Christmas gift guide • Age 5 • Free printable
Christmas Gifts for 5-Year-Olds: 50 Ideas They’ll Actually Play With (+ Free Printable Wish List)
Five is such a fun age to shop for. They have big imaginations, real opinions and hands that can finally build, cut, draw and play by the rules (mostly). Here are 50 Christmas gift ideas for 5-year-old girls and boys, sorted by what they love, with what to look for, what to skip, and a free printable wish list and gift tags.
🌟 By the end of this page you’ll have…
- 50 Christmas gift ideas for 5-year-olds, grouped by interest: makers, builders, game lovers, pretend players, movers and early readers
- a quick table that matches age-5 skills (from the CDC milestones) to the gifts that fit them
- a “want, need, wear, read” plan so the pile under the tree doesn’t get out of hand
- a safety and “skip it” checklist based on pediatrician advice
- a free 3-page printable: a kid-friendly wish list, color-your-own gift tags and a festive giraffe coloring page
🎨 New here? Hi, we’re ColorJoy
ColorJoy makes bold, easy coloring books and free printables for little hands, plus warm, practical guides for real family life. Our promise: honest gift ideas (most of them aren’t ours), no pressure to overspend, and a free printable in every guide. Shopping for a younger child too? See our Christmas gifts for 4-year-olds and stocking stuffers for toddlers.
Real-life moments
Sound familiar?
If you are shopping for a 5-year-old this Christmas, one of these is probably you.
The “everything” list
You asked what he wants for Christmas. The answer: “A dinosaur, a robot, a real rocket, and everything from the TV ad.”
Try this: use our printable wish list: one box each for want, need, wear, read, make and do. It turns “everything” into six real ideas.
The grandparent phone call
Grandma wants ideas by Sunday, and your daughter has three of everything already.
Try this: send her the “experiences” and “books” sections below, plus a photo of the filled-in wish list.
The two-day toy
Last year’s big gift was played with twice, then lived under the bed.
Try this: choose open-ended gifts (blocks, art supplies, dress-up) that work a hundred different ways, and rotate toys after Christmas.
Know the age
What 5-year-olds love (and why it matters for gifts)
The best gifts match what a child can do right now, plus a little stretch. Here is what most 5-year-olds can do, according to the CDC’s developmental milestones, and the kinds of gifts that fit (CDC, milestones by 5 years).
| Most 5-year-olds… | So they enjoy… | Gift ideas |
|---|---|---|
| Follow rules and take turns in games | Simple board and card games | Cooperative board games, memory games, Go Fish, Uno-style card games |
| Tell a story with at least two events | Pretend play and storytelling | Dress-up box, puppets, play kitchen extras, small-world animal sets |
| Count to 10 and name some numbers and letters | Early learning that feels like play | Number and letter puzzles, telling-time and phonics workbooks, dice games |
| Pay attention for 5 to 10 minutes during arts and crafts | Projects they can finish | Coloring books with bold lines, craft kits, sticker scenes, watercolor sets |
| Write some letters in their name | Drawing and early writing | Sketchbook with their name, dry-erase boards, chunky colored pencils |
| Hop on one foot | Active, moving play | Balance bike or scooter (with helmet), hopscotch mat, ball games |
The CDC also suggests keeping a box of crayons, paper, paint, child scissors and glue for creative play at this age, playing games that build memory and attention, and keeping screen time to no more than 1 hour per day (CDC). That is a pretty good shopping list on its own.
🧠 Why simple, “low-tech” gifts win
The American Academy of Pediatrics says traditional toys remain superior to electronic toys for language development: when toys talk, parents talk less, and children vocalize less. Blocks, dolls, instruments, cars and other low-tech toys get kids and parents talking and playing together (HealthyChildren.org). The AAP also lists coloring books, crayons, markers, clay and stickers as great gifts that build creativity and fine motor skills (HealthyChildren.org).
