20 Best Educational Toys for 4-Year-Olds
Updated 08 July 2020
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The curious mind of a 4-year-old needs plenty of stimulation, so choosing a gift for them isn‘t as simple as it might seem. A good toy should aid the child in exploring their creativity and imagination, helping their young minds grow and develop.
To help you find the perfect toy, we have searched through the 20 best educational toys for 4-year-olds. Not everything online is always as it seems, so we weeded out any fake reviews to bring you a list of toys that are rated high by real parents.
1What Should Danny Do? School Day (The Power to Choose Series)
This book is a part of a larger series, and it is designed to help prepare kids for their day at school. Children are given the ability to choose the route the story will take, or more specifically, what Danny should do! It reveals what students should do while at school, and it contains beautiful illustrations and an interesting story for kids to enjoy as they make their decisions.
What we love
- Book has 72 pages to explore
- Comes in a hardcover format making it more durable
What We Don't Like That Much
- May be a bit difficult to navigate through
2Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years (Our Universe, 1)
Learning about the Earth is an amazing gift, and that is why this is one of the 20 best educational toys for 4-year-olds. It provides kids with the opportunity to learn about the Earth and the first 4.5 billion years of its life and what has happened in that time to contribute to the current world around them.
What we love
- Has 40 pages of interesting facts about the Earth's past
- Beautifully illustrated for a pleasing experience
What We Don't Like That Much
- Can only be purchased in Kindle and hardcover formats
3Frozen - Recorder Fun!: Pack with Songbook and Instrument
The recorder is an excellent starter instrument for kids that love music. With this instrument, kids can learn how to play this instrument by playing their favorite songs from the Disney movie, Frozen.
What we love
- Made from high-quality material for better sound
- Songbook has 24 pages of songs to learn
What We Don't Like That Much
- Other song books are available but sold separately
4Active Minds - Write-and-Erase - Wipe Clean Learning Boards Ages 4+ - Numbers, Addition, Alphabet, Shapes, and Drawing
This set of learning boards can help with learning shapes, numbers, letters, and even simple addition. Each board has two sides, and kids can easily wipe off the boards to practice what they have learned over and over again.
What we love
- Boards are conveniently held together with a spiral ring
- Both sides of the boards are dry-erase boards
What We Don't Like That Much
- Only comes with 1 marker, but other markers can be purchased separately
5Insect Lore - Butterfly Growing Kit - With Voucher to Redeem Caterpillars Later
With this butterfly garden, kids can learn the natural process of how caterpillars turn into butterflies. The habitat stands 11.5 inches tall, and it is made from quality mesh. It has a popup design that is excellent for storing the garden when it is not being used.
What we love
- Comes with simple to understand instructions
- Includes a feeding dropper to help keep the butterflies alive
What We Don't Like That Much
- The set does not come with the caterpillars
6Magna-Tiles 100-Piece Clear Colors Set, The Original Magnetic Building Tiles For Creative Open-Ended Play, Educational Toys For Children Ages 3 Years +
These tiles are designed to be 3D and magnetic, which make them easy and effective to build various types of figures. The blocks are translucent and brightly colored, and they are designed to help improve kids' tactile skills and develop math and science skills. Plus, they are made from a highly-durable plastic.
What we love
- Set comes with 100 tiles
- Tiles come in different shapes and colors
What We Don't Like That Much
- Instructions only show basic builds
7Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Art Easel - Dry-Erase Board, Chalkboard, Paper Roller
When it comes to learning, one of the most creative ways to do this is through art. With this art easel, kids can enjoy honing in on their artistic skills. This easel includes a chalkboard, dry-erase board, and a paper roll that will allow them to make beautiful creations to save and enjoy later on.
What we love
- Easel frame is made from high-quality wood material
- Both sides of this easel contain a small storage area to hold art supplies
What We Don't Like That Much
- Art utensils are not included with this easel set
8Carson Dellosa Basic Spanish Bingo Game—Learning Board Game with 50 Spanish Words with Photos, 36 Game Boards and Bingo Chips for 3-36 Players, Ages 4 and Up
Learning a different language can be difficult, but the earlier you get started, the easier it is. This BINGO game is designed to assist 4-year-old children in learning new Spanish words with the traditional Bingo game rules. The boards and pieces are colorful and well-illustrated making it a beautiful and interactive educational toy.
What we love
- Teaches 50 new Spanish words
- Each word is depicted by a colorful corresponding photo
What We Don't Like That Much
- It could come with more bingo chips
9Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars Binoculars for Kids, Toddler & Kids Binoculars, Outdoor Play, Camping Gear, Ages 3+
The world is full of things to be discovered, and these binoculars are designed specifically for kids to help them view and discover the world around them. It has a breakaway neck strap to make it easier to carry, and it uses a lens that allows for 2x magnification.
What we love
- Easy to handle design for smaller hands
- Does not require batteries
What We Don't Like That Much
- Neck strap could be longer
10ThinkFun Robot Turtles STEM Toy and Coding Board Game for Preschoolers - Made Famous on Kickstarter, Teaches Programming Principles to Preschoolers
With this board game, kids can learn some of the key principles of coding, which is what makes it one of the best educational toys for 4-year-olds. It provides easy to read and understand instructions, and allows you to begin playing immediately upon receiving it with little to no setup.
