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.