What to Get a 5-Year-Old for Christmas
Five is a great age for gifts. Kids this age are curious, chatty and full of energy. They can follow simple rules, build real things and play pretend for hours. Here's how to pick a gift they'll still be playing with in March.
What 5-year-olds love
At 5, most kids are into:
- Moving: running, scooting, climbing, jumping
- Building: blocks, bricks and anything they can make themselves
- Pretending: dress-up, play kitchens, toy animals
- Doing it "all by myself"
The best gifts lean into one of these.
Gifts that get them moving
Active gifts burn off energy and build balance and coordination:
- A 3-wheel scooter with lean-to-steer and an adjustable handlebar
- A balance bike or first pedal bike
- Walkie-talkies for backyard games and treasure hunts
- A small indoor trampoline for winter days
Add a helmet for anything with wheels.
Gifts for builders
Building toys grow with kids and work well alone or with friends:
- A big box of LEGO bricks with no fixed model to follow
- Magnetic tiles
- A marble run
Open-ended sets, where kids build what they imagine, get played with longer than one-model kits.
Gifts for quiet time
Every kid needs some calm time, especially at bedtime:
- A screen-free audio player for stories and music
- Picture books or early readers
- Drawing supplies and a big pad of paper
Cutting down on screens
Many parents try to keep screen time in check at this age. Gifts that don't need a screen, like scooters, bricks and audio players, are welcome in most homes. If you're not sure how the family feels about tablets or games, skip them.
Check the age label
Look for the maker's age range on the listing. A toy made for ages 5 and up, or one with a wide range like 5 to 12, will last for years. Toys for "ages 3 and up" may feel too easy for some 5-year-olds.
Plan for batteries
If a toy needs batteries, buy them with the gift and put them in before wrapping. Nothing ruins Christmas morning faster than a toy that won't turn on.
What to skip
- Toys with lots of tiny pieces if there's a toddler sibling in the house
- Loud electronic toys (the parents will thank you)
- Toys for older kids that are too hard and end up frustrating
The bottom line: screen-free gifts that get them moving
The best gifts for 5-year-olds are screen-free, need no batteries and get them moving or making things. A 3-wheel scooter they can ride until age 12 is a great place to start.
For four gifts compared on screens, batteries and active play, see our best Christmas gifts for 5-year-olds.