Let’s get you a list of the best open-ended toys your kids will grow with.
Does this sound familiar? Baby number one, you bought all the things. Child number two, you buy some things. Baby number three comes along, and you are ready to donate much of your toy collection.
The solution? Open-ended toys that grow with your kids and can be used in new ways as they grow.
With my degree in education and three boys now ages 9, 11, and almost 13, I’ve seen firsthand which toys have staying power. I’ve watched what one-year-olds love and what six-, nine-, and even 13-year-olds still come back to.
Here are the open-ended toys that have earned a spot in our home and get played with by multiple ages, including the neighbors!
Prefer an Amazon Shop page? Here is my open-ended gift guide on Amazon.
New open-ended toys I found in 2026
What is a gift guide without some new, exciting finds for 2026? Well, buckle up. After attending the toy fair, I have plenty of new toys to show you. (Sorry, not sorry.)
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Zip String Web Shooter
If I could pick a top toy for my nine-year-old in 2026, this would be it. He takes it everywhere and loves showing it to his friends. Open-ended because what you do with the string loop is endless.
Mini Bilibo
Beth. What are these?! I get it. They look like small helmets. But hand a set over to a child who enjoys imaginary play and watch in awe as they play with these mini Bilibo toys.
Clixco
Are Clixco new? No. But they are new for us! And if you are like, Beth, show me what’s new for Clixco, check out this new bird set for 2026.
Magna-Tiles Rail Pack
On the outside, these are Magna-Tiles rails for balls to race down. But on the inside, it’s a box full of opportunity. My boys use the rails as one-off pieces to add tiles to and create all sorts of things. I squealed when I saw the separate rail pack at the New York Toy Fair.
Connetix Ball Launcher
This new ball launcher is another super fun extension to Mamagnetic tile play. We have this, and the boys use it with the Connetix ball run.
NEW Yoto Mini Player
Did you see that the Yoto got a makeover? We cannot wait for this to arrive. (Yoto is more of an audio player than it is open-ended, but it earns a spot on this list because all three of my boys, at different ages, enjoy it and listen to it daily.)
Air Toobz Mega Run
Need more tubes? Try this Mega Run, which you can cut and adjust to fit your design.
Air Toobz Switch
If you have Air Toobz, you’ll want to add this new accessory to your collection! Now the balls can zoom in different directions.
Brio Flora
Brio gave me a personal tour of what’s new for 2026 when I met with them in January, and these Brio Flora sets are gorgeous. They are the Brio quality that we all know and respect.
Marvel Gravitrax
Hold the phone. Marvel + Gravitrax?! Are they reading my boys’ minds?! Seriously. This combination is perfection, and I am anxiously awaiting its arrival! It JUST launched, and I see pre-orders for January. (Which is late, I know. But you needed to know that this exists. The original launch date was late September.)
What are open-ended toys?
Open-ended toys do not have a predetermined start or end to the play activity. True open-ended toys include everyday objects that support imagination and creativity, such as rocks, sensory materials, and wooden blocks. This gift guide includes a mix of open-ended toys and winners my boys have used in different ways over many years.
TOYS FOR 2026
Gah, these toys are the best. UPDATED for 2026. These are the best toys for kids.
Disclaimer: Days with Grey participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and LTK, affiliate advertising programs. As an Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.
Best open-ended toys for kids
| Toy | Best for | Why it grows with kids |
| Magnetic tiles | A child who enjoys building | Builds from simple stacking to elaborate structures |
| Play scarves | A child who loves dressing up and imaginary play | Pretend play, movement, costumes, forts |
| Plus-Plus BIG | A child who likes to tinker with their hands | Timeless design, endless construction possibilities, and doubles as a sensory toy |
| Balance board | A child who likes to move and also one who enjoys imaginary play | Movement, balancing, nervous system, and imaginary play |
| Colored tape | A child who leans into creative designs and art | Does tape ever get old?! Absolutely not. |
Colored Tape
Colored tape makes a unique, open-ended toy. It offers unlimited possibilities for decorating cardboard boxes, using it on paper, or sparking other creative ideas for everyday play. Tape is the best thing for crafting with open-ended materials and creating innovative ways to play.
