Birthdays

25 Best Gifts for 4-Year-Olds

by Melissa Willets


25 Best Gifts for 4-Year-Olds
Shop Story

Four years old and ready to take on the world! Your growing preschooler can do so much on their own now, from brushing their teeth to telling time. A child this age is balancing on one foot and doing somersaults — probably into the wall. Four-year-olds can also ride a tricycle, copy shapes and even draw a person. With a body!

 

Best Gifts for 4-Year-Olds

 

Life is getting easier as the 4-year-old in your life is now expressing themselves with words, can follow rules (when they feel like it) and is starting to know their personal info like their phone number and address. Things are also super entertaining, since kids this age love singing, rhyming and can start to take turns and share with other kids. So now you can introduce games, and host and attend playdates without having to wrestle Goldfish out of their hands when they hog the entire bowl. Rejoice!

 

You may also notice that your 4-year-old is counting more than 10 objects, can identify letters and may even be writing their name. The best part about a child reaching this milestone, though, is that their attention span is becoming longer than two seconds. It’s an exciting time when your child has so much energy, curiosity, imagination and questions. So. Many. Questions.

 

Good thing we have the answer to one of your questions: What should you get them for a gift? Here, we offer top picks from little play experts, their parents and other gift givers, as in Grandma and Grandpa. These are their fave gifts for girls and boys who are 4, including blocks, art supplies, books, building sets, dollhouses, train tables, outdoor toys and more.

 

1 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

TOP BRIGHT Colored Wooden Blocks Stacking Board Games

Price:$22.00

A 4-year-old can now stack more than 10 blocks at a time, and this game helps them both perfect that skill and have fun while working on sharing and taking turns. The colorful animal blocks are made of non-toxic wood material. It’s like Jenga, but cuter!

What Reviewers Are Saying:
I'm impressed with the quality. Really cute game for my kids to learn with. Absolutely one of the best games I've purchased.

2 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

Candyland

Price:$13.00

It’s an oldie but a goodie. Candyland is the perfect classic game to introduce to a 4-year-old who is working on taking turns. Parents will love it for the nostalgia, and kids will want to play again and again because, well, Candyland is fun!

What Reviewers Are Saying:
Candy Land is the perfect game for little ones who can't really use logic or strategy yet, but still want to be able to play a board game. This game is so fun, no matter what age you are! My grandchildren love playing Candy Land when they come visit.

3 of 26 Image Credits: Target

Dragons Love Tacos

Price:$8.00

Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri’s top-selling book for children from the New York Times Bestsellers list is a big hit with the preschool crowd! It’s about — you guessed it — taco-eating dragons, and features dynamic illustrations that will engage and thrill your soon-to-be reader.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
Very fun and silly story that the kids love! Highly recommend! Vivid, colorful, great fun story for little ones.

4 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

The Rainbow Fish

Price:$6.00

Marcus Pfister’s award-winning book for preschoolers makes a great addition to any little one’s growing home library. It tells the tail (get it!) of a fish making friends, a message kids will both relate to and find comfort in.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
This is a wonderful book. It has a message about not being selfish, giving of ourselves, putting others first, and being a friend.

5 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

Haigerx Kids Electric Toothbrush

Price:$20.00

Help foster kids’ growing independence with a musical toothbrush that times their oral care routine. It’s functional with soft bristles made for little mouths, but it’s fun too, featuring stickers for customization, a timer for 30 seconds and 2 minutes, and 4 songs to spruce up hygiene have-tos.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
Love this toothbrush. It's the perfect size for little mouths. I bought this and it worked! Now he doesn't mind brushing.

6 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

Amazon Fire 7 Kids Tablet

Price:$70.00

This tablet is a great, accessibly priced first device for young kids, because Amazon will replace it with no questions asked if it breaks. Which happens. Kids can watch movies, listen to music, read books and play games, but parents control the content. Genius! Comes with a colorful case.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
Great toy\real tablet. you can control what apps your kids can download and controls which profile can use which app. The Fire 7 is your affordable answer.

7 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

VTech Kidizoom Camera Pix

Price:$37.00

The top-selling first camera on Amazon is this one, because parents say it takes good photos, is durable AF and doesn’t require much tech know-how to operate. Your kiddo can take tons of pics before the memory is full, and they are easy to delete for more photo fun. Plus, there’s a selfie mode, obvi.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
My son really enjoys the camera. Nearly everything about these cameras is perfect. They're nearly indestructible. Easy for them to use.

