26 Best Toys for 4-5 Year Olds - Happy Toddler Playtime (2024)

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UPDATED 2022: 26 of the best toys for 4-5 year olds or kindergartners that will excite and thrill them as well as keep them learning and developing key skills.

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Toys for Kindergartners 4-5 Years Old

This is the age where toys get really cool! From detailed dragon castles to building and creating your own fort, the toys for the kindergarten or 4 to 5 year old level are one of my favorites.

Toys that will Add to Their Collection

This list of toys builds on lists in the past. It adds to set they already love and have such as magnetic tiles and it also introduces toys that they are familiar with but may have out grown such as LEGO.

The puzzles are a bit harder and the games more intricate but all still on the level of a kindergartner.

The Best Toys for 4-5 Year Old Kindergartners

(This post and list contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may earn a commission. Please visit my disclosure policy for more information.)

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Play Dough Sensory Kits

Play is at the core of learning during the early years and it can take many forms. One of the most important of these is sensory play because it engages all of a child’s senses (taste, touch, smell, sight and hearing) and has a enormous positive impact on brain development. My Sensory Play Kits are a fun and easy way to keep your child engaged while at the same time capitalizing on the benefits of sensory play to nurture their mind!

Shop my ready made sensory play kits here

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Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids

Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more.

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Connetix Magnetic Tiles

I first bought these amazing magnetic tiles when my kids were toddlers and now I am just adding to their sets. Their imaginations are bigger and more tiles lets them keep creating.

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Surprise Powerz STEM Dolls

Prepare your little girl for tomorrow today with these adorable. STEM role models. STEM role models matter for early learners and particularly for girls in preschool and kindergarten. These kids are not too young to learn STEM! Surprise Powerz dolls are made with FunScience, Tech, Engineering and MathEarly Learning Frameworks!Made withreal girls’ voicesto reflect a true representation of their culture.And made toinspiregirls to break barriers.

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Creativity for Kids Create With Clay Dinosaurs

Bring three dinosaurs to life with vibrant clay! Art, adventure, science and fun all combined for the perfect steam experience. Dinosaurs allow children to learn and fantasize about prehistoric times through creative play. F This open ended craft kit allows kids to use their creativity to inspire their dinosaur creations. Develop fine motors skills while creating with clay!

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SmartGames Smart Farmer Board Game

Smart Farmer features 60 challenges with horses, pigs, cows and sheep. Children can build upon their spatial insight, planning, problem solving, concentration, and flexible thinking while playing the Smart Farmer board game. It’s so fun to play, they’ll forget they’re learning!

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Play22 Take Apart Racing Car Toy

Take Apart Racing Car Toys and Build Your Own Toy Car.

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Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope

It’s the only talking microscope for kids! This GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope introduces preschoolers to even more amazing animals, plants, and household items. There are 5x more images to view and learn about and 20 total prepared slides. Little ones choose from Fact Mode to learn about the items on a slide or Quiz Mode to test their scientific skills.

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Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears!

This engaging set features plastic gears, cranks, connectors and interlocking base plates for endless construction possibilities! The included Activity Guide covers building basics that lay the foundation for basic cause and effect. Children can then create a crawling caterpillar and a souped-up race car!

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B. Toys Pop-Arty! Snap Beads Jewelry Kit

The B. Pop-Arty Jewelry Fashion Kit features 500 unique shapes and designs, including 12 rings and 6 bracelets, that are fun to create and wear. This kit is perfect for a play date, rainy day or party fun. B. Pop-Arty beads snap together quickly, securely, and easily. They’re also reusable, so you can make it, wear it, remake it, and wear it again! Includes a convenient clear storage tub with carrying handle, which makes cleanup easy and travel hassle-free. Ages 4 years and up.

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Melissa & Doug Solid Wood Project Workbench Play Building Set

Keep that little builder busy with this sturdy wooden workbench that’s just the right size, right down to the nuts and bolts. This set includes a functioning vise, a tool rack, wooden tools and hardware, and a storage shelf. Ideas to spark the imagination are included! Our wooden workbench for kids is made of high-quality wood to ensure durability and safety. . The Wooden Project Solid Wood Workbench is a great gift for kids ages 3 to 6.

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PAW Patrol: The Movie – 4-Game Adventure City Pack

With this 4-game gift set, you will have way more than an evening’s worth of entertaining games from the new film- PAW Patrol: The Movie. You will receive The Adventure City Lookout Game, Pop-Up Game, 72-Card Memory Match Game, and 28 Wooden Dominoes. Perfect for children ages 4 and up, these are great games to play alongside your kids or drop them off at a game night with friends – they will be the star of the party!

