12 Gifts For 4-Year-Olds That Are Making Our Nice List in 2023

Fat Brain Teeter Popper ($45)

Banish cabin fever with a Teeter Popper. One of the most popular Fat Brain toys for 4-year-olds, the Teeter Popper allows kids to wiggle, sit, stand, tilt, spin, and wobble, helping them build strength, stability, balance, and gross motor skills along the way. Bonus: it lets kids get their energy out even when it's too cold (or hot) to even think about opening the door. The Teeter Popper comes in three colors (blue, green, and pink), so you can match the playroom's aesthetic.

What reviewers say: "My 4-yr old granddaughter loves her new teeter popper as do her 2 older sisters. It makes a satisfying popping noise and offers active indoor play," one five-star reviewer wrote.

Some previous buyers noted the suction cups came off, so be sure to monitor children.

Fat Brain Inchimals ($40)

Math is way more fun when it's a safari adventure. Inchimals's math blocks provide opportunities to learn about measurement, addition and subtraction, and even pre-algebra with bright, illustrated animals along the sides.

Fat Brain buyers rate 4 as the best age for Inchimals, and the toy has a 4.7-star rating.

What reviewers say: "I bought this for my 4-year-old grandson, and he loves it," one fan shared. "He is interested in measuring things and has a fun time figuring out the combinations that add up to the taller blocks."

Magna-Tiles Classic 32-Piece Magnetic Construction Set ($50)

If your 4-year-old has attended day care, preschool, or even a library program, chances are they raved about Magna-Tiles. The magnetic blocks allow for endless builds — an opportunity to lay a foundation for imaginative play and STEAM skills. There are tons of themed sets out there, but the classic construction serves as a blank canvas and the perfect starter kit for your kid's soon-to-be-budding Magna-Tiles collection.

What reviewers say: "My 4-year-old grandson loves creating all sorts of 'buildings' [and] 'parking garages' for his little cars," a fan raved of the set, which has a whopping 4.9-star rating based on more than 11K reviews. "It really is great for the imagination. He plays for hours and comes up with some very creative designs."

Melissa & Doug Examine and Treat Pet Vet Play Set ($38)

There's no need to rush a 4-year-old to choose a future career. But this popular Melissa & Doug set will allow them to be a vet for a day, any day. The 24-piece set comes with pretend medical equipment like medication containers and topical creams. It even comes with an adorable plush cat and dog (complete with post-surgical cones of shame). The set opens opportunities for lessons on empathy, caring for someone else, and hours of fun. Bonus for parents: the medical bag doubles as an easy storage option.

What reviewers say: "My daughter wants to be a vet when she gets older and loves to care for other toy animals she had," wrote one of the more than 12K fans who gave the set the full five stars. "I got this as a Christmas gift to go with another Christmas gift she was getting that was a vet's office, so she could have patients and vet supplies. She loved it!"

Melissa & Doug Wooden Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter ($40, originally $65)

Ice cream is always in season with this classic Melissa & Doug Ice Cream Counter set. The toy, with a 4.9-star rating based on more than 16K Amazon reviews, has all the ingredients for a trip to the ice cream store that doesn't involve leaving your home: a scooper, ice creams like vanilla and mint chocolate chip, toppings, cones, and a bowl. There's even money for kids to pay — a sneaky-sweet math lesson.

What reviewers say: "This has been my kids' favorite toy for four years now," a fan dished. "It is played with all the time by young and old. High-quality wooden pieces that never break . . . I loved it so much I bought it for my nephew to enjoy as well."

Lego Classic Medium Creative Brick Box Building Toy Set ($22, originally $35)

Technology advances, and toy trends come and go. But Legos? They're mainstays. This set comes with 484 pieces that will engage kids from 4 to 99 (so, little ones and their caregivers) for days. In addition to the classic bricks in 35 colors, the set comes with blocks that can be used to build trains, tigers, and windmills (oh my). No one likes to step on a Lego after putting the kids to bed, and the included storage box makes that less likely. More than 45K Amazon reviewers have given this set 4.9 stars out of five, hailing its age appropriateness (five stars) and durability (4.8 stars).

What reviewers say: "It is a child's delight, in my opinion. We now have three of them, and they pour over them for hours."