What we love
- Board game cards are made from high-quality cardboard
- Pieces are bright colored and illustrated
What We Don't Like That Much
- It is best played with a parent for effectiveness
11Liberty Imports Garden Wagon & Tools Toy Set for Kids with 8 Gardening Tools, 4 Pots, Water Pail and Spray - Great for Beach & Sand Too!
It is never too early to teach kids how to grow their garden. With this kit, they will have everything they need to learn how to take care of a garden. It even comes with a convenient wagon so little ones can keep all of their gardening tools together in one area and move it with them easily.
What we love
- Comes with a total of 16 pieces
- Has 8 metal gardening tools large and small
What We Don't Like That Much
- The wagon can be difficult to pull over certain terrain
12ETI Toys | STEM Learning | Original 101 Piece Educational Construction Engineering Building Blocks Set for 3, 4 and 5+ Year Old Boys & Girls | Creative Fun Kit | Best Toy Gift for Kids Ages 3yr - 6yr
It is never too early to learn about engineering and building, and with this set, 4-year-olds can learn the basics of engineering, allowing them to build their structures and workable vehicles. The pieces are made from high-quality non-toxic materials, and they are brightly colored to give their creations an interesting look.
What we love
- Set includes 101 different pieces
- Comes in a durable plastic container to store the set when not being used
What We Don't Like That Much
- The included 80-page book only comes in an ebook format
13Levenhuk LabZZ M101 Amethyst Microscope for Kids with Experiment Kit – Choose Your Favorite Color
This is an adjustable microscope designed to let kids explore the fascinating world of science from the comfort of their homes. It is designed from sturdy lightweight plastic, and it is battery operated, which makes it capable of being taken outside. The set also includes all the materials for them to do several types of experiments.
What we love
- Has a monocular head that provides 40 to 640x magnification
- Has an easy to follow user guide
What We Don't Like That Much
- It requires 2 AA batteries, but the included batteries are only demo batteries
14Educational Learning Toys and Gift for 3 4 5 6 Years Old Boys and Girls - ABC Draw with Me Drawing Letters to Animal Alphabet Card Set Letter Game for Preschool Kindergarten Arts and Crafts
For kids that love art, this Draw With Me Kit is designed to give them an educational outlet for their art. This kit is designed to assist them in learning how to draw fun characters that go with all of the letters of the alphabet. It comes with sturdy two-sided cards and a dry erase marker that will help them learn.
What we love
- Uses dry erase markers and board to help save on paper and provide continuous challenges
- Cards can be cleaned with the use of a paper towel
What We Don't Like That Much
- The set only comes with a single dry erase marker
15iPlay, iLearn Kids Puzzle Ages 4-8, Wooden Solar System Floor Puzzles Ages 3-5, Large Round Space Planets Jigsaw Puzzle Toys, Educational Learning Gifts for 6 7 8 Year Old Toddlers Boys Girls Children
Jigsaw puzzles are an excellent way to help develop and improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. With this puzzle, they can enjoy a beautifully illustrated puzzle experience that depicts different aspects about space and the Milkyway galaxy.
What we love
- Consists of 48 pieces
- Each piece is designed to precisely fit with the other pieces
What We Don't Like That Much
- The puzzle could include some sort of permanent solution to keep it together
16Learning Resources Coding Critters Scamper & Sneaker, Screen-Free Early Coding Toy For Kids, Interactive STEM Coding Pet , 22 Piece Set, Ages 4+
This playset comes with a pet that is capable of interactive play, which allows you to feed, pet, and take care of it like a real pet. It is designed to assist in teaching early coding skills, and when the pet is in play mode, you can even play games like hiding and seek and even fetch.
What we love
- You can design your own coding challenges
- Includes 22 pieces
What We Don't Like That Much
- Accessories may bend with rough play
17LeapFrog RockIt Twist Handheld Learning Game System, Green
This handheld gaming system is designed to be a learning game system. It has various types of easy to use controls, and it comes with a connected hand string that can keep the system from being accidentally dropped.
What we love
- Some of the games include mazes, puzzles, and playing different types of music
- Uses rechargeable batteries
What We Don't Like That Much
- There are different game packs available, but they are sold separately
18BIRANCO. Flower Garden Building Toys - Build a Bouquet Floral Arrangement Playset for Toddlers and Kids Gifts Age 3, 4, 5, 6 Year Old Girls, Educational STEM Toy (120 PCS)
With this playset, kids can enjoy building their own beautiful and unique garden with a variety of bright and colorful unique flower types. If they choose they don't like something, they can switch pieces and flowers out to keep it different and unique.
What we love
- This set includes 120 pieces
- It comes with a high-quality and durable storage container
What We Don't Like That Much
- The instructions included could be more educational
19Coogam Wooden Tower Stacking Game, Fine Motor Skill Montessori Building Blocks with Dice Toppling Leaning Tower Toy Party Family Games for Kids and Adults
When looking for the best educational toys for 4-year-olds, this set of building blocks is designed to provide kids an interesting way to learn to build towers. This set can be played in multiple ways for years to come as the pieces are made from solid high-quality wood.
What we love
- Designed to assist in critical thinking skills and fine motor skills
- Includes 36 blocks
What We Don't Like That Much
- There aren't any block replacement kits