40+ Epic Toys Kids Actually Play With

Parents, if you’re looking for affordable toys kids actually play with, you’ve come to the right place!

Spark your kid’s imagination and creativity with these open-ended toys that will last right through childhood!

These fabulous toys for kids will encourage hours of imaginative play. And the best part? Most of them are very reasonably priced. Get the best toys without spending a fortune.

Number One Picks For Toys Kids Actually Play With

✅ It was a tie! These Playmobile and Lego sets are our number one choice. Both will give hours of play for under $30.

Small World Play Toys Kids Will Play With

Small-world play encourages children to create a miniature world with figures and props.

It stimulates imaginative, creative, and language development as children start exploring the world and telling their own stories.

These are the kinds of toys kids actually play with.

Playmobile

There are so many different sets, and there is something for every budget. My boys got hours of serious play with these little figurines and accessories.

They loved all the little accessories and figurines’ ability to hold things.

• PlayMobile sets Under $30
• Slightly higher priced PlayMobile sets priced between $30 and $100
• More expensive PlayMobile sets over $100

Here are some of our favorites.

Playmobil Fun Fair

Welcome to the PLAYMOBIL Fun Fair! Here your children can ride the swing ship, try their luck at the tin can game, or grab a delicious snack at the food stand

This set will provide hours of small world play for your kids.

It comes with five adult figures, three child figures, food stand, balloons, cuddly toys, and other accessories. 

Playmobil Farmhouse

Most children love animals, so they will enjoy this set.

The Playmobil Farmhouse includes a little house, three figures, cow, calf, two cats, and other accessories.

Playmobil Horse Farm

This is one of the more expensive sets, but you get a lot of value for your money.

This charming farm features two stalls and a loft area. The set also features a large fenced-in paddock.

The set includes two figures, two horses, one foal, cats, squirrels, birds, feeding buckets, water trough, wheelbarrow, grooming brushes, pitchfork, fencing, and many other accessories.

The PLAYMOBIL Horse Farm is sure to provide fun for your little ones.

Playmobil Camping with Kayaks

This fun camping playset includes two figures, two kayaks, dog, tent, lantern, cans of food, and other accessories.

Children will enjoy setting up camp and creating all kinds of adventures.

Dollhouse and Wooden Figures

If you prefer more natural materials, try these wooden toys.

All Seasons Kids Wooden Dollhouse

The All-Seasons Kids Wooden Dollhouse is perfect for imaginative role play.

It features 6 rooms and plenty of furnishings and appliances. The solid wood construction and child-safe paint finish make this dollhouse durable and built to last.

Please note that dolls must be purchased separately.

Hape African American Wooden Doll House Family

Aren’t these poseable wooden doll house figures sweet? They are made for the dollhouse shown above but can easily be used with blocks or a house made from a cardboard box.

I love the different ethnicities and the family pets.

If you decide to make your own dollhouse, add some Hape Wooden Doll House Furniture. It is well made and very reasonably priced.

Learn how to make an inexpensive dollhouse from a cardboard box.

Adventure Tree House Playset

I couldn’t resist this Adventure Treehouse set. It is jam-packed with exciting features and intricate details that keep kids engaged for hours.

The playset provides plenty of opportunities for imaginative play with a working pulley, a secret hedgehog home, and 2 figurines with movable arms and legs.

There are some lovely accessories for the figurines to use.

Cars

Small cars were a staple in our house. Use them for driving, sorting, stacking, and small world play. Here are some of our favorites.

Hot Wheels 10-Pack

Check out this amazing Hot Wheels 10-Pack! The set comes with various Hot Wheels vehicles, each made to scale with realistic details and authentic decos.

They’re perfect for small hands and can be used in sand, making them an excellent choice for hours of play.

And because Hot Wheels is a sturdy and reliable toy car, you can rest assured they will last! Want to know the best part? This set comes in under $20.

Matchbox Online 20-Pack, Toy Cars & Trucks

The Matchbox 20-pack of toy cars and trucks provides excellent value for money! These miniature vehicles are perfect for hours of imaginative play.

The cars and trucks are built to scale and feature realistic details and authentic designs.

Kids will love playing with these little cars. And with 20 vehicles to choose from, there’s something for everyone.

Wooden Town Play Set With Storage Tray

My boys loved creating little towns to drive their cars around. The Wooden Town Play Set has buildings, traffic signs, and trees.

It includes a picket fence, a brick wall, cute little benches, and a fountain.

In short, you get everything you need to create your own little town.

The buildings are all realistically designed, and the brightly colored wood pieces are made from high-quality materials that will withstand years of play.

Plus, they all store neatly in a specially designed storage tray when playtime is over.

