PBF Reward Information 2024: Little Youngsters (Ages 5-7)

Before my mind shifts a little bit away from the blog and onto Thanksgiving dinner meal planning and hosting a house full of 12 people this year, I wanted to take a moment to share another gift guide with you guys. This gift guide comes hot on the heels of my Gift Guide for Little Kids (ages 3-5) and focuses on big kids who aren’t really that big — the 5 to 7-year-olds out there! I love this age group so much because they’re still smack-dab in the middle of childhood innocence and love imaginative play and kid fun but they’re able to do a bit more independently, making gifting for this age group admittedly a little more fun!

As you saw with my first gift guide, I’ve divided this year’s gift guide for kids into four categories:

Something they want (subdivided into a few additional categories)
Something they need
Something to wear
Something to read

This is the way I approach gifting to our boys as it includes a mix of practical gifts as well as the fun stuff they love. I hope this gift guide gives you some ideas for the little ones in your life!

NOTE: You may find most of these items rounded up in one place in my Amazon shop for easy browsing: Big Kid Gift Guide (ages 5-7)! Also, if you happen to notice any repeat items between my gift guides for kids, think of these items as the “unicorn gifts” that hold up and entertain kids for YEARS. The repeat gift items are where it’s at in my book, as they are the items our kids have played with as they’ve grown.

GIFT GUIDE FOR KIDS: BIG KIDS (Ages 5-7)

Something They Want

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY + GET THAT ENERGY OUT: 

• Nighthawk Electric Ride-On: This ride-on toy was the hit of our big kids’ summer birthdays in 2023 and continues to be one of my top toy recommendations! (Ryder at 5-years-old last year loved it but it goes fast enough to be cool and fun for Chase this year at 9 years old!) It’s the first thing the boys’ friends want to do when they come over. They all LOVE it and the learning curve is practically non-existent for all the kids who have tried it at our house.
• Bike/Skateboard/Scooter Ramp: This was under the tree for our boys last year. They use it constantly in our driveway and fly over it on their bikes, scooters, Nighthawks, skateboards, rollerblades, etc.
• Razor Scooter: Our big kids love these and as parents we love how they easily collapse, making them a breeze to throw in the car and bring along when we go to a park, greenway, etc.
• Portable Tennis/Pickleball Net: I ordered this for the boys this year. They love playing tennis in our driveway and I think this net will make it all the more fun for them.
• Kid Kayak: This one is obviously location-specific, but if you live in a warmer climate with access to water in the winter, I highly recommend these kid kayaks. Our boys lived on them this summer!
• Bike: We typically use Christmas or Easter to upgrade our boys’ to the next bike size. We’ve loved this bike for the boys’ younger years and have it in two sizes. It’s also passed the hand-me-down test!
• Gymnastics Bar: For the budding gymnast or the kids who just loves to hang and swing around (aka our kids)! This bar was our boys’ favorite in their MyGym classes for the longest time. Pair with a gymnastics air mat for little ones who love to tumble, too!
• Sports Cones: The gift that keeps on giving! Our kids use these for everything from creating courses for their bikes/Plasma Cars/Nighthawks to making up various games, sporting goals and more
• Mini Hockey Set: A birthday gift our big kids continue to play with multiple times a week.
• Dodgeball Balls: Just in case your kids like to pelt each other with balls like ours do.
• Ninja Warrior Outside Obstacle Course: Another one the boys love to use at a friend’s house.
• Chasing Fireflies Game: Such a fun one for kids who love to seek and find.
• Glider Airplanes: Our boys throw and chase these glider planes all over the place.
• Pop-Up Goals: We got these when our big kids first got into soccer but they use them for a lot more than just soccer!
• Zebco Fishing Rod: The rod all of our boys used to learn to cast and fish.

IMAGINATION: 

• Play Kitchen: I ordered this for a 7-year-old in WNC we’re supporting through Rhett’s preschool this year based on your #1 play kitchen recommendations! Plus some toy food, pots and pans, etc. to make it extra fun!
• Blanket Fort-Building Kit: If your kids are as into fort-building as ours, this kit includes a large blanket, clamps and small weighted sand bags so they can come up with amazing for creations. We’ve also used this kit to make incredible forts, though this one usually involves the help of a grown up to make the forts taller. And air forts are a big favorite for kids at this age, too!
• Cash Register: They’ll get years of play out of this one! Our boys use it to “sell” tickets to their concerts, animal rescue center and zoo and also as a grocery store/shop cash register, etc.
• Picasso Tiles: These will make every kid gift guide I create for all time. The BEST. If you don’t have magnetic tiles for your little one, let this be the item you get them this year. I recommend getting a pack with at least 100 tiles because your child(ren) will play with them for years and make increasingly impressive creations! Pair them with this Idea Book filled with 200+ pages of inspiration.
• Squishmallows: These adorable, super-soft and squishy pillow-liked stuffed animals are huge right now.
• Hot Wheels Transporters: This one for a splurge + This one for a lower price point. And if you’re looking for the ultimate Hot Wheels gift, the Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage was truly the hit of Christmas last year!
• Costumes: You can never have enough! Costumes are the gift that keep on giving for hours of imaginary play.
• Giant Axolotol Plush: Axolotols are having a serious moment and this giant plush is going under the tree for Ryder this year!
• Musical Instruments: Another idea that will be used for years and years.
• Foamnasium Couch: Our kids drag these cushions everywhere. So great for fort-building, story time relaxation, imagination play, clubhouses, etc.
• Walkie Talkies: For a three-pack of inexpensive walkie talkies, these have held up great for us over the years!
• Flexible Race Track: Kids can build and re-build these flexible race tracks to make a million different tracks. Our boys adore watching the cars fly around on their creations and they’re compatible with most other flexible tracks out there, so they’re a great gift you can build on over the years.
• Pokémon Cards + Ultimate Pokémon Handbook: I don’t get the hype on these cards at all but our boys are so into them it’s insane. If your kid is the same way, I cannot recommend the Pokémon Essentials Handbook enough. Our boys pour over it to learn more about their cards, Pokémon characters, damage points… and whatever else Pokémon cards mean to them that I don’t understand. They also heavily rely on their Pokémon binders to keep everything organized.