The big list
50 Christmas gift ideas for 5-year-old girls and boys
Fifty ideas in seven groups. A good mix is one thing to make, one thing to build or play, one book and one experience. Ideas marked with our books link to Amazon; everything else is a general idea, not a specific product recommendation.
🎨 For little makers
- A themed coloring bookMatch their obsession: unicorns, dinosaurs, trucks, monsters, space. See our picks below.
- Washable markers + a sketchbook with their nameA “real artist” book feels grown-up at five.
- Watercolor paint setA small pan set, a chunky brush and thick paper.
- Kids’ craft kitPom-poms, pipe cleaners, googly eyes and glue sticks in a lidded box.
- Child-safe scissors and a cutting bookCutting practice is a favorite skill to show off at five.
- Sticker scene booksReusable sticker scenes are great for car rides and restaurants.
- Air-dry clay or play dough with toolsBuilds hand strength for writing.
- An art caddyA carry tray to keep supplies together (and off the floor).
🧱 For builders and puzzlers
- Wooden blocks or a big block setThe most open-ended toy there is.
- Magnetic tiles (large pieces)Choose well-made sets with secure, enclosed magnets.
- Large-piece construction bricksBigger bricks are easier for 5-year-old fingers.
- 24- to 48-piece jigsaw puzzlesOften a good stretch at this age; pick their favorite theme.
- Marble run (age-appropriate)Check the age label; it’s for older preschoolers, not toddlers.
- Train set or car trackBuild, rebuild and race, again and again.
- Pattern blocksShapes, colors and early math in one wooden box.
🎲 For game lovers
- A first cooperative board gameEveryone wins or loses together: fewer tears.
- Memory matching gameThe CDC suggests memory and attention games at this age.
- Simple card gamesGo Fish, Old Maid, Crazy Eights.
- Dice gamesCounting dots is sneaky math practice.
- Bingo with picturesFun for the whole family on winter break.
- A tabletop “fishing” or stacking gameFine motor fun with lots of laughs.
🎭 For pretend players
- A dress-up boxCapes, hats, old scarves, a doctor coat, a firefighter hat.
- Puppets or a puppet theaterStorytelling is a big age-5 skill.
- Play kitchen extrasPretend food, a tea set, a little apron.
- Doctor or vet kitGreat for working through worries about checkups.
- Small-world animal setsFarm, jungle or dinosaur figures for endless stories.
- A dollhouse or garageOpen-ended play that lasts for years.
- Play tent or fort kitA cozy hideout that turns into a reading nook.
🏃 For movers
- Balance bike or scooter + helmetAlways pair wheels with a helmet.
- Hopscotch mat or sidewalk chalkHopping on one foot is a five-year-old superpower.
- Soft indoor balls and a mini basketball hoopFor cold, wiggly winter days.
- Kids’ snow gear or sledFor snowy states: an outdoor winter tradition.
- A jump ropeA fun challenge to practice together outside.
- Balance stepping stonesIndoor obstacle courses on winter break.
📚 For early learners and readers
- Picture books about their passionsThe AAP’s favorite gift: books create time to read together.
- A telling-time workbookFive-year-olds start using words like “morning” and “tomorrow.”
- A phonics or letter-sounds workbookShort, fun practice before kindergarten.
- Alphabet or number puzzlesHands-on letters beat flashcards.
- A kids’ globe or picture atlasBig questions about the world start now.
- A magnifying glass and nature journalFor winter walks and backyard exploring.
For curious 4- to 6-year-olds
Tick-Tock Time Adventures: A Fun Telling Time Workbook for Kids Ages 4–6
Hours, half hours and time matching in a playful workbook, a lovely stocking gift for a child who keeps asking “how long until…?” $9.99 on Amazon.
See the workbook on Amazon →Our own book; we earn money if you buy it.
🎟️ Experiences (no wrapping required)
- Zoo, aquarium or children’s museum membershipA gift that gives all year.
