Best gifts for 5 year olds: games and toys they will actually play with

The best gifts for a 5 year old are games and toys that are quick to learn, fun to repeat, and satisfying to win or solve. Five is when many children start to enjoy real board games, as long as the rules are short and the game is friendly. Here are our picks, grouped by what kind of child you are buying for.

What are the best board games for a 5 year old?

• Outfoxed! is a cooperative whodunnit for ages 5 and up. Everyone works together to find the thief before the fox escapes, so there is no losing child.
• Tiny Polka Dot gives 16 maths games from one box, from simple matching up to harder number games.
• Mobi is a quick maths game that builds number fluency without feeling like homework.
• The Muddles is a funny card game about building silly creatures.

What are good gifts for a 5 year old who loves building?

Mathlink Cubes are a good open-ended pick: build, count, measure and make patterns. For a more hands-on gift, take a look at our STEM learning range for 5 year olds.

What are good gifts for a 5 year old who loves animals, space or stories?

• Space fans: the Celestial Buddies Earth or Sun soft toys.
• Story lovers: Yoto cards, such as the pre-school songs card, work with a Yoto player.

How do you choose a gift for a 5 year old?

1. Pick something they can start playing without help.
2. Check that it works with one child and with two, because play dates happen.
3. Prefer games with a short round time.
4. Check the age rating for small parts.

FAQ

Are educational gifts boring?

Not if the learning is hidden inside a game. The best ones are chosen because they are fun, and the maths or reasoning happens along the way.

Is Outfoxed too young or old for a 5 year old?

It is designed for ages 5 and up, and because it is cooperative it works well for mixed ages.

See more in our educational gifts for 5 year olds.