30 Best Toys for 4-Year-Old-Boys
Updated 17 April 2021
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4-year-old boys LOVE everything. They love building stuff. They love breaking stuff. They love superheroes. They love jumping. They love shooting. They love shooting WHILE JUMPING. All you need to do with a 4-year-old boy is give him a cool toy and watch him go.
From DUPLO construction towers to play sand to Paw Patrol to PJ Masks, we’ve created this list of the 30 best toys for 4-year-old boys in 2021 and it’s got everything they love in it. These toys are fun, educational, messy, inspirational and sometimes totally chaotic, just like the boys they’re built for.
So if you’re looking for toys for 4-year-old boys, check out our recommendations. We’ve focused only on products based on real online reviews, filtering out all of the fake ones, so you can trust that whoever you’re buying them for will LOVE them.
1Numbers, Letters, and More! (PAW Patrol)
With this workbook kids can join some of their favorite characters from the PAW Patrol as they go through different educational activities. The books include fun activities that can help them learn and recognize letters and numbers, but there are other developmental concepts that it can help with. Some of the PAW Patrol characters that it introduces include Sky, Rubble, Chase, Marshall and a couple of others from the popular show. The workbook can help kids to learn about tools and vehicles but it will also show them how teamwork can be a valuable asset, which is excellent for developing social skills that will be very useful in everyday life. Plus, all of the activities in this book are designed on a preschool level to help prepare children for their first official year in school.
What we love
- The book includes a total of 50 stickers
- The activity book has 64 pages of activities to work through
What We Don't Like That Much
- It can only be purchased in paperback format
2Scribble Stones
If looking for an entertaining children’s story to read to your child then you will need to look no further. The Scribble Stones, written by children's book author Diane Alber, will take children on an exciting journey as a little rock scrambles his way to become something fascinating, beyond a boring paperweight sitting on a desk all day. After meeting up with scribble and splatter, these fun characters come up with a plan to help make him more creative and interesting. The book features short words that are easy to read to younger children. Along its 32 pages of narration there are beautiful illustrations which complement the storyline as it progresses.
What we love
- This book can inspire not only literary learning but also artistic learning
- The pages are made from thick paper guaranteeing durability
What We Don't Like That Much
- This book only comes in hardcover format
3Toysmith 80-Piece Marble Run
Marble running sets have been popular toys for many years, with each one capable of providing a different feel. This one was designed for younger kids to be able to assemble various runs, giving this set a replayability factor that is unlike other marble run kits. It includes a total of 80 pieces that come in a myriad of colors, shapes and sizes, as well as 30 marbles that can be used to complete the marble runs simultaneously.
What we love
- This set can be used to challenge a child's imagination
- It comes with simple assembly instructions and a few ideas
What We Don't Like That Much
- Some of the structures can be harder to build for younger children
4KidKraft Uptown Wooden Modern Dollhouse with Lights & Sounds, Pool and 36 Accessories, Gift for Ages 3+ 49.25" x 25.25" x 46.25"
For boys that love playing with their friends in various play scenarios, this KidKraft Uptown Dollhouse will provide them with the best opportunity. It consists of 3 levels and 6 different rooms, such as a bathroom, kitchen, living room, study, bedroom and an upstairs balcony. It also includes a working elevator that will add more realism to the play experience.
What we love
- It includes different types of furniture accessories for each room
- It also includes an outside play area for the dollhouse
What We Don't Like That Much
- Once it is set up it doesn't have any sort of closing mechanism to make it easy to move
5Award Winning Hape All-in-One Wooden Kid's Art Easel with Paper Roll and Accessories Cream, L: 18.9, W: 15.9, H: 41.8 inch
This art easel is an all-in-one toy that will allow children to really explore their creative and artistic nature. It has 2 different sides that can be used for artwork. On one side, they will find a magnetic whiteboard that they can draw on over and over again with dry-erase markers or pin paper and canvas for other forms of artwork. On the other side, the board is a chalkboard which will provide them with all the indoor chalk artwork they can handle. It has a small tray at the bottom of the boards to hold various types of art supplies.
