37 Best Toys and Gifts for 3-Year-Olds

Erynn said:  If your little one loves to draw, you can take their art anywhere with a Boogie Board. These LCD-screen tablets let kids color then erase with a click. They're ultra portable and mess-free, ideal for those times when you need to distract your toddler when eating out or riding in the car!

Lisa R said:  If you don't mind a little screen time and your child is already obsessed with your smart phone or tablet, then they'd probably love a subscription to ABCmouse. A favorite educational website with age appropriate learning games and activities to keep kids entertained while secretly giving them a jump start on preschool.

Kelly R. said:  This high quality puzzle is fun for teaching letter recognition and working on dexterity. The unique chunky design of the pieces makes them great for toddler hands, and allows them to stand up on their own for endless arranging and simple word spelling. The puzzle is crafted with child safe paint and wood sourced from sustainable forests.

Erin P. said:  This is such a great toy for building fine motor skills and visual thinking skills. It includes 50 design cards and many brightly-colored magnetic blocks. Children look at a design card and use the magnets to construct the design that they see. Our son is so proud when he completes a challenge! All of the pieces and cards can be stored in the sturdy wood carrying case, so this is a great toy for playing at home or on the go.

Kelly R. said:  This creative hands-on book is a great quiet time activity for young kids. It is filled with interactive components (zippers, buttons, buckles, etc) for fine motor and sensory play. The entire book zips closed to safely contain all of the pieces, making it a perfect toy for car or plane rides!

Kelly R. said:  Squigz are silicone building toys that use suction cups to stick to each other, to the windows, to a table, to your forehead...you get the idea. They make excellent mold-free bath toys because they don't take on water, and also work great for entertaining kids on airplanes or road trips.

Brittany Kozielski said:  Water tables are great gifts for 3 year olds that encourage active outdoor play. This combo sand and water table will give your kids a fun outdoor activity all summer long! My nine year old still enjoys playing with the same table she got when she was three. The little umbrella will help to protect them from those very sunny days.

Sarah Calamita said:  If you have a 1-5 year old, this is the best gift! Pair with some fun fake food (Melissa and Doug has great produce, boxed goods, pizza pie, ice cream scoops and cupcakes). Hours of entertainment!

Alexandra F. said:  We got this tool bench for my 2-year-old because he and his 4-year-old brother love playing with their toy tool sets so much, and it has been THE biggest hit. It will honestly keep them (and their older siblings and cousins!) entertained for so much longer than most toys, and the set is really well made and super easy to put together.

Erin P. said:  This is an adorable set. Our kids love to help in the kitchen, so it's fun to see what they remember and imitate when playing with their own kitchen toys. We love any toys that encourage creative thinking and imaginative play!

Chrissy OGorman said:  This kit will make your pre-school age child feel like they are playing instead of learning! It includes many different mediums that will teach your child how to tie their shoe, learn the alphabet, cutting skills, and more.

Erin P. said:  Although many 3 year olds are not quite ready for sleepovers, sleeping bags can be great fun for playing at home! Think: forts, tents and pretend trips!

Alexandra F. said:  We got this for our toddler when he was about 18 months old, but he has gotten much more into it since he turned 3. I love that it is both sturdy and lightweight, as it makes it easy for him to maneuver and has helped him get comfortable with being on a two wheeler. I am hoping this will help him learn to ride a bike more easily than his big brother and sister, who never had the benefit of a balance bike!

Erynn said:  Capes and matching masks are the easiest way to achieve dress-up success and make great gifts for young superhero fans, especially for preschoolers who may still be learning to dress themselves. The felt masks are soft on kids' faces.

Molly Weber said:  This book is all about the reader. Each page is a letter of their name, first and last, and is spelled out using animals whose names start with the same letter. Not only does it help them begin to learn how to spell their name, it helps to make them feel special and unique. I received this as a gift for my daughter and love the story behind it and the customized aspect.