All of this research led us to a comprehensive list of fun, educational, and interactive toys that 4-year-olds will come back to again and again. Lastly, as the parent of a 4-year-old, I used my own insight and experience with what I know my daughter loves to play with the most. We spoke to experts to get their insight on how children are developing at this age and the best type of play for them. Our editors attend industry events and meetings with toy brands all year long to find out about the latest releases and trends. In addition to the survey, we poured over hundreds of reviews and ratings online to see what other parents were saying about popular toy options. And as much as we wanted to know how kids felt about their toys, we also asked parents what they loved about it too. We also inquired about assembly, durability, and value, as well as whether it inspired independent or cooperative play. We asked them questions about why their child seemed to love that particular toy, as well as questions like whether or not their child found a unique way to play with that toy to get some insight into how they interacted with it. We conducted a survey to do exactly that, talking to 774 parents and caregivers on our research panel, as well as 101 members of our own staff, about their child’s favorite toy. When looking for the best toys for 4-year-olds, we really wanted to find out what kids this age are playing with and genuinely loving. The toys we list here check all of these boxes and more. Since kids this age are starting to become more passionate about the things they’re interested in, keep the movies, shows, and books they love in mind, too. When looking for the best toy for the 4-year-old in your life, you’ll hit it out of the park if you give them something that fosters their imagination and social and emotional skills, as well as something that helps them learn. We also questioned them about details like assembly and durability because as entertaining as a toy might be, we also know it needs to be convenient for parents and caregivers as well.

We asked them questions about what toys their child loves the most, why they love them, and what feels unique and exciting about them.

In order to present you with the most thorough list of fantastic toys for a 4-year-old, we conducted a survey with 774 real parents and caregivers from our research panel and 101 members of our staff. The best toys for 4-year-olds are going to be fun and educational, as well as made with their development in mind. This is also the age where they start to actually play with others instead of just beside them, so it’s an exciting time for building relationships. Four-year-olds want to engage in imaginative play where they can act out everyday scenarios, wear dress-up clothes while pretending to be someone else, and stimulate their growing brains by building tiny villages with blocks. Gone are the days of just rolling a ball around or being fascinated by their face in a mirror. They’re more imaginative, creative, and energetic than ever before, and you’ll notice that they’ve started to develop strong preferences for specific things. At 4 years old, a child suddenly seems more like a little person than a baby (cue the happy tears).

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