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30 Best Toys and Gifts for 5-Year-Old Girls, According to Experts (and Kids)
These are sure to make her day.
You might see a difference in how 5-year-olds play compared to toddlers and even younger preschoolers. They take a huge learning leap, which makes them more coordinated and better able to understand the world around them. When it comes time to buy gifts for kids in this cohort, it works best if you keep these developing skills in mind.
"The best toys for this age group will stimulate movement in space, challenge a child’s cognition, help develop balance and coordination, encourage pretend play and foster early reading skills," says Magdalena Oledzka, P.T., Ph.D. She adds that anything in the realm of imaginary play, like dolls and vehicles, or in the creative sphere, like paint, molding dough and markers, can help stimulate these skills while keeping kids active and away from screens (or active in front of screens at least). Since they're more into independent play with complex play sequences, so they can go a bit beyond identifying basic shapes and colors, says Gayle Kligman, M.Ed., the executive chairman of Family of Kidz.
With these recommendations in mind, the Good Housekeeping Institute sets out each year to find the best toys and gifts for kids of every age, meeting them where they're at developmentally. First they test the toys for safety, construction and ease of use. Then they put them to the real test, giving them to actual 5-year-old girls to assess the fun factor. This year, when all was said and done, these came out as the best toys and gifts for 5-year-old girls in 2023.
The list includes current and former Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award winners along with editor favorites, and a few best-sellers to keep on top of current trends. The 5-year-olds in your life will love these fidget toys, board games, educational toys and other unique picks.
Crayola Glitter Dots Jewelry Making Kit
It's glitter even parents can approve of: The sparkles aren't loose, but contained in dough-like balls that kids can squish and smear into their creations, so it doesn't make a mess. Kids can use the glitter dots in this kit to make their own charms, which they can wear as jewelry. Ages 5+
GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope
GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope
Bindi Irwin lends her voice to this talking microscope, which comes loaded with more than 100 scientific facts. The slides feature 60 beautiful full-color images, and you can switch it to quiz mode to see how much your kids retain. And if you want to make it a set, you can also get the GeoSafari Jr. Talking Telescope. Ages 3+
Daisy Lounge Flower Pillow
They'll feel like a fairy curled up onto flower petals when they lounge on this oversize, 35" floor pillow. (There's also a medium size for $15.) It comes in five different colors, and the petals have a velvety texture to them. No age recommendation given
They can create their own sparkly art scenes without paint, without glue and — yes! — without loose glitter. With this set, kids just select a puffy sticker and rub a special, sparkly foil onto it, and the shimmer transfers without any mess! They can then stick the stickers onto different backgrounds. There are a few themes to choose from, including animals, unicorns and princesses, dinosaurs and outer space. Ages 4+
Disney Doorables Squish’Alots
Kids love things that squish. Kids love their favorite characters. Put them together, and you've got these adorable, collectible figures. Open the door to reveal either four, five or six cute-ified versions of Disney characters — there are more than 50 to collect in all. Will they find a rare one? Ages 5+
Disney Princess Dress-Up Trunk
She can dress up as Rapunzel, Ariel, Tiana and Jasmine with this 21-piece truck full of Disney Princess clothing and accessories. The trunk comes with everything they need, including tops, skirts, bracelets, rings, headbands and stickers. There's also a second trunk with outfits for Aurora, Belle, Cinderella and Snow White. Ages 3+
Magic Potion Science
Magic Potion Science
Blowing up a balloon without using your mouth. Growing a crystal wand. Conjuring up a mysterious bubbling potion. Is it magic? It feels that way, but it's really science! This set comes with all the materials a 5-year-old needs to do five astounding science experiments that will amaze their family and friends. Ages 4+
Mad Tea Party Game
In this family game, players must stack different sizes of cups on a tipsy table, which makes for lots of toppled tea towers (and laughs from all involved). If your child needs to work on fine motor coordination (and their nerves), this is the game! Ages 5+
Mystical Animals Bubble Bath Bomb Set
One of these bath bombs is all they'll need to level up their tub time. There are so many sensory experiences in one bomb: It fizzes, it turns the water colors, each one has a different fragrance and — best of all — there's a surprise, squishy toy inside. Ages 3+
Scruff-A-Luvs Cutie Cuts