Educational + Creative:

• Brickyard Building Blocks: Our boys (ages 4-9) ALL adore these and the idea book that comes with it is easy for them to follow on their own.
• Loom Bracelets Kit: The boys and girls in Chase’s class got so into these last year (second grade) and would constantly make and swap bracelets and chokers in various colors and patterns. Chase (9) and Ryder (6) love making these to wear and gift to friends and family.
• How To Draw 101 Things Book: Great step-by-step on how to draw 100+ things for little artists. This How to Draw Cute Animals book is going in Ryder’s stocking this year!
• Mini Bluetooth Karaoke Machine: Oh my gosh our boys cannot get enough of this thing. I cannot tell you how many “concerts” we’ve watched since we gave this one to Ryder a few years ago.
• Melty/Perler Beads: You knew this one would make the list! For years our boys have been obsessed with melty beads! Our kids love this kit with the beads divided into separate sections based on color. Just make sure you get boards and a pattern book, too!
• Diamond Painting: Perfect for a quiet activity. Our big kids love diamond painting and diamond stickers that go along with favorite characters (Pokemon, Mario, Disney princesses, etc.) are the biggest hit.
• Marble Run: Marble runs are absolute magic to kids. They entertain our boys for a LONG time which is a win in my book!
• Lincoln Logs: A toy I loved as a kid that holds up! My aunt got our boys two tins (and I’d recommend doing the same so they can maximize their creations) years ago and they are still a hit.
• Light-Up Terrarium: For any nature-loving kids out there, this terrarium is one that our boys loved and really enjoyed watching come to life.
• Instant Print Camera: Because kids love taking pictures! Love that this rechargeable camera prints the pictures, too!
• Screwdriver Toy Set: Please don’t hate me for the tiny pieces in this one, but if you have a kid who likes to build things and play with tools, this screwdriver play set is one our kids love.
• Surprise Inside Bath Bombs: Our boys flip for these and have a little collection of their tiny bath bomb surprises saved in a box that we bring with us to sports’ games, restaurants, etc. for on-the-go entertainment.
• Create-Your-Own Window Art: For the crafty kids. Our boys enjoyed making these and tying them onto gifts for friends/family.
• Lite Brite: This retro toy is still an absolute gem our kids love. This refill pack of animal templates is going under the tree for them this year.
• Puzzles: We do puzzles in our house daily! The Mudpuppy reversible animal puzzles are some of our big kids’ favorites.
• Games: Outfoxed (my #1 recommendation!), UNO, Trouble, Crazy 8s, Clue Jr., Don’t Break the Ice
• Legos: A hit every time with our big kids.
• Ant Farm or Live Butterfly Lifecycle Habitat: For animal lovers! These kits are the coolest and had our animal-loving kids in awe.
• Science Experiments Kits: If you ask our boys if they want to do a science experiment at any time, their answer will always be yes! We’ve loved the National Geographic interactive experiment kits.
• Surprise Inside Bath Bombs: Bath bombs still feel like a treat even as kids get older! We gifted this unicorn bath bomb kit to one of the boys’ girlfriends and I cannot tell you how much her mom raved about her loving it!
• Flower Crown Kit: We’ve given this as part of a birthday party gift a number of times and it always seems to be a winner.
• Paint-Your-Own Unicorn Night Light: A crafty yet inexpensive idea for creative unicorn lovers!

