The best toys for 4-year-olds (boys and girls) are the ones that capture their boundless curiosity and imagination while supporting all the new skills theyâre learning. At this age, kids are bursting with creativity, energy, and a growing sense of independence. Play is their favorite way to explore the world â whether theyâre whipping up pretend meals, building towering castles, or racing around the backyard.
What makes this stage so magical is how much learning happens through play. The right open-ended toys for 4-year-olds do more than entertain; they invite children to experiment, pretend, and problem-solve in ways that feel joyful and natural. When a toy sparks imagination and offers just the right challenge, it becomes more than playtime â it becomes a stepping stone for growth and discovery.
If youâd rather skip straight to the fun, you can jump ahead to our hand-picked list of engaging toys for 4-year-olds, or choose from the table of contents below. But if youâd like to understand why certain toys shine at this age â and how the right closed-end and open-ended toys for 4-year-olds can support your childâs development â read on for a closer look at the types of toys that truly help kids learn and grow.
What Makes Toys for 4-Year-Olds Special?
At age four, children are in the thick of what psychologists call the âpreoperational stageâ of cognitive development (Jean Piagetâs term). Their brains are busy making connections â theyâre learning to use symbols, play pretend, and explore cause-and-effect thinking. This means toys that support storytelling, role play, and creative building are especially powerful.
đŻSocially, 4-year-olds are moving into cooperative play. Theyâre starting to play with others instead of just alongside them. Board games with simple rules, dress-up costumes for group make-believe, or toys that involve taking turns can help them practice sharing, empathy, and teamwork.
đPhysically, theyâre refining both gross and fine motor skills. Running, climbing, hopping, and balancing are all in their wheelhouse now, so toys that get them moving (like balance bikes or balls) are wonderful. At the same time, their little fingers are gaining dexterity, so puzzles, craft kits, and LEGO bricks become more satisfying.
đEmotionally, 4-year-olds are learning how to name feelings and manage frustration. Pretend play and storytelling toys are invaluable here, giving children safe ways to explore big emotions.
Learning Through Play
As Dr. Kathryn Hirsh-Pasek, a developmental psychologist at Temple University, explains: âPlay is not a break from learning â itâs the way young children learn. Through play, children develop the skills they need for success in school and life: collaboration, communication, content, critical thinking, creative innovation, and confidence.â
When we choose thoughtful toys for 4-year-olds, weâre not just filling the toy box â weâre giving them tools to grow in every part of life.
Now that weâve looked at how play supports a childâs growth, letâs talk about the different kinds of toys for 4-year-olds that shine at this stage. From imaginative role-play sets to active outdoor gear and creative art supplies, each category of toy helps children practice important skills while having fun. Below, weâll explore the types of both closed and open-ended toys for 4-year-olds that spark curiosity, build confidence, and keep playtime joyful.
On a personal note, when my kids were 4, my son loved building sets, vehicle toys, and play and action figures. My daughters loved building blocks, dollhouses, and playing dress-up. So of course, youâll find some of these in our favorite picks below!
đA berry quick note: The links in this post take you to Amazon and as an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. you can read more about that here.
1. Imaginative Play Toys for 4-Year-Oldsđ
Four-year-olds are natural storytellers. They love stepping into new roles and creating entire worlds out of thin air. Dress-up clothes, dollhouses, play kitchens, and figure and vehicle play sets are wonderful open-ended toys for 4-year-olds because they let children take the lead. Through make-believe, kids practice problem-solving, empathy, and communication â all while having an absolute blast. Here are ours, and other parentâs favorites in this category.
Kidkraft Ultimate Corner Wooden Play Kitchen
KidKraft Ultimate Corner Wooden Kitchen
A play kitchen is one of my favorite open-ended toys for 4-year-olds to inspire their imaginations. Itâs a kitchen, a drive-thru, a restaurant, a bakery, a coffee shopâthe possibilities are endless. This wooden kitchen by Kidkraft is a parent favorite, for itâs generous counter and storage space, realistic look, and lights and sounds that enchant children and add to their pretend play experience. With a counter height of 21âł, itâs the perfect height for a 4-year-old, yet tall enough to grow with your child.
