36 Open Ended Toys Kids Will Play with for Years

Updated November 17, 2022

From building toys & dolls to play silks & trucks, these open ended toys are the ones our kids pulled out over and over again through the years for hours of imaginative play!

As parents, we know how easy it is for toys to accumulate - and how little play time many of these toys actually get! For those of us wanting to minimize the clutter, we're pulling together a list of open ended toys that can be used any number of ways for engrossing, creative play at any age.

Which toys get the most use in your home? Review your favorites below, and suggest any that are missing to share with fellow parents!

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Upparent

Green Toys Tea Set

A perfect first tea set! The Green Toys set is made out of recycled materials, it is non-toxic (does not contain BPA, phthalates, or lead paint), meets FDA food contact standards and is dishwasher friendly.

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Our Generation 18 Inch Doll

Kristy Pepping said: My seven-year-old and her friends are really into playing American Girl dolls these days. However, there are so many 18-inch dolls on the market, a doll purchase does not have to break the bank.

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Melissa & Doug Deluxe Magnetic Standing Art Easel

Erin P. said: This easel is such a hit in our house! It has a chalkboard on one side and a dry erase board on the other side. It also has a paper roll holder for painting. My four-year old especially loves painting with it! The family portrait that he painted the other day in which the baby floats like a giant marshmallow over the rest of us brought smiles to all of our faces. :)

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Kids Tool Box

Kelly R. said: My kids both loved having a little tool set at age 3, and still played with it years later. Whenever my husband or I would fix something around the house, my son would grab the toolbox and come running to help.

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Green Toys Helicopter

Jennie Utsinger said: We love everything made by Green Toys, but the helicopter is one of my son's favorites! Made from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs, it withstands crashes and is a great size for flying around. It's also dishwasher safe, so easy to clean.