Best Toys For 4-Year-Old Boys 2024 - Forbes Vetted

Four-year-olds are magical creatures—everything is fun, their imaginations are primed for creativity, and the world is one big playground to explore. Toys that capture both their wants and their learning brains’ needs are ideal for this age. After all, these playful preschoolers tend to be quite busy and active. According to Jodi Huffman, an early childhood therapist, play is “the way that children interact with the world...and use their experiences to form meaning of the world around them.” Both guided and free play are extremely beneficial to kids, Huffman says.

The best toys for 4-year-old boys are fun, engaging and can even help them develop a range of ... [+] skills.

“Modeling what to do with toys and narrating leads to the development of imitation skills,” she says. “Free play builds creativity, problem solving, independent learning and ultimately self advocacy and knowing their own unique likes and dislikes.”

Here, you’ll find a list of the best toys for 4-year-old boys, but it’s worth noting that these toys may also be enjoyed by children of any gender. Most of these toys have been tried and approved by our own kids.

Amazon

Three-wheeled scooters give little kids a more stable ride, and this one from Micro Kickboard gets a leg up from durable wheels. The brand makes two appearances on our list of the best scooters for kids, thanks to its easy steering and durable build, with this one as our top pick for toddlers. Kids can lean to turn the scooter, and concept that 4-year-olds (and even younger kids) can usually master with ease. Plus, light-up wheels are not only fun, but provide better visiblity in low-light conditions. “My son absolutely loves his Micro Kickboard scooter,” says Margaret Badore, Forbes Vetted’s kids gear editor.

Guardian Bikes

The Guardian bike is a bigger investment for sure. But this sturdy, long-lasting bike can grow with your kid over time. Guardian has a sizing system that uses either your child’s age, inseam or height to help you choose the best option. Its bikes are lightweight, at just 17.5 pounds for a 16-inch set of wheels, and has a simple, single-lever breaking system. The bike also has large tires for on and off-road riding, making for a safe and easy transition from a balance bike.

The Guardian bike was also labeled the “coolest big boy bike ever” by co-author Alexandra Frost’s 4-year-old son, Archer.

Amazon

Giving a 4-year-old boy the chance to live out his fantasy of operating an excavator sounds like a dream scenario for both parent and child. With a sturdy and lightweight build, this tot-size excavator allows kids to dig up sand in the sandbox or out on a beach day. It’s an ideal outdoor toy that gets kids moving and off screens. According to parents, it can even be used for imaginary play indoors given how lightweight and mobile it is. Archer once saw this at the park and has begged for it every holiday season since.

Amazon

Most 4-year-olds have a lot of energy, and this is an excellent tool for helping them wiggle some of it out, especially on days when you’re stuck inside. Kids can balance on the board sitting or standing, and the suction cups pop, making it a fun sensory experience. The rocking and constant change in direction while kids play with this toy provides a lot of vestibular input, which can help some kids calm and soothe themselves.

Piccalio

The Piccalio Balance Beam is designed by a Montessori mother and helps kids develop coordination and balance while also allowing them to be creative. The balance beam’s orientation can be changed to fit your child’s play needs (and imagination) while giving them a full-body activity to develop muscles. It’s also made with sustainably sourced pine wood and is free of lead and phthalates, making it a safe option for endless play.

Amazon

Few things get kids outdoors quite as quickly as a motorized vehicle that they can drive themselves. “Mom, can I ride my tractor?” is a refrain Frost hears numerous times per day. This vehicle has two speeds that parents can adjust to fit their child’s age and stage of skills. It also has automatic brakes which means you can feel confident that your child is safe while driving.

The large flatbed makes it possible for kids to haul a variety of items and the optional hitch means you can add the trailer on in the future. The adjustable seat makes it a gift that can grow with them—all the way up to the manufacturer’s suggested age of 8.

Amazon

For those rainy days when your kids can’t go outside, this mat comes with stencils and fun shapes to trace. The mat is activated by water, so there are no paints or inks to stain their clothes or your furniture, and kids have the option to color with the included markers (dip them in water to use on the mat) or “paint” with wet fingers.

Amazon

Your kids have seen you taking photos and now, they can do the same thing themselves with this Bluey-inspired kids camera. The camera is kid-friendly, with easy controls and works well both indoors and outdoors. It includes a memory card so kids’ creations can be saved or printed for later. “Kids love that it has built-in photo frames, and my kids were surprised by the on-camera games as well,” says Frost.

