30 Best Toys for 5-Year-Olds With Curious Minds

Let those architects and engineers design their own blanket forts with this set, which comes with 69 pieces (mostly rods and ball connectors). There are plans they can follow to make structures like a rocket, a castle, or an igloo, or they can build whatever they like. All you have to do is add your own sheets and blankets on top. Ages 5+

This picture book has a neat gimmick: Read it one way, and it’s told from the whale’s point of view, but then flip it around and read it from back to front, and it’s told from the POV of the otter. “My kids got a real kick out of reading the book forward and backward,” said one parent tester. “They asked me to read it several times back and forth and then read it on their own.” Ages 4 to 8

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The best things about these cars are that they're totally kid-powered: no batteries or charging required. Instead, kinds stomp on the launcher as hard as they can to send the cars flying! Good Housekeeping Institute kid testers loved going head-to-head to see which car would go the furthest, along with using the ramp to make them get some air. This set comes with four cars, two launchers and two ramps, but you can also get just a single car ($20). Ages 5+

Good Housekeeping Institute experts (and kids!) have been longtime fans of Crayola's Scribble Scrubbie pets, which lets kids color them in, wash them off, and color them again. Now, Bluey fans can get into the act as well, since this set bring the whole Heeler family into the Scribble Scrubbies world. It even comes with a swimming pool for them to "wash" off in. “My daughter is in a coloring phase and a cleaning phase, so this was a good blend of both worlds,” a parent tester said. Ages 3+

Kids can make their own works of art without paint, markers, crayons or glue. They just place the shining paper over foam stickers in different shapes, rub, and—poof!—the color from the foil paper magically transfers to the sticker, which they can then place on a canvas. One GH staffer noted that, when she had this out at a public picnic, even strangers' children rushed over to try it out. In addition to animals, it comes in other themes, like space, unicorns, dinosaurs, and dress-up. Ages 4+

You get two sets in one with this LEGO gift, and the whole thing folds up into a neat suitcase for on-the-go, too. The pieces can be used to build one of two different beach scenes, and it also comes with figures of two people, a dog, and a dolphin. “This one lends itself to being played with again and again in different ways," a parent tester said. Ages 5+

Hexagonal-shaped tiles make it easy for kids to quickly build their own marble runs, disassemble them, and put them together again in a new way. These can also act as a play set, since they come with jungle-themed decorations and figures. (You can get a dinosaur-themed or ice-themed starter set, or expansion sets with ocean themes, jungle themes, and desert themes.) Good Housekeeping Institute testers were impressed with how sturdy the pieces were and how nice they felt to hold. Ages 3+

Kids are flipping for cows these days, especially cute Highland cows with a flip of hair in the front. Maggie is even more adorable, because she walks with a swish, makes sounds and reactions, and drinks from a bottle. One parent reported that her 4-year-old even wanted to put real diapers on it and treat it like a real baby. Ages 4+; four AA batteries required

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A concave board with suction cups along the bottom—what can be better? The Teeter Popper holds up to 100 pounds, and when kids sit or stand and wobble around on it, the suction cups make a pleasing popping sound. It's good for their balance and gross motor coordination. Ages 3+

After the kids see Zootopia 2, they might be hankering to snuggle with the bunny hero. (Or maybe the wily fox?) Luckily, both Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are available in Squishmallow form. It's two things kids love, mashed together. Ages 3+

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This globe lets kids travel the world through the magic of augmented reality. By using an app, they can learn more about the history, geography, and environment of each region by zooming in with a tablet. There are more than 1,000 world facts included! Ages 4+

Kids can experiment with beats, sound effects, faders, and vocal tags with this device, which puts them in the role of DJ. In addition to more than 2,000 sound combinations that come pre-loaded into the kit, you can also connect it to your music player with Bluetooth or an AUX cable so they can remix their favorites. Ages 5+; four AA batteries required

By the time kids are 5 years old, they're more curious about science and the world around them. This talking microscope helps empower them to learn more with 15 slides featuring close-up images of animals, plants and beyond. Parents and kids alike enjoyed that it's simple, easy to use and offers a lot to learn. And if they want to gaze out far into space, there's also the GeoSafari Jr. Telescope. Ages 5+; three AAA batteries required

You'll need to clear off a lot of space for this game—the board is six feet long! But when it's unfolded, set the timer and head off to seek out as many of a certain item as you can find in the extra-large scene (bells, flags, cats, apples, etc.), challenging players on their memory and matching skills. It's the perfect family board game, because the rounds are quick by design, it's easy to learn, and the game is cooperative, so if one player wins, everyone wins! There's also a Marvel Eye Found It board game with a smaller board. Ages 3+

Whether they're just noodling around the backyard or practicing their goal kicks before they join an organized team, they'll be able to work on their gross motor coordination with this soccer goal. It assembles quickly, and it also comes with a ball and a pump. Ages 3+

Mrs. Plumpert’s pot pie was purloined, and it's up to the players to figure out which fox stole it. Kids will have to use their logic and critical thinking skills as they amass clues, eliminate suspects, and catch the thief before it escapes! All the players are working together to solve the case, so it also helps with cooperation skills. Ages 5+

Kids can load the Kinetic Sand into one of the three SquishMotion stampers—which come in a case to at least try to contain the mess—and watch in amazement as the sand comes out in the shape of stars, smiling flowers, sharks, and more. As the sand flows through the stamper, it almost looks animated. Testers say that kids liked the colors it came in, and even liked carrying around the case with all the sand and tools in it. Ages 5+

Fans of magnetic tiles and fancy, royal finery will get two thrills in one with this toy, which lets kids build a castle with a spiral staircase, balcony, arched windows, and a drawbridge. It also comes with a figure and a dragon. For those who really want the full royalty experience, there's a deluxe version with 48 pieces. Ages 3+