Open vs. Closed Toys and Holiday Gift Guide

Imagine a toy that transforms with every play session, inviting creativity and innovation. That's the essence of open-ended toys. These magical playthings don't come with a rulebook; instead, they encourage children to invent their own stories, create their own rules, and explore the boundaries of their imagination.

If you were to enter one of our preschools at any given time, you would find an abundance of open-ended toys available for the students. These toys help foster their growth and imagination, and we love including them in our preschool classrooms. Keep reading to see why we love open-ended toys so much and why we believe they are so important for children.

Open vs. Closed Toys

So what exactly IS an open-ended toy and how is it different than a closed toy? Let’s dive in.

Closed Toys

“One and done” toys
They are meant to develop mastery of one single skill
Usually light up or make noises, and all a child does is press a button
Provide an immediate dopamine rush, but are short-lived during playtime

Open Toys

Can be used multiple ways
Provokes creativity
Creates child-led play
Gives freedom to explore and imagine
Promotes independent play
The play comes from the child, not the toy

All this is not to say that closed toys are bad. In fact, items like shape sorters, puzzles, and ring stackers are all closed toys and they certainly have a place in playtime. But it is important to have a good mix of open and closed toys available to your child, and in our classrooms we like to provide MOSTLY open-ended toys for all the reasons listed above.

From building blocks to art supplies, open-ended toys provide a canvas for boundless creativity. They empower kids to be the architects of their playtime, fostering skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. Open-ended toys grow with children, adapting to their changing interests and developmental stages.

Open-Ended Toys Gift Guide

Now on to the fun part! We’ve created this list of amazing open-ended toys that are perfect gifts for all of the little ones you know this holiday season! Check it out below!

The Preschool Place is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Wood Building Blocks

Every child needs a good set of building blocks! We like this affordable set from Melissa and Doug. You can find it on Amazon here.

Rainbow Blocks

If you already have a set of unit blocks, these rainbow blocks make a fun addition to the playroom or classroom. Our students love to stack the different colored blocks to see what colors they can make when they look through them. Find them here!

Baby Dolls

A childhood favorite, for a reason! Dolls are great open-ended toys for imaginative play. This twin set from Melissa and Doug is double the fun. Find it here!

Play Silks

Play silks are an amazing open-ended toy. They can be a blanket, a baby carrier, a tent, a fire, a playmat, even use them as gift wrap if you want! We especially love this set from Sarah’s Silks.

Magnatiles

We have a large set of these in every single one of our classrooms because they are just that good. Kids can build a zoo, a farm, a train, a castle. They can really get so creative with these. Find them here (and they really are worth every cent, we promise).

Magnatiles Roads

These are such a fun addition for those kiddos who love cars! Add these to your Magnatiles set with some small cars and your child will play for hours! You can find these on Amazon here.

Duplos

These are a must for little learners. Duplos really allow kids to create anything their imagination desires, and the larger size blocks are perfect for little hands. Grab them here.

Wooden Dollhouse

This Fold and Go Dollhouse from Melissa and Doug is great if you are limited on space. It’s smaller and stores well, but still allows for all of the great imaginative play fun. Its on Amazon here.

Wooden Barn and Animals

If your child prefers animals to dolls, this is another great option. It is also by Melissa and Doug, and you can find it here!

Light Box

This small light box is such an amazing open-ended toy! It is so fun to use with different translucent materials, and children love experimenting to see how things look on the light box. I promise you child will love it! Find it here.

Musical Instruments

If you’re not afraid of a little noise, this band in a box is a fun option. Kids can create their own parade or sing to their heart’s content. Find it here!