If you’re looking for ways to keep your kids entertained while helping them develop new skills, Five Below is the perfect place to start. With nearly everything priced at $5 or less, you can introduce children to fun, hands-on hobbies without stretching your budget.
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Here are seven affordable hobbies your kids can dive into right now. And if you’re thinking about holiday shopping, consider buying these toys before possible shortages hit.
Art
One of the most popular hobbies for kids is drawing and painting, and Five Below makes it easy to get started. A sketchbook gives kids a blank canvas to explore their creativity, while a 24-pack of colored pencils from Crayola adds vibrant color to their art. For more advanced artists, Five Below carries a 13-marker set of dual-tip watercolor markers that will make your young artist’s vision a reality.
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Puzzles
For children who enjoy challenges, puzzles and brain games are a rewarding hobby. Five Below carries themed jigsaw puzzles like this 300-piece Wicked Puzzle, which is both fun and great for developing patience.
For accomplished puzzle masters, try the 500-piece wooden impossible puzzle. Kids who love problem-solving can also try a Rubik’s magic star, a twist on the classic Rubik’s Cube. For quieter moments, word searches themed for whatever your kid loves (Taylor Swift or Harry Potter, for example) will keep them busy.
Sports
If your child has lots of energy, playing sports outside can become a healthy hobby. At Five Below, you’ll find jump ropes, bouncy balls, spin ‘n skip balls, and flying discs— all simple but effective way to keep kids active. A hula hoop adds another layer of fun, helping with coordination and balance. For sports lovers, a basketball, soccer ball or football is perfect for practicing at home or in the driveway.
Music
Music is another hobby that sparks creativity, and Five Below offers beginner-friendly instruments that won’t break the bank. A Disney character ukulele is just $6, and gives kids the chance to strum their first chords. For those who prefer keys, a mini electronic keyboard introduces them to melody and rhythm. Younger kids can start with percussion, like a handheld tambourine.
Crafting
Crafting and DIY projects are always a hit, and Five Below has plenty of kits to get kids started. A bracelet kit lets kids design colorful accessories to share with friends. For those who love slime, a DIY slime kit provides everything needed to create gooey fun at home.
Five Below also carries beginner-friendly crochet kits and fun Itty Bitty Knit Kits, which come with yarn, tools and easy instructions to help kids learn the basics of knitting and crochet (and end up with a cute toy at the end).
Reading and Storytelling
Reading and storytelling can also become a lifelong passion, and Five Below stocks a wide range of bookish items. Parents can pick up books, book lights and book annotation sets for under $5. This way your reader can mark down everything that inspires them about what they’re reading. When they’re ready to create their own stories, pick up a padded journal for outlining a book or keeping a diary.
STEM Exploration
For curious kids who love science and problem-solving, STEM exploration is a fantastic hobby. Five Below currently carries a grow your own crystal set, which lets kids safely experiment with chemistry. Young aspiring archaeologists will love the dig and discover dinosaur toy, and budding engineers may enjoy the build your own gumball machine.
Editor’s note: Prices are accurate as of Oct. 30, 2025. Prices and availability may vary by location.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Affordable Hobbies Your Kids Can Start at Five Below
