coding Critters Go Pets
- SCREEN-FREE PLAY – Kids explore early coding, sequencing, and problem-solving with Scrambles the Fox, a motorized coding robot that follows black-line paths for hands-on learning.
- STORY-BASED STEM LESSONS – Scrambles comes with a 12-page full-color storybook adventure that teachers can use for STEM stations, read-aloud coding activities, and guided kids programming challenges.
- MADE FOR YOUNG LEARNERS – Designed for preschool and early elementary, this screen-free coding toy supports coding for kids, making it great for classrooms, homeschoolers, and STEM-ready beginners.
Learning Resources Coding Critter Ranger & Zip
- EARLY CODING SKILLS: Code along with your first coding friends and their screen-free storybook coding adventure
- PLAY MODE: Play fetch, hide and seek, and more with brave Ranger and mischievous Zip
- KID CODING ROBOT: Design your own endless coding challenges with the 22-piece pet Playset. REAL PET PLAY: Feed, pet, and take care of your interactive pets in play mode
- Super STEM Skills: From science and technology to engineering and math, STEM learning help kids build critical thinking and other skills they need for success in school and beyond!
Educational Insights Kidnoculars
These binoculars for kids have survived two boys and hundreds of nature adventures!
- FOCUS FREE BINOCULARS FOR TODDLERS: Kidnoculars are sturdy, portable binoculars designed specifically for toddlers to help them develop a sense of adventure and a love of exploration and discovery
- SPARK A LOVE FOR SCIENCE: Nature toys for toddlers like Kidnoculars allow children in preschool and kindergarten to develop an early interest in multiple fields, from geology to astronomy and beyond
Learning Resources Botley 2.0 The Coding Robot
- EASY REMOTE-CONTROLLED LEARNING PLAY: This friendly robot for kids uses a simple remote to introduce early coding ideas through playful cause-and-effect actions, building confidence and curiosity for young future coders at home or in the classroom.
- CODING ROBOTICS KIT: Open the box and jump into hands-on building as kids use the included coding cards to design command sequences for their robot, strengthening planning, logic, and sequencing skills that grow with every new challenge they create.
- MULTIPLE NEW CHALLENGES: As kids advance, this robot adds depth to their play with multi-step coding paths, 45u00b0 turns, and object-sensing reactions that encourage them to design longer routes, refine strategies, and tackle more complex problem-solving.
- MULTISENSORY FUN: Lights, sounds, and playful music give this kids robot a lot of coding options! The 16 secret code combinations offer open-ended play for curious young creators.
Educational Insights My First Telescope
This no-squint telescope is like binoculars, so it makes it easy for kids to look out of.
- STARTER KIDS TELESCOPE: Designed specifically for ages 4-8 years old, this kid-sized telescope is focus-free so little explorers can get going right away with no complicated adjustments
- SPARK A LOVE FOR SCIENCE: STEM Toys like My First Telescope provide an out-of-this-world way to encourage STEM learning and an early interest in astronomy, exploration, and discovery
Shopping for a sibling or planning ahead? See our picks for 4 year olds and 6 year olds. If a road trip is coming up, our travel toys guide has lots of car-friendly ideas, and our toy guides page has every list in one place.
Everything I Recommend, In One Spot
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Toys that practice the skills on the CDC’s 5 year old checklist: scissors and cut-and-paste books for cutting, crayons for writing letters in their name, board games for counting and taking turns, and anything that gets them hopping. You don’t need workbooks. Play covers it.
According to the CDC, most 5 year olds can count to 10, write some letters in their name, follow rules and take turns in games, tell a simple story, button some buttons, and hop on one foot.
Yes. Simple games like Chutes and Ladders work on counting, rule-following, and turn-taking. If losing is hard for your kid (it is for mine), cooperative games where everyone wins or loses together are a great place to start.
I keep no more than 8 toys out at a time and rotate them on a schedule. Aim for one toy from each category instead of a pile of the same kind.
Many do, especially on non-school days. Once my oldest started kindergarten, he dropped daytime quiet time on school days and kept a shorter evening quiet time. Weekends still had the longer daytime block.
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