40 Best Gifts for Four-Year-Olds, Endorsed by Real Parents

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• 1/40

  xo, Fetti Dinosaur Temporary Tattoos

  Even tiny gestures feel grand to four-year-olds, like a set of 40 assorted temporary tattoos. This deluxe kit is perfect to stock for a surprise on a rainy day or to keep as a “prize” for good behavior. The assortment pictured here may be dinosaur-themed, but the Amazon seller has all kinds of variety packs: race cars, rainbows, glow-in-the-dark planets, zoo animals…you name it. This thematic element makes them super fun, but also means they’re great for goodie bags if you’re hosting a kids’ birthday party.

  What our tester says: “My kids love them, because they’re a little bit more elevated than your average temporary tattoo. They love the shine factor. I love that they’re not just high-quality in design. They go on easily and last a lot longer than your average temporary tattoo, so I don’t have kids immediately complaining about their tattoo being ‘broken.’” —Brigitt

• 2/40

  Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Kids Microscope

  This talking microscope comes with 60 full-color slides of seeds, critters, and more. Simply place the slide in the viewfinder, and your kiddo will be delighted by more than 100 cool facts, all voiced by Bindi Irwin. The slides are very detailed and easy enough for kids to pop into place, the voice is super clear and enthusiastic, and there’s even a storage drawer for all of those little slides.

  What our tester says: “At my house this educational toy is a huge hit during playdates (I never thought I’d say that!). The kids are fascinated by the up-close and personal look at bugs, flowers, and more. I have to admit, I think it’s pretty cool too!” —Brigitt

• 3/40

  Perler Biggie Beads

  Cue the nostalgia for ’90s parents everywhere. Biggie Beads are essentially giant Perler beads, the colorful melty beads you know and love from your childhood. Since they’re bigger, parents say Biggie Beads are easier for four-year-olds to grasp as they build patterns and all kinds of unique creations. You can even pair the beads with assorted templates and trays to make the process even easier.

  What our tester says: “This activity buys me at least 30 minutes (parents everywhere know what a win that is), but here’s a pro tip: Don’t let kids dig through the big bucket. Instead, pour a handful into a small bowl, so you won’t be cleaning up little beads for days.” —Brigitt

• 4/40

  Micro Kickboard

  Parents say this three-wheeled scooter is—hands down—the easiest way to zap boredom. The two front wheels, wide kickboard, and lightweight design make it exceptionally easy for toddlers to master balance and coordination. With just a little bit of practice, they’ll be zooming around the neighborhood on long walks together. For extra allure, we recommend the version with LED wheels—you know the four-year-old set gravitates to anything that lights up!

  What our tester says: “This scooter was key for transitioning away from the stroller, because my son actually wanted to ride it, not sit in his seat. And because it’s not quite as bulky as a bike, it’s easy to take on the go, too. We take ours, well, everywhere—the park, on road trips, you name it.” —Brigitt

• 5/40

  LeapFrog Magic Adventures Telescope

  There’s the kind of gifts that are forgotten after one day—and then there’s this. At this age, they’re starting to ask big questions about the world, and space feels like this huge, mysterious play where anything is possible. Plus, stuff like stars, rockets, and planets are just plain cool and will interest them until they’re five, six, and beyond. This interactive telescope has fun games, quizzes, and real NASA photos and videos that make it super easy for them to use independently (hint: they won’t need constant help). On a clear night, they can even use it to take photos of the moon.

  What our tester says: “When you’re looking for that show-stopping gift—the one that makes them forget about every other present under the tree or at their birthday party—this is the one. My budding astronaut was soon spitting out fun facts about black holes, nebulas, and the rings of Saturn like a mini space expert.” —Christa

• 6/40

  Motoworx Toy Rocket Launcher

  Toddlers love to stomp, and this is one time you don’t have to say no. Simply load the foam rocket onto the launcher, then your child can give the inflatable pad a big ol’ stomp to send the rocket high into the air. Parents say you won’t believe how many hours your kid will spend launching rocket after rocket. And don’t worry, the rockets themselves are soft enough to use indoors without issue.

