The 20 Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Boys of 2021

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No longer toddlers but not yet “big kids,” 5 year old boys are often a giant ball of energy. It’s helpful to channel that energy and the right gift can do just that. Since most 5 year olds are pre-readers, avoid games that require challenging reading.

Whether their interests lean towards STEM, sports, arts and crafts, or anything else, there’s a great gift for the 5 year old in your life. Use this guide to find the right present for your lifestyle, budget, and desires.

Holiday Shopping Tip

Many retailers are currently experiencing shipping delays due to disruptions in the global supply chain. As a result, we recommend shopping for the holiday season early to avoid delays.

Our Top Picks

Learning Resources Coding Critters Ranger & Zip at Amazon

In play mode, young boys will have fun as they feed, pet, and take care of their toy critter.

Clixo Rainbow 42 Piece Pack at Amazon

A fun, multi-sensory, open-ended STEM toy, these flexible building toys fold, bend, flip, and then snap together.

Loog 3-String Guitar at Amazon

Comes with flashcards for chord diagrams and access to Loog’s guitar app that’s made for kids.

Primary Kids Puffer Jacket in Rainbow Stripe at Primary.com

This puffer coat is perfect in chilly temperatures and a useful layer when the days get frigid.

Cupcakes and Cartwheels Make Your Own Car Race Kit at Sammyandnat.com

A DIY kit that’s made just for 5 year olds, this set includes two wooden pull-back cars, flags, stickers, and more.

Doodle Hog Dab and Dot Markers at Amazon

These eight dotting markers have a simple twist off cap, are sized just right, dry quickly, and are fully washable.

LEGO City Tractor at Amazon

Kids will love making their own LEGO tractor and have fun playing with the vehicle, two mini figures, and other farm gear.

PlayMonster Yeti in My Spaghetti at Amazon

Your crew will have a blast with this silly, fast moving game. Each round takes minutes and will get lots of laughs.

Cupcakes and Cartwheels Shark Buddy Slippers at Sammyandnat.com

Get your guy in cozy mode with these super soft slip-on shark-shaped slippers. Available in two sizes.

Plus Plus Big 100 Piece Set at Amazon

Unleash your child’s creativity (and join in the fun) with this 100 piece set of oversized Plus Plus blocks.

Learning Resources Coding Critters Ranger & Zip

Designed for both learning and fun, this toy encourages young kids to begin coding. Through a storybook adventure, kids will learn coding basics. In play mode, young boys will have fun as they feed, pet, and take care of their toy critter.

A fun, multi-sensory, open-ended STEM toy, these flexible building toys fold, bend, flip, and then snap together with their integrated magnets. The 42-piece set includes a quick start guide to get the imaginative juices flowing.

An ideal first guitar, this beautifully crafted 3 string guitar comes ready to play. Sized just right for little hands and bodies, it comes with flashcards for chord diagrams and access to Loog’s guitar app that’s made for kids.

Primary Kids Puffer Jacket in Rainbow Stripe

Made out of 100 percent recycled materials, this puffer coat is perfect in chilly temperatures and a useful layer when the days get frigid. Parents love that it’s machine washable and kids love the navy/rainbow styling. Available in sizes from 2 to 12, there’s a puffer jacket for any size.

Cupcakes and Cartwheels Make Your Own Car Race Kit

A DIY kit that’s made just for 5-year-olds, this set includes two wooden pull-back cars, flags, stickers, and more. In a clever twist, the suitcase becomes a car pit stop and can store the cars when not in use. Young kids will have fun flexing their creativity in a way that results in play.

A wonderful addition to arts and crafts supplies, these eight dotting markers have a simple twist-off cap, are sized just right, dry quickly, and are fully washable. The set comes with an activity guide filled with lots of fun ideas to get your little artist started.

Introduce your kiddo to the world of LEGO with an age appropriate kit that will be fun and frustration-free. Kids will love making their own LEGO tractor and have fun playing with the vehicle, two mini figures, and other farm gear.

Your crew will have a blast with this silly, fast moving game. Simply place the spaghetti pieces across the bowl, put the Yeti on top, and carefully remove each piece of spaghetti without the Yeti falling in the bowl. Each round takes minutes and will get lots of laughs.