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Binoculars

These are fun going a hike or just bird watching in our backyard. A great gift for any budding scientist.

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Kinetic Sand Plus Tools

Kinetic sand is a fantastic sensory bin filler. I like to make my own but I also have purchased it in the past. The tools included in this set a great for continue to develop those fine motor skills.

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Camera

Great little camera to let your little one capture their world from their vantage point.

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Wooden Crane Set

This wooden crane is the perfect pairing with almost any other set.

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Dragon Castle

This is one of the most played with toys in my house. Both by my 6 year old and 2.5 year olds. The scenarios and games they come up with when playing with this castle is truly magical. One of my favs.

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Lego

Not much more I can say about these other than they are a childhood staple. Do yourself a favor and continue to build your child’s LEGO set so their creations can grow.

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Board Games

Boards games are fun during playdates or family nights. This game is a lot for kindergartners and a great starter board game.

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Hands-On Learning Games

Run your own detective agency with this fun game that is compatible with an iPad or Fire Tablet. Travel to six famous cities, inspect hundreds of clues with your magnifying glass, and learn about geography and cultures around the world!

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Floor Puzzles

Doing larger more complicated puzzles is a lot of fun at this age. This floor or jumbo puzzle is a great shift for kindergartners moving away from smaller puzzles but still need large pieces.

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Garbage Truck Toy

Still little kids, building on their truck and car collection is great for kindergartners. These toys are great for incorporating into more complex play scenarios.

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Pop-Up Tent

Create a little reading nook for your kindergartner with a pop tent. These are great ways for your little one to show their personality. Let them decorate it with their favourite stuffed animals, dolls or action figures.

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Walkie-Talkies

Whether they are playing with you or with their friends walkie-talkies are a toys for kindergartners. These are great for outdoor or indoor play.

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Fort Building Kits

Oh this is one of my favourite toys no only because it keeps the cushions on my couch but also because it keeps them engaged for so long. Design and build and play – such as great combination in a toy!

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Race Track

A racetrack they can build and get creative with. I like this because it lights up. Take it into he basem*nt and watch the car race in the dark!

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Outdoor Excavator Toy

Such a fun for some many reasons. Allows your kindergartner to pretend to be working on a construction site. The best part is that you can also use this in the snow! Your kids will quickly become obsessed with this toy.

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Marble Run

A lot of and a great fine motor and spatial reasoning toy. This takes Pom Pom drops to a whole new level.

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More Toy Guides for Every Age

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  • Toys for 1 Year Olds
  • Toys for 2 Year Olds
  • Best Toys for 3 Year Olds
  • Best Toys for 6-7 Year Olds
  • Montessori Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers
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FOUND THIS GUIDE FOR TOYS FOR 4-5 YEAR OLDS OR KINDERGARTNERS HELPFUL? PIN IT FOR LATER!

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26 Best Toys for 4-5 Year Olds - Happy Toddler Playtime (2024)

FAQs

Which toy would be most appropriate for a 4 year old child? ›

"Puzzles with greater complexity are appropriate for 4-year-olds as they develop better fine motor skills, coordination and greater problem-solving skills. Construction-type toys, like wooden or foam blocks, larger LEGO sets and magnetic tiles also further encourage problem-solving skills.

What does a 4 year old like to play? ›

Kids at this age are learning to hop, skip and jump forward. They are eager to show off how they can balance on one foot, catch a ball or do a somersault. Preschoolers and kindergarteners also might enjoy swimming, playing on a playground, dancing and riding a tricycle or bicycle with training wheels.

What do 5 year olds like to play? ›

Active
  • Push and pull toys, like wagons and strollers.
  • Toys that mimic adult tools, like a vacuum, shopping cart and small wheelbarrow.
  • Rocking horse.
  • Tricycle with helmet.
  • Jump rope (from 5 years)
  • Small bike with training wheels, footbrakes and a helmet (from 5 years)
  • Balls.
  • Lightweight, soft baseball and bat.

What is the most appropriate toy for a toddler? ›

Look for toys that spark a child's imagination.

Examples: Dress-up clothing, blocks, toy food and plastic plates, action figures, stuffed animals and dolls, trains and trucks, toddler-friendly dollhouses, toy tools, and “real-life” accessories such as a wrapping paper tube “fire hose” for your little fire fighter.

What do 4 5 year olds play with? ›

Squishing, sculpting and moulding. As well as being great fun, modelling dough like Play-doh helps build strength in hand muscles. This helps children with writing and cutting with scissors – essential skills for a 4-5 year old.