  What our tester says: “Even my two-year-old twins can dabble with this toy, but the bigger kids really send the rockets flying. We use our indoors and out; they love it either way. And I’ve never had an issue with the rockets damaging anything or hurting anyone.” —Brigitt

• 7/40

  Move2Play Kidz Bop Karaoke Microphone

  Have a pint-size performer on your hands? Parents and grandparents alike say this is the kind of toy your kid will cling to the second they tear open the package. The microphone connects to all kinds of streaming services—YouTube, Spotify, and more—via Bluetooth, so your little one can sing along to all their favorite songs. It even has four controls to change the sound of their voice; choose from high pitch, low pitch, chipmunk, and echo.

  What our tester says: “Honestly, my kids use this more to change their voice and say silly things than sing. But I don’t mind—they have a blast. It’s also a very portable toy, which is great for any family vacations.” —Brigitt

• 8/40

  Crayola Ultimate Light Board

  A fun stocking stuffer, this light-up board comes with six neon markers suitable for coloring on the plastic screen. A black background complete with a built-in light makes any design instantly shine. Think of it as a Lite-Brite without the tiny pegs that are easy to lose track of and the limitations of the grid—so way better for this age. When your little one wants to begin again, simply wipe it clean—baby wipes or paper towels do the trick!

  What our tester says: “This drawing board is lightweight and easy to hold, but also stands upright—perfect for displaying their proud creations. I also love that the markers tuck into the back for easy storage.” —Brigitt

• 9/40

  MindSprout Pogo Saurus

  My four-year-old couldn’t figure out a jump rope for the life of him, but he absolutely loves bouncing around on this kid-friendly pogo stick. The foam base is nice and stable, but they still get plenty of bounce to keep things fun. This is a go-to birthday party gift in our house—especially since it’s the perfect price point for classmates (and not another Lego set).” —Brigitt

• 10/40

  Let Loose Moose Hover Soccer Ball

  Like a sports game straight out of the future, this flat battery-powered soccer ball contains a fan that sends it gliding over hardwood, tile, asphalt, and even carpeted floors. And don’t worry: With a 360-degree foam bumper on each of the two included balls, your furniture is safe.

  What our tester says: “It’s a great energy buster on rainy days. I was a little worried about my baseboards at first—my kids send these things flying!—but I haven’t had a problem yet. The foam has held up great.” —Brigitt

• 11/40

  KidKraft Reversible Wooden Activity Table with Board

  Stepping on a Lego is sort of a rite of passage for parents, but this activity table lowers your chances just a little bit. The small wooden table, which is the perfect height for older toddlers, comes with 200 assorted building blocks, plus a 30-piece wooden train set. And at 16 inches high, it’s the perfect height for kids this age to kneel at.

  What our tester says: “It’s the perfect size for our playroom, yet there’s so much play potential. My kids huddle around ours multiple times a day.” —Brigitt

• 12/40

  ZMLM Scratch Rainbow Magic Paper

  Magic, indeed. Four-year-olds who love to color will delight in this spin on the classic craft. Instead of creating with markers or crayons, they’ll use a wooden stick to scratch off a thin black coating on the paper to reveal an epic rainbow design. This particular set comes with two spiral books packed with the special paper, stencils, wooden sticks, and a box to keep their creations safe.

  What our tester says: My kids (and all of their friends, for that matter) can’t get enough of these. They all make them for each other as little presents—it’s pretty cute…and, better yet, it’s an activity that buys me a fair amount of time.” —Brigitt

• 13/40

  Disney Frozen Me Reader by Editors of Phoenix International Publications

  For little ones who aren’t quite reading on their own yet, this “tablet” makes story time interactive and fun! It has buttons that match prompts in each of the eight books, letting it read the story aloud while your child follows along. The words are still printed on each page, so they can easily track the text and build those early reading skills.