Cupcakes and Cartwheels Shark Buddy Slippers

Get your guy in cozy mode with these super soft slip-on shark-shaped slippers. Available in two sizes, the slip on style has flexible sizing and is sure to look cute.

Unleash your child’s creativity (and join in the fun) with this 100 piece set of oversized Plus-Plus blocks. Kids can build either 3D or 2D creations and there are enough blocks to play alone or with a friend.

Sized just right for kids, these headphones come in six bright colors. Not only do they include a built-in splitter, so it’s easy to share the sound. Designed with kids in mind, the max volume is set at 93 decibles, so they’re safe for little ears.

Channel excitement to use scissors into a useful learning guide. This innovative activity pad comes with a pair of kid-sized scissors. The 20-page book features a wide range of cutting activities and will help your kiddo with fine motor and cognitive skills.

At 5 years old, your kid may just be entering the wiggly tooth phase. Help ease any concerns with a helpful book that follows three friends as they assist the Tooth Fairy. The set comes with a Tooth Tracker and a cute stuffie that has room for teeth and any surprises the Tooth Fairy leaves behind.

Younger kids may have trouble expressing their emotions, so this Big Feelings Pineapple can help them strengthen their social-emotional learning (SEL). The two-sided fruit comes with 26 facial expressions from smiles to frowns; attach them to show different emotions.

Hit the road on everyone’s favorite kick scooter. Affordable, foldable, and adjustable, the Razor A is popular for good reason. Easy to ride, the scooter comes in eight colors and will provide endless hours of fun outside.

Rawlings Player Series Youth Baseball Glove

Ideal for first-time players, this baseball glove is durable, lightweight, and easy to open and close. Choose from a leftie or righty, a variety of colors, and glove sizes. Each glove comes with a soft training ball.

Teach your kid all about Black history in an educational, fun, and culturally relevant way. The big-box includes workbooks, games, puzzles, and much more, mostly sourced from Black-owned businesses. If your child enjoys learning this way, there are boxes from lots of other cultures and countries available.

Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket Rocket Launcher

Kids will head outside once they get their very own stomp rocket. Fully kid-powered, this fun toy needs no batteries, screens, or anything besides an active kid. Run, jump, and stomp to launch each of the four foam-tipped rockets in the air.

Create a cozy reading, playing, or chilling out spot with your kid’s own chair. Ridiculously lightweight, you can easily transport the chair from one room to another easily. Super soft, the slipcover can be personalized so everyone knows who sits where!

Build a dress up collection in an instant with this super hero set that includes five colorful capes, masks, and matching slap bracelets. Fun alone or with a friend, your little guy will be fully outfitted and ready to save the day!

Final Verdict

Finding the right gift can be tricky. A stomp rocket (view at Amazon) is almost always a hit since it’s fun alone or with buddies. For indoor fun, an age appropriate LEGO set (view at Amazon) or art supplies like Dab and Dot Markers (view at Amazon) are always great choices.

Why Trust Verywell Family?

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, 7-year-old son, and 3-year-old daughter. Her kids are super active, so she is always looking for toys that get them outside and playing for as long as possible. She’s found that chalk, scooters, and stomp rockets are perfect for one-size-fits-all fun.

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The 20 Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Boys of 2021

Inspire their creativity and independent play

Learning Resources Coding Critters Ranger & Zip

Clixo Rainbow 42 Piece Pack

Loog 3-String Guitar

Primary Kids Puffer Jacket in Rainbow Stripe

Cupcakes and Cartwheels Make Your Own Car Race Kit

Doodle Hog Dab and Dot Markers

LEGO City Tractor

PlayMonster Yeti in My Spaghetti

Cupcakes and Cartwheels Shark Buddy Slippers

Plus Plus Big 100 Piece Set

Lil Gadgets Kids Premium Headphones

Melissa & Doug Scissor Skills Activity Pad

Tooth Brigade Gift Set

Learning Resources Big Feelings Pineapple

Razor A Kick Scooter for Kids

Rawlings Player Series Youth Baseball Glove

In Kidz Black History Box

Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket Rocket Launcher

Pottery Barn Kids My First Anywhere Chair

RioRand Super Hero Dress Up Set