Open-Ended Toys vs. Close-Ended Toys

When you walk down the toy aisle in a store, you’re greeted by a ton of brightly-colored toys with sounds and flashing lights that are designed to appeal to children. And, while these battery-operated toys feel fancier than their more humble counterparts, there’s a reason why classic toys, like wooden blocks and baby dolls, have been around for centuries. Many of these loud and flashy toys are simple to operate: press a button and it lights up or makes a sound. Although they’re great for distraction and entertainment during tummy time, many babies quickly grow out of these types of toys within a few months at most. All toys serve a different purpose, but if we look at how they benefit your child’s development and creativity, we can put them into one of two categories: open-ended vs. close-ended.

What are open-ended toys?

Open-ended toys are toys that can be played with in many different ways. There are no rules or instructions written out because there is no goal or specific purpose. The point of this type of toy is to spark creativity when children are left to experiment with them. For instance, if you hand your child a set of wooden blocks, they can create anything they want with it. They can stack them into a tower to knock over, build a castle, or use them as pretend firewood for camping. The possibilities are endless, and there’s no right or wrong way to use them. 

Some examples of open-ended toys are:

• Play cubes
  
  

• Blocks

• Magnetic tiles

• Animal figurines

• Play kitchen

• Dolls

• Dollhouse

• Play silks

• Train sets

• Balls

• Arts and crafts

• Play dough

What are the benefits of open-ended toys?

Open-ended toys allow children to be creative and use their imagination to find different ways to play with the toy. Because there are no rules or limitations, these toys set the stage for open exploration and independence. Your little one can make their own choices and lead play, which builds confidence, leadership abilities, communication, and curiosity. 

Open-ended toys can be used in so many different ways, so they last longer—especially when made with high-quality, sturdy materials. As your child grows, they often find new ways to play with these toys that suit their age and development. Since there’s no set beginning and end, there’s less opportunity for frustration and more for independent play.

What are close-ended toys?

Close-ended toys are toys that have a specific purpose and way to use them. They have a clear-ending point and the “game” ends when a child reaches that point. Although there is less opportunity for creativity with close-ended toys, they can support fine motor development and cognitive development.

Some examples of close-ended toys are:

• Puzzles

• Shape sorter

• Object permanence box

• Board games

• Lacing toy

• Electronic learning toys

What are the benefits of close-ended toys?

Close-ended toys can be just as important to your child’s development as open-ended toys! Not all close-ended toys are the same, and toys like puzzles and games can provide the right amount of challenge for your little one to teach problem-solving, perseverance, and a sense of accomplishment. Because there’s a beginning and an end, close-ended toys help your child develop focus and the ability to finish a task.

That’s not to say that flashy electronic toys are bad—but children quickly lose interest in these types of toys once the novelty wears off. If you’re looking for a toy with longevity and wanting to reduce clutter in your home, consider what purpose you want the toy to fulfill. Something that’s specifically designed for your child’s development is going to be used more than something that’s just attention-grabbing.

Are open-ended toys or close-ended toys better?

Both open-ended toys and close-ended toys are greatly beneficial for your child! Having a mix of both can round out your child’s development by giving them space for creativity, self-expression, and problem solving, while also teaching them focus, mastery, and patience. 

However, open-ended toys give your child the opportunity for unstructured play where they can lead, take risks, be creative, and develop language skills. Open-ended play is great for building social and emotional skills, which has lifelong benefits for your little one. So, while you should include a mix of open-ended toys and close-ended toys in your child’s play, open-ended toys are the winner when it comes to benefiting their overall development.