What we love
- It has a refillable paper roll attached to the top of the easel
- It comes with 3 paint pots and holders to reduce the chances of making a mess
What We Don't Like That Much
- It doesn't come with any sort of paint or art supplies
6Rubie's Paw Patrol Chase Child Costume, Small
All children who enjoy the television show Paw Patrol will be happy to become a certified Paw Patrol Chase officer with this beautifully crafted costume by Rubie's. It is important to note that you should look at Rubie's child sizing chart before purchasing a costume because they are not made according to a regular sizing chart. This costume comes with everything that is required to transform your little one into Chase, including a pup pack for him to carry all of his things with him.
What we love
- Each piece is made from high-quality material with detailed stitching
- The backpack can actually be used and isn't just a prop
What We Don't Like That Much
- The costume does no't include any sort of shoe coverings
7Avengers Marvel Titan Hero Series 12-inch Super Hero Action Figure 12-Pack Including Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Black Widow, Star-Lord, and more! Gift Pack (Amazon Exclusive)
This is the ultimate figure pack for any little boy that loves Marvel superheroes. With this set he will not have to pick and choose which hero is his favorite because he will have 12 of the most popular Marvel Titan superheroes to play with. Each action figure is designed to look like the actual hero and many of them come equipped with the accessories they are known to carry around, for example, Captain America has his shield and Thor has his hammer.
What we love
- All of the action figures have some posable joints
- These figures work with the FX back to allow you to hear the heroes’ popular phrases
What We Don't Like That Much
- The paint jobs could be of a better quality on some of the action figures
8Briarpatch Pete The Cat The Missing Cupcakes Game Based On The Popular Book Series
This game will allow kids to enjoy an entertaining game that is meant to help develop their mental skills without forcing them to read anything, which is usually a plus for young children. This is a game of memory, luck and cooperation, getting children to collaborate while enjoying an entertaining game with friends and family while honing critical skills that will help their cognitive development. It will get them to identify some of their favorite foods, animals and words while singing songs and acting out physical activities.
What we love
- The game comes with everything that is required to start playing immediately
- It’s a great tool to strengthen kids memories
What We Don't Like That Much
- This game does require at least 2 people to play
9VTech PJ Masks Super Gekko Learning Watch, Green
If your little boy is constantly looking at your smartwatch and begging you for one the VTech PJ Masks Super Gekko Learning watch will make an excellent choice for his first smartwatch. It can be purchased in one of 3 colors, depending on which PJ Masks character is his favorite. The watch includes 4 exciting games that will allow him to explore different educational aspects, such as counting, shapes and numbers.
What we love
- It can teach them how to tell time
- There are 9 different PJ masks faces they can choose from
What We Don't Like That Much
- The band could be manufactured better
10Little Tikes STEM Jr. Wonder Lab Toy with Experiments for kids Multicolor, 28.00 L x 16.00 W x 33.50 H Inches
This experiment lab will allow kids to experience science early on, with over 20 different hands-on STEM experiments included. It is large enough for more than one child to play with simultaneously, and therefore also ideal to develop their social skills while still guaranteeing much fun. The lab can also be a single child’s entertainment corner of course. It has plenty of storage areas to hold all of the pieces that come with the experiment lab, very useful to conduct many experiments.
What we love
- 40 playful sounds and phrases
- 8 unique maze pieces for strategy practice
What We Don't Like That Much
- The table's height cannot be adjusted
11Kids Play Tent Knight Castle - Portable Kids Tent - Kids Pop Up Tent Foldable Into Carrying Bag - Childrens Play Tent For Indoor And Outdoor Use - Kids Playhouse Best Gift For Boys and Girls, Original
For little boys that have always dreamed of becoming a knight in shining armor this will make the perfect prop for them to create all kinds of exciting scenarios to act out their fantasy, by themselves or with family and friends. Plus, this is just an excellent place to allow them to get away and play. The outside of the tent is designed to look like a castle, and it has mesh-netted windows and a roll-up door that will allow them to hide.
What we love
- It has an easy pop-up design
- It comes with a carrying case for effortless transporting
What We Don't Like That Much
- It should not be used as an overnight outside tent
12LEGO Education DUPLO Coding Express 45025, Fun STEM Educational Toy, Introduction to Steam Learning for Girls & Boys Ages 2 & Up (234Piece )
This LEGO DUPLO set will take building experiences to another level with an innovative way to help kids learn about basic coding, which has become popular in today's world of technology. This set is large enough for up to 6 children to play with at the same time, or it can be an exciting solo experience for a child to practice various hands-on activities. This toy has everything that young kids can enjoy because it not only has a physical play concept of using the building blocks but it also uses digital intervention through the use of a free optional app. The blocks in the set come in different sizes and shapes to allow children to be creative in their building experience.