Chelsea Doll & Unicorn Toy Car ($17)

Barbie is likely to be a popular pick for gifts in 2023. Her little sister, Chelsea, is ideal for the younger crowd. This specific Chelsea comes with many of a 4-year-old's favorite things: a puppy, a unicorn-themed car, stickers, accessories like pink sunnies, and a removable tie-dye skirt for imaginative styling. The Chelsea Doll boasts 4.8 stars on Amazon, with happy customers praising its ease of assembly, giftability, and durability (4.8 stars).

What reviewers say: "I got this for my friend's daughter, and she loved it. She really enjoyed decorating the car with the stickers."

Hot Wheels Gift Set of Nine Toy Cars ($21)

The age of 4 is a perfect time to rev up a little one's love for classic brand Hot Wheels. The toys are appropriate for preschool-age children starting at age 3, and this nine-piece set can kick-start their collection.

What reviewers say: "The perfect starter kit for a 4-year-old," one reviewer declared. "My 4-year-old is a rough player, and Hot Wheels are the only toy cars he hasn't broken into pieces," another said.

Water Doodle Mat ($26, originally $38)

The words "water" and "art" don't typically go with "mess-free," at least not when a 4-year-old is involved. But this super-popular Water Doodle Mat bucks that notion. Fill a pen with water, let your kids draw to their hearts' content, and watch the creation disappear in three to 10 minutes. Then rinse, wash, and repeat (literally!).

The Water Doodle Mat can be used indoors and out, at home or on the road. It's 40 x 28 inches, but it folds into a compact mat that travels well. More than 26K fans have given the mat a 4.5-star Amazon rating. Some customers noted it didn't dry well and that sometimes, pictures don't completely disappear. But most raved about the Water Doodle Mat, calling it a glitter-free win for kids and parents alike.

What reviewers say: "We got this for my son so he can color without getting pen marks on the furniture. Easy to use and quickly dries. He loves it. We try to pull it out every night to do something with him. It comes with stencils and foam pads."

Move2Play Kidz Bop Karaoke Microphone ($27, originally $30)

Some parents may attempt to enforce a "no musical toys" rule for their own sake; those kid bangers can get stuck in your head, and not in the best way. But consider making a teeny, tiny exception for this smash hit with preschoolers. The Kidz Bop microphone turns your living room into something rivaling the Eras tour. It connects to your phone or tablet, so you can play DJ for your kid and tee up a song from your Spotify. Have fun with voice effects like high-pitched chipmunks that'll bring you back to your glory days watching "Alvin and the Chipmunks."

What reviewers say: "My 4-year-old son loves this microphone — works and sounds great," one person wrote. "The moment my grandchild received this, it has been in hand ever since," another said. "It works just as it states it will, and the enjoyment I've gotten from watching my grandchild play with it is priceless."

Flower Garden Building Toys ($33)

April showers may bring May flowers, but rainy days (or blizzards) can be a bummer for kids who want to go outside. Bring the outdoors in with the Amazon-favorite Flower Garden Building Toys. The set comes with nontoxic, durable plastic buds and stems in multiple colors. The toy builds on hand-eye coordination skills and provides boundless opportunities to showcase creativity, even if the weather has you homebound. Nearly 5K Amazon reviewers have given the toy a 4.8-star rating.

What reviewers say: "I bought this set for my 4-year-old granddaughter," a fan raved. "She loves gardening, flowers, and crafts. This gift is a hit — very well made, and the plastic box for storage is perfect. She can make individual bouquets in sets of three or connect all of the green bases together for an entire garden. Super cute idea. Hours of fun and creativity in her future — highly recommend."

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Why ($12)

Four-year-olds are naturally inquisitive, and "National Geographic's Little Kids First Big Book of Why" will entertain all of their curiosities. The No. 1 bestseller on Amazon for "children's almanacs" has a 4.8-star rating based on more than 18K reviews. It's playful, educational, and full of vibrant imagery and answers to questions that will even have grown-up readers learning a thing or two, like how escalators work.

What reviewers say: "I purchased this book for my niece's 4th birthday, and she loved it," a customer said. "It's educational and simple to read. If you are looking for a book to explain all the whys, then this is the book for you."