Are you looking for learning toys for your 4 year old? If so, you may be glad to hear that you’re in the right place here at Pigtail Pals.
Finding an awarding winning toy that involves a great learning experience for your child, while also keeping them engaged can be difficult. It’s hard to come across toys that have the balance of excitement and learning, which we feel is a MUST at this age,
So in order to help, we’ve researched what the top rated educational toys for 4 year olds are and laid all the details out in an easy-to-read review below. All you need to do is have a read through the options below and pick the one that you think would be best for your little one.
Our List of the Best Learning Toys for 4 Year Olds
So now that we’ve touched on educative toys for kids this age lets get into our review of the best options for your boy or girl and get your little one on to developing ahead of the crowd. You can also use our buyers guide section that’s available at the end to gain more information surrounding these educative toys.
Learn to How Spelling Toy from Melissa & Doug
Summary
This educational toy comes with a case that makes it easy to store the pieces away and take around with you while you’re traveling. We were impressed with how there are over 50 pieces available in the set.
This includes boards and a range of letter pieces. Kids are able to use the challenges to put the letters in the corresponding places. As a result, they’re provided with a hands-on experience to learning about words.
Not to mention, their development of their attention span definitely come into play when trying to figure out the puzzles.
Pros
- Teaches about words
- Easy to travel with
Cons
- Some find duplicate spelling boards are included
What makes this stand out?
This is an awesome hands-on set that allows your child to learn more about letters while having fun and challenging themselves with the puzzles.
Melissa & Doug Educative Blocks
Summary
This is another great Melissa & Doug set for preschoolers that makes a great gift for them. It that includes a range of over 100 wooden blocks that have been designed with bright colors and a variety of shapes.
As a result, children are able to work on their color and shape recognition abilities. In addition to this, children can improve their ability to focus and stick to solving problems when it comes to putting the blocks together and making different structures.
Pros
- Improves problem solving
- Helps with color & shape recognition
Cons
- Some would prefer if the boards had more depth
What makes this stand out?
Children have been having a blast using this to build and be creative with. They’re also able to strengthen their knowledge on colors and shapes.
K’NEX Preschooler Educational Building Set
Summary
The K’NEX set comes with a total of 116 pieces that have been made with a bright and colorful design. This is an excellent toy to help improve your little ones color recognition abilities. While building things with these pieces, your little one is provided with a great opportunity to be super imaginative.
In addition to this, the hands-on playing experience is fantastic for developing their motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
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Pros
- Improves color recognition
- Sparks creative thinking
Cons
- Can be difficult for some to use on their own
What makes this stand out?
The colorful design available with this is great for your little one’s color recognition skills. They’re also able to let their creative side run wild while building different structures.
Flower Garden Building Set
Summary
A great way to allow your 4 year old to express their creativity this flower garden set will allow children to create a bunch of beautiful flowers and build their own beautiful garden over and over again. The colors are bright and there are a lot of different types of centers and petals to choose from.
Pros
- This is a wonderful alternative to those building sets standard building sets for vehicles and buildings.
- Kids love being able to create special flower gardens that they can display and then take apart to build a new one.
Cons
- There are small parts that could pose a choking hazard to small children
What makes this stand out?
This building set stands out because of its unique flower theme allowing children to be really creative.
Learning Journey Matching Set
Summary
this toy comes with a range of puzzles that make the learning process a lot of fun.We were also impressed with how these puzzles help kids to learn more about words and how to spell. This is achieved by forming different cards together that have incomplete words to reveal a complete word.
Furthermore, parents have been finding that this is excellent for improving their child’s ability to focus better.
Pros
- Teaches how to spell
- Improves concentration
Cons
- Some would prefer if the parts were smaller
What makes this stand out?
Children have been having fun challenging themselves and completing the puzzles in this set to develop their problem-solving and learn more about words.
STEM Constructor Kit
Summary
We liked how this gift idea comes with a lot of pieces that allow a four year old to construct a total of 42 different designs by following the instructions. Therefore, you can be sure that they’ll be engaged with this for a while. Constructing the designs with this is an incredibly imaginative process.
Pros
- Sparks creativity
- Many designs available so your little one will enjoy this for years
Cons
- Instructions could be more specific
What makes this stand out?
Your child is able to have fun building the wide range of models available in this to challenge themselves.