- A kids’ classSwimming, art, dance, gymnastics: check ages with your local center.
- A “date” coupon with a grandparentPancakes, the library and the park, just the two of them.
- Pottery or ornament paintingMany studios welcome kids; call ahead.
- A family movie or game night boxPopcorn, a game, cozy socks and a homemade “ticket.”
- Tickets to a kids’ showPuppet shows and children’s theater are perfect at five.
From our shelf
Coloring books for 5-year-olds, by interest
A coloring book about the thing they love is one of the most-used gifts for this age. Here are our own ColorJoy titles by interest. Prices are as listed on Amazon.com when we checked on 30 October 2026.
| If they love… | Try | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Unicorns and rainbows | Bold & Easy Unicorn Coloring Book ($9.99) | 8.5 x 11 in |
| Dinosaurs | Roaring Dinosaur Coloring Book ($9.99) | 6 x 9 in |
| Cars, trucks and diggers | Zooming Vehicle Coloring Book ($9.99) | 8.5 x 11 in |
| Princesses and fairies | Bold & Easy Fairy Tales Coloring Book ($9.99) | 8.5 x 11 in |
| Silly monsters | Mutate Monster Coloring Book ($9.99) | 6 x 9 in |
| Cats and kittens | Sassy Cat Coloring Book ($9.99) | 6 x 9 in |
| Wild animals | Cute Wild Animals Coloring Book ($12.99) | 8.5 x 11 in |
| Space and planets | Color the Cosmos ($9.99) | 8.5 x 11 in |
All of these have bold, thick lines and single-sided pages, so markers won’t bleed through and finished pictures can be cut out and hung up. For more ideas, see our guide to gifts for kids who love to color.
Keep it simple
How many gifts does a 5-year-old need? Try “want, need, wear, read”
Many families use a simple four-gift rule to keep Christmas joyful instead of overwhelming: something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read. Some add “something to do” (an experience) or “something to make.” Our free printable wish list uses all six, so your child can draw an idea in each box.
| Gift | Example for a 5-year-old | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Something they want | A dress-up set, a train track, a balance bike | The “wow” gift they asked for |
| Something they need | New snow boots, a lunch box for kindergarten, a night light | Useful, and often loved more than you’d think |
| Something to wear | Pajamas with their favorite animal, a superhero cape | Doubles as pretend play |
| Something to read | A picture book or a themed coloring book | Builds the reading-together habit |
| Something to do | A museum day, a class, a grandparent “date” | A memory instead of more clutter |
| Something to make | A craft kit, watercolors, clay | Hours of focused, screen-free time |
The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages families not to feel pressure to overspend on gifts, and reminds us that toys don’t need to be expensive or electronic to be great, as long as they suit the child’s age, abilities and interests (HealthyChildren.org).
Spread it out
Gifts by size: stocking, medium and big
Not sure how to spread ideas between Santa, parents, grandparents and stockings? Here is a simple way to sort them.
| Size | Ideas | Great from |
|---|---|---|
| Stocking-size | Sticker scenes, a small coloring book, crayons, a card game, a jump rope, a workbook | Stockings, aunts and uncles, classmates |
| Medium | A 48-piece puzzle, a board game, watercolors, a dress-up set, a doctor kit | Parents, friends |
| Big | A balance bike or scooter (with helmet), a block set, a dollhouse, a play tent | Santa, grandparents |
| Experience | Museum membership, a class, show tickets, a grandparent date | Grandparents, godparents |
💡 For grandparents who ask “what does she need?”
Experiences and books are the two safest bets. They don’t take up shelf space, they create time together, and they’re hard to duplicate. Send a photo of the filled-in wish list from our printable so everyone shops from the same page.
Choose well
What to skip, and a quick safety checklist
- Read the age label. Warning labels tell you what ages a toy is safe for (HealthyChildren.org). If there is a younger sibling, remember that toys for 5-year-olds may have small parts.
