Best Toys for 5 Year Old Boys - Top Christmas and Birthday Gift Ideas
Choosing the best gifts and toys for 5 year old boys can be difficult. Read on for suggestions of some popular and cool toys from big birthday gifts to stocking fillers at Christmas. Choosing the best toys often depends on the child's personality? Do they like bugs, lego, superheros (transformers, batman, Star Wars), playing outdoors or being creative?
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When choosing the best toys for a 5 year old boy, they tend to fall into one or even a few the following categories:
*Please note as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This means we may get a small commission for purchases made through Amazon links in this article.*
When choosing the best toys for a 5 year old boy, they tend to fall into one or even a few the following categories:
- Construction toys - Boys of 5 years love construction toys including themed lego sets such as Star Wars and superheros, marble runs and kid's knex, all make great toys for this age group. Marble runs are a really fun construction toy.
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- Creative toys - many boys love to draw, paint and generally create and there are lots of options on the market for this age group. Sticker books are also popular with this age.
- Toys for role play - this age group loves to take part in imaginative role play so toys which facilitate this are good. Examples include dinosaurs, playmobil, castles, props, dressing up outfits and figures to play with
- Other great toys - other toys that are great include stomp rockets, jigsaws, games, bug disovery kits and dinosaur toys. Or what about their first magic set.
Sometimes magic sets can be a little bit advanced for a 5 year old.
However, this magic in a snap kit made by Melissa and Doug Is aimed at young children from age 4 plus, so should be perfect for most 5 year olds. There are 25 easy to learn tricks which are amazing for people to see. The tricks include a vanishing coin and disappearing candy. There are codes to unlock videos online to watch as well. |
Popular Construction Toys
My eldest son was an absolute fan of construction toys at age 5 (and he still is). There are lots of different options of construction toys for this age group from the classics such as lego to marble runs, Kids Knex building blocks and lots more.
Check out some more of my son's favorites below.
Check out some more of my son's favorites below.
Lego Sets for 5 Year Old Boys
Lego is a really great toy for 5 year old boys. If you just buy them a set of bricks they will have lots of fun building things from their imagination and then playing with them afterwards. You can also buy sets where they build specific things such as the sets below. Other lego sets include boats, cars, construction vehicles, police and fire stations
Lego Creative Box
The bulk set featured opposite is an excellent starter set pieces in 35 different colors.
My son actually had a similar box to this set and so far we have used it to build houses, castles, flats and towers. This set has slightly different pieces but there are also lots of windows, doors and lots of other elements for buildings. |
Themed Lego Sets
There are lots of themed lego sets which features characters from books, movies and TV that 5 year old boys will love. They include:
- Any kind of superhero is often popular with 5 year olds (batman, spiderman etc). The great thing about superhero lego is that after they have built it they will spend ages in imaginative play with their constructions
- Lego make the perfect themed sets for kids aged 4 plus. The instructions are designed to be easy to read and for little ones to follow. The sets are based on movies, pirates, superheros (as below) fire stations, race cars and police sets.
Lego Juniors
There are lots of themed lego sets that are perfect for 5 year olds beginners to have a go at building independently.
The set includes a simple guide to build and play to help youngsters understand the purpose of the building steps, and grow their confidence for the perfect start to lego brick building The ninjago set featured includes 54 pieces. The perfect small set for a beginner. It includes 2 minifigures: ninja Kai and the evil snake warrior Rattla Thanos. |
Lego city
Most of the lego city sets are aimed at kids from age 5 and they tend to be bigger sets with a lot more pieces.
5 year olds may need some help to follow the instructions and build the sets but it can be a good project for 5 year olds to work together with an adult. The set featured is really good value at the time of writing. It has 273 pieces and includes 2 lego city mars astronaut minifigures, plus a helidron and storage drone. There’s lots of exciting imaginative play possibilities with the space shuttle and a Mars Rover with articulated grappling arm to retrieve geodes. |
Kids Knex
Knex is another great little construction toy. 5 year old boys can build lots of different constructions and creatures (depending on which set you buy) and then play with them. There are different building ideas that come with the toy and can be copied or you can make your own constructions from your imagination. The pieces are big and easy for little hands to manipulate. It is also a good toy that spans different age ranges and there are reviews on Amazon that say brothers and sisters also enjoy the toy. There are some options on amazon.com opposite.
