Fast & tracked delivery
Your dose of creativity arrives quickly at your home, you can track your package right to your mailbox.
How to keep a 5-year-old occupied?
Mis à jour leIn summary
To keep a 5-year-old busy and stimulate their creativity:
- Try Pouring Art , like the kits offered on joy-cadeaux.com, a very trendy fluid painting activity
- Offer self-hardening modeling clay to model and preserve your creations
- Try FIMO kits to shape small objects and accessories
- Painting on original supports: figurines, decorations, small objects
- Color clothes or accessories for a unique result
- Alternate formats and short steps to maintain attention
At 5 years old, the days can seem endless ... especially when your little one has already exhausted their usual stock of toys in less than an hour. This is the age when curiosity explodes, when each new activity is experienced as an adventure. But it's also the age when "I'm bored" can come up every 15 minutes if nothing captures their attention.
There are a multitude of fun and creative activities that keep your hands busy, stimulate your imagination, and calm your boundless energy.
Why prioritize creative activities at 5 years old?
At 5 years old, every activity is more than just a pastime: it's a learning experience . Creative play stimulates fine motor skills, develops concentration, and fuels the imagination. It also allows children to express their emotions in ways other than words... and that's precious.
Crafts, painting, play dough... all these activities build self-confidence. When a child finishes their creation and proudly displays it, they feel valued. And you enjoy a moment of calm (or almost) while sharing a shared moment.
💡 Did you know? According to numerous educational studies, regular artistic activity in children not only promotes creativity, but also problem-solving skills and perseverance.
Another advantage: creative activities are flexible. You can adapt them to the season, the available space, and even your mood. A paint job on a rainy morning, a little play dough in the late afternoon, and the day takes on a whole new look.
Focus on Pouring Art (Fluid Art)
Pouring Art (fluid paint) appeals to 5-year-olds for one simple reason: you pour, you tilt, you watch the colors meet... and the magic happens. No need to know how to draw: the child explores, mixes, observes. The result: a truly unique figurine or canvas, without frustration.
Pouring Art, the ultra-trendy activity that children love
Our Pouring Art kits are designed for families: ready-to-use paints, figurines, accessories, and effect ideas (swirl, marble, dirty pour, etc.). Simply protect the table, choose three colors, and let it flow—simple and stunning.
View Pouring Art Kits- Set up the area : protective tablecloth, optional gloves, smock or old t-shirt.
- Choose 3 colors (soft or pop contrasts). Open and mix if necessary.
- Pour onto the figure/canvas : in streams, in a spiral, in bursts — let the child decide.
- Tilt gently to move the paint and create the effects.
- Let it dry flat (a few hours, depending on the thickness). Admire your work!
Marble effect tip: Alternate thin layers of contrasting colors and add a thin line of white to highlight the veins.
Easy cleanup: Prepare a baking tray lined with baking paper. Drips can be removed in one easy step once dry.
Safety & clothing: paints are intended for children , but protect textiles and wash your hands after the activity.
Self-hardening modeling clays & FIMO kits
Children love to model, knead, and shape . With self-hardening clay, self-hardening clay , or FIMO , each ball of dough becomes an animal, a miniature food item, a piece of jewelry, a piece of decoration, and most importantly, it lasts a long time : no need to bake in the oven; some simply harden in the open air.
Creations that last... and that are preserved
Our self-hardening modeling clays and FIMO kits are perfect for making small, solid objects: figurines, magnets, key rings, mini animals, etc. After drying, children can paint and varnish their creation for an even prettier finish.
See self-hardening pastesIdeas for "creative missions" to propose
- Imaginary animals : mix shapes and colors to invent a unique creature.
- Mini decorative pastries : cupcakes, donuts or cookies (decorative use only).
- Costume jewelry : beads, pendants or charms to hang on a key ring.
- Fridge magnets : free-form or favorite characters.
- Miniature scenes : small settings (garden, beach, farm) in a shoe box.
💡 Tip : For a cleaner finish, lightly moisten your fingers before smoothing the surface of the dough. And for a glossy finish, a little clear varnish will work wonders.
Kids' Painting & Coloring Clothes
Painting remains a classic... and for good reason: at 5 years old, it's a simple and fun way to let your creativity run wild . Whether on paper, canvas, or directly onto an original medium, children love seeing their colors appear.
Painting on various supports
With our children's paint sets , we go beyond simple drawing: we can paint on wood, plaster, fabric... The colors are bright, easy to mix, and suitable for small hands.
💡 Tip : Suggest a theme for each painting session (sea creatures, a mountain landscape, a magical rainbow, etc.). This helps your child focus and further stimulates their imagination.
Coloring clothes
What if we moved on to something even more fun? Coloring clothes are perfect for combining a creative activity with a useful object. You color directly onto the fabric with textile markers, set the color... and proudly wear your creation.
Create, wear, show!
Our coloring clothing sets contain everything you need: cotton clothing, washable fabric markers, and ready-to-color designs. Once finished, your child can wear their creation!
See the clothes to colorOver 250 DIY and Craft Ideas
When you're lacking inspiration, having a wealth of ideas at your fingertips makes all the difference. At JOY!, we've gathered over 250 craft activities for kids , from simple crafts for a rainy afternoon to more ambitious projects for the whole family.
Colorful paper, beads, wood, fabric, paint... there's something for every taste and skill level. These activities not only provide fun, but also develop patience, coordination, and imagination.
An infinite number of creative projects
Explore our Kids DIY collection and discover dozens of fun projects to make at home. Perfect for mixing things up and introducing kids to new techniques.
See all the ideas for children's activitiesThe added bonus? Many of these projects can be personalized for seasons or events: Christmas, Easter, birthdays, etc., creating unique souvenirs and handmade decorations.
FAQ – Keeping a 5-year-old occupied
What craft activities are best for a 5-year-old?
At this age, we favor simple and fun creative activities like painting, self-hardening modeling clay, FIMO modeling, or easy DIY projects. The creative boxes offered by Joy! are designed to be accessible to little hands while developing creativity.
How long can a 5-year-old stay focused on an activity?
On average, concentration lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. To extend this time, you can vary the steps and materials. Joy! kits, for example, are often designed in several phases, which helps maintain interest for longer.
Are creative activities beneficial for development?
Yes, they improve fine motor skills, stimulate imagination, and encourage patience. The activities offered by joy-cadeaux.com are also designed to develop coordination and self-confidence.
Can several children do these activities at the same time?
Yes, most of them can be adapted into group workshops. With a little planning and sufficient materials, it becomes a welcome opportunity for sharing, just like in the Joy creative workshops.
Should you always accompany a 5-year-old child during a manual activity?
Yes, an adult must remain present to supervise, guide, and ensure safety. At Joy-cadeaux.com, the gift boxes are designed to limit risks, but the presence of a parent remains essential to share the experience.
