Gift Ideas for Three-Year-Olds
Three is the year their imagination kicks into overdrive. These gifts encourage storytelling, building, and the kind of independent play that buys you a quiet cup of coffee.
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Seckton Digital Camera: We’ve had this for a few years, and it’s held up great. The girls love taking photos, and it’s so funny to go back through and see the world through their eyes.
Little Tikes Bounce House: I need you to know that I used to think people who had bounce houses were insane. And then I became one of them, and I regret exactly $0.00 we spent. This is our cold-weather and rainy-day lifesaver. We have this one that’s slightly smaller, but there’s also a larger version if you have more indoor space or plan to use it outdoors!
Highlights High Five Magazine: My grandparents have gifted E a subscription to this magazine for Christmas for the past several years. We read one every single night. She saves every back issue. They have cute stories and games, and it’s always a fun treat for her to receive something in the mail each month. She started receiving these at 2, but it was at 3 that she really began to enjoy them.
GeoSafari Jr. Binoculars: Like the ice cream cart in our 2-year-old guide, this toy has never gone out of rotation since it was received two years ago. The girls love these “kidnoculars.”
Magnatiles: Three was the age we started investing in our Magnatile collection. It never ceases to amaze me how creative the girls are with their tiles. We also love adding on new sets as gifts. I once heard advice from an older mom to “pick an open-ended toy (like a certain type of block or magnetic tile) and stick with that brand. More is more in these situations.” And I agree! The girls are getting this jungle tile add-on this year.
Mr. Potato Head: Why do my children love sticking facial features into a pretend potato? I don’t know. But they do. (Also, should we form a collective brain trust to think of the next viral children’s toy so we can just roll around in our money?)
Tiny Land Stepping Stones: These have been used inside and out for all kinds of games and obstacle courses. They nest easily for storage, which is always one of my favorite features of a toy with several pieces.
Melissa & Doug Doctor Kit: If you ever need a check-up, come on over, and the girls will get you fixed right up. We’ve had several doctor kits over the years, and this one gets the most play and has held up the best. (For a little extra fun, pair with a doctor dress-up outfit)
B. Toys Sensory Balance Beam: This set of beams and stones can connect in many different patterns and designs — as I was making this guide, I learned they make add-on sets for both beams and stones…. so I may need to grab the girls a set!
Astronaut Dress-Up Set: We’ve seen many dress-up outfits come and go in this house, and if you happen to have a space-loving kid, this space suit is so good! E has outgrown it, but F has happily moved on in.
Looking for more ages? We have guides for babies, 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds, and 4-5 year olds