120 Gifts for 3 Year Olds

At 3 years old, most children are naturally excited by toys, especially those that appeal to their sense of imagination. However, finding a toy that will keep a toddler interested can prove to be a challenging task. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our best toy picks specifically curated for your 3-year-old. These toys are not only fun, but they will also encourage learning and help your toddlers prepare for preschool. We’ve also included some great tips to make the toy-buying process easy.  

Choosing the best toys for 3-year-olds

3-year-olds naturally gravitate towards exploring and understanding the world more. They reach new and exciting developmental milestones as their motor skills become fine-tuned and their cognitive skills improve. 

They can run and jump easily, ride tricycles, climb up the stairs without being assisted, wash their own hands, their vocabulary grows, and so much more. It’s an age characterized by imaginative play — toys that encourage forays into their imaginary worlds and that challenge their enhanced motor coordination will put them on the right learning and developmental path. They can also concentrate on tasks for longer periods of time, which makes building and construction kits popular options because they appeal to their desire to problem solve.  

How we identified the best toys for 3-year-olds

Children this age love games of make-believe and activities that test and improve their motor and cognitive skills. We identified toys that will best enhance and facilitate these developmental milestones.

To fuel their imaginations, we selected building and sensory toys so that they can create structures, buildings, and unique worlds of their own. Their attention spans also improve at this age, and these types of toys will test how they work through challenges at the same time. As 3-year-olds’ motor skills develop, they enjoy outdoor and physical activities more. We chose a variety of outdoor toys that will build their dexterity and strengthen these skills — and burn off some of that excess energy in the process. 

3-year-olds begin to initiate conversation, they produce simple sentences, and they can express their interests better. For this reason, we chose great educational language tools, which you can play alongside them. Language development is crucial at this age, and these toys are great building blocks that lay the foundation for their preschool years. 

Tips for buying the best toys for 3-year-olds

1. Make learning fun
   Whether you want to encourage problem-solving or you want to focus on developing their fine motor skills, always ensure the learning experience is fun! The best toys are engaging and are designed in such a way that the child won’t discard them after playing with them once or twice.
2. Consider the child’s developmental milestones
   Every child hits the developmental milestones at their own pace. Don’t put pressure on them by choosing toys that may be a bit too advanced for where they’re at in their growth journey. It’s important to choose a toy that can facilitate their unique experience.
3. Get involved
   3-year-olds are learning at a rapid pace and it’s a very exciting time for parents. Choose toys that require a certain level of involvement and parental interaction — it’s a wonderful way to bond with your little one while ensuring they get the best learning experience possible.