Finding great gifts for kids might be an exhausting activity. Especially when it’s so much choice and not that much time. Our simple tip – try to choose open-ended toys that are great for free play. This guide will provide you with some fantastic gift ideas.
Whenever we buy presents for children (whether for our boys or friends and family), we usually go for open-ended toys that are great for free play and encourage exploration, creativity, problem-solving and communication.
In this post, we want to share our list of the 10 best open-ended toys that kids will enjoy for years. It was guided by our own experience and feedback from educators.
For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
What makes open-ended toys the best gifts?
“Toys are the tools of play”.
Susie Allison
Open-ended toys are great for three main reasons.
Firstly, kids can play with them in multiple and varied ways – open-ended toys encourage endless creativity and imagination. That means that these toys are great for free play. And free play is absolutely essential for all aspects of children’s development and fundamental to learning.
Secondly, open-ended toys grow with children. And kids will LOVE these toys for years! They are “ever-green” and “forever” toys.
Thirdly, they are gender-neutral. Both boys and girls love them!
10 Best “Evergreen” Open-Ended Toys
Here is our list of the best open-ended toys that your kids will enjoy for years ☺ From our experience, these toys are fantastic for free play and can keep kids busy for quite a long time.
1. Musical instruments
Kids love playing instruments and making music. If your DIY drums and maracas need an upgrade, check out these sets:
Ulifeme Percussion Musical Instruments Set
Stoie’s International Wooden Music Set
2. Magnetic blocks
You can build anything with them. Literally anything. All kids love them.
Limmys Magnetic Building Blocks
3. LEGO
What can’t you build with LEGO?! Whether it’s LEGO Duplo or LEGO Classic – it’s always a great present.
LEGO Classic Bricks and Wheels
4. Realistic toy animals
Great for pretend play and role-play. If you can get baby animals – that’s a double win.
5. Toy kitchen (and and play food set)
Making a pizza, having a tea party or a picnic – the list of play ideas is endless when it comes to kitchen and food. It keeps kids busy for ages.
Kidoz Signature Wooden Toy Kitchen
6. Roll ball toys and marble runs
There is something magical in all roll ball toys, and marble runs. Our kids always jump in joy.
7. Gears set
Encourage mastery and exploration ☺ Great fun even for adults!
8. Waffle constructor
Great for building anything (our boys love building boxes and blocks)
Marioinex (it’s the best – we have in two different sizes. And it’s made in Poland 😉
9. Play-Doh
Great sensory experience and develops creativity.
10. Toy vehicles
Both boys and girls love them – great for role play and pretend play:
Hot Wheels (love them for good quality)
Melissa & Doug Stacking Construction Vehicles
BONUS: Set of cardboard moving boxes
Yes, that’s right. The best gift doesn’t come in a box, it is the BOX.
It can be ANYTHING. Literally.
What are your favourite toys for free play?
Loads of love,
Irina and Dawid