  What our tester says: “We have about 20 versions of these Me Readers, and I partially credit them for my kid’s early independent reading abilities. They’re like having a storyteller with her at all times—but letting her feel in charge of the pacing.” —Christa

• 14/40

  ZOKON 3D Big Cloud Light Kit

  If you have a child who boycotts bedtime hard, this unique night light is worth a try. It comes with a remote that allows you to toggle through all different colored lights and even plays music. Hanging it is a cinch, too. It comes with a no-damage suction cup complete with a hook.

  What our tester says: “We don’t use any of the extras, like music. My son just plays around with the remote, staring at different colors, until he dozes off, and that’s fine by me, since it allows me to make my dinner in peace.” —Brigitt

• 15/40

  iPlay, iLearn Wooden Solar System Floor Puzzle

  Four-year-olds are usually a little bit too old for basic peg puzzles but too young for more complex jigsaws. This 48-piece floor puzzle strikes a happy medium. The durable wooden pieces are just as easy to hold as the more basic ones but have a more complex design to engage their ever-developing problem-solving skills. It even comes with a guidebook with fun facts about outer space.

  What our tester says: “I had to help my son at first, but now he does the whole thing on his own—and keeps asking to buy more puzzles.” —Brigitt

• 16/40

  Hasbro Gaming Candy Land Kingdom of Sweet Adventures Board Game

  You probably remember playing Candy Land as a kid—the game is a classic for good reason. It’s pretty sweet to look at, for starters, but it’s also simple enough for the youngest to make their way through the magical world to the finish line: the candy castle.

  What our tester says: “This was the first game my son and I successfully played together, and it was such a fun experience for both of us. Don’t pass over it for being basic—at this age, that’s perfect.” —Brigitt

• 17/40

  iShyan Crocodile Teeth Game

  This game of chance will have the whole family belly-laughing as each person plays a rudimentary version of Russian roulette with the crocodile’s teeth. Playing is easy: Just pick a tooth and hold your breath as you press it down, hoping the crocodile won’t snap his mouth down on your fingers. (Don’t worry—even the most cautious moms told us it’s gentle enough for toddlers.)

  What our tester says: “I remember playing some version of this when I was growing up…and loving it. It’s really cute to see my kids get so into it too.” —Brigitt

• Brittanica’s First Big Book of Why? By Sally Symes, Stephanie Drimmer”,”dek”:[“div”,[“p”,”Curiosity, managed. “,[“a”,{“href”:”https://www.glamour.com/gallery/best-parent-gifts”,”target”:”_blank”},”Parents will love”],” this book because it’s like the magic answer book to all those endless “Why” questions that 4-year-olds start asking non-stop. From “Why do we have eyelashes?” to “Why can’t penguins fly?”—this book explains everything in a fun, colorful, and easy way that makes sense to little ones to satiate their curiosity.”],[“p”,[“strong”,”What our tester says:”],” “Let’s face it, we don’t always know the answer to every question our four-year-olds throw at us. This book feels more satisfying than Googling and keeps kids excited about learning something new while giving parents a break from pretending to be a walking encyclopedia.” —Christa”]],”functionalTags”:[],”id”:”66f6ebd912738a1ceae7ad0f”,”isHedClickable”:false,”isPromotion”:null,”name”:”Brittanica’s First Big Book of Why? By Sally Symes, Stephanie Drimmer”,”offers”:[{“offerUrl”:”https://www.amazon.com/Britannica-First-Big-Book-Why/dp/1913750426/ref=asc_df_1913750426/?”,”price”:”$27″,”currency”:”USD”,”purchaseUri”:”https://cna.st/p/8fESWYnFUrhpYvrxwQbGv8u2725v7WBb1ncDBRvEE2BN4pX9CqHZK4ft7Zwma4vcQ5rwnTrvk9aMHSyavzTZjag8EjxWLN55mkvUhfvaPCv6u1WbxfmqmutFSiEfjA4fUsyp59LfjVwDuKUcGu2nmPzVcjeRvThVpx3Te5iN6tHv47RJKCXNYXaXiCTGuYWyfrUyBxGjsHajCJmMaxi4pmK5GbJNu2JUzyBSRf22d8r8yVwyxMN9euY8UL4d6rL1EEApZaYpaniNYTNwgahS4irQmxh2NMx3kCuGYZCeHoJGPK1Lf8″,”reducedPrice”:”$20″,”sellerName”:”Amazon”,”countryCode”:”US”}],”promotionHed”:null,”promotionText”:null,”socialIconsProps”:{“links”:[{“network”:”Pinterest”,”label”:”Post to Pinterest”,”url”:”https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.glamour.com%2Fgallery%2Fbest-gifts-for-four-year-olds&media=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.glamour.com%2Fphotos%2F66f6ec3d7b4611c938b0efa9%2Fmaster%2Fw_1200%2Cc_limit%2FBrittanica%25E2%2580%2599s%2520First%2520Big%2520Book%2520of%2520Why%2520By%2520Sally%2520Symes%2C%2520Stephanie%2520Drimmer.png&description=Brittanica%E2%80%99s%20First%20Big%20Book%20of%20Why%3F%20By%20Sally%20Symes%2C%20Stephanie%20Drimmer”}]},”itemSocialSharesProps”:{“showBookmark”:false,”links”:[]},”showLocalisedOffers”:true,”isUpcEnabled”:true,”index”:17,”showClampedProductDescription”:false,”isMobileView”:false,”hasMultipleImageSupport”:true,”showImageCreditText”:true,”showMultipleImageCount”:4,”hasProsConsFeature”:false,”hasRatingFeature”:false,”pros”:[],”cons”:[],”rating”:””,”order”:17,”totalCount”:40,”preHeaderOne”:”18/40″,”showOrderedGallery”:false,”hasAffiliateLinkDisabled”:false,”layout”:”ProductEmbed”,”component”:”unified_product_card”,”hasMultipleImage”:false,”componentType”:true,”showProsConsData”:false}”>

