Best Gifts for 4

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Yep, you know the one.

Looking for a unique gift for the special preschooler in your life? Here's the bad news: The best toys for four-year-olds aren't one-size-fits all. The good news is that if you have an inkling of what they're into — crafting and art, building stuff, playing pretend — the perfect gift is but one click away.

Four-year-olds are past all the simple shape-sorting toys of toddlerhood but they're not quite ready for complex stuff like slime-building kits. They crave toys that will test their problem-solving skills, give them a sense of comfort, or allow they to create something new. Companies like Fisher-Price, Melissa & Doug, and Crayola reign supreme when it comes to this age range. From plastic drills to art easels to sets of glitter pens, they know what kids like. Also in right now? Throwback toys like Lite Brite, Lincoln Logs, and beginners board games like Chutes and Ladders.

Whether you're looking for a birthday gift, a Christmas present, or just something that says "I love you," we have indoor and outdoor toys for four-year-olds at every price point. Don't be that person that gives a kid a pair of shoes — unless, of course, they're really cool shoes — when there are so many great toys, games, and stuffed animals in the world. And the best news of all? These are all available on Amazon, meaning they can probably ship overnight. (Looking at you, procrastinators.)

These neat magnetic tiles snap into place with each other to build shapes and objects. They're a perfect fit for kids who are just beginning to build complex structures.

This cause-and-effect race track is so popular with my own four-year-old and her friends that we had to buy a second one. It's by far the most popular toy when people come visit — even parents think it's cool.

By age four, most kids aren't writing on walls and spilling paint on the carpet, but it's still good to have an art toy that eliminates the risk of stains. This water doodle mat features a white mat that changes color when it gets wet, so there's no ink involved.

Kids. Love. Bubbles. It's a universal truth! And with this bubble blower, they can be in charge of spraying bubbles all over the yard.

Remember when digital cameras were hundreds of dollars? Now you can get one built just for kids for under $30! This one is easy to use and won't break (or even crack) when it falls on the ground.

If you also listened to the original Kidz Bop compilation album back in 2001, you might be surprised to hear that the brand is still thriving. Amazon reviewers love the official microphone, which comes in three colors.

This fold-out game is ideal for outdoor parties, but it's also a fun way to play inside on a rainy day.

There's nothing four-year-old girls love more than a unicorn! This terrarium kit doubles as a nightlight.

Sharpen their gardening skills (even in the winter) with this buildable flower kit. There are endless combinations and speaking from experience, it's one toy that's actually really pretty to leave up around the house.

Get them outside with this introduction to sports! This multifunctional center includes equipment for soccer, hockey, and basketball.

You might be shocked at how long kids can be entertained by two cars going down a slide. This raceway is lightweight, easy to assemble, and can be used with the cars included or basically any other small car.

Lite Brite is still a thing! Four-year-olds may not grasp how to recreate the advanced designs on the box yet, but they'll still have fun placing the pieces and turning the light on.

Pogo-Saurus is more than a bouncy toy; it's a bouncy dinosaur. Amazon reviewers praise the toy's ability to improve their child's balance.

Slime is so yesterday; 2023 is all about sand. This STEM-approved play sand kit comes with three colors and several molds. It never dries out, so kids can use it year after year.

You can't miss with glitter glue, one of the most coveted items in any four-year-old's art supply area. Crayola's easy-squeeze glue is washable, which is key.

Melissa & Doug's easel for kids is one of the most durable on the market and comes equipped with both a whiteboard and a chalkboard. It's more of an investment, but it's worth the money.

At age four, kids are just beginning to understand concepts like rules and turn-taking. Chutes and Ladders is a classic board game that will teach them causes and effects.

Tiny food is endlessly entertaining for small kids — as long as they know it's not edible. These orbs from MGA's Miniverse contain all the pieces to create a miniature dessert for his or her stuffed animals to "eat."

If they're all about dolls, Corolle's baby doll sets the standard. The 12-inch version comes in six different styles, including a ballerina. You might notice they give off a slight vanilla scent, which is a welcome difference from a real baby.

Mr. Potato Head remains one of the best toys for toddlers and small kids. With removable parts, children can create silly faces all day long.

After over a decade as a digital editor, Maggie Panos is navigating freelance writing and full-time parenting. She covered entertainment for POPSUGAR from New York and San Francisco before setting down roots in tree-covered Portland and focusing on local journalism. A self-proclaimed "okay baker", Maggie is interested in all things lifestyle — especially if those things involve Bravolebrities.

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