Amazon

This Kidkraft easel gives little ones an art creation station with both a dry-erase board and chalkboard sides, along with a paper roll for drawing. With large ledges for storing supplies, “It holds all art supplies in one place,” one parent says. This easel makes organizing and cleanup easier for both parents and kids.

Amazon

“This sensory bin is one of my favorite toys to break out on a rainy day,” says co-author Jenni Gritters. It includes space rocks, tongs (great for developing fine motor skills), glow-in-the-dark stars, a scoop, an astronaut, an alien and various toys that can be planets, asteroids, rockets or anything else 4-year-olds can imagine. It’s helpful for sparking imaginative play, and it provides kids with everything they need to lose themselves in a pretend world.

Amazon

If your refrigerator has become cluttered with art projects and drawings, you might appreciate this craft that’s more than decorative when complete. Each wooden craft kit in this set of two includes paint, stickers, glue and wheels for kids to assemble. After they’re done creating their masterpiece, they can actually play with the vehicles.

Amazon

Little rubber dino babies hide inside a dozen clay dinosaur eggs, so your 4-year-old can experience the excitement of digging them out. Getting their hands dirty is half the fun, plus kids get a chance to find a toy they can play with later. Each egg (and baby dino) also comes with a card that explains what that animal was like and when it lived. The kit includes brushes and a little mallet, giving kids multiple ways of cleaning and opening each egg. Pro-tip from Frost: “This is an outside project.”

Amazon

Give your kids the chance to create their own Rube Goldberg machine with over 130 different pieces to make any and all kinds of marble-moving creations. If your little one can’t get enough and wants more, expansion sets are available. The Marble Run also comes with an app with instructions and building suggestions to give parents and kids some creative help if needed.

Amazon

This set gives kids the chance to be both mechanics and construction workers—because building the vehicles is half the fun for many curious 4-year-old boys. Construct and then deconstruct vehicles ranging from a dump truck, cement truck and a front-end loader with a plastic, battery-powered, easy-to-use screwdriver. The toy set comes with a bag, too, so you can bring these out to the backyard or the grandparent’s house.

Amazon

We have various magnetic tile sets in our homes, and this is definitely a favorite, especially for 4-year-olds. The tracks are simple to assemble, and the battery-operated cars zip up, down and around. They’re compatible with other magnetic tile sets, so you can incorporate the track into all kinds of creations. “I’ve found that it helps my 4-year-old develop problem solving and engineering skills to figure out how to form a working track,” says Gritters.

Amazon

A more advanced Lego Duplo set, this train comes with includes a crane, track, boat and more. It has over 105 pieces for kids to build. One mom of a 4-year-old tells us that her son enjoys Duplo sets because he could build them on his own, whereas he needed help to build traditional Lego sets.

Amazon

Sturdy and well-built with high quality pieces—and under $20—parents’ appreciate this puzzle toy as much as kids. Around age 4, most kids can recognize letters and may even be interested in starting to read a few words, making this puzzle a good way to entertain them while also teaching reading skills.

Olive and Cocoa

Puppies and kids go together like PB&J, and the Olive & Cocoa Scruffy Dog & Puzzle is the cutest addition to your child’s gift list. The puzzle helps your preschooler practicing their letters while also cuddling the softest Scruffy Dog. “The puzzle makes learning fun, and my kids enjoyed trying to find our own dog’s look-a-like on the puzzle,” says Frost.

Amazon

Bingo with a twist. This board game builds language and matching skills while also giving kids a chance to play with parents, grandparents or other friends. It’s a popular learning game in preschools, too. One user notes that she was “able to play with a 2-year old, 6-year old and 8-year old,” meaning this game can grow with a kid as they get older, and it gives them a chance to teach their younger siblings or friends how to play.

Target

Hurry Up Chicken Butt is a new take on traditional hot potato from Exploding Kittens. It requires players to complete fun and silly actions quickly before the timer goes off. This is ideal for high-energy kids, and it’s a fun way to bond with the family.

Amazon

These pattern blocks help kids develop spatial reasoning and even introduce early geometry concepts. Kids use the wooden shapes to match the patterns provided. It’s fun for kids to put the pieces together to create a picture, and you can use the shapes to practice other skills as well such as sorting and counting.