Rainbow Streamer
This rainbow streamer is perfect for the child who enjoys (but is not limited to) imaginary play, spinning, and dancing—a big win for your creative kiddo.
Plip
These Plip Links are fun to put together, and they make the best sound when you take them apart! Great for your child who likes to fidget.
Magnetic Tiles
My boys use magnetic tiles every single day. Social and problem-solving skills improve when people of different ages work together.
Why Connetix? Better magnets and stronger connections to prevent breaking. Yep, Connetix is compatible with other brands you have.
Connetix Light Up Tile
Ever wonder what would happen if you add a light to a magnetic tile? Now you know. Add this playful set to your collection to inspire play. (Yep! Compatible with other tiles.)
Bright Tiles
This is another new set from Connetix. This time, they made the tiles even brighter than before! (Didn’t think that was possible.) Grab this set from Target to add to your favorite toy.
Magnetic Tiles ROADS
Connetix has roads!! Eek, these are a beautiful addition to your magnetic tile collection. Yep, Connetix is compatible with other brands you may already own.
Bilibo
If you have a child who likes to wiggle, this toy is for them! Sit in it, spin, put it on your head, or collect your favorite toys. This Bilibo is unassuming but a true gem. (This is the larger version of the mini Bilibo that you saw above.)
Tot Tube
Hold the phone. This wasn’t available when the boys were younger, but they would be all over it now!!! I can see them using it now in their tween years, and we will likely gift it to my ten-year-old.
Blu Track
We added the Blu Track to our collection of open-ended toys, and it is worth the hype. This has been a fantastic alternative to screens, keeping the boys engaged during their downtime. Use the suction cup to create a drop.
Air Toobz
When I first saw Air Toobz three years ago at the New York Toy Fair, I knew they would be an instant hit. Check any Reddit feed to hear more about why families love them!
Stepping Stones
If your floor is lava (of course, it is), you need these stepping stones. Use inside and out.
Sensory Table
Ready to upgrade your sensory play? Use this standing sensory bin with your current sensory table or on its own. This table has been a game-changer for us! Add small toy animals to create small world play.
Wooden Balance Board
Did you know that balance can help improve reading and brain development? The vestibular system contributes significantly to reading, eye movements, eye-hand coordination, balance, motor planning, etc.
Sometimes I catch the boys wobbling back and forth; other times, they flip the board over to make a hideout for stuffed animals or a slide. This wooden balance board offers many ways to play!
Wooden Block Set
This wooden block set is a must. Block play encourages creativity, explores balance, tests spatial awareness, and reinforces weight. Sadly, schools do not get as much block time as they did in the past. If your child enjoys building, get this block set.
Plus-Plus Big
This toy is, hands down, one of our favorite open-ended toys. Plus-Plus Big gets a lot of use in our home. The boys play with it at home, and we take it to restaurants and on road trips. Plus-Plus comes in two sizes; however, I will always prefer the big size.
Enchanted Play Scarves
Gear up for imaginary play with these play scarves! Use for blankets with dolls or stuffed animals, twirling and dancing, costumes, movement, imaginative play, and more—a true example of open-ended toys that children can use for years.
Color Counting Bears
You know we love these counting bears! For those under three, keep them close because they are small, or save them for when your child gets older.
Use these animal figures to build cognitive skills like imaginative play, color sorting, counting, and patterns. These were necessary for my classroom and continue to be used at home. These counting bears make a terrific addition to open-ended play!
Jumbo Droppers
These jumbo droppers are perfect for outdoor play! They are perfect for developing small muscles in little hands, which helps with handwriting, opening snack containers, and other self-help skills. This is one of my
Lacing Beads
From color sorting to stacking, we cherish these lacing beads. The colors are bright, vibrant, and inviting. You will notice these lacing beads used with my preschoolers in many Breakfast Invitations and with the other wooden building blocks.
Hot Wheels
One of my favorite things to do with my youngest is picking out Hot Wheels. We’ve been doing it for years! He checks the little details and makes sure the selected car is just right. Get started with this collection.