My own son loves this toy and it keeps him occupied for quite a time. If you look on ebay you can quite often buy lots of Kid Knex blocks and buddies for a lot cheaper too. |
Electronic Toys
vtech smartwatch
The Vtech smartwatch can help young kids tell the time but it has so many other cool features too.
Use the watch to take photos, selfies and video. It has 55 digital and Analog clock faces that they can customize. There is also a motion sensor for active play challenges and it has a pedometer as well. |
kindle fire for kids
A tablet designed with kids in mind. It's great for keeping 5 year olds entertained when parents need a few minutes peace and quiet.
They can do what most people would do on a tablet. Read books, watch videos and play games. It comes with 1 year of FreeTime Unlimited gives your kids access to over 20,000 popular apps and games, videos, books, Audible books, and educational content from PBS Kids, Nickelodeon, Disney, and more. |
It has parent controls which allow parents to personalize screen time limits, set educational goals, filter age-appropriate content, and also manage web browsing and content usage
It also comes with a 2 year warranty. If it breaks, return it and they'll replace it for free.
It also comes with a 2 year warranty. If it breaks, return it and they'll replace it for free.
Vtech camera
This is such a cool idea for a camera. It's kid proof so it can take quite a bit of abuse and will not get damaged. However, make sure she doesn't do what my son did and submerge it in water. Then it will definitely not work!
Kids easily take selfies and photos of friends and family. Decorate your photos with a variety of special effects including frames, filters, stamps and wacky effects. There are also five built-in games, a video recorder and voice recorder for more creative ways to play. |
VtECh Kidizoom Action Cam
The Vtech Kidizoom Action Cam is essentially like a go pro camera for kids. LIke the Vtech camera, it's designed for use by kids in mind so should withstand some of the extra knocks a child age 5 may give it.
The camera shoots video. You can shoot video underwater (so great for taking shots while swimming and doing other watersports). You can mount it to the handlebars of a bike or scooter and use it to record the journey. Or you could mount it to a helmet. The camera also comes with kids games, fun photo effects, frames and filters. It's fantastic for kids to capture all the escapdes out in the backyard, on trips, in the pool or wherever they go. |
Superhero Toys
My youngest son is superhero mad. He loves playing with superhero figures and using his imagination to create scenarios that he acts out with them.
He also loves dress up and has lots of superhero dress up outfits (check out a superhero dress up option further on in the article. One of my son's favorites is his ironman costume.
One of his most used toys that he has for a previous birthday is the batman cave below.
He also loves dress up and has lots of superhero dress up outfits (check out a superhero dress up option further on in the article. One of my son's favorites is his ironman costume.
One of his most used toys that he has for a previous birthday is the batman cave below.
Batman mobile
The batmobile is fantastic for imaginative and make believe play.
There's lots of play value. It fires missiles, the batman figure can sit in the cockpit which opens and closese. You can spread the wings on the batmobile to show the bat symbol. Turn the power pad to the left to pop up the shields and rotate cannon. Turn the power pad to the right to fire missiles Awesome batman fun for kids! |
Spiderman
As already said, 5 year old boys do tend to like superheros and spiderman is another favorite of these age group.
If you are looking for some spiderman toys find a few ideas include
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Fisher Price imaginext Remote control command centre
Press the launch button on remote to make Batwing take to the skies! Or launch manually by pressing the small Power Pad on the platform.
Push trigger on launcher to fire projectiles!
Push trigger on launcher to fire projectiles!
Superhero Capes and Masks
This is a superhero mask and cape set.
A fantastic choice for any superhero fanatic. It features 5 different capes and masks (superman, spiderman, batman and Captain America.) So they don't have to stick to one superhero, they can choose a different one each day. It's also great for when his friends come along as there is always a dress up outfit for other kids too. Great for playing games. |
nightlight
This is an awesome nightlight to have in a young child's bedroom.
It projects a starry night sky over the wall and ceilings of a bedroom. It looks amazing and kids are mesmerized by the lights. There is a timer that can be set so the light will go off after your child has gone to sleep. There are different colors options as well. |
Outdoor Toys
There are lots of outdoor toy ideas that 5 year olds will enjoy too.
They include:
Bikes - my son learned to ride his bike at aged 5
Swingball sets
Trampoline
Scooters
And the stomp rocket featured below.
They include:
Bikes - my son learned to ride his bike at aged 5
Swingball sets
Trampoline
Scooters
And the stomp rocket featured below.
Stomp Rocket
Stomp rockets are great fun.
