27 February 2025
6 min.
Let’s take a moment to celebrate sibling relationships in all their complexity. Brothers and sisters may not get on all the time, but the bond they share is like no other. Sometimes they just need some help to realise it.
One thing that’s always sure to bring them together is play. Toys for siblings provide a common ground that can bridge age gaps. With the right cooperative play toys, siblings embark on adventures of their shared imagination. Along the way, they learn to solve problems together, resolve conflicts and enjoy each other’s company.
In this post, we're exploring sibling relationships, why they’re so important and how gifts for siblings can encourage their bond to flourish – we’ll even recommend some of our best toys for siblings to share.
There will always be some friction between brothers and sisters. Sibling rivalry is normal, in fact, it’s healthy. Meanwhile, age differences can make siblings feel like they’re worlds apart. Nonetheless, every parent wants to see their children having fun together – that’s where toys for siblings come in.
While you can’t remove every source of friction between siblings, you can strengthen the ties between them. One of the best ways to do this is by helping them to spend more time enjoying each other’s company instead of arguing. That’s why the best gifts for siblings are always toys!
Whether its children’s musical toys or a wooden railway set, having the right toys for siblings to play together with can lay the foundation for healthy relationships. hrough play, siblings learn social skills that help them get along better in the future. This is especially true for play gifts for siblings from newborn.
Sibling relationships are some of the most formative connections in a child’s life. Excluding parents, this is who a child will spend most time with during their early years. As we all know these years are hugely impactful for a child’s development, nowhere more so than in their development of play.
There are six developmental stages of childhood play, with cooperative play as the final and most advanced stage. Starting around age four, this stage is when children start fully engaging with playmates, learning teamwork and sharing. This is where children learn vital social skills that will help prepare them for school, friendships, and the workplace.
That’s right, the benefits of play gifts for siblings from newborn extend well into adulthood. The traits and skills associated with cooperative play include:
So how do we guide siblings towards cooperative play? It starts with the right play gifts for siblings.
The best toys for siblings to share are ones that they both enjoy. Since every child has unique preferences, which toys will make the best gifts for siblings depends on the siblings.
Parents play a crucial role here in selecting toys that interest their children while promoting cooperative play. Here are some top recommendations to help find the perfect toys for siblings to play together:
Music is a universal language of collaboration, and children’s musical toys are the best gifts for siblings if you want to encourage a shared love for music. Engaging with musical instruments and toys can help siblings find common ground, regardless of their age difference. They learn to appreciate each other’s tastes, cooperate in creating harmonies and respect taking turns.
Our top pick:
The act of building, whether constructing pillow forts or stacking wooden blocks is a cornerstone of cooperative play. It requires planning, compromise, and creativity. The collaboration effort that building toys encourages not only leads to impressive constructions but also fortifies siblings’ ability to work as a team and support each other’s ideas.
Our top pick:
Creating train routes together isn’t just about where the tracks lead but how they get there – through teamwork and shared decision-making. Managing their little railway world brings a sense of achievement that can only come from something they’ve built together from the ground up. This type of play is perfect for children who enjoy hands-on, imaginative activities and love problem-solving.
Our top pick:
Pretend play toys are a fun way for siblings to step into different roles, offering a glimpse of the world through each other’s eyes. It’s about exploring new scenarios together and getting a sense of each other’s thoughts and feelings. Whether hosting a tea party or running a pretend café, role-play toys encourage communication and turn-taking.
Our top pick:
Navigating sibling relationships doesn’t have to be a series of negotiations and peace treaties over every toy and game. By selecting toys that foster collaborative play, we can turn moments of tension into bonding time. So, let’s embrace the power of play to bring our children closer, one shared toy at a time.