42 Gifts for 4-Year-Old Boys to Celebrate Their Imagination and Curiosity

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If you’ve ever met a 4-year-old boy, you’ve probably noticed his favorite word is also a question: “Why?” or “How?” or “When/where/what/who?” Their curiosity and desire to learn and understand are some of the best things about them. Sure, all those “Why? Why? Why?”s get annoying at bedtime. (Please just go to sleep, kid.) But when you’re playing the long game, curiosity is a virtue.

You’ve also probably noticed these little guys are active. Really active. Luckily, kids learn through play — and at the rate they’re going, they’re going to be geniuses by the time they turn 5. In choosing the best gifts for 4-year-old boys, we wanted to select a variety of toys, books, and games that will encourage their inquisitiveness through fun playtime. And, as a parenting writer, and mom of two who just so happens to think there is no magic on this earth quite like being in the presence of a 4-year-old boy (it’s such an incredible age), it wasn't so much finding what to include but figuring out how to find favorites.

From dress-up to board games to running his very own dinosaurs-and-car park (hey, it could happen… though Jurassic Park has shown us it might not go super well), he’ll have such a good time, he won’t even know he’s learning and growing. They’re only 4 for a little while, but the things they learn when they’re 4 will last a lifetime.

Cyclone for Kids Cart

This arm-powered vehicle comes complete with 360 degrees of fun. Your boy can zoom forward, backward, and all around in circles with this ride-on toy. Not going to lie here: We wish it came in grown-up sizes.

Dinosaur World Racetrack Playset

Welcome to Dinosaur World! Your boy can configure the sturdy, interlocking, and easy-to-assemble tracks however he wants, then zip the battery-powered dino-cars along them.

The set comes with two dinosaurs, two dinosaur cars, four trees, a gate, and a bridge. (Batteries not included, but each car only takes one AA.)

More: Essential Toys Every Kid Will Want This Year

Kids Selfie Camera

If you have a 4-year-old in your life, your phone is almost certainly full of weird selfies and pictures they’ve taken. Reclaim your storage space by getting them their own camera.

It’s equipped with autofocus, a burly shell, video capability, and a dual-camera configuration (perfect for those up-the-nose selfies). Your child will love it.

Construction Site Folding Sandbox Playset

Is there anything more fun for little boys than digging in the dirt? When that’s not possible (or you just cleaned either your home or your kid), this construction set from Kinetic Sand is just the thing.

It comes with 2 pounds of sand, a dump truck, a crane with a wrecking ball, a brick mold, and a platform for the bricks. Our favorite feature? It all stores in the carrying case it comes in.

Dinosaur Projector

A great way to help kids not be scared of the dark is to make their nightlight fun. This one really gets preschool boys by making projections of neon dinosaurs.

It can hold them in place or rotate, and there are 16 different color and dimness choices for maximum comfort and fun.

Found It! Card Game

Is your 4-year-old boy whining that he’s bored? Well, with this game, he’ll discover a whole new world in the house.

Each card prompts fun indoor scavenger hunt missions — can your kid find something with a pattern? Something smaller than his palm? The first person to find seven objects (and shout “Found It!”) wins.

Educational Building Blocks

With this set of blocks, wrenches, wheels, nuts, and bolts, your child can make whatever he wants. If he needs some ideas, the guide of 42 designs for any level of engineer should inspire him. And with 163 pieces, there’s plenty to share with friends — all the best inventions were made by teams, after all.

Classic Fishing Game

Parents and other adults will probably remember playing this game as a kid and, yes, it’s just as fun as you remember. Perfect for solo play or competition, the goal is always the same: “Hook” as many of the 21 colorful, biting, spinning fishies as you can.

Wooden Robots Stacking Balancing Block Puzzle Game

You’ve never seen your 4-year-old boy concentrate as hard as they will trying to get these robots to stack on top of one another. Yes, they’ll fail over and over, but eventually, they’ll figure out tons of configurations for stacking the robots. And it will just be a matter of determining the coolest way to do it.

Brick Box

This set of almost 500 Lego bricks is the perfect foundation (heh) for your child’s career as a master builder. With the traditional pieces in 35 different colors, as well as eyes, windows, wheels, and more, your boy can spend hours creating, innovating, and playing.

Spider-Man Hooded Windbreaker

Everyone wins with this windbreaker: you get to give him a gift he’ll actually use, and he’ll get to run around the playground pretending to be Spider-Man. (Plus, it’s safe for the washing machine — though not the dryer — after he inevitably gets it dirty.)

Play Camping Set

He may not be quite ready for camping in the woods on his own yet. But this set comes with everything he needs to have a grand outdoor adventure… in his backyard or living room.

Balance Rock & Wobble Board

This board is perfect for playing, resting, practicing balance, and gaining core strength. In other words, he’ll have a whole bunch of ways to play with this beautifully crafted heirloom toy.

