They’ve left toddlerhood behind and are ready to take on the world with a whole host of new interests, from trendy toys to arts and crafts. Here’s how to shop for a four-year-old this Christmas.
We asked the parents, godparents, aunts and uncles of Which? to tell us about the gifts that were a genuine success, and, much like Father Christmas, they delivered.
Scroll on for the best Christmas gifts for four-year-olds – the one’s they’ll actually play with for more than five minutes.
We’ve taken the stress out of Christmas shopping for little ones: see the best Christmas gifts for kids
For outdoorsy adventurers
Micro Scooter
When they’re too big to be carried around anymore, a scooter gives a child a bit more freedom to travel under their own steam. Plus, you can add accessories like a basket on the front so their favourite teddy can come along too.
We like Plenty of colours and styles to choose from
Watch out for You might end up carrying it
A scooter can encourage independence when you’re out and about, and one with three wheels – such as a Micro Scooter – can help kids to stay balanced when they’re still little.
This one includes an adjustable handlebar, a ‘lean-to-steer’ mechanism, and light-up LED front wheels, as well as a rear brake and silicone grip mouldings.
Ready for two wheels? See how to buy the best balance bike
Chad Valley Flying Saucer Game
Really fun game that can involve kids of many ages – my one-year-old helps collect the flying saucers and returns them to my four-year-old. Keeps them entertained for ages!
We like No batteries required
Watch out for Contains flying objects
This game includes a dinosaur-themed launcher, eight colourful discs and nets for catching.
To play, you place a disc on the launcher and press a button to launch it into the air. The objective is to catch the airborne disc with a net.
Available at Argos, or keep an eye on prices below:
Railway vouchers
Lots of kids are train-mad, so gifting them a day out at one of the UK’s many heritage railway lines is something they’ll treasure. You can go for a Virgin gift or look into options at a line that’s local to them. We recently did a fish and chip train experience with our son and it was something we all enjoyed.
We like Immersive experience
Watch out for Some vouchers can’t be used on certain days
An experience day can be a great alternative to the usual toys and games, and the whole family can get involved too.
If your little one loves trains, there are plenty of trips to choose from, such as Virgin Experience days or the Thomas and Friends Day Out.
Kids’ gardening tools set
A great way to foster a love of the outdoors by home-growing veg while learning about where food comes from. I bought my son a set when he was four or five, now he’s 15 and he’ll do gardening without being asked!
We like Encourages outdoor play
Watch out for Slightly sharp points and edges
From digging up worms to planting seedlings, a set of gardening tools is a great gateway to get your child interested in nature – and to help out with the weeding.
You could opt for a smaller, cheaper set that includes a couple of tools, or buy a larger one that comes with a watering can and gloves for a true outdoor adventurer.
For grown-up gardeners, buy a gift they’ll really love this Christmas – best Christmas gifts for gardeners
For creative kids
Terrarium set
This is a fun craft project that they can build any way they like. Once it’s done, it works as a nightlight. This went down so well with the little boy I bought it for that I bought my son one too, and he loves it.
We like Available in dinosaur or unicorn themes
Watch out for Contains sand – can be messy
This terrarium kit comes with no bugs but plenty of dinosaurs (or unicorns), as well as two colours of sand, preserved mosses and a remote-controlled LED night light.
Disney Frozen art set
A big hit with all the children we’ve bought it for, including my four-year-old daughter and nearly five-year-old niece.
We like Handy carry case
Watch out for Contains 60 small pieces
This Frozen-themed art set is packed full of pens, crayons, pencils, paints, stickers, stamps and more.
The case includes a carry handle and snap locks for portability.
Skillmatics Scratch Art Book for Kids
Helps with precise hand-eye co-ordination and how to hold a pencil ready for writing.
We like Three themes to choose from
Watch out for Pad contains only 10 scratchable pictures
More portable than a colouring book, a scratch art pad still allows little ones to get creative and draw without the mess.
Instead of normal paper, these books contain black paper designed to be scratched to reveal colours beneath. This set also contains more than 30 stickers to add to drawings.
