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The Spruce / Zackary Angeline
With such dynamic personalities, here's betting that the 5-year-old boy in your life has a ton of ever-changing interests, from early science concepts and cooking, to music and art, which can make it difficult to find the perfect toy.
Luckily, we researched the best toys on the market, considering the recommended age, educational value, and activity level of each. Our top toy pick for 5-year-old boys is the Wizarding World Harry Potter, Magical Minis Amazon Exclusive Deluxe Hogwarts Castle. From an iconic brand, the set is easy to store and assemble and fosters hours of building and racing fun.
Here, are the best toys for 5-year-old boys.
Wizarding World Harry Potter, Magical Minis Amazon Exclusive Deluxe Hogwarts Castle
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Amazon
Familiar characters
Hours of play
Parts that are easy to lose
Introduce your little one to the magical Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This Amazon-exclusive playset features an almost 2-foot-tall Hogwarts Castle Playset with Moaning Myrtle’s Bathroom, enchanting lights, and sounds; 22 accessories, and three Classroom Playsets. Children Hogwarts Castle with 3 3-inch collectible dolls of the golden trio.
Price at time of publish: $120
Dimensions: 24 x 7 x 15 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 5 Years and Up
MITCIEN Kids Play Tent with Campfire
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Amazon
Great for Playing Together
Suitable for various ages
Hours of play
Many Pieces
Batteries not included
Welcome the great outdoors inside with this toy that allows kids to use their imagination and learn about the wonders of camping. This pretend play camping set contains just about everything you need for a kid to kick-start imaginative play. This camping set allows children to practice the outdoors in an indoor setting and develop survival skills and have their own little outside world inside their homes.
Price at time of publish: $40
Dimensions: 14.06 x 12.99 x 5.2 inches | Material: Wood, Plastic | Recommended Age: 3 years and up
PJ Masks Transforming 2-in-1 Mobile HQ
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Courtesy of Kohls
Suitable for various ages
Recognizable Characters
Pricey
Fans of the PJ Masks superheroes will love the five levels of play this single toy has to offer. It stands three feet tall, can fit up to three cars (though only one is included in this set), and there's even a working elevator.
Price at time of publish: $90
Dimensions: 33 x 8.25 x 12.5 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 3 to 8 Years
Hasbro Gaming Monopoly Junior: Super Mario Edition
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Amazon
Engaging
Great Bonding Activity
Recognizable Character
May be hard for kids to focus on
Adult fans of Monopoly can introduce their little ones to the beloved family board game with Monopoly Junior. Monopoly Junior is designed with children in mind and is meant to be a faster more exciting version of the game. Featuring popular characters from the Super Mario franchise, this version of Monopoly Junior has properties on the gameboard that will be familiar to young Mario fans.
Price at time of publish: $21
Dimensions: 1.61 x 13.11 x 10.51 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 5 Years and Up
Elmer's Celebration Slime Kit
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Amazon
Great bonding activity
Hours of play
Can be messy
Requires parental supervision
Who doesn't love slime? The possibilities are endless with this slime creation kit. This kit includes five bottles of Elmer's slime activator and five bottles of Elmer's glue for mix-and-match fun. Create glow-in-the-dark slime, confetti slime, and more with this timeless gift.
Price at time of publish: $55
Dimensions: 3.06 x 11.25 x 7.19 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: Not Listed
Hauck Batmobile Pedal Go Kart, Superhero Ride-On Batman Vehicle
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Hauck
Easy to assemble
Suitable for indoor or outdoor use
Cool and recognizable design
Pricey
Difficult to maneuver on uneven ground
Superhero-obsessed 5-year-olds will love this mini batmobile perfect for riding the streets of Gotham City (aka their own front yard). This sleek ride-on toy has a sporty three-point steering for speedy and responsive turns as well as an adjustable seat to suit variously sized kids or grow with them as they get bigger. Kids can ride in style indoors or outdoors as they fight crime and defeat bad guys.
