Best Gift Ideas For Four Year Olds

Budget: Under $30

Our Pick:  Map of the World Floor Puzzle by Cobble Hill ($23.99)

Why did we choose this?

This beautifully detailed floor puzzle is fantastic for young children. The large size of the pieces makes them easy to grasp and fit together on the floor. A map of the World theme allows children, who are beginning to understand that they are a part of a larger whole: the world, gain a deeper understanding about the world around them. This puzzle features icons, like animals and special places, that pertain to each continent making it a great combination of fun, education and storytelling. Children are encouraged to tell stories about what they have seen in the world firsthand or what they have newly discovered on this exciting map!

What are the benefits of large floor puzzles?

• By manipulating the pieces and working to fit them together, children are developing their spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills
• Puzzles can be tricky and require problem solving skills, patience and perseverance
• Floor puzzles encourage movement around the floor space, which helps to develop gross motor skills
• When working with others, children are developing social skills, language skills and the ability to communicate effectively
• This particular puzzle allows children to learn about the world - the continents, the oceans and all that’s in between!

Honourable Mentions: 

• Kids Kite ($14.99)
• Rhyming Bingo ($19.99)
• Tangram by Moulin Roty ($20.99)
• Hand Powered Flashlight ($23.99)
• Rainbow Game ($25.99)
• This Is How We Do It ($26.99)
• Wooden Map of Canada Puzzle ($29.99)
• Picture Charades ($29.99)
• Count Your Chickens ($29.99)

Budget: $30-$50

Our Pick: Magneti’books ($32.99)

Why did we choose this?

Through the magic of magnetic games, children can learn while having fun. We carry 7 options: English Alphabet, 4 seasons, Learn to Tell Time, Animals, Racers, Space and Dinosaurs. They are perfect for travel and easy to bring anywhere! 

1. Learn to Tell Time allows children to recreate everyday scenes based on the time on the clock, making it a great way to visually show children what time it is.
2. English Alphabet teaches children how to write a word correctly based on the illustrated magnet. 
3. Animal allows children to recreate the animal indicated on the model card or use their imagination to create their own unique and hilarious animals. 
4. 4 Seasons allows children to create or invent beautiful scenes throughout the seasons. They can use the 4 model cards to help inspire their creations or invent their own stories. 
5. Racers is for the vehicle enthusiast. They can use the cards to recreate different vehicles or use their imagination to combine the 50 magnets provided to make unique vehicles of their own. 
6. Space allows children to discover the mysteries of the universe and the planets. Use the cards to create space vehicles and incredible scenes that are truly out of this world! 
7. Dinosaurs allows children to recreate the dinosaurs indicated on the model cars or use their imagination to create their own unique dinos!

What are the benefits of magnetic educational games?

• Children develop fine motor skills and hand eye coordination as they manipulate the magnetic pieces with their hands and fingers
• Children will tell stories related to the scenes they create, which will help them develop language skills and communication skills
• Children learn about specific topics - English alphabet, telling time, the 4 seasons, animals, vehicles, space and dinosaurs
• Creating appropriate scenes to fit a given theme takes problem solving skills, perseverance and patience

Honourable Mentions:

• Beleduc Boy Layer Puzzle or Beleduc Girl Layer Puzzle ($34.99)
• Snakes and Ladders Game ($34.99)
• Plus Plus BIG Picture Puzzle Basic ($37.99)
• Tangram Battle Game by Vilac ($39.99)
• CreaMagnet ($44.99)
• Chasing Fireflies Game ($46.99)

Budget: $50 - $100

Our Pick: Unit Blocks Set of 50 ($97.99)

Why did we choose this?

We think a good set of wooden blocks is one of the best open-ended toys money can buy. Blocks have so many developmental benefits and are incredibly versatile. This set includes 50 natural blocks in various shapes and sizes. They are the definition of open-ended play and will stimulate a child’s imagination, as well as help to develop their building skills, for many, many years. 

What are the benefits of Unit Blocks?

