When I was 5, I was many things. Rambunctious, fun, messy, and, yes, sometimes just a little bit gross, to name a few! Seriously, the amount of different ways one could make a fart joke was insane. Still, I was also thoughtful, funny, and incredibly sweet. If you have a 5-year-old in your life, you can probably agree.
Look, we know we’re a little bit biased here, but we think they’re the best. On the one hand, they’re still so little. (Have you ever seen a 5-year-old wear a backpack? They look like tiny little turtles with big ol’ shells.) On the other hand, they’re growing into themselves and finding their voice. Being 5 is basically the best of all possible worlds.
So what gifts for 5-year-old boys can you give them that encourage this journey into Big Kid-dom? You have some time to think about this as Christmas arrives so soon. So, check out this list: we have found something for everyone, from high-energy sporty kids to sensitive artistes, would-be spies, to little boys who maybe need just a little bit of help seeing that kindergarten is fun. We also wanted to make sure to include games you could play together because, at this magical age, the fun is contagious.
Whether he’s pretending to be Robin Hood or Hawkeye, your little boy will love this archery set, which comes with a bow, six arrows, a quiver, and a target.
Suction cups ensure the arrow will stick to the bullseye (and also that no one gets hurt if he misses). The bow lights up for nighttime play!
Trust us when we say that this Go Kart is every 5-year-old boy’s dream gift. With three speed settings (yes, there’s a parent-controlled speed lock) and an adjustable seat that will allow the fun to continue all the way up to age 8, it’s a gift that’s sure to bring on lots of outdoor play for years to come.
This is the perfect gift for a 5-year-old boy who wants to bounce — as well as for the caregiver who wants him to get out all that energy but doesn’t want a massive trampoline in their yard.
This 48-inch model can be easily folded away but provides plenty of bouncing fun.
JMW Sales, Inc. Light-Up Air Rockets
Whether your child dreams of becoming a rocket scientist or just loves stomping around, he’ll love these light-up air rockets.
Set the trajectory of your LED rocket, stomp down, and watch it sail up to 100 feet in the air.
These walkie-talkies are designed for kids without sacrificing durability and quality.
This set has two walkie-talkies that come equipped with 21 channels that allow your child to chat long-distance(ish) with everyone in the neighborhood… and only the kids in the neighborhood, since a key lock prevents kids from changing the channel — aka they only talk to the people you want them to.
5-year-olds can be an energetic crew, which is why this airplane launching toy is the ideal gift. This set comes with three foam airplanes and then a launcher that has two flight modes: parallel and rotate. Your young one can fly these up to 49 feet high.
Whether he’s looking up at the sky or down at the ground, he’ll be seeing stars… and planets, moons, and the sun! We love that this round 48-piece, floor puzzle is the perfect level of difficulty (not too easy but not too challenging) for most 5-year-olds.
What better way to show him how fun (and nerve-racking) life as a surgeon can be than with this classic board game? Use the tweezers to relieve the patient of hilariously literal ailments — a frog in the throat, a tricky funny bone…
Encourages hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and weeding out the kids who shouldn’t go into medicine…
What 5-year-old boy hasn’t wished for a robot of his own? This little guy is controlled by a remote, can move in all directions, and even dance! (And just look at those big adorable LED eyes.) Perfect for imaginative play and encouraging his inner engineer.
This toy has been a classic for years, and with good reason. Because there’s only one thing cooler to 5-year-old boys than cars: super-fast cars that occasionally crash into each other!
Four Hot Wheels zip around the hairline turns along 16 feet of motorized track. Will they crash? Of course — but when is the question!
You probably remember having a small loom as a kid, but this sturdy wooden loom from Melissa & Doug takes it to the next level.
The extra-large frame comes with 91 yards of rainbow yarn, a wooden needle, and a design booklet. But, of course, he can use his own yarn to make any design his little heart desires.
Blast off to Mars or galaxies unknown with this awesome kit. He can build a space shuttle piloted by two intrepid astronauts. Once he reaches his destination, he can put together a rover to collect samples to bring back to Earth.
Your boy will be the lord of the dance with this fun dance mat. Bluetooth allows him to connect to his favorite music, follow the prompts, and step on the corresponding light-up arrow in three different games to get his wiggles out. It’s good exercise and great fun.
Take living room fort-building to the next level with this set of rods. Just build your fort and drape a blanket over it. (We recommend a bedsheet!) No longer will their fort fall and slump — and no longer will you be interrupted every 5 seconds with cries of “Ahhh! Fix it!” It even comes with a handy carry bag for simple storage.
Painting on paper? How quaint. Why not let him express himself with this fun project. Set includes 10 rocks, paints (including glow-in-the-dark paints), stickers, and even googly eyes to create nifty little treasures for people in your community to find or to decorate your own yard.
We all agree that the best day in gym class was when the teacher brought out the seated scooters, right? The EzyRoller is like that, but better. Sit back in the chair and move your legs to propel, glide, drift, and spin. And because the sturdy design can hold up to 150 pounds, it’ll provide years of fun.
Slumberkins Hammerhead Kin
Each Slumberkins plush comes with its own unique book, lesson, and memorable affirmation. Hammerhead Shark not only looks cool (and adorable), but he helps teach kids that it’s OK to get mad, but it’s important to know how to stop and take a breath.
Mutant Mayhem was one of our faves this summer, and now your little guy can reenact his favorite moments with this set of four action figures. Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael are all included.
Whether he likes to build the set or play with it, this is a perfect gift for 5-year-old boys who like animals and creative play.
This kit comes complete with everything he’ll need to make a working farm, plus human and animal minifigures! (We also think he’ll love the great big tractor!)
Dial Books “The Book with No Pictures” by B.J. Novak
You might think a book without pictures would have no appeal for a 5-year-old. But your boy will lose his mind laughing as the book “makes” you (yes, you) say hilarious things. What choice do you have? It’s written down. You have to read it: That’s the rule of reading.