Crocodile Hop Floor Game
Summary
This is a fun game for preschoolers that is great for reinforcing what they have learned about colors and shapes, counting and number recognition and helping to improve their gross motor skills. This game also teaches kids how to follow simple directions.
Pros
- Easy to make your own rules for more fun play
- Kids love playing this game because it allows for activity
Cons
- Terrible smell that have some parents worried
What makes this stand out?
This is a fun active game for preschoolers that teaches them how to follow simple rules.
Kids Educational Microscope
Summary
This microscope set is incredible educational toy since it has been programmed with more than 100 questions and facts. It is a great science toy for kids age 4 to learning from. There is a quiz and fact mode available that lets kids listen to the microscope as it can help them learn via sound by talking to them.
Therefore, it’s a very interactive toy that can improve your little one’s auditory senses. It’s also great for helping them too learn more about a a wide range of topics while having fun.
There is a total of 60 images available that one can look at by using the microscope. The dual eyepieces make it easier for children to see the pictures without having to shut one eye.
Pros
- Highly educational
- Improves auditory learning
- Easy-to-use dual eyepieces
Cons
- Pictures on the sliders could be of a higher quality
What makes this stand out?
This is an excellent toy that educates kids on a wide range of topics while using the Fact or Quiz mode. They’re also able to improve their auditory learning due to the speaking features that are available. If you looking for educational gifts for 4 year olds that aren’t toys this microscope set is one of the best options.
Educational Toy Dinosaur Set by Kidtastic
Summary
This dinosaur toy set comes with an impressive range of 106 pieces, which keeps your children entertained for hours. It comes fully assembled to let you start playing with it right away.
However, they can also take the toys apart and work on putting them back together by following the instructions. This is a fun process that improves their problem-solving abilities.
We also liked how the set encourages children to play in groups with others. This is because there are so many pieces and toys available. It can be a lot of fun for your little one to play with others, which is awesome for their social skills.
Pros
- Improves problem-solving
- Can help with social skills
Cons
- A little flimsier than some were anticipating
What makes this stand out?
We liked how this lets kids play with others due to how many pieces and toys that are included. It’s great for improving their social skills and ability to work in teams.
Magnetic Building Blocks
Summary
This magnetic building set is very easy for little children to use. The hands-on experience is excellent for developing their motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
We liked how there’s a range of shapes available in the set as well. These include squares, triangles, and hexagons. Therefore, kids are provided with a great change to improve their shape recognition abilities.
While constructing the set, your child is able to let their imaginative side run wild. If they ever get stuck with building different designs, you can also be sure that their problem-solving abilities will be enhanced too.
Pros
- Improves shape recognition
- Encourages creative thinking
Cons
- Not as durable as some were hoping
What makes this stand out?
We liked how this allows kids to have a hands-on experience to learn about different shapes. They’re also able to develop their coordination and motor skills during the building process.
Playmobil Camping Mega Set
Summary
This camping play set is perfect for encouraging imaginative play. The set comes with a camper that has a kitchen and dining area as well as space for 4 sleeping figures. This set comes with 3 figures, a quad, floating canoe, pots and pans, raccoons, dog, grill and so much more. This set will provide your little one with tons of fun as they create their own camping adventures.
Pros
- This set comes with lots of accessories for really in-depth imaginative play
- Easy to put together
Cons
- Some people find this set a bit on the small side
What makes this stand out?
This camping set has everything needed to encourage preschool age children to engage in imaginative play making up their own little world complete with stories and adventures.
Matching & Number Set
Summary
This matching game is a very interactive toy that comes with a range of muffin counters, dice, tweezers, and more. Therefore, there’s plenty to play with and be entertained for a while.
We liked how they’re able to use the counters to learn how to count. In addition to this, they can put them into different groups, which is great for your little one’s sorting skills, as well as their pattern recognition abilities.
The bright colors used to design the set are great for your child’s color recognition skills too. Furthermore, kids this age have been loving the hands-on playing experience that’s available with the set.
Pros
- Improving counting
- Enhances sorting abilities
- Helps with color recognition
Cons
- Can be messy to use
What makes this stand out?
Your child is able to improve their basic counting skills, while also being able to recognize different colors and work on their sorting abilities.
