The Best Toys For 5-Year-Old Boys

Buying Guide

At the age of 5, children seem to cross over from toddlerhood to childhood as they enter “real” school. They’re still developing social and emotional skills at the same time their minds are developing, but they’re also starting to come into their own — making their needs known in a more assertive way, developing more knowledge about how to interact with peers and gaining (and testing their) independence.

As such, you may find they now let you know when they’re bored. Or that they may have more of a desire to play with friends, especially if there are no siblings in the household to help with that much-desired socialization. The mind of a five-year-old can be tough to keep occupied, but the right toys can help.

At the age of five, children are starting to use their imagination more and their play becomes more complex, fantastical and drama-filled, so toys that let them be creative can engage them. At this age, your five-year-old might also crave toys that allow teamwork. As they work together to build something or battle another team, children learn important collaboration skills that will come in handy throughout life.

Of course, as your children learn cooperation and sharing, they’ll also compete and possibly fight over age-appropriate toys and games. So you may also end up spending more time mediating. Children at this age can tend to get caught up in what’s “fair” or not, and the perception of cheating can spark heated battles between siblings or friends. But this can be a great opportunity for parents to discuss concepts like fairness, honesty, jealousy and frustration.

Speaking of frustration, screen time has become an increasing frustration for parents of young children, with 71 percent of parents reporting concern that their children are spending too much time on screens. That has led moms and dads to look for alternative play options that can occupy kids for longer periods of time.

As always, it’s important for parents to look at the recommended age range for any toy they buy. This can be especially important for parents of five-year-olds since that age can be tricky. Toys with small parts can still be a choking hazard, but children at that age are typically ready to move to more sophisticated toys than the ones they played with as toddlers.

• Whether it’s a tablet, camera or toy with built-in electronics, it’s important to look into the durability of any item you buy a five-year-old. Kids at that age can be rough on electronics, so you might find that toy tossed and dropped, potentially even coming into contact with water. A protective case can also help if you’re obtaining toys with sensitive components.
• If your child seems to have a lot of energy, look for a more physical toy. Try boxing gloves and a boxing bag, for instance, or something that encourages them to run.
• Where a child plays is almost as important as how. Is the toy you’re buying suitable for outdoors, or is it better suited to rainy days inside? It’s best to have toys for both situations, of course, but you should consider that your child may insist on taking an indoor toy outside and vice versa.
• Families with more than one child around the same age should keep that in mind when looking for toys. If one sibling has a toy, the other might want to play with it as well. You can find toys with enough components so that multiple children can play simultaneously.
• Before you buy, check whether a toy needs batteries and if they’re included. You’ll want to make sure you have them on hand when you get your new toy home so your little one can start playing immediately.
• Look into how much assembly is required before buying, as putting a toy together might delay playtime.
• Don’t forget about playtime when you’re traveling. You might want a couple of toys that can keep your 5-year-old occupied when you’re in the car or staying in a rental home while on vacation.