Age 3+
đRelated Reading: Tips for Choosing the Best Play Kitchen for your Child
Role-Play Costumes
Preschoolers love dressing up and playing pretend in a variety of roles. The costume sets linked below have great reviews and come 3 in a package, with all the accessories. For more fairy tale role playing, I love this princess costume, complete with jewelry and tiara. And finally, I have to mention the Melissa & Doug costumes, because they are so well-made and thereâs a large variety of them. they are a bit pricier but excellent quality.
Scientist, Explorer, GardnerFirefighter, Police, Doctor
Age 3+
Hot Wheels Cars & Garage Track Set
If you havenât already introduced your child to Hot Wheels and other car and track sets, 4-years-old is a great age to do it. Choose sets without launchers that require muscle to pull back so your child can operate them without assistance. Most sets have the ability to add tracks and launchers on to them later, when your child is older. We like this set of 10 cars and trucks to get started, and this Mega Garage Playset, with plenty of corkscrew turns for exciting play. Thereâs connection points on the bottom of it to add on tracks later too.
Hot Wheels 10 Toy Cars & TrucksHot Wheels City Mega Garage
Age 4+
If the 4-year-old on your gift list likes car playsets, here are two more fun sets theyâll love. The Hot Wheels Fire station Super Loop shoots a fire truck through a loop and out a ramp and is perfect for kids who love fire trucks. And with Radiator Springs Rescue Road Raceway, kids can race or have the pit crew come to the rescue and help McQueen win the race. Both of these sets are rated for 4 years old and up.
Hot Wheels City Fire Station Super LoopPixar Cars Rescue Road Raceway
PLAYMOBILÂŽ Sets
PLAYMOBILÂŽ playsets are another favorite toy for 4-year-olds. These charming, high-quality building and play toys inspire creativity and story-telling in kids from toddlers to 6 or 7 years old. Be warned thoughâthey do have small parts. This pirate set features a cannon that really âfiresâ and all sorts of other fun details and accessories. Iâve linked a couple of the smaller sets below tooâthere are so many cute ones to choose from.
PLAYMOBIL Rabbit HutchPLAYMOBIL Cat CafĂŠ
Age 4+
đRelated Reading: New Playmobil sets for 2025
PEPPA PIG Big Family House Playset
PEPPA PIG Big Family House Playset
This latest 2025 PEPPA PIG play house has the new addition of baby Evie and some fun accessories like a high chair, baby swing, and crib, plus other accessories for the rest of the little piggies to enjoy. I am a sucker for dollhouses of all types, and I think they are such a fun way for little ones to explore imaginative play and create little stories. The PEPPA PIG fan in your life will love this little set.
Another adorable animal character playset is the Lilâ Woodzeez Hillside Cottage. It has working lights, windows that open, and a secret hiding compartment for lots of mischievous adventures. This set includes a whopping 117 accessories, including a car, a garden, and 2 little animal families. It is so stinking cute I canât even stand it! Iâve linked it below, along with the Bluey house playset, which is also super cute and comes with the whole Wheeler family and accessories.
Liâl Woodzeez Hillside CottageBluey House Playset
Age 3+
Educational Insights Bolt Buddies
Educational Insights make imaginative, creative toys for preschoolers and in 2020 they came out with their âDesign & Drill Bolt Buddiesâ toys. These popular sets give kids the tools to build and take apart all kinds of vehicles. This rocket kit is one of their most popular sets. Kids can take a real, working, kid-safe drill and build their own rocket, then pop in the included play figures and take it for a spin in space.
The really fun thing about this toy is it can be taken apart and rebuilt multiple times AND the packaging turns into a space playset to be used with the toys. All of their sets have this fun feature, actually, which is a great way to recycle and reuse! This toy checks the boxes as a pretend-play toy, as well as a building toy, which I love. You can check out all of the Design & Drill Bolt Buddies toys here.
Age 3+
Foldable Barbie Townhouse
A list of toys for 4-year-olds must include a Barbie houseâŚit just must! Or maybe thatâs just me because I still love Barbies. The apple doesnât fall far from the tree though, because my 3 and half year old granddaughter loves them too. This foldable townhouse if the perfect gift for a 4-year-old from a grandparent because it folds out for play, then can fold down and tuck away at grandmaâs house for future visits. It comes with furniture and accessories, of course, including a swinging chair which is so fun!