- Be careful with button batteries and loose magnets. The AAP warns about toys with small batteries (button or lithium coin) or high-powered magnets, which younger children might put in their mouths, noses or ears (AAP). Check battery compartments are screwed shut (HealthyChildren.org).
- Avoid toys that shoot objects into the air. They can cause serious eye injuries (AAP).
- Skip very loud toys. The AAP advises avoiding loud toys to protect hearing (AAP).
- Look for “nontoxic” on art supplies and sturdy plastic that won’t break into sharp pieces (AAP).
- Pair wheels with a helmet. A bike or scooter gift should come with a properly fitted helmet.
- Think twice about screen gifts. The CDC suggests no more than 1 hour of screen time per day at age 5 (CDC), and the AAP suggests making a family media plan if you do give a device (AAP).
Also skip: huge 200-piece “everything” kits that end up in a drawer, toys that do all the playing for the child, and anything that needs an app to work.
After the wrapping paper
How to make Christmas gifts last past January
- Open gifts slowlyOne at a time, with time to play in between. Some families save a few for the days after Christmas.
- Rotate toysPut half the toys away in a box and swap every couple of weeks. “Old” toys feel new again.
- Give storage with the giftA labeled bin for blocks, an art caddy for supplies, a shelf for books.
- Play together the first timeFive minutes of showing how a game works means it actually gets played.
- Create a routine around itA Friday family game night, a Sunday coloring hour, a bedtime chapter.
- Write thank-you drawingsFive-year-olds can draw a picture for the giver: it builds gratitude and fine motor skills.
Looking for ways to use those new art supplies over winter break? Try our winter break activities at home and indoor gross motor activities for wiggly days.
Free printable
Free printable: Christmas wish list + color-your-own gift tags
🎁 Free printable
The ColorJoy Wish List & Gift Tags Pack (3 pages, US Letter)
Page 1: a kid-friendly “My Christmas Wish List” with six draw-or-write boxes (want, need, wear, read, make, do). Page 2: eight color-your-own gift tags with bold ornament, star, tree and gingerbread designs. Page 3: a festive giraffe coloring page from our Cute Wild Animals Coloring Book.
Download the free wish list + gift tags (PDF) →
Free for personal and classroom use. No email or sign-up needed.
Tip: snap a photo of the finished wish list and send it to grandparents. We add new free printables every week, so bookmark our activity ideas hub.
Your plan
What to do tonight (about 20 minutes)
Get ahead of the December rush with one calm evening.
5 minutes
Print the wish list
Print page 1 and leave it on the table with some crayons.
10 minutes
Fill it in together
Let your child draw one idea in each box. Ask “why?” and listen. You will learn a lot.
3 minutes
Share it
Take a photo and send it to the grandparents or a family group chat.
2 minutes
Pick the “read” gift
Choose one book or coloring book about their current obsession. One gift done.
💛 Be kind to yourself
You don’t need to buy everything on the list, and you don’t need to buy the most. A few thoughtful gifts and time together are what a 5-year-old will remember.
From the ColorJoy shelf
Our book pick: Bold & Easy Unicorn Coloring Book
Our pick for a 5-year-old
Bold & Easy Unicorn Coloring Book for Kids Ages 4-8: 50+ Big Cute Pictures of Unicorns, Rainbows & Magical Scenes
50+ big, cute pictures of unicorns, rainbows and magical scenes with jumbo simple thick lines on single-sided pages.
$9.99paperback · 8.5 x 11 in
Our own book; we earn money if you buy it. Price as listed on Amazon.com when we checked on 30 October 2026; please confirm on the product page.
