Being 4 is an interesting time for kids. Some little ones are already well acquainted with other kids through a few years of daycare, playdates, and a year of threeschool under their belts, while others are still waiting to expand their social circles. But one thing’s for sure: Four year olds love to play pretend. Imaginative play is a huge part of kids’ cognitive development around this age, whether they are exploring different roles like homemaker, pilot, or baker or acting out scenes with action figures and character toys.
As you ease into holiday shopping for the kids in your life this year, it can get hard to balance where kids are in their development with their favorite interests. We’ve put together a list of 30 of the hottest toys designed for preschool-age kids that highlight imaginative play and collaboration along with some other Toy Insider favorites. Keep scrolling to check out all of our picks for your 4 year old or click here to check out all of this year’s Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide!
HATCHIMALS ALIVE HATCHI-NURSERY PLAYSET
Activate the multi-hatch feature by adding water to the cloud, pouring it down the rainbow, and watching the Hatchimals hatch in the cloud pool. Kids can feed their Hatchimals and put them to sleep in the crib.
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DISNEY PRINCESS STYLE COLLECTION FRESH PREP GOURMET KITCHEN
This kid-size play kitchen features five interactive appliances with lights and sound effects, a real “steam” feature, more than 35 accessories, and a Majestic Meal “Pasta Night” Kit with color-changing noodles.
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SWITCH & GO 2-IN-1 SPINO SPEEDSTER
Kids can combine the fiery-eyed, light-up Spinosaurus with the Pterodactyl to create a fireball-launching car. Launch two fireballs and launch Spinosaurus into dino mode with the press of a button.
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FLUFFIE STUFFIEZ
Pull, reveal, and stuff a second bestie with Fluffie Stuffiez! | Source: MGA Entertainment
Fluffie Stuffiez are available in several different shapes, including cloud. | Source: MGA Entertainment
Fluffie Stuffiez come with a reusable, sealable bag that turns all the extra fluff into a second Stuffiez. | Source: MGA Entertainment
MGA's Fluffie Stuffiez are available in two sizes. | Source: MGA Entertainment
Remove the outer layer of fluff to discover the character hiding underneath. The packaging doubles as storage for the removed fluff and becomes a second plush toy. Available in six small and four large styles.
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MONSTER MASH
In this fast-paced, easy-to-learn game, players press down on the monster's eye to see which monster card to look for. Kids have to move quickly and use their suction cup to “mash” the right monster.
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BARBIE DREAMHOUSE PLAYSET
This deluxe doll house has a spiral slide and a spacious floor plan with three levels and 10 living areas. It includes more than 75 accessories and customizable spaces, plus pet-friendly touches including a puppy slide and pet pool.
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SKILLMATICS FOIL FUN UNICORNS & PRINCESSES AND SPACE
Kids can select a picture, choose stickers, and apply color using the sparkly foil sheets. This no-mess activity keeps kids engaged in creative play at home or on the go.
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THE BEST WORST ICE CREAM
This simple and strategic game features wacky ice cream flavors like pizza, eyeballs, and earthworms that are sure to get kids laughing. Preschoolers will use reasoning skills and creative thinking to match flavors and fill their ice cream cones.
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BLUEY KEEPY UPPY GAME
Inspired by one of Bluey's favorite games, Keepy Uppy is a giggle-inducing electronic game for 2-3 players who use boppers featuring Bluey, Bingo, and Chilli to keep a balloon in the air.
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DC MINIS MULTIPACK
This Advent calendar-style multipack features graphic novel-inspired panels filled with 12 collectible characters from the DC Universe. Each figure is 1.5 inches tall, and there are three rarity levels: common, rare, and super rare.
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THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE — MARIO RUMBLE R/C KART
Inspired by the racer from The Super Mario Bros. Movie, this R/C vehicle functions with a 100-foot range. Mario's head and hands turn when the vehicle turns, and the tailpipes light up and rumble.
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GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE GABBY CAT FRIEND SHIP
As featured in the series Gabby's Dollhouse, this playset is complete with a color-changing pool, a diving board, a light-up disco ball/chandelier, a dance floor, and a photobooth.
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CARE BEARS SEQUIN CHEER BEAR
This limited-edition, medium-size plush features a glittery rainbow belly badge and rainbow sequins. Kids can snuggle up to this sparkly plush pal and spread its message of cheer.
