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The 30 Best Gifts to Give 4-Year-Olds Who Have Everything

Yep, you know the one.

Headshot of Maggie PanosBy Maggie Panos
stuffed dog and magnetic connecting tiles in pastel colorspinterest icon

Looking for a unique gift for the special preschooler in your life? Here's the bad news: The best toys for four-year-olds aren't one-size-fits all. The good news is that if you have an inkling of what they're into — crafting and art, building stuff, playing pretend — the perfect gift is but one click away.

Four-year-olds are past all the simple shape-sorting toys of toddlerhood but they're not quite ready for complex stuff like slime-building kits. They crave toys that will test their problem-solving skills, give them a sense of comfort, or allow they to create something new. Companies like Fisher-Price, Melissa & Doug, and Crayola reign supreme when it comes to this age range. From plastic drills to art easels to sets of glitter pens, they know what kids like. Also in right now? Throwback toys like Lite Brite, Lincoln Logs, and beginners board games like Chutes and Ladders.

Whether you're looking for a birthday gift, a Christmas present, or just something that says "I love you," we have indoor and outdoor toys for four-year-olds at every price point. Don't be that person that gives a kid a pair of shoes — unless, of course, they're really cool shoes — when there are so many great toys, games, and stuffed animals in the world. And the best news of all? These are all available on Amazon, meaning they can probably ship overnight. (Looking at you, procrastinators.)

1
educational toy

Magnetic Tiles

Magnetic Tiles
1
educational toy

Magnetic Tiles

Now 40% Off
$24 at Amazon
Credit: DUMMA

These neat magnetic tiles snap into place with each other to build shapes and objects. They're a perfect fit for kids who are just beginning to build complex structures.

2
multiple color options

Race Track Toy

Race Track Toy
2
multiple color options

Race Track Toy

Now 25% Off
Credit: TEMI

This cause-and-effect race track is so popular with my own four-year-old and her friends that we had to buy a second one. It's by far the most popular toy when people come visit — even parents think it's cool.

3
mess-free fun

Toyk Water Doodle Mat

Water Doodle Mat
3
mess-free fun

Toyk Water Doodle Mat

Now 32% Off
Credit: Toyk

By age four, most kids aren't writing on walls and spilling paint on the carpet, but it's still good to have an art toy that eliminates the risk of stains. This water doodle mat features a white mat that changes color when it gets wet, so there's no ink involved.

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4
outdoor toy

Bubble Leaf Blower

Bubble Leaf Blower
4
outdoor toy

Bubble Leaf Blower

Credit: Duckura

Kids. Love. Bubbles. It's a universal truth! And with this bubble blower, they can be in charge of spraying bubbles all over the yard.

5
durable toy

Rindol Kids Camera

Kids Camera
5
durable toy

Rindol Kids Camera

Credit: Rindol

Remember when digital cameras were hundreds of dollars? Now you can get one built just for kids for under $30! This one is easy to use and won't break (or even crack) when it falls on the ground.

6
fun for all ages

Kidz Bop Karaoke Microphone

Kidz Bop Karaoke Microphone
6
fun for all ages

Kidz Bop Karaoke Microphone

Credit: Move2Play

If you also listened to the original Kidz Bop compilation album back in 2001, you might be surprised to hear that the brand is still thriving. Amazon reviewers love the official microphone, which comes in three colors.

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7
outdoor toy

Animal Bean Bag Toss

Animal Bean Bag Toss
7
outdoor toy

Animal Bean Bag Toss

Now 36% Off
Credit: Toyk

This fold-out game is ideal for outdoor parties, but it's also a fun way to play inside on a rainy day.

8

Light-Up Unicorn Terrarium Kit

Light-Up Unicorn Terrarium Kit
8

Light-Up Unicorn Terrarium Kit

Now 17% Off
Credit: Dan&Darci

There's nothing four-year-old girls love more than a unicorn! This terrarium kit doubles as a nightlight.

9
sensory toy

Flower Garden Building Toy

Flower Garden Building Toy
9
sensory toy

Flower Garden Building Toy

Credit: BiRANCO.

Sharpen their gardening skills (even in the winter) with this buildable flower kit. There are endless combinations and speaking from experience, it's one toy that's actually really pretty to leave up around the house.

