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Best Christmas gifts for five-year-olds 2025: water bottles, books, bikes and more
Shopping for a five-year-old this Christmas? Whether you have an active or creative kid, a bookworm or an aspiring chef, our experts tell you the best gifts to buy
They're five years old – independent with a vibrant imagination, and picking up new skills faster than you can comprehend. We've made Christmas shopping for them easier.
To help you fill stockings or find that perfect present for under the tree, we've put together a comprehensive guide based on genuine recommendations from parents, godparents and aunties at Which?.
Scroll on for the best Christmas gifts for five-year-olds.
Find more of the best Christmas gifts for kids with our handy guide
For active kids
Football goal
Great for any keen footballer. We were lucky to be able to get quite a big one, but smaller sizes are available.
Watch out for: Footballs flying at your windows!
Whether your little one is just starting to dip their toes into sports, or they love football club so much they insist on practising at home, a goal or two in the back garden can have them outside playing for hours.
You construct this goal yourself – no tools are required – and inflate the footballs with the included pump to get started. You have the option to buy one or two goals.
BTWIN Balance Bike
Five is a great age for many kids to start riding a bike. You can see it as an investment for the future - in a couple of years you could be going on family bike riding adventures.
We like: Stabilisers are attachable (but sold separately)
Watch out for: It's a bit pricey
This kids' bike comes in three different colour – pink, yellow and red – and is designed for first-time riders aged three to five years. The pedals are designed to be removable, so it can be used as a balance bike until kids are confident enough to try using the pedals.
As well as the option to screw on training wheels, you can also get a range of attachable accessories, such as a bell or basket. Remember to buy a helmet, too.
Is your little one keen to start cycling? See our buying guide to the best balance bikes for expert tips before you purchase
Swingball
An oldie but a goodie and a family favourite that suits all ages from 5+.
We like: Simple outdoor fun
Watch out for: Requires a lawn to stake the pole into
Who knew a ball on a string could provide decades of fun across generations? This Swingball set comes with two bats included, as well as a handy bat holder on the pole for when you're not playing.
The pole can be broken down into three sections for easy transport and storage, and it comes with a one-year manufacturer's guarantee.
Compare prices below:
Ion8 kids water bottle
A new water bottle might not be the most exciting present, but this one from Ion8 comes in a huge range of colours and is dishwasher-safe.
We like: Super durable
We don't like: Can be a little leaky if not tightened securely
After running around all day, it's important your child stays hydrated.
This 350ml water bottle is available in 18 different colours, and features a carry handle, flip cover and lockable lid.
You can read our Ion8 kids water bottle review in our guide to the best kids' water bottles
For creative kids
Shuttle Art Deluxe Art Set
Shuttle Art does good quality kits. It folds down flat to store if you don't have much space.
We like: Handy carry case
Watch out for: Over 100 pieces
For any budding Picassos, an art set can provide hours of fun and creative time.
This huge art set comes with coloured and HB pencils, oil pastels, acrylic and watercolour paints, as well as brushes, sandpaper, a pencil sharpener and a host of other accessories.
LeapFrog Mr Pencil's Scribble, Write & Read
My kids have absolutely loved the various iterations there have been of this over the years – it's perfect for reception or Year 1 kids who are about to or who have just started school.
We like: Designed to encourage writing skills
Watch out for: Writing screen may be a little small
This interactive writing pad from LeapFrog helps children learn to read and write by letting them trace letters and words with the Mr Pencil stylus onto the screen.
This newest edition also has a personalisation feature where children can practise writing their own name. Plus, it also features Reading mode, where the child uncovers words and uses the stylus to sound them out.
Compare prices below:
Fort building kit
For any creative kid who loves building forts, this kit makes it a whole lot easier – you just need to drape over a few blankets once you've constructed your shell and you're done!
We like: You can make any shape or size of fort
Watch out for: Can take up a lot of space
This construction toy consists of 44 'connector balls' with 86 interconnecting poles which slot together to create the structure of your choosing. Once you've landed on your design, use blankets to cover the shell to create a fort.
As well as the connector balls and poles, the set also comes with an instruction manual and storage bag.
For wannabe chefs
ChillFactor slushy maker
Making homemade slushies is a fun – and tasty – activity for little ones. This slushy maker makes a single serving and is easy to use.