Educational Insights Tool Set
Summary
This Tool Set by Educational Insights comes with colorful bolts that can bee used to sort into different groups. It can be a fun way for them to work on their counting skills, as well as their color recognition abilities. We liked how this involves a very hands-on approach to playing by using the pretend drill and wrench that’s included.
We were also impressed with how there is a wide variety of pieces for children to play with for hours. While deconstructing and building the different parts, kids are inspired to use their creativity more.
Pros
- Improves counting skills
- Helps with color recognition
- Inspires imaginative thinking
Cons
- Some get bored with this after a while
What makes this stand out?
Children have been having a lot of fun using this to learn how to count and become more familiar with colors.
Alphabet Educational Learning Toy
Summary
This toy is another great one for preschoolers. It comes with a range of 50 flaps and buttons that have been made with a colorful design. As a result, you are able to work on their color recognition abilities.
There are also various shapes available that strengthen your child’s knowledge on different shapes. While playing with this, children are provided with an excellent opportunity to learn about letters.
They’re able to learn about the differences between lower and uppercase letters by playing a game as well. Therefore, this is very interactive and makes the learning process more fun.
It’s not quite a reading toy but it get your kids well on their way to learning to read when they start Kindergarten.
Pros
- Improves shape recognition
- Teaches about colors
- Learn about the alphabet
Cons
- Stickers can be prone to coming off over time
What makes this stand out?
We liked how this enables children to have fun while learning about the alphabet, as well as different colors and shapes.
Marble Construction Set
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Summary
Children have been having a blast constructing this and being able to play with it afterwards. It comes with a number of different shapes that enable kids to improve their shape recognition abilities.
Furthermore, they’re encouraged to read by following the instructions and assembling the marble set. Assembling this toy is also a great way for children to work on their problem-solving abilities. Playing with the marbles once the set is complete is also a lot of fun for children.
Pros
- Improves problem-solving
- Teaches about shapes
Cons
- Can be tricky to assemble
What makes this stand out?
This is a fun set to build and use the various pieces to improve their knowledge on shapes.
Stencil Art Set
Summary
If you’re looking for an educational toy for a son or daughter who loves to be artistic, this stencil set could be an awesome choice. It comes with a sharpener, pencils, paper, stencils, a case, and pen. So, kids are provided with everything they need to start drawing and using their imaginative side.
In addition to this, parents have been liking how there’s a carry case included. This makes it easy to store all the pieces away. It also means that you can take the set around with you to keep your little on engaged while you’re on the go.
Pros
- Easily portable
- Plenty of supplies
Cons
- Some would prefer if the set was larger
What makes this stand out?
We liked how this comes with plenty of supplies that allow children to get as imaginative as they want. It’s also easily portable!
Outdoor Camping Set
Summary
Are you looking for an educational gift for a 4 yr old who love to be outdoors? If so, this camping gear could be a fantastic option. It comes with a outdoor play tent, walkie-talkie, telescope, shovel, whistle, compass, flashlight, and a thermometer.
Therefore, there’s plenty of supplies for children to have a blast playing with outdoors together. It’s a great experience that teaches kids how a compass works, as well as how to use a thermometer and telescope.
Not to mention, children have been having a blast playing inside this tent and using all the supplies with siblings and friends. As a result, you can expect their social skills to improve greatly.
Pros
- Teaches how a compass works
- Improves social skills
- Educates on thermometers & telescopes
Cons
- Tent is smaller than some were expecting
What makes this stand out?
This is an incredibly fun set that kids have been having a blast playing with friends outdoors for hours on end. They’re able to learn how a compass works, as well as how to properly use a telescope and thermometer.
VTech Racer
Summary
VTech’s racing set comes with a range of 3 modes. These include a motorcycle, car, and a jet. Children have been having blast using these modes on the 9 different courses that are available.
You can be sure that it will keep them entertained for hours. We were impressed with how they’ve implemented realistic racing sounds for a more immersive experience. This also enables kids to develop their auditory senses.
Furthermore, there are various modes that provide children with a good opportunity to learn more about shapes, words, and numbers. It makes the learning experience a lot more interactive and exciting.
Pros
- Realistic sounds
- Teaches about numbers, shapes, & words
- Super interactive
Cons
- Some would prefer if the screen had colors
What makes this stand out?
Kids are able to have a remarkably interactive learning experience with this. As a result, they can strengthen their knowledge on shapes, numbers, and words, while also having a blast.
