The 52 best gifts for 4-year-olds in 2024

The best gifts for 4-year-olds help their imaginations come alive. As they leave age 3 and turn 4, little ones are enthralled by storytelling, pretend play and exploration.

They are also immersed with friends and start playing collaboratively instead of just playing side by side, so the best toys for 4-year-olds can be shared.

“They tend to have clear preferences on what they like or want to do,” says Tovah Klein, director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development and author of “How Toddlers Thrive.”

Their pretend play is a little more complicated as they come to understand narratives and differentiate between fantasy and reality, says Marie Conti, head of The Wetherill School in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, and a board member of the American Montessori Society. Capes and dress-up props, as well as outdoor toys or science gadgets, allow them to explore their world.

We rounded up several unique gifts for 4-year-olds that will keep their minds and their bodies moving.

Best gifts | Educational toys | Play sets | Creative toys | Active toys | Games and puzzles | Pretend play | Dolls and stuffed animals | Books | Meet the experts

This stuffed animal turns inside out to change its mood from happy to angry and back. The original octopus was a hit on TikTok, but it’s also effective for a 4-year-old learning about emotions.

Ask questions to guess the animal on the card in this problem-solving game that doesn’t require reading. With a handy storage box to keep the game organized, this game nurtures the curious nature of a 4-year-old.

Kids want to be part of the fun of shopping! This Target toy shopping cart is inspired by the real thing and even has some grocery staples like whole milk and some guilty pleasures like ice cream sandwiches. A target trip is not complete without a beverage in hand and this toy shopping cart has a slot for its portable coffee cup.

Let their creative side break free with these 3D Magna Tiles. Watch them build skyscrapers galore as they snap the tiles together while developing hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, problem solving techniques, and more.

Old-fashioned dominos can create hours of play, and this set includes some bells (literally) that a traditional set doesn’t. Comprised of over 100 pieces, this set helps develop engineering skills as they learn about balance and spatial awareness.

This mess-free painting kit includes a genius innovation — paint that won’t spill, even if you turn it upside down. Washable paint sticks, stencils, stickers and more complete the Crayola kit.

Have a little one who likes to clean? Get them their own Dyson inspired vacuum. This toy is just like the real thing from the twist-and-turn ball to the clear cylinder.

Purrble is more than just a stuffed friend — it’s an interactive toy meant to help with emotional regulation and anxiety. With a dynamic heartbeat and a simple language of sighs, giggles and grunts, Purrble has sensors that respond to touch. If Purrble’s heart races, you can calm it into a purr by holding it tight, and see if your own heartbeat slows in the process.

Sand boxes are always a hit with 4-year-olds, and this portable version lets them have sensory fun at home. With three types of kinetic sand and tools to shape it, mermaid fans can create sandcastles galore.

Give your child a jump-start on learning to code without a screen, with this fun STEM set that lets kids solve missions and discover hidden tricks. It's perfect for keeping them entertained with less screen time.

Each Slumberkins has a story to promote emotional growth, and they’re now at the center of an Apple+ series. Offered with two easy-to-read board books and an affirmation card, the Yak is all about self-acceptance!

Build their vocabulary as they get ready for kindergarten with this muffin-themed set they won't want to stop playing with. They'll learn sounds, syllables and other phonic skills.

This cash register helps make counting fun, while encouraging pretend play. It comes with the register, play cash and coins, a credit card and an activity guide.

Your 4-year-old can begin to learn to code with this fun set that lets them show a creature how to fetch, play hide-and-seek and more. There are 22 pieces that they can interact with to give them endless coding challenges.

This cookie bake set puts a sweet spin on playtime. The set includes 12 sliceable cookies, 12 toppings, a toy knife, spatula, cookie sheet and kitchen mitt to learn kitchen safety through play.

With over 15,000 verified five-star ratings on Amazon, this bestselling toy train set is sure to please both kids and parents alike. The setup is easy and the fun lasts for months.

“If you’re buying Legos, just buy regular Legos. Don’t feel like you have to buy pink ones because you have a girl,” Conti says. This kit is a great start to their Lego journey with hundreds of pieces for them to build and stack.

If you need to organize their Legos after playtime is over, here are five brilliant (and mom-approved) hacks for keeping them tidy and out of your bare foot’s way.

They might have just had their first dentist appointment, and whether it was tear-free or not, help them become more familiar with the tools and devices used with this play set that comes complete with braces, pretend teeth, examination tools and more.

Made with high-quality silicone and innovative suction construction, these little suckers make bath time (and play time!) so much fun. According to the brand, the toy can help with motor skills, problem solving and more.

Klein and Conti both love bug jars or insect boxes for kids this age. It'll get them to explore the outdoors and learn about critters.

If they love to mimic their parent’s morning routine, they can now take it one step further with this wooden play set, complete with an espresso maker, milk and cream, as well as two mugs to sip out of.

“My nephew loves driving these monster trucks up and down the apartment halls with my boyfriend,” says senior editor Jess Bender. “Both are designed to take on a lot of damage, which delights my nephew because he loves to crash his cars into walls and sabotage my boyfriend’s game during race time.”

"This is more of a sanity saver for my sister-in-law since it helps organize my nephew’s expansive Hot Wheels collection, but he loves it because it’s a dinosaur that devours his cars like nobody’s business," says Bender. "He also loves that it makes gnarly sounds and its tail turns into a race track!"