  18/40

  Brittanica’s First Big Book of Why? By Sally Symes, Stephanie Drimmer

  Curiosity, managed. Parents will love this book because it’s like the magic answer book to all those endless “Why” questions that 4-year-olds start asking non-stop. From “Why do we have eyelashes?” to “Why can’t penguins fly?”—this book explains everything in a fun, colorful, and easy way that makes sense to little ones to satiate their curiosity.

  What our tester says: “Let’s face it, we don’t always know the answer to every question our four-year-olds throw at us. This book feels more satisfying than Googling and keeps kids excited about learning something new while giving parents a break from pretending to be a walking encyclopedia.” —Christa

• 19/40

  KiwiCo Shine & Shadow Light Lab

  This is the age where your kid finds magic in everything—especially their own shadow! This awesome kit comes with a light projector, stand-up screen, wood stands, acrylic shapes, and even a dry-erase marker, so they can experiment with light, make shadows dance, create cool patterns, and get totally mesmerized by all the glow and movement.

  What our tester says: “My kiddo is obsessed with making shadow puppets and chasing their own shadow in the yard, so she got a kick out of creating a ‘shadow show’ in her very own bedroom. There’s a clear acrylic sheet where they can create their own drawings, too. It’s a great, quiet toy to calm little bodies before bedtime.” —Christa

• 20/40

  Scientoy Flower Garden Building Toy

  Today’s STEM toys go way beyond robots, and parents say this flower-garden-building set is a fantastic imaginative toy that provides hours of fun. The 130-piece kit includes 25 stamens, 45 flowers, 50 leaves, eight bases, and a watering pot. As your little kid assembles their own little garden, they’ll hone hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, and engage in pretend play.

  What our tester says: “There are a lot of pieces, but that’s part of what makes this toy special. My girls love swapping out the petals and stems to make new “arrangements” and the case helps keep things contained. —Brigitt

• 21/40

  Paint By Sticker: Unicorns & Magic by Workman Publishing

  Is there any four-year-old who doesn’t like stickers? This coloring-book alternative challenges creative kids to build a beautiful picture out of stickers; all they have to do is follow the numbers in sequence. Books are themed; select anything from unicorns to zoo animals, whatever strikes their fancy the most.