Wooden Traffic Signs

Are you just looking for something to add to simple car play? These Wooden Street Signs are perfect!

Your child can create their own little town or city with various traffic signs.

Stop signs, stop lights, railroad crossing signs, yield signs, and more – your child will love zooming their toy cars around with these fun accessories.

Pair them with some Road tape for hours of fun.

PlayTape Black Road Tape

Use this versatile black road tape on any flat surface to create an instant track for toy cars and other vehicles.

It’s easy to apply and remove and leaves no residue behind. This set comes with straights and curves, so you can create all kinds of road systems.

This product has won over 25 industry awards.

Plastic Animal Sets

Animal figures can also be used in all kinds of small-world play. Kids combine them with all sorts of other toys for great pretend play.

Your kids can safely take them outside to play in sandboxes or dirt. There is a wide range of animal figures to choose from

Safari Animals

The Boley 12 Piece Safari Animal Set includes a lovely selection of Safari animal figures, from giraffes to zebras to lions!

The figures are made of high-quality, long-lasting plastic, so they’re built to last.

They’re also a great size and weight, not flimsy or cheap feeling. And the likeness to the real animals is quite impressive! Kids will love playing with these animals.

Farm Animals

Welcome to the world of Boley Farm Animals! This delightful set of figurines has 15 farm animals.

Each figure is beautifully made with remarkable attention to detail.

They are made of sturdy plastic and can withstand rough handling; these realistic farm animal figures are perfect for small-world play.

Dinosaur Figures

Do your kids love all things prehistoric? Then they’ll adore this set of Dinosaur Figures!

Your kids will enjoy hours of imaginative play with these realistic-looking dinosaurs.

Made from flexible vinyl, they’re sturdy enough to withstand hours of tough play. Bring the Jurassic period to life with Boley’s Dinosaur Figures!

Building Toys Kids Will Actually Play With

Building blocks are a staple in many homes. They are such an effective and simple toy. Stack and fashion them into all kinds of structures and fun things.

My boys used their building toys to make tunnels and bridges for trains, houses for Playmobile, and weird landscapes for action figures.

Blocks help children with all STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills.

They teach us about balance, structure, and gravity. They also stimulate creative thinking.

Read this post about the educational benefits of playing with this simple toy.

Wooden Building Blocks Set

These colorful blocks are made of solid wood and are lightweight, making them safe for kids to play with.

They come in 4 different colors and 9 shapes, which provides endless opportunities for creativity and imagination.

The smooth painted finish and rounded edges make them easy to handle and prevent splinters.

With this set, your kids can construct tall towers, castles, towns, bridges, and more.

It’s the perfect toy for encouraging hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and spatial awareness.

Magna-Tiles 100-Piece Clear Colors Set

Magna-Tiles are the perfect way to encourage your child’s creativity and imagination!

These original 3D magnetic building sets perfectly combine math, science, and creativity.

With this 100-piece set, they can stack, build, and click together their very own 3D shapes and structures.

The magnets ensure that the pieces stay together perfectly, no matter how complex the design is.

Want to try a smaller set at a lower price? Try this 42-piece set.

LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box

Lego probably needs no introduction. Most families have at least one set, and all parents have experienced the exquisite agony of stepping on a Lego brick with bare feet!

Lego is a classic open-ended toy used to build almost anything your child can imagine.

It is one of those classic toys kids actually play with. This set has a whopping 790 pieces in 33 different colors. It includes windows, doors, wheels, and baseplates.

Books to Inspire New Lego Creations

Awesome LEGO Creations with Bricks You Already Have

Lego has many nifty-themed sets that your children will enjoy building.

However, the absolute joy of Lego is that your children can make other things with those sets.

Otherwise, it would become a model set rather than an open-ended toy. Sometimes children need a little help and inspiration.

This book helps you do that. It provides instructions to build all kinds of things from the Lego you already have.

LEGO Chain Reactions (Klutz Science/STEM Activity Kit)

This book is for older children. This fantastic book provides instructions for building 10 different moving machines.

Each machine is powered by a simple chain reaction and uses the Lego specialty pieces, and other components included in the book.

And with over 80 pages of instructions, you’ll be able to create all sorts of incredible contraptions. You will need to add some basic Lego blocks to build the machines.

K’nex – Imagine Creation Zone Building Set

Enter the world of K’nex with this fun and imaginative building set! The vibrant colors and unique interlocking pieces are perfect for creating exciting models, from simple to complex.

Your child will be occupied with 417 parts and 50 building ideas for hours on end, discovering all the possibilities.

Let their creativity run wild with this Kid K’Nex set!

Open-Ended Toys That Nurture The Imagination

Some of the best toys for kids are the ones that allow them to use their own imagination and creativity.

