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Best Toys & Gift Ideas for 5-Year-Old Girls: 2025 Picks

Updated
Shopping for a 5-year-old girl? Check out these cool gift ideas.

Shopping for a 5-year-old girl is a major turning point. She is likely leaving the toddler years behind, starting kindergarten, and developing a fierce independent streak.

We dove into the latest child development research to find toys that match this exciting stage. We looked for gifts that spark creativity, burn off energy, and encourage social skills without being too complicated.

From STEM building sets to pretend play essentials, we found the best toys to make her fifth year her most fun one yet.

Check out our top picks to thrill the special 5-year-old in your life.

Our Top Picks

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Best Doll: WellieWishers Willa Doll
  • 14.5 inches tall
  • Dressed from head-to-toe
  • Whimsical garden-themed accessories
Best Ride-On: My Pony Ride On
  • Best pretend play horse
  • For indoor and outdoor use
  • Big and soft cushioned seat
Crafty Fashion: Kids Fashion Craft Kit
  • Ultimate headband set
  • Mom's Choice award winner
  • Great value for money
Unique Bath Toy: Horse Color Change
  • Changes color in water
  • Affordable
  • High-quality design
Best Toy Friend: Fingerlings 2Tone Monkey
  • Magical interactive pet
  • Batteries included
  • Over 40 animations and sound effects
Hatchimals Pretend Play: Hatchimals CollEGGtibles
  • 12-pack egg carton
  • Easy to stack
  • Lightweight
Fashion Design Kit: Fashion Design Activity Kit
  • 16-piece fashion-plate rubbing kit
  • Snap-shut, take-along storage case
  • Easy to use
Pool Playtime: SwimWays Finding Dory
  • 6-piece set
  • Durable materials
  • Characters float at different depths
Most Fashionable Cooking Attire: Toysmith Deluxe Chef Set
  • 100% cotton
  • Adjustable straps
  • Machine washable
Best Educational Card Set: Smarty Pants Kindergarten
  • Whimsical design
  • Contains 120 cards
  • Colorful and creative

Developmental Milestones for 5-Year-Old Girls

Your daughter is growing up fast. She is likely more coordinated, articulate, and opinionated than ever. Here is what to expect right now (1):

  • Moving and Grooving: She should be able to skip, jump, and hop. Her balance is better, and her fine motor skills are sharp enough to handle zippers, buttons, and pencils.
  • Big Feelings: She can tell you exactly what she likes and dislikes. While she is learning empathy, this age is still known for some dramatic emotional swings.
  • Social Butterfly: Friends are becoming a huge deal. She wants to fit in, please her peers, and follow the rules (most of the time).
  • Chatterbox: She speaks in full, complex sentences. You can finally have real, two-way conversations with her.
  • Brain Power: She can copy shapes, count to 10 (or higher), and her drawings are becoming more recognizable.

How to Choose the Perfect Gift

Keep these factors in mind to find a toy she will actually play with, rather than one that gathers dust.

Follow Her Interests

Most 5-year-olds have obsessions. Whether it is unicorns, princesses, dinosaurs, or space, lean into it. Buying a gift that aligns with her current passion increases the chances she will love it immediately.

Encourage Role Play

Girls this age love to mimic the adults around them. Kits that let her play “teacher,” “doctor,” or “chef” are usually huge hits. Dolls are also vital right now because they help her practice empathy and social dynamics through storytelling (2).

Active and Creative Play

She has energy to burn. Look for outdoor toys like kites, scooters, or bounce houses to keep her moving. For quiet time, creative outlets like drawing supplies or craft kits are excellent for building focus and fine motor skills.

STEM and Logic

Don’t shy away from construction toys. While boys are often pushed toward building blocks (3), girls gain just as much from spatial reasoning games. A LEGO set featuring her favorite movie characters is a sneaky way to introduce engineering concepts while she plays.


Product Reviews

Here are our top picks for the best toys for 5-year-old girls, ranging from STEM sets to cuddly companions.

American Girl WellieWishers Willa Doll

Best Doll Gift for 5-Year-Old Girls

Meet Willa, the nature-loving friend your daughter needs. Part of the popular WellieWishers line, Willa comes dressed for backyard exploration in adorable ladybug rainboots and a sweet fairy-style outfit. Her strawberry-blond pigtails are soft and fun to brush, and her movable limbs make her easy to pose.

We love the attention to detail here. From her freckles to her hazel eyes, Willa has a distinct personality. The clothes feature Velcro closures, so 5-year-old hands can easily dress and undress her without frustration.

