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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $34.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $199.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $27.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $14.99-29.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $199.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99 EACH
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $14.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $49.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $59.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $24.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $21.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $149.98
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $69.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $5
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $99.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $42.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $49.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $39.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $34.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $109.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $124.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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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.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $49.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

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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!

About the author

Ashley Pelletier

Ashley Pelletier

Ashley is assistant editor for The Toy Insider, The Pop Insider, and The Toy Book with a Master's in journalism from Quinnipiac University. When she isn’t writing her latest story, she is reading a fantasy novel or rewatching one of her three favorite TV shows over and over again. She’s also a big fan of showing people pictures of her two dogs and cat.

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