The best Christmas gifts to buy for 3-5 year olds
Shopping for a 3-5 year old at Christmas time is no mean feat. You’ll want something fun and playful to keep their curious minds interested, while still supporting their learning and development. That’s why our edit of the best Christmas gifts for 3-5 year olds is packed with toys to spark creativity, challenge fine-motor skills and keep curious minds busy during the festive season. There’s something for every interest and budget, from gifts for little explorers to present ideas for keen storytellers.
Christmas gifts for little builders & explorers
Connetix Rainbow Mini Pack Magnetic Tiles
£29, Shop now
Spark creativity, spatial thinking, and open-ended play with these magnetic tiles in rainbow colours. This 24-piece mini pack is compact but powerful - the perfect gift to keep little builders aged 3+ busy. They can build 3D shapes, towers, tunnels, and more. With pieces easily snapping together it’s satisfying, sturdy, and great for taking with you on-the-go if you’re travelling this festive season.
2. Science Mad Early Skills Science Lab
£14.99, Shop now
This starter science lab is perfect for little explorers age 4+. It introduces hands-on experiments in a safe, guided way - perfect for budding scientists who love to ask “why?”. With this kit they can experiment themselves! Kids can mix, test, observe, learn, and get curious all whilst having fun along the way.
Build‑A‑Bear Advent Calendar
£34, Shop now
An advent calendar from Build-A-Bear turns the countdown to Christmas into a sweet and interactive experience. Behind each door is a surprise - mini accessories, little plush items and seasonal treats all culminating in a festive build on the final day. It’s perfect for kids aged 3+, and will certainly add a touch of magic to the run-up to Christmas day.
Magna‑Tiles microMAGS Advent Calendar
£31, Shop now
Another advent calendar combining the magic of daily reveals with the fun of magnetic tiles. Each day delivers a small tile or piece, so by Christmas they’ll be able to build their own structure. Designed for kids aged 3+, it’s a fun and interactive way to count down the days until the big day.
Christmas gifts for budding artists
Crayola Twistables Case (32 pack)
£12, Shop now
You can’t go wrong with Crayola Twistables as a stocking filler. The coloured pencils - which you twist up instead of sharpening - are perfect for younger hands. This 32-colour case is compact and portable too, making it perfect for throwing into their backpack and keeping them entertained on-the-go. An ideal gift if you’re traveling around the country to visit family this festive season.
Djeco Soft Dress-Up Craft Kit
£15, Shop now
Djeco is all about creating fun and educational toys that support children’s development, and this crafting kit is no exception. Let their imagination run wild with 12 characters that kids can dress up with self-adhesive felt pieces and stickers. It’s simple, mess-free and great for encouraging creativity and independent play.
Paint Pop - Paint Sticks
£12.99, Shop now
Another gift for budding artists, Paint Pop’s Paint Sticks will encourage kids to get creative. There’s 20 paint sticks inside - 12 in classic colours, 6 in neon and 2 metallics. Kids can tap into their creativity with painting or doodling, but thanks to the fast-drying paint sticks there’s little-to-no mess. The glide-on sticks don’t require any brushes or water, and they dry within 60-seconds. Parents rejoice!
Djeco Jungle Animal Activity Set
£36, Shop now
Animal-loving little ones will adore this Jungle Animal Activity Set from Djeco. Giving them another opportunity to get creative, inside they’ll find everything they need to create their very own little jungle with wooden beads, pompoms, self-adhesive jewels and moving eyes, and more. Suitable for children aged 3+.
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Christmas gifts for young storytellers & puzzlers
Play Press Zog Pop‑Out Playset
£12, Shop now
Based on the beloved children’s book Zog, this pop-out playset encourages storytelling and imaginative play. It allows kids to pop-out characters and scenery, and play out scenes from the story in their own way. It’s charming, tactile, and reusable for endless fun. What’s more, its lightweight and easy-to-store, making it travel-friendly.
The Gruffalo Story Teller
£25, Shop now
Little storytellers will love this Gruffalo gift set. The interactive storytelling kit will make a lovely addition to bedtime routines. Little ones can join Gruffalo, Mouse, trees, and other creatures in the mysterious deep dark woods, re-creating scenes, acting out adventures and building narratives in their own way. Ideal for children aged 3+, it combines tactile play with storytelling, whether they are playing solo or in small groups.
Hoppstar Rookie Digital Camera
£60, Shop now
Got a little one who’s always heading straight for the camera app when they get their hands on your phone? Perhaps it’s time to introduce them to the world of photography with the Hoppstar Rookie Digital Camera. Designed for little hands with fun photo frames and filters, it’s the perfect way to get children creating, exploring, and capturing memories from their perspective. Easy-to-use and durable, it captures photos and videos and stores them directly onto an SD card.
Tonies Toniebox 2
£94.99, Shop now
Loved by parents globally and for good reason - Tonieboxes are screen-free, kid-powered audio players designed to let children listen to their favourite stories and songs safely and independently. From Disney classics such as The Lion King, to everyone’s favourite Gabby's Dollhouse - there are so many character stories for children to collect and explore, encouraging educational storytelling and inspiring creativity all in one. An update to the original Toniebox, the Toniebox 2 is suitable for children aged 1+