If your daughter loves friendship stories, Willa is a gateway to a larger world. You can add friends like Ashlyn or Kendall later on to expand the imaginative play. It is a high-quality doll that serves as a perfect introduction to the American Girl world.


Medallion My Pony Ride On

Best Ride-On Toy for 5-Year-Old Girls

Skip the stable fees with this interactive ride-on. Unlike battery-powered cars, this pony relies on kid power. Your daughter presses down on the footrests to create a realistic galloping motion. It is fantastic for building leg strength and coordination.

The pony steers left and right using the handles on the head, giving her full control. If you are worried about her wandering off, you can lock the steering so she only moves in a straight line.

It works indoors or outdoors on flat surfaces, making it versatile for any weather. It is big enough to feel “real” but safe enough for a 5-year-old to master quickly.


Creativity for Kids Fashion Headbands Craft Kit

Crafty Fashion for Girls

If she loves to accessorize, let her be the designer. This kit comes with 10 satin headbands and a mountain of decorations, including rhinestones, flowers, feathers, and ribbons.

It is an excellent activity for honing fine motor skills. Peeling stickers, tying ribbons, and arranging layouts requires focus and dexterity. Plus, she gets the immediate reward of wearing her creation.

This set is also perfect for playdates or birthday parties. There are enough supplies for friends to make their own, encouraging sharing and social interaction while they craft.


Breyer Horse Color Change Bath Toy

Most Unique Bath Toy

Make bath time magical with Ella, the color-changing pony. When she touches warm water, her purple markings and mane turn a bright pink. It is a simple chemical reaction that feels like pure magic to a 5-year-old.

Once she dries off, she turns purple again, ready for the next bath. The set includes a bathrobe for the pony and a brush for grooming, adding a layer of nurturing play to the mix.

Breyer is known for quality horse toys, so this isn’t a flimsy plastic trinket. It is a durable toy that can handle daily dunks in the tub.


WowWee Fingerlings 2Tone Monkey

Best Toy Friend for 5-Year-Old Girls

Fingerlings are the pocket-sized pets that go everywhere. Summer the Monkey clings to your child’s finger and responds to sound, motion, and touch.

She is surprisingly interactive for such a small toy. If your daughter blows a kiss, Summer might kiss back. Rock her to sleep, hang her upside down, or clap your hands to see different reactions.

It is a great option for kids who want a “pet” to care for. Since it comes with batteries included, she can start playing right out of the box.


Season 4 Hatchimals CollEGGtibles

Hatchimals Pretend Play

The thrill of the surprise is the best part of Hatchimals. This carton comes with 10 in-egg creatures and two hatched Swanlings. It is an instant collection in one box.

The hatching process is hands-on. Your daughter rubs the purple heart on the egg until it turns pink, signaling it is ready to crack open. Discovering which character is inside never gets old.

These tiny figures are great for travel or trading with friends. Some glow or glitter, adding an extra layer of excitement to the reveal.


Melissa & Doug Fashion Design Art Activity Kit

Fashion Design Kit

Combine art and fashion with this clever rubbing plate set. It allows your girl to mix and match tops, bottoms, and heads to create unique outfits.

She places the paper over the raised plates and rubs with the included crayon to make the outline appear. Then, she can color it in with the pencils. It is satisfying and easy for a 5-year-old to master without needing to draw complex shapes from scratch.

Everything fits into a neat storage case, making it a fantastic travel toy. Just grab some extra paper, and she is entertained for long car rides or flights.


SwimWays Disney Finding Dory

Best Pool Playtime Toy

Build her water confidence with familiar faces. This set features Dory, Nemo, and friends, along with a Mr. Ray net for catching them.

It is a versatile swim toy. Some characters float for easy catching, while others sink, encouraging her to put her face in the water or dive down. It turns swim practice into a game.

The characters are soft and easy for small hands to grip. Even outside the pool, they make fun bath toys or general play figures.


Toysmith Deluxe Chef Set

Most Fashionable Cooking Attire

Every head chef needs the right uniform. If she loves her play kitchen, this set takes the role-play to the next level.

It includes a pink adjustable apron, a chef’s hat, hot pads, a wooden rolling pin, and a spoon. These are not just flimsy props; the fabric is 100% cotton and machine washable, so she can actually wear them while helping you bake real cookies.

Role-play gear like this helps kids get into character and take their imaginative scenarios seriously. It is cute, functional, and durable.


Melissa & Doug Smarty Pants Kindergarten Cards

Best Educational Card Set

If you want a break from dolls and noise, try this brain-building deck. It is packed with 120 cards featuring questions, puzzles, and tongue twisters designed specifically for kindergarteners.

