At 4, a girl wants toys that bring her stories to life: a furnished dolls' house, a doll with her outfits in a little suitcase, a camping kitchen, a 27-piece puzzle in its case, puppets to act out the scenes. The gifts that work last several days, with characters picked up where they were left.

What a 4-year-old loves

This is the age when imagination gets organised: she invents families, jobs, dialogues, and hands out roles to everyone. She plays with other children rather than next to them, which opens the door to first games with rules, short and without reading. She draws recognisable characters, writes her name in capitals, counts to ten. She dresses herself, and dresses as a princess, a witch or a doctor depending on the day. Toys must withstand scenarios that run for days and hands that handle things with precision.

Our gift ideas

To house a family

The wooden dolls' house with its furniture is the gift that serves for five years, and the big two-storey house has room for the whole family. The witch and crocodile puppets act out the scenes, and the Maileg baby pig in its crate joins the household. All our dolls and our Maileg world.

To dress and nurse

Petit Câlin Anna comes with three outfits in her round suitcase, and the mini doctor's kit treats the whole house.

To cook and entertain

The Tasty camping kitchen fits in a corner, the kitchen set with apron equips it, the metal tea set passes from one generation to the next, and the big birthday cake cuts into slices. The burger, fries and soda set opens a restaurant. All our pretend-play toys.

To transform

The star wand and tiara set goes on in three seconds, the sequin ghost tutu twirls well, and the witch hat serves all year round. Our costumes range from accessory to full outfit.

To think and learn

The elephant case puzzle has 27 pieces and tidies itself away, the farm and town puzzle has 24. The wooden magnetic letters and Primo Letters prepare her for writing her name. All our puzzles.

To make and move

The wooden giraffe to paint fills an afternoon, the apron with its pocket of stickers and crayons protects the clothes, and the crocodile watering can gives her a job in the garden. All our arts and crafts and outdoor toys.

What budget?

Under 20 euros: the puppets, the figurines, the Daisy bracelet and necklace, the wand and tiara set, the witch hat, the apron or the giraffe to paint. Between 20 and 50 euros: the tutu, the doctor's kit, the birthday cake, the metal tea set, the case puzzle and Anna with her outfits. Above 50 euros: the camping kitchen, the big two-storey house or the furnished dolls' house, for a gift that leaves a mark.

Frequently asked questions

Which dolls' house at 4?

A wooden house, open on one side, with rooms big enough for a hand and sturdy furniture. Flexible wooden characters sit and stand. Miniature furniture with small parts can wait until 6.

Do girls and boys of 4 need different toys?

No. Housing, nursing, cooking and building are the big scenarios of this age for every child. Our pages by gender follow what parents search for, not a rule of the shop.

Can the gift be wrapped?

Yes, gift wrapping is free: tick the box on the product page before adding to cart. Delivery to a pick-up point is free from 80 euros in mainland France, and you can collect your order in our shop at 211 boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris.

See also

• Gifts for a 4-year-old boy
• Gifts for a 3-year-old girl
• Gifts for a 5-year-old girl
• All toys for ages 2 to 4
• All our gift ideas by age

Advice from the team at L'Oiseau de Paradis, a toy shop in Paris since 1932.