I’ve got a 4.5 year old son who I am absolutely struggling with for gift suggestions, both for Christmas and upcoming birthday. So far all the ideas I have are for Letterland phonics books and board games (suggestions found off a Reddit thread).
What are you getting your kids this holiday season? Any gift ideas for 5 year olds?
Bday gift we just gave for 5 years old- art zone with baby fence around it for private work space. We did this table.
Kids Art Table and 2 Chairs with… Amazon.com: Kids Art Table and 2 Chairs with Roll Paper, Craft Table with Large Storage Shelves, Drawing Desk, Kids Activity Table and Study Table, Activity & Crafts for Children Wooden Furniture : Home & Kitchen
(It’s a little small but she’s small so it works, she’ll probably outgrow by 7 though)
Christmas we’re doing some more train tracks, some Picasso tile vehicles that magnet on, and a weighted stuffed animal.
bath toys?
duplex?
puppet theatre?
Magna tiles /Picasso tiles?
I have this bookmarked too, with links for different ages.
https://nymag.com/strategist/article/the-best-toys-for-5-year-olds.html
Oh yeah. On that list. Yoto. So good. Love the mini. Yoto evangelist here 
Part of what’s hard is that we already have more that enough of some sets - i.e. 3 duplo sets + a big box of blocks, a big set of magnatiles, a set of Knex, a set of Lincoln logs, a good selection of puzzles
We did art cart + easel for present last year. It needs to be tidied up but is functional still. Lots of arts supplies still in good shape from last year too, so no need for a ton of restocks. He’s got paint sticks, watercolors, colored pencils, paper, foil kits, markers, scissors, beads, pipe cleaners, colored paper, sticker books, etc.
For “big” toys, we don’t have a bike / with trainer wheels but considering waiting until birthday to do that - don’t think it will get used as much in the winter. He’s outgrown his traditional red tricycle.
No Yoto box - that’s potentially on the list.
Letterland is so good!
I’m buying:
More books
More books
Gold glitter Vans
Shimmer blazer
Ballet lessons/gear if I can get him in
Art stuff
Trampoline
Maybe a tutu
Everything else he wants from toy stores he’d enjoy for like 5 min. So I’ll get him maybe one thing like that He’s never been a toys kid. If I can find it and it isn’t scammy I want to get him the real tools for cardboard from instagram
If you don’t have tinker toys they are great!
We have number blocks and I’d suggest them. And Meccano if no mouthy toddler (so we can’t)
My daughter got these for her bday and both girls love them. I just bought them for my niece for Xmas Magnetic Foam Tanagrams - Gigglescape™ : Target
Snap circuits can be done with an adult.
Kid safe kitchen stuff?
Cooperative board games (Peaceable Kingdom is good)
Blah blah blah game
We are still enjoying more complicated lift the flap books
Superhero dress up costumes
Swim lessons
We’ve also upgraded from Duplos to regular legod.
Highly recommend all of this lady’s gift guides Busy Toddler Gift Guides - Busy Toddler. I’ve used them the past several years and lots of hits.
I love them too!!
Is there anything I can give to the niblings who range in age (3-11) that is a consumable/won’t add clutter to their parents’ houses? WE are giving all adults custom hot sauce.
I am bad at gifts and I am trying to be better but shopping exhausts me. One stop shop is best and also 3 of the niblings will be moving states in ~7 months temporarily for mom’s fellowship so def not more junk
How about those hot chocolate balls! Are those still cool lol
Budget?
Possibly an experience thing nearby that they can use over the next six-ish months?
Art supplies are excellent. Something very You is grown up office supplies. Washi tape and nice pens have shockingly wide appeal.
I always feel like experience things are an obligation instead of a present esp when a parent has to drive and arrange it
Art supplies, sticker books, stamp pad and stamps, scrapbooking scissors? A fun inconvenient present is IKEA’s cardboard space shuttle which presumably is ok to get destroyed/tossed/recycled after a while. AFTONSPARV children's tent, rocket white/red - IKEA
My bougie-ass kid would love a gift card to his favorite donut shop (where I would probably be taking him anyway). We also got a kids magazine subscription that was a hit.
Five Below is a great place to get special drawing markers for the older end of the range!