Toys That Encourage Sibling Play

TT;DR (Too Tired; Didn't Read)

•       The best sibling toys are collaborative rather than competitive for young kids.

•       Open-ended toys with enough pieces for everyone reduce conflict.

•       Games and activities requiring partnership build cooperation skills.

•       Some separate-but-parallel play is healthy too—not everything needs to be shared.

Siblings playing happily together is the dream. Siblings fighting over toys is often the reality. The right toys can tip the balance toward cooperation.

These picks encourage shared play and reduce conflict.

Building Sets With Plenty of Pieces

When there's enough for everyone, conflict drops. Large sets of blocks, magnetic tiles, or LEGO allow parallel building or collaborative projects.

Scarcity creates fighting; abundance creates sharing.

Cooperative Games

Games where siblings work together toward shared goals teach cooperation. Everyone wins or loses together—no winner/loser conflict.

Cooperative board games work for preschool age and up.

Pretend Play Sets

Play kitchens, dollhouses, and vehicle playsets naturally accommodate multiple players. One cooks while another serves; one drives while another fixes.

Roles divide naturally in pretend scenarios.

Outdoor Active Toys

Balls, frisbees, and outdoor games require partners. The activity naturally brings siblings together.

Physical play often generates less conflict than sedentary play.

Art Supplies

Everyone can create simultaneously with adequate supplies. A shared art session with enough materials for all reduces grabbing and fighting.

Collaborative art projects (one big mural) build teamwork.

Respecting Individual Play

Not everything needs to be shared. Some solo toys for each child prevents every item from becoming a battleground.

Balance shared toys with individual ownership.

Build sibling bonds through play. Browse our collection of toys perfect for sharing.