Looking for some great toys that your kiddo will play with day after day?
After years of working as a toddler teacher, I’ve seen which toys are played with again and again and am here to share all the best open-ended toys for toddlers.
So do a toy declutter, ditch the overly specific toys that are junking up your playroom, and opt for some simple options that invite creativity and deep play! If all you do is collect the 11 toys on this list, your playroom will be pretty set.
- Check out my guide on open-ended toys to learn more about what makes them so great!
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11 Favorite Open-Ended Toys for Toddlers
Let’s take a closer look at some of my favorite open-ended toys for toddlers and how they can transform ordinary playtime into an engaging time for creative play!
1. Play Silks
Silk scarves, or play silks, are lightweight pieces of fabric made from silk that are perfect for play or dancing.
Silk scarves are versatile and thus perfect for sparking imaginative role-play. Their flowing texture and vibrant colors can transform into capes, veils, a baby blanket, a tablecloth, or even magical elements in a toddler play scenario. This makes them new and interesting for kids to use day after day.
My favorite play silks are from Sarah’s Silks. They come in multiple sizes and many beautiful colors and patterns. The quality makes them a worthy investment that kids can use for years.
2. Unit Blocks
Every household needs a set of unit blocks!
Unit blocks are uniform wooden blocks that come in consistent sizes and shapes.
Their straightforward design makes them perfect for constructing towers, bridges, or entire block cities. They provide a hands-on introduction to spatial reasoning, balance, and basic engineering concepts while inviting creativity and collaborative play.
While your toddler may not yet build complex structures with the block, it doesn’t mean unit blocks are too advanced for them! Unit blocks are the perfect toy that genuinely grows with kids. Babies can begin by grasping and exploring the blocks, toddlers can stack them, and a five-year-old can build complex structures with the same set of blocks.
As kids grow, they can move through the seven stages of block play. This helps them develop creativity, problem-solving skills, trial and error, critical thinking, planning skills, and much more!
Here is a nice starter set of unit blocks for toddlers.
3. Magna-Tiles
Magnetic tiles are popular among all kids!
Magnetic tiles are colorful, geometric pieces with magnets embedded along their edges, allowing them to connect and form various shapes and structures easily. It’s always fun to step back and see how kids use the tiles. Toddlers may simply line them up or create stacks, while preschool-age kids begin to build more and more complex 3D structures.
These versatile toys not only help toddler’s learn about geometry and symmetry but also let them experiment with building three-dimensional creations, blending the fun of construction with basic scientific principles of magnetism.
My favorite magnetic tiles are from MAGNA-TILE. I find that the quality of the pieces helps them to hold up to lots and lots of play. I recommend investing in a large set so that there are enough pieces for toddlers to build cool stuff.
4. Art Supplies
Art supplies encompass a wide range of creative tools, such as crayons, markers, paints, brushes, and paper. They make the perfect open-ended toy for toddlers!
These materials invite toddlers to explore color, texture, and form, providing a blank canvas for self-expression and the opportunity to experiment with different art techniques, making every project a unique creative adventure.
- Check out all my favorite art supplies for toddlers!
5. Loose Parts
Loose parts are a collection of moveable objects that can include items like buttons, fabric scraps, natural objects (such as pine cones or stones), and recycled materials. They can be big or small as long as they’re kid-safe and large enough not to be a choking hazard for your toddler.
These items don’t have a fixed purpose, allowing toddlers to combine and repurpose them in various ways, which enhances critical thinking and creativity by transforming everyday objects into building blocks for imaginative projects.
No need to buy anything – simply collect fun and interesting things from around the house, make them available in your playspace, and see what toddlers do with them!
6. Playdough, Clay, and Beeswax
All kids love to mold, mash, and create! Playdough, clay, and beeswax are perfect open-ended materials for toddlers!
Playdough is a soft, malleable modeling compound that comes in a variety of colors and is safe for toddlers to shape and sculpt. You can buy premade playdough or easily make your own at home. Here is my FAVORITE playdough recipe!
In addition to playdough, clay, and beeswax offer similar creative outlets but with distinct textures and properties. Clay provides a firmer, more structured medium, while beeswax can add a unique, pliable quality that hardens slightly over time yet remains easy to manipulate.
Make sure to keep the clay moist so that it’s easy for toddlers to manipulate. You can assist toddlers with beeswax by first warming it in your own hands so it’s softer and easier for them to mold.
