9 open-ended toys to inspire creativity in your child this summer

Your children will play with these again and again.

Summer offers the perfect opportunity to break from a hectic schedule and enjoy the simple pleasures (and scientific benefits !) of doing nothing with your kiddos. But summer days can be long, and toddlers can be demanding, and sometimes…mama just needs a break.

Luckily, there are so many benefits of unstructured play for little ones. Open-ended toys—toys that foster imagination and can be used in a variety of different ways—are the perfect solution for keeping your kids busy this summer while also encouraging creative play. These are the toys your children will play with for hours and come back to again and again.

Here are nine toys worth stocking up on for the summer!

1. For endless creations: Handcrafted wooden blocks

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One of the oldest + most basic of toys truly remain one of the best. Wooden blocks are perfect for any age and just about any type of play, from building to pretending. We love the natural simplicity of these, the all natural materials, and the handcrafted beauty.

Wooden Story Natural Blocks with Tray (54 pieces)
$50.00, The Tot

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2. For pretend play: Wooden grocery store

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There’s just something about a cash register that kids can’t get enough of! One of the most played with toys we’ve ever owned, this freestanding wooden grocery store will quickly become a playroom staple. From stocking (and restocking) the shelves to pretending to be a cashier and so much more, you’ll get years of fun out of this creative toy.

Melissa & Doug Wooden Fresh Mart Grocery Store
$189.93, Walmart

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3. For budding artists: Paint sticks

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Do you want all the fun of painting without all the mess? (Um, yes please 🙋🏽) These chunky paint sticks are colorful, go on smoothly, won’t smudge, and are, most importantly, really fun! Young toddlers will find them easy to grip while older kiddos will love all of the endless opportunities for artistic expression.

OOLY Chunkies Paint Sticks (set of 12)
$13.00, Nordstrom

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4. For sparking imagination: Pirate ship fort

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These creative kits take the playhouse to the next level. The colorful (and durable, not to worry!) poles can be snapped together in endless combinations, or can be used with the fabric covers to make everything from tents to pirate ships. We found them perfect for indoor play (just make sure you have a large enough space) or even for outdoor use on sunny days.

Antsy Pants Large Build & Play Playhouse Kit, $79.99, Target
Antsy Pants Pirate Ship Cover, $29.99, Target

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5. For playing house: Wooden doll house

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Ummm when can we move in? This gorgeous wooden dollhouse will inspire hours of pretend play and is perfect for sparking your littles’ imaginations on rainy summer days. (Or any day, for that matter.) We love watching how younger kiddos play and interact with the dollhouse differently than older ones do—there’s truly something for everyone here.

Rulke Wooden Doll House with Balcony
$99.99, Target

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6. For open-ended fun: Bilibo

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Is it a seat? A balancing toy? A bowl? A turtle? Or is it all of those things? There are countless ways your toddler will interact with this toy, and that’s why we love it. It’s simple, beautiful, and full of endless possibility for imaginative play. It’s also weather-proof, so you can take the fun outdoors this summer.

bilibo
$26.95, Fatbrain Toys

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7. For the kiddo on the move: Play tape

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If your little one loves things that go, this is a must-have for hours of fun this summer. This tape is easy to use even for little hands, and won’t leave marks behind on your walls, floors, or carpet. We loved watching our kiddos lose themselves in designing their very own world for all of their cars, trucks and trains. You may have a road running straight across your kitchen, but hey—there’s really nothing we won’t put up with in exchange for 30 minutes of uninterrupted play time, right? 🤣

InRoad Toys PlayTape
$7.70 and up, Amazon

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8. For sensory play: Kinetic sand

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Sensory play is a fun, easy way for your little one to explore the world around her—but we won’t lie, it can be messy. But not with this magical sand! Kinetic sand sticks to itself , not to you. (Genius.) We love setting it up in a big plastic tub either inside or out and watching our littles go to town.

Kinetic Sand
$11.69, Amazon

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9. For fine motor skills: Wooden puzzle + figurines

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Toys with multiple uses are some of our favorites, and this wooden puzzle + play set is just right for all different kinds of play and for varying levels of development. The eco-friendly wooden animals can be stacked, fitted together as a puzzle, or used on their own as figurines for pretend play. They are also super cute, which doesn’t hurt matters, either!

Petit Collage Wooden Puzzle Plus Play, Safari Jumble
$30.00, Amazon

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