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HOOT OR TOOT
Shake Mr. Owl and listen for the hoot or toot, then flip a token on the table to match it. Remember where each token is to collect them faster. The first player to collect six tokens featuring each color wins the game.
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MONKEY SEE MONKEY POO
Monkey See Monkey Poo is a game of tree-climbing, poo-fighting, banana-hungry monkeys. Kids will use the banana-scented monkey poo and monkey flingers to collect bananas from the tree and climb up the vine. The first monkey to reach the top wins the game.
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EXPLORER X
This 14-inch balance bike features a frame pad, footrests, gel handles, and an adjustable seat. Fully kid-powered, this starter bike is designed to develop balance and gross motor skills.
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SKETCH PALS FOREST FRIENDS
Choose from three clippable doodle buddies: Felix the Fox, Morris the Moose, or Izzy the Owl. Each features a tethered stylus and clips to backpacks or car seats for screen-free entertainment on the go.
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SPACE ROVER DELUXE CODING ACTIVITY SET
With simple push-button coding, kids can code their space rover through customizable mazes and coding challenges. Comes with a coding rover, an astronaut, a flag, space rocks and obstacles, maze tiles, and coding cards.
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STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE 3-INCH FIGURES
This collection of classic-inspired, 3-inch figures features Strawberry Shortcake and her gaggle of adorable friends, including Blueberry Muffin, Raspberry Tart, Lemon Meringue, Orange Blossom, and more. Each one is deliciously scented.
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GEOSAFARI JR. TALKING SPACE EXPLORER
Kids can explore the cosmos and spark curiosity about space with this talking space explorer. View more than 120 images and 13 videos (including ones from NASA) along with 200 space facts and quiz questions voiced by space expert and star of Netflix’s Emily’s Wonder Lab Emily Calandrelli.
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SWITCH & GO 3-IN-1 RESCUE REX
Kids can combine a fire truck, a rescue copter, and a police car into a roaring T. rex with animated eyes. The police car features lights and phrases, the fire truck has an extending ladder, and the helicopter has a spinning propeller.
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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EPIC FORTS — 70 PC KIT
Kids can build a variety of fort structures with bendable connectors and sturdy poles, making everything from domes and pyramids to rocket ships and anything else they can imagine. This kit comes with 70 pieces and detailed illustrated instructions that explain building basics, as well as how to build a hut and a mini rocket.
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WOODEN LIGHT-UP KIDS SCOOTER — SCOOTER FUN
This lightweight, kid-powered scooter features bright colors, light-up wheels, and a foot break. It also has adjustable, lean-to-steer handlebars so that it can grow with kids. It can hold up to 110 pounds.
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SING ALONG CREW T-REX KARAOKE PLUSH BACKPACK
Get kids singing with Lil' Rex, a plush backpack with the built-in speaker and microphone. Sing along to the two preloaded songs and add some fun with the two sound effects. Panda and Unicorn characters are also available.
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PRETENDABLES CINNAMON ROLL SET
Budding bakers can open the canister and pull out four plush cinnamon rolls, place them on the tray, “bake” them in the oven, and add “icing.” The oven doubles as a storage crate.
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FEELINGS ADVENTURE COOPERATIVE BOARD GAME
Players will work together and experience positive affirmations, skillful yoga poses, and reflection cards that spark conversations. With the 36 challenge cards and six bonus cards, kids can learn self expression, emotional regulation, and social skills.
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JET PILOT DASHBOARD
Aspiring pilots can prepare for takeoff with this interactive dashboard, which features lights, buttons, voice playback, a four-position throttle, and more. Kids can turn the steering yolk to move a mini-plane in a scrolling display.
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NUGLUG COMPLETE SET
This screen-free, portable educational system is designed to stimulate kids' curiosity. It comes with activities including a whiteboard for drawing; alphabet tiles; tangram puzzles; and 3D, magnetic building blocks.
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JURASSIC WORLD RAVENOUS RAPTORS: THE DINO CHOMPING GAME
Players must race to feed their hangry dinosaurs in this fast-paced game that's all about timing and tenacity. Bump the raptors' tails and chomp up all the carnivore and herbivore balls to eat the most and win the game.
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MY BAKING OVEN WITH MAGIC COOKIES
Little bakers can put their pretend cookies into the oven and close the door to see the light turn on. Then, set the timer and wait for the “ding.” When they open the door, the cookies have browned.
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For more top toy picks for kids of all ages, check out The Toy Insider’s annual Holiday Gift Guide, and find the perfect gift using our Perfect Present Wizard!