8 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

Fat Zebra Design 52-Piece Sidewalk Chalk Bucket

Price:$14.00

Keep it simple with a gift of hours of outdoor fun. This dust-free chalk comes in chunky, easy-to-hold sticks that will keep kiddos busy and stimulated.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
I haven't played hopscotch in over 30 years. My body aches but we had so much fun,...thank you. This large bucket is perfect.

9 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

Flybar My First Foam Pogo Jumper

Price:$17.00

Available in multiple colors, it’s the pogo stick of the future! Kids jump on foam bottom so it’s safer but still tons of fun and great for burning off that endless 4-year-old energy. Plus, you get a free replacement part, if needed.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
Lots of joy. This great for indoor/outdoor bouncing it's easily used in imaginative play. This thing is super fun!

10 of 26 Image Credits: Target

VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2

Price:$45.00

Modern kids need a starter smartwatch, naturally. Kids learn to tell time but can also take photos and video, play with games and sound effects, count their steps and utilize the included timing function.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
I love this product. She never leaves home without it! I also have been trying to teach my 4 year old how to tell time and she was having a issue saying the numbers backwards but with in a week she knows how to say them the right way.

11 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

Melissa & Doug Mine to Love Baby Care Activity Center

Price:$125.00

Made of quality wood, this play baby care center is more substantial than other versions, say parents. The dual sides include a kitchen with a fridge and high chair, as well as a realistic baby bathing area on the nursery side and a rocking chair. There’s also a cradle and storage for baby care needs. Just like mommy!

What Reviewers Are Saying:
My daughter has played with this play center all day long. This baby station is cute and versatile. This is a large play center for toddlers.

12 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

Melissa & Doug USA Map Floor Puzzle

Price:$12.00

This 51-piece puzzle features a map of the United States. Your 4-year-old can work on memory skills, shape recognition and motor skills as they put together and take apart this jumbo puzzle again and again.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
My 4 year old loves this puzzle! Much cooler than our other more simple floor puzzles. We love this puzzle.

13 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

OuWen Rotating Night Light

Price:$20.00

Kids can fall asleep in a magical land under the stars with this projector that displays 8 color options. You can choose rotation or stationary mode; either will dazzle little ones with a warm glow that ultimately helps soothe them to sleep.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
Provides great amount of lighting for the kids especially for its size. More features than I thought and it works great. it's not expensive, for what joy it brought to my grandson.

14 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

Pidoko Kids Train Table

Price:$100.00

A train table is a gift that will last for years, inspiring countless hours of imaginative play. This highly rated option wins with parents because it’s well made and affordable, and large enough so that multiple kiddos can play together. FYI parents, the train and tracks are purchased separately.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
It is sturdy, holding up to two rambunctious guys! Also super easy to put together! Really happy with this table!

15 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

KidKraft Majestic Mansion Dollhouse

Price:$150.00

A dollhouse is a playroom staple for any imaginative 4-year-old. Parents are praising this version because it’s huge, with 8 divided rooms, and sturdy, features a garage and includes tons of fun accessories, namely 34 pieces of furniture. And there’s a working elevator. Just like in your house, right?

What Reviewers Are Saying:
It’s very durable, sturdy and seems very solid. It was so easy to build and didn't take me as long as i thought it was going to. My daughter (almost 4 year) LOVES this doll house.

16 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

LEGO Duplo My Town Family House

Price:$32.00

If your child isn’t quite ready for the smaller LEGO block sets, this Duplo set is winning with parents because of its versatility. The 69-piece set includes a house that kids will find new and inventive ways to play with and customize each time they take out their LEGOs. Includes a family and a car.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
This is a great set that gives her a lot of options for building and allows her to build and then play with her creation. It's one of those toys that the kids return to time and again. This is a really cute Duplo set that contains lots of pieces.

17 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

Melissa & Doug Disney Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck Magnetic Dress-Up Wooden Doll

Price:$15.00

Paper dolls get magnetized in this update to a classic toy that kids will return to over and over. The durable Melissa & Doug set features iconic Disney characters Minnie and Daisy, plus 45 magnetic accessories that are the perfect size for small hands and big imaginations.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
Melissa & Doug never disappoints! This toy is very cute. Love it. My girls are 2 and 4 and we have a great time with this.

