12 Ways to Build a 5 Year Old's Confidence and Self-Esteem

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Building confidence and self-esteem in young children is essential for their development and well-being. This page explores 12 practical and engaging strategies you can implement at home or in the classroom to help your five-year-old feel more secure and valued. From celebrating achievements to encouraging independence, you'll discover how simple actions can make a big impact on your child's self-worth.

Boost Your Child's Confidence with Skating Fun

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Roller Derby Trac Star Adjustable Skates for Kids are a fantastic way to encourage physical activity and coordination. These skates expand up to four sizes, ensuring they grow right alongside your child, making them a smart investment for both beginners and budding skaters. As they glide smoothly on durable wheels, kids will develop balance and confidence while enjoying the thrill of skating, whether indoors or outdoors. 3-6 years
Why we love it:
Boost Your Child's Confidence with Skating Fun features adjustable sizes that grow with kids, making every glide a new adventure in balance and self-assuredness.

Hot Dots: Boost Confidence through Play!

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Hot Dots Feelings & Friendships Social Emotional Learning Workbooks are an exciting way for our little ones to explore critical emotional skills! These interactive workbooks not only spark joy in learning but also provide essential skills for building confidence and self-awareness. With over 200 engaging activities focused on empathy, friendships, and recognizing feelings, kids can learn at their own pace while receiving immediate feedback from the Hot Dots pen. 3+ years
Why we love it:
Hot Dots: Boost Confidence through Play! includes over 200 interactive activities that turn emotional learning into a fun game, prepping kids for friendships like pros.

Match It! Head to Tail Animal Puzzles

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The Learning Journey: Match It! Head to Tail introduces young explorers to the fascinating animal kingdom through engaging puzzles. Designed for children ages 3 to 6, this set encourages observational skills as little ones find and connect matching animal heads and tails. 3-6 years
Why we love it:
Match It! Head to Tail Animal Puzzles includes self-correcting pieces that turn learning into a playful adventure, making vocabulary and animal knowledge stick like glue.

Big Life Journal: Empower Young Minds

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Big Life Journal is a fantastic daily journal designed specifically for kids ages 6-11, fostering a growth mindset through interactive prompts. As fellow parents and educators, we love how this workbook encourages our children to reflect on their day, express their feelings, and identify areas for improvement in a fun and engaging way. It not only supports emotional health but also nurtures resilience and confidence. 6-11 years
Why we love it:
Big Life Journal features interactive prompts that help kids reflect on their day while fueling their confidence and emotional health—plus, who doesn’t love joyful stickers?

Get Ready Kids Emotional Friends

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The Get Ready Kids Friends with Feelings Multicultural Emotions Figurines are a wonderful tool for nurturing emotional intelligence in children aged 12 months and up. These delightful figures not only spark important conversations about feelings like happiness, sadness, and frustration, but they also celebrate diversity through their representation of various ethnicities. Perfect for home, school, or therapy settings, this set promotes empathy, understanding, and critical social skills that will benefit children throughout their lives. 12 months and up
Why we love it:
Get Ready Kids Emotional Friends are diverse figurines that spark meaningful conversations about feelings and foster empathy, laying the groundwork for emotional smarts and understanding in our kiddos.

Coping Skills Game: Empower Kids Today!

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The Coping Skills Game is designed to help children navigate the bumps and turns of everyday life with confidence. As fellow parents and educators, we understand the importance of equipping our kids with essential coping strategies. This engaging game teaches nine vital skills, from managing feelings to embracing imperfections, all while ensuring fun for 2-4 players aged 7-12. 7-12 years
Why we love it:
Coping Skills Game: Empower Kids Today! includes engaging gameplay that transforms tough lessons into fun experiences, teaching kids how to handle life's curveballs with a smile.

Inspire Growth with Mindset Bracelets

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Fun Express I Have A Growth Mindset Rubber Bracelets are the perfect addition to any learning environment! These vibrant bracelets feature uplifting quotes that motivate kids to embrace challenges and develop resilience. By wearing these inspiring reminders, students can cultivate a positive mindset that encourages them to approach learning with enthusiasm and perseverance. 5-12 years
Why we love it:
Inspire Growth with Mindset Bracelets feature uplifting quotes that encourage kids to embrace challenges, transforming everyday moments into lessons in perseverance and positivity.