This Lovevery planner play kit gives kids practice in thinking ahead and understand the concept of time. It's a subscription service that delivers 12 toys every three months.

"In an effort to get my nephew away from screen time, I retrieved some bold chalk for him and his sister to play with in the backyard during the warmer months," says Bender. "Each chalk egg produces some pretty psychedelic patterns with each scribble and doodle, so I think he’ll be pretty impressed by that. Also, his parents will love how easily it washes off!"

With coloring pages, paper to create origami figures with, pop-up story pages to decorate, crayons, markers and more, their creativity can take new heights via these dinosaur-themed crafts.

All the fun of painting with none of the mess. These portable paint sticks reuire no water and are easy for little hands to hold.

This stroller lets big brothers and sisters role-play before caring for the real thing. It's lightweight, foldable and can hold up to an 18-inch doll.

As kids age, more of their toys become battery-powered and involve a screen which is why a toy that gets them moving outside is such a favorite. Conti recommends outdoor toys like this one for 4-year-olds. This toy is a shopper favorite, landing the number three spot on Amazon's most gifted list for toy foam blasters and guns.

This toss and catch game set is fun for the whole family. The waterproof material on the lining of the paddles makes it perfect for a summer day at the beach or the lake.

This three-foot trampoline from Little Tikes is the perfect gift for 4-year-olds. There's even a handlebar for stability so they can jump around and be safe. "We got this for my daughter and it really kept her busy for good stretches of time," says Shop TODAY editor Rebecca Brown.

They're never too young to partake in family game night, and these classic card games allow them to join in the fun. With Old Maid, Go Fish! and Animal Rummy, introduce them to the simplest of games thanks to this set.

This Found It scavenger hunt game will help 4-year-olds learn on the go as they search for objects. This game is made for kids ages 4-7 and helps develop boosts their observation skills.

Perfectly designed for little hands, this jumbo floor activity helps improve a preschooler's hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. As a bonus, this puzzle is made with environmentally friendly materials like recycled paper and vegetable-based inks.

Four-year-olds are starting to learn about games with rules. This simple variation on bingo works well for pre-readers and early readers, thanks to the clear images and easy-to-read words.

This kit lets little ones play doctor on the stuffed animals that are included in every purchase. The set comes with everything they need to make "house calls" for their patients, including a stethoscope, thermometer, syringe, tweezers, clamp and more.

For the child with beautiful textured hair, this styling head (considered to be the first all-Black, texture-specific kind on the market) provides them with the chance to learn how to care for their natural coif. Liya even comes with several regal accessories, including a tiara that can fit on their growing noggin.

Cooking, serving food and playing "restaurant" are key elements of a 4-year-old's pretend play. And what's better than an ice cream counter with all of the pretend materials? They'll be able to scoop and serve their favorite dessert with this set.

While they may have been too young sit still long enough to watch the cinematic sensation that took the world by storm this summer (and still is!), they're not too young to send their Barbie dolls down the longest slide that the Dreamhouse has had to date. This house also features 10 different play areas, including a pet palace to host the included furry friend.

The Squishmallow Hugmees plush is an A-plus gift for the 4-year-old who loves hugs. This stuffed toy is perfect for relaxing at home, watching a movie or as a comfort item while traveling.

For an ultra-soft plush, Jellycat is the way to go. With a number of collections and stuffed animals, they even have a line of food items, including pizza, sweet corn and more.

Continue to play into their Target obsession with this Barbie doll that includes a cash register set-up. With a gift card and magazine end cap, a cash register, basket with foods and a reusable bag to place it all in, they can add this set to their pretend town.

This Sloth Warmies plush can provide 2-3 hours of soothing warmth and cool comfort. This weighted plush can be microwaved or put in the freezer and is scented with real dried French lavender for anxiety relief.

The Gaïana Healthy Roots doll was created with curly girls in mind. This doll has washable and styleable hair teaching kids about different hair textures.

This sturdy, open doll house has three stories and lots of room to play alone or with friends. Fun touches like a slide and enough space for imaginations to roam.

In this latest installment of the “food group” series that includes “The Good Egg“ and “The Bad Seed,” Grape holds a lot of grudges. His revelation that feeling negative is no fun leads him to a sweet ending.

This modern retelling of the classic fairytale adds a dash of humor, a touch of absurdity and a hint of foreboding that together prove irresistible.

Funny books like this are great for 4-year-olds. "It’s important for kids to have fun with reading," says Nina Lindsay, a director for the Association for Library Service to Children.

Chester Van Chime loves to rhyme, but one day he wakes up and can’t complete them. Children will love filling in actual rhymes that Chester forgets, with a winning message about finding joy in creation.

This kid-friendly introduction to mindfulness encourages children to live in the moment, with a guided breathing exercise to help.

A nervous bunny tries to persuade a hungry wolf that there are no bunnies in sight, despite the presence of incredible amounts of bunnies.

Luna’s family lives in a building with a strict no pet policy, so she finds a creative solution and adopts a wilted plant she names Stephanie. Parents who don’t want a pet might appreciate the ingenuity, plus instructions for caring for your own plant pet.

Owl is desperate to be a knight, despite his relatively diminutive stature. When he’s faced with a dragon, he’ll use his smarts and kind disposition to keep the peace.

Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present for every kid on your list including babies, 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, 7-year-olds, 8-year-olds, 9-year-olds and 10-year-olds.