The Best Toys for 5 year-olds: Gift Guide for Christmas 2020
Looking for toys and gift ideas that will stimulate and engage your 5 year-old this Christmas? These are my top picks of the best toys for 5 year-olds that will stimulate their imagination, create learning opportunities and will have them coming back to play again and again.
How to choose the best toys for 5 year-olds this Christmas?
- Toys that can be used in different ways – these will keep your child’s attention longer because of the variety.
- Toys that will grow with your child, these will have different difficulty levels or varying options of how to play as your child gets older.
- Toys that encourage exploring, experimenting and problem-solving.
- Toys that focus on hands-on play – open-ended activities will engage your child’s creativity.
Stomp Rocket Stunt Planes 
These fun stunt planes are 100% kid-powered. Kids need to run, jump and stomp to launch three different stunt planes. The planes are designed by aeronautical engineers to perform a variety of amazing stunts. Each plane is unique: the looped plane performs giant loops, the glider plane soars up to 100 feet and the wildcat plane performs all kinds of crazy tricks. Kids can adjust the angle of flight with the adjustable launch stand. This set includes the 3 Stunt Planes (Looper, Glider and Wildcat), a sturdy adjustable air rocket launch-stand and a launch stomp-pad with an air hose. These toy rocket launchers are perfect STEM toys. Kids will have great while learning about aerodynamics. It will also get your kids up and about, which isn’t a bad thing over Christmas.
Why do I love this toy?
- This toy has won awards from industry experts, including iParenting Media, Dr. Toy, and Creative Child Magazine.
- You can pair this toy with the Stomp Rocket Science book and get kids interested in STEM subjects early.
Dig a Dozen Dino Eggs Dig Kit
Children will love feeling like a real paleontologist (fossil hunter), while looking for these dinosaur eggs. Find the egg, break it open and see which dinosaur is inside. This dinosaur egg kit includes 12 dino eggs. Each egg contains one of 12 unique dinosaur models, including a T-rex, Dilophosaurus, Ankylosaurus and many more. Once dug up, kids can find the appropriate full-coloured learning card (one for each dinosaur) which describes the history and characteristics of the dinosaur. This is a fun and engaging educational gift which is great for individual play or as a group activity. Children will be fascinated as soon as they open the box. This game introduces kids to science and paleontology in a fun and exciting way.
Why do I love this toy?
- This is a great hands-on STEM learning tool.
- Hands-on learning is the best kind and this kit will keep little hands and minds engaged.
- The dinosaur figures can be used in imaginative play after they have been uncovered.
Crazy Forts
Crazy Forts are a unique, award winning, building and creative toy. Crazy Forts come with 69 child-safe toggles and rods that join together to build any play space from your child’s imagination. Create a cave one day, an Igloo, Pirate Ship, or Castle the next . . . put the pieces together in different configurations, cover with bed sheets and kids will have a unique play space every time! Crazy Fort is powered by a child’s imagination. Each Crazy Fort Kit contains 25 geometrically precise balls and 44 sticks that connect safely to create a multitude of possible play structures.
Why do I love this toy?
- It helps develop kids’ hand-eye coordination and concentration.
- As they experiment with different designs, they will learn patience, critical thinking and problem-solving techniques.
- Children love the challenge of making their structure stable and secure through experimentation.
Crayola Picture Projector
This unique gift allows your children to create art on the reusable screen and then project their creations on the wall, ceiling – anywhere they want. The Picture Projector comes with 3 brightly coloured wet-erase markers that wipe clean from the drawing surface so it can be used again and again. It also has built-in marker storage so it is easy to transport and is great for sleepovers, camping trips, or bedtime stories.
Why do I love this toy?
- The projector can be used as a personalised night light so children can create their own designs before they go to bed each night
- It has adjustable focus for clearer images and different sizes.
- It is convenient to take it anywhere, whether your child has a sleepover, or wants to light up a treehouse.
Ravensburger World of Disney Eye Found It Board Game
This game will be a guaranteed family favourite as it is based on beloved Disney characters. Join Mickey and Friends on a magical journey through 12 Disney realms, from Radiator Springs and Arendelle (Frozen) to Peter Pan’s Never Land and Alice’s Wonderland. Throughout the journey, everyone searches for iconic Disney objects, while having fun and building confidence every time they say, “I found it!”. The colourful game board is six-foot long and full of Disney characters your children will know and love, including Mickey Mouse, Belle, Tigger, Tinker Bell, Buzz Lightyear, Alice, Woodie, Elsa and many more. The instructions are clear, simple to understand and easy to teach to younger children.
Why do I love this game?
- This game helps children practice their focus, memory, matching skills, and promotes cooperation and teamwork.
- Little ones will love this game because it takes just 15 minutes to play, and less than 5 minutes to teach.
- Working together helps you to progress – teaching children the benefits of proper teamwork.
Choosing the best toys for 5 year-olds this Christmas doesn’t have to be difficult!
Remember that educational does not have to mean boring! If you get involved with unpacking and understanding how to use these fun, developmental toys, your child will want to get involved as well. My recommendations for the best toys for 5 year-olds will allow you to have fun with your child, engage with them and enjoy spending time together – there is no greater way to bond.