Age 3+
Chelsea House and Camper Sets
I love the Chelsea doll sets for preschoolers because there are girl and boy dolls that can be used with them and they are just a fun variation from Barbies. The latest Chelsea House also folds out for play and back down for storage, which parents love. It comes with a little kitchenette and a slide plus furniture and accessories. Chelsea and her friends can have blast and hang out with no big sister supervision.
The latest Chelsea camper is like an RV and includes a hammock and swimming hole, and some accessories. I love how her sleeping area is on top and has a spot to put her little guitar. Iâm not sure how Chelsea who is what, like 8 years oldâŚis allowed to drive an RV by herself, but hey, itâs imaginative play, right?
Chelsea Popup DollhouseChelsea Camper
Age 3+
2. Active Play Toys for 4-Year-Oldsđ
If youâve ever spent a day with a 4-year-old, you know their energy seems endless! This is the perfect age for toys that get them moving and help build coordination. Balance bikes, scooters, jump ropes, and balls give kids the chance to run, climb, hop, and explore. Active toys for 4-year-olds not only support healthy bodies, they also help children build confidence in what their growing bodies can do. Hereâs our favorite toys for 4-year-olds in this category.
Micro Mini Deluxe Scooter
Micro scooters are 3-wheeled scooters that kids can steer by leaning, making them great for young kids to develop balance and coordination. They hold up to 110 pounds, but are very lightweight and easy for preschoolers to operate. The handle bar is adjustable, which parents love because it grows with your child. Reviewers say their kids love it, especially at night when the wheels light up. The Micro Mini is for ages 2-5. They have a regular Micro for ages 5-12, worth checking out for older kids.
Age 2-5
EzyRoller Classic Ride-On Scooter
EzyRoller Classic Ride on Scooter
The EzyRoller scooter has been on our top toy list for preschoolers for a few years now. Itâs a unique sit-down ride-on toy where kids propel it forward using alternating leg movements with the foot bar. It comes with 2 extender bars, so it can grow with your child and bring many years of outdoor active fun. Some reviewers used it indoors on hard surfaces, like a gymnasium floor. Kids love it and it holds up to 150 pounds, so some parents enjoyed racing their kids on them.
Ages 4+
Flybar Foam Pogo Jumper
I bought this jumper for my 3-year-old granddaughter, but sheâs just a bit short to use it effectivelyâit will be a perfect active toy for when sheâs 4-years-old. Me and my teens used it though, and itâs great fun! Kids can use it indoors or out, and it makes an only slightly annoying squeek with every jump, which really just makes me laugh, and my granddaughter gets a huge kick out of it. It supports up to 250 pounds so kids and kidults of all ages can jump around on it and let off some steam.
Ages 3+
Pancake Pile-Up Game
The Panckae Pile-Up game by Educational Insights is just as fun as it sounds. Itâs a relay game where preschoolers compete to fill their âpancake ordersâ accurately in the shortest amount of time. This active game can be played indoors or out and involves a lot of running back and forth (better to wear the little tornados out!), but also some reasoning and fine motor skills.
Preschoolers learn balance and coordination as they try not to drop the pancakes on the spatula, and have to match the stack to the picture on the order card. Itâs a great party game, or fun for just 2 siblings to play together. Itâs a fun toy for 4 year-olds thatâs been around a few years now and is still a parent and kid favorite.
Ages 4+
B. toys Balance Beam for Kids
The B. toys balance beam is so much more than a balance beamâitâs stepping stones, itâs a musical game, it challenges kidsâ reasoning abilities as they try to configure it in new ways. Thereâs a music player with it, and kids can walk the beam and then stop when the music stops and try to keep their balance. Whatâs great about it is how versatile it is. they can use the beams and stones together or separate and play with it with or without music. Older kids like it too, so itâs definitely not a one-and-done toyâfamilies will get a few years use out of this one.