What we love
- The set includes a total of 234 pieces for kids to build various structures
- The educational lessons included with this set were based on the National Association for The Education of Young Children
What We Don't Like That Much
- The "coding" aspect could be stronger
13Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 4 Woody and Buzz Lightyear 2-Character Pack, Movie-inspired Relative-Scale for Storytelling Play [Amazon Exclusive]
For anyone who has enjoyed Disney and Pixar's movie, Toy Story 4, these characters will be an entertaining addition to their collection of toys. This is part of their story in a box series, and it includes not only a detailed figure of Woody but also his trusty steed, Bullseye. These toys are relative in size to the movie versions, and they are both highly posable to make for a more realistic play scenario than what stiff characters that don't move could provide.
What we love
- This is the first time Bullseye has been available on this scale
- They allow children to play out all of their creative scenarios
What We Don't Like That Much
- You can't purchase the Bullseye figure solo
1498K Kids Robot Toy, Smart Talking Robots, Gift for Boys and Girls Age 3+, Intelligent Partner and Teacher, with Voice Controlled and Touch Sensor, Singing, Dancing, Repeating
Every little boy deserves his own robot toy, and with this toy he will definitely have his own robot companion, capable of reacting to 10 different voice commands. It has easy touch sensor sections that help control different functions of the robot and can also be used as a recorder to learn how to speak like him. This robot toy is made entirely from 100% ABS non-toxic plastic material, with a light compact design that will make it easy for the boy to take it with him anywhere.
What we love
- It comes in 2 different color options
- It only requires 3 AAA batteries to operate
What We Don't Like That Much
- Kids have to be within 0.5 meters of the robot for voice commands to work
153 Bees & Me Wooden Pattern Blocks - Fun Montessori Learning Toys for Ages 3 to 9 - Tangram Shapes Set with 155 Pieces
This Montessori learning set will allow kids to build all kinds of 2D structures and creatures with the use of thin wooden blocks. This set includes 130 wooden pieces of different sizes, shapes and colors. This set will especially help children develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It also comes with different pattern cards to push the children to test their ability to follow instructions and create different figures with the blocks.
What we love
- The pieces were designed to be durable and safe
- They teach kids different geometric shapes
What We Don't Like That Much
- The storage bag included could be more durable
16VATOS Wooden Building Toy
This building set features wooden building blocks, which makes them more durable than many other building block sets. The blocks come in different colors to help showcase varied and colorful masterpieces. One of the best features of these blocks is that there are endless kinds of creatures, vehicles and creations that kids can build with all of the pieces available. This set combines different educational concepts from mathematics, science, technology and engineering. They will help kids to develop their problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination.
What we love
- The amount of things to build is only limited by the kids imagination
- This set can be combined with other VATOS STEM building sets to create larger creations
What We Don't Like That Much
- The idea book could have a few more instructions
17Paw Patrol, Marshall Remote Control Fire Truck with 2-Way Steering, for Kids Aged 3 and Up
This is the official Paw Patrol RC vehicle that comes with a simple remote control to drive it around with ease. It has 2-way steering and is made from high-quality plastic material which is safe and durable for children to play with. It has a moving ladder to help provide creative play scenarios and also an easy-to-follow instruction guide. This truck and controller operate using AAA batteries.
What we love
- The truck is designed to look like the Paw Patrol fire engine
- It has the cute Dalmatian Paw patrol character driving the truck
What We Don't Like That Much
- The buttons on the remote can be a little stiff
18Meland Kids Golf Club Set - Toddler Golf Ball Game Play Set Sports Toys Gift for Boys Girls 3 4 5 6 Year Old
This is the ultimate golf set for little boys that want to have fun and get familiar with the game. It provides them with everything that they need to play golf, including clubs, balls, flags and a golf bag. It also comes with 2 golf seats to try and practice their short game.