  What our tester says: “I am not a mom who likes arts and crafts—so many of those art supplies are way too messy—but this one I can totally handle. I just have work on suppressing my tendency for perfectionism and let them have at it, haha!” —Brigitt

• 22/40

  Connetix Rainbow Ball Run Pack

  If your little one can’t get enough magnetic tiles, they’ll love building, experimenting, and watching the balls zoom through their creation with this kit. It comes with fluted tubes, staircases, and many other bendy pieces to let kids experiment with different designs and tap into their engineering skills.

  What our tester says: “For a four-year-old, there’s probably nothing more exciting than a ball run. Watching the ball zoom down the track at top speed is pure magic—it’s fast, a little unpredictable, and keeps them totally hooked. But the real fun is building the track themselves. They get to design crazy twists, turns, and loops, all while learning about cause and effect, gravity, and momentum—without even realizing it.” —Christa

• 23/40

  Melissa & Doug Wooden Snacks and Sweets Food Cart

  If the 4-year-old in their life already has a wooden play kitchen, help them expand their offerings with this colorful wooden foot cart from Melissa & Doug. The adorable play set is the perfect size for this age group, and comes with more than 40 play food pieces: salty pretzels, sweet popsicles, ice cream cones, and all kinds of condiments to dress up their creations during imaginative play.

  What our tester says: One of my friends has this cart in her kitchen. It’s pretty enough to look at all the time, and it keeps her kids busy while she cooks or socializes. A win-win! – Brigitt

• 24/40

  Yoto Player Kids Bluetooth Speaker

  Think of the Yoto Player as your kid’s very own storyteller, music DJ, podcast, and learning device all wrapped into one fun, screen-free device. With its simple, no-fuss controls and endless audio content, it encourages independence while keeping them entertained and engaged—instead of your preschooler constantly grabbing your phone. Plus, it can double as a nightlight and alarm clock if your sleepyhead needs an assist in the morning.

  What our tester says: “This is a lifesaver, particularly on long car rides, to keep my kiddo entertained and happy. I just pop in a story card or some music, hand them their headphones, and enjoy a little peace and quiet—no more dreaded “Are we there yet?” on repeat!” – Christa

• 25/40

  KidKraft Majestic Mansion Wooden Dollhouse

  A dollhouse is a home run for the girls who love to play pretend, but many of them come with very little pieces that are still a little tricky for 4-year-olds to maneuver. This one solves that problem, since it’s jumbo—about four feet tall and four feet wide—giving your kiddo (and a friend or two!) more space to play. The wooden dollhouse comes with more than 30 accessories, from furniture to decor, to unlock play potential from day one.

  What our tester says: Is it big? Yes, but it’s so worth it. The bigger size makes it easier for my 4-year-old to play. And, even better, there’s room for both of my girls to sit and play together! – Brigitt

• 26/40

  Born Toys Toddler Dress Up Clothes

  A set of dress-up clothes is another great way to tap your child’s imaginative side. This set of six comes with costumes for role play both boys and girls will gravitate to, from community heroes to princesses. It also boasts accessories to elevate play time—think wands, handcuffs, stethoscopes, and more. One of the things parents love the most? Everything is machine-washable. And did we mention the set comes with a durable storage box?

  What our tester says: These costumes are constantly out of their storage box, but I consider that a good thing, because my kids (and their friends) absolutely love them. They’d wear them to school and errands if I’d let them. – Brigitt

• 27/40

  Stapelstein Rainbow Set

  Like stepping stones for your playroom or basement, this simple toy not only encourages creativity but also helps your kiddo hone their gross motor skills. There’s so much potential too: The stackable set can be used for fan favorites like The Floor is Lava, to create obstacle courses, to build towers and furniture, or to simply balance.

  What our tester says: I love that these stack up really neatly in the corner of the room, but end up everywhere once the kids take them out. Really, that’s a good thing! My kids get so creative with what they use these fun, foam stepping stones for. – Brigitt

• 28/40

  Mudpuppy We Are Colorful Skin Tone Crayon Set

  Whether your 4-year-old is still scribbling all over the place or laser-focused on staying inside the lines, coloring is the perfect way to unleash their imagination. With this set of skin tone crayons, they can celebrate diversity by drawing friends, family, or even themselves—bringing their artwork to life with realistic, inclusive portraits in every shade.