Price at time of publish: $200
Dimensions: 44 x 21 x 22 inches | Material: Plastic, Rubber | Recommended Age: 4 years and up
Treasure X Monster Gold
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Amazon
Multiple ways to play
Includes slime element
Collectible figures inside
Instructions can be difficult to follow
Dive into the unknown with this Monster Gold Coffin that has treasures buried within it. Search through spiderweb slime and multiple compartments of the coffin to find collectible figures to display, trade, and collect. The only downside of this toy is you may need to buy more and more to satisfy your now treasure-hunter child as they race to collect all of the monsters.
Price at time of publish: $16
Dimensions: 3.78 x 3.78 x 8.27 inches | Material: Not Listed | Recommended Age: 5 years and up
HEXBUG JUNKBOTS Dumpster Kit
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Courtesy of Amazon
STEM-based
Great bonding activity
Can be difficult for young kids to assemble on their own
This is a toy that truly lets kids use their imagination and building skills. Each Junkbots dumpster includes more than 50 pieces which kids can use to construct a robot or figure. There are enough pieces to make at least four bots, which can be animated using energy and motion modules, as well as a light up core.
Price at time of publish: $14
Dimensions: 3.15 x 1.18 x 1.18 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 3 years and up
Gamewright Outfoxed! Game
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Courtesy of Amazon
Fosters collaboration
Tests kids' logic and memory skills
Suitable for various ages
Some reviewers reported receiving a defective version of the game
This is the perfect collaborative board game for kids five and up. Two to four players have to work together to find Mrs. Plumpert's pot pie before they get outfoxed by the sly thief. The game includes an evidence scanner and dozens of clue cards. A single round lasts 20 to 30 minutes.
Price at time of publish: $24
Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.5 x 2.25 inches | Material: Not Listed | Recommended Age: 5 years and up
Osmo Pizza Co.
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Courtesy of Amazon
Fun way to learn math concepts
Connects to a tablet game for multiple play options
Collaborative activity
Can be difficult for young kids to understand
If you've been searching for an interactive game that connects to your tablet, here you go. The Osmo base (sold separately) attaches to a tablet and kids take pizza orders and give change to their virtual customers. The set includes a pizza board, more than 40 toppings, and money tiles. This is a great way to learn about adding, subtracting, and communication.
Price at time of publish: $50
Dimensions: 5.55 x 2.2 x 9.15 inches | Material: Not Listed | Recommended Age: 5 years and up
VTech KidiZoom Camera Pix
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Amazon
Great starter camera
Camera makes shutter sound and includes filter options
Durable rubber exterior
Low image quality
Instead of handing over your phone or an expensive DSLR to your child, this VTech camera is perfect for them. It's durable, so no need to worry about breaking the device after a few drops, and snaps 2MP digital photos. It has more than 30 photo effects, games, and even a video mode.
Price at time of publish: $45
Dimensions: 1.97 x 5.97 x 3.36 inches | Material: Not Listed | Recommended Age: 3 years and up
Educational Insights Design & Drill Space Circuits
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Courtesy of Amazon
Educational
Suitable for various ages
STEM-based
Might be difficult for younger kids to use
Needless to say, your 5-year-old won't be operating an actual drill, but this STEM-based set from Educational Insights is the next best thing. It includes a kid-friendly drill that can be used to complete space-themed missions and repair circuits. Kids will love watching the bolts and connectors light up as they complete the 10 challenge cards.
Price at time of publish: $55
Dimensions: 11.6 x 12.2 x 3.3 inches | Material: Not Listed | Recommended Age: 5 years and up
Treasure X Sunken Gold Treasure Ship Playset
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Courtesy of Walmart
Multiple ways to play
Interactive
Great bonding activity
Playtime can be short after finishing the treasure hunt
This ship playset has 25 levels of adventure for your little boy to discover. He can explode the hatch, rescue the captain, fire the cannon, and in the end, find the gold-dipped treasure. Because of the small pieces, this is a toy suited for ages five and up.
Price at time of publish: $43
Dimensions: 16 x 5 x 11 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 5 years and up
Hasbro Connect 4 Game
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Courtesy of Amazon
Teaches strategy
Suitable for all ages
Perfect for playing together
Materials can be flimsy
The iconic game Connect 4, which you probably also played as a kid, teaches children about strategizing and predicting, as well as the importance of winning and losing gracefully. Parents will be glad to know that just like in the old days, you can still release the chips so they fall from the rack with a satisfying clatter.