They can groom, shave, trim and pamper their plush pet to perfection with the Scruff-A-Luvs Cutie Cuts kit from Little Live Pets. It's the full salon experience, with clips, a comb, a collar and nail polish in tow. As they play, kids will practice nurturing and develop empathy while they care for their pets. Our Lab experts found this Scruff-a-Luvs update took something we already liked and made it even better! Ages 4+
LEGO Classic Creative Pastel Fun Bricks Box
Kids who are into building with LEGO bricks can follow the instructions to build a cloud, an ice cream cone, a dinosaur, a cat and or a robot, all in a cool, pastel color scheme. Then, they can use the bricks — more than 300 in all — for open-ended construction and build whatever they want! Ages 5+
Good Housekeeping 123 Cook!: My First Cookbook
Good Housekeeping 123 Cook!: My First Cookbook
Your aspiring restaurateur can say this is where it all began. This easy-to-follow cookbook gives them 50 easy recipes they can use to get started on their culinary journey. In addition to instructions for how to make things like Ooey-Gooey Glazed Cinnamon Rolls or Totally Twisted Pasta with Cherry Tomato Sauce, it also offers tips from Good Housekeeping experts on kitchen tools and techniques. Once they've mastered these, they can move on to Good Housekeeping Kids Cook! Ages 4+
Rainy days don't have to mean being consigned to the couch. They can still work out their extra energy with this hover "soccer ball," which glides over smooth, flat indoor flooring. The foam bumper around the outside makes it easier on walls and furniture, too. Ages 3+
My Fairy Light Garden
Kids can plant real seeds around the border of this play set, and watch as a garden magically grows. Then, a fairy and a unicorn figure can frolic around the flowers, across the bridge, into the light-up mushroom house (it turns on when you blow on it) and past the working water pump. Good Housekeeping Institute parent testers say this has just the right amount of features so it encourages open-ended play, but still has enough to keep kids interested. You can also use the bridge to connect this with other My Fairy Garden sets.
Coding Critters
Coding Critters
Sneak in some science with these cute critters that help kids learn the basics of coding. These animals are a great screen-free way to introduce STEM principles, critical thinking, problem-solving and other skills as kids go through story-based adventures and challenges. They come in different animal shapes, and now there's also MagiCoders, which come in the form of mystical beasts like dragons and unicorns. Ages 4+
RELATED: The Best STEM Toys for Kids
VTech Marble Rush Corkscrew Rush Set
VTech Marble Rush Corkscrew Rush Set
Elevate a traditional game of marbles with this cool set that lets kids explore STEM concepts like gravity and momentum and build a bunch of different track configurations. Kids can play alone or with others to create exciting stunts for their marbles to do. Ages 4+
Got2Glow Baby Fairy Finder
Got2Glow Baby Fairy Finder
Kids can use this magic device to find and collect baby fairies, including rare ones. Once they've been spotted, kids can play games with their fairies, feed them and then head off to find more! They can learn more about their fairies through an app, or transfer them to a Got2Glow Fairy Finder jar if they have one. Ages 5+
Kawaii Nail Stickers
This set comes with a whopping 200 nail stickers in various adorable shapes, including happy strawberries, donuts and rainbows. They're said to be long-lasting and will survive even after a 5-year-old washes their hands. No age recommendation given
Dream Seekers Stella
Dream Seekers Stella
Join Stella, the magical-looking rainbow fairy, as she dives deep into her dreams. Kids can tell Stella their hopes and wishes, and then watch as her wings light up and glow in different color combinations. They can also style her hair with fun clips! (She'll look great on a shelf.) She's part of the Dream Seekers line of fairy dolls, and each one has a different style and personality. Ages 5+
I LOVE Strawberries!
I LOVE Strawberries!
When the Good Housekeeping Institute testers finished evaluating books, this story had the highest rating of all the picture books. It's energetic and fun, telling the story of Jolie, a girl who wants to grow her own strawberries. Her journal entries detail how she convinces her parents to let her try, showing her determination, and then how she plants and maintains the garden, so there's so me STEM learning as well. Ages 4+
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.
Rachel Rothman (she/her) is the chief technologist and executive technical director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also manages GH’s growing research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. During her 15 years at Good Housekeeping, Rachel has had the opportunity to evaluate thousands of products, including toys and cars for GH’s annual awards programs and countless innovative breakthroughs in consumer tech and home improvement.
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