What is the most popular kids toy ever? ›

The Top Ten Best Selling Toys of All Time: A Sneak Peek at the Most Popular Playthings of All Time
  • Rubik's Cube. The Rubik's Cube was invented in 1974 by a Hungarian sculptor and professor named Ernő Rubik. ...
  • Barbie. ...
  • Lego. ...
  • Teddy Bear. ...
  • Tamagotchi. ...
  • Star Wars Figures. ...
  • Yo-Yo.
May 22, 2022

What makes a 4-year-old happy? ›

At 4-5 years, children express many emotions, make new friends and play make-believe games. Preschoolers also enjoy numbers, tall stories and physical activity. Activities that are good for development include reading, creative play, indoor and outdoor play, turn-taking games and cooking.

Should a 4-year-old be able to write their name? ›

Some children are able to do so by age 4, but many typically-developing children won't put in an honest effort until they're 5 or so. However, if they're nearing age 6 and still haven't made progress on this front, they may need some additional help to get going.

How do I entertain my 4-year-old at home? ›

Games and activities
  1. Read books together. Read books of all kinds to your child: picture, words and pictures, pop up, information and poetry. ...
  2. Go to the library. Visiting the library is a great way to explore books together. ...
  3. Sing counting songs. ...
  4. Cut and paste. ...
  5. Dressing up. ...
  6. Play maths games. ...
  7. Cook together.

What makes a 5 year old happy? ›

"Connect with them, play with them," he advises. "If you're having fun with them, they're having fun. If you create what I call a 'connected childhood,' that is by far the best step to guarantee your child will be happy." Play creates joy, but play is also how your child develops skills essential to future happiness.

How do I keep my 5 year old entertained? ›

Learn a magic trick.
  1. Cut out homemade paper dolls.
  2. Play freeze tag.
  3. Play “Simon Says.”
  4. Interview a grandparent.
  5. Get out a bag of hair ties and create some fun hairdos.
  6. Go to the library.
  7. Go on a hike.
  8. Build a sandcastle.
Dec 14, 2023

What games should 5 year olds play? ›

Top 10 Games for 5 Year Olds
  • Magic Mountain. Let's take turns to roll a marble down the “hill” and try to hit the students but not the witches! ...
  • Outfoxed. Put on your detective hat and deduce who stole the pie! ...
  • Monza. Who doesn't love a race? ...
  • Maze Racers. ...
  • My First Castle Panic. ...
  • Color It! ...
  • Concept Kids. ...
  • Similo.
May 8, 2023

What toys are not appropriate for toddlers? ›

Watch for Toy Dangers
  • Sharp edges and sharp points. Toys for older children may have sharp points or edges that can hurt a small child. ...
  • Small toys and toys with small parts. ...
  • Loud noises. ...
  • Cords and strings. ...
  • Toys that fly or shoot objects. ...
  • Electric toys. ...
  • Toys with magnets.

How many toys should a 4 year old have? ›

It's important not to overwhelm the play space with toys. As an approximate guide, try to keep the number of toys immediately available to under 4 for a premobile child, under 8 for a crawling child, and under 12 for a toddler, depending on the size of the space and number of parts to each toy.

Which toy is the most developmentally appropriate for an 18 to 24 month old child? ›

Melissa & Doug Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzles Set

Hernandez calls these jumbo knob puzzles one of the most developmentally appropriate toys for an 18-24-month-old. “They're the the perfect size for tiny hands and help develop fine motor and cognitive skills,” she says.

Is Toy Story appropriate for a 4 year old? ›

Content that may disturb children

In addition to the violent scenes mentioned above, Toy Story 4 has some scenes that could scare or disturb children under five years: Gabby Gabby has a team of evil, creepy, threatening ventriloquist henchmen. They pop up all over the place.

What things do 4 year olds need? ›

Children this age need 10 to 13 hours of sleep a day (including naps). Consistent sleep times make it easier! Give your child toys or things that encourage his imagination, such as dress-up clothes, pots and pans to pretend cook, or blocks to build with.

What do 4 year olds like for their birthday? ›

Bestselling gifts for 4-year-olds
  • To learn problem-solving. Skillmatics Card Game. $14.97. ...
  • To encourage creativity. Less Mess Painting Activity Kit. $16.52. ...
  • For STEM play. Pretend & Play Calculator Cash Register. $25.72. ...
  • To use their imagination. Dinosaur World Road Race. ...
  • A modern fairytale retelling. The Three Billy Goats Gruff.
Apr 5, 2024

Is Toy Story 3 ok for 4 year old? ›

Overall, the latest adventure shared by Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), and the rest of Andy's favorite toys is kid-friendly -- but there's a fairly long scene of the toys in serious peril toward the end of the movie that many 3- to 5-year-olds could find quite upsetting.

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