Price at time of publish: $12
Dimensions: 2.13 x 10.51 x 10.51 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 6 years and up
LEGO Juniors Shark Attack 10739 Building Kit
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Courtesy of Amazon
Great bonding activity
Inexpensive compared to to other Lego sets
Designed for younger builders
Kids may need help assembling
If you haven't introduced him to the world of Lego sets, now is as good of a time as any. This set is for lovers of the movie Ninjango and lets tiny hands create a training area with a weapon stand, breakable blocks, a spinning training dummy, a motorbike with detachable flame, and a shark car with movable fins and dual flick missiles.
Price at time of publish: $36
Dimensions: 1.81 x 8.07 x 7.52 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 4 years and up
Hot Wheels Track Builder Total Turbo Takeover Track Set
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Courtesy of Amazon
Easy to assemble
Interactive
Compatible with other Hot Wheels tracks
Only comes with one car
Some users found it hard for the included car to go through the track
This car toy set can be used with other Hot Wheels sets, and 5-year-olds can customize their own layout by setting up races and stunt challenges, such as a boulder avalanche and two loop-de-loops. It also comes with a pullback launcher and two-way booster that enables cars to move in both directions, as well as one die-cast Hot Wheels car.
Price at time of publish: $49
Dimensions: 3 x 24 x 15 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 4 years and up
Plus-Plus Construction Building Toy
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Courtesy of Amazon
Easy to store
Multiple ways to play
Fosters imagination
Pieces may be too small for younger children
Plus-Plus construction kits are made up of flat, jigsaw-type pieces that can be used to build both 2D and 3D creations. Just think of it as a Tetris game brought to life. This set comes with 240 brightly colored pieces as well as two baseplates. A clear carrying tube corrals the pieces when not in use.
Price at time of publish: $27
Dimensions: 12.1 x 8.5 x 3.5 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 5 years and up
Lakeshore Learning Materials Lakeshore Ultimate Fort Builder
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Courtesy of Amazon
Versatile
Easy to assemble
High quality materials
Extra materials needed to complete your fort
If you are looking for a toy for a 5-year-old that will inspire creativity and help hone those STEM skills this fort builder is the ultimate buy. Like peanut butter and jelly, kids and forts just go together perfectly. Yes, they could build a structure using dining room chairs or a table, but this versatile fort-building kit makes it way more entertaining, with poles, connectors, and an illustrated guide with inspiring ideas like a castle or igloo.
Price at time of publish: $95
Dimensions: 10.63 x 5.51 x 18.11 inches | Material: Not Listed | Recommended Age: 4 years and up
Marky Sparky Blast Pad Rocket Launcher
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Courtesy of Amazon
Perfect for outdoor use
Engaging
Material can be flimsy
There are only so many times you can play soccer or frisbee in the park. This stomp rocket provides an engaging alternative outdoor toy for kids five and up who will love leaping onto the launcher and seeing how high they can get the foam missiles to fly (in some cases, more than 200 feet).
Price at time of publish: $25
Dimensions: 14.41 x 10.67 x 2.64 inches | Material: Foam | Recommended Age: 6 years and up
Obuby Walkie-Talkies for Kids 3 Pack
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Courtesy of Amazon
Great for playing together
High audio quality
Lots of channels to choose from
Multiple buttons may be difficult for young children to get the hang of
Whether the kids are in the backyard or playing around the house, this set of walkie-talkies will get tons of playtime. It's lightweight, its buttons are designed for small hands, and it has a range of close to two miles. There's even a built-in flashlight.
Price at time of publish: $40
Dimensions: 5.5 x 2.5 x 2 inches | Material: Not Listed | Recommended Age: 3 years and up
Shakespeare Youth Fishing Kits
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Courtesy of Amazon
Lightweight and easy to travel with
Perfect introductory fishing rod
Easy to use
Line can tangle easily
Budding anglers are sure to get excited about fishing with one of these rod-and-reel combination sets, which come with designs such as Marvel's Captain America, Disney's Cars, and Thomas the Tank Engine (there are 12 options total). The 30-inch length is comfortable for small hands, and the rod has a round knob, thumb button, and finger guard to help kids practice proper casting techniques.
