Best Gifts for a 3 Year Old
Our daughter just turned four so I now feel confident in recommending gift ideas for three-year-olds. One fun aspect of three-year-olds is that their personality really starts to shine at this age. Also, the child has started to develop real interests which you can use to your advantage when selecting gifts. Does the child love to dance? If so, then maybe ballet slippers and a tutu would make great gifts. If the kid is fascinated by bugs surprise him/her with a magnifying glass, butterfly net, etc. Themed gifts are always a great way to go. I like to always add in a book that fits the theme (we’re big readers in our house). I hope this three-year-old gift guide helps you think of the perfect present.
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Experiences
As always, I believe experiences make the best gifts. My kids already have SO MANY TOYS. Giving a gift card or money to go towards a day at the zoo, swimming lessons, gymnastics classes, a visit to a children’s museum, etc is an awesome gift that the parents will also very much appreciate.
But I do understand wanting to give a gift the child can open and enjoy right away. Perhaps you can pair the gift card with a stuffed animal, a book, or something else that ties into the experience you are giving.
Giving a gift card for swimming lessons? Consider wrapping up a pair of goggles or a cute swimsuit to go with it.
Building Toys
My three-year-old loves to build and I haven’t met a three-year-old who doesn’t. We are big fans of the following building toys;
Educational Gifts
COVID threw a wrench in our preschool plans and I ended up homeschooling our three-year-old this year (something I NEVER planned on doing). I actually really enjoyed teaching her and seeing the major progress she made over the year.
A number of the items we use in preschool make great gifts. I had no idea how much my daughter would LOVE workbooks – and not just coloring! She is so proud after successfully completing a worksheet.
Learning through play is what being a preschooler is all about. Sensory bins are incredibly popular with this age group. Buy a cheap plastic bin (like one that could go under a bed) and fill it with fun manipulatives for a gift that can be played with time and time again. Sensory bins can be filled with sand, rice, flour, cornstarch, or water beads.
Kids love getting mail. Giving a preschool subscription box is one of the best gifts because it keeps on giving long after the birthday party. Here are some popular ones for this age;
Every month the child receives hands-on activities, stickers, trading cards, and more.
The child receives 5 books a month along with artwork and stickers.
In a box comes 2-3 STEM activities, a parent guide, and a magazine.
Imaginative Play
Three-year-olds are finally able to start dressing themselves. Along with that skill comes the art of playing dress-up. These presents don’t have to be expensive. Even a box of random gloves, hats, costume jewelry, etc can be a blast for kids.
Playing doctor, veterinarian, grocery shopping, hair salon, construction worker, etc is a fun time. Kids love to role-play. Items to help them dress the part make wonderful gifts.
Our daughter’s favorite gift from this year (that she plays with every day) is this food truck toy. She makes the food, pretends to fix a flat tire on the truck, and even does the money transactions with every order.
Board Games
At home, we currently enjoy Candyland, Connect 4, and Pretty, Pretty Princess but we are hoping to get more board games soon. The games shown below have been recommended by friends.
Our three-year-old also started getting into card games this year and continued to love puzzles. This floor puzzle was a huge winner all year long.
Arts & Crafts
I haven’t met a kid who doesn’t like arts and crafts. Honestly, any art supplies would make my child jump for joy. Gift ideas include; scissors, tape, glue, glitter (ugh – but they love it), pom poms, craft sticks, markers, dot markers, crayons, etc. Coloring books are great as well as stickers. We are constantly going through paint and various art supplies. There can never be enough!
Outdoor Gifts
I listed a number of outdoor toys in the gift guides for one-year-olds and two-year-olds that were still played with a lot this year. Some new additions include a water table and a scooter.
If your family enjoys camping I would recommend a children’s sleeping bag and a cot.
Tablet
This was the year we got our daughter a kids’ tablet. With the tablet, she can listen to audiobooks, watch certain shows, play a game, etc. Obviously, we limit her time with it and often we have to help her figure out how to play a certain app but kids are fast learners.
This is a lifesaver for traveling! Make sure to also get headphones.
Clothing
As a parent, I always appreciate when my kids receive clothing as gifts. Children grow so fast and can be really hard on their clothes. My second daughter wears mostly hand-me-downs from her bigger sister so she loves receiving new clothes. Just make sure you know the child’s correct sizes! You might also want to find out the child’s interests (dinosaurs, rainbows, etc) and his/her favorite color(s).
Fun clothing gifts to give include;
Rainboots
Swimsuit
Shoes (LOVE these shoes for this age)
Zippered Fleece Jacket
Hats (This is our staple summer hat for our kids.)
Water Shoes
Pajamas
Robe
Slippers
If you are in need of more gift ideas our daughter still plays with many toys that are featured in the Quiet Gifts for Toddlers blog post.
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