We like: Makes delicious frozen drinks
We don't like: Not dishwasher-safe
To use this slushy maker, it's as simple as putting the cup in the freezer eight to 10 hours before you want your slushy. Once the cup is frozen, add a chilled drink of your choice until the cup is two-thirds full, screw on the lid and squeeze the cup.
You can read our ChillFactor Slushy Maker review and more in our guide: Ninja Slushi vs frozen drink makers: which is best?
Global Gizmos Air Popper popcorn maker
There's nothing quite like fresh popcorn for movie night at home, and kids love the excitement of popping it themselves.
We like: Easy to use
We don't like: Kernels can fly out of the machine at speed
For watching Christmas films as a family, fresh homemade popcorn can give you that cinema feeling from the comfort of your sofa.
This popcorn maker doesn't require oil, and uses 55g of kernels (approx. two portions) per use. Make sure your child is supervised while using it.
You'll need a bowl to catch the popcorn, but it comes with a measuring cup and four paper popcorn bags. A one-year warranty is also included.
Compare prices below:
Read our Global Gizmos 50900 Air Popper Popcorn Maker review or see more of the best popcorn makers from our tests
For avid readers
'The Little Boy or Girl Who Lost Their Name' book
There's a big range of different personalised books from Wonderbly, my kids loved them at this age.
Watch out for: May take a couple of days to dispatch
The first personalised book to be released from Wonderby, this illustrated book takes your child on a quest to find their name, meeting new friends with every letter.
Available from Wonderbly (£19.99)
'Where are you?' book
My nephew loved this book so much, he insisted we read it every day for a week! It's basically a 'Where's Wally?' which hides a little cartoon of your little one in each whacky scene.
We like: Colourful illustrations
Watch out for: Slightly pricier than other books
Another Wonderbly favourite from our team, the 'Where are you?' book has you hunting for your child's character in a range of interesting scenes throughout time. As with other books from this brand, the look and name of your character are customisable.
Available from Wonderbly (£24.99)
Top toys and board games
I Saw It First! Ocean board game
Both my nephews love anything underwater-themed, so this spotting game filled with sea creatures was a great gift for them. It has loads of cute illustrations and helps kids learn the names of different sea creatures
We like: Fun for the whole family
Watch out for: Contains small pieces which can get lost
This game features a double-sided hexagonal board covered in illustrations of over 300 sea creatures. After picking one of the animals from a box, the aim is to be the first to spot it and shout 'I saw it first!'.
There are multiple board configurations to stop you memorising where each creature is.
If everyone wants to play, check out the best board games: top picks for adults and families
Jellycats
Yes, they are ubiquitous, but new designs come out all the time and I've never met a child who doesn't love them.
We like: Cute and cuddly
Watch out for: Some options can be pricey
Jellycat is most famously known for its enormous collection of stuffed plushies – there are over 800 available to buy online, including cute animals, plants, foodstuffs and more.
Beyond the stuffed animal collection, it also sells smaller accessories and novelty items such as keyrings and bags, which are perfect for smaller gifts. Prices can vary from around £15 for smaller items to well over £100 for larger pieces.
Popular options include:
- Bashful Beige Bunny – Available from Jellycat (£25)
- Muswell Mole – Available from Jellycat (£23)
- Jellycat Amusables Ravioli – Available from Jellycat (£20)
- Jellycat Amuseables Pammie Palm Tree – Available from Jellycat (£50)
Browse more from Jellycat.
Sylvanian Families
With prices ranging from as little as £2 for accessories to £100 for houses and sets, kids can build their collection as they grow and the components make great gifts from family and friends. Hours of charming, imaginative play!
We like: Adorable characters
Watch out for: Larger sets can be pricey
First made in 1985, Sylvanian Families are still a popular choice for the Which? team.
Plenty of animal families are available to buy and collect, including dogs, pandas, rabbits and more. Plus, smaller accessory and clothing sets can cost under £10, so make great stocking fillers.
Popular options include:
- Sylvanian Families Kitchen Play Set - SQUIRREL_TEXT_50021922
- Sylvanian Families Family Campervan - SQUIRREL_TEXT_50021923
- Sylvanian Families Walnut Squirrel Family - SQUIRREL_TEXT_50021924
- Sylvanian Families Lakeside Lodge - SQUIRREL_TEXT_50021925
Browse more from Sylvanian Families.