Price at time of publish: $15
Dimensions: 31 x 5 x 4 inches | Material: Plastic, Aluminum | Recommended Age: Not Listed
Treewant Kids Hair Salon Playset, Wooden Makeup Toy Set
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Amazon
Hours of play
Engaging
Carrying Case for Easy Storage
Wooden
Let's explore this wooden beauty salon set. This pretend play salon kit allows your child to fully immerse themselves in imaginative play in their pretend barber shop. This set includes a brush, hair dryer, mirror, scissors, comb, and more.
Price at time of publish: $25
Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.81 x 3.35 inches | Material: Not Listed | Recommended Age: 3 years and up
TEUVO Pet Care Play Set Doctor Kit for Kids
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Amazon
Carrying case for easy storage
Imaginative play
Small Pieces
Reviewers say product isn't durable
This 16-piece vet set includes a plush dog, pet case, plastic scissors, hair dryer, gel shower, and more. This pretend play vet set not only introduces children to the world of being pet owners, but it also gives them an idea of what proper animal care is like.
Price at time of publish: $30
Dimensions: 9.41 x 7.24 x 3.94 inches | Material: Not Listed | Recommended Age: 3 years and up
Magic4U Toy Tool Set for Boys
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Amazon
Durable
Realistic
Hours of play
Small Pieces
Reviewers say tool bag may not fit every tool
This play set will let your child pretend to be a repairman while learning about construction tools during play. This set includes a tool backpack, tool belt, electric drill, realistic tape measure, pair of gloves, goggles, earmuffs, and much more. Children will be busy playing for hours trying various small tools to repair around the house.
Price at time of publish: $41
Dimensions: 10.67 x 9.25 x 4.88 inches | Material: ABS, Plastic | Recommended Age: 3 years and up
Schleich Tyrannosaurus Rex
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Walmart
Realistic
Promotes STEM curiosity
Can scare small children
The best dinosaur toys inspire imagination. This singular, hand-painted dinosaur will introduce your tiny tot to a prehistoric world never before imagine or your young dino lover would love to add this toy to their collection - no amount of T-rex's is too many.
Price at time of publish: $25
Dimensions: 11 x 3.7 x 5.5 inches | Material: Not Listed | Recommended Age: 4-12 Years
Melissa & Doug Wooden Snacks and Sweets Food Cart
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Amazon
Engaging
Bonding Acitivity
Durable
Price
This interactive sweets cart allows your child to serve you pretend sweet treats and snacks. This cart includes over 40 play food pieces from popsicles to pretzels, ice cream cones to condiments. Flip the awning and menu to "Hot Dogs" or "Ice Cream" and ring up customers at the register — or give you a snack for free!
Price at time of publish: $240
Dimensions: 8 x 25 x 22 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 3 Years and Up
Star Wars Mission Fleet 2.5-Inch-Scale Action Figure 10-Pack
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Amazon
Recognizable Characters
Small detachable parts
Blast off into galactic action and adventure with the Star Wars Mission Fleet figures. This 10-pack features notable Star Wars characters such as Darth Vader, Grogu and The Mandalorian from "The Mandalorian", Luke Skywalker, and more. Boys will love charing into intergalactic battles with this action figure set. Look out for other Star Wars Mission Fleet figures and vehicles to add to your child's collection.
Price at time of publish: $56
Dimensions: 1.5 x 8.37 x 6.12 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 4 Years and Up
TeeTurtle The Original Reversible Octopus Plushie
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Amazon
Adorable
Durable
Aids in emotional expression
Potential to get dirty
TeeTurtle is the home of the original Reversible Octopus Plushie made popular on TikTok. The super soft, plushy Octopi are easy to flip inside out and have two different faces to help you express yourself. This toy is perfect for playing, collecting, and cuddling.
Price at time of publish: $15
Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 3 inches | Material: Plush | Recommended Age: 3 Years and Up
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Sparkle & Shine Cleaning Play Set
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Amazon
Suitable for multiple ages
Teaches life skills
Realistic
May get boring after a while
Give your tiny tot the tools to help your clean around the house with this timeless cleaning set. This 11-piece set includes a wooden-handled broom, dustpan, sweeper-mop, duster, sponge, spray bottle, and more. The convenient wooden storing stand allows you to tuck these tiny cleaning supplies away where your child can access them.