What we love
- The clubs are different kinds and colors
- The bag is designed to hold all of the equipment for storage
What We Don't Like That Much
- The golf balls can be difficult to get out of the spot on the bag
19Little Tikes Mighty Blasters - Boom Blaster Toy Blaster with 3 Soft Power Pods for Boys and Kids
This Little Tikes Mighty Blaster will allow younger kids to join in on gunfights with their friends without having to worry about anyone getting injured. The blaster is capable of shooting its power pods up to 12ft. which will make it suitable for playing both outside and inside. The 3 power pods that come with this blaster are designed to be soft, with no sharp edges, which is not only safer for the children but also helps to prevent breaking things accidentally when playing inside. This blaster is not only easy to launch, through use of a single pull-back mechanism, but it is easy to reload too, which is important for kids when they are in the midst of an epic battle with their friends. One of the best features of this Mighty Blaster is that it doesn't require any sort of batteries, which means children can play with it non-stop for as long as their hearts desire.
What we love
- This Mighty Blaster comes with a monster target cut-out for solo practice
- The handgrips are cushioned for comfort
What We Don't Like That Much
- It can be tricky to get the pods into the launch port
20BATMAN Classic Mask and Cape Set for Role-Play Dress-Up, for Kids Aged 4 and Up
Becoming Batman might not be so easy but with this dress-up set kids can go very close to that experience and pretend to be their favorite masked hero. Based on the classic Batman look, this costume can provide them with hours of playtime fun. Wearing this costume he can help protect Gotham City from all of the menacing villains that threaten innocent people in the streets, boosting their imagination and creativity. The costume includes both the mask and Batman's cape.
What we love
- Both pieces of the costume are adjustable for different kids sizes
- They are made from high-quality material that will be durable through rough play scenarios
What We Don't Like That Much
- The kids will have to find an outfit to go with the costume for the complete look
21Theefun Dino Sand Kit for Kids, 46 Pieces Sand Play Toys with 3 Lbs Sand, Foldable Sandbox, 6 Castle Molds, 10 Dinosaurs Figures and 10 Dino Molds, Great Gifts for Ages 3+ Years Old Boys and Girls
Playing in the dirt and sand is a time-honored tradition for many children, and with this sandbox kit they can finally enjoy doing this inside, even when the weather is less than optimal. The set comes with a total of 3lbs. of sand, divided into 3 different colors, which will make for colorful sand castles. The sand that comes with this set will feel like wet beach sand but it was designed to never dry out and never be sticky, which will avoid the grainy mess that dry sand can cause. However, sand is not the only thing you will find in this Play Sand Kit. It includes several molds and crafting tools that will trigger a child’s imagination, unlike with some other sand building kits that are less well equipped. This one also comes with a foldable sandbox to help control the mess better, and on top of the small toy molds this kit also includes several toy accessories like trees and dinosaurs to add to playtime scenario options.
What we love
- The sand is easily molded with or without the actual molds
- If required, the sand can be cut without breaking and falling apart
What We Don't Like That Much
- You aren't able to choose the different colors of sand that come with the playset
22Kids Play Food Grill with Pretend Smoke Sound Light Kitchen Playset Pretend BBQ Accessories Fine Motor Skills Toy Cooking Birthday Gift Outdoor Toys for Toddlers Children Boys Girls
For boys that love cooking and grilling with their parents this will make the perfect playset because it will allow them to create and grill some of their favorite foods, just like grown-ups do. It was designed to be realistic, and it not only produces real sounds and light effects, but it even uses water vapor to simulate real smoke coming up from the grill grate. This grill will help young boys to develop their fine motor skills by using the various grilling utensils and handling the play food accessories that come with the set. This grill will require a small amount of assembly which can be dealt with by the children themselves, but all of the accessories and the grill itself are made from durable food-grade plastic material.
What we love
- All of the accessories can be easily stored in the grill when set up
- All parts of the grill and accessories can be cleaned easily
What We Don't Like That Much
- You need to use distilled water to keep the smoke feature from messing up
23Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Building Blocks – STEM Preschool Toys for Babies, Toddlers, Boys and Girls, The Ultimate Bath Toy – Helicopter Set
This building block set is unique when compared to most other sets because the pieces are bath-friendly, which means kids can enjoy taking them with them literally anywhere. However, they do not have to be used in the bathtub. The blocks are made from a soft magnetic material that will allow them to not only stick to each other but also have the capability of rotating 360 degrees if desired. They can help provide a multi-sensory experience that other building block sets are incapable of providing.
