As a mom of three little kids, all six and under, we’ve had a lot of toys in our house. Some barely get any use and others get used almost daily, year after year. I love toys that my kids will use all the time, and ones they won’t lose interest in. With so many new releases out there, it can be hard to know which ones are truly worth it. Most of the ones you’ll find in gift guides are popular this year. But they’re not well-made, and won’t last. Open-ended toys are the ones my kids play with the most. Our favorite toys are the ones that spark creativity, encourage independent play, and actually hold my kids’ attention. It’s the well-made, simple toys that they seem to go back to again and again, making them worth every penny.
The Best Toys for Kids That They’ll Use Year After Year
I love toys that aren’t just fun for a short phase but grow with my kids over the years. The best ones are open-ended, durable, and engaging for different ages, so younger and older siblings can play together. I’m really trying to avoid the ones that are only good for specific ages. It’s a win when a toy keeps all three of my kids entertained, whether they’re building, creating, or diving into imaginative play. From magnetic tiles and wooden blocks to play food and cozy play couches, these are the ones that have stood the test of time in our house. If you’re looking for the best gifts that will last for years and actually get used, these are the ones I’d recommend. You can shop our favorite travel toys here.
Superspace
These have been a big hit with our kids. It's the perfect toy for kids who love to build different structures, and clean-up is a breeze. My 4 and 6 year-olds love making forts, and they're so easy and fun to use. We got the big set and an add-on pack of square tiles.
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Staplestein
These are pricey but 100% worth it. They're waterproof and great for pretend play and sensory play. The elements can be used as stepping stones, storage trays, or as bowls for collecting treasures on your outdoor adventures. Together with the Board you can build a mini stool or use the Board on its own to improve your balance by spinning and rocking
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Nugget
This one is great for kids of all ages. I never could have imagined how much use it would get, but we got it when my oldest was a baby, and my kids use it all the time. It's a great place for a baby to sit and climb, and older kits love using it for forts.
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Domestic Objects
A playhouse or play tent is a great toy for this age group and for older kids, too. My 4 and 6 year-olds use it all the time. It's such a beautiful gift and bonus: it's a great place to store stuffed animals!
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Fat Brain Toys
This air powered ball shooter is one of the best purchases I've ever made for my kids. It has been a huge hit with every child that's ever come over. It's recommended for older toddlers, I've yet to meet a child who doesn't love it. I love any toy that can be played with by a younger and older sibling, and this one is the best. It only takes a minute to set up and comes apart for easy storage.
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Tonies
If you're looking at audio players, this one is our favorite. We keep screens off during the week, and the Toniebox gives my kids access to most of their favorite characters, stories, and songs. It's great for both younger and older toddlers. My two younger ones used it before they turned a year old and my 6 year old still uses it all the time, too. Just place a tonie figurine on top of the Toniebox audio player and listen to different songs and stories.
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Etsy
This is my son's favorite toy that he uses every single day, and I love that it holds all his race cars, too. There are garage spots for both big and small cars, and he loves driving his cars up and down the ramp.
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Magnatiles
Building toys are always great, and magnatiles are always a hit. Toddlers and young children can learn new skills like building and these are great for learning shapes and colors.
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Amazon
The Magna-Tiles Road Toppers add a whole new level of creativity to magnetic tile play. With road pieces that snap onto standard Magna-Tiles, kids can design and build their own cities, racetracks, and adventure courses. They’re a great way to encourage imaginative play while enhancing fine motor and STEM skills.
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Melissa and Doug
All three kids love this one. It comes with play food and treats to place in each slot, but they can put anything they want inside. I love that it teaches preschoolers cause-and-effect, and encourages letter, number, and color recognition, sorting, matching, counting, and fine motor skills, too.
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Melissa & Doug
We love this gem from Melissa & Doug – it's the perfect gift and is great for independent play. It's one of the best toddler toys that my kids loved through kindergarten. In fact, my girls still play ice cream shop.
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Melissa and Doug
This is a great gift for toddlers and younger kids and makes for a perfect birthday party gift. If your kids love play food and sweet stuff as much as mine, they will love this ice cream set.
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Waytoplay
These are completely waterproof and rugged enough to be played with outside. Use them indoors, or in dirt and sand. If you're looking for gift ideas that will last for years. A great toy for 2-year-old boys (and of course, girls, too). My girls love theirs!
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Stomp Rocket
This one is for outdoor use, and is a favorite for all of my kids. My son is almost two and just started using it recently. It's always a hit at playdates, and is one of those toys that's fun for the whole family.
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Grimms
Wooden toys are a timeless classic, and my kids love to play with these lots of different ways. Build a staircase, as a floor for a dollhouse or platforms for your figurines.
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Grimms
The perfect toy for imaginary play, my kids use these to create little worlds or roads with their semicircles.
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Magnatiles
Magnatiles just came out with these smaller magnatiles that my kids love, and this set is perfect to bring on the go.
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Baublebar
One of my best-selling items of all time, I got this for my 6 year-old for Christmas, and my 4 year-old loved it so much that I ordered one for her Easter basket. It's such a great kit for age 4+.
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Ooly
We love these glitter gel pens, and since they're retractable, there won't be pen caps everywhere, which is always a plus.
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Ooly
Ooly Sparkle Markers add a touch of shimmer to every drawing with their smooth, glittery ink. Perfect for doodling, lettering, or crafts, these markers make any artwork shine. With vibrant colors and an easy-to-use design, they’re a fun way to add sparkle to creativity.
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Fly Flag
This air dry clay keeps my girls busy as they create treats and all of their favorite things.
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Creativity for Kids
Big Gem Diamond Painting Kits are a fun and mess-free way for kids to create sparkling, gem-covered stickers and suncatchers. With colorful, oversized gems and simple designs, they make crafting easy and enjoyable for little hands. These kits are perfect for fostering creativity and fine motor skills while adding a bit of sparkle to everyday items.
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Bicycle
Board games are great, but we're really into go fish, and card games are easier and shorter, which I appreciate.
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Pixar
Not all characters last for years, but all three of my kids have loved Toy Story, so I held on to these, and my two year-old loves them just like his big sisters did.
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