I just love the preschool years, there is so much exploration, learning, and just watching your child become a fuller version of themselves. It's in these years that our children develop strong individual interests. They want to explore with their senses, still love familiarity, and are ready for new experiences. At 5-years-old, there can be a broad range of interests, skills, and desires which can make it difficult to have a one-size-fits-all gift list. But, in this Montessori friendly birthday gift list, we'll get some really great choices that new 5-year-olds will really love!
I'm shopping this list right now as my fourth child. Somehow my tiny baby Ted is turning 5 in just a couple of weeks. It feels like he was just born yesterday.
Montessori Favorites for 5-year-old Birthdays
Here are some great Montessori friendly toy choices for a new 5-year-old. Remember when you are making choices to keep your individual child's interests in mind. Here are some Montessori friendly favorites that make amazing birthday gifts for your 5-year-old:
- Yoto Mini: a storyteller, a game player, a podcast, a radio. This little device does it all and my kids are all obsessed.
- Air Toobz: Mechanical, flexible ball run. It's building and engineering all in one.
- Build Your Own Sensory Necklace: how cool and fun is this!? 5-year-olds are very much still sensory learners, I love giving them a useful craft
- Bubble Blower: So fun, so easy and there is no way my 5-year-old wouldn't carry this around all day.
- Veterinarian Kit: Realistic pretend play is all the rage and I love how this combines learning and pretend
- Binoculars: These work really well for kids and are a great size for all sorts of adventures
- Race to the Treasure: cooperative board game, love this for kids that have a harder time losing still
- Brain Game Books: these leveled learning craft kits look so fun, choose the level that meets your child's skills and learn to craft and create!
- Action Figures/Small Dolls: I find that this age is really attracted to small figures (they often start to replace larger baby dolls in play) like Maileg Mice or Action Figures. The specific choice should depend on your child's interests.
- Sum Swamp: This game is in constant use here, love a fun way to practice math facts
- Paint By Stickers: These are so great for fine motor skills, number recognition
- Lovevery Reading Kit: So intrigued by these, they look like a great combination between fun and learning to support the reading happening in a Montessori setting.
- Lego: Choose sets based on your child's interest but this is the perfect age to introduce sets if you haven't already. Ice Cream shop set pictured. Lego Star Wars is number 1 on Ted's list.
- Porcelain Tea Set: a lovely practical gift for a 5-year-old, I love things that are a good size and can really be used
Five-years-old is such a special age. It's really the last of the "little kid" years. By 6-years-old, your child is going to be (for most kids) starting to transition into the second plane of development, they have likely started school, and are going to be looking more and more to peers for entertainment. So savor 5-years-old. Celebrate this big year with this big change!
On this list, you'll find a little something for everyone - from pretend play to engineering and learning - but if you need even more great Montessori friendly ideas for this age, don't miss my Ultimate Montessori Gift Guide from Birth to 5!
