Yahoo LifestyleThese Stomp Rocket Stunt Planes Are One of the Hottest Gifts for Boys This Year
- 1/16
These Stomp Rocket Stunt Planes Are One of the Hottest Gifts for Boys This Year
By age five, kids are off to school, allowing them to explore social and emotional development with friends, engage in deeper cognitive learning, and improve their physical development as they are able to handle more complex tasks. They are learning basic math skills, how to properly hold a pencil, and more.
The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute regularly test and evaluate toys for kids of all ages. We even bring kid testers into our labs to make sure the latest toys are actually worth buying. With these milestones in mind, our picks for the best toys for 5-year-old boys focus on creative, physical, social, emotional, and cognitive skills — and some are even GH Toy Award winners. If you're looking for more suggestions for the rest of the family, check out our list of the best new toys of 2020 before they sell out, as well as our gift guides for 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds, toddlers, tweens, and teens.
These are the best toys and gifts for 5-year-old boys in 2020:
- 2/16
1) Mibro
Really R.A.D. Robots
amazon.com
$30.17
During toy testing, kids were able to figure out this quirky robot in just a few minutes. Your 5-year-old boy will have a blast driving it around and getting it to say silly phrases and sounds. He will view this robot as his buddy and partner-in-crime, using it as an undercover agent to spy on friends. Kids can even pass messages along to others by talking through him. Ages 5+
- 3/16
2) Fort Kit
Crazy Forts
amazon.com
$38.77
Crazy Forts makes it easy for kids to assemble their own DIY fort structures. Once the fort is built, kids just need to add bedsheets on top to act as makeshift walls. Kids can really use their creativity as they build out whatever forts they dream up, or they can just use the instructions if they'd like a blueprint to follow. Ages 5+
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- 4/16
3) Stunt Planes Set
Stomp Rocket
amazon.com
$29.99
This set includes three different foam planes for kids to launch into the air: a looper, a glider, and a wildcat — each charting its own trajectory. The looper is designed to curve in the air, the glider soars high in the sky, and the Wildcat is a stunt machine. Kids learn about basic aeronautic principles as they adjust the flight path angle, apply different forces (it's 100% kid-powered), and factor in wind. Ages 5+
RELATED: 13 Best STEM Toys for Kids
- 5/16
4) KidiZoom Creator Cam
VTech
walmart.com
$59.00
He's always watching Ryan's World toy reviews on YouTube, but with the KidiZoom Creator Cam he can create his own high-definition videos. This kit includes a green screen, a library of animated backgrounds, a tripod that's easy for little hands to hold, and even a built-in microphone. Easy on-screen editing is available too, and parents can upload the videos on a computer via the included USB cable. Ages 5+
- 6/16
5) Untamed Raptor by Fingerlings
WowWee
amazon.com
$26.98
Dinosaurs are the new unicorns thanks to the success of the Jurassic World franchise. The first iteration of Fingerlings by WowWee earned a GH Toy Award, and this interactive raptor is sure to entertain kids just as much. It features the same technology, so the dinosaur responds to touch, motion, and sound, to keep kids busy role playing. Ages 5+
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- 7/16
6) Criss Cross Crash Track Set
Hot Wheels
kohls.com
$47.99
All four paths collide in the crash zone in this fun Hot Wheels set that's made of 16 feet of track. Thanks to all the twists and turns, the set won't take up too much space even though it's lengthy. Plus, there are plenty of parking spaces to conveniently store extra Hot Wheels vehicles. It's great for fostering curiosity and developing problem-solving skills while still playing and having fun. Ages 4+
- 8/16
7) Hidden Temple with T-Rex Building Set
Playmobil
amazon.com
$35.83
Previous versions of Playmobil building sets have been kid-tester favorites, so this dinosaur-themed one is no different. It promotes open-ended role play since kids get to engage in imaginative and social play with the figures (like a movable T-Rex) and lots of other detailed accessories. He'll love playing with the laser gun and UV flashlight, which reveals glow-in-the-dark details. Ages 4+
- 9/16
8) GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope
Educational Insights
amazon.com
$32.98
By the time kids are 5 years old, they're vocabulary sponges and curious about science. This talking microscope will help empower them to learn more about science. It even has the voice of Bindi Irwin sharing kid-friendly nature facts on each of the 20 slides. The quiz mode gives kids questions with true or false and multiple choice answer options. Ages 4+
RELATED: The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Girls
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- 10/16
9) Botley the Coding Robot
Learning Resources
amazon.com
$52.13
This fun robot is a great way to introduce kids to coding. During toy testing, kids immediately loved it — especially since the challenges get more difficult and evolve as skills are mastered. Advanced features include coding up to 120 steps, programs with if/then logic, obstacle avoidance, and black-line follow mode. We love that it fosters creative problem solving and computational thinking skills. Ages 5+
- 11/16
10) Scissor Skills Activity Book
Melissa & Doug
walmart.com
$19.99
This toy is all about teaching fine motor skills. It also layers in cognitive development with activities like sequencing, mazes, animal art, and more. The book progresses from simple to more complex activities as your child's skills advance. Ages 4+
- 12/16
11) Quadrilla Wooden Marble Run Construction
Hape
amazon.com
$138.85
The sturdy, well-constructed wooden pieces can be endlessly reconfigured to send marbles racing. The system is great for teaching kids STEM principles and problem solving skills with a mixture of spins, drops, and speed based on how they set up the layout. Each color block has a different function, making it a creative approach to marble runs. Ages 4+
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- 13/16
12) Lost Kitties Multipack
Hasbro
amazon.com
$15.60
Inside each multipack are five Lost Kitties figurines, 10 accessories, and five stickers hidden inside a moldable "shaping compound." Once your kids unearth all the goodies, they can store the compound in the provided bag. It's great for teaching kids patience as they try to collect all of the kitties. Ages 5+
- 14/16
13) Pretend & Play Calculator Cash Register
Learning Resources
amazon.com
25.99
Since 5-year-olds are starting to learn basic math skills in kindergarten, fake money is a great way for kids to practice counting and simple math skills like addition and subtraction. This cash register has a built-in calculator for kids to familiarize themselves with how to use one, and they will love handling life-size "money." Ages 3+
- 15/16
14) Ricky, the Trick-Lovin’ Pet Toy
FurReal
amazon.com
$119.99
The FurReal line of interactive pets are always a hit amongst GH Toy Lab testers (case in point: FurReal Munchin' Rex), and this cuddly pup proved no different. With integrated sensors, Ricky responds to touch and sound with over 100 different combinations. Kids especially loved his bone-flipping trick — he can flip the bone from his nose right into his mouth. Ages 4+
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- 16/16
15) Classic Soccer Ball
Wilson
amazon.com
$14.99
This soccer ball has great quality especially for the price. Kids can focus on physical development and social skills while playing soccer in their backyards with friends or family. The synthetic leather cover increases its durability, so the ball should last with them a few years until they are ready for the next size. Size 3 is best for kids under 8 years old. Ages 8 and under
These toys are guaranteed to make the little guy's day.