18 of 26 Image Credits: Target

Playmobil Aquarium

Price:$43.00

The large pool in this parent-loved set can be filled with water, so you know it’s a win for kids. There’s a sea lion show, an underwater viewing area, and the set includes figures and accessories so kids can design and play with several scenes and situations.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
Great toy for the ages stated in the box. My daughter uses this more as a large public pool than an aquarium, but it's still a huge hit. She loves this water toy!

19 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

Step2 Deluxe Art Master Kids Desk

Price:$71.00

Being a kid just got even more fun with this kid-sized art station that features a whiteboard surface, a light and shelves for easy storage of art supplies like markers, scissors, paper, glue, and whatever else mom and dad don’t say “no” to.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
It’s a great art table, it’s super easy to put together. Love this desk! My daughter spends hours at it every day painting or coloring. My daughter LOVES this art table and spends her afternoons drawing up a storm.

20 of 26 Image Credits: Target

Melissa & Doug Wooden Tabletop Paper Roll Dispenser

Price:$17.00

That’s right, a simple roll of paper may be the most useful toy you give the 4-year-old in your life. The refillable wooden dispenser takes easy-to-tear paper rolls kids will fill with doodles, paintings, and letter, shape and number practice.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
Great product! Super cool Idea for kids room. Hung it in the wall. Durable and inventive.

21 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

Fat Brain Toys Original Squigz Starter 24 Piece Set

Price:$25.00

Kids are obsessed with these suction-cup building pieces that seem to inspire endless play and are highly rated for sensory stimulation. Different shapes that come in bright colors stick together to create, well, anything. Play encourages fine motor skill development, problem solving and silliness! Tip: Awesome for bath time!

What Reviewers Are Saying:
Squigz quickly became the bathtime toy of choice. My son’s OT uses these with my son and he loves getting sensory input from them. You cannot understand how entertaining these are for children (and some adults) until you see them in person.

22 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

Melissa & Doug Toy Shopping Cart

Price:$56.00

This top-selling, top-rated kids’ shopping cart is where hours of imaginative play begin. The cart features easy-grip handles and smooth-rolling wheels for shop-till-you-drop fun.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
The shopping cart is the best on the market as far as realism and function. This is awesome. It was a breeze to put together as well.

23 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

Playmags 100 Piece Super Set

Price:$50.00

This award-winning building set is winning big with parents and kids. A 100-piece,3D set includes multiple shapes and colors, and inspires hours of fun constructing castles and anything else kids can imagine.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
The magnets in these are definitely stronger than the more expensive brand. The colors are a little brighter as well. We have three children that have fallen in love with this toy over the years. They get it out daily to build castles, cars, houses, and other things.

24 of 26 Image Credits: Amazon

Raskullz Dinosaur Dragon or Unicorn Child Bike Helmets

Price:$23.00

New bike riders need super-cool, 3D, realistic-looking animal helmets! But these are also super functional, with cooling vents (because kids play hard), adjustable straps and a super safe, shock-absorbing shell.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
My son loves this thing and after a day of riding his scooter he actually fell asleep on the couch with it on. I wish I had stuff like this when I was a kid! We ordered this for my 4 year old daughter and it fits well without being uncomfortable.

25 of 26 Image Credits: Walmart

Razor Jr. 3-Wheel Lil

Price:$25.00

Razor scooters are all the rage! This 3-wheel version is best for a 4-year-old because it offers more stability and balance than the 2-wheeler but still looks cool and lends itself to endless outdoor zooming around. Some 4-year-olds are OK on the 2-wheel version; just note that it’s designed for kids who are 5 and older.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
It was very simple to put together and he really enjoys riding it. My twin 4 year old grandsons, jumped right on them and started using them. They had received regular razor scooters for their birthday but didn't have the balance.

26 of 26 Image Credits: Walmart

Melissa & Doug Learn-To-Play Classic Grand Piano

Price:$95.00

Budding musicians will love this realistic-looking baby grand that features 30 keys perfect for small hands and a songbook just for them. Parents are happy because the piano comes with a no-tip bench and safety-hinged lid.

What Reviewers Are Saying:
Well made for a toy piano. It's beautiful and sturdy, just look like a real piano but in a mini version. The material is well made and the size is just perfect for her to sit on.