Best Gift Ideas For Five Year Olds

Budget: Under $30

Our Pick:Plus Plus Tubes (70pcs) ($14.99)

Why did we choose this?

These Plus Plus tubes are a perfect alternative to Lego for children who love to build, work with their hands and use their imagination. The tubes come with instructions to build a specific character: dolphin, sea turtle, jellyfish, stegosaurus, snow cone. The pieces are BPA-free and phthalate-free and allow children to build both 2D or 3D creations. They encourage children to think carefully about how small, identical parts fit together to create something unique and amazing.

Bonus - the tube is a reusable, travel friendly container.

What are the benefits of playing with Plus Plus?

• Builds creative thinking skills
• Encourages imaginative, open-ended play
• Stimulates fine motor skills, focus, problem solving and patience
• A toy that will grow with your child - the building possibilities are endless
• Building with pieces that are identical in shape and size helps children think logically and develop spatial awareness as they try to manipulate the pieces into 3-dimensional structures
• These tubes come with instructions to build specific characters, which helps children learn to follow instructions and use precision

Honourable Mentions:

• Glow in the Dark Rock Painting Kit($20.99)
• Candy by Beleduc ($27.99)
• Plus Plus Travel Case ($29.99)
• Stone Soup Board Game ($29.99)

Budget: $30 - $50

Our Pick:Toy Archery Set($44.99)

Why did we choose this?

This beautiful wooden archery set is a huge hit with children ages 5 and up. It comes with a wooden bow, 3 arrows, a fabric quiver with a shoulder strap and 4 cardboard targets with cords for hanging. It can be used both indoors and outdoors and is made of FSC®-certified material. The difficulty level can easily be adapted to each child’s ability by changing the distance and height of the targets, making it a toy that can be enjoyed for many years!

What are the benefits of playing with an archery set?

• There are both physical and cognitive benefits to children practicing archery
• Improves hand-eye coordination
• Develops dexterity and fine motor skills
• Enhances upper body strength, agility, balance and coordination
• Builds self-confidence, patience, concentration and focus
• Teaches perseverance as children work toward hitting the target

Honourable Mentions:

• Slappy Camper Game ($35.99)
• Stanley Jr. 5 piece Tool Set and Tool Box ($44.99)
• 4 in 1 Educational Puzzle - Human Body ($49.99)
• Animal Parade A to Z Puzzle($49.99)

• Robot Face Race Game ($36.99)

Budget: $50 - $100

Our Pick: Design and Drill Marble Maze ($51.99)

Why did we choose this?

The Design and Drill Marble Maze is a STEM skills masterpiece. This hands-on, DIY maze-maker combines construction play and engineering for a challenging and fun play experience. The kid-friendly drill, bolts and track pieces of varying lengths and shapes allow children to complete 10 different maze challenges or use their imagination and skill to create their own unique mazes.

What are the benefits of the Design and Drill Marble Maze?

• Teaches trial and error - children drop the ball into the maze to test the track and make adjustments as needed
• Builds critical thinking skills
• Explores the principles of science and engineering
• Develops fine motor skills and hand eye coordination
• Encourages patience and perseverance

Honourable Mentions: 

• Q-BA-MAZE 2.0 Big Box Marble Run (on sale $49.99)

Budget: $100 - $200

Our Pick: Magna Tiles 100 Piece Set ($147.99)

Why did we choose this?

A set of high quality magnetic tiles, like Magna Tiles, are a fantastic investment. Not only are they educationally beneficial but they are incredible for open-ended, imaginative play.In addition to its endless creative uses, Magna Tiles combine Math, Science and Spatial and Tactile learning. Children of all ages, and even adults, love playing with them, making them a very popular choice. 

What are the benefits of Magna Tiles?

• They are open-ended and versatile; perfect for imaginative play
• They help to develop critical thinking skills, hand eye coordination, problem solving skills, perseverance, fine motor skills, language development, spatial awareness, building skills, concentration and focus.
• They are durable enough to use in the playroom, classroom or outside
• They can be used on any magnetic surface - both horizontally and vertically
• Explores scientific concepts related to magnetic principles, force and motion or even electricity
• Learn early math concepts, such as fractions, graphing, patterning, and 2-D and 3-D shape names

Honourable Mentions: 

• Connetix Tiles 100 Piece Creative Pack ($142.99)
• Make-a-Fort Creator Kit($124.99)

Budget: $200+

Our Pick:Hape Quadrilla Marble Run: The Ultimate ($229.99)

Why did we choose this?

This high quality wooden marble run is the perfect gift to inspire young builders to create the ULTIMATE marble course! Children use their imaginations to construct the most intricate combinations of curves, drops, spirals and power-boost accelerators. This set is sure to enhance your child’s play experience.It includes: 2 spiralling funnels, 12 curved rails, and 10 power-boosting accelerators.

 What are the benefits of a Marble Run?

• Develops logical thinking skills and engineering skills
• Builds spatial awareness
• Develops fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination
• Encourages creativity and building skills
• Improves problem solving skills, concentration, patience and perseverance