  What our tester says: “Not only does it make coloring more fun, but these crayons are a great way to start introducing conversations with your 4-year-old about how everyone is unique and beautiful no matter their skin tone.” – Christa

• 29/40

  Canal Toys Gabby’s Dollhouse Dough House

  When it comes to 4-year-old crowd pleasers, nothing beats dough. This set brings one of their favorite shows to life with squishy, colorful dough, two character molds, sticker sheets, and tools they’ll spend hours on.

  What our tester says: “Yes, anything involving dough will get a little messy, but it’s so worth it for the peaceful moments it brings. While they’re busy creating their own little Gabby’s Dollhouse world, there’s no buzzing, beeping, or loud noises—just pure (semi-quiet) playtime.” – Christa

• 30/40

  Highlights Preschool Big Fun Workbook

  Learning is so much more fun in workbook form, especially when said workbook is from famed Highlights. Inside, your kiddo will find hours worth of age-appropriate exercises covering the ABCs, sight words, phonics, numbers, shapes, colors, and more. There’s tracing, mazes, matching games, dot-to-dots, and scavenger hunts galore.

  What our tester says: It’s the perfect toy to bring on the go, whether that’s to the waiting room at the doctor’s office (key for keeping them away form those toys!) or an airplane trip to Grandma’s. I only wish there were more mazes; my kiddo can’t get enough of the mazes! – Brigitt

• 31/40

  Sensationally OT Dinosaur Sensory Dough Kit

  If those little hands always need to be doing something, stock up on these thoughtfully crafted sensory kits. Each kit has different themes, but this dinosaur one is particularly a hit with baby dinos that “hatch” from an egg, fossils, and footprint cutters. Your little paleontologist can dig, discover, and mold their own prehistoric world for hours.

  What our tester says: “Sensory kits open the door for a lot of open-ended play without taking up a ton of space. All the themed accessories that come along with the kit feel like little treasures when they open the box. I also liked extending the life of the kit by throwing in some other miscellaneous crafts I had lying around the house—like pom poms, glitter, or popsicle sticks.” – Christa

• 32/40

  Lovevery Part 1: Sounds to Reading

  You may know and love Lovevery’s Play Kits from your child’s baby days, but what you may not know is the brand recently expanded its offerings with reading skill kits to motivate your kid to read through play. It’s broken into three parts depending on your child’s current reading level, with Part 1: Sounds to Reading specifically designed for the Pre-K and Kindergartener crew. With the help of activities and games in their signature high-quality materials, like wood, your kiddo will get hands-on experience mastering letter sounds and building reading confidence.

  What our tester says: “It’s the perfect way to set a strong reading foundation without making it feel like ‘work.’ My kid loves the interactive games and activities, especially with tactical pieces like the wooden dogs in the Syllable Race Game. It keeps her engaged and excited about reading while reinforcing the skills she’s already learning in daycare.” – Christa

• 33/40

  Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Charge & Chase Challenge

  Monster trucks. Need I say more? Now throw in a track where they can launch their trucks over ramps, smash through obstacles, and race to the finish, and you’ve got the ultimate rainy day activity. The premise is simple: Skelesaurus (a dinosaur-inspired truck) and Bone Shaker (a Hot Wheels classic with a fierce skull-themed grill) race to the finish. As 4-year-old kids start to get a little more competitive, they’ll love testing out which trucks come out on top.

