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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
Picking out the perfect toy for the 4-year-old in your life is no easy task, especially when you're looking for something that's both educational and entertaining and is durable enough for use in both indoor and outdoor settings.
We researched and tested the top picks on the market, evaluating educational value, durability, and age range. Our favorite, the Pet Vet Kit by B. Toys, is interactive, visually engaging, and introduces concepts like empathy and responsibility.
Here are the best educational toys for 4-year-old boys and girls.
B. toys by Battat B. Pet Vet
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Courtesy of Amazon
Engaging
Interactive
Easy to lose pieces
The Pet Vet Kit encourages imaginative play while introducing core concepts like animal care and responsibility. The brightly-colored set includes a clinic, two plush pet patients, and plastic medical instruments like a stethoscope, syringe, and thermometer.
The clinic, which has a fold-out exam table and four consultation rooms, acts as a storage container for the included accessories and has a built-in handle for portability. Our tester loved features like the keys that secure the doors and help promote the development of hand-eye coordination.
Through play, kids will become familiar with the various tools a vet uses on pets by performing check-ups on the cat and dog toys that come with the set. While the exam rooms are small, kids can use the medical instruments on any animal in their toy menagerie.
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The Spruce / Charlene Petitjean-Barkulis
WowWee Baby Shark's Big Show! Shark House Playset
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Amazon
Recognizable characters
Multiple ways to play
Does not come with batteries
Enter the world of Baby Shark with this interactive and adorable play set! Four-year-olds can have Baby Shark slide down the slide, swing with friends, or jam out to songs with the included karaoke machine. The included 25 pieces, sounds, and light-up parts leaves tons of room for imaginative play.
BravoKids LCD Writing Tablet
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Courtesy of Amazon
Reduces waste
Durable
Suitable for various ages
Usable in various environments
Flimsy packaging
Battery life can be short
Four-year-olds can foster their creativity and release their inner artist with this mess-free tablet that can be used anywhere. Little hands can practice numbers, letters, colors, and more with the stylus or draw and color as they please without wasting paper or making a mess with paints or crayons. Bring the tablet on the go during long road trips or running errands to keep toddlers entertained and engaged for hours.
Just Play Blue's Clues & You! Check-Up Time Blue
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Amazon
Recognizable character
Interactive
Educational
Some users were disappointed by the number of phrases
Blue needs a checkup, and your 4-year-old can come to the rescue with this interactive plush of the iconic character. Toddlers can listen to Blue's heartbeat, take her temperature, give her medicine, and talk to her to make her feel better. The doctors in training can learn more about taking care of animals during hours and hours of engaging and educational play.
Crayola Table Top Easel Art Case for Kids
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Courtesy of Crayola
Portable
Includes multiple activities
Suitable for various ages
Can be messy
Whether the little one in your life has a knack for creativity or just wants to experiment with art, Crayola's Table Top Easel Art Case is a great option. The set is fully equipped with all of the essentials that'll make it easy for kids to create a masterpiece.
The case includes an assortment of paints and painting tools, as well as paper and a storage case. There's also a built-in double-sided easel, so it's easy to use if your little one wants to paint with a sibling or friend as well.
Yookidoo Submarine Spray Station
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Courtesy of Amazon
Durable
Entertaining
Perfect for bath time
Some parts can stop working over time
This submarine spray station will have them begging to stay in for some serious splashing fun. The battery-operated toy (four AA batteries are required but not included) attaches to the tub. Water comes in through the submarine and is circulated up through the diver shower head, which can then be sprayed into two funnels that produce fun, mesmerizing effects with spinning wheels, fountains, and googly eyes.
Playmobil Large City Zoo
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Amazon
Durable
Detailed pieces
Great bonding activity
Difficult to assemble
Playmobil's Large City Zoo is a great option if you're looking for an activity that'll entertain the whole family. The 213-piece set allows users to explore the zoo and learn about different species around the world with ease.
Ideal for ages 4 and up, the set includes six figures, a selection of animals, and tons of other accessories to enhance the experience. From walking the penguin habitat to viewing giraffes, all you and your little one have to do is grab and map begin the adventure.
Peaceable Kingdom Alphabet Bingo!
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Courtesy of Amazon
Great bonding activity
Educational
Easy to lose pieces
This is Bingo, but with a twist. Instead of a caller shouting out numbers, players reach into a bag and pull out a letter. If the letters are on their card, they mark them. Once someone gets four in a row, they should “Bingo!” and win.
Each space on the cards has a picture of something that starts with the letter. For example “F” has a flower and “O” has an owl, so not only is the game great for teaching letter recognition, but it helps with letter sounds as well.
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The Spruce / Charlene Petitjean-Barkulis
Melissa & Doug My Magnetic Daily Calendar
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Courtesy of Amazon
Helps with learnings days and months
Suitable for daily, repeated use
More holidays than activities or uses
If you are looking for one of the best functional toys for a 4-year-old, look no further than this magnetic calendar. Here your child will learn more about the days of the week, seasons, months, holidays, temperature, and more. Besides being a fun way to teach your child, it also helps set up a daily routine for them, so they know what to expect every day.
Educational Insights Design & Drill Bolt Buddies Pick-It-Up Truck
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Courtesy of Amazon
Easy for kids to maneuver
Interactive
Long lasting fun
Some pieces are fickle
This innovative set comes with an operational drill. Of course, it's low speed and plastic, so while your child should always be supervised using it, it's intended for children. It also features a truck, wheels, bolts, and two toy figures. Kids can even use the drill to operate the truck's arm.
