Both my boys are obsessed with pirates and I can see why… There is just something awe-inspiring about imagining a world full of buried treasure, walking the plank, and epic battles across the seven seas.
As part of putting this list together, we got support from Liam (age 4), Dylan (18 months), and Misha (age 10) so we could make sure we had pirate toy options for all ages.
Combined with our kid’s experience playing with the toys, we also analyzed the latest customer sentiment to make sure we have the most up-to-date idea on what pirate toys are loved and which should be ignored.
Our 3 best pirate toys as of summer 2022:
1. Little Tikes Play ‘n Scoot™ Pirate Ship
What age: 18 months – 3 years
This is a ride-on pirate ship where kids can pretend to be pirates in the sea. The ship has realistic ship sounds. Even better, it offers different pirate symbols and a host of interactive components, allowing the kid to develop their coordination and balance. It has four wheels, so the kid can scoot around as they pretend to be pirates. With each set are two pirate figures and a canon. It is a sturdy ship that can accommodate kids of up to 50 pounds. Any child older than 18 months will find the ride fun.
2. Inflatable Pirate Boat Pool Float with Built-in Squirt Gun
What age: 3 – 7 years
This is a large pirate ship in form of a pool float designed for kids between three and seven years. The boat float sports a colorful shell with different pirate symbols and a pirate flag. Even better, this being a float, you will enjoy a great time with your kids in the pool. The setup comes with a water gun enabling the kids to play pirates. The use of high-quality PVC construction ensures that the float lasts a long time. Even better, you are offered a repair patch to keep the float in good condition.
3. TOMY Pop-up Pirate Game
What age: 4 – 10 years
This is a game for kids. There is a pirate inside the barrel and kids are supposed to stick colorful swords into the barrel until a pirate pops. When the pirate pops on your turn, you lose the game. Up to six kids can play the game. The popping of the mono-eyed pirate is a great scene for kids. It is an easy and fun game for kids four years or older. The brown barrel and the variety of colorful swords make the game interesting.
4. Diving Game Pool Toy
What age: 3 years and up
Does your kid love swimming? You can get them to enjoy this pool toys game where they hunt for treasures in the pool. The toys are colored diamonds with no sharp edges and corners, so they never damage an inflatable pool. These diamonds are in a vintage treasure box, a real wood treasure box like you would find in a pirate collection. Spread the diamonds in the pool and let the kid hunt for treasures. The diamonds are made of high-quality material, and they do not fade in color. This game is for kids three years or older who know how to swim.
5. Kids Pirate Costume
What age: 3 – 10 years
What is a good pirate pretend play without a good costume? This is an eight-piece set of pirate costume, including a t-shirt, pants, a sword, a headband, an eye wrap, coins, a map, and a compass. The costume is available in different sizes for kids from 3 to 10 years. You can shop for this if you have a pirates-themed party, for Halloween, or for kids who love pirates. The pieces are machine-washable cold and made of high-quality ingredients to last long. For a child playing pretend games, the set will look great. Choose the larger size if your child falls between two sizes.
6. Lamaze’s Captain Calamari
What age: Good for early ages
Captain Calamari is here to keep your baby busy. This is an octopus pirate toy with eight legs for exploration, a mirror to keep the baby busy, and a crinkle hat that rings to engage the baby. The toy is for toddlers with all the details helping them learn more about their surrounding environment, explore their faces, promote their visuals, and keep them engaged. You can clip the toy to the baby’s cot, the stroller, or on the diaper bag so that the baby can have it wherever they go.
7. Fisher-Price Imaginext Shark Bite Pirate Ship
What age: 3 – 8 years of age
This is a pirates ship for kids between 3 and 8 years. The ship is 20 inches long and 16 inches tall to bring your kid all the fun they need. It is a shark-themed pirate ship playset with several buttons to enable you to bring the action home. Press the Power Pad and get the shark to start biting or turn this button left to open the treasure chest. The playset features two pirate figures whose swords you can remove. There are two cannon balls and several other pieces to get your kid started.
8. Toys Girls Deluxe Pirate Costume
What age: 3 – 10 years
Do you have a girl that loves pirates? You can get them this pirate princess costume. The costume set includes a pirate dress, eye patch, pirate hat, sword, and a pouch. Inside the pouch are coins, gems, and earrings so that the kid can start playing treasure hunting. The manufacturer uses high-quality materials with puff sleeves, a metallic skull, and a premium quality fabric for durability. You can shop for the costume for Halloween or for a pirate-themed party. The fabric pieces are machine-washable.