Price at time of publish: $65
Dimensions: 6.5 x 12.51 x 20.51 inches | Material: Wood | Recommended Age: 3-9 years
Mattel Lightyear Toys Disney Pixar Lightyear Hyperspeed Series XL-15 Spaceship & Buzz Lightyear Figure
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Amazon
Recognizable character
Detailed
Collectable
Small pieces
This toy is a perfect gift for space enthusiasts and Buzz Lightyear fans. Fan of the Disney movie will love to have their own little Buzz to fly around in his ship. Look out for other "Lightyear" figures and vehicles to add to your child's collection.
Price at time of publish: $12
Dimensions: 6 x 3.74 x 1.57 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 4 Years and Up
Smashers Epic Dino Egg Collectibles Triceratops
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Amazon
Promotes STEM curiosity
Great bonding activity
Small parts
Can be messy
This interesting dinosaur excavation set includes a few eggs and compounds for your child to smash, squeeze and fizzle their way through. The kit also includes a scratch map that will guide your child through creating their very own exclusive Dinosaur.
Price at time of publish: $20
Dimensions: 6.89 x 8.27 x 11.02 inches | Material: Polypropylene | Recommended Age: 5 to 15 Years
Jurassic World Toys Jurassic World Dominion Dinosaur T Rex Toy, Thrash ‘N Devour
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Realistic
Promotes interest in STEM
Might scare small children
Your kids don't have to be familiar with the "Jurassic World" franchise to enjoy this toy. The T-Rex is the dinosaur that most kids know and love and this toy has all kinds of impressive effects, including a chomping jaw, moveable joints, and realistic sounds.
Price at time of publish: $50
Dimensions: 21 x 6.75 x 8.4 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 4 Years and Up
TOY Life Light Up Saber - 3 Pack
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Amazon
Hours of play
Suitable for multiple ages
Great bonding activity
Makes noise
Batteries not included
Calling all sci-fi fans! These light-up swords are small and perfect for little children. Great for hours of play, join your child in fun battle reenactments of their favorite sci-fi shows and movies.
Price at time of publish: $28
Dimensions: 16.02 x 6.26 x 1.93 inches | Material: Not Listed | Recommended Age: 3 Years and Up
Pokemon Charizard Deluxe Feature Figure
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Amazon
Recognizable character
Collectible
Figure launcher may cause harm
Your kids don't have to be Pokemon fans to enjoy this toy. This Charizard figurine features all kinds of impressive effects, including a chomping jaw, moveable joints, and realistic sounds. Start your little one on their pokemon journey and be on the lookout for other collectible figurines - gotta catch 'em all.
Price at time of publish: $33
Dimensions: 6.5 x 3 x 8 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 4 Years and Up
DC Comics Black Adam and Justice Society Set
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Amazon
Recognizable characters
Collectible
Small parts
Little fans of DC will love this action figure set, featuring notable characters from "Black Adam" Black Adam, Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher, and Cyclone. The possibilities are endless with this superhero set making space for hours of taking down imaginary evil and keeping our world safe.
Price at time of publish: $39
Dimensions: 3 x 15 x 10.5 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 4 to 15 Years
Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash Track Set
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Courtesy of Walmart
Interactive
Hours of Play
Collectible
Assembly required
Your child will have hours of imaginative play with this race track with intersection crash zones. Little racers can indulge in 16 feet worth of track with twists, turns, and boosters for high-speed action that make near-misses or complete crashes.
Price at time of publish: $58
Dimensions: 2.75 x 24 x 15 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 5 years and Up
Little Tikes 3-Foot Trampoline
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Courtesy of Target
Designed for indoor use
well-known toy brand
Not easily stored
Kids have a lot of energy to burn and this mini trampoline is a great way to keep your child busy indoors. The large surface, handlebars, and short distance from the ground are fantastic for your little one to jump safely. Embrace the budding gymnast in your child with this trampoline.
