Choosing holiday gifts for 4- and 5-year-olds is one of the most enjoyable challenges. At this age, kids are bubbling with curiosity, eager to explore, learn, and build their confidence through play. They’re starting to get the hang of new skills—like problem-solving, storytelling, and using their hands in more coordinated ways—and they love toys that help them practice these abilities. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or family friend, picking out a toy that matches their ever-growing abilities can feel a little like finding the perfect puzzle piece, but it’s so rewarding when you see the look on their face as they unwrap it.
This list of toys is packed with options to suit different interests, from building toys that encourage creativity to pretend play sets that help kids explore the world around them. Each toy is chosen with this age group’s unique skills and needs in mind, so you’ll find options that are both fun and educational. Plus, they’re great for solo play or playing with friends and family, making these toys a perfect fit for the holiday season when everyone’s gathered together.
Why You’ll Love These Toys
The toys on this list are built to support important developmental milestones for 4- and 5-year-olds. They focus on skills like hand-eye coordination, creative thinking, and social interaction, all of which are essential as they grow and learn more about the world. These toys aren’t just about having fun (though there’s plenty of that!); they also help children develop patience, persistence, and imagination. And we’ve made sure these options are parent-approved, meaning they’re durable, easy to store, and safe.
What makes these toys even better is that they offer something for everyone—whether it’s a building set that encourages creative problem-solving, a game that brings the family together for laughter, or a pretend play set that inspires endless storytelling. You can feel confident that any toy you choose from this list will not only bring joy but also support learning and development in a way that keeps kids engaged long after the holidays are over. Happy gift-giving!
Best Toys for 4-5 Year Olds
Bitzee, Interactive Toy Digital Pet
Wiggle Car Ride On Toy
Hori Nintendo Switch Mario Kart Racing Wheel
Jet Pedal Go Kart
Kinetic Sand Scents, Ice Cream Treats Playset
Mini Drones
Monopoly Junior Super Mario Edition
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Break Open Geodes
Ooly Shrink-Its!
Moon Ball
Fat Brain Toys Hey Clay Aliens
Mushroom Peg Puzzle
Reversible Dartboard
Crazy Aaron’s Hide Inside! Sweet Surprise Thinking Putty
Remote Control Car
Fingerboard Skatepark
Builder Working Bench
VTech Kidi Star Auxiliary Voice Changer
My First Sewing Animal
Decorate Your Own Water Bottle Kits
Play Dough Sensory Kits
Play is at the core of learning during the early years and it can take many forms. One of the most important of these is sensory play because it engages all of a child’s senses (taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing) and has a enormous positive impact on brain development. My Sensory Play Kits are a fun and easy way to keep your child engaged while at the same time capitalizing on the benefits of sensory play to nurture their mind!
Shop my ready made sensory play kits here
Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids
Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more.
Connetix Magnetic Tiles
I first bought these amazing magnetic tiles when my kids were toddlers and now I am just adding to their sets. Their imaginations are bigger and more tiles lets them keep creating.
Surprise Powerz STEM Dolls
Prepare your little girl for tomorrow today with these adorable. STEM role models. STEM role models matter for early learners and particularly for girls in preschool and kindergarten. These kids are not too young to learn STEM! Surprise Powerz dolls are made with Fun Science, Tech, Engineering and Math Early Learning Frameworks! Made with real girls’ voices to reflect a true representation of their culture. And made to inspire girls to break barriers.
Creativity for Kids Create With Clay Dinosaurs
Bring three dinosaurs to life with vibrant clay! Art, adventure, science and fun all combined for the perfect steam experience. Dinosaurs allow children to learn and fantasize about prehistoric times through creative play. F This open ended craft kit allows kids to use their creativity to inspire their dinosaur creations. Develop fine motors skills while creating with clay!
SmartGames Smart Farmer Board Game
Smart Farmer features 60 challenges with horses, pigs, cows and sheep. Children can build upon their spatial insight, planning, problem solving, concentration, and flexible thinking while playing the Smart Farmer board game. It’s so fun to play, they’ll forget they’re learning!
Play22 Take Apart Racing Car Toy
Take Apart Racing Car Toys and Build Your Own Toy Car.
Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope
It’s the only talking microscope for kids! This GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope introduces preschoolers to even more amazing animals, plants, and household items. There are 5x more images to view and learn about and 20 total prepared slides. Little ones choose from Fact Mode to learn about the items on a slide or Quiz Mode to test their scientific skills.
Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears!
This engaging set features plastic gears, cranks, connectors and interlocking base plates for endless construction possibilities! The included Activity Guide covers building basics that lay the foundation for basic cause and effect. Children can then create a crawling caterpillar and a souped-up race car!