Ages 3+
3. Building and Problem Solving Toys for 4-Year-Olds đĄ
This is the age when construction toys and puzzles really shine. Wooden blocks, LEGO sets, magnetic tiles, and peg boards help children practice spatial reasoning, fine motor skills, and persistence. These toys for 4-year-olds encourage trial and error, which is a big part of early problem-solving.
Likee Open-Ended Wooden Shape Puzzles
LiKee Open Ended Wooden Shape Puzzle
This wooden shapes puzzle challenges preschoolerâs logic, shape, and color recognition skills as they try to recreate pictures on cards with the wooden shapes. Itâs the perfect âquiet timeâ activity and parents report it keeps their 4-year-olds occupied for a little while at least. Kids can use their creativity and form new objects or try to recreate the things around them, if they get bored of the cards. Older kids like it too, so itâs a good one for younger kids and older siblings to play together.
Ages 4+
Picasso Tiles Marble Run Car Race
PicassoTiles 3-in-1 Marble Run Car Race
Picasso Tiles are similar to MAGNA-TILES, but in my opinion, are more versatile. Kids can build simple structures with these or kick it up a notch and custom build an epic track, using tubes, slides, and track-like pieces. They can make it a marble run or a track for cars, or both at the same time (cars and marbles included)! This is a wonderful building toy for 4-year-olds to challenge their logical thinking, fine motor skills, and imagination, even teaching early engineering concepts. Itâs another toy thatâs perfect for younger kids and older kids to play together too.
Age 3+
Dr. Jupiter Ultimate Gift Set of Learning
Doctor Jupiter Ultimate Gift Set of Learning
The preschool age is the perfect time to introduce kids to science and action/reaction learning. This Dr. Jupiter science kit has everything you need to perform over 120 experiments and activities that will fascinate your 4-year-old. My granddaughter, at 3, loves hers and frequently asks to do âsperimentsâ with her mom. These activities are a fabulous way to nurture wonder and a love of learning in little ones.
Ages 4-6
Picasso Tiles Hedgehog Building Blocks
Parents and pre-school teachers love these bristley blocks by Picasso Tiles. Kids stick them together and build all kinds of unique creations. Theyâre a good sensory toy, due to their texture, and parents report they are good for autistic kids. The additional feature of adding googly eyes to their builds adds to the fun. One downside is some parents said the bristles fall off here and there, over time and use. Despite that, these have over 7,000 excellent reviews from consumers.
Age 3+
Learning Resources Coding Critters Ranger & Zip
Learning Resources Coding Critters
Learning Resources Coding Critters look like just cute little animal playsets that young ones will love all on their own, but actually teach simple coding and logic skills too.
The Ranger and Zip set seems to be the most popular, but all of the animal sets are super cute and fun to play with. Each one has a storybook to add to the experience and includes a main creature they can code, plus a sidekick.
Preschoolers will love watching Ranger respond to their commands, dance, and make cute puppy noises. On top of being so entertaining and educational, Coding Critters are less expensive than other coding toys Iâve seen too. This is a fun educational gift for for the 4-year-old boy or girl in your life.
Age 4+
KID KâNEX
KâNEX was a favorite toy of my sonâs from preschool age on up to about 10 years old. He designed all kinds of contraptions with them and I was astounded at his creativity. This junior set is designed for younger creators with smaller hands, to inspire them to get started building, problem-solving and stretching their imaginations. Thereâs pictures of things kids can create, to get them started, but they can also go freestyle and make whatever their little brains dream up. The pieces are sturdy and snap together and apart easily so parental supervision is not necessary for a 4-year-old to figure out how to play with these, which is always a plus.
Age 3+
4. Creative & Artsy Toys for 4-Year-Olds
Many 4-year-olds can spend hours happily creating. Whether itâs painting, coloring, cutting, or molding clay, art gives children a way to express themselves in ways words canât always capture. Stocking up on crayons, washable paints, safety scissors, and play dough gives them endless opportunities to explore textures, shapes, and colors. These creative open-ended toys for 4-year-olds nurture imagination and strengthen fine motor skills at the same time.