9. LEGO Ideas Pirates of Barracuda Bay (21322)
What age: 16 years and up
This LEGO Barracuda Bay is a great display piece. It models a shipwreck island. Kids can split the pieces into two and rearrange them as they want to create a completely new piece and reveal hidden pirate treasures. Together with the island pieces are eight mini-figures, some that you may already know, including Captain Readbeard and Lady Anchor. There is also a shark, 2 parrots, a pig, 2 frogs, 3 crabs, and skeleton figures. Inside the wreckage are several rooms. It takes time to master this LEGO display ship as there are 2,545 pieces to join.
10. KidKraft Pirate’s Cove Play set
What age: 3 – 8 years
The Cove Play Set features three main pieces; a scout tower, a pirate ship, and a pirate hideout. There are several other pieces, including four pirate figures, 2 cannons, treasure chests, furniture pieces, and more. There is even a jail cell to keep prisoners. Children can create the setup as they want it by placing all these pieces together creatively. Besides creating a pirate setup, you can use this playset for display. With so many pieces and the large pirate hideout, you can have several kids enjoy the game.
11. Metal Pirate Coins – 35 Gold Treasure Coin set
What age: 12 years and up
Do you love playing treasure hunts and RPG games, such as Gloomhaven, Puerto Rico, and Dragons among others? These realistic Spanish Doubloon Replicas among others offer your kids a great chance to play. These fake gold coils are made of silver, which gives them a shiny surface. You can detect them with a metal detector, which makes them ideal for a treasure hunt party. Drop them in the pool for kids who can swim to search for them, or you can hide them at different places in your home for a more engaging treasure hunt.
13. RYAN’S WORLD Cap’n Ryan’s Micro Mystery Treasure Chest
What age: 3 years and up
Cap’n Ryan’s Micro Mystery Treasure Chest is back, and this time it is micro-sized. Inside the treasure chest are several items, including a pirates hat, a sword, micro figures, putty, and several others. It has all the pirates gear your kid needs to make the best of your pirates pretend games. The treasure chest is based on Ryan’s World, which is a popular YouTube channel for kids. If your kid loves the channel, you can get them this set or get them the set and then introduce them to the channel.
14. DIY 3D Puzzle Pirate Series
What age: 6 months and up
This is a puzzle for kids and adults. It Features high-quality EPS foam board as a base for a 3D paper design. For kids, the puzzle design helps them develop their brain, their logical thinking, and their visual observation. It takes creativity to create a perfect design with this pirate-themed puzzle. The pieces are easy to clip together without the need for glue or a solder gun. Join the pieces one at a time until you have the complete design. You do not need any prior experience, and you can disassemble the pieces and assemble them severally.
15. Don’t Rock The Boat Skill & Action Balancing Game
What age: 5 – 10 years
This is a simple game for five-year-olds. The object of the game is to balance pirate pieces on a ship without the ship tipping to one side. Kids need to concentrate to keep the ship balanced with pieces such as canon, treasure chest, octopus, ship wheel, treasure chest, pirate penguin, and crab. The game accommodates up to four players. Players choose the layout of the pieces to create different scenes with no prior experience needed, and the setup does not need any batteries.
16. Pirate Ship Play Tent Playhouse for Boys and Girls
What age: 3 years and up
A play tent gives kids the platform they need to play pirates. The illustrations on the tent and the overall design bring out your kid’s imagination, making them remember the days of the buccaneers and explorers. It is up to children to find creative ways to use the tent. You can get them pirate-themed playsets to go with the playhouse. This is a popup tent that assembles in minutes and keeps the kids away from screens as they engage in creative play. It features high-quality and child-safe materials that last for a long time.
17. Fisher-Price Little People Pirate Ship
What age: 1 – 5 years
This is a pirate ship playset for toddlers. It comes with launching canon and several other pieces to make it a complete pirate ship toy. The set plays realistic pirate songs and sounds, and all you have to do is press the parrot perch. Bring an almost complete replica of a real pirate ship, the toy ship has sleeping quarters, hammock, cannon, crow’s nest, and eating quarters. The child only needs to set the ship in order and keep everything balanced to enjoy the set. Each set features a pirate figure, a parrot figure, and a cannonball to get players started. Kids as young as a year can play this set by moving the figures and other parts of the playset. Kids at least 5 years old will enjoy the playset more as they already understand ships and maybe pirates.
18. JOYIN Pirate Sword & Pirate Pistol Set
What age: 3 years and up
The sword and the pistol are the main weapons that pirates use. Get your child these two; a 16 inches pistol and a 28 inches sword so that they can play pirate games. These two toys feature a high-quality plastic construction, making them last longer. The pistol makes a firing sound and sparks when a kid pulls the trigger. These two toys are just the perfect size for use by kids and adults. If your kid already has pirate costumes, or you are preparing for Halloween or pirate role play, these two toys are the best addition to their playset.