B. Toys Pop-Arty! Snap Beads Jewelry Kit
The B. Pop-Arty Jewelry Fashion Kit features 500 unique shapes and designs, including 12 rings and 6 bracelets, that are fun to create and wear. This kit is perfect for a play date, rainy day or party fun. B. Pop-Arty beads snap together quickly, securely, and easily. They’re also reusable, so you can make it, wear it, remake it, and wear it again! Includes a convenient clear storage tub with carrying handle, which makes cleanup easy and travel hassle-free. Ages 4 years and up.
Melissa & Doug Solid Wood Project Workbench Play Building Set
Keep that little builder busy with this sturdy wooden workbench that’s just the right size, right down to the nuts and bolts. This set includes a functioning vise, a tool rack, wooden tools and hardware, and a storage shelf. Ideas to spark the imagination are included! Our wooden workbench for kids is made of high-quality wood to ensure durability and safety. . The Wooden Project Solid Wood Workbench is a great gift for kids ages 3 to 6.
PAW Patrol: The Movie – 4-Game Adventure City Pack
With this 4-game gift set, you will have way more than an evening’s worth of entertaining games from the new film- PAW Patrol: The Movie. You will receive The Adventure City Lookout Game, Pop-Up Game, 72-Card Memory Match Game, and 28 Wooden Dominoes. Perfect for children ages 4 and up, these are great games to play alongside your kids or drop them off at a game night with friends – they will be the star of the party!
Binoculars
These are fun going a hike or just bird watching in our backyard. A great gift for any budding scientist.
Kinetic Sand Plus Tools
Kinetic sand is a fantastic sensory bin filler. I like to make my own but I also have purchased it in the past. The tools included in this set a great for continue to develop those fine motor skills.
Camera
Great little camera to let your little one capture their world from their vantage point.
Wooden Crane Set
This wooden crane is the perfect pairing with almost any other set.
Dragon Castle
This is one of the most played with toys in my house. Both by my 6 year old and 2.5 year olds. The scenarios and games they come up with when playing with this castle is truly magical. One of my favs.
Lego
Not much more I can say about these other than they are a childhood staple. Do yourself a favor and continue to build your child’s LEGO set so their creations can grow.
Board Games
Boards games are fun during playdates or family nights. This game is a lot for kindergartners and a great starter board game.
Hands-On Learning Games
Run your own detective agency with this fun game that is compatible with an iPad or Fire Tablet. Travel to six famous cities, inspect hundreds of clues with your magnifying glass, and learn about geography and cultures around the world!
Floor Puzzles
Doing larger more complicated puzzles is a lot of fun at this age. This floor or jumbo puzzle is a great shift for kindergartners moving away from smaller puzzles but still need large pieces.
Garbage Truck Toy
Still little kids, building on their truck and car collection is great for kindergartners. These toys are great for incorporating into more complex play scenarios.
Pop-Up Tent
Create a little reading nook for your kindergartner with a pop tent. These are great ways for your little one to show their personality. Let them decorate it with their favourite stuffed animals, dolls or action figures.
Walkie-Talkies
Whether they are playing with you or with their friends walkie-talkies are a toys for kindergartners. These are great for outdoor or indoor play.
Fort Building Kits
Oh this is one of my favourite toys no only because it keeps the cushions on my couch but also because it keeps them engaged for so long. Design and build and play – such as great combination in a toy!
Race Track
A racetrack they can build and get creative with. I like this because it lights up. Take it into he basement and watch the car race in the dark!
Outdoor Excavator Toy
Such a fun for some many reasons. Allows your kindergartner to pretend to be working on a construction site. The best part is that you can also use this in the snow! Your kids will quickly become obsessed with this toy.
Marble Run
A lot of and a great fine motor and spatial reasoning toy. This takes Pom Pom drops to a whole new level.
More Toy Guides for Every Age
- Supplies for Toddler Activities
- Anti-Racism Toys for All Ages
- Backyard Toys for Kids
- The Best Travel Toys for Toddlers + Kids
- Best Toys for Babies 0-12 Months
- Toys for 1 Year Olds
- Toys for 2 Year Olds
- Toys for 3 Year Olds
- Toys for 6-7 Year Olds
- Montessori Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers
There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!
But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.
Play2Learn for Toddlers includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.
Play2Learn Preschool which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years. That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again!
These toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!
Click here for more information: Play2Learn
Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids
Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon.
Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.
Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.
Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids
Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more.
Find out more and grab your copy here.
Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.
Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids
Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast? The Big Riddle Book for Kids, of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles tha. t show them how to think outside the box.
- 350 riddles for kids—Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
- Level up their skills—Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
- Double-check their work—Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.
Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!
Designed for kids ages 6 years old and up.
TV Show: Curious Crafting
I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched in July 2022 on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube! Season 2 aired in August 2023! My show was also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.
Curious Crafting Season 1 is also now airing in Australia on ABC! Watch it here!
Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.
In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create.
Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.
This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up.