GILI Pop Beads
GILI Pop Beads Jewelry Making Kit
As soon as my granddaughter is a bit older, I plan to get this for her and I to play with. Itâs perfect for preschoolers to make jewelry, just like mama wears, and hone their fine motor skills at the same time. The beads are such bright, fun colors and everything you need to make necklaces, bracelets, and rings is in the set. The beads are large enough for little hands to work with, but definitely keep them away from younger toddlers because they are a choking hazard. The manufacturerâs recommended age is 3 and up, but honestly, I think my 3-year-old granddaughter is too young for this toy. But when she hits 4, weâll have so much fun with this!
Ages 3+
Paint Sticks and Paper
Paints are fun for preschoolers, but they are messy and require some supervision to curtail water spills, unless you have room to cover the floor with shower curtains and just let the little darlings have at it. Another option is Ooly Chunkies, which are like markers but with a paint-like texture and more vibrant colors. They dry quickly, require no brush or water, and are washable, just in case your little Picasso goes to town on a wall. Oolys come in several color sets and can be used on just about any kind of paper. Weâve linked a Crayola paint pad of paper below.
Ooly Chunkies 12 Paint SticksCrayola Marker & Watercolor Pad
Age 3+
Skillmatics Foil Art
Foil art is a really cool craft toy for 4-year-olds. The kit includes stickers, foil sheets, and background scenes. Kids press foil sheets onto various sticky parts of the picture and the shiny color transfers onto the image to make colorful, eye-catching stickers. Then they can put the stickers they created onto the background paper to create a whole scene, so itâs two creative activities in one. Reviewers say their kids loved watching the pictures transform before their eyes, and even parents liked the craft too. Itâs a great travel activity or for when the kiddos need to be occupied for a bit. There are several themed kits to pick from, including space, animals, Halloween, and Christmas ornaments they can hang from the tree. 4-year-olds may need a little assistance to create their stickers, but I love that itâs an activity for a wide range of ages, so itâs perfect for families with different aged kids.
Ages 4â9
Play-Doh Ultimate Fun Factory
There are tons of fun Play-Doh toys for creative 4-year-olds, but I love this basic set because it simply provides the tools for preschoolers to create whatever they want. It has 12 cans of different colored Play-Doh and 47 tools for open-ended creativity. Kids can create animals, bugs, foods, objectsâthe creative play options are unlimited! This is another great choice for families with kids of different ages too.
Age 3+
Melissa & Doug Tabletop Easel
The Melissa & Doug tabletop easel is a 3-in-1 easel, with a chalkboard, magnetic whiteboard, and paper roll. It provides a variety of ways for preschoolers to express that creativity. It comes with magnetic letters too, so they can learn words and and start working on their spelling and other Kindergarten skills.
Parents love that this folds right up and tucks away, so itâs a great gift for a family that doesnât have a lot of space.
These foam magnets work well with the magnetic board to give preschoolers even more ways to use it. For the price, this is a wonderful open-ended toy or gift for 4-year olds.
Ages 3+
5. Early Learning Games for 4-year-Olds
Four is also a wonderful time to introduce simple games that make learning fun. Board games with color matching, counting, or memory challenges help kids practice turn-taking, patience, and following directions. They also introduce the important life lesson of how to be a gracious winner â and an even braver loser. These games are gentle ways to prepare kids for the structure of school while still keeping the joy of play at the center.
ThinkFun Zingo Bingo Game
Zingo Bingo is a super popular game for preschoolers. It comes with 2-sided bingo cards, and lots of tiles with images on them that are loaded into a dispenser. Two at a time come out of the dispenser and if one of them is one you need, you holler it out and grab it. The first one to fill up their card wins. Not only is it fun, but it teaches picture matching, language skills, and sportsmanship.
Parents rave about it, and give it nearly 17,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. Itâs fast-paced but once kids get the hang of it, even 4-year-olds can play it among themselves without parental help, which is a great thing for weary parents. Itâs also fun for family game night for all ages. This one is going on my list to get, for sure!
Age 4+
Hasbro Cootie Game
This one is sooo nostalgic for me! I played this game with my friends and sister in elementary school. We used to take it camping and play with it in our tent before bed or if it were raining (I donât know why, because thereâs a lot of little pieces, but somehow we didnât lose them!). If youâve never played it, the goal is to be the first one to build a cootie bug with legs, eyes, feelers, and mouth. Kids spin a spinner and whatever bug body part it lands on, thatâs what you get. Completely chance and no skill required, other than fine motor skills, but the 70âs were a simple time, right?
