Four is a magical age for children and parents alike. As children grow in confidence and independence, they start to enjoy activities that adults also love. The best gifts for four-year-olds encourage creativity, independence, and shared play. Here are 22 road-tested favourites, selected by kids and parents.
How I Selected the Gifts
I chose these gifts based on my own experience with toys that have lasted and that my children keep returning to. I also gathered opinions from other parents and parenting experts. My youngest daughter is three and a half, so some of her friends (aged three and four) came to our house to test the toys included below.
Best Gifts and Toys for Four-Year-Olds
Colour in the World
Packed with puzzles, colouring, and stickers, this beautiful book comes from the world of Oliver Jeffers, author of the bestselling book Lost and Found. This activity book is perfectly suited to small and big minds.
Here We Are Activity Book – £7.19 at the Guardian Bookshop, £7.59 at Amazon. Suitable for ages 3+.
Reach for the Stars
If you know a child who loves space, this 100-piece jigsaw ticks all the right boxes. Once finished, it becomes a charming image of a teddy bear in space. Jigsaws capture a child's imagination, build concentration, and provide fun time together.
Teddy in Space 100-piece puzzle – £19.99 at the Range. Suitable for ages 6+ for difficulty, but four-year-olds managed with help.
Time for Walkies
Four is an age when many children ask for a family pet. If that is not an option, an electronic pet is a great alternative. This toy responds to touch and sound, prompting sensitivity, care, and compassion. Dr Candice O'Neil, psychologist, notes that it mirrors real dog behaviours and encourages responsibility.
Interactive puppy toy – £13.99 at Amazon. Suitable for ages 3+.
Rolling, Rolling, Rolling
Most four-year-olds have mastered a scooter or balance bike, so roller skates are another fun option with wheels. Adjustable skates can be used for years. Practice at home first, and knee pads and wrist guards are recommended.
Kids four-wheel roller skates – £49.95 at Decathlon. Suitable for toddlers+.
Fun Socks
Colourful and recognisable patterns make socks a great present. Animal print, rainbows, and stripes are current favourites.
Safari Fun 2-pack socks – £8 at Rockahula and Not on the High Street. Suitable for ages 3+.
Say Cheese
This child's camera is durable and has engaging creative filters that spark imagination. It encourages fine motor skills and independence.
KidsCam durable children's camera – £29.95 at Smart Playground, £39.95 at Amazon. Suitable for ages 4+.
Get Crafty
Sequins, beads, stickers, and googly eyes are included in this craft kit. With pompoms, pipe cleaners, ice-cream sticks, felt, and cardboard, creations are endless. Ideal for a rainy day.
Craft kit – £10 at Smyths Toys. Suitable for ages 3+.
Let's Make a Den
Four-year-olds love making dens. This den kit includes a tarpaulin ground sheet, giant tent roof, pegs, and a wooden mallet. It comes in a satchel for portability.
Pirate den kit – £65 at the Den Kit Company. Suitable for ages 3+.
Pop-up Stitch
This Stitch-themed pop-up game was a favourite in testing. Kids loved waiting for Stitch to erupt, and it teaches turn-taking. Easy to set up and play.
Pop-up Stitch pirate game – £18 at Argos, £12.99 at Amazon. Suitable for ages 4+.
Art Attack
Arts and craft sets are great for four-year-olds. This 250-piece set includes paints, pencils, pens, paintbrushes, stickers, and crayons. Annette Kellow, parenting specialist, recommends it for creativity.
Chad Valley 250-piece super art set – £11 at Argos, £16.99 at Amazon. Suitable for ages 4+.
Magna-Tiles Castle
At four, children engage in peer play. Cooperative board games and construction sets like Magna-Tiles are recommended. Rachel Carrell, CEO of Koru Kids, says they came top in a survey of most-played toys.
Magna-Tiles castle – £50 at Argos, £47 at Amazon. Suitable for ages 3+.