• Helps to develop many skills, such as stacking, sorting, and matching. 
• Invites imaginative play, which helps to improve hand-eye coordination, develops mathematical skills and promotes creativity. 
• Teaches shapes and promotes language development around shape names, as well as directional words (under, above, beside, etc.).
• Encourages problem solving skills, as children learn how to prevent their tower from toppling by building a sturdy base.
• Promotes spatial awareness and logical thinking.

Honourable Mentions:

• Jumbo Dinosaurs ($59.99)
• Connetix Tiles 24 Piece Motion Pack ($58.99)
• Les Parisiennes Tea Set ($54.99)
• Learning Resources Pretend and Play Cash Register ($71.99)

Budget: $100 - $200

Our Pick: Make-a-Fort Explorer Kit ($124.99)

Why did we choose this?

This fort building kit is the perfect way to keep children engaged in creative play and off their screens! The cardboard is much stronger than typical shipping box cardboard and each creation (forts, mazes, houses, etc.) can be assembled without tape, adhesives, glue or tools of any kind. The Make-a-Fort Explorer Kit provides a much needed outlet for creative and active play, even when it is too cold or rainy to be outside. 

What are the benefits of the Make-a-Fort Explorer kit?

• Promotes gross motor development - children crawl in and out, reach up, bend down, move around
• Promotes the use of imagination and creativity
• Stimulates problem solving skills, hand-eye coordination, cooperation, collaboration, social skills development and patience
• Builds spatial awareness
• Teaches planning and follow through
• Fun for almost any age and it's a great way to spend quality time together as a family.

Honourable Mentions:

• Sensory Stepperz ($109.99)
• Connetix Tiles 92 Piece Ball Run ($134.99)
• Globber Go Up 4 in 1 Scooter ($147.99)
• Kinderfeets Indoor/Outdoor Tent ($164.99)

Budget: $200+

Our Pick: 4 Year Old Montessori Box ($214.99)

Why did we choose this?

Gift giving has never been so easy with this 4 Year Old Montessori Box. It includes a variety of art, educational and entertaining items to help develop the cognitive and creative skills of children aged 4-5+. 

What are the benefits of the 4 Year Old Montessori Box?

• The items in this box were carefully selected by an Infant Toddler Montessori Teacher (MACTE), Registered Early Childhood Educator and Masters Level Early Childhood Educator.
• Each piece is designed to support a child's development from ages 4 to 5 years and includes instructions on why and how to introduce them to your child
• The box includes the following items:

1. Watercolour Paint Set & Art Apron- A beautiful set of 24 watercolour paints. Children 4+ can explore colours and shades as they let their creativity run wild. 
2. Map of Canada Puzzle - Learn about the Canadian provinces and all the unique animals that live in Canada with this challenging puzzle.
3. Tangram Game - An excellent educational game for young children. This game comes with over 100 cards and 4 levels of difficulty. Children learn about shapes, geometry, spatial awareness and spatial vocabulary.
4. Alphabet Puzzle - Your child can begin to explore letters - recognition and formation - by using the puzzle on one side and the chalkboard on the other side. This is an amazing pre-reading and writing tool.
5. Hama Maxi Beads & Peg Boards - A great activity to strengthen fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and develop focus. Includes a 'design sheet' where children can learn to follow instructions.  
6. Ladybug Dominos - Great for developing number sense and math skills, i.e. counting, matching, sorting, etc. Dominos is also great for strengthening visual discrimination skills.
7. Rhyming BINGO - This game provides a fun way to learn rhyming words and develop early literacy skills. Playing board games also develops social skills. 
8. Lacing Cards - Strengthens and refines fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. These are also a developmental aid that invites the child to learn the practical skill of sewing.
9. Magnifying Glass - Explore the outdoors and learn about nature with this jumbo magnifying glass. Using a magnifying glass encourages children to slow down and observe, refining their attention to detail.
   

Honourable Mentions:

• Large Montessori Climbing Triangle and Ramp ($599.99)
• Winter Climbing Bundle #3 ($679.99)