Activities for a 4-year-old: Fostering your child’s development

At age 4, your little one’s best method of learning is through play, which is why no matter if you’re focused on teaching them letters and numbers, social-emotional skills, a love of nature or just trying to keep them busy, having a few go-to learning and sensory activities for 4-year-olds can be especially useful. Your energetic kiddo loves learning new things, and we’ve got 10 hands-on activities to keep them engaged. 

Sensory activities for 4-year-olds

1. Alphabet moon rocks

Using aluminum foil, wrap up a set of magnetic or foam alphabet letters individually as “moon rocks” for your child to uncover. Set them all in a large plastic tub you can transform into a space-themed sensory bin complete with dried black beans, any space vehicles or astronaut play figures you might have on hand. Can they travel through the galaxy to find all 26 moon rocks? 

2. Wash ‘n’ dry

If your kiddo loves helping you clean, scrubbing down their toys is a great way for them to get their hands wet while feeling like they’re contributing. Set up a couple plastic bins or large soup pots and fill one with soapy water and the second with plain water for rinsing. It’s fun to do this activity each week with a different category of toys: this week, farm animals, next week, toy cars. 

3. Collage creation

Gather a variety of textured materials like fabric scraps, yarn, tissue paper, and buttons. Encourage your child to create a collage by gluing the materials onto a large piece of paper, allowing them to explore different textures and patterns.

Developmental activities for 4-year-olds

1. Puppet play

Whether it’s behind the couch or the shower curtain, create a mock stage for your budding Shakespeare to put on their own play. Ask them to act out a story with their stuffed animals or puppets, and be a very enthusiastic audience member. This activity promotes storytelling abilities, creativity, and social-emotional development.

2. Hopscotch

Hopscotch, the classic sidewalk game, is a surprising winner when it comes to developmental activities for 4-year-olds. It promotes gross motor skills as children hop, jump, and balance on one foot while moving through the hopscotch grid, and it encourages cognitive skills such as number recognition and counting. Kids learn to identify and call out the numbers as they progress through the numbered squares. This activity also introduces basic concepts of sequencing and order as they navigate the correct path. If played with a friend or sibling, it also promotes turn-taking. 

3. Cardboard laptop

Is your kiddo always angling to type on your laptop keyboard? Help them craft their own cardboard version. Fold a piece of cardboard in half like a book. Using a piece of printer paper or construction paper, help them draw their ideal laptop screen, followed by a second piece of paper for the keyboard (ask them to help fill in the letters!). Glue each piece to the respective sides of the cardboard laptop, and then let them happily type away—without the risk of them accidentally sending an email to your boss. 

Things to do with a 4-year-old

Week 1: Play a board game

Unearth the board games from your youth (Chutes & Ladders, anyone)? And invite your preschooler to play. Introducing board games at an early age can help develop critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills. Board games are also a good way to invite a little friendly competition and support family bonding. 

Week 2: Paint party

Washable kids’ paint is a great way to liven up some plastic outdoor furniture and while away a warm spring or summer afternoon. Offer your kids a few paint colors and a brush, and then let them paint their plastic outdoor toys like chairs, slides and mini cars. It washes right off with the hose or a good rain shower! 

Week 3: Craft a nature collection

Set out on a nature walk (no matter the weather) to see what treasures you and your 4-year-old can find. Then, display your souvenirs in a prominent place on a window sill or mantle to encourage not only a love of the natural world but also that you cherish their treasures right along with them.

Week 4: Sprinkle letter tracing

Create a sensory bag that’s perfect for letter writing with fingers by filling a large gallon-size resealable bag with sprinkles. With the bag closed, tape the bag flat onto a table and spread the sprinkles evenly throughout. Then, model using your finger to draw the letters of the alphabet, your child’s name or numbers. Then, ask them to do the same. 

Our favorite products for 4-year-olds

Mudpuppy

Search & Find 64-Piece Puzzle

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$16.99

The 64-piece Search & Find puzzles from Mudpuppy offer preschoolers two challenges. First they have to flex their problem solving skills to put it together. When they’re done, they can use their eagle eyes to find 40+ animals, insects and plants that surround the puzzle edge. Choose from variety of animal themes.

SHOP AMAZON

Lovevery

The Planner Play Kit

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$120

Your 4-year-old is ready to start thinking ahead—and the Planner play kit from Lovevery is designed to help them do just that. Packed with activities to help them understand the concept of time, predict and hypothesize actions, and use logical reasoning, your budding engineer will be thrilled to keep time on their own mini clock, build a wooden ball ramp and play with patterns and sequencing. But maybe the best part? The included play guide for parents outlines all the activities to try, which means no more late-night Pinteresting for you.

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Creativity For Kids

Construction Zone Playset

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$15.99

This ready-made sensory bin comes with everything your construction-loving kiddo needs to entertain themselves for hours. When they’re done, just snap the lid back on and store for next time. Honestly, we’d pay double. (And if diggers and dump trucks aren’t thing, they offer a bunch of different themes that are sure to please.)

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SHOP WALMART

VTech

Marble Rush Ultimate Set Marble Run Building Set

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$47.99

With 145 pieces that can connect together in endless combinations, this colorful marble run is bound to get their wheels turning. A spinning Ferris wheel, a swirling cone that plays a musical light show, thrilling ramps, fast tracks, extreme launchers and bases can be used as they follow instructions for exciting builds or they can flex their creative muscles to design something all their own.

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Micro Kickboard

Mini Deluxe Scooter

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$89.99

Whether you’re zipping through city streets or riding up and down your suburban driveway, a good scooter is a must-have for outdoor fun. Our top pick is the genius three-wheeled designs from Micro Kickboard. Not only are they super easy for even the smallest daredevils to master, but they’re made to last and hand down. It’s a great way for little ones to improve their balance and coordination while also having a blast!

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A version of this story was originally published on June 5, 2023. It has been updated.