The modern version has different styles of eyes, mouth, feet and feelers which adds a fun variant to the game. I played this with my 3 year-old granddaughter and though she was a bit young, we had fun. 3 and a half to 4-years-old is the perfect age to introduce this fun and simple little game.
Age 3+
Peaceable Kingdom Hoot Owl Hoot Game
Peaceable Kingdom Hoot Owl Hoot
This game is unique because instead of each player trying to win individually, they have to work together to get all of the little owls back to the nest. Itâs a bit like Candyland, where kids draw cards and move their piece to the nearest color that matches the card. But they can move any piece they want and discuss strategy to decide which owl to move in order to get them all to the nest the quickest. It teaches color matching, creative problem solving, and cooperationâwonderful skills for pre-k learning!
Age 4+
Regal Games Classic Card Games
Who remembers playing cards as a kid, when it was too hot to play outside? I grew up in Vegas and when summer afternoons were scorching hot, I passed the time playing cards with my sister and cousins. We played game after game of Old Maid, Crazy 8, War, Slap Jack, Speed, go Fish, and some others. This 6-pack of classic card games is a great way to share the nostalgia of good âole card games with your grandkids or just introduce some new screen-free entertainment to your kids. The games are simple and fun for a variety of ages, not to mention super cheap.
Age 4+
đToysenberry Wrap Up
The very best toys for 4-year-olds are the ones that let kids imagine, explore, and grow while having fun. From building towers to zipping around on a scooter, every toy is an opportunity to practice new skills and celebrate small victories. By choosing a mix of playful favorites and open-ended toys for 4-year-olds, youâre giving a child more than just a fun gift â youâre giving them tools for creativity, confidence, and connection that will last well beyond this playful season of childhood.
Until next time, playfully ever after, your friends at Toysenberry. đ
FAQS About Toys for 4-year-Olds
What kinds of toys are good for 4-year-olds?
The best toys for 4-year-olds are ones that match their stage of development â imaginative play sets, building toys, active outdoor toys, and creative art supplies. Look for open-ended toys for 4-year-olds that kids can use in lots of different ways, like blocks, dress-up clothes, or play kitchens. These encourage creativity and keep kids engaged longer.
Do 4-year-olds still play with toddler toys?
Some toddlersâ favorites may stick around, but most 4-year-olds are ready for more challenging and engaging playthings. At this age, kids enjoy toys that let them role play, build, and solve problems. Transitioning to educational toys for 4-year-olds â like puzzles, early board games, and construction sets â helps them practice new skills while still having fun.
What are the best educational toys for 4-year-olds?
Educational toys for 4-year-olds can include simple board games, counting and matching games, magnetic letters, and STEM-focused building kits. Even pretend play toys like cash registers or doctor kits can be educational, because they build real-world skills through imaginative play.
Are open-ended toys good for 4-year-olds?
Yes! In fact, open-ended toys for 4-year-olds are some of the most valuable because they let kids take the lead. Toys like blocks, art supplies, dolls, and play kitchens grow with your child and can be used in endless ways, which means they stay fun and useful long after the first play session.
What are the safest toys for 4-year-olds?
Safety is always important. Choose age-appropriate toys for 4-year-olds that donât have small parts (which can still be a choking hazard for some children). Look for sturdy construction, non-toxic materials, and toys that can hold up to enthusiastic play. Always check the age guidelines on packaging to be sure.
How do I choose the right toy for my 4-year-old?
Think about your childâs interests and personality. Do they love to run and climb? Go for outdoor and active play toys. Do they spend hours pretending to be a chef, doctor, or superhero? Imaginative role-play toys will be a hit. If theyâre curious problem-solvers, puzzles and building sets are great choices. The key is to choose fun toys for 4-year-olds that spark joy while gently stretching their skills.
Did you have a favorite toy when you were 4-years-old? Or what toys does your 4-year-old love? I would love to hear about it in the comments!
This design is spectacular! You definitely know how to keep a reader amused.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to
start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job.
I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
Too cool!
Thanks for the comment! Toy shopping should be entertaining, right?