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10
outdoor toy

Island Genius 3-in-1 Sports Center for Kids

3-in-1 Sports Center for Kids
10
outdoor toy

Island Genius 3-in-1 Sports Center for Kids

Credit: Island Genius

Get them outside with this introduction to sports! This multifunctional center includes equipment for soccer, hockey, and basketball.

11
boredom buster

Simplay3 Fast Track Downhill Raceway

Fast Track Downhill Raceway
11
boredom buster

Simplay3 Fast Track Downhill Raceway

Credit: Simplay3

You might be shocked at how long kids can be entertained by two cars going down a slide. This raceway is lightweight, easy to assemble, and can be used with the cars included or basically any other small car.

12
classic gift

Lite Brite Ultimate Classic

Ultimate Classic
12
classic gift

Lite Brite Ultimate Classic

Now 35% Off
Credit: Lite Brite

Lite Brite is still a thing! Four-year-olds may not grasp how to recreate the advanced designs on the box yet, but they'll still have fun placing the pieces and turning the light on.

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13
outdoor toy

MindSprout Pogo-Saurus

Pogo-Saurus
13
outdoor toy

MindSprout Pogo-Saurus

Now 15% Off
Credit: MindSprout

Pogo-Saurus is more than a bouncy toy; it's a bouncy dinosaur. Amazon reviewers praise the toy's ability to improve their child's balance.

14
sensory toy

National Geographic Natural Sand with Castle Molds

Natural Sand with Castle Molds
14
sensory toy

National Geographic Natural Sand with Castle Molds

Credit: National Geographic

Slime is so yesterday; 2023 is all about sand. This STEM-approved play sand kit comes with three colors and several molds. It never dries out, so kids can use it year after year.

15
arts and crafts gift

Crayola Washable Glitter Glue

Washable Glitter Glue
15
arts and crafts gift

Crayola Washable Glitter Glue

Credit: Crayola

You can't miss with glitter glue, one of the most coveted items in any four-year-old's art supply area. Crayola's easy-squeeze glue is washable, which is key.

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16
arts and crafts gift

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Art Easel

Deluxe Standing Art Easel
16
arts and crafts gift

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Art Easel

Credit: Melissa & Doug

Melissa & Doug's easel for kids is one of the most durable on the market and comes equipped with both a whiteboard and a chalkboard. It's more of an investment, but it's worth the money.

17
classic board game

Hasbro Gaming Chutes and Ladders Board Game

Chutes and Ladders Board Game
17
classic board game

Hasbro Gaming Chutes and Ladders Board Game

Now 19% Off
Credit: Hasbro Gaming

At age four, kids are just beginning to understand concepts like rules and turn-taking. Chutes and Ladders is a classic board game that will teach them causes and effects.

18
encourages fine motor skills

MGA's Miniverse Make It Mini Food

Make It Mini Food
18
encourages fine motor skills

MGA's Miniverse Make It Mini Food

Credit: MGA's Miniverse

Tiny food is endlessly entertaining for small kids — as long as they know it's not edible. These orbs from MGA's Miniverse contain all the pieces to create a miniature dessert for his or her stuffed animals to "eat."

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19
best doll for 4-year-olds

Corolle 12" Baby Doll

12" Baby Doll
19
best doll for 4-year-olds

Corolle 12" Baby Doll

Credit: Corolle

If they're all about dolls, Corolle's baby doll sets the standard. The 12-inch version comes in six different styles, including a ballerina. You might notice they give off a slight vanilla scent, which is a welcome difference from a real baby.

20
classic toy for kids

Mr. Potato Head Create Your Potato Head Family

Create Your Potato Head Family
20
classic toy for kids

Mr. Potato Head Create Your Potato Head Family

Credit: Mr Potato Head

Mr. Potato Head remains one of the best toys for toddlers and small kids. With removable parts, children can create silly faces all day long.

Headshot of Maggie Panos
Maggie Panos
Contributing Writer

After over a decade as a digital editor, Maggie Panos is navigating freelance writing and full-time parenting. She covered entertainment for POPSUGAR from New York and San Francisco before setting down roots in tree-covered Portland and focusing on local journalism. A self-proclaimed "okay baker", Maggie is interested in all things lifestyle — especially if those things involve Bravolebrities. 

Kids

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