31 Open Ended Toys Kids Will Play with for Years
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From building toys & dolls to play silks & trucks, these open ended toys are the ones our kids pulled out over and over again through the years for hours of imaginative play!
As parents, we know how easy it is for toys to accumulate - and how little play time many of these toys actually get! For those of us wanting to minimize the clutter, we're pulling together a list of open ended toys that can be used any number of ways for engrossing, creative play at any age.
Which toys get the most use in your home? Review your favorites below, and suggest any that are missing to share with fellow parents!
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Marble Genius Marble Run
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.
Step2 Water Play Table
Water table with toy accessories for kids to scoop, splash, pour and enjoy plenty of water fun.
Melissa & Doug Shopping Cart
The Melissa & Doug Shopping Cart is a sturdy, child-sized metal cart with pivoting front wheels that lets kids enjoy realistic, imaginative grocery play.
Magna-Tiles Magnetic Construction Set
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.
MÅLA Easel
An excellent value and quality easel and assembly will only set you back 5 minutes. Sturdy and a well-thought out design, with white board on one side, chalk on the other.
Melissa & Doug Play Food Sets
A beautifully painted 17-piece play food set with a wooden knife.
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Learning Resources Doctor Set
The Learning Resources Doctor Set encourages imaginative role play and early social skills as kids care for patients with realistic, kid-friendly medical tools.
Melissa & Doug Wood Building Blocks
Classic wooden building toys for kids, a set of high-quality building blocks will last a child for years, inspiring a whole variety of open-ended creative play and learning.
LEGO Classic Creative Brick Box
Plastic building toys for kids that have withstood the test of time. Always a good, safe gift option for the kid who has everything.
Green Toys Tea Set
A perfect first tea set! The Green Toys set is made out of recycled materials, it is non-toxic (does not contain BPA, phthalates, or lead paint), meets FDA food contact standards and is dishwasher friendly.
Kids Tool Box
Kids tool sets let little builders pretend and learn with realistic toy tools designed for safe, hands-on construction play.
Kelly R said: My kids both loved having a little tool set at age 3, and still played with it years later. Whenever my husband or I would fix something around the house, my son would grab the toolbox and come running to help.
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Schleich Animal Figurines
Schleich animal figurines are highly detailed, hand-painted toys that bring the animal kingdom to life. They are crafted with precision and authenticity, making them both fun and educational for children.
Baby Stella Dolls
Baby Stella dolls all feature magnetic pacifiers, life-like toes, fingers and belly button, perfectly plump tummies and embroidered facial features. With removable and interchangeable doll outfits and diapers, these ultra-soft and huggable first baby dolls truly are Baby's First Friend.
KidKraft Kitchen
The KidKraft Kitchen inspires imaginative play with realistic details, durable design, and plenty of space for kids to cook up their pretend feasts!
LEGO DUPLO Classic Brick Box
This line of larger, colorful building blocks is specially designed for toddlers and young children as early learning toys that promote creativity through safe and easy construction.
Alexandra F. said: These chunky bricks have been been used pretty much constantly in our home for the last 15 years, and are one of my favorite open ended toys because they can be used from such a young age and still be fun to play with even when kids are ready for the smaller LEGO sets. A couple of building plates, a set or two of classic bricks, and a few DUPLO figurines have been some of our most played with toys these last couple of decades.
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