These materials encourage hands-on exploration, fine motor development, and creative expression as toddlers mold them into animals, objects, or abstract designs—then easily reshape or repurpose them to try something new.
7. Clothes for Dressing Up
Dress-up clothes provide an imaginative outlet for role-play, helping kids explore different identities, practice social skills, and engage in creative storytelling while having fun with dramatic transformation.
Instead of rushing out to buy specific costumes for kids, look for fun clothing items in your closet or at the thrift store that can be used in various ways.
Fun shirts, hats, shoes, and scarves are perfect for helping toddlers to adopt different personas.
8. Blankets and Sheets
Blankets and sheets can be repurposed into tents, capes, or even fortresses, turning everyday fabric into a launchpad for imaginative adventures.
They provide both a sense of comfort and a versatile tool for stimulating creative thinking. A blanket can become a costume, a fort, a tablecloth, a magic carpet, something to fold and unfold, or whatever else the toddler would like!
And the best part? You already have some at home – no need to buy anything!
I recommend keeping several play sheets and blankets in a basket so that you don’t have to refold them after each play session (and to limit the number of blankets and sheets your kids get out each time). You can wash them as needed.
9. Stepping Stones
Stepping stones are sturdy round pieces that can be stacked and arranged indoors or outdoors.
It’s amazing to see the variety of things kids do with these simple pieces!
Toddlers can practice their balance by walking on the stone, stacking them to make a stool, or flipping them over and filling them with various items in their creative play. A stepping stone could be a seat, a bowl, a boat, or a steering wheel!
While sets of stepping stones can be expensive, they’re well worth the investment for the hours and hours of play they provide kids!
10. Animal Figurines
Animal figurines are small, detailed models of various creatures ranging from domestic pets to wild animals.
At first glance, these animals may not seem open-ended because of their detailed designs, but there is no one set way of playing with them. Toddlers can use them however they would like!
These figures open up worlds of storytelling and imaginative play, as toddlers can create miniature habitats, enact adventures in nature, or learn about different species and their behaviors, combining fun with educational exploration.
- Check out all my favorite toy animals!
11. Peg Dolls
Peg dolls are delightfully simple play figures available in various fun, vibrant colors that instantly capture a toddler’s imagination. It’s this simplicity that makes them such a magical, open-ended toy!
Their minimalist design not only makes them easy to handle but also opens up a world of creative possibilities. I have seen toddlers use them in imaginative play, for counting, by sorting them by color and lining them up. It’s always so cool to see the creative things they come up with.
With their versatility and playful charm, peg dolls can be used to foster creativity and engaged play. They pair well with other open-ended toys on this list,d such as blocks and scarves.
You can buy premade peg dolls or color your own. Here is a simple peg doll tutorial using markers!
Integrating Open-Ended Toys into Everyday Life
Open-ended toys are not just for designated playrooms or special occasions. They can be seamlessly integrated into daily routines, offering learning opportunities in every moment.
Here are some tips on how to bring these versatile toys into your toddler’s everyday life:
Create a Dedicated Play Area
Designate a space where toys are readily accessible. This could be a corner of a room, a portable play kit, or a dedicated cabinet.
By having a space where toys like silk scarves, unit blocks, and magnetic tiles are always within reach, toddlers are encouraged to explore and play independently.
Encourage Unstructured Playtime
Rather than scheduling every moment of play, allow toddlers some free time with these toys.
Unstructured playtime lets toddlers decide what to do with their toys, whether it’s turning blankets and sheets into a cozy fort or arranging stepping stones into a mini obstacle course.
Mix and Match Toys
One of the great advantages of open-ended toys is that they can be combined in countless ways.
Invite toddlers to mix art supplies with loose parts or combine unit blocks with peg dolls. The interplay between different types of toys sparks innovation and creative thinking.
Rotate and Refresh
To keep the play environment stimulating, periodically rotate the toys available. Even a small selection of toys, when refreshed or rearranged, can offer new challenges and inspire fresh ideas.
This practice prevents boredom and keeps the creative juices flowing.
What are your favorite open-ended toys for toddlers?
In a world increasingly dominated by screens and pre-packaged entertainment, open-ended toys stand as a testament to the power of simple, imaginative play. They remind us that the best ideas often emerge when toddlers are free to explore, experiment, and dream without limitations.
So, next time you’re looking to spark creativity and innovation in your toddler, remember that the best toys are the ones that leave room for endless possibilities. Here’s to a world of limitless imagination with all the best open-ended toys for toddlers!
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