Grocery Story & Lemonade Stand

This simple but beautifully crafted toy is perfect for the 4-year-old boy who’s always dreamed of having his own lemonade stand, or who really loves imaginative play. It has a reversible awning, storage containers for everything he needs, and a counter for all the business he’ll get.

Learn To Read 10-Book Mega Pack & Stylus

Whether he wants to learn how to read or you want him to gain confidence while having fun, this is the gift for your 4-year-old boy. Using the stylus, which will play an audio version of the book aloud, he can follow along and read through each story

Reversible Glow in the Dark Stegosaurus

This lovable, huggable stegosaurus has two unique looks. One side is bright and colorful; the other side is more in keeping with the dinosaurs your kiddo sees in museums (aka it’s a skeleton). Only this skeleton glows in the dark.

Spidey & His Amazing Friends Action Figures

Spidey & His Amazing Friends is a pre-school favorite, and all your kiddo’s favorite characters are available in doll form. He’ll have fun playing with friends Peter, Miles, and Gwen, as well as villains Green Goblin and Doc Ock.

Axolotl Squishmallow

Some kid fads we don’t get, but we definitely get Squishmallows. They’re so cute and soft and, well, squishy! And of the Squishmallows, axolotls tend to be among the most popular. We love that “Tinley” is so colorful.

16-Inch Bike

You’ve put it off for as long as possible, but there’s no more denying it: He’s outgrown his toddler bike. The shiny red frame and 16-inch wheels on this Huffy make it the ideal gift for 4-year-old boys.

Car Carrier Truck

Are you tired of picking up miniature cars everywhere you step? (Often after tripping on them or coming close?) The solution is simple: Make putting cars away as much fun as playing with them. This carrier is shaped like a truck and even has wheels of its own — the storage is as enjoyable as the toys it holds.

Arcade Basketball Hoop

Bring the fun of shooting hoops inside (if you dare) with this arcade style hoop. It’s good for practice and fun, and helps develop hand-eye coordination. The easy-to-assemble set even comes with two basketballs sized for little hands.

Little Patient Doll

This unique toy sparks curiosity and learning. Unzip the doll to find six anatomically distinct organs — lungs, heart, intestines, liver, spleen, and kidneys. It’s a great way to help them learn about the body and pique their interest in biology.

Beginner Piano

This beautiful digital piano has 37 keys, slightly less than half of a real piano. It’s just his size and comes complete with a bench, songbook, and color-coded stickers to help make learning easy and fun.

Sensory TheraPlay Box

There’s just something about fidget toys that 4-year-old boys can’t resist, and with a monthly shipment, they won’t soon run out of fun things to occupy them. Since the toys are curated by a licensed pediatric occupational therapist, you know there’s some therapeutic value packed in every box.

All-Season Dollhouse

We think a sturdy dollhouse is the perfect gift for a 4-year-old boy. It’s perfect for playing with others and encouraging their imagination. This big set comprises six rooms and includes furniture and accessories (though not the dolls).

The Original Air Fort

If you’re tired of having your 4-year-old boy tear apart your couch to make a pillow fort, then this is the gift for yo... erm... him. All you need is a box fan and a few seconds, and he can enjoy the roomy fort of his dreams. It’s just as good for quiet alone time as it is fun with friends.

More: Best Gifts for 6-Year-Old Boys

Knight Costume

Help your little guy save the kingdom, fight the dragon, and charge into battle with this awesome costume. Perfect for playing make-believe or going to the grocery store with Mom because you want to look awesome.

Includes an adjustable foam helmet, sword, shield, tunic with an attached cape, belt, and pants with attached boot covers.

Interactive Audio Learning System

We love this screen-free toy that entertains and educates your child with hours of storytelling fun. Tap any Craftie, audiobook, or trivia card on Storypod to activate its audio and enjoy listening to stories, songs, and lessons in English and/or Spanish. He’ll learn (and have fun) with interactive trivia and activities.

Duplo Space Shuttle

There’s nothing quite like a toy that has good swooshability. You know what we mean — it just feels good to play with and swoosh it through the air.

This Lego set is for young builders and comes with everything they need to build a platform, spaceship, and rover, and includes two astronauts.

Caravan Adventure

“Camping” is one of our favorite episodes of Bluey (to be fair, they’re all our favorite), so we love this fun caravan set, which comes complete with assorted camping accessories as well as Bluey and Jean-Luc figures. It’s the perfect toy to start or round out his Bluey collection and encourages the kind of imaginative play we love to see in the show.

Hopper Ball

Scientists are still working on how to harness the energy of 4-year-old boys to power cities. Until then, the best we can do is direct it, and this hopper ball is a great way to do just that. He’ll enjoy bouncing all over — and you’ll enjoy the fact that he’s not bouncing off the walls.

