“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. 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 Price at time of publication: $23 Price at time of publication: $24 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 Price at time of publication: $110 Price at time of publication: $18 Price at time of publication: $255 Price at time of publication: $30 Price at time of publication: $38 Price at time of publication: $23 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 Price at time of publication: $30 monthly for space quest
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.
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. At this age, Cook says, “It’s more about exploring their environment and offering access to sensory experiences that are age-appropriate.” 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.” 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.
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