SOMETHING THEY NEED

• Arts and Crafts Supplies: I’m filling one of these craft organizer boxes with updated craft supplies for my nieces this year! Some items to include: Modeling Clay (the kind that won’t dry out), KwikStix Fast-Drying Paint Pens (the best for making posters/banners — we use our butcher paper roll all the time), Crayola Marker Caddy, Retractable Markers (to eliminate the frustration of losing caps), Crayola Twistables Crayons (for kids who get easily frustrated by broken/dull crayons)
• Memberships/Lessons/Experiences: The best gift!!! Consider gifting a membership to a favorite children’s museum, lessons for a favorite sport or activity, a local zoo, etc.
• Headphones: Our boys’ school requires headphones for computer work and the iClever headphones are comfortable and affordable and also bluetooth compatible.
• Pottery Barn Loungers: If your child is in need of a larger (but still kid-friendly) chair or place to lounge, I cannot recommend these loungers enough. We have a pair in our living room and in our play loft and sit in them all the time. They’re the boys’ favorite spot to curl up with a book and the large size works for our whole family. (You may see ours in action in this post.)
• Smart Toothbrush: This toothbrush works with an app that guides kids to brush their teeth more thoroughly but it feels like a game to them. We got two for our big kids last year and they love earning points, prizes and silly face masks to take goofy pictures after they brush their teeth every night. I highly recommend this one, especially if you have a kid who doesn’t love brushing their teeth or isn’t the best at thoroughly brushing their teeth every day.
• A “You” Day Coupon: We’re doing this for the boys this year! They can use their coupon in what every way they choose — for one-on-one time with me and Ryan, to select our family’s activities and meals for the day, etc.
• Wallet and/or Electronic Safe: Our boys love their electronic safes for keeping their money and other treasures “secure.”
• Owala Water Bottle: We switched our big kids to the 24-oz Owala water bottles at the start of the school year and they’ve been fantastic. Leak proof, sippable through a straw or spout and keeps water cold for 12 hours. Pair this with a silicone water bottle name band so they’ll always be able to identify their water bottle in a sea of kid water bottles!
• Sporting Goods/Activity Supplies: A new soccer ball for a soccer player, a new leotard for a dancer, etc.
• Activity Bag/Kid-Friendly Luggage: For kids to keep their activity stuff organized (Etsy has adorable personalized options!) or for kids in families who like to travel. My mom got Chase his own suitcase one year and it was such a hit! We use it for travel but the boys like to use it for imagination games, too. (For those with girls, this heart-print 5-piece luggage set is too cute!!)
• Kid Umbrella: We have this one and it blows their mind because it changes color when it gets wet!

SOMETHING TO WEAR

• Snow Boots or Rain Boots: If you have adventurous kids who love to explore and get muddy, rain boots are a must. We’ve had great luck with Western Chief rain boots. For snow boots, we’ve been impressed with the quality of our boys’ BOGS. Both Western Chief rain boots and BOGS snow boots have passed the hand-me-down test for our boys.
• Crocs: Are Crocs not just THE BEST shoes for kids? They can put them on and take them off all by themselves, they can get them as dirty as they want, wear them with or without socks and make them fun and unique with little charms. Our boys’ favorite shoes!
• Clog Shearling Slippers: I got these Target slippers for the boys this year and they’re already wearing them around the house all the time.
• Shearling-Style Boots: All 3 of our boys have these Target boots. They’re so cozy and the side zipper is genius for little ones and makes them easier for them to get on and off on their own. And the sole is harder/more substantial than other similar boots we’ve tried in the past, making them more durable. LOVE them!
• Pajamas: We’re a sucker for matching holiday jammies in our house! The boys loved this print last year and we bought them the exact same pajamas in the next size up this year.
• Robe: I didn’t think our boys would care about a robe until they all started asking for one when they noticed me wearing mine all the time in the winter months. They adore their robes and I’ve had good luck finding them at Target or a local consignment shop. For a splurge-worthy option, these Pottery Barn sherpa robes are adorable and personalizable.
• Winter Jacket: We’ve had good luck with Patagonia jackets (they majorly pass the hand-me-down test), these packable Amazon jackets and these Amazon ski jackets.
• New Underwear/Socks: Not that fun but often necessary! I’ll add new underwear (our boys love this modal underwear) in the boys’ stockings and also love including fuzzy holiday socks for something a little more festive. (I almost always get them on sale on Black Friday online at Old Navy.)
• Winter Accessories: Hats (these have a plush lining that doesn’t itch), gloves, scarves, mittens… whatever they need!

Something To Read

Young Reader Chapter Books: 

• Press Start (The kindergarten, first, second and third grader obsession with these books is REAL. Perfect for reluctant readers because they’re so engaging for kids.)
• Owl Diaries (Lots of pictures and text bubbles to hold the interest of young readers)
• Unicorn Diaries (If your kid loved Owl Diaries, they’ll love this series by the same author, too!)
• Dragon Masters (A dragon lover’s dream series. Lots of not-so-scary adventure.)
• Ballpark Mysteries(For baseball lovers who enjoy solving mysteries)
• Magic Tree House (The first chapter book series both of our big kids loved)
• Harry Potter Illustrated Edition(A great way to introduce the magical wizarding world to kids)
• Diary of a Pug (Another cute series our kids love)
• The Wild Robot (A perfect read-aloud book for the whole family)

Picture Books Big Kids Love: 

Question of the Day

Any big-time winners in your house for big kids ages 5-7? Please share your best gift recommendations below!