32 Best Gifts for 4-Year-Olds

Marble runs are wonderful educational building toys for kids of all ages, with endless possibilities for creating structures of all sizes. The connectors in this Marble Genius set fit together snugly, ensuring a stable structure, and are easy for kids to put together.

The 3-wheel design of this scooter is perfect for younger kids who are still working on balance. No turning required - just lean the handles to steer.

Got a creative builder who's dreaming of skyscrapers? This magnetic construction set features 100 colorful tiles that connect to form amazing 3D structures — from simple shapes to elaborate castles and towers.

Kelly R said:  The concept is simple, but this is probably the most versatile and often-used toy in my house. Our magna-tiles have become skyscrapers, racetracks, villages, mazes, and rockets. They are fun for all ages and will see many years of use. I recommend investing in the largest set possible, and you will still wish you had more. I love giving gifts like this because even if the kid already has a set, duplicates aren't a problem. They can just build bigger and cooler stuff!

In this favorite cooperative board game for preschoolers, the goal is to get a family of owls back home before morning.

Jaclyn Keifer said:  My son is 5 and we love playing this together. I appreciate that this is a cooperative game and he’s learning that in this game, we work together to win!

Erin P. said:  Melissa & Doug makes a lot of great costumes which come in handy on many a rainy or snowy day. It is great fun to see just how observant children truly are once they start playing doctor, police officer, fire chief or construction worker. These costumes are great gifts for 4 year olds with a big imagination.

This popular line of construction toys for kids includes colorful gears, axles, bases, and other building elements that can be combined to create a variety of moving machines and structures. They make excellent STEM toys for toddlers.

Vanessa M. said:  This is one of the best games for preschoolers (and their grownups) because it is easy to learn and each game plays quickly. The little squirrel and all the game pieces are also too cute for words! Spin to collect acorns, but watch out for Squirrel Storms that blow your acorns back to the tree, and also keep an eye out for that Sneaky Squirrel who likes to steal acorns!

Vanessa M. said:  Scoop up some fun with this adorable ice cream play set. This toy has been in our family for over a year and still gets played with almost daily! I love that it comes with two scoopers and two cones; this makes it a great toy for 4 year olds to share with a friend. Magnets inside the scooper and ice cream make it easy for little hands to assemble their ice cream cones. I'll take a double scoop, please!

Chrissy OGorman said:  A great activity for when your child is ready to start learning how to read and spell simple 3 and 4 letter words.

Chrissy OGorman said:  A great introduction to pogo sticks for your 4 year old. This can provide them with a great fun chance to work on their balance and eye-hand coordination. It can be used as an indoor or outdoor toy for hours of fun.

Kristy Pepping said:  My 4 year old loves puzzles. The hard part about this age is that they are too old for the pieces that go back into a cut-out board, and they are too young for puzzles with tiny pieces. These Melissa & Doug puzzles are nice gifts for 4 year olds and perfect for this age group. They come with four puzzles that each contain 12 pieces. Kids can use the top of the box for constructing the puzzles. Choose from several different puzzle themes like construction, dinosaurs, princesses and more.

A beautiful and creative wooden toy that encourages open-ended play. The colorful arches can be stacked, nested, or used to create tunnels, bridges, and imaginative structures.

Jennie Utsinger said:  This gorgeous hand-carved rainbow offers endless play possibilities. It's one of those perfect versatile toys for 4 year olds, but delights kids of all ages - and grownups too! Balance the pieces on top of each other, create bridges for cars, rock your dolls, or practice your colors.

Tim Ponisciak said:  These transportable goals are fun gifts for 4 year olds who are just getting started with the sport. There are different sizes depending on your child's ability level. They are also small enough to be used inside if you have a room safe from breakables!

Experiencing the life cycle of the butterfly up close is a fun science experiment for animal-loving kids. This kit comes with a voucher that you can redeem for a caterpillar delivery once you're ready (and the weather is right).

Carly Follett said:  Every time we are at the store, my son asks me if he can slide my card, punch in my pin, get the receipt and get the change. Well with this toy, he can do it all and more! My son loves playing with this register using the money and acting like he is a real cashier. These are great toys for 4 year olds, and I love that they incorporate learning through play!