VTech Music Player
Summary
VTech’s music player is available in a pink color which makes it one of the best educational toys for 4 yr old girls. They’ve been loving how they’re able to choose between genres that include hip-hop, classical, and rock.
Listening to and singing along with the music is awesome for improving their auditory and verbal senses. Furthermore, we were impressed with how there are 10 games available that help kids learn more about animals, letters, and numbers.
Your little one can also have a blast using the other interactive features that are available on the screen.
Pros
- Teaches about numbers, letters, & animals
- Improves auditory learning
Cons
- Headphones could be more durable
What makes this stand out?
We were impressed with how this music player comes with games that enable kids to learn about numbers, animals, and letters while having fun. Their auditory skills are also able to develop while listening to the music.
Buyers Guide to the Best Developmental Toys for a 4 Year Old
Now that you’ve read through our review of some of the most fun learning toys for a 4 year old that are currently available, you can begin narrowing down your search to find the one that you think your little one would enjoy the most.
However, if you’re still having a hard time picking a toy, don’t worry. We’ve put together this buyers guide section to provide you with more information about the kinds of benefits that these toys have to offer.
By the end, you’ll be feeling a lot better about the type of toy that you want to get for your little boy or girl.
Benefits of Interactive Toys for a 4 Yr Old
While reading through our review of the top educational toys for boys and girls, you will have noticed that many of them have some similar benefits.
If you were interested to learn more about what the developmental and educational benefits are, take a look at the sections below.
Creative Thinking
Your child’s ability to use their creative thinking processes is incredibly important for ensuring that their imaginative side isn’t being neglected. Stimulating your little one’s creative thinking skills is a crucial factor in their development.
It can encourage them to feel more confident when it comes to thinking outside of the box. As a result, your child’s ability to come up with solutions to complex problems can be developed.
Therefore, finding toys that enable their creative side to flourish is important. There are many building sets in our review that inspire kids to be super imaginative with the kinds of structures that they build.
In addition to this, any kind of art set is awesome for helping your little one tap into their imaginative side.
Problem-Solving
Toys that challenge young minds cognitively can be effective at improving their problem-solving abilities. The sets that involve puzzles and various challenges can be an exciting way for your little one to develop their ability to come up with solutions to problems.
It’s a skill that will serve them well later in life too!
Numbers & Letters
Improving your little one’s knowledge on numbers and letters can sometimes be tricky because you have to find ways of keeping them entertained at the same time.
Well, many of the best learning toys for 4 yr olds in our review manage to combine fun and learning. As a result, children are able to have a more exciting and interactive experience while learning at the same time.
This is an effective way to encourage them to want to continue developing more. There are some toys that include designs of numbers and letters that provide kids with a hands-on learning experience.
Furthermore, some toys have a music or speaking feature that allows children to listen to different numbers and letters. This is an effective way to boost your child’s knowledge on numbers and letters while also stimulating their auditory learning senses.
Shapes & Colors
Good and educative toys for 4 year olds usually come with a colorful design. This provides your little one with a fantastic opportunity to strengthen their knowledge on different colors. It also makes the toys more exciting to play with.
There are numerous toy sets in our review that have been made with a variety of shapes as well. This ensures that your little one a hands-on experience which makes learning about different shapes a lot more immersive and fun.
We also liked how the learning toys that include different shapes and colors encourage kids to sort them into specific groups, based on their color and shape. This is a fantastic way to help your little one develop their matching and sorting skills.
Motor Skills & Hand-Eye Coordination
At 4 years old, it’s a great idea to provide your little one with learning toys that enable them to have a very hands-on playing experience. This is because it can be an effective way to strengthen their motor skills and coordination, which are crucial skills for them to work on from an early age.
The range of building sets that we’ve reviewed in this post would be fantastic choices!
Final Thoughts on Popular Educational Toys for Preschoolers Age 4
So, that wraps up our review on what the best educational toys for 4 year olds have to offer. We recommend that you consider the main features, pros, cons, and the aspects that make each toy stand out.
This will ensure that you have the best idea of whether or not you think it would be a good option.
There are plenty of options throughout our review that all have a range of different developmental benefits. Be sure to use our buyers guide to become more familiar with the kinds of benefits that they can provide for your preschooler.
Hopefully, all of the information you need to make the best decision possible in regards to learning toys can be found in our review!
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