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Screen-free toys that actually get played with (mom and 4yo approved)
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items These are the toys my 4-year-old actually plays with. Not just once…like again and again, sometimes for 10 minutes, sometimes for an entire peaceful hour while I reheat my coffee and pretend to clean. They’re open-ended, creative, and don’t require s...
Sections
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Open Ended Favorites
In our Hot Wheels Era
Creative Play + Pretend
Sensory Play
Horizontal Parenting
Open Ended Favorites
These are the “build, design, create” toys that work forever
he holy grail. Endless builds. Castles, garages, robot traps - you name it. Ours are out at all times.
Magna Tiles
Simple, and grows with them. Sometimes they're building, sometimes they're food. Sometimes they're just something to knock down
Wooden Blocks
Takes a little support to get going, but once he figured out the pieces, he was HOOKED. One of those toys that yes I support him to get started, but once set-up he will play on his own for a while.
Best Marble Runs
My MIL still has these from when her sons were little and they are still a favorite. Be weary of small pieces, but these last and keeps my kid busy for 20+ minutes
K'NEX | Construction Toys: Model Sets
In our Hot Wheels Era
For the little ones in your life that love cars… it's easy to get extra tracks at the dollar store and find new cool cars at the grocery.
This was our BIG present last year for Christmas… and it gets played with DAILY still. Can add on or play with on it's own and just use regular hot wheels tracks
Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage
You need cars… and there are a ton! We always check out the grocery store or dollar store for specific ones and you can get just one.
Hot Wheels Toy Cars & Trucks 10-Pack,
You can also find plain tracks at most dollar stores for cheap! Easy for little hands to slide together and build crazy sets!
Hot Wheels: Track Sets
Creative Play + Pretend
Everyone loves to pretend!
High quality, my kid is always opening a restaurant for his stufffed animals.
Melissa & Doug: Play Food
I love listening to his little voice take care of his stuffed animals - and when he does want to include me, I get to lay down and just be a patient.
Doctor Kit
Are they scares, are they blankets for stuffed animals, are they dancing props? My son loves these and has used them for all types of things
Play Scarves
Hands down the number one Melissa and Doug set I recommend - the ice cream shop. Loves to play, and again when he does include me, it's horizontal peak parenting
Melissa & Doug Wooden Scoop & Serve Ice Cream Counter
Sensory Play
The easiest for quiet time and play
This is my kid's favorite set (and mine too) along with the smoothie one! Playdoh is a favorite and perfect for when I just want to enjoy my coffee hot
Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Noodle Party Set
This one is great - however the hardest part is watching your kid mix the colors, lol!
Play Doh Swirlin' Smoothies Toy Blender Playset
Sensory input plus tactical and motor skill work! Mine loves this, and then uses the figures to play too
Counting Sorting Dinosaur Toys Montessori ...
Just put an old plastic tablecloth under their station for easy clean-up!
Kinetic Sand | One Pile of Sand, Endless Possibilities
Horizontal Parenting
AKA, you just want to lay on the couch cause you didn't sleep but your kiddo wants to play
Quiet and focused, minimal input from you besides a little help peeling, and “I love how you arranged that!”
Reusable Sticker Book
Classic and a hit! Practice letters, numbers, and drawing pictures and playing “guess what I drew”
Magnetic Drawing Board
My 4 year old loves this, it takes him about 25 minutes, its fun, and he learns something too. After doing it together 2-3 times, he can now do it on his own but this is a lay on the floor fave.
United States Puzzles for Kids Ages 4-6 - ...