Gift Ideas for 3-Year-Olds
Updated: Oct 9
Three-year-olds have big imaginations and even bigger questions. These gifts give them room to create, pretend and explore, and they will still be playing with most of them at four.
At three, play gets bigger. Kids start telling stories while they play, asking "why" about everything, and wanting to do things the way grown-ups do. The gifts below lean into that: real-feeling pretend play, first science, art and a balance bike for the kid who never stops moving.
Our picks
1. Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Art Easel
Why we like it: A standing easel with a chalkboard on one side, a dry-erase board on the other and a paper roll on top. It is used every day in our house.
Try this: Draw a shape and ask your child to copy it.
2. Learning Resources Pretend & Play Doctor Set
Why we like it: A doctor kit with everything for checkups on stuffed animals and grown-ups. It is great for easing worries about doctor visits.
Try this: Play doctor before a real checkup to talk about what will happen.
3. Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Cookie Creations
Why we like it: A Play-Doh set for rolling, cutting and "baking" pretend cookies. It builds hand strength for future writing.
Try this: Make a batch of cookies and count them onto a plate.
4. Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike
Why we like it: A balance bike with no pedals. Kids learn to balance first, and pedals come easy later. It is light enough for little ones to handle.
Try this: Practice gliding on a flat sidewalk with feet up.
5. Learning Resources Primary Science Lab Set
Why we like it: Big, safe beakers and tools for first experiments in the kitchen. It is a great way to answer all those "why" questions.
Try this: Mix water with a drop of food coloring and watch it change.
6. Melissa & Doug Pattern Blocks and Boards
Why we like it: Wooden shape blocks and picture boards. It is early math that feels like art.
Try this: Make a picture together, then try one of your own.
7. Melissa & Doug Cutting Food Set
Why we like it: Wooden food held together with fasteners. Slice it, then put it back together.
Try this: Make a pretend lunch and serve it to the whole family.
8. Melissa & Doug Toy Shopping Cart
Why we like it: A sturdy metal shopping cart for grocery runs around the house. It also works as a walking support for new walkers.
Try this: Make a short shopping list with pictures and find each item.
9. LEGO DUPLO Number Train
Why we like it: A DUPLO train with number bricks for counting while you build. It is great for number of the week practice.
Try this: Build the train in order from 1 to 10.
10. Battat Bristle Blocks Basic Builder Set
Why we like it: Bristly blocks that stick together at any angle. They are great for creative builders and easy for little hands.
Try this: Build an animal together and give it a name.
If we could only buy one gift for a 3-year-old, it would be the art easel. It is used every single day in our house.
Shop the whole list
Want it all in one place? Shop this whole list on our Amazon storefront or on ShopMy. Every pick is also in our Store, along with the books and supplies we use on the show.
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