HABA Little Friends Vacation Camper Play Set
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Courtesy of Walmart
Fosters imagination
Detailed pieces
Some pieces can be flimsy
Even if you can't physically take your little one camping, this play set will kinda make it feel like the real thing. The set includes a vehicle, camper, two chairs, and a toy figure. The camper door opens and closes and the awning is even detachable.
VTech LeapFrog Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart
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Courtesy of Walmart
Multiple ways to play
Fosters creativity
Interactive
Easy to lose pieces
Kids can play ice cream scooper as they serve up delicious treats for their friends, family, and stuffed animals. It comes with four flavors of ice cream, three toppings, three flavors of syrup, and six order cards. There’s even a bell to let people know they’re coming or that their order is up. The cart also plays music and features more than 200 fun phrases.
Basic Fun Cutetitos
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Courtesy of Amazon
Adorable
Element of surprise
Affordable
No way to guarantee which toy you are receiving
Kids can't get enough of mystery toys, and the Cutetitos are yet another example of the trend. Hidden in each sealed bag is a cuddly stuffed animal wrapped in a soft blanket that's meant to look like—you guessed it—a burrito. The 12 animals include Chihuahito, Catito, Puppito, Sealito, Pigito, Walrusito, and more. Each one also comes with a collector's card listing its name, birthday, and species.
Magna Tiles Magna-Tiles 32-Piece Solid Colors Set
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Courtesy of Walmart
Great bonding activity
Fosters imagination
Multiple ways to play
Pricey
These transparent, multi-color magnetic building tiles are something your children will likely play with well into the tween years, with the structures getting increasingly complicated. The 32-piece set comes with a mix of two sizes of squares and three types of triangles, but you'll likely want to spring for an additional set to cut down on sibling squabbles and increase the design possibilities.
Llama Llama Red Pajama
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Courtesy of Amazon
Colorful illustrations
Engaging story
Users say some illustrations can be scary for young readers
Some classics are, well, classics for a reason. They're just forever timeless. And that's why Llama Llama is a great read. The book revolves around Baby Llama who just needs mama's reassurance during bedtime. Kids will love the illustrations all while learning about comfort and patience.
Micro Kickboard Micro Mini Original
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Courtesy of Amazon
Built to last
Perfect for practicing balance
Suitable for various ages and sizes
Pricey
Featuring a "lean-to steer" design, this lightweight, durable scooter means that kids will need to shift their weight right or left into turns. It's suitable for children up to 44 pounds, and the three-wheel profile and low, flexible deck help kids feel stable from that first push-off.
USA Toyz Glow Race Tracks
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Courtesy of Amazon
Easy to assemble
Durable
Users found inconsistencies in the cars
The only thing cooler than a race track is a race track that also glows in the dark. This one comes with 360 pieces in a rainbow of colors, two light-up LED cars, two balls (they can get pushed by the cars during races), and fun touches like a suspension bridge, gas station, and road signs.
Dimensions: 16.8 x 11 x 3.8 inches | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 3 years and up
Think Fun Zingo
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Courtesy of Amazon
Great for family bonding
Easy to follow instructions
Durable pieces
Some users were unsatisfied with the number of words included
Zingo features a "Zinger" box that kids can take turns pushing, and when they do, two tiles pop out. The tiles all have familiar words like "shoe" or "clock," with corresponding pictures for the kids who can't read yet.
Each child gets a bingo-like card with nine squares, and as the tiles show up, they can grab one if it matches a square on their board. As with bingo, the kid who fills their card first wins.
Flybar My First Foam Pogo Jumper
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Amazon
Quiet
Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
Suitable for various ages
Can be flimsy
A pogo stick for your 4-year-old doesn't have to sound scary or dangerous. The height adjusts to the child's size and features extremely durable foam and comfortable handles to grip. It can be used inside or outdoors and makes a fun squeak sound when kids jump.
What to Look for in a Toy For a 4-Year-Old
Age Range
Four-year-olds are at a tricky age, as they’ve officially graduated past the “toddler” stage, yet they might not be ready for big-kid toys. It’s important to check the age rating on the toys you’re considering, as these will help you purchase one that’s appropriate for their level of development, says Kristin Morency Goldman, senior advisor of strategic communications for The Toy Association.
Educational Value
Some 4-year-olds might be headed to school, so it’s always beneficial to get them toys that reinforce the important skills they’re learning. You might consider getting them toys that teach basic counting or reading skills or games that help them practice taking turns.
“Providing toys that allow for real-world play strengthens the developmental skills used for social connectedness and critical thinking,” says Dr. Natasha Burgert, a pediatrician in South Overland Park, Kansas. “Although playing with a kitchen set, for example, may not seem very complicated to an observing adult, the skills a child uses during pretend play are foundational for social and emotional growth.”
Longevity
At 4 years old, kids are still toddlers but on the cusp of early childhood. To get the most mileage out of any toy you purchase, look for items that will keep their interest as they progress. Toys that encourage open-ended play and can be tailored to a child’s development level are perfect, as they can often be used for several years. Similarly, look for toys like bikes and scooters that have adjustable seats and handlebars, so they can better grow with your child.
Why Trust the Spruce?
This article was written by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce and The Spruce Crafts, covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, crafts, and the holidays.
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