Price at time of publish: $80
Dimensions: 36 x 36 x 33.5 inches | Material: Plastic, Metal | Recommended Age: 3 to 6 Years
Hot Wheels Track Set and 2 1:64 Scale Toy Cars
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Amazon
Hours of play
Collectible
Large
Assembly required
This Hot Wheels City set is the ultimate piece to add to your child's budding car collection. Offering hours of play and storytelling, your child can store dozens of their toy cars in this garage, dodge a snapping robotic T-Rex, and connect it to existing Hot Wheels tracks.
Price at time of publish: $124
Dimensions: 16 x 29 x 35.4 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 5 to 8 Years
Power Rangers Dino Fury 5 Ranger Team Multipack
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Amazon
Recognizable characters
Hours of play
Collectible
Small parts
This Power Rangers multipack comes with 5 figurines for young fans to enjoy hours of play creating adventures for these heroes. The Power Rangers have brought fun to generations of fans and this gift is a great way to introduce your child to something parents enjoyed as children.
Price at time of publish: $56
Dimensions: 12.25 x 4.25 x 12.13 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 4 Years and Up
Disney Pixar Cars Radiator Springs Mountain Race Playset with 2 Vehicles
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Amazon
Hours of play
Assembly required
"Cars" fans can be transported to the familiar town of Radiator Springs with this playset. This two-car race playset features little caves, buildings, and the Wheel Well Motel from the movie.
Price at time of publish: $38
Dimensions: 22.99 x 15.98 x 17.99 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 4 Years and Up
LEGO Disney Mickey and Friends Castle Defenders
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Amazon
Recognizable characters
Collectible
Small parts
Kids can enjoy hours of adventure with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy in this castle setting. Help Mickey and his friends defend their castle in this set featuring a castle wall with 2 towers, 4 small builds including a stable area to spark nurture play, a buildable dragon, and more. Larger brick pieces make building a breeze
Price at time of publish: $55
Dimensions: 13.94 x 7.52 x 2.76 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 4 and Up
Magna-Tiles Arctic Animals 25 Piece Set
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Amazon
Collectible
Larger parts
May get boring after a while
Introduce your child to Arctic animals with this Magna-Tiles® set. Be on the lookout for more Magna-Tiles® sets to grow your child's animal collection and allow their imagination to go wild.
Price at time of publish: $40
Dimensions: 12.5 x 2.5 x 12 inches | Material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | Recommended Age: 3 Years and Up
Inklings Math and Memory Card Game for Kids
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Amazon
STEM-based
Great bonding activity
Some reviewers say directions are unclear
This card game, created by two children in spring of 2020 when the pandemic shut their school down, allows your tiny tot to flex their memorization skills. This game is great for at-home learning and a fun yet educational way to play with your children.
Price at time of publish: $25
Dimensions: 3.94 x 2.68 x 1.18 inches | Material: Not Listed| Recommended Age: 5 Years and Up
Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars
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Easy to use
STEM-based
May get boring after a while
These binoculars are designed specifically for young children without the additional presence of varying buttons and nobs to change the magnification. Perfect for backyard exploration or visits to the park, GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars encourage exploration and discovery anytime, anywhere.
Price at time of publish: $15
Dimensions: 7 x 5.75 x 2.8 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 3 to 7 Years
Kinetic Sand Treasure Hunt Surprise
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Amazon
Hours of play
Encourages sensory play
Can be messy
Forget the trauma of sticky beach sand: Kinetic Sand isn't anything like those grains that get everywhere/ Kinetic Sand stimulates sensory skills as it holds well when pressed together but functions similarly to a liquid when pressure isn't present. This treasure hunt set is sure to keep your child busy for hours.
Price at time of publish: $20
Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.13 x 6.75 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 3-12 Years
CoolSand 3D Sandbox
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Courtesy of Amazon
Long playtime
Easy to clean and store
Sand box can be flimsy
Boys will enjoy this sandbox which has them searching for dinosaurs in moldable sand. He can dig, learn, and explore all while looking for extinct creatures. But no need to worry about this being a messy toy. The sand sticks to itself, not hands or clothes.
