31 Open Ended Toys Kids Will Play with for Years

Kid-sized cleaning set with realistic wooden tools including a mop, broom, duster and dustpan that encourage hands-on role play and responsibility.

Bristle Blocks are versatile building toys for toddlers and preschoolers made of soft, flexible plastic with tiny bristles on all sides. They connect in any direction, allowing for endless creative possibilities and helping children develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and problem-solving abilities.

Inspired by Waldorf Toys, play silks allow children to use their imaginations. Use them for capes, dress up, doll blankets, costumes and accessories, and more!

Jaclyn Keifer said:  Your children will love to dance, move, and dress up with these scarves.

This bright and colorful workbench gives preschoolers a chance to safely mimic using tools such as a hammer, wrench, and screwdriver to promote imagination and develop fine motor skills.

Alexandra F. said:  We got this tool bench for my 2-year-old because he and his 4-year-old brother love playing with their toy tool sets so much, and it has been THE biggest hit. It will honestly keep them (and their older siblings and cousins!) entertained for so much longer than most toys, and the set is really well made and super easy to put together.

A classic open-ended toy beloved by kids, and which can be found in countless shapes, styles and sizes.

Alexandra F. said:  All four of my kids have used their stuffed animals in some of their most creative, elaborate and imaginative games over the years. I don't love how they tend to accumulate, but I’ve found there are a select few that get used over and over, so I just do a purge of the others every once in a while. My kids especially love having “moms” and “babies” for their games, and animal toys over any branded characters. Jellycat makes some of the softest, cuddliest stuffed animals I’ve found, but my kids also love the realistic Wild Republic stuffed animals they always seem to sell in zoo gift shops.

Realistic police officer costume with plenty of accessories, including jacket, cap, badge, name tag, whistle, handcuffs, and sound-effect walkie-talkie (batteries required).

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.

Tracy Snyder Molina said:  When my boys were younger, our train table was the highlight of their playroom. One of the best things about the table is it keeps all the tracks and accessories off your floor and higher up at the kids' eye level. This train table comes with 120 colorful pieces that are also compatible with Thomas & Friends and Brio wooden train sets. Here's an extra tip: as your kids get older you can convert the table into a LEGO table. There are lots of how-to videos available online about how to make one!

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.

Kristy Pepping said:  My seven-year-old and her friends are really into playing American Girl dolls these days. However, there are so many 18-inch dolls on the market, a doll purchase does not have to break the bank.

This helicopter with two spinning propellers is made of durable, eco-friendly recycled plastic. It is smooth, with no sharp edges, and is free of BPA, phthalates, PVC, and external coatings. It's even dishwasher safe for easy cleaning!

Alexandra F. said:  Waldorf play stands are the ultimate open-ended toy, and I wish I had known about them when my first was born so we could have gotten a couple of decades of use out of them! The simple, versatile design inspires imaginative, open-ended play, serving as a play kitchen, market, fort, reading nook - whatever your kids can imagine! Plus, they are functional AND beautiful. This is the set I’m planning to get, but I've seen other beautiful play stands on Etsy. Though pricey, they are one of those toys that will get used over and over again over the years, and can replace other possible toy purchases (like a play kitchen). Some stands can also be purchased individually.

Alexandra F. said:  My toddler will spend HOURS outside digging in the dirt or sandbox with his construction truck toys, and this excavator is definitely the favorite. I love how sturdy and well-made all Bruder trucks are, and my truck-loving kids love that they are so realistic.

Babies, toddlers, children and adults can all develop balance, coordination, and core strength through fun, active play on this classic wobble balance board.

Jaclyn Keifer said:  The classic Waldorf balance rocker reimagined! The Wobble stimulates balance and poise. It invites movement for young and old—and for everyone in between. Get fit while playing together! But it's so much more: a bridge; a shop; a fort; a seat; an elephant's back; a slide; and so much more!

Compatible with other magnetic tiles, Mag Rush cranks up the excitement with drift-worthy tracks, knockdown tricks, and builds that don’t just sit there, they move, crash, and wow. With Mag Rush Neo City Knockdown, launch, crash, and chain-react your way through a city built for action. Fire up your car, trigger spinning obstacles, and set off launchers that send heads flying.

Alexandra F. said:  Little fairy and gnome dolls are classic Waldorf open ended toys made to inspire imaginative play! In the Waldorf tradition, they also encourage kids to play outside, create their own fairy homes, and act out stories from their imagination. Their small size makes them great Easter egg or advent calendar fillers, too!