I can guarantee that these are the kinds of toys kids will actually play with. Here are some of our favorite toys for pretend play.

Cardboard Boxes

Have you noticed how kids love cardboard boxes? Think about it! A box really is the perfect open-ended toy.

They can become a fort, a train, or a space shuttle. Or fashion your box into houses, masks, and even puppets.

There is no end to what your kids can do with a simple cardboard box. Try combining a large cardboard box with a flashlight and a box of markers for a novel Christmas gift. Stand back and see what happens.

You may also want to add a couple of books to help provide inspiration

Flashlight

The flashlight is the only toy on this list with batteries, but it’s a fantastic toy.

It’s a really great plaything for kids of all ages! Use it to read in a fort, go on a night scavenger hunt, or make a shadow show.

This model is sturdy and inexpensive.

Costumes and Props For Dress Up

I encourage you not to buy expensive character costumes as they provide limited play value.

Collect items that kids can use in multiple ways. These can include

• sticks
• old purses
• ties
• hats
• aprons
• shirts
• jewelry

Thrift stores are often gold mines and can supply all manner of treasures.

We found wigs, jewelry, and even an old fur cloak! When purchasing dress-up clothes, look for multi-use things.

Everfan Superhero Capes For Kids

Everfan Superhero Capes are perfect for imaginative play! These high-quality capes are made from premium 100% polyester satin.

The durable construction, machine washable for easy care, and easy-to-use Velcro fastening make them perfect for kids of all ages.

Related:29 Awesome DIY Dress Ups That Kids Can Make

I love how versatile they are. Kids can use them as superheroes, knights in armor, or royalty.

Choose from multiple colors to find the perfect match for your little one’s personality.

Creator Butterfly-Wings-Costume

Introducing the Creator Butterfly-Wings-Costume! This dress-up prop is almost magical.

Pop them on, and you immediately have wings. They are glossy and lightweight., so even a slight breeze can keep them fluttering!

Now your kid can fly freely among the flowers, befriend Ladybugs, Ants, or Snails, and dance to their heart’s content.

It’s the perfect way to let their imaginations take flight or explore the enchanted forest.!

You might also want to check out the dragon wing sets.

Kid’s Cowboy Hat

Rubies Faux-Suede Cowboy Hat is the perfect accessory for your dress-up box.

My boys used these types of hats for all kinds of imaginative play. They were usually adventurers or on a dangerous quest in “Dragonland.”

Tea Set

One of the best props for pretend play is a tea set. It is one of those toys kids actually play with.

We have one at the library, and it gets hours of use every week. I particularly like this one as it is made from recycled plastic and is sturdy enough to provide hours of play.

Crazy Forts! 69 Piece Buildable Indoor/Outdoor Play Fort

Let your imagination run wild with Crazy Forts! Crazy Forts! is perfect for indoor or outdoor play.

With 69 pieces, you can build all kinds of fun forts. The pieces are easy to maneuver and can be taken apart and put back together in many ways.

Add bed sheets, towels, and tarps, and you’re ready to play.

Baby Dolls

Dolls have been a part of human imagination since the beginning of civilization.

Doll play encourages imaginative make-believe and helps develop life skills as children dress their dolls and interact with them.

JC Toys La Baby Doll

This sweet and cuddly baby doll is perfect for small hands. It features exquisite details that bring her to life, from her cute baby face to her dainty fingers and toes.

They are reasonably priced, and I love that they are offered in 3 different ethnic choices.

Each doll is easy to dress in a cute hat and matching sleeper and comes with a pacifier and favorite blanket. La Baby is sure to become a cherished friend.

JC Toys La Newborn Babies

JC Toys La Newborn babies are perfect if you prefer anatomically correct baby dolls. Meticulously crafted dolls made of soft vinyl skin with finely detailed wrinkles.

They have cute, colorful, and sparkling eyes. La Newborn Measures 17″ long and weighs approximately 2lbs.

The dolls come dressed in a sweet layette set with an adorable bubble suit, socks, hat, and cozy blanket. These dolls will provide hours of imaginative play.

Open Ended Toys That Encourage Creativity

Art and crafts allow kids to express themselves in their own unique way. This activity engages all the senses and helps build all kinds of neural connections. Art also develops fine motor skills.

More importantly, open-ended process-oriented art encourages children to experiment and solve problems.

Children make decisions, see what happens, and evaluate the results. They learn to be flexible and comfortable taking risks.

These skills will serve them well as they move into adulthood. Here are our favorite open-ended art toys.

Paper and Art Supplies

Tru-Ray – P6576 Color Wheel Assortment

Construction paper is a childhood staple. It’s versatility make it perfect for open-ended art projects.