High Rise House
I love the simple creativity of this dollhouse. It is compact for small children and supports imaginative play. Imaginative play can be cut short once kids reach school age. Allow your children to immerse themselves in imaginative play and explore ways to express their emotions with this dollhouse. This dollhouse is wonderful for open-ended play.
Hape Track Set
Wooden tracks are another winner here. They have come in and out of play over the past three years, but never disappeared.
Every time my boys take out their tracks, they create something new. I have watched these tracks go from simple setups to endless twists and turns from the kitchen into the living room. I will undoubtedly miss them once they hit their teenage years.
Brio Mega Spiral Set
I saw these at the New York Toy Fair while visiting Brio and knew they were a winner! Sometimes my big kids still build with tracks, and this is the perfect addition to keep the play alive.
Motorized Trains
These trains still get played with!!! Kids enjoy building paths with wooden train tracks and watching Thomas chug around the loops. Highly recommended and under $15.
LEGO Classic Set
Are you ready to introduce LEGOS but not sure where to start? We started with this classic set. It is the perfect collection of colors, accessories, and sizes to bring ideas to life and spark your child’s imagination.
Mega Bloks
My oldest received these Mega Bloks on his first birthday. Again, they use them daily. We keep our set in the bathtub. Play possibilities are endless with Mega Bloks.
Balance Bike
Our balance bikes are hands down one of the best gifts my boys have ever received.
We use these multiple times per week, and I have watched their balance and coordination soar because of it! They come in many different colors and are perfect for every young kid in your life.
Shopping Cart
Per my oldest’s request, this cart MUST be in my grocery shopping trunk. It is a must-have item.
It not only lets my children explore imaginary play, but also gives them a purpose at the grocery store. My oldest knows what we get and follows along, knowing what goes inside.
Ice Cream Scoop Set
We ADORE our ice cream scoop set. Everyone who walks through our door is handed a menu and an ice cream cone. This set makes the perfect icebreaker for children to begin conversations with new family and friends as they role-play.
Hape Mud Kitchen
Gah, I just adore this mud kitchen. When the boys were little, they loved playing in the rain. This Hape kitchen is a great way to take outdoor play to the next level, rain or shine. (I can also see it being super fun in the snow!)
What makes a great toy?
- Exploratory – Encourages exploration. Does this roll? Stack? Attach? How can I make these two pieces fit together? Do they even go together?
- Hands-On -Your preschooler can feel the parts, and they move! Sometimes they even have a fantastic texture. This play will engage your preschooler’s senses.
- Unlimited Play – There is no official start or end to the game. Preschoolers manipulate the object(s) in endless amounts of ways. This play encourages curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving.
- Passes the Will my child still use this a year from now test.
These toys encourage creativity, imagination, and discovery. They are also exploratory and hands-on; your child grows with them over the years. Toys on this list align with why the AAP believes play is essential!
Open-ended toys are more child-directed than adult instructions.
More Toy Lists:
Frequently Asked Questions
Open-ended toys don’t have a set start or end to the play activity. True open-ended toys include everyday objects that support imagination and creativity, such as rocks, sensory materials, and wooden blocks. These toys are open-ended because they don’t dictate what the child needs to do while playing. The child takes the lead.
Examples of open-ended toys are play scarves, magnetic tiles, wooden balance boards, blocks, and Plus-Plus. Most open-ended toys last through many ages and stages because children can play with them however they see fit.
Open-ended toys do not have a set way to play. The child decides what feels right as they explore and play. Closed-ended toys generally suggest a specific way to play or have a defined goal, such as completing a puzzle or following a set of rules. Some toys can be both open-ended and closed-ended depending on how your child uses them.
Thank you!! This is amazing!!
I am so happy you love it!!
Great list! I have a 2.5 year old and we have (and LOVE) many of the items on this list. New this year will be the Picasso Tiles, a pintoy fire station and engine, and a train set from lakeshore learning. Happy to see similar items on your list! I adore open ended toys that change and grow with the child. The only problem I’m running into is we buy new items but don’t have to get rid of any old toys since he’s not actually “outgrowing” them, and it feels like we have a lot of stuff!
I have a similar problem, Danna! I am just going with one day it will be all gone and replaced by boring things that don’t have to do with childhood. LOL