The 25 Best Toys and Gifts for 4-Year-Olds This Holiday Season

Boy or girl, this wooden play kitchen is the perfect addition to any playroom. Made of wood, a grown-up will have to do some assembly. We love the sink, shelf, and oven, which can act as storage when the kitchen is not in use. Pots and cooking utensils are also included.

Although 4-year-olds know dinosaurs no longer roam the earth, this award-winning dino research station can transport them back in time. They can pretend-play to be a dinosaur researcher. This set comes with dinosaur figurines, the researcher figurine, and plenty of other accessories.

As 4-year-olds get Barbie after Barbie, it becomes increasingly hard to keep things organized. This Barbie storage trunk will be a gift for the preschooler, but also for the parents who want a clutter-free playroom. When opened, this trunk looks like Barbie's closet, so it can also be used for play, not just organization.

Inspired by the Cotton Candy Tree in the popular Netflix show, the Gabby-obsessed 4-year-old can play with this Gabby's Dollhouse set at home. The garden treehouse comes with furniture, figurines, and accessories for fun, imaginative play. It also features lights (batteries included) and a spinning thumbwheel that reveals a secret room.

The tried-and-true classic, the kaleidoscope, makes for one of the best stocking stuffers. This one features the solar system on the inside, as well as on its outside container. The 4-year-old can look through the eyepiece and experience some colorful magic, stimulating their sense of sight.

Lynch recommends Andy The Code & Play Robot from Thames & Kosmos, a coding robot suitable for young kids. This toy allows them to tinker and play. Players simply control Andy's movements by pushing big buttons.

"While this is a coding toy, it’s also one that does a great job sneaking the education in as kids play," explains Lynch. "The big buttons are easy for preschoolers to manipulate, and kids will love making Andy dance."

RELATED: 15 Best Coding Games for Kids That Are So Worth the Screen Time

Exercise the 4-year-old's creativity with this digital camera, which takes both photo and video. It comes equipped with an LCD screen and takes HD-quality shots. The photographer can also choose from 28 different kinds of scenes to enhance their pictures, A grown-up will have to help toddlers upload the photos onto a computer.

Convince the 4-year-old to love the bath with this super-cool submarine spray station toy. it attaches easily to the side of the tub with effective suction cups. Water goes through the toy, circulated by a gentle water pump, for the best bathtime fun. During play, kids will see water flow into two funnels, while also featuring some spinning and spraying from different parts. It will need batteries, which are not included.

"This is the age when kids become very passionate about their favorite characters, so look for cuddly stuffed versions to serve as new bedtime companions," suggests Jennifer Lynch, toy trends specialist with The Toy Association.

Straight from the best kids' show ever, enter Bluey, the sassy, spunky dog that has captured the hearts of both kids and their parents. This plush also sings and says nine different phrases for some interactive play.

Construction vehicle fun, this set comes with 76 total pieces for the budding engineer. This pack includes a crane, a trailer, a steamroller, a bulldozer, a forklift, a snowplow, and a truck. Improving their hand-eye coordination, gross motor skills, and cognitive ability, the 4-year-old will enjoy hours of play. A much-needed storage box is included that can also be converted into an interlocking play mat when not being used to contain the pieces.

Perfect for when kids are on car rides, this LCD writing tablet will be a great diversion. It comes with a pen to create their drawings. Once done, press the button to clear the screen and start over. It's truly like magic!

It's pure magic. Simply add water to the Hot Wheels Color Reveal container, and watch two matchbox-sized cars be revealed. Try cold and warm water for two different designs! The activity is almost like a fun science experiment for the 4-year-old. Then, long after the cars are revealed, they can continue to play with them as they do, and add them to their growing Hot Wheels collection.

This 2-in-1 toy features fun pop-its, which are the latest kids' obsession. The unicorn bag can hold small items while also providing some much-needed distraction. Choose from several different bag designs like bunnies, rainbows, and fish, as well as various unicorn colors.

This classic yellow box of LEGOs comes with 484 pieces. Players can create everything from cars to homes, from farms to flowers. Sparking the child's imagination, the sky's the limit with this tried-and-true toy, and you can't go wrong.

Kids' seating that also doubles as a fort: you couldn't find a more fun multi-tasker. The Figgy can stand alone as a low children's sofa. But when a 4-year-old wants to play, its cushions can easily be transformed into other things, like houses, spaceships, and more. All you need is a little imagination. Each piece comes with a zipped cover that can be cleaned easily in the wash.

Introduce the 4-year-old in your life to the concept of bingo. This matching game can be played on trips so kids can match landmarks, food, vehicles, and animals during their travels. The box comes with a handle for easy transport.

The 3D puzzle is so on-trend right now. With pieces that remind us of Roblox, this set creates a rainbow and unicorns. An instruction booklet will help the 4-year-old build. But, be prepared for them to ask for your help as this toy is meant to be challenging for kids around age 4.

This building set comes with 100 different pieces of various shapes and sizes. When stacked together and built, the 4-year-old can create impressive structures in infinite ways. This toy will help improve their gross and fine motor skills, as well as their hand-eye coordination.

The best scooter for little kids around, the Micro Kickboard is a must for every 4-year-old. This version also comes equipped with light-up handlebars and wheels for safety and pizzazz. Without requiring them to turn, the rider on the Micro Kickboard simply needs to lean to steer while also working on balance and coordination. You can also adjust the height of the handle bars to accommodate the child. Choose from purple, aqua, pink, and navy blue color options.

At age 4, kids start to really develop their sense of self. These Unstoppable Me Affirmation Cards can help them reach for the stars. Aiming to encourage self-love, these cards will be a nice reminder for them to take pride in themselves.

For the child who is super into vehicles, this set of crayons can be used for art and play. Each measures roughly 1 inch tall and less than 2 inches wide. This set of 6 construction crayons comes with a dump truck, cement truck, tractor, and more, in different colors.

"Four-year-olds love to investigate the world around them and discover new things," says Lynch. That's why we love this Kids Craft box that's themed to represent inspiring heroes from all different walks of life. "Look for toys that encourage your little inquisitor to explore and learn new facts. For example, a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) toy gets them to personalize as they create."

Kids Crafts makes LeadHER Craft Kits featuring Rosa Parks (pictured), Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Greta Thunberg, Maya Angelou, and Frida Kahlo.

Easy-to-DIY and mold, this Clixo set comes with 39 flexible pieces of shapes and spinners for the 4-year-old to build fun creations. All they need is a little imagination. They can make flowers, creatures, wearable accessories, and more — the possibilities are endless.

We are absolutely obsessed with this sweet set. In it, you'll get the softest rainbow plush with a happy face, and a lovely collection of 52 kindness cards that inspire kids to spread kindness in various ways. Making for a perfect gift, the cards and stuffed toy come perfectly packaged in a wood crate with a ribbon.

Since the 4-year-old has graduated from their baby blankie, this "more mature" replacement can be used for all sorts of play. Whether they're playing house, pretending to have a picnic, or using it for a fort, this Kicks By Sammy blanket will be a nice addition to their imagination. Select from several different types of designs (Rainbows & Unicorns, pictured). Featuring the designs of 18-year-old self-made CEO and artist, Sammy Handler, each blanket can also be personalized with the child's name. making it truly one-of-a-kind.