What we love
- These blocks are dishwasher safe
- They will help with spatial reasoning skills and engineering skills
What We Don't Like That Much
- It could come with an idea building guide
24LEGO DUPLO Construction Tower Crane & Construction 10933 Exclusive Creative Building Playset with Toy Vehicles; Build Fine Motor, Social and Emotional Skills; Gift for Toddlers, New 2020 (123 Pieces)
Like most LEGO DUPLO sets, this construction set is an excellent opportunity for kids to learn how to build small structures while developing their critical thinking skills. The set showcases a variety of features, including 5 random contemporary figures that would be seen on or around a real construction site, as well as 4 of the most popular large construction vehicles that are used in the industry. These vehicles have a range of cool features such as lights, sounds and even push & go friction motors that are easy to operate, providing realistic action for different play scenarios. One should note that some of the sound effects require either 3 LR41 or LR44 button cell batteries.
What we love
- The blocks are sized to be readily picked up with the included vehicles
- The crane on the top of the construction building can swivel
What We Don't Like That Much
- This playset does contain some smaller pieces
25LeapFrog LeapStart Preschool Success, Green
This LeapStart is the ultimate start to allow kids to not only learn critical concepts before going to preschool but also introducing them to the world of technology. Different books can be purchased for this LeapStart and each one comes with its own lessons that will help young children to learn everything, from the alphabet to numbers, shapes and even musical notes.
What we love
- Some of the activities are replayable with different levels
- It only requires 2 AA batteries to run
What We Don't Like That Much
- It will need access to a computer and the internet to download content for the LeapStart
26JOYSTAR 12 Inch Kids Bikes with Training Wheels for 2 3 4 Years Old Boys 12" Toddlers Cycle for Early Rider Child Pedal MTB Bike Blue
This bike was designed to be the ultimate transportation mode for kids. It is delivered 85% assembled, which means you will not have to worry about the technicalities of putting the bike together. It can be purchased in 3 different color schemes and has a small basket on the front that will allow children to carry their most prized possessions with them without worrying about dropping and breaking anything. This set also comes with coaster brakes to be easier for younger kids to use as well as a set of training wheels for those who are still learning how to keep their balance.
What we love
- The handlebars have soft handgrips for traction and comfort
- The seat is adjustable for growing kids
What We Don't Like That Much
- The assembly instructions are a bit vague
27iPlay, iLearn Monster Trucks Toy for Boy, Big Play Foot Vehicles, Pull Back, Friction Powered, Toddlers Push and Go Set, Animal Toy Cars for 1 2 3 4 Year Old Boys, Birthday Gift for 12 18 Month Kids
These adorable monster truck toys are designed to provide children with an excellent toy to play with inside or outside. Each of the 3 monster trucks has a different type of motor. For instance, the flaming bull has a friction motor that helps it to drive forwards, the lightning leopard has a pullback motor function and the speedy gator can easily be pushed along to glide. Finally, each truck has an adorable design of its own.
What we love
- These trucks have a sturdy construction
- They can be used as decorations for parties
What We Don't Like That Much
- The trucks could be a little larger in size
28CreateOn Farmyard Barn Magna-Tile Structure Set,, The Original Magnetic Building Tiles Making Learning Shapes Fun and Hands-On, Versatile Educational Toy for Children Ages 3 Years +
Magna-Tile sets are becoming increasingly popular with younger children because they are not like traditional building blocks. For instance, this set is designed to allow kids to build a beautiful Farmyard barn, and each tile is double-sided which will give them more options of how to decorate and create their barn. Just like with all Magna-Tile sets, each tile can be connected to another, and this set itself is compatible with all other Magna-Tile sets, which adds to the creative possibilities of this toy.
What we love
- These tiles are designed to help with hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills
- They can help children develop problem-solving skills
What We Don't Like That Much
- This set only includes 31 tile pieces
In Conclusion
If you were ever a 4-year-old boy you’ll remember some of the amazing toys you used to love at that age. You may well still have some of them stored away for safe-keeping (if you still have old LEGO sets they might actually be worth a pretty penny now), but we bet you never had a rainbow sprinkler or a Super Gekko smartwatch. You might have had a Tamagotchi though, and if so you’re probably wishing you’d kept hold of that. In that case, why not treat yourself to a new 20th anniversary Tamagotchi mini? And if your 4-year-old might want one, you can check out our 10 Best Tamagotchi Toys list for ideas.