  What our tester says: “Racing monster trucks are endlessly replayable—each race brings fresh excitement as the outcome is always unpredictable. The thrill of victory (and the drive to try again if their favorite truck doesn’t win) keeps kids coming back for more.” – Christa

• 34/40

  Piggy Paint

  At this age kids start to get curious about their parents’ habits—and some might want to experiment with nail polish. You can feel better about putting this paint on kids’ nails, since it’s odorless and 100% nontoxic polish. The kit comes with three vibrant colors and a set of 3D nail stickers. – Brigitt

• 35/40

  Magna-Tiles Space 32-Piece Magnetic Construction Set

  By now, your average 4-year-old probably already has a stash of Magna-Tiles somewhere in their playroom, but it’s one of those toys (like Legos) where more is always better. And now, the brand is leveling up with awesome new themed sets like this space-inspired kit. Your little budding astronaut’s imagination will soar as they take their building skills to even greater heights.

  What our tester says: “4-year-olds aren’t just simply stacking simple boxes anymore—they’re creating space stations, rockets, and whatever other wild ideas they dream up. I call it ‘sneaky learning’ since they’re sharpening their problem-solving skills, building spatial awareness, and improving hand-eye coordination. Can we talk about how genius it is that the space shuttle doubles as Magna-Tile storage? Such a win.” – Christa

• 36/40

  Nintendo Princess Peach: Showtime!

  If they have an older sibling and love watching them play, Princess Peach: Showtime! on the Nintendo Switch is the perfect way to introduce them to gaming in a fun, age-appropriate way. They’ll have a blast swapping costumes, using cool powers, and saving the day—plus, they’ll get to cheer on a fierce female lead. It’s the perfect combo of adventure, creativity, and empowerment, making screen time way more interactive.

  What our tester says: “Chalk it up to playground chatter—my kiddo knew all about Princess Peach and the iconic Super Mario crew long before ever laying eyes on a screen. Peach stands out as a strong, fun character that kids instantly connect with, tapping into their sense of adventure and excitement. Each stage has directions to help them follow along and they just need two core buttons to be able to play.” – Christa

• 37/40

  Mattel Disney Princess Ready For The Ball Playset

  Imaginative play is everything at this age, so anything involving dressing up, storytelling, and—of course—princesses is bound to be a hit. With 25 adorable little accessories, a vanity, a dressing room, and storage, your kiddo can recreate scenes from all their favorite princess movies and feel like they’re truly part of the magic.

  What our tester says: “With 4-year-old birthday parties now featuring princess guest appearances left and right, your little one is probably already princess-obsessed. Make sure you have the living room space—this playset sprawls out to a full two feet to make them really feel immersed in their royal adventures.” – Christa

• 38/40

  Thames & Kosmos Pinball Machine Maker

  Part DIY project, part gumball dispenser, and 100% awesome. Your kid gets to design and reconfigure their very own arcade-style pinball machine—using actual edible gumballs as the pinball! It’s like turning physics into a game as they play with bumpers, slingshots, bells, ramps, and more to create their ultimate gumball track. Every time they rework the playing field, it’s a new—and tasty—adventure.

  What our tester says: “This checks off all the boxes for a 4-year-old’s favorite things: building, experimenting, and candy. This is the age where they love being hands-on and figuring out how things work, so the idea of designing their own gumball pinball machine taps into those problem-solving and creative skills. Plus, eating sweet treats as a reward for all their hard work? Win-win.” – Christa

• 39/40

  NewPlush Unicorn Pajamas

  They may technically be pajamas, but animal onesies, like this unicorn, are magical for kids. Trust use: They’ll want to wear theirs any chance they can get. The zippered one-piece is easy to get on and supersoft; plus, it’s machine-washable—a win for parents.

  What our tester says: My kids wear these (they have dino versions) to sleep, on play dates, and definitely for pajama day at school—just like half of the other kids who come out of the elementary school those days! – Brigitt

• 40/40

  Tender Leaf Toys Woodland Indoor Croquet Set

  After a few years of inventing their own rules, 4-year-olds are finally starting to get the hang of structured play and understanding how games actually work. This adorable set introduces them to croquet with bright colors, oversized mallets, and a simple setup to make it easy and enjoyable to play.

  What our tester says: “At 4, kids are really starting to refine their fine motor skills, and this game lets them show it off in a way they couldn’t before. The large targets and sturdy wooden mallets make the game less frustrating for them. The way their eyes light up when they get the ball through the wicket is such a confidence booster.” – Christa