Gifts for a child who loves pretend play over $250
Little Tikes
Picnic on the Patio Playhouse
$375.99 at Little Tikes
A playhouse with its own patio table, for the garden.
Seen at Little Tikes, 9 Sep 2026
Melissa & Doug
Get Well Doctor Activity Center
$323.99 at Melissa & Doug
A wooden doctor's station with instruments and a chart, which takes some of the fear out of the next real appointment.
Seen at Melissa & Doug, 9 Sep 2026
Stokke
Tripp Trapp High Chair 2 with Tray
$349.99 at Stokke
The wooden high chair that adjusts as the child grows, with the tray fitted.
Seen at Stokke, 9 Sep 2026
Tender Leaf Toys
Mountain View Train set
$314.99 at Tender Leaf Toys
A substantial wooden train set with 58 track pieces and several miniature landscapes.
Seen at Tender Leaf Toys, 8 Sep 2026
PlanToys
Drum Set
$299.99 at PlanToys
A wooden drum kit with several percussion sounds for early musical play.
Seen at PlanToys, 8 Sep 2026
Tender Leaf Toys
Forest Dressing Table
$269.99 at Tender Leaf Toys
A child-sized dressing table and stool with drawers for little treasures.
Seen at Tender Leaf Toys, 8 Sep 2026
Step2
Contemporary Builders Twin Bed
$399.99 at Step2
The first proper bed, moulded in one piece and low enough to climb into.
Seen at Step2, 9 Sep 2026
Melissa & Doug
Animal Care Activity Center
$279.99 at Melissa & Doug
A wooden vet surgery with the instruments, the scales and the pet carrier.
Seen at Melissa & Doug, 9 Sep 2026
Lovevery
The Real Life Play Kitchen
$325 at Lovevery
A play kitchen with a sink that really holds water, built low enough for a toddler rather than a five year old.
Seen at Lovevery, 9 Sep 2026
Tender Leaf Toys
Desk and Chair
$259.99 at Tender Leaf Toys
A wooden desk and chair with three matching pen pots for art and homework.
Seen at Tender Leaf Toys, 8 Sep 2026
Barbie
Dreamhouse - Pool Party (paid link)
Over $250 at Amazon
Named by The Strategist, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
Star Wars
Ultimate Grogu (paid link)
Over $250 at Amazon
Named by Country Living, 2026.
Checked 31 Aug 2026
American Girl
Maryellen's Seaside Diner
$395 at American Girl
A 1950s diner built to doll scale, counter stools and jukebox included.
Seen at American Girl, 9 Sep 2026
Maileg
Dollhouse, House of Miniature
$312 at Maileg
A wooden miniature house for Maileg play; dolls and furniture are sold separately.
Seen at Maileg, 8 Sep 2026
Melissa & Doug
Baby Care Center and Accessory Sets
$351.99 at Melissa & Doug
A wooden nursery for dolls, with the changing table, cot and accessories.
Seen at Melissa & Doug, 9 Sep 2026
Nugget
The Nugget Play Couch, Crayola
$299 at Nugget
Four foam pieces that become a fort, a slide or a crash mat, and go back to being a sofa once the children are in bed.
Seen at Nugget, 30 Aug 2026
American Girl
Bitty Baby's Kitchen
$425 at American Girl
The full-size doll kitchen, with the fridge, the hob and the little food.
Seen at American Girl, 9 Sep 2026
Milton & Goose
Wooden Essential Play Kitchen
$799 at Milton & Goose
Made in the United States and finished like furniture, for the family who wants the one big toy not to look like plastic.
Seen at Milton & Goose, 30 Aug 2026
Melissa & Doug
Wooden Star Diner Restaurant
$307.99 at Melissa & Doug
A two sided diner with a counter and a menu, so one child cooks and the other one has to order properly.
Seen at Melissa & Doug, 9 Sep 2026
PlanToys
Georgian Dollhouse
$299.99 at PlanToys
A wooden dollhouse built more like furniture than a toy, and PlanToys sells the rooms to fill it one at a time.
Seen at PlanToys, 30 Aug 2026
American Girl
Gourmet Kitchen for 18-inch Dolls
$325 at American Girl
The full doll kitchen with the island, the oven and the small copper pans.
Seen at American Girl, 9 Sep 2026
Milton & Goose
Wooden Essential Play Refrigerator
$579 at Milton & Goose
A child-sized pretend refrigerator in the Milton & Goose play-kitchen range.
Seen at Milton & Goose, 30 Aug 2026
PlanToys
Georgian Dollhouse
$299.99 at PlanToys
A two-storey wooden Georgian dollhouse with opening front panels; furnishings are sold separately.
Seen at PlanToys, 8 Sep 2026
Melissa & Doug
Fresh Mart Grocery Store
$294.99 at Melissa & Doug
A wooden pretend grocery store with a conveyor belt and scanner.
Seen at Melissa & Doug, 9 Sep 2026