We chose the Tru-Ray brand because of its superior quality. This heavyweight paper is durable and perfect for any arts and crafts project.

Score, fold, and curl the paper without tearing. Plus, it has superior fade resistance for brighter, longer-lasting projects. Choose from 12 vibrant colors.

118 Piece Deluxe Art Set in Wooden Case

The ultimate open-ended toy, this art set includes paints, pastels, pencils, markers, and much more.

Use the handy wooden case for storage or display. Your kids will have everything they need to start their next masterpiece.

Craft Supplies

FunzBo Arts and Crafts Supplies for Kids

Welcome to the creative world of FunzBo Arts and Crafts! The all-in-one combo set includes all the essential arts and crafts supplies so kids start crafting immediately.

It’s got pom poms, googly eyes, craft foam shapes, sequins, buttons, and so much more. And everything comes in a handy, reusable storage jar to make clean-up easy.

Clay

Polymer Clay 50 Colors, Modeling Clay for Kids DIY Starter Kits

Clay is a fantastic open-ended toy! It’s a blank canvas that you can turn into absolutely anything.

With 50 colors of polymer clay, your kids can let their creativity run wild!

This set has everything you need to start, including modeling tools and a user manual.

Clay Lab for Kids: 52 Projects to Make, Model, and Mold

There are so many different craft books available that it is hard to narrow them down.

This one caught my eye, as clay is a great way for kids to get creative. This book contains 52 hands-on projects using kid-friendly clays and demonstrating basic techniques.

Kids can follow along and then branch out to do their own projects. The book also contains recipes for making your own clay at home.

The Best Toys For Active Outdoor Play

Most children are energetic and love to run outside, whether in the backyard or at the park.

Open-ended toys will provide hours of active outdoor fun! They’ll be able to use their imaginations to develop all sorts of fun games to play.

So many great options exist, so I wrote a separate post to cover toys for active kids.

Click here to discover the best open-ended toys for active outdoor play.

Open ended toys FAQ’s

What does open-ended play mean?

Similarly, open-ended play activities are those without a set outcome. They allow children a chance to explore their creativity and imagination.

There are no rules, step-by-step guides, or specific end products. Studies show that engaging in this kind of play has enormous benefits that your children will carry into adulthood.

Related: Learn how free play gives your child will provide your child an academic advantage and sets them up for productive life

Looking For More Gift Ideas?

Check out these helpful lists

Looking for more unique gifts? We have a number of gift guides with carefully selections of inexpensive toys.

Why are open-ended toys better?

Open ended toys engage and nurture children’s imagination and creativity.

This kind of play gives children the chance to explore and make sense of the world.

It allows them to think outside the box, solve problems, and practice different scenarios.

Studies have shown that imaginative play also helps develops important qualities like empathy, cooperation, and compassion.

Which Open-Ended Toys Are Worth It?

All open-ended toys are worth buying. Still, we do have budgets, especially in these times of rising costs.

Can you buy good toys at a reasonable price? You bet you can! Many of the open-ended toys on our list are all under $30 at the time of writing.

I’ll tell you what, though the toys may be cheap, but the play value they provide is priceless.

All of these toys allow children to express themselves freely and creatively. All of them will provide endless hours of play.

What Toy Manufacturers Don’t Want You To Know

Buying more expensive trendy toys WON’T keep your children playing for hours.

Finding SIMPLE open-ended items that encourage imaginative play are the kinds of toys kids will actually play with.

And the best part? Many of them are relatively inexpensive. You don’t have to spend a fortune to provide this kind of play value. Sounds good, right?

Here’s the thing. Children do NOT NEED expensive toys to engage in imaginative play. They only need the time, space, and a few props. So, turn off the screens and watch your child’s imagination soar.

How do you encourage open-ended play?

Here are some ways you can encourage open-ended play:

• Make sure your child has plenty of time to play without interruption.
• Provide them with a variety of open-ended toys that they can use in a variety of ways.
• Don’t overwhelm your children with too many toys. A few well-chosen toys will provide more play value than dozens of toys, all vying for your child’s attention. Practice toy rotation if needs be.
• Encourage your children to use their imagination and develop their own games or new ways of playing with something.
• Boredom is the catalyst for creativity, so allow your children to get bored. Read this post for a creative way to respond the next time your child whines about being bored.
• Most importantly, join in the fun! Imaginative play is not just for children; adults can benefit from it too! You can model open-ended and imaginative play for your children.

Open-ended toys are a great way to encourage your child’s imagination and creativity. They provide hours of play value as children will find many ways to use them.

So, if you’re looking to buy toys your kids will actually play with, these open-ended options are your secret weapon!

The best part? They are available at a reasonable price. We hope you found this list of open-ended toys helpful.