Step-a-Forest Balance Adventure

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The edxeducation Step-a-Forest is an exciting 22-piece obstacle course designed to engage kids in both indoor and outdoor physical play. As fellow parents and educators, we know how crucial it is for our little ones to develop coordination and confidence through movement, and this set does just that! With adjustable spacing for varying difficulty levels, children can explore their balance skills in a safe environment, while we celebrate their achievements and growth. 2-5 years
Why we love it:
Step-a-Forest Balance Adventure includes 22 adjustable pieces that let little ones master their balance skills while unleashing their inner adventurer—bonus points for outdoor fun and active play!

Empower Your Child's First Ride

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Schwinn Elm and Koen Bike or Balance Bike is the perfect companion for your little one's journey to confidence and independence. Designed for kids ages 2-13, these bikes foster essential skills like balance, coordination, and motor skills while providing an exhilarating way to explore the outdoors. With adjustable seating and an ergonomic design, children can comfortably grow into their new riding adventures, making each outing not just fun but a vital part of their development. 2-13 years
Why we love it:
Empower Your Child's First Ride features adjustable seating, giving kids the perfect fit as they confidently navigate their biking adventures and embrace the great outdoors.

Empower Learning with Grade 3 Success Kit

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Really Good Stuff Learning Success: Grade 3 - Reading, Math, & SEL is the ultimate toolkit for nurturing your child's educational journey! We love how this kit seamlessly combines essential skills in multiplication, reading comprehension, and writing with engaging activities like the Fraction Face-Off Game and Spin to Write Stories Journal. Designed by teachers, you can trust that each component aligns perfectly with learning standards. 8-9 years
Why we love it:
Empower Learning with Grade 3 Success Kit includes engaging activities like the Fraction Face-Off Game, making learning both fun and impactful for your child's growth.

Empower Kids with Responsibility Chart

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Melissa & Doug Magnetic Wooden Responsibility Chart is a fantastic tool for encouraging good habits and positive behavior in our little ones! This interactive chart not only makes tracking daily tasks fun but also nurtures essential skills in language, social interaction, and emotional development. Those delightful magnetic pieces for goals and rewards, like 'Clean Room' and 'You're a Winner', offer an engaging way for our toddlers to learn accountability while feeling a sense of accomplishment. 3+ years
Why we love it:
Empower Kids with Responsibility Chart features engaging magnetic pieces that transform daily chores into fun challenges, making accountability a game rather than a chore.

Feelings Family Hand Puppets for Kids

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The hand2mind Feelings Family Hand Puppets are the perfect companions for toddlers aged 4-8 to explore emotions and build social skills. These friendly puppets engage young minds with their unique designs, inviting children to express themselves through play. Each puppet not only showcases different feelings through its expressive faces and body positions but also offers delightful crinkle sounds that enhance sensory experiences. 4-8 years
Why we love it:
Feelings Family Hand Puppets for Kids invite toddlers to express a range of emotions while engaging in delightful role-play, fostering communication and connection in a fun, interactive way.

Confidence-Building Push & Play Walker

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The Radio Flyer Deluxe Push & Play Cube Walker is an exciting way for little ones to embark on their walking journey, designed for ages 1 to 3. With engaging features like a bead maze, shape sorter, and interlocking gears, this interactive toy not only supports balance and coordination but also enhances fine and gross motor skills through play. Parents and educators love its dual functionality as both a sturdy walker and a sensory-rich activity center, making it a multifaceted tool for early childhood development. 1-3 years
Why we love it:
Confidence-Building Push & Play Walker features engaging activities like a bead maze and shape sorter, creating a fun and supportive environment for emerging walkers to build skills and confidence.

Boost Your Child's Coordination Today!

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Little Tikes Inflatable Baseball Trainer is an incredible way for kids to develop essential hand-eye coordination while having a blast! This engaging trainer encourages active play and helps little ones learn the basics of baseball in a fun, safe environment. With its easy setup and compact storage, it's perfect for busy families looking to incorporate more outdoor activities. 3-7 years
Why we love it:
Boost Your Child's Coordination Today! features an inflatable design that makes practicing baseball fun and safe, ensuring your little athlete stays engaged while developing essential coordination skills.