Stomp on the pump at the bottom of the rocket and see how high you can shoot it in the air or how far it can go The set featured is extra fun as there are three different Planes (Looper, glider and Wildcat) designed by aeronautical engineers to perform a variety of amazing stunts. Looper plane performs giant loops, glider plane soars up to 100 feet and Wildcat plane does all kinds of crazy tricks |
Adjust the angle of flight with the adjustable launch stand, fly into the wind or with the wind and change how these planes fly.
It's a fantastic toy to take to the park or any open space.
Everybody in the family will be queuing up to have a go and kids of all ages will love it not just 5 year old boys.
It's a fantastic toy to take to the park or any open space.
Everybody in the family will be queuing up to have a go and kids of all ages will love it not just 5 year old boys.
scooter
Scooters are the perfect outdoor gift for 5 year old boys.
They are great for getting from a to b, especially when they don't want to walk. My son always uses his scooter on the school run. The scooter featured has a rear fender brake which is great for safety. The urethane wheels offer a really smooth ride. It folds for easy storage and portability. |
Hauck Batmobile Pedal Go Kart
Cars, Car Race Tracks and Garages
Many 5 year old boys love cars but their choices of toy may be a bit more sophisticated then when they used to play with toy cars. Here are some ideas for car mad boys:
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- Toy garages - the best toy garages for this age group feature lots of opportunities for imaginative and fun play. Look for garages which ramps to race cars down, a lift, lots of space for parking and moving cars around, a car wash, helicopter and helicopter pad
- Car transporters which will hold all the toy cars he already has.
Hot Wheels Ultimate Gator Car Wash Playset
This is a huge set and it's tons of fun.
Kids crank the elevator to send their car to the top and around the track for a car wash and color change fun. It comes with one color shifters car which change color when dunked or spashed with water. You can play with it both with or without water. It's a good toy to take outside when you play with it with water. |
Hot Wheels criss cross Track set
This Hot wheels Criss Cross track set is lots of fun.
Kids can line up lots of Hot Wheels cars into the car feeder feature to get them on the track. There are 4 way loops and crash zones. Challenge kids with intersecting track for near misses and total wipeouts. The track comes with one car, so you can test your tracks out straight away. But you will definitley want more to try out on this track. |
Hot Wheels 9-Car Gift Pack
Monster Jam Official Champ Ramp Freestyle Playset
This mega fun monster truck playset features 4 unique ramps, a connecting bridge, truck launcher and launch stabilizer so you can perform endless, epic stunts, just like the pros
It's easy to set up and disassemble Build a realistic ramp setup and hit it from any side using the powerful truck launcher for big, high flying air. |
Train set
Sometimes it's hard to know what kind of train set to get a 5 year old as they have outgrown many of the train sets meant for toddlers and preschoolers.
The Lionel Polar Express battery powered train set is a good starter option for this age group. It features a remote control train which can go in forward and reverse. You can sound the whistle, ring the bell and play announcements. It includes a working headlight and 3 train cars. |
Arts and Crafts Toys
superhero crafts
There are 3 fun activities in this superhero craft kit.
They include making a wonder cape, Decorate your cape with superhero symbols and lots of lightning and glitter. Superhero mask - make a powerful mask with wings, lightning, and stars to make you look like a real superhero. Power Cuffs: make your cuffs and wear them around your wrists to show your superhero powers. All items come with easy to understand instructions |
There are also some excellent craft kits. Melissa and Doug do a great set of toys which involves decorating a toy supplied in their kits. For boys, there are trains, planes and treasure chests.
Crayola inspiration art case
This is a fantastic gift for 5 year old boys who like to color, draw and doodle.
The case contains 64 crayola crayons, 20 crayola short colored pencils, 40 crayola washable markers, and 15 large sheets of paper. All the pens, pencils and crayons have snap in place in the case so they don't get messed up inside. The case has a handle so it's easy to take wherever you want and draw to your heart's content. |
The Orb factory Sticky mosaic dinosaurs
This is a fun craft activity.
Follow a numbered legend and add over 1800+ sparkling jewels and tiles to create 4 Jurassic Dinosaurs. It's a great activity to help a 5 year olds concentration and develop fine motor skills. Once you have completed each dinosaur you can turn your mosaics into 3D figures and stand them up to display them. |
Educational Toys And Gifts
Many toys already featured in this article have some educational value as kids learn so much through play. However, there are lots of educational toys and gifts that you can buy.
