Still a Hit: 5 Holiday Gifts My Kids 5 and Under Can’t Stop Playing With
The holiday seasons are finally over and it’s time to reflect on Santa’s top hits this season. My clan of four kids five years old and under loved everything they received but here are five holiday gifts they haven’t stopped playing with:
This was my kids' shared “big gift” that arrived just in time at 12:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. This gym set has a solid wood construction with a modern natural finish. It is very sturdy and can withstand rigorous play without compromising your child's safety (assuming proper installation, of course).
The installation directions were fantastic, and each piece was labeled with numbers, which saved me a lot of frustration. Immediately upon opening the box, I highly recommend organizing all pieces by number. It significantly sped up the process. I also used some of my power tools (being careful not to overtighten anything) instead of the basic wrenches that come with the set. A second set of hands is helpful, particularly when attaching it to the wall, but I managed the full installation by myself. I consider myself relatively handy and was able to put it together in roughly 4 hours. Plan for a couple of extra hours if you will be doing it mostly by yourself and don’t have power tools. The ropes are a little tricky and time-consuming, so pay extra attention to the instructions when you get to that part.
Other things I loved about this set:
Multifunctionality: There’s a trapeze swing, rope ladder, rock wall, rope wall, rock ramp climber, slide, monkey bars, ladder, and swing.
Space-Saving Design: I can’t stand having toys all over the floor, and having something that is compact, wall-mounted, and out of the way keeps my OCD at bay.
Sure, these magnets have great educational value, teaching my kids color recognition, sorting skills, and enhancing their cognitive development. But let’s be honest—the real benefit is that they keep our kids busy for extended periods of time. And there are enough of them that they can play together at the same time.
They have a full magnetic backing, thick EVA foam, and laminated cardboard, which make them sturdy and relatively resistant to wear and tear. Even if they do tear, they are very inexpensive at less than $13 currently. We stick them on the front of our stainless steel refrigerator, but they work on whiteboards or any other magnetic surfaces as well.
3) Pretend Kitchen Toys for Kids Ages 4-8, Coffee Maker, Mixer, Toaster
Our kids love this toy and will spend hours playing with it, mainly because of how realistic it is. The set is designed with realistic lights and sounds, and you can even add real water to the coffee pot and watch it trickle out. It is very engaging for children. While the age range is 4-8, my children, who are 2 and 3 years old, love this toy as well, and we find it safe for their age group.
The white color has a nice aesthetic appeal that matches our playroom theme. Of course, the important part is that these toys promote fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Children also learn basic kitchen functions and develop cognitive skills through role-playing scenarios. My kids not only make “coffee,” but they sit there and drink it out of the cups at their table as well. The price point of $33 might seem high to some, but it’s good value for what you receive.
My 3 year old son absolutely loves this toy. My 5 year old son does as well, but my 3 year old isn’t the biggest fan of sharing it. This toy captivates his attention and promotes cognitive development. It encourages problem-solving, logical thinking, and aligns with STEM and Montessori education principles. It also works on his fine motor skills and improves hand-eye coordination. He loves getting his cars from one end to the other and doing it over and over again.
My only critique about this toy is that it does not hold up well in a household filled with 4 children 5 years old and under. The cars are very small and parts manage to fall off or break easily as they are made of non-toxic plastic materials. We have already broken one and had to exchange it for a new one. But don’t let that deter you…this will keep your child(ren) busy!
Okay, I’m cheating as this technically was not a Christmas gift, but I couldn’t keep this toy off the list. This cart engages kids in imaginative play while teaching them colors, shapes, numbers, and food names. My kids love to walk up to us and ask what type of pizza we want so they can create their masterpiece. The strangest pizza combinations you can think of will often end up in front of your face, and you will have no choice but to pretend to eat that scrumptious slice your child made.
The toy is equipped with a pretend oven, cash register, and even a bell, which give children practice taking and creating orders. The interactive spatula even recognizes different toppings and provides feedback, encouraging order accuracy.
While it does take up some floor space, it is relatively small overall and very easy to put together. It is highly rated with 4.8 out of 5 stars.
What were your child(ren)’s favorite holiday gifts? Share your holiday gifts or any other gift ideas in the comments below!