Price at time of publish: $35
Dimensions: 11.5 x 10 x 2.25 inches | Material: Plastic, CoolSand | Recommended Age: 3 years and up
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Stunt Tire Play Set
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Amazon
Can be folded up for easy storage
Easy to assemble
Trucks don't launch as well as the cars
Perfect for easy storage or on-the-go play, this buildable race track is ideal for 5-year-old boys to build and take apart over and over again for extended play. In between builds, the tracks come apart easily and pack into the included tire-shaped case for easy travel, although some users note that folding up the tracks can be tricky at first. After they create their perfect design, young boys can launch the cars and trucks and watch them race through the track again and again.
There are also two crushed cars included for even more ways to play with or without the track. For even more action, you can connect this set to other Hot Wheels tracks.
Rough play is no big deal, according to users who reported that their set continuously held up for months, even with rambunctious 5-year-olds that are usually prone to breaking toys.
Price at time of publish: $39
Dimensions: 4.25 x 17 x 10 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 4 years and up
KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen
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Amazon
Engaging
Bonding activity
Teaches life skills
Hours of play
Pricey
Requires lots of space
Indulge your little chef-to-be with this realistic, modern play kitchen. Featuring burners with realistic lights and sound, shelving for pots and pans, oven, microwave, and much more - with so much to explore, kids will feel like they're cooking just like mom and dad!
Price at time of publish: $293
Dimensions: 42.5 x 32.5 x 36.75 inches| Material: MDF Solid Wood Plastic | Recommended Age: 3 Years and Up
Marvel Black Panther Legacy Wakanda FX Battle Claws with Lights and Sounds
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Amazon
Recognizable character
Hours of play
Requires batteries
With Black Panther: Wakanda Forever coming to theaters this year, you can't go wrong with gifting the superhero in your life this movie-accurate set of claws inspired by the Marvel hero. With lights, sounds, and retractable claws activated by the famous wakanda salute, your child can dress up as the Black Panther and spend hours imagining themselves protecting the world from villains.
Price at time of publish: $39
Dimensions: 3.19 x 16 x 12 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 5 Years and Up
LEGO City Fire Station
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Courtesy of Walmart
Easy to follow instructions
STEM-based
Pieces are organized by project
Reviewers found it smaller than expected
This set comes together with more than 500 pieces, and it's perfect for 5-year-old boys who can't get enough of the blaze-battling heroes and Legos. Mini-figures include a fire chief, two firefighters, and a Dalmatian dog. One of the coolest features is the truck's special brick that flashes lights and plays siren sounds. The garage door opens and closes to allow the truck to come and go, and there's a separate water scooter (with its own dock) as well as a toy drone.
Price at time of publish: $95
Dimensions: 13.94 x 14.88 x 2.78 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 5 years and up
What to Look For in Toys For 5-Year-Old Boys
Recommended Age
Even though they may think they’re big kids, 5-year-old boys are still pretty young and might not be ready for certain toys. Games with mature themes and overly complex products aren’t a good idea for this age group. Make sure to glance at the age rating on the toy you’re considering to make sure it’s an appropriate fit, says Kristin Morency Goldman, senior advisor of strategic communications for The Toy Association.
Educational Value
As 5-year-old boys advance to kindergarten, they’ll be learning to read, write, tell time, and count. A toy that helps advance any of these skills in a fun, interactive way will definitely be appreciated not only by the young boy in your life, but by his parents, too. He'll be ready for kindergarten before you know it.
Figurines, building blocks, LEGO sets, and other toys that encourage pretend play are also great, says Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a neuropsychologist in New York City, because they foster imagination, providing children with the tools they need to create their own worlds.
Activeness
It often seems as though 5-year-olds are balls of energy, so a toy that helps to get them up and moving is always a good thing. Consider products that will encourage young boys to play outside, run around, and otherwise expend energy as they explore and create. As a bonus, these toys help solidify gross motor skills, as well as hand-eye coordination.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This roundup was written by Patrice J. Williams. She has contributed gift guides to The Spruce since 2020. In addition to her work for The Spruce, she writes commerce articles, including product suggestions and reviews, for other outlets as well as appearing on air for The Today Show, WEtv, and she was the Savvy Shopper reporter for WPIX in New York City. Additional research was done by Megan McCarty, a writer for The Spruce and MyDomaine with over 13 years of experience in both print and digital media. She regularly contributes to design-focused outlets such as Architectural Digest, Domino, House & Home, and Hunker.