Gift ideas · Age 3
Gifts for 3 year olds
Three year olds start playing with other kids, making up little stories and asking why about everything. Gifts that let them pretend and make things are the ones they come back to.
Skip: Sets with dozens of tiny parts. At 3 they end up under the couch, or in someone's mouth.
Remind me beforeor
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Safe bets for most 3 year olds
- 1A balance bikeOur pick: Strider 12 SportThe easiest start on a real bike later, and they can ride it now. Find it
- 2Magnetic tilesOur pick: Magna-Tiles Clear Colors, 100 piecesBig pieces that snap together easily, and they'll still use them at 8. Find it
- 3A doctor kitOur pick: Green Toys Doctor's KitEveryone in the house is getting a checkup. Find it
- 4Washable paint and a smockOur pick: Crayola Washable Kids' Paint, 10 colorsPaint is a big deal at 3. Washable is a big deal for you. Find it
Match how they play
- 1A wooden train setOur pick: BRIO Little Forest Train SetFor a builder. New track every day. Find it
- 2The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel gameOur pick: The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel (Educational Insights)For a competitor. Short, colorful, and it teaches taking turns. Find it
- 3A dress-up setOur pick: Melissa & Doug Chef Role Play Costume SetFor a storyteller. A cape turns the living room into a story. Find it
- 4A 24 piece floor puzzleOur pick: Melissa & Doug Dinosaur Dawn floor puzzleFor a puzzler. Big pieces, and a picture they can finish on the floor. Find it
Find gifts that match how they play
The gifts that get used match how a kid already likes to play. The quiz takes two minutes. No account needed, and adding a name is optional.
More gift ideas
Gifts for 2 year oldsAge 2Gifts for 4 year oldsAge 4Gifts for ages 4 to 6, by play typeAges 4 to 6All gift ideasBy age and by how they play
Holiday gift lists
Christmas gifts for kids that last past New Year'sChristmasStocking stuffers for kids that actually get usedHolidays
Buying for the grown-ups too? Gifts they'll still own, scored on warranty and repair: for dad, for mom, under $100.
Print it before the partyHalloween Party Games for Kids: picture bingo, a monster hunt and pin the face on the pumpkin. 11 pages, $5.Get the printable →