Ideas include : Books for 5 year olds - my 5 year old still loves visual style picture books but I'm starting to read his first chapter books to him as well. Jigsaw puzzles - jigsaw puzzles have lots of educational value. They develop problem solving skills, concentration skills, spatial awareness and lots more. |
Science Toys and Kits
Scientific gifts - you can get scientific kits which offer some fun experiments and activities for young children to try. One to look out for is Scientific Explorer's My First Mind Blowing Science Kit featured.
The 20 piece kit allows kids to explore and learn the basics of science from chemical reactions to the use of science tools but have fun at the same time. Errupt a color changing volcano, grow colorful crystals, create a sunset in a test tube and lots more. |
Magic science kit for wizards
The magic science kit is another fun way to introduce young children to chemistry.
It contains nine activities that teach boys and girls tricks using chemical reactions, which can be applied to future stunts. Create your own wizard wand to cast spells, make your own magic hat, make ordinary powders mystically foam and change color, create your own test tube crystal ball and more! I |
Popular Toys with Kids
TV and movies often influence what's toys kids like. Here is what is popular at the moment:
Star Wars - Star Wars toys are very popular with kids of all ages. My own boys like light sabers and my youngest (who's just turned 5) loves Star Wars dressing up outfits too. Star Wars figures are also fun for imaginative play.
Paw Patrol - kids love this TV show and all the books and toys that accompany it.
Octonauts - another huge favorite with my youngest son but my eldest who's 9 at the time of writing will still watch this. My son received the Gup A and some of the characters for his 5th birthday which at the moment he likes to take with him everywhere he goes.
Star Wars - Star Wars toys are very popular with kids of all ages. My own boys like light sabers and my youngest (who's just turned 5) loves Star Wars dressing up outfits too. Star Wars figures are also fun for imaginative play.
Paw Patrol - kids love this TV show and all the books and toys that accompany it.
Octonauts - another huge favorite with my youngest son but my eldest who's 9 at the time of writing will still watch this. My son received the Gup A and some of the characters for his 5th birthday which at the moment he likes to take with him everywhere he goes.
Star Wars The Force Awakens Kylo Ren Deluxe Electronic Lightsaber
Paw Patrol - Paw Terrain VehiclE
Board Games
Are you thinking about getting a board game for a 5 year old boy? Board games are a great idea for this age as it helps cement the ideas of taking turns, winning and losing and develops social skills as well. They love board games at this age as kids are really starting to become social a this age. They love to play with other kids and adults.
Here are some ideas to check out:
Chutes and Ladders
Think Fun Zingo (a picture bingo game)
Richard Scarry's Busytown (kids work together as a team on this game)
Junior Monopoly (a shorter, simpler version of the much loved classic designed for younger children)
Pop Up Pirate
The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel game
Here are some ideas to check out:
Chutes and Ladders
Think Fun Zingo (a picture bingo game)
Richard Scarry's Busytown (kids work together as a team on this game)
Junior Monopoly (a shorter, simpler version of the much loved classic designed for younger children)
Pop Up Pirate
The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel game
SEquence for kids
Sequence for kids
Another good one for kids who can't read yet. A good strategy game. Just play a card from your hand, place a chip on a corresponding game board space and when you have 4 in a row, it's a "sequence" and you win. You can also use a unicorn card to place your chip anywhere or a dragon card to remove your opponent's chip. It's great for introducing strategy to young children. |
Don't step in it
Hysterical, quick to set up, easy and short to play. This is the perfect fun game for younger kids and their familes.
Blindfolded, you have to try and dodge the squidgy poop. Spin the spinner and take the number of steps required without stepping in the poop. Sometimes players have to add a poop, remove a poop or even re-arrange the poops along the mat. A great party game to play with friends or family. |
Think fun zingo
Think Fun Zingo is a fun picture bingo game. It's a fast paced, energetic variant of Bingo.
Kids love to pull the Zinger forward to reveal two mystery tiles, and then try to be the first to call out the tiles that match the images on their cards. The first player to fill his or her card wins by yelling “Zingo.” |
Role play - School Set
My son actually has this school play set and we have played with it lots.
It's a pop up school set which features reports cards to fill out, stickers, double-sided calendar, double-sided map, and lots of school supplies. There's a board with a pen to use and an eraser to rub it out. He likes to use the marker on the pen on the board. He likes to pretend to be the monitor and tell everyone what day of the week it is and the weather by using the board. |