At 5, a girl wants toys with rules and toys for running her stories: a first board game that lasts twenty minutes, a dolls' house with floors, a doll with her outfits, a face paint kit for the party, a 54-piece puzzle. The gifts that work are played with friends, with characters that have a name and a life.

What a 5-year-old loves

This is the age of rules and friendships: she plays with others, negotiates roles, keeps score. Board games take on their real meaning, with twenty-minute games and a victory that counts. She draws whole scenes, writes her name, starts recognising words. Pretend play gets organised: the dolls' house has residents who each have a room and a job. She runs, jumps, climbs, and loves games of skill. Toys can now have small parts and accessories.

Our gift ideas

To house and dress

The Modern Villa dolls' house has a roof terrace and rooms to furnish, the wooden doll's bed welcomes Petit Câlin Elie and her three outfits. From Maileg, the ballet dancer mouse and the little brother in his matchbox extend the family. All our dolls and our Maileg world.

To play together

BrainBox for little ones works the memory, Mon Toutou Crado makes everyone laugh with dice, the Haunted House memory game is played in pairs, and the wooden pétanque or the mini ludo come along on holiday. All our board games.

To transform

The Panthera face paint kit turns the party into a jungle, the gold sequin princess cape is cut for ages 4 to 6, and the glitter wand finishes the outfit. Our costumes.

To think alone

The Indian Jungle puzzle has 54 pieces, the right size at 5, the geometric block set is built without a model, and the abacus counts to a hundred. All our puzzles.

To make

The treasure chest to decorate then keeps her secrets, the knitting mushroom makes cords, the Patarev pocket fits in a bag, and the slate with coloured chalks wipes clean in one go. All our arts and crafts.

To cuddle and cook

The Oat fluffy rabbit and Rufferty the wizard puppy sleep in the bed, and the Scattered Stars kitchen set equips the tea party. All our soft toys.

What budget?

Under 20 euros: the 54-piece puzzle, the face paint kit, the treasure chest, the knitting mushroom, the geometric blocks, the memory game or the friendship necklaces. Between 20 and 50 euros: BrainBox, Mon Toutou Crado, the wooden pétanque, the Maileg mice, the Oat rabbit, the princess cape, Elie with her outfits and the kitchen set. Above 50 euros: Rufferty, the doll's bed or the Modern Villa house, for a gift that leaves a mark.

Frequently asked questions

Is a face paint kit safe at 5?

Yes, with water-based paint designed for children's skin, which washes off with soap. The Panthera kit is one of them. Test on the arm the day before if the skin is sensitive.

Which board game at 5?

A game whose rule is understood in one round, lasting twenty minutes, with a little luck so the child can beat the adults. Memory and dice games work very well, and so does cooperation.

Can the gift be wrapped?

Yes, gift wrapping is free: tick the box on the product page before adding to cart. Delivery to a pick-up point is free from 80 euros in mainland France, and you can collect your order in our shop at 211 boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris.

See also

• Gifts for a 5-year-old boy
• Gifts for a 4-year-old girl
• Gifts for a 6-year-old girl
• All toys for ages 5 to 7
• All our gift ideas by age

Advice from the team at L'Oiseau de Paradis, a toy shop in Paris since 1932.