This Fairy Play Set Lets Kids Grow Real Flowers
This Fairy Play Set Lets Kids Grow Real Flowers
When kids turn 5, they take a huge jump in their learning. Maybe they're in or entering kindergarten, but even if they're not, they're able to do many more activities because of how they've grown, what they can do physically and what they can handle emotionally. When it comes to buying gifts for kids this age, they'll love showing off their new skills, be it drawing or writing their own names, jumping and assigning roles in imaginative and role-playing games.
"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, if you're wondering what to get a 5-year-old girl for the holidays or her birthday, the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have tested the latest releases to come up with a list of recommendations. All year, the Institute stays on top of trends and latest releases. Then it calls in the most promising toys and games and vet them to ensure they're safe and well-constructed. Then the true experts — kids themselves — try them out and tell us which ones are the most fun. (The best of the best go on to win Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards.) This year, when all is said and done, these rose to the top as the best toys and gifts for 5-year-old girls in 2022.
Imaginative and role-play items were huge this year, letting kids try out everything from princess outfits to pet-groomers' gear. Educational toys, especially STEM sets, also let kids step into the role of scientist or doctor. Kids still like fidget toys when they're in the mood for just-a-little-something, and they also liked digging their hands into different sensory compounds. But, no matter what your 5-year-olds are into, there's sure to be something here that's in line with their interests.
1) Deluxe Dress-Up Trunk
Disney Princess
amazon.com
$34.99
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. Ages 3+
2) I LOVE Strawberries!
Feeding Minds Press
amazon.com
$16.19
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+
3) GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope
Educational Insights
amazon.com
$33.99
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. Ages 3+
5) Scribble Scrubbie Pets Arctic Snow Explorers
Crayola
amazon.com
$29.88
Kids can customize their furry, snow-themed friends, rinse and repeat as many times as they'd like. (Just be prepared to soak them a bit to erase the past scribbles.) The set includes three cold-weather pets and six markers, plus two snowboards, two soaking tubs, a scrub brush and a vehicle that can be used as storage. Ages 3+
6) My Fairy Light Garden
My Fairy Garden
amazon.com
$34.98
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. You can also connect this with other My Fairy Garden sets. Ages 4+
RELATED: The 16 Best Outdoor Toys for Kids, According to Experts
7) Lynette Fashion Doll
The Fresh Dolls
walmart.com
$12.99
Among fashion dolls, Lynette stands out because of her vibrant pink hair. A gamer, Lynette comes from The Fresh Dolls line of dolls, which is known for multicultural dolls with realistic face sculpts, real hair textures and many points of articulation to make lots of poses. Ages 3+
8) Scruff-A-Luvs Cutie Cuts
Little Live Pets
amazon.com
$24.00
They can groom, shave, trim and pamper their plush pet to perfection with the Scruff-A-Luvs Cutie Cuts kit. 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+
9) Fashion Fidgets Sensory Toy Dolls – Push Pop Fidget Toy Pack of 2 – Anxiety and Stress Relief for Kids
10) Orboot
Shifu
amazon.com
$27.98
This globe lets kids travel the world through the magic of augmented reality. By using an app, kids can learn more about the history, geography and environment of each region by zooming in with a tablet. There are more than 1,000 world facts included! Ages 4+
11) Good Housekeeping 123 Cook!
Hearst Home Kids
amazon.com
$19.80
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+
12) DoodleJamz JellyPics
Sky Castle
amazon.com
$9.99
Kids (and their families) love these board because they're quiet, but so soothing. A clear gel is filled with beads, and kids can use the included stylus or their fingers to push the beads around in the gel to augment the pictures. It comes with one double-sided background, but you can print more. Ages 5+
13) Crazy Forts
Crazy Forts
amazon.com
$48.99
Take those blanket forts to the next level with this set of rods and connectors (no more using the couch and chairs). She can build a rocket one day, and a castle tower the next. It comes with nearly 70 pieces, but blankets are not included. Ages 5+
14) Got2Glow Baby Fairy Finder
WowWee
amazon.com
$12.99
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+
15) Coding Critters
Learning Resources
amazon.com
$31.80
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
16) Ada Twist's Big Project Book for Stellar Scientists
Abrams Books for Young Readers
braveandkindbooks.com
$14.99
If Ada Twist, Scientist has them forming hypotheses and designing experiments, channel that energy into this project book. There are ideas for more than 40 projects to complete, including tracking the phases of the moon or building an aquascope. Ages 5+
17) Grogu Long John Pajama Set
Hanna Andersson
hannaandersson.com
$29.00
If there's a 5-year-old who can resist the cuteness of Grogu, aka "Baby Yoda," we haven't met them. These soft, 100% cotton PJs feature The Child in a Santa hat, which makes them perfect for opening presents on Christmas morning. Plus, they come in enough sizes to do a family match. Sizes newborn – men's XXL
18) Musical Crossroads Piece Jumbo Puzzle
Upbounders
amazon.com
$17.00
At 5 years old, kids are ready for more of a challenge when it comes to jigsaw puzzles, and this 72-piece puzzle is just the right amount of difficult. And, when it's done, it makes a 21" x 14" picture of a band, so they'll feel accomplished. Ages 5+
19) Fingerlings Baby Elephant
WowWee
amazon.com
$12.48
These characters respond to sound, motion and touch. This baby elephant will blink, turn its head, repeat what you say and even kiss at you. It's available in lots of fun characters and colors, too, if elephants aren't their favorite. Ages 4+
20) I Never Forget a Face Memory Game
eeBoo
amazon.com
$17.99
