The 10 Best 5 Year Old Girl Gifts
Editor's Notes
March 26, 2019:
Selecting just the right gift for a young girl in today's gender-stereotype-conscious world can be somewhat tricky, so we've covered the whole range, from pink to completely neutral. For the true girly-girls in the former category, we added the Lenox Childhood Memories ballerina jewelry box to go along with the Pockos Princess Castle Tent. The tent makes a good play fort or reading nook, but you may want to be careful with its fabric, which isn't made for rough play. On the more gender-neutral side, we selected the VTech Record and Learn KidiStudio and the LEGO Classic Bricks and Gears Kit. Both encourage open-ended play, so they (hopefully) won't be discarded as soon as some toys. In the same vein, we left the Crayola Inspiration as a top choice; after all, what child doesn't like to draw? And, finally, we decided to add the Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls Set. Parents are seemingly divided over the merits of its contents, as the books aim to teach what it means to be a strong, independent woman, a concept that's naturally divisive. Nevertheless, the books have won no small amount of praise and popularity.
Five Years Old And Thriving
She may be able to identify the sounds that correspond with each letter and even read some small words.
By the age of five, the little girl in your life is curious about the world around her and will most likely embark on a brand new journey in Kindergarten. Her motor skills, cognitive skills, and social skills are all developing, so it is important to foster a healthy environment that encourages growth.
Your five-year-old girl is likely learning about reading and writing. She may be able to recite and write her alphabet. She may be able to identify the sounds that correspond with each letter and even read some small words.
She is probably learning a lot about numbers and math at this stage in her development. She can likely count to large numbers and even identify the numerals when she sees them written. She can probably identify most shapes and colors as well.
At this age, girls (and boys) are learning about spatial and time concepts. Many of them can understand the difference between “yesterday” and “tomorrow” and know what you mean when you say something is “behind” or “under.”
Imagination is booming at this age and desperately needs to be nurtured with songs, games, regular interaction with adults and other children, and age-appropriate toys. Many five-year-olds enjoy playing make believe. They have a natural love of music and games and often thrive when listening to or singing songs or playing games and doing crafts with their friends.
How To Buy The Perfect Toy
It is widely accepted and well-researched that children learn through playing. Toys are developed to help children learn while having fun at the same time. Even if a toy is not necessarily deemed “educational,” it can still have remarkable benefits for the right child. Five-year-old girls thrive on using their imaginations, and playing with their favorite toys can help them do just that.
When you are trying to decide what toy to buy for a five-year-old girl, there are a few things about that specific child that you should take into consideration.
It is widely accepted and well-researched that children learn through playing.
First, does the toy match the child’s interests? Some girls want to throw tea parties in a princess castle while others would prefer to be a conductor on a train. Consider the child you are buying for, and then determine if she will benefit from the toy you want to buy.
Second, what will the toy teach? It doesn’t have to be marketed as an educational toy for the child to learn from and enjoy it. Perhaps you want to buy something that will help to enhance her fine motor skills or encourage her to read more.
Third, will the toy grow with her? Make sure you are buying a toy that is appropriate for a five-year-old’s age level and current stages of development. If you are torn, choose a toy that seems just out of the child’s cognitive reach so she can grow into it and enhance her development.
Fourth, does she generally play alone or with others? If she has siblings or is often playing with friends, then she might benefit from a toy that encourages cooperative play. If she is an only child or is much older or younger than her siblings, she might enjoy a toy that she can play with on her own.
Finally, is the toy durable? How long will it last? If you are thinking of buying something made of cheap plastic that will break easily, think again. There are plenty of affordable toys on the market that not only enhance creativity but will last for several years.
A Brief History of the 5-Year-Old Girl Gift
Toys for girls date back to Egypt in 2000 BCE. Ancient Greek children played with dolls that were often fashioned at home from wood, wax, clay, or even old rags. They sometimes were made with legs and arms that moved. They also enjoyed yo-yos, rattles, and hoops. The ancient Greeks held a tradition that a woman betrothed to be married had to sacrifice her toys to the goddess, Artemis, on the eve of her wedding.
While boys are encouraged to play with toys that promote intellectualism and ambition, girls are still targeted with toys that require them to be caregivers.
There isn’t a lot of history available regarding toys and games in the Middle Ages as most of it was not recorded. In early modern Europe, fashion dolls were invented by clothing companies as a way to provide samples to potential customers. Once these dolls were no longer relevant to current fashion trends, they were given to little girls as toys. This practice began as early as the sixteenth century and eventually led to the creation of Barbie dolls.
The Victorian Era brought about the creation of toys that are still popular among children (and some adults) today. Young girls often played with paper dolls and doll houses, and children of both genders enjoyed playing board games. Today, you can venture into nearly any department store and find a wide selection of educational and entertainment toys marketed to both girls and boys.
In recent years, there has been a trend of complaints by many who say that the toys generally marketed to girls are not diverse enough and do not provide enough intellectual stimulation. While boys are encouraged to play with toys that promote intellectualism and ambition, girls are still targeted with toys that require them to be caregivers. In recent years, department stores such as Target have made an effort to make their toy departments more gender neutral and offer the same toys to both boys and girls.