Bright Smiles with Teacher Created Resources

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Teacher Created Resources Brights 4Ever Smiley Faces Mini Stickers are the delightful reward your little learners will love! These vibrant stickers not only brighten up any project or assignment but also encourage positive reinforcement and boost motivation in kids. With eight fun designs, they are perfect for celebrating achievements, fostering creativity, and building confidence in young minds. 3+ years
Why we love it:
Bright Smiles with Teacher Created Resources includes eight fun designs to celebrate achievements, making learning feel like a party while boosting kids' confidence with every sticker.

Empower Young Minds with Design & Drill

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Educational Insights Design & Drill Power Drill is the perfect tool for sparking creativity and building essential skills in young children. With its chunky, kid-friendly design and exciting peekaboo window, little ones can see the magic in action as they experiment with attaching colorful bolts. This hands-on activity enhances fine motor skills, introduces basic engineering concepts, and encourages imaginative play. 3+ years
Why we love it:
Empower Young Minds with Design & Drill features a chunky, kid-friendly design that lets little builders see their creations come to life, making learning engineering concepts a blast.

Exploring Emotions with Mirrors

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Learning Resources All About Me 2 in 1 Mirrors provide an exciting way for toddlers to engage with their emotions and body awareness. Designed for ages 18 months and older, these easy-to-hold double-sided mirrors encourage kids to explore their feelings, promote social skills, and enhance speech development—all while having fun. Parents and educators will appreciate how these mirrors not only foster self-expression but also support vital sensory exploration and motor skill growth. 18+ months
Why we love it:
Exploring Emotions with Mirrors features double-sided designs for toddlers to engage with their feelings, making self-expression and social interactions a playful adventure.

Build Excitement with Kids Rock Climbing Holds

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Squirrel Products 20 Large Kids Rock Climbing Holds is the perfect way to transform your backyard into a mini-adventure zone! As parents and educators, we know how crucial it is for our kids to get outside and stay active. With these colorful climbing holds, children can enhance their physical skills, boost their confidence, and cultivate essential traits like balance and agility through fun play. 3+ years
Why we love it:
Build Excitement with Kids Rock Climbing Holds includes 20 large colorful climbing holds that transform any backyard into a splash of adventure while boosting physical skills and imagination.

Hot Dots First Grade Reading Fun

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Educational Insights Hot Dots Let's Learn 1st Grade Reading is an engaging way for our children to build foundational reading skills. This interactive workbook, combined with the delightful Hot Dots pen, turns learning into an exciting adventure! With 50 pages focused on phonics, sight words, and reading comprehension, kids can explore independently, boosting their confidence as they learn to self-correct. 6-7 years
Why we love it:
Hot Dots First Grade Reading Fun features an interactive workbook with 50 pages, turning reading practice into an exciting adventure that boosts our little ones' confidence.

Snap It Up! Phonics Fun Cards

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The Learning Resources Snap It Up! Phonics & Reading Card Game makes phonics practice an exciting adventure for kids! As we gather around the table, we can see our little ones' eyes light up as they joyfully create words, building their reading skills in a low-pressure environment. 4-8 years
Why we love it:
Snap It Up! Phonics Fun Cards make phonics practice exciting by allowing kids to joyfully create words, turning reading into a fun and confidence-boosting adventure.

Toddler Learning Skills in a Fun Set

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Learning Resources Skill Builders! Toddler Skills is the perfect tool for fueling your little one's imagination while mastering essential skills. This 41-piece set transforms playtime into powerful learning opportunities, letting toddlers explore their ABCs, 123s, and colors through hands-on activities. 2-5 years
Why we love it:
Toddler Learning Skills in a Fun Set includes 41 interactive pieces that turn learning into a lively adventure, making early education as fun as a trip to the playground!

Match It! First Words Puzzle Fun

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The Learning Journey: Match It! - First Words is an engaging and interactive way for children to discover their first words through play. With 30 beautifully illustrated self-correcting puzzles, kids will not only learn to spell simple words but will also build their confidence in literacy as they match images with corresponding words. 3+ years
Why we love it:
Match It! First Words Puzzle Fun features 30 beautifully illustrated self-correcting puzzles that make learning to spell feel like a delightful game instead of a chore.

