Toys & Gifts Infants & Toddlers The Best Toys for Independent Play at Any Age By Alesandra Dubin Alesandra Dubin Twitter Alesandra Dubin is an LA-based lifestyle writer and editor. A veteran digital journalist, she’s covered topics including parenting, travel, food, wellness, and events for 20 years. Her work has appeared in TripSavvy, Insider, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Prevention, AFAR, Fast Company, TODAY.com, and countless other online and print outlets. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 11, 2022 Medically reviewed by Ann-Louise T. Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP Medically reviewed by Ann-Louise T. Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP Facebook LinkedIn Ann-Louise T. Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP, is a board-certified pediatric psychologist, parent coach, author, speaker, and owner of A New Day Pediatric Psychology, PLLC. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked by Latifah Miles Fact checked by Latifah Miles Latifah Miles has spent her professional writing life chronicling her journey through parenthood by way of feature writing and product recommendations. She has written for and been featured on Romper, Cosmopolitan, Elite Daily, Redbook Magazine, Best Products. She is the commerce editor for Verywell Family. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. JGI / Jamie Gill / Getty Images When children play independently, they entertain, educate, and inspire themselves—all without the guidance of a parent or peer. This type of playtime is not only a breather for parents, but it’s an essential part of little ones’ development. “Independent play encourages children to have agency or take charge of their environment and interaction with it,” explains Rebecca Mannis, PhD, a learning specialist at Ivy Prep. “It also gives kids the space to experiment and make the experience their own.” The best way to encourage independent play is to give kids time and space to engage in their surroundings without intervening or trying to lead them towards a certain goal, according to Alanna Gallo, the founder of Play. Learn. Thrive., Montessori-inspired play spaces that promote independent play. “Let them explore, give them open-ended toys, try not to interrupt them when they are in the flow of play, and trust that they know what to do,” she says. “They are born knowing how to play—it is how they learn about the world around them.” With feedback from child development experts, we looked at the toys on the market to come up with this list. Based on our research, here are the best toys for independent play. Our Top Picks Best Overall: LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Toddlers: Green Elephant Home Sensory Wooden Building Blocks at Etsy Jump to Review Best for Preschoolers: My Felt Toys My Little Farm Interactive Playhouse at Amazon Jump to Review Best Doll: Ahsen Toys Personalized Doll at Etsy Jump to Review Best Puzzle: Little Likes Kids Joyful Carousel Jumbo Puzzle at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Pretend Play: Melissa & Doug Wooden Chef’s Pretend Play Kitchen at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Sensory Play: CMY Cubes Color Cube at Amazon Jump to Review Best Mess-Free: Buddha Board Water Painting at Amazon Jump to Review Best Educational Game: Educational Insights MathShark Game at Walmart Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Selected What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Family Best Overall LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Fatbraintoys.com Pros Timeless Universally appealing for a wide age range Comes with a storage box Cons Potential choking hazard for younger kids in the house Legos are a timeless classic, and this large box with nearly 800 pieces ticks all the boxes our experts recommend in independent play toys. Rather than a prescriptive instruction manual (which can be both limiting and frustrating), this box encourages kids to build their own creations entirely using 33 different colored bricks, plus toy windows, doors, wheels, and more. Bonus: The box serves as its own toy storage solution. Price at time of publication: $60 Key Specs:Age Range: 4 and up | Materials: Plastic Best Budget Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket Courtesy of Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Fatbraintoys.com Pros Affordable Popular and highly reviewed Cons Actual launch height is probably lower than advertised This affordable, lightweight STEM toy is outdoor fun for kids of a wide range of ages. They’ll run, jump, and then stomp on these rockets to launch them up to 20 stories high (according to the packaging, but your mileage will vary). They require no batteries or fussy assembly. Each kit includes a stomp launcher and four foam-tipped rockets. Price at time of publication: $23 Key Specs:Age Range: 5 and up | Materials: Foam, plastic Best for Toddlers Green Elephant Home Sensory Wooden Building Blocks Green Elephant Home View On Etsy Pros Handmade Unique and beautiful Cons On the smaller side This 24-piece set of wooden building blocks adds a colorful twist to the timeless toddler building activity. We love that kids can overlap the acrylic blocks to create new colors. The hues also make magical reflections when the sunlight shines through. The set comes with six shapes and four translucent colors to encourage learning and exploration. Price at time of publication: $24 Key Specs:Age Range: 18 months–3 years | Materials: Wood, acrylic Best for Preschoolers My Felt Toys My Little Farm Interactive Playhouse My Felt Toys View On Amazon Pros Collapses flat Reversible for more play options Multisensory Cons Pricey My Little Farm takes kids on a self-guided adventure through farm life while helping them learn developmental language and abstract thinking skills. Plus, it’s just plain fun for kids ages 3 and up! The