Why it makes a great Christmas gift for a 5-year-old: it is listed for ages 4 to 8, so it hits the sweet spot where kids can stay inside big shapes and want to finish a whole picture. Jumbo, thick outlines mean finished pages look beautiful (a big confidence boost at five), and single-sided pages can be torn out for the fridge or given to Grandma. It pairs perfectly with a new pack of washable markers for a “want and read” gift in one. Not a unicorn kid? See the interest table above for dinosaurs, vehicles, monsters, cats and space.
Browse all our titles in the Mr A G author store on Amazon. Prefer printables? Our Kids Printable Mega Bundle on Payhip ($14.99) has 11 coloring, tracing and flashcard PDFs (a separate product, not this book), and our full Payhip store is at payhip.com/BookBonbon.
📚 Related books from ColorJoy
If this topic is on your mind, these titles from our own shelf fit well alongside it.
Tick-Tock Time Adventures: Telling Time Workbook (Ages 4–6)
A playful telling-time workbook for ages 4 to 6: hours, half hours and time matching, perfect for a curious 5-year-old.
$9.99 paperback on Amazon.com · Paperback, shipped by Amazon
Phonics Practice Workbook (Ages 4–6)
Letter sounds, beginning reading activities and word families for ages 4 to 6: a gentle head start before kindergarten.
$12.99 paperback on Amazon.com · Paperback, shipped by Amazon
Roaring Dinosaur Coloring Book (Ages 4–8)
Cute, friendly dinosaurs with thick lines in a handy 6 x 9 inch size: a stocking favorite for dino fans.
$9.99 paperback on Amazon.com · Paperback, shipped by Amazon
These are our own books and printables, and we earn money if you buy them. Prices as listed on Amazon.com and Payhip when we checked on 30 October 2026; prices can change, so please confirm on the product page.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Christmas gift for a 5-year-old?
Good Christmas gifts for 5-year-olds match what they can do and love: simple board and card games (they can follow rules and take turns), pretend-play sets and dress-up, building blocks and 24- to 48-piece puzzles, art supplies and themed coloring books, a balance bike or scooter with a helmet, picture books, and experiences like a museum membership or a class.
What toys do 5-year-olds actually play with?
Open-ended toys tend to get the most use at five: blocks and construction sets, dress-up clothes, art supplies, small-world animal or vehicle sets, simple games and balls. Toys that do all the playing for the child are often dropped quickly.
How many Christmas gifts should a 5-year-old get?
There is no right number. Many families use the “want, need, wear, read” rule (four gifts), sometimes adding “something to do” or “something to make.” A few thoughtful gifts opened one at a time usually feel more special than a huge pile.
Are coloring books a good gift for a 5-year-old?
Yes. The American Academy of Pediatrics lists coloring books, crayons, markers, clay and stickers as great gifts that build creativity and fine motor skills. At five, a book about their favorite subject with bold, thick lines is easy to finish and very satisfying.
What should I avoid buying a 5-year-old?
Avoid toys that shoot objects, very loud toys, toys with button batteries or loose high-powered magnets (especially if there are younger siblings), anything not labeled nontoxic, and big kits with lots of tiny parts. Always read the age label.
What are good non-toy gifts for a 5-year-old?
Experiences (a zoo or museum membership, a swim or art class, show tickets, a grandparent day out), books, pajamas or a costume, and practical things they are excited about, like a new lunch box or snow boots.
Happy shopping, and happy Christmas to your little one 🎁
ColorJoy makes bold, easy coloring books and free printables for little hands, plus warm, practical guides for real family life. We share new gift guides and printables every week through the holidays, so come back soon.
Looking for an easy “read” gift? Our pick for 5-year-olds is the Bold & Easy Unicorn Coloring Book.
Get the Unicorn Coloring Book →
Next up: Christmas traditions for little kids, or how to teach kids to tell time.
Photos: Unsplash (Unsplash License). Illustrations: AI-generated for ColorJoy. Book images and printable art: ColorJoy / Mr A G. Gift ideas other than ColorJoy books are general suggestions, not paid or specific product endorsements.