Amazon

In this board game, everybody works together to gather the feelings that have disappeared. It’s a cooperative game with a soft color palette, so it’s calmer and less stimulating than most competitive games. It’s a good tool for helping kids learn how to work together for a shared goal.

Little Passports

With Little Passports, kids can learn about different places around the world right from home. This kit is at the top of our list of the best subscription boxes for kids. Each box introduces them to a new place or experience through play, games, activities, puzzles and fun facts. Archer enjoyed trying to build a flying Macaw in the Brazil suitcase, for example, Frost says. They can also keep track of their adventures with a world map and stickers to put on their Little Passports suitcase.

Amazon

The Yoto is another great option for encouraging imagination in kids. The Yoto is great for preschoolers, and with no cameras or mics, you can feel good about your child using it. In addition to reading books, the Yoto also has the option of music, radio, soundscapes and alarm clocks. If you would prefer to not listen, all Yoto players also work with headphones. With 1000+ Yoto Cards available for purchase, your child is sure to find something that fits their interests.

At bedtime, Frost asks her preschooler pick his Yoto card for the night. "I got hours back to myself, and my preschooler got more independent," she says.

Slumberkins

As parents, we’re often working to help our kids be not only physically healthy but mentally and emotionally healthy, too. Slumberkins has been a staple in emotional wellness, and its Hammerhead Plush & Book on Conflict Resolution is a great resource for not only kids but parents as well. The Hammerhead shark is super soft and the perfect size for little hands to hold, no matter what emotion they’re feeling. The book itself approaches conflict resolution in an easy, age-appropriate way and is a great starting point for conversations between caregivers and children on how to handle situations that can leave them feeling frustrated or angry.

Amazon

What kid isn’t excited by a classic volcano experiment? This kit makes it easy to set up, and in addition to erupting a volcano, they can create dinosaur fossils, slime and more. There are 10 experiments total, and it also comes with a guide to walk kids through the experiments.

Amazon

Toniebox is a screen-free toy that allows kids to listen to songs, stories and educational content by placing a Tonie character on top of the box. "My kids get a lot of use out of their Toniebox on long car trips, in waiting rooms and in any situation where they’re stuck sitting for an extended period of time," says Gritters. You can buy as many Tonies as you want, so this toy can grow with your child as their interests change.

BRIGHT LITTLES

Your preschooler might have one favorite question ("Why?"), but you can expand their discussion abilities with some seriously creative conversation cards. It can help the whole family engage with your 4-year-old in new ways. Kids feel proud and engaged when they learn to answer questions like, “What would you do if you got separated from your parent?” Archer shared he would “scream really loud,” Frost says, opening the door for more conversation about other options. It’s also a great way to expand after preschool conversations.

Amazon

This introductory coding set is a screen-free toy that teaches kids how to program a robot. It includes fun challenges for kids to complete, and they can create their own codes as well. Early introduction to coding can help kids develop problem-solving skills while having fun.

Amazon

Imagine your 4-year-old’s surprise when they open this gift at the holidays, only to realize it’s ready to crawl on much more than the floor. This gecko toy, with a rechargeable remote control, defies gravity in a way that’s totally fascinating to a 4-year-old. Archer kept repeating “What!?” when he saw this toy’s ablities, Frost says. It also has a very simple remote control that’s a great introduction to the world of remote-controlled vehicles and drones.

Amazon

If your kid loves trucks, this one is a great addition to his toy box. Aimed at kids ages 4 though 10, it comes with all the little accessories kids need to play out a whole rescue scene—including traffic cones, fire fighter figurines, a hose, shovels and more. The ladder rotates a full 360 degrees, and the truck can sound an authentic siren.

The Forbes Vetted team that covers baby and kids gear is committed to helping our readers find the best toys and gifts for all the little ones in your life. We’ve written gift guides for all ages, from the best toys for 6-month-olds to the best high school graduation gifts.

To find the the best toys and gifts for 4-year-old boys, we combined research, expert input and firsthand play/testing with our own kids.

Co-author Alexandra Frost updated this guide with a fresh batch of new gift and toy suggestions, including the John Deere Gator XUV, the Bluey Kids Camera, the Slumberkins Hammerhead Snuggler and more.