6 new toys that encourage open-ended play for your creative kids

While we have wholeheartedly embraced a ton of STEM toys, which help our kids learn science, technology, engineering, and math through play, we would be remiss if we didn’t also fill their toy boxes with toys that encourage open-ended play and allow them to flex their creative muscle. Classics like wooden blocks, LEGO bricks, dress-up clothes, and dolls will never go out of style, though we are excited to tell you about several fantastic, new-to-us open-ended toys that we saw at this year’s Toy Fair in New York City.

So keep reading to see six of our favorite Toy Fair picks that encourage open-ended, creative play among our kids. Given how much fun we had testing them out, we think your kids will have a blast with them.

 

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New VTech KidiZoom CreatorCam for open-ended play

If you’ve ever let your kids play with your phone, you know how much they love taking hundreds of photos and videos of themselves making silly faces or telling stories. For this reason, and because they always make our phones sticky, we have long loved VTech’s many KidiZoom cameras over the years, from their sturdy kids’ KidiZoom Plus Digital Camera to their on-the-go KidiZoom ActionCam video camera.

New to the line this fall, keep your eyes out for VTech’s KidiZoom CreatorCam, an addition that will inspire a ton of creative play among kids. What makes this camera so fun is the enclosed green screen backdrop that works with several pre-loaded camera backgrounds so that your kids can film themselves swimming under water, running away from a ferocious dinosaur, or flying through the sky like Wonder Woman, as I’m seen doing above.

Take it from me: This is one hilarious toy that will have your kids taking turns playing camera operator or action star in their own movie.

And with it’s own little tripod and a screen that can twist to face forward into “selfie mode”, they can even operate this by themselves, making this a great option for creative play when there is no one else there to play camera operator. Better stock up on the popcorn and get ready for “movie night” every evening after dinner. (coming this fall; estimated retail $59.99)

Related: 7 hot toy trends from Toy Fair 2018

New WowWee Power Treads for open-ended play

There are plenty of cool car-and-track sets out there, but what we love about the new WowWee Power Treads toy is the modular track that allows kids to creatively add their own unique pieces like books, wooden planks, blocks, pillows to the supplied track. They’ll be learning as they play as they try to get their vehicle to round a corner using some strategically placed books, or figure out how steep they can make a ramp made from a game box lid.

With a vehicle that moves on treads like a conveyer belt (shown at top), the all-surface cruiser can power itself up ramps, over bumps, and will even keep moving if it’s flipped on its head. Just be prepared for your kids to see a barrage of television ads for this toy later in the year. At least we can say that this one looks like it’s worth the hype. (coming this fall; estimated retail $24.99)

New Brio Builder Motor Set for open-ended play

Building toys, like LEGO, wooden blocks, and construction sets, are always among our favorite open-ended toys because they are so versatile and grow with kids. And now the new Brio Builder Motor Set for kids 3+ adds movement to their creations with a small battery-powered motor which adds one more layer of awesome to their build. Can they build a helicopter with propellers that turn? Or a moving ferris wheel? Or maybe they’ll just get a kick out of making a whirly-ma-gig with this cool new open-ended construction toy. (available on Amazon for $59.99)

New Kids Made Modern Painting Essentials for open-ended play

Though we saw about 10,000 plastic toys on display at this year’s Toy Fair, there were also loads of cool new crafting kits on the horizon to warm our art-loving hearts. Among our favorites is Kids Made Modern’s Painting Essentials which takes kids back to the basics with a well-thought-out painting kit full of supplies like paints, brushes, thick paper, an artist pallet.Your little Frida or Pablo can find their inner artist by painting a portrait, still life, or modern masterpiece. (available in August; $34.99)

Related: Creative toys for an 8 year old — no beeps, boops or batteries

New Doodlematic Mobile Game Maker for open-ended play

If you are constantly trying to lure your kids away from their video games (it’s not just me, right?), check out the recently released Doodlematic Mobile Game Maker. Yes, the end result is a video game BUT, to play this one, your kids will get to create their own game scape which is then uploaded to a phone or tablet.

One thing we love about Doodlematic is that kids will be rewarded with a more-fun game if they take the time to think about what they are drawing: More complex drawings = more complex gameplay. No rushing just to get back to their screen! Kids can also share their games with friends and use their friends’ input to create even more enjoyable games.

And you don’t even need to buy the game to try it out: Just download the app, grab a few colored markers and paper, and try two of their basic games for free! But, if your kids enjoy it, consider buying the whole kit so they can create as many new games as they desire. (available on Amazon for $31.99)

New Land of Dough for open-ended play

After three days of seeing all manner of plastic blinking, beeping, and singing toys, you’ll understand why we were so smitten by this next creative plaything. The new Land of Dough calls itself the most “eco-friendly dough on the planet” and it sure sounds that way: Not only do they use natural, non-synthetic materials, plant-based colors and compostable glitters, but each tub of dough is beautifully displayed in paper packaging with biodegradable plastic on top. Also their wind-powered manufacturing facility is located in the U.S., and their wonderful scents all come from organic essential oils.

Wow. They walk the walk.

But, it’s the look of this play dough that really stopped us in our tracks and would have our kids clamoring to get their fingers into it. Each cup of dough looks so pretty and inviting, it even turns a nice color when all squished together. Kids will love just playing with the soft dough or they can create little figurines or sculptures and let them dry out in the air overnight.  (limited availability now for $12/tub)