The best toys are those that hold up well, offer many ways to play, and stay engaging as children grow.
Open-ended toys are the kind of toys that don’t come with fixed rules or one “right” way to play. Rather than telling your child what to do, they invite creativity.
Why open-ended toys are worth the investment
Open-ended toys encourage your child to think for themselves, solve problems, and play independently. Unlike toys that only suit a specific age or stage, open-ended toys can stay relevant for years.
In homes with limited space, it makes even more sense to choose toys that can do more than one job. Not only do these toys offer limitless play possibilities, they also grow with your child and don’t need replacing every few months.
Instead of shelves full of toys that get used once, you get more value from a few timeless options that serve a purpose beyond short-term entertainment, making them well worth the investment.
Top 8 toys that will stick around long after the toddler phase
1. LEGO or LEGO DUPLO
LEGO has stayed one of the most popular toys for decades because it stays fun at every age. These bricks spark imagination, boost focus, and support problem-solving, all while being nearly indestructible.
For toddlers just starting to build, choose versatile sets that can be mixed and reused in many different ways, like the LEGO DUPLO Classic Brick Box 10913. It comes with 65 pieces and is suitable for little ones from 18 months up.
For older kids ready to move on to smaller pieces, the LEGO Classic 10698 Large Creative Brick Box is a solid choice. With a wide variety of bricks in different shapes and colours, it opens up unlimited building possibilities.
Both sets include a handy storage box too, making cleanup simple and keeping everything in one place.
2. Wooden blocks
Wooden blocks are simple, sturdy, and endlessly useful. They’re safe for toddlers, yet still engaging for older kids. Kids can stack them, build cities, create obstacle courses, or turn them into anything else they can imagine. These blocks support spatial reasoning, balance, creativity, and pretend play, all without a single battery.
The HAPE 8247 Wonderful Beech Blocks is a great option to start with. It comes with 101 colourful solid wooden pieces and a storage box that doubles as a shape sorter.
3. Magnetic tiles
Magnetic tiles are a hit across ages for good reason: they’re colourful, sturdy, and click together in the most satisfying way. Great for building everything from castles to rockets, they’re also perfect for exploring shapes, patterns, and basic STEM concepts.
They work well on their own or combined with other toys like vehicles, animals, or roads. It’s an investment that pays off as these tiles stay exciting for years and grow with your child’s imagination.
The Connetix Rainbow Mega Pack comes with 212 pieces for big, creative builds right from the start. It’s a solid set that can be paired perfectly with the CONNETIX Rainbow Ball Run Expansion Pack if you ever want to expand later.
4. Animal figurines
Animal figurines are perfect for storytelling, world-building, and sparking imaginative play. Kids can use them to create farms, jungles, oceans, or even everyday life scenes while learning empathy and role-play along the way.
Well-made sets with realistic details, like those from Schleich, can last for years and are often worth the splurge for how often they’re used and loved. Check out also Ania series from TAKARA TOMY which features smaller-sized animals with movable joints.
If you’re after something more unique and natural, Holztiger offers beautifully crafted wooden animals with a charming, hand-painted finish.
5. Open-ended toy set
Toy kitchens, dollhouses, and other open-ended setups offer hours of imaginative play. They support storytelling, empathy, and role play.
A toy kitchen doesn’t have to stay a kitchen, it can turn into a shop, a café, or even a market stall. The popular IKEA DUKTIG is a great example: simple, compact, and easy to customise. You can also choose a toy kitchen with modular features that can be adjusted into different setup.
For dollhouses, the IKEA FLISAT is a simple, open design that can double as a wall shelf or be used as anything from a fire station to a vet clinic. If you prefer more detail, the HAPE E3405 Doll Family Mansion comes with a garage, car, and furnished rooms, perfect for kids who enjoy more structured setups.
6. Vehicles
Cars, trains, diggers—vehicles are classic favourites for a reason. Kids naturally assign roles, build routes, and create stories around them. These toys spark imagination, problem-solving, and even early planning skills.
Popular train sets like BRIO 33727 My First Railway Beginner Pack, are a great option, offering heirloom-quality durability and compatibility with other brands, including IKEA and Thomas & Friends.
Alternatively, realistic options like the Tomica or Plarail series offer detailed design and fun functions that many kids find exciting. These toys are also quite popular in Japan and can be paired with other TAKARA TOMY series.
7. Play silks
Who would have thought a single piece of fabric could offer so much play? From capes and tents to picnic setups, play silks are versatile and can hold up to years of play.
They’re lightweight, beautiful, and invite movement, creativity, and open-ended play. One of the most flexible toys you can own, play silks become whatever a child imagines.
8. Household items
Last but not least, fun doesn’t have to come from a store. Cardboard boxes, empty bottles, or old containers are the ultimate free-form play tools. They’re great for building, crafting, and combining with other toys. These materials teach resourcefulness and if they get destroyed? No problem. Recycled fun at its best.
Investing in less, but better
While the list covers great options for long-lasting toys that grow with your child, you definitely don’t need them all. Just pick the ones that match how your child plays. A small, thoughtful collection can go a long way.
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