See My Feelings Mirror for Kids

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The hand2mind See My Feelings Mirror is an engaging and delightful way to help our children understand their emotions! With vibrant emojis and easy-to-use emotion slides, our little ones will learn to identify feelings like Happy, Angry, and Scared while building essential social-emotional skills. This interactive tool not only nurtures emotional regulation but also encourages empathy and connection among peers, making it a perfect addition to our cozy corners at home or in the classroom. Toddlers and Preschool
Why we love it:
See My Feelings Mirror features vibrant emojis and emotion slides, making it a fun way for kids to confidently explore and express their feelings while connecting with others.

Creative Dress-Up Fun for Kids

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Baby Alive Single Outfit Set and Accessories inspires imaginative play while helping our little ones develop essential skills. With a variety of stylish outfits, including a pink t-shirt with tutu and a floral print dress, children will enjoy mixing and matching their doll’s wardrobe. Dressing dolls enhances fine motor skills and encourages creative expression as kids explore different fashion combinations. 3+ years
Why we love it:
Creative Dress-Up Fun for Kids includes a variety of stylish outfits, making it a delightful way for our kids to explore fashion and nurture their imaginative storytelling.

Empower Early Readers with Fun Learning!

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hand2mind Little Minds at Work Sound Segmenting Trays are an absolute game changer for our little learners. These interactive trays not only make phonemic awareness engaging but seamlessly blend play with foundational reading skills! With their unique write-and-wipe functionality and visual aids, children can practice segmenting sounds while gaining confidence in their letter recognition. 3-6 years
Why we love it:
Empower Early Readers with Fun Learning! features unique write-and-wipe functionality that turns practicing sounds into an exciting game, making reading readiness a fun adventure.

Sparkling Confidence on Two Wheels

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The Huffy Illuminate 12” Girl’s Bike encourages early learning for young riders. Designed with removable training wheels, it helps children develop balance and coordination while boosting their confidence on the road. With its fun amethyst frame and intuitive coaster brake, this bike not only promotes physical skills but also fosters independence and a love for outdoor adventures. 3-6 years
Why we love it:
Sparkling Confidence on Two Wheels comes with removable training wheels, making it a fantastic tool to boost balance and self-esteem—outdoor adventures have never looked so fun!

Step-A-Trail Obstacle Course Adventure

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The Step-A-Trail - Logs & Stumps is designed to transform playtime into an exhilarating journey of discovery for children. With six uniquely shaped pieces, this obstacle course not only improves coordination and balance but also supports imaginative play that encourages creativity. We love how these safe, non-slip surfaces allow our little ones to explore their physical limits while building confidence. 2-5 years
Why we love it:
Step-A-Trail Obstacle Course Adventure features six uniquely shaped pieces that invite children to explore their limits while boosting both creativity and confidence in a safe way.

Engaging Learning with Sensory Play Table

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Children's Factory Medium Sensory Table is the perfect addition to any homeschool setup or play area! This versatile table invites children to explore their senses through sand and water, sparking creativity and promoting interactive play. With a sturdy design and easy mobility, we can adapt it for indoor and outdoor fun, making it ideal for group activities or solo explorations. 2-6 years
Why we love it:
Engaging Learning with Sensory Play Table invites kids to dive into sensory adventures with sand and water, turning playtime into a fun and educational exploration.

Build and Soar with Confidence!

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Estes 7220 Crossfire ISX Rocket-Building Kit is an exhilarating way for kids ages 10 and up to dive into the exciting world of rocket science! This intermediate model rocket kit not only fosters creativity and engineering skills but also ignites curiosity about physics and space exploration. As they build, launch, and watch their rockets soar up to 1,150 feet, children develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while having a blast outdoors. 10+ years
Why we love it:
Build and Soar with Confidence! includes a multiple-stage rocket kit that transforms backyard play into an exhilarating journey through physics and space exploration.

Feelings Learning Kit for Kids

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The Learning Resources Skill Builders Feelings Learning Kit is a fantastic way for young children to explore and express emotions! Packed with 24 vibrant feelings counters and 40 engaging workbook-style activities, this set encourages little ones to talk about their feelings while building vital social skills. Not only does it foster emotional intelligence, but it also supports the development of fine motor skills through play. Toddler
Why we love it:
Feelings Learning Kit for Kids includes 24 vibrant feelings counters, making emotional exploration fun and interactive while helping little ones express themselves and build essential social skills.