playhouse set comes with eight colorful panels that attach with Velcro. The whole set is fully reversible: The red barn exterior flips to reveal a barn interior. It comes with 32 matching felt pieces that teach concepts like quantity, colors, shapes, and sizes. Our favorite part is that this toy is designed by a speech therapist, and according to the brand, it's endorsed by the Center for Autism Related Disorders and Autism Live. Price at time of publication: $40 Key Specs:Age Range: 3 and up | Materials: Felt Best Doll Ahsen Toys Personalized Doll Ahsen Toys View On Etsy Pros Fully customizable and unique Antibacterial and anti allergenic Cons Longer shipping and delivery times This fully customizable doll is totally unique. Make it in your child’s likeness (or any style you choose) for inspired, self-esteem-building independent play. Just send this Etsy maker a photo, and you’ll get a doll that can be personalized with features like eye color, hair color, and specific features like curly hair, dimples, and glasses. Plus, you can even get your child’s name embroidered on the doll’s clothes. Price at time of publication: $110 Key Specs:Age Range: Any | Materials: 100% cotton yarn The 27 Best Infant Toys of 2023 Best Puzzle Little Likes Kids Joyful Carousel Jumbo Puzzle Courtesy of Little Likes Kids View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Nordstrom From a Black-owned business, founded by a mom Budget-friendly Not challenging enough for older children This puzzle has 24 pieces, just right to aid in brain development and memory, as well as motor skills. The charming carousel depicts families of mixed races and ethnicities. We like that the box features a rope handle, making it a travel-friendly toy. Price at time of publication: $18 Key Specs:Age Range: 3-5 years | Materials: Cardboard Best for Pretend Play Melissa & Doug Wooden Chef’s Pretend Play Kitchen 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Melissaanddoug.com Pros Easy to assemble Includes room for toy storage Sturdy Cons Large A play kitchen is a perennial favorite for kids, with endless potential for pretend play. This wooden version contains an oven, stove, microwave, sink, refrigerator, freezer, and even a play version of an ice dispenser. In this set, the dials really turn and the microwave plate really spins. It also includes a grocery checklist, movable hooks, and doors that open and close. Price at time of publication: $255 Key Specs:Age Range: 3-6 years | Materials: Wood The 17 Best Developmental Toys for 6-Month-Olds of 2023 Best for Sensory Play CMY Cubes Color Cube CMY Cubes View On Amazon Pros Great for autistic kids Multisensory Cons Stand sold separately CMY Cubes appear to create a continually changing spectrum of color. This unique and colorful sensory toy is also non-disruptive and a favorite among the autism community for the way it uses color therapy to help regulate moods and anxious feelings. Researchers have found that fidget toys like the CMY Cubes help to improve focus and relieve cognitive fatigue in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Price at time of publication: $30 Key Specs:Age Range: 5 and up | Materials: Acrylic Best Mess-Free Buddha Board Water Painting Buddha Board View On Amazon Pros Mess-free Promotes mindfulness Good for all ages (including adults) Cons Pooling water can shorten the longevity of the board This screen-free toy also guarantees a mess-free experience, so it’s a joy not just for kids, but for parents, too. Think of it as a blank slate: The painting set uses only water and a drawing board on which kids can use the included bamboo brush to create all their works of art, which fade away soothingly as they dry. Price at time of publication: $38 Key Specs:Age Range: 2 and up | Materials: Bamboo Best Educational Game Educational Insights MathShark Game Educational Insights View On Walmart Pros Converts to a full-function calculator Portable and travel friendly Cons Requires two AA batteries (not included) This toy turns math into a game for the school-aged set. It has settings for eight different skill levels, covering addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and percentages. It gives immediate feedback that helps motivate kids to keep learning while having fun. Price at time of publication: $23 Key Specs:Age Range: 6–10 years | Materials: LCD screen The 61 Best Gifts to Buy Expecting Moms of 2023 Best for Social-Emotional Learning Slumberkins Dragon Book and Plushie Slumberkins View On Slumberkins.com Pros Facilitates social-emotional growth Super soft Machine washable Cons Pricey for a stuffed animal Slumberkins is all about promoting early emotional learning through toys that are fun and cute, encouraging growth and expression through affirming messages. This dragon-themed book, plush toy, and affirmation card set are meant to encourage creativity. Other toys in the line focus on developing such skills as conflict resolution, gratitude, and self-acceptance; you can take an online quiz to find out the best one for the little in your life. Price at time of publication: $48 Key Specs:Age Range: 0 and up | Materials: 100% polyester plush stuffed with hypoallergenic fiberfill Best Subscription Little Passports Animals Wild Little Passports View On Littlepassports.com Pros Designed in conjunction with professional educators Inspires global awareness Free shipping Cons Auto-renewal can be stressful Little Passports dispatches creative, hands-on activities for kids, all meant to encourage their curiosity around geography, culture, science, and art. Subscription kits include books, games, puzzles, and other fun accessories like stickers and trading cards. The latest version in the series, Animals Wild, has just launched. It transports kids around the world to learn about the wild animals of the Serengeti, Amazon Rainforest, Pacific Ocean, and more, featuring more than 100 animals in all. Price at time of publication: $30 monthly for space quest Key Specs:Age Range: 3–5 years | Materials: Various Final Verdict We love the classic, open-ended aspect of the Lego Classic Large Creative Brick Box. For a totally distinctive encouragement of a global perspective, Little Passports subscriptions are also delightful. How We Selected To help come up with this list, we consulted with three child development experts on what to look for in toys for independent play. They included: Bethany Cook, PsyD, MT-BC, a licensed clinical psychologist and the author of “For What It’s Worth—A Perspective on How to Thrive and Survive Parenting Ages 0–2” Alanna Gallo, the founder of Play. Learn. Thrive., Montessori-inspired play spaces that promote independent play Rebecca Mannis, PhD, a learning specialist at Ivy Prep We then researched products at a range of price points and age categories that aligned with their feedback. Our picks are popular, well-reviewed toys in their respective categories, or exhibit uniqueness or newness that distinguishes them amid a crowded marketplace. What to Look for When Buying Toys for Independent Play Open-Ended Toys To encourage lasting, stimulating independent play, look for toys that help kids use their creativity and imagination without too much rigidity or structure. That means the best toys for independent play can be “anything open-ended,” according to Gallo. “[That] just means that the toy has many varied opportunities for play.” Bethany Cook, PsyD, MT-BC, a licensed clinical psychologist and the author of “For What It’s Worth—A Perspective on How to Thrive and Survive Parenting Ages 0–2,” says: “[LEGO sets] or building blocks instead of a car” help to inspire their imagination. “Give them a variety of materials they could use to make the toy, like buttons, an old toilet paper roll, string, and glue,” she suggests. Age-Appropriate Toys Keep your child engaged and stimulated by matching the toy to their developmental stage. For babies and toddlers, Gallo recommends simple toys like stacking rings, nesting cups, blocks, dolls, and basic cars or trucks. Older kids might move on to puzzles, building toys, or academic challenges. Toys Aligned With a Child’s Own Specific Interests The most stimulating independent play will be different for each kid. So watch what naturally inspires and engages your child based on their unique interests or aptitudes. “Whether we are talking about some time at the piano, using watercolor paints, or experimenting with a photo-editing app, all of these are opportunities for engagement, reflections, critical thinking, building a unique template, and [capturing] a sense of accomplishment or wonder,” Mannis says. Frequently Asked Questions At what age should you encourage independent play? You can start actively encouraging independent play around 3 months by giving your baby time and space to discover, according to Gallo. “What’s amazing is that children start engaging in independent play so naturally, so it’s really about following their lead,” she says. “Think of your infant who is lying on the floor following the shadows or discovering their hands. That’s play!”At this age, Dr. Cook says, “It’s more about exploring their environment and offering access to sensory experiences that are age-appropriate.” How do you encourage independent play? “Make sure your child has slept, is fed, and you’ve spent some quality time with them before you put them in a safe space with a few curated toys or things to explore that are age-appropriate,” Dr. Cook says. “Children are naturally curious—they just need to be given direction and space to explore.”Mannis recommends leaving just a few items out from which kids can select, but “not too many or they will overwhelm. … Pick toys and materials that are easy to use or master on their own, and that can be used in various ways, so your child won’t be frustrated or need to call upon you.” Why is playing alone important? The benefits of independent play are many and varied. Among them, Dr. Cook lists relaxation, self-confidence, increased independence, increased problem-solving skills, education, creativity, and imagination. This also helps kids find out what really interests them. Gallo further underscores that playing alone helps children develop a sense of confidence, self-reliance, patience, and autonomy, and these aren’t just short-term benefits. “Longer term, it paves the way for them to develop a sense of internal satisfaction and happiness,” she says. Why Trust Verywell Family Alesandra Dubin is a professional product reviewer in the parenting and lifestyle space. She’s also mom to boy-girl twins with years of in-home, hands-on, kid-tested experience. More Toys for Kids When it comes to toys for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top toy picks for every developmental stage and personality phase here: The Best Christmas Gifts for Kids The Best Developmental Toys for Babies The Best Tummy Time Toys The Best Active Toys for Toddlers The Best Outdoor Toys for Toddlers The Best Toys for Toddlers The Best Educational Toys for Toddlers The Best Phonics Toys for Preschoolers The Best Toys for Learning Letters and Numbers The Best Construction and Building Block Toys The Best Musical Toys for Children of All Ages The Best Montessori Toys to Encourage Thoughtful Play The Best Sesame Street Toys The Best Outdoor Toys for Kids of All Ages The Best Dinosaur Toys The Best Toys for Fine Motor Skills Development The Best Indoor Toys and Games for Active Play The Best Snow Toys for Kids The Best STEM Toys for Kids Best Laptop Toys for Kids The Best Social Emotional Learning Toys The Best Robot Toys The Best Ride-On Toys The Best Cleaning Toy Sets The Black-Owned Gift Guide 1 Source Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Sharp MR, Davis UC. Toy or therapy device? Researchers study effectiveness of fidget tools. UC Santa Cruz News. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit