Fridays Favorite Five: Open Ended Toys
Welcome to the very first edition of Friday’s Favorite Five! As a seasoned childcare provider who has worked commercial daycare centers and has owned an in-home daycare, I have seen thousands of toys pass through my playrooms. Most end up broken or ignored, but a select few survive the absolute gauntlet of the childcare chaos.
Every Friday, I am sharing five thoroughly tested, battle-approved items that actually earn their keep. Today, we are kicking things off with the ultimate holy grail of early childhood development: open-ended toys. I have personally attached purchase links to each item below so you can easily bring these imaginative powerhouse toys into your own home or classroom!
MAGNA-TILES
These are an absolute staple in any childcare setting, and for good reason. Magna-Tiles allow toddlers to explore basic 2D and 3D geometry while constructing towering castles, complex mazes, or colorful light-catching windows. They are highly durable, practically impossible to break, and scale beautifully with your child’s development—transitioning effortlessly from simple floor sorting to complex engineering feats as they grow.
BRISTLE BLOCKS
If you have toddlers who get frustrated when traditional building blocks topple over, Bristle Blocks are the ultimate solution. Featuring interlocking, soft plastic bristles, these blocks connect easily at almost any angle. They double as an incredible sensory development tool due to their textured surfaces, while giving tiny hands a frustration-free way to practice building motor skills and massive structures.
JELLY BLOX
Designed specifically for toddlers and preschoolers, Jelly Blox totally bend the rules of construction. These unique, translucent blocks are completely soft, stretchy, and squishy—delivering wibbly-wobbly building fun without any sharp corners. Even better? Many of the block pieces are packed with fun sensory fills like mini stars, sand, and foam balls, making them completely "ouch-free" if you accidentally step on one with bare feet!
LACING BEADS
Perfect for developing the fine motor control needed for writing later on, a high-quality set of Lacing Beads keeps little hands busy and focused. Toddlers love sorting them by bright colors and distinct shapes, while older preschoolers practice patterns, counting, and hand-eye coordination. They are a quiet, calming activity that daycare kids naturally gravitate toward during transition or rest times.
WOODEN BLOCKS
You can never truly out-build a premium set of solid Wooden Blocks. Completely unscripted and timeless, natural unit blocks can become a bustling city, a zoo enclosure, a mountain racetrack, or a giant fortress. They teach kids the physics of gravity, balance, and spatial awareness purely through trial and error—making them an undisputed holy grail of the toy box.
That wraps up this week’s edition of Friday’s Favorite Five! Investing in high-quality, open-ended toys isn’t just about buying fewer toys—it is about unlocking hours of independent play, creativity, and development for your children. See you next Friday for a brand-new round of daycare-tested favorites.
Disclaimer: Some of the links included in this post are affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products that I have personally used and thoroughly vetted in my own childcare programs!