The Best Gifts For 4-Year-Olds, From Balance Bikes to Jewelry Kits
We've scoured the internet for the best toys and gift ideas for those 4-year-olds in your life, reading through countless reviews and considering the most popular picks from our own toy chests at home. The 4-year-olds you know are really morphing into full-fledged kids now, and they have their favorite toys and characters and opinions about everything. That said, these fun finds — including educational toys, award-winning toys, and mobility gifts — are sure to be hits when your preschooler opens them! And what's better than seeing that smile? Not much. We're particularly loving the cool STEM toys, the water-friendly bath toys that help with nighttime routines, and the toys that help them practice their motor skills. Plus, there's a cool balance bike, a unique jewelry-making kit, and a modern, tot-friendly twist on the classic pogo stick that will make everyone want to come hang out at their house. The best part? The vast majority of these gifts are under $50 and available on Amazon, which keeps it easy. Just keep reading to shop our best toys, holiday presents, and birthday gift ideas for 4-year-olds!
If you're also shopping for kids of other ages, not to worry. We've compiled our favorite gifts for 1-year-olds to teens. Find the best gifts for the toddlers and kids in your life with our gift guides, including for 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, 7-year-olds, 8-year-olds, 9-year-olds, tweens, and teens.
— Additional reporting by Angela Elias
Best Bath Art Toy
ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Draw in the Tub Crayons ($15)
Bath time has never been this fun. With these crayons, your little Picasso can create all they want, and you don't have to stress about a mess. There are six different color options, and they wash right off the tub!
Best Observational Toy
Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope ($23, originally $25)
Encourage your little scientist to do some investigating with this microscope. It will inspire them to get excited about biology and chemistry. It has two extra large eyepieces so they'll be able to see what's happening without squinting.
Best Digital Sketch Pad
This eco-friendly writing tablet is a mess-free alternative to markers and paper. It can be used for drawing, writing letters and numbers, and playing tic tac toe, meaning it's perfect for this stage and beyond.
Best Reusable Drawing Mat
Toyk Aqua Magic Mat ($26, originally $38)
They can draw everywhere with this aqua mat. The best part is, they won't make a major mess. Just fill the pen with water and draw on the mat; after 10 minutes, it will disappear, as if by magic!
Best Interactive Book
I Spy - Everything! ($9)
The inquisitive child will love this interactive book. Plus, it's something the whole family can engage with. This is a great way to help your child learn their ABC's and match names with objects and things.
Best Karaoke Toy
Bonaok Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone ($27, originally $50)
If they're dreaming of being a musician, gift them this microphone. It'll make for a fun night in for the whole family. It comes in a bunch of different colors, but we love the fun hot pink, and we think they will too.
Best Jewelry-Making Kit
Tara Toy Disney Princess Necklace Activity ($13)
If they love jewelry, they need this necklace kit. They can make as many necklaces as they want, and then pile them on! There are lots of colorful beads, lanyards, and even princess charms, so they'll never run out of ideas.
Best Bathtub Game
Fajiabao Bathtub Fishing Game ($10, originally $17)
Bathtime just got that much more fun with this fishing kit. Honestly, we're excited to use them too. It comes with a rod and three fish, so they can work on their hand eye coordination, and have some fun catching fish!
Best Bath Athletic Toy
3 Bees & Me Bath Toy Basketball Hoop & Balls Set ($18, originally $22)
This basketball bath toy fits around 95% of bathtub faucets. It'll make any kid excited for bath time, especially one who's obsessed with sports. Plus, it's super easy to clean, and is compact enough to be stored when you want to take a bath.
Best Imaginative Racetrack
Lydaz Race Track Dinosaur World ($22, originally $26)
If they're obsessed with dinosaurs, and they're also obsessed with cars, we've found the toy for them. They'll love this dinosaur race track. You just snap the track together; it's easy to set up, and works for kids ages three to eight, making it perfect for your four year old.
Best E-Reader
Paw Patrol Me Reader Electronic Reader and 8-Book Library ($15, originally $33)
This electronic reader will keep them entertained for hours. It's a great way to teach Paw Patrol lovers how to love reading. The module actually reads the books aloud, so they can follow along and learn the words.
Best Book For Teaching Manners
May I Please Have a Cookie? ($5)
We ask this question all the time. This book teaches the importance of good manners in a really cute way. Be warned, though, you may want to have a cookie on hand for after they finish this book!
Best Search-and-Find Book
Disney Pixar Toy Story 4 Look and Find Activity Book ($9, originally $11)
Search for all their favorite characters with this book. They'll have fun looking for Woody, Buzz, and the whole gang. There are plenty of different scenes and fun clues, so they'll never be bored.
Best Princess Tent
Monobeach Princess Tent ($30, originally $56)
They can create their own world in this tent. Any space can be magically transformed into a place they'll love to play. It can accommodate up to three kids at a time, making it a great option for siblings, cousins, or friends.
Best Pogo Jumper
Flybar My First Foam Pogo Jumper for Kids ($17)
Let them have some good, safe fun with this cute pogo jumper. They'll feel like they're flying while barely leaving the ground. It does provide a little squeak when they leave the ground, which is good for parents to know.
Best Classic Children's Card Games Set
Classic Childrens Card Games Set ($15)
Introduce your child to Go Fish, Old Maid, Crazy 8's, and Monster Mash. The best part is, they're so easy to take with you, so when you're going on a family vacation or headed to visit grandma and grandpa, there's a fun activity the whole family can enjoy.
Best Balance Bike
Strider 12" Sport Bike ($130)
If they (or you) are ready for a bike, there's no better way to teach them how to balance and steer than with a balance bike. This pedal-free bike has an adjustable seat and handlebar heights (which require no tools!), so it can grow with your child. It's lightweight and easy for them to handle and features a padded seat and footrests so they can coast once they've picked up speed. With this bike, the transition to a bigger bike with pedals will be a piece of cake.
Best Building Toy
Magna-Tiles 32-Piece Clear Colors Set ($50)
If they love building and creating, they're going to be obsessed with this Magnatiles set. They can build whatever they can create in their imagination. With 32 pieces that contain squares and triangles, they can create their own little city or neighborhood.