19. BST SHIER Magnetic Puzzles for Kids
What age: 3 – 6 years
Jigsaw puzzles are always enjoyable to play. This package offers three sets of magnet jigsaw puzzles with each board measuring 6.5 inches by 6.5 inches. There are different scenes that a kid should create with 20 pieces for each board. There is a photo of the completed puzzle for kids to refer to as they add pieces to their puzzle. Up to six children can play with the puzzle and get that feeling of accomplishment when they finish each puzzle. It is a great playset for kids between 3 and 5 years as it activates their brains to think faster.
20. Imaginext Walking Crocodile & Pirate Hook figure set
What age: 3 years and up
This is a giant crocodile with a cannon on its back. Kids can push the crocodile along to keep it moving and press the power pad for cannonball action. There is a separate pirate figure with a pirate hook in their hand and projectiles for a complete game set. Players can position the pirate figure, the treasure, and other pieces wherever they want them. The playset was designed for kids three years and older and features high-quality plastic construction to last long.
Full list of toys we analyzed for this buying guide:
| Pirate Toy | Brand | Toy Type | Recommended Age |
| Littke Tikes Play ‘n Scoot™ Pirate Ship | LittleTikes | Ride-On Toy and Playset | 18 months – 3 years |
| Big Summer Inflatable Pirate Boat | 10Lección | Inflatable Ride-On | 3 – 7 years |
| TOMY Pop-up Pirate Game | TOMYToys | Board Game / Family Game | 4 – 10 years |
| PUBGAMER Diving Game Pool Toy | PUBGAMER | Swimming Pool Dive Toys | 3 years and up |
| Kids Pirate Costume | Lingway Toys | Kid’s Costume / Dress up set | 3 – 10 years |
| Lamaze’s Captain Calamari | LamazeToys | Clip-on Toy / Development and Learning Toy | Good for early ages |
| Fisher-Price Imaginext Shark Bite Pirate Ship | Fisher-Price | Toy Figure Playsets / Action Figures | 3 – 8 years |
| Lingway Toys Girls Deluxe Pirate Costume, Buccaneer Princess Dress | Lingway Toys | Kid’s Costume / Dress up set | 3 – 10 years |
| LEGO Ideas Pirates of Barracuda Bay (21322) | LEGO | LEGO Toy Building set | 16 years and up |
| Pirate’s Cove Play set | KidKraft | Toy Figure Playset | 3 – 8 years |
| Metal Pirate Coins – 35 Gold Treasure Coin set | LeibGames | Money & Banking Play Toys | 12 years and up |
| RYAN’S WORLD Cap’n Ryan’s Micro Mystery Treasure Chest | RyansWorld | Toy Figure Playsets | 3 years and up |
| DIY 3D Puzzle Pirate Series | MARSPOWER | Educational Toy | 6 months and up |
| Don’t Rock the Boat Skill & Action Balancing Game | PlayMonster | Toy Figure Playsets | 5 – 10 years |
| Pirate Ship Play Tent Playhouse for Boys and Girls | ImpiriLux | Kid’s Play Tents and Tunnels | 3 years and up |
| Fisher-Price Little People Pirate Ship | Fisher-Price | Toy FIgure Playsets | 1 – 5 years |
| JOYIN Pirate Sword & Pirate Pistol Set | JOYIN | Dress up accessories | 3 years and up |
| BST SHIER Magnetic Puzzles for Kids | BST SHIER | Puzzle / Educational Toy | 3 – 6 years |
| Imaginext Walking Crocodile & Pirate Hook figure set | Fisher-Price | Toy Figure Playsets | 3 years and up |
| The Learning Journey Puzzle Doubles Glow In The Dark – Pirate Ship | TheLearningJourney | Puzzle / Educational Toy | 3 years and up |
| VTech Treasure Seekers Pirate Ship | VTech | Toy Figure Playsets | 18 months – 4 years |
| Pirate Family Bathtub Toys | Playmaker Toys | Bathtub Toys / Toy Figure Playsets | 3 years and up |
| Sloosh Pirate Octopus Water Sprinkler for Kids | Sloosh | Outdoor Water Sprinkler Toys | 3 years and up |
| Beach Toys Sand Toys Set Pirates Castles Sand Molds Bucket Shovel Rake Watering Can | JoyBHole | Beach Toys | 4 years and up |
| Pirate Ship Action Figures Toys- Pirate Vessel Plastic Figures Play Set | kramow | Toy Figure Playsets | 3 years and up |
| 100 Pieces Plastic Pirate Coins | Sumind | Kid’s Party Favor Sets | 1 year and up |
| Manhattan Toy Neoprene Pirate Ship | ManhattanToy | Bathtub Toys / Baby Bath Toys | 6 months to 5 years |
