By the time children reach the age of five, they will have no doubt accumulated their fair share of toys. Interests change, though – one minute they might be obsessing over Paw Patrol, the next anything pup-related has been jettisoned in favour of the latest Disney or Marvel release. This means deciding on the best gifts for five-year-olds can be tricky.
Tastes can also change with children starting school in the year they turn five – particularly as they learn to read and spell and discover more about the world around them.
However, the best gifts for five-year-olds will not only grab a child’s attention; they will stand the test of time and be enjoyed long after the birthday celebrations have come to an end.
Amanda Frolich, founder of award-winning children’s activity class Amanda’s Action Club, is a children’s physical movement development specialist and a toy expert. She says: “Look for toys that promote physical, cognitive and social-emotional development. Toys that encourage movement and exercise, hand-eye coordination and social interaction are especially beneficial.”
With all that in mind, I was keen to test a wide variety of toys and games (with the help of my five-year-old), from the fun and the physical to the curious and the creative.
How I tested
With my five-year-old in tow (who was only too happy to get involved in the testing), I assessed a wide range of toys, from dolls, teddies and plushes to games, building sets, crafts, tech, bikes and scooters. I looked for gifts that would be suitable across the age range, from those just turning five to those getting ready to turn six. I also considered educational toys, water toys and bath toys – anything that would capture kids’ imaginations and appeal to different personalities and interests.
Before whittling down the options, my mini tester and I put lots of toys through their paces for four weeks, while considering the following criteria:
- Price point: Cost was a consideration, but I also wanted gifts that provided good value for money.
- Quality: I looked for toys made with safe and practical materials. Overall, I wanted durable, child-proof designs.
- Longevity: As well as assessing which options captured my mini tester’s imagination straight out of the box, it was the ones returned to again and again that came out on top.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
As with all IndyBest reviews, no toy or tech can be found in Kayleigh Rattle’s reviews for kids unless it has been approved by her and her young tester. Kayleigh uses a hands-on testing approach and thorough testing criteria, and value for money is never far from her mind. These are the toys that she recommends.
The best gifts for 5-year-olds 2025 are:
- Best overall – Yoto mini: £59.99, Yotoplay.com
- Best budget buy – Original Squishmallows Micromallows six pack: £9, Argos.co.uk
- Best Lego set – Lego DC Superman Mech vs Lex Luthor: £9.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best craft set – Lilo and Stitch Aquabeads keychain craft kit: £14.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best family game – Fart Yoga: £15.99, Smythstoys.com
