The Best Toys for 4-Year-Olds

I’ve been a parent for eight years, and have had the pleasure of parenting two rambunctious four-year-olds – a boy and a girl. Between them, I reckon I’ve seen every category of toy filter through our house: the instant hits, the slow burns, the ones you love that they don’t (heartbreaking), and the ones that get played with daily until they’re part of the furniture.

Four is a magic age, but it’s also a tricky one. They’re so independent… until they’re not. One minute they’re insisting I can do it myself, the next, they’re on your lap, asking you to zip their jacket, pour their water and wipe their nose. They’re imaginative and wildly curious, but still deeply attached to play that mirrors real life – cooking, building, fixing, running ‘shops’, and organising elaborate social situations between dolls, dinosaurs and whoever else is invited.

Developmentally, four-year-olds are right in the sweet spot of pretend play, problem-solving, early STEM thinking, creative exploration, and the first sparks of real independence. The toys that land best at this age are the ones that let them lead, test ideas, and make sense of the world around them – which is why design-led, purposeful toys can make such a difference.

And with holiday gifting season already ramping up (how the eff is it Christmas again already!?), now’s the perfect time to choose things they’ll love long after the wrapping paper is gone. Consider this your real-parent-tested guide to the best toys for four-year-olds this year.

Janod Dolls House

Four-year-olds are deep in pretend-play territory, and a doll house is such a great anchor for that world. Think role-play, storytelling, cause-and-effect and early independence. This one reminds me of the dollhouse my pop handmade me as a kid – big enough that I could kneel beside it and rearrange every room with intense focus. The best doll houses are simply furnished, so kids can project their own ideas rather than be guided by too many bells and whistles. My daughter has reimagined hers as everything from a shopping centre to a school.

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Olli Ella Dozy Dinkums

These are the sweetest soft-bodied dolls for this age, especially for kids who love play that mimics real life. We have way too many Olli Ella dolls, but I struggle to stop myself from adding to our growing collection. The carrier is a huge hit too – there’s something about popping a doll in a sling and taking them on adventures that just unlocks their nurturing instinct. They’re thoughtfully made, beautifully simple, and perfect for imaginative play.

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Connetix Rainbow Square Pack 42pc

A forever favourite for preschoolers and, honestly, one of the most worthwhile toys you can own. They build fine motor skills, patience, colour recognition, early engineering thinking, and open-ended imagination. Yes, they are more expensive than the no-name versions. But the longevity? Incredible. My daughter will potter for ages, building castles, roads and ball runs. It’s one of the few toys I can confidently say will buy you more than 10 minutes of solo play.

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Janod Mermaids Puzzle

This is the age where puzzles start clicking. Look for 24–48 piece puzzles with themes they already love – animals, vehicles, fairies, whatever their thing is. Puzzles build concentration, spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills. And they’re calm. We love calm around here.

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Banwood Eco Scooter

Four is prime scootering age. A good scooter builds gross motor skills, confidence and resilience (they will fall, they will get back up, and you will be very proud). It also burns energy, which, let’s face it, is the real win. Plus, it’s one of the easiest toys to integrate into everyday life. School runs, park trips, quick errands – suddenly everything becomes a scoot. And if you have more than one kid, this is one of the few toys that will genuinely get used for years.

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Janod Sardine Fishing Game

A simple, clever little game that works beautifully for concentration and hand-eye coordination. It’s quiet, compact, and surprisingly captivating. Perfect for winding down.

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Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg The Jolly Christmas Postman

Yes, it’s technically a book. No, she can’t read yet. But the tiny letters and envelopes? She is obsessed. It’s interactive, full of festive charm, and has just the right amount of magic for this age. One of those books you’ll end up reading together over and over. (Ask me how I know.)

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Janod Magnetibook Alphabet

A fantastic intro to letters without the pressure of learning to read. Kids can match magnets, build simple words, experiment with sounds and recognise patterns. It’s also great for fine motor skills and independent concentration. Easy to travel with, too. Mine is currently using hers to ‘write’ everyone’s names in the family, including the dog, which is unbelievably cute.

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BT Chaps Bobo Bear Brown ECO

One of those comforting toys that gets dragged from room to room and tucked into beds, baskets and prams. I firmly believe all children need a soft, squishy teddy, and Bobo is perfect. He’s super-snuggly and easy to cart around, so he’ll instantly become part of their games. Great for imaginative play and emotional comfort, and very cute sitting on a nursery shelf.

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