Swanning Around
The Story Orchestra books, especially Swan Lake, are favourites. Hardback books with buttons to press for music are entertaining and relaxing.
The Story Orchestra: Swan Lake book – £16.99 at the Guardian Bookshop, £13.29 at Amazon. Suitable for ages 3+.
Smash 'n' Bash
This remote-controlled truck was very popular during testing. It is loud and plastic, but keeps kids entertained. You can always 'lose' the remote when needed.
Monster Jam Smash and Bash remote-controlled truck – £30 at the Entertainer, £50 at Argos. Suitable for ages 4+.
Knives for Little Hands
Child-safe, functional kitchen tools are great. This chopping set allows children to cut food safely, encouraging food exploration and fine motor skills.
Child-safe knife set – £16.95 at Kindy. Suitable for ages 18 months+.
The World Is Your Oyster
The Leapfrog globe has been a standout favourite. It comes with an electronic pen that provides facts about countries and includes challenging games.
Leapfrog Magic Adventures globe – £80 at Argos, £79.99 at Amazon. Suitable for ages 3+ (but four-year-olds loved it).
Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail
This Peter Rabbit jigsaw puzzle has pieces sized for small hands. It was a challenge without being frustrating.
The World of Peter Rabbit 50-piece jigsaw puzzle – £12 at John Lewis, £9.59 at Amazon. Suitable for ages 4+.
Furry Friends
Sylvanian Families toys are long-lasting. With endless options, they encourage unlimited play. Start with a small family; secondhand sites are great for buildings.
Sylvanian Families snow leopard family – £25.99 at John Lewis and Amazon. Suitable for ages 3+.
Dinosaur Attack
This cooperative memory/matching game challenges players to help dinosaurs escape before a volcano erupts. Roma Norriss, parenting specialist, recommends it for shared play.
Dinosaur Escape game – £15.26 at the Kid Collective, £19.99 at Amazon. Suitable for ages 4+.
Sleep in Style
Pyjamas from Their Nibs come in colourful patterns like owls, hummingbirds, and circus designs. 20% of profits go to the children's charity Coram.
Hummingbird pyjamas – £24 at Their Nibs. Suitable for ages 1+.
Aqua gold sunbeam stripe pyjamas – £28 at Their Nibs. Suitable for ages 1+.
Stuck in the Mud
A mud kitchen is one of the best gifts for outdoor play. Fill the sink with water and let children 'cook' outside. Secondhand sites often have good options.
Outdoor mud kitchen – £87.99 at Decathlon and Amazon. Suitable for ages 3+.
Bluey Building
Lego sets are perfect for four-year-olds. This Bluey playground set featuring Bluey and Chloe is a great choice.
Lego Bluey Playground Fun with Bluey and Chloe – £17 at John Lewis, £18 at Argos. Suitable for ages 4+.
What You Need to Know
Shola Alabi, founder of the Exam Success Education Centre, says four-year-olds need toys that stimulate imagination and physical activity. Suggestions include Lego, building blocks, dress-up kits, scooters, and bikes.
Parenting specialist Annette Kellow notes that four-year-olds have developed fine motor skills, making them perfect for toys with smaller parts like Playmobil, Lego, Brio, and Barbie. Musical toys, building kits, craft kits, and board games are also recommended.
What to Buy for a Four-Year-Old
Roma Norriss emphasises that the magic is in playing together. Choose toys that are sensory rich and relationship friendly, such as art supplies, dressing-up clothes, and open-ended construction sets. Avoid toys that promise learning outcomes; play is the child's laboratory for emotional and social understanding.
What Can I Get a Four-Year-Old Beyond Toys?
Books are always a good choice. At four, large paperbacks with pictures and funny storylines are great for bedtime. Clothes and accessories like socks, hats, and sunglasses are handy gifts. Subscription sets for crafts, cooking, or gardening extend the gift over time.
For more gift inspiration, see the best gifts for three-year-olds, one-year-olds, and newborns.
Rebecca Goodman is a journalist and parent of two daughters, aged six and three.
