Play Figures
Little play figures like Spidey and Friends, Daniel Tiger, and Bluey are a huge hit with my kids! They love acting out scenes from their favorite shows and coming up with their own stories. These figures are the perfect size for little hands, and they’re great for sparking imaginative play. I have had so much fun playing along!
Melissa & Doug Ice Cream Set
These pretend ice cream cones are irresistible! (No really, you will have to constantly be asking your kids NOT to actually put them in their mouths! Ha!) But for years now, they have consistently been a favorite toy to imagine with in our house.
Cash Register
If you’re like me, you might be torn between a plastic cash register with lights, sounds, and beeping scanners, and a simple, sustainable wooden option. After going through this dilemma myself, I wish I had chosen a wooden cash register from the start!
Here’s the thing—while the lights and sounds can be exciting initially, my kids lost interest in those features after a short time. What really matters is how a toy engages their creativity. A wooden cash register encourages imaginative play and it’s also durable, eco-friendly, and has a timeless charm that plastic toys simply can’t match.
This register comes with realistic features like a functional drawer, wooden coins, and even a pretend scanner. It’s everything your little shopkeeper needs to bring their store to life.
MAGNA-TILES
MAGNA-TILES are an investment, but they are worth every penny. They are a creative and engaging building toy that sparks imagination and encourages STEM learning. These colorful, magnetic tiles come in various shapes, allowing kids to construct 2D patterns and 3D structures with ease. In addition to building, we like to stick ours to magnetic surfaces (dishwashers, refrigerators, garage doors, etc.) Whether creating a castle, rocket, or road, your child will enjoy hours of open-ended fun. Ideal for kids ages 3 and up, they’re a great gift that grows with your child’s creativity and skills.
If your child already has MAGNA-TILES, consider buying some of their specialized sets that come with roads, animals, cars, etc.
Let's Go Fishin' Game
We love this classic game at our house. Let’s Go Fishin’ is a super fun game where kids try to catch colorful fish with a little fishing rod! The fish swim around in a spinning pond, and the challenge is to hook as many as you can before time runs out. It’s easy to play and helps kids improve their hand-eye coordination and focus. Perfect for kids 4 and up!
Kinetic Sand
Kinetic Sand is hands-down one of the coolest toys out there! It’s soft, squishy, and so much fun to play with—you can mold it, shape it, or just let it flow through your fingers. The best part? It never dries out (if it seems dry you just mist it with water) and is super easy to clean up because it sticks to itself, not everything else. Whether your kids are building sandcastles, smashing them down, or just enjoying the sensory fun, this stuff keeps them entertained for hours.
Micro Kickboard Mini Deluxe Scooter
The Micro Kickboard Mini Deluxe LED Scooter is perfect for 3-4-year-olds who love to play and explore. Its three-wheeled design provides stability, and the lean-to-steer system helps kids develop balance and coordination. My boys love the motion-activated LED wheels! The handlebar adjusts so that it grows with your child, and its nice and lightweight!
Kwik Stix Paint Sticks
Kwik Stix Paint Sticks are a hit in our house! My son loves using them on his big pad of paper to create colorful masterpieces. The colors are so vibrant, and I love how easy they are to use—no mess! It’s the perfect craft for when we want to unleash creativity without worrying about paint splatters.
Balance Bike
A balance bike is the perfect way to get kids excited about riding! Without pedals, it helps them learn balance and coordination naturally while building their confidence. Lightweight and easy to steer, it’s great for cruising around the driveway or park. With adjustable features to grow along with your child, it makes learning to ride fun and stress-free—getting them ready to transition to a pedal bike when the time comes!
Glow in the Dark
Race Track
The Glow in the Dark Race Track combines racing fun with an awesome glow-in-the-dark twist! My kids absolutely love setting up the flexible tracks and watching their cars zoom through the glowing course. Easy to set up, fun to race, and a big hit in our house!
Osmo Starter Kit
Our kids love Osmo! You attach a little reflector to your tablet/iPad, and then your creations come to life on screen! A hands-on, interactive way to introduce preschoolers to early learning! This kit helps kids develop creativity, problem-solving, and early literacy skills. With fun activities like letter formation, dress-up games, and storytelling, it keeps little learners entertained while they build essential skills. A perfect gift for curious preschoolers who love to learn through play!
Puzzles
Puzzles are a fantastic way to build early problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and patience in young children. The Chuckle & Roar four pack of puzzles is great, because they vary in difficulty; so your child can gradually build puzzle skills. The Melissa & Doug wooden puzzle set is sturdy and has beautiful farm pictures. The WOOD CITY Wooden Toddler Puzzles are another great option, featuring fun, colorful designs that can stand up!
Cleaning Set
Kids love to imitate the grown-ups around them, and this Melissa & Doug Cleaning Set lets them do just that! With a kid-sized broom, mop, duster, brush, and dustpan, little ones can have fun “cleaning” while building confidence and responsibility.
This set is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who enjoy pretend play and helping out around the house. It encourages motor skills, coordination, and independence—all while making cleanup time fun!
Target Shopping Cart
The Target Toy Shopping Cart is a top pick for pretend play and makes a fantastic gift for 3–4 year olds. Built sturdy for little shoppers, it features a roomy basket, a fold-down seat for dolls or stuffed animals, and smooth-rolling wheels that make it easy to push around. Kids will love filling it with play food, toys, or even real groceries while practicing imagination, role play, and motor skills. If you’re looking for one of the best gifts for preschoolers who love pretend play, this shopping cart is sure to be a hit.