This game gets kids to work on matching and memory skills, and at the same time teaches them about countries around the world. There are 24 pairs to match, each representing a different place around the globe. Ages 5+
21) Mickey and Friends Castle Defenders
LEGO
amazon.com
$54.95
This set comes with a few small builds that make a big impact when they're put together — kids will be so proud with what they can accomplish! They can put together a dragon, a stable area, a castle wall with two towers and more. It also comes with Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy so they can use the set as a backdrop for imaginative play. Ages 4+
22) KidiZoom Creator Cam
VTech
walmart.com
$40.99
It's never been easier for kids to create their own, awesome videos. This camera comes with animated backgrounds, easy editing capabilities right on the camera and special effects like time-lapse video. It also comes with a green screen to use as a background. Ages 5+
23) Disney Mad Tea Party Game
Funko
amazon.com
$19.99
In this family board 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+
24) Rush Hour Junior Traffic Jam Logic Game
Think Fun
amazon.com
$28.00
This board game is a kid-friendly version of the popular Rush Hour puzzle game for older kids and adults. It's a great gift idea for kids since it'll help develop their critical thinking skills as they play. It comes with 40 different challenges that get increasingly more difficult as you play along. Ages 5+
25) Hello Kitty Tiered Skirt Dress
Tea Collection
teacollection.com
$52.00
They can look festive and show off their Hello Kitty fandom with this tiered dress, which is made from a soft cotton jersey so they won't feel too uncomfortable. Give them a pair of green velour leggings to go with it and they're ready for the family picture. Sizes 2 – 16
26) Tie Dye Skirt Set
Rah Love's Boutique
rahlovesboutique.com
$12.99
Tie-dye is always trendy, and this lounge set is both cute and made from comfy cotton. It comes in three different color combos and in sizes up to 6T. Sizes 18m – 6T
27) Dinosaur Origami
Djeco
kidochicago.com
$10.00
Tap into her creative side with this set, which comes with dinosaur-printed folding paper, step-by-step instructions and even stickers to finish off the dinosaur looks. You can also get it in a tropical motif. Ages 4+
28) Barbie Color Reveal Surprise Party Set
Barbie
amazon.com
$34.99
This toy combines all the classic fun of Barbie with the excitement of a surprise, collectible toy. There are 50 surprises included, including a Barbie doll (dip her in water to "reveal" which one you get), a Chelsea doll, two pets and plenty of accessories. Or, for a scaled-down version of a surprise Barbie set, check out the Barbie Cutie Reveal line ($25), which has a doll and 10 surprises. Ages 3+
29) Disney Princess Comfy Squad Sweet Treats Truck, Playset with 16 Accessories, Pretend Ice Cream Shop, Toy for Girls 5 Years Old and Up
30) Playfoam Pals Fantasy Friends
Educational Insights
amazon.com
$6.00
Kids always love this textured foam, and now they can combine molding the foam with collecting the characters. Each pod contains a fantasy friend for kids to find and collect, and they can continue to play with the squishy compound, which is designed to not dry out. The collectibles pop apart and kids can trade heads and bodies to make fun new combinations. Ages 4+
RELATED: The Best Sensory Toys for All Ages
31) Water Wow Coloring & Painting Book
Melissa & Doug
amazon.com
$7.99
This water painting toy is fantastic for occupying kids at the doctor, in restaurants or whenever they have downtime. Just fill the paintbrush with water, and as kids "paint" with it, it'll reveal colors and hidden pictures throughout the book. There are a variety of themes available, from letters and numbers to fairytales and farm animals. The water brush is easy for kids to grip and stores easily in the front cover. There's no mess, and once it dries the colors disappear again, so you can use it over and over. Ages 3+
32) Unicorn 3-D Puzzle
Studio Roof
kidochicago.com
$12.00
Once she puts this puzzle together, it'll look great on a shelf in her room. It's made from recycled cardboard and printed with vegetable inks, and comes flat packed. If unicorns aren't her thing, there are also dinosaur puzzles. Ages 3+
33) Snack Time Friends
Kindi Kids
amazon.com
$24.99
These cute kiddos are designed to help your kids ease the transition into kindergarten. The six dolls in the line are all pals at Rainbow Kindi, their school. They also come with interactive "snack time" accessories that make them move and make sounds. Ages 3+
34) Play-Doh Builder Treehouse Kit
Hasbro
amazon.com
$16.99
When she seems like she past prime Play-Doh age, this set gives the compound another dimension. She can build her own treehouse out of Play-Doh, and then personalize it with windows, doors and even a slide. This past Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award Winner also comes with seven colors of compound and two figures to play with. Ages 5+
35) Dream Seeker Doll Luna
Moose Toys
walmart.com
$14.23
Join Luna, the magical-looking fairy, as she dives deep into her dreams. The fairy doll comes in a moon-like packaging, which has a place for your 5-year-old to write her own dreams. Dress her up in a glitter tulle skirt, cute ballet shoes and 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+
36) Stunt Planes
Stomp Rocket
walmart.com
$38.95
Stomp Rocket gets kids outside and moving, jumping on the air pump that launches the rocket into the sky. They'll unconsciously learn about physics as they adjust the flight path angle and force applied to counter the weather, like wind. This particular set includes three planes: a looper (curves), a glider (soar) and a wildcat (stunts), each requiring different inputs for the desired trajectories. Ages 5+
37) Play-Doh Compound Corner Variety Pack
Play-Doh
amazon.com
$11.99
Everyone loves the iconic Play-Doh modeling compound, but now the company offers other textures for your slime-obsessed kids. Look for Play-Doh Slime, Super Stretch, Hydroglitz, Krackle, Elastix, Super Cloud and Foam, many included in this one set, all of which offer a different sensation for hands-on kids. Ages 3+
RELATED: How to Make Playdough at Home, According to Parenting Experts
We tested and found the best toys for 5-year-old girls in 2022. These toys will also make great gifts. We picked popular toys, plus included our award-winners.