The whimsical “pants” design makes it feel like a game rather than homework. You can keep it in the car for school pickups or use it while waiting at restaurants.

It covers math, vocabulary, and critical thinking. It is a fantastic way to gauge what she knows and where she might need a little help, all while laughing together.


CreativeElf Drawing Stencils Set

Artistic Traveling

Frustration-free drawing is a gift in itself. This stencil kit lets your daughter create perfect shapes, from butterflies to princesses, without getting upset that it “doesn’t look right.”

The kit is fully portable, with a carrying case that holds the 16 stencils, 10 colored pencils, paper, and sharpener. It is an all-in-one art station.

Tracing stencils is excellent for coordination and hand control. Once the outline is down, she can get creative with coloring and details. It keeps 5-year-olds occupied for surprisingly long stretches.


Lego Disney Frozen Sleigh Adventure

Frozen Fun for Everyone

Bring Arendelle to your living room. This 174-piece set is a great entry point for LEGOs because the payoff is a scene she knows and loves. It features Anna, Kristoff, and Sven the reindeer.

The sleigh really slides, and the trading post adds a fun backdrop for storytelling. Building the set requires following instructions, which boosts her sequencing skills and patience.

Once built, it doubles as a playset. She can reenact movie scenes or invent new adventures for Anna and Kristoff in the snow.


Lego Ariel and The Magical Spell

Building for Imagination

For mermaid fans, this LEGO set captures the pivotal moment from the movie. It features Ariel’s cave, a treasure chest, and even the villainous Ursula.

What makes this cool is the transformation aspect: Ariel can switch from mermaid tail to human legs. It adds a dynamic element to the play. The 222 pieces offer a decent challenge for a 5-year-old, though you will likely need to help her snap the trickier parts together.

It is colorful, detailed, and compatible with all other LEGO systems, so she can mix it with other sets later.


Toysmith Rainbow Stunt Streamer

Best for Outdoor Fun

Sometimes the simplest toys are the best. This 6-foot ribbon on a stick creates mesmerizing loops and spirals with a flick of the wrist.

It encourages gross motor movement, she has to run, spin, and wave her arm to get the best effects. It is durable enough to withstand vigorous play without fraying immediately.

While best used outdoors so she has room to run, it is also great for indoor dance parties if you have the space. It is pure, active joy for a low price.


Build-A-Bot: Unicorn

Best STEM Robot Toy for 5-Year-Old Girls

Introduce her to robotics with a customized unicorn. This kit comes with 20 pieces that snap together to create a moving pet.

She can personalize it with stickers and choose the eye color. Once built, a simple clap of her hands activates the motor, making the unicorn move and make sounds. It demystifies how robots work in a very accessible way.

She might need your help with the initial assembly, but the sense of accomplishment she will feel when it “comes to life” is unbeatable.


Enchantimals Bree Bunny Doll

Best for Animal Lovers

If she loves animals and dolls, Enchantimals are the perfect hybrid. Bree Bunny comes with matching bunny ears and a little animal companion that looks just like her.

The design is whimsical and colorful, with painted-on features and removable shoes. At six inches tall, she is smaller than a Barbie, making her easy to toss in a backpack for travel.

It is a sweet, affordable toy that emphasizes the bond between humans and animals. Perfect for nurturing play and imaginary forest adventures.


FAQs

Why Is Play So Important For a 5-Year-Old?

Play is the primary way 5-year-olds learn. It contributes to their brain development, physical coordination, and emotional health. Through play, they figure out how to solve problems, navigate social rules with friends, and process big feelings in a safe environment.

What Are the Top 5 Selling Toys of All Time?

The heavy hitters that have remained popular for decades include Barbie dolls, LEGO sets, Hot Wheels, the Rubik’s Cube, and Monopoly. These classics continue to sell millions of units because they offer timeless, open-ended play.

Can 5-Year-Olds Play By Themselves?

Yes, and they should! Independent play builds confidence and imagination. At this age, a child should be able to entertain themselves for short bursts (15 to 30 minutes). Setting up a safe space with engaging toys helps them build this skill.

How Much Time Should a 5-Year-Old Watch TV?

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests limiting screen time to one hour of high-quality programming per day for this age group. Ideally, you should watch with them to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the real world.

What Are the Best Educational Toys for 5-Year-Olds?

At five, the best educational toys disguise learning as fun. Look for board games that require counting (Math), STEM building kits (Logic), or phonics games (Reading). Open-ended toys like magnetic tiles or art supplies are also educational because they foster creativity and planning skills.

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