Mini karaoke set
If you know a little one who loves to belt out their favourite Disney songs (and you really don’t like their parents), a mini karaoke machine keeps them singing away for hours.
We like Affordable and portable
Watch out for Your ears!
This karaoke set comes in four colour options – pink, purple, white and black – and two microphones are included.
You can connect to the karaoke machine via Bluetooth to play your child’s favourite tunes, and there are rainbow LEDs on the top to make it feel like a real party.
See the best karaoke machines from our tests (or the best noise-cancelling headphones if you’re getting sick of the singing)
Early Learning Centre Ready Mix Paint Set
A simple but sure-to-please gift for any artsy little one. You could combine these paints with a few canvases and paintbrushes for a cheap and cheerful homemade gift set.
We like Cheap and cheerful
Watch out for Can get messy
Not all gifts need to be big and flashy – a new set of paints can be plenty. This one contains six basic colours, including primary colours that can be mixed to make something new.
Costing less than £10, it makes the perfect stocking-filler for your little artist.
For builders and gamers
Lego Spidey Web Spinner HQ Set
This kit brings the Spidey superhero gang to life with the bastion of childhood playtime, Lego. And it’s not just for boys, little girls love Spidey too, especially the heroine of the gang, Ghost Spider.
We like Classic Lego fun
Watch out for Small pieces
You can’t go wrong with Lego for most kids, and at age four, they’re old enough for some larger and more intricate sets – a step up from Duplo.
This Team Spidey Headquarters set features five beloved characters, webs to catch baddies and a helicopter with spinning turbines.
Lego Elsa’s Frozen Castle
Great for Frozen fans to expand their interest away from fancy dress. Reasonably involved to build, so stretches their skills, and has very cute characters.
We like Perfect for Frozen fanatics
Watch out for Tiny pieces
Combining both Frozen and Lego – hot topics among four-year-olds, according to our experts – this castle features Elsa, Anna and Sven as they roast marshmallows around a fire.
If you’re looking for more Lego sets, see our guide to finding the best Lego deals
Nintendo Super Mario Kart 8 RC Anti-Gravity Kart
My nephews are firmly in their Mario-obsession phase currently – this remote control kart can turn on the spot, do tricks and enter ‘anti-gravity’ mode to do drifts.
We like Fun to drive
We don’t like Requires a lot of batteries (eight AAs)
This remote control car lets kids live out their Mario Kart dreams around your living room. And unlike a lot of other models, it can do tricks, drifts and wheelies.
We rated this model and more in our guide: best remote control cars
Cuddly companions
Jellycat
Jellycats are super cute and there’s a huge variety to suit all personalities (and your budget).
We like Collectible (and adorable)
Watch out for Some options can be pricey
Jellycat currently offers more than 800 items online, from standard teddy bears and bunnies to dragons, foodstuffs and more. Depending on the size and model, you can expect to pay anywhere from £15 to more than £100.
If you don’t want to get a stuffed toy, Jellycat also offer keyrings, bags and small stocking fillers.
Popular options include:
- Jellycat Amuseables Coffee-To-Go Bag – Available from Jellycat (£30)
- Jellycat Amuseables Peanut – Available from Jellycat (£18)
- Bartholomew Bear – Available from Jellycat (£25)
- Bashful Beige Bunny – Available from Jellycat (£25)
Browse more from Jellycat.
Squishmallows
All children love Squishmallows, you can’t go wrong.
We like Cuddly and soft
Watch out for Larger toys can be expensive
Similarly to Jellycats, Squishmallows are collectable soft toys available in a range of cute characters, animals and more.
The brand is so popular that the miniature version, ‘Squish-a-longs’, were one of Hamleys’ top trending toys last Christmas.
Popular options include:
- Squishmallows Original 5-Inch Food 4-Pack – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50021801
- Squishmallows Original 12-inch Melina The Octopus – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50021802
- Squishmallows Original 16-inch Brody the Dark Blue Dino – SQUIRREL_TEXT_50021803
Browse more Squishmallows at Amazon, The Entertainer and Smyths Toys.
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