Dino World XL 50-Piece Set

Have a 4-year-old that loves dinosaurs and building stuff? Well, you just found the perfect gift for them. Magna-Tiles’s magnetic building sets are designed to encourage off-screen free play. And the Dino World set features six dinosaur figures and tropical-themed magnetic tiles to help spark imagination and spatial intelligence.

Cash Register for Kids

This register is complete with a little microphone (“Price check on aisle four, please!”) and calculator, and will allow your kiddo to accept cards (just swipe!), coins (put them in the drawer!), or cash. All of these are included, along with food, a shopping basket, and more. We’re never going to self-checkout again.

Real Wood Logs (111-Piece Set)

As soon as your little boy takes these out, every adult in the room will say: “Oh! I had these when I was a kid! They’re great!” Your kiddo can use 111 pieces to build anything he wants. But let’s be real, he’s going to build a cool log cabin or a fort.

Grogu Baby Yoda Plush

The Force is strong with The Child and your child. Whether or not your 4-year-old watches The Mandalorian, Grogu is cute enough that he’ll want to take it along on playtime adventures.

A detailed, molded head and hands are complemented by a soft body — perfect for cuddling the little baby Yoda.

Classic Uno Card Game

There are many different versions of this classic card game branded with different characters or media properties. But we firmly believe you cannot improve upon perfection — and classic Uno is perfect. Not only is it fun, but it’s also a great game to teach the basics of taking turns, following directions, and matching.

Star Diner Restaurant Playset

There’s nothing quite like a diner: Good, cheap food and breakfast all day — we’re in! This playset has everything your kid needs to open his own diner, including wooden food, an apron, a frying pan, a coffee pot, a menu, and even a little “order up!” bell.

Junior Subscription Box

Each themed monthly box form Green Craft Kids includes four to six STEAM activities and a magazine full of puzzles, games, and additional activity ideas. A mix of science experiments and art projects means there’s something for every interest and mood. And, come on, who doesn’t love getting mail?

Personalized I Can Change the World Book

This charmingly illustrated book has two important messages: First, that kindness and caring can make the world a better place, and second, that your child, specifically, has the power to make those changes. You can get it personalized with your boy’s name and (approximated) picture.

Me and My Dragon by David Biedrzycki

Some kids want a dog. Others a cat. Hameer wants a dragon! It’s a lot of hard work training a dragon and teaching it to fly, but it’s a great way to guarantee bullies will never bother you again. This sweet book is whimsical, funny, and beautifully illustrated.

T-Ball Set

This T-ball set is step one to getting your little slugger to the major leagues… or the first and final step to just having fun in the backyard. Perfect for practice or casual play, the set includes an adjustable tee, five balls, and a bat.

Llama Llama Complete Set by Anna Dewdney

Written by beloved children’s author Anne Dewdney, the Llama Llama books are beautifully illustrated and teach important lessons through funny rhymes and heartfelt storytelling. From the tales of holiday drama to missing Mama at preschool, your child will learn right along with Llama.

Chutes and Ladders Board Game

You remember playing this when you were a child, and now you can share the fun with your little boy. Take a turn at the spinner and move up the ladders or down the chute. First to reach the top wins! And since there’s no reading involved, this is perfect for pre-literate kids.

Barn Play Tent

This barn-themed play tent is big enough to fit your child and some (stuffed) animals to care for. Made of polyester, it’s great for indoor or outdoor play. Multiple windows and a mesh roof allow for ventilation and supervision.

Barn Play Tent

This barn-themed play tent is big enough to fit your child and some (stuffed) animals to care for. Made of polyester, it’s great for indoor or outdoor play. Six windows and a mesh roof allow for ventilation and supervision.

Double-Sided Doorway Farmers Market and Bakery

Elevate his imaginative play with this beautifully double-sided canvas that can be easily hung in a doorway (hooks included) for the perfect bakery or grocery store. Your boy will have loads of fun playing shopkeeper through the roll-up window, and cleanup is a cinch.

How We Select Gifts

Gifting is more than just giving someone a present. It’s an act of love, a way to show you care, and there’s nothing quite like seeing your 4-year-old boy beam with excitement when he’s received the perfect present.

As a team who’s been working directly in product review journalism for eight years, we have the insight, expertise, and passion for helping our readers find the absolute best gift. We think about the psychology behind product purchases and what makes a good gift for your preschool daughter versus your teenage nephew.

How We Chose the Best Gifts for 4-Year-Old Boys

We also use our team of experts in tech, beauty, parenting, home, lifestyle, and more to recommend the best products in these categories that we know your recipient will love.

As a parenting writer, mom of two, and an auntie to a whole gaggle of kiddos, I have first-hand experience finding gifts for 4-year-old boys. Like all our writers, I use industry research and keep a pulse on what’s new and noteworthy. And of course, I take my own product testing (and gifting) into consideration, as well. Finding the perfect gift for 4-year-old boys is hard. We make it easy.

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