Parenting a 3-year-old can be quite challenging and raises a multitude of questions. But worry not, because we've got you covered when it comes to shopping for the best toys for your little one!
While we can't promise to solve the mystery of their vegetable intake, we can certainly provide you with the best gifts for 3-year-olds that engage their imaginations and help them learn. From interactive toys to educational toys to board games, we have plenty of options available to help your child explore and develop their skills in a fun way. So check out the list below of the best toys for 3-year-olds and get your gift ideas ready to bring some joy into your kid's life!
Gross Motor Play
Poppyseed Play Wooden Balance Board
This sturdy, high-quality balance board is designed to be used for jumping, rocking, twisting, balancing, and more. These open ended toys are great for your child to develop strength and coordination and foster their creativity through pretend play! The perfect addition to a child’s room.
Poppyseed Play Foldable Climbing Arch
This foldable, Montessori climbing arch is designed to grow with your child and enhance their motor skills, balance control, and creativity. Active and open-ended play, according to child development experts, is fundamental for the development of early childhood.
Poppyseed Play Foldable Climbing Triangle + Ramp
This climbing triangle promotes free exploration in a secure setting, nurturing self-assurance and bodily independence in younger children. Inspired by Pikler, this wooden climber enhances balance, motor skills, and encourages active, creative play. Get ready for endless fun!
Poppyseed Play Wooden Balance Beam
This Montessori-inspired balance beam is designed to support your child in developing balance and coordination. It will encourage imaginative and creative play, as well as boost physical activity and help children begin to build strong bodies! Get ready for hours of fun!
Poppyseed Play Wooden Stepping Stones
An open-ended, interactive toy that’s perfect to set up in your living room! This set fosters development of gross motor skills and will even allow your 3-year-old to practice counting. The The set contains 6 non-toxic “stones” with anti-slip felt pads!
Gathre Trampoline
A trampoline that blends in with your home decor? Sign us up! Take our word for it - this will become a staple in your household.
Indoor Play
Pottery Barn Kids Wooden Cars
This car transporter and wooden cars from Pottery Barn Kids makes great gifts! Not only is it adorable, but it encourages imaginative play! The set comes with 3 cars: 1 yellow car, 1 red car, 1 blue car.
Tonies Box
3 year olds will love this little speaker, and the popular children’s songs and stories they get to choose from! With various musical toys and interactive features, your child is sure to be wowed by this fun gift! Plus, they get to practice their language skills as they sing along.
Squigz
Foster your child’s own critical thinking skills and problem solving skills, encourage imaginative play, and their love for building toys with these “fun little suckers”! They come in many different colors and can be stuck to each other or any smooth surface!
Wonder & Wise Mixing, Matching, Nesting, Stacking Wooden Toys
How can you teach color recognition, stacking nesting, sorting and counting all with one toy? Answer: Mixing, Matching, Nesting, Stacking! This educational toy will make a great gift!
Little Adventures Dress-up Clothes
Kids love playing dress up and these dress up clothes are not only pretty to look at, but also incredibly comfortable—so comfortable they may just become your child's favorite outfit (until they get a new one).
Magnatiles
These building tiles are unlike any other, and come in a 32 piece set. They are a certified STEAM toy, aiding in the development of fine motor skills, bilateral coordination, cognitive skills, executive functioning, creativity and more! Definitely one of the best toys for 3 year olds.
Kid Kraft Play Kitchen
Great for pretend play, young chefs are sure to love cooking up fun with this adorable Kid Kraft kitchen! A classic gift your 3-year-old can grow into and use for years to come!
Motoworx Rocket Launcher
Run. Jump. Launch! Children will have an absolute blast as they launch off with this incredibly fun foam toy rocket launcher! Built with durability in mind, it can withstand hours of jumping, stomping, and playtime without a hitch.
Melissa & Doug Cleaning Play Set
6-piece cleaning set for hours of pretend play housekeeping! This kid friendly kit includes a broom, mop, duster, dustpan, brush, and storage stand! Only downside? It won’t actually clean your house, it's only make believe.
Candyland
Do you remember playing Candy Land when you were a kid? Introduce new generations to this sweet kids' board game.
Art Activities
Kikidex Magnetic Drawing Board
Big fan of this classic gift! Not only is it a fantastic present, but it's also an affordable option that provides endless opportunities for artistic expression and educational exploration. Give your kids the gift of art and learning with this fun and budget-friendly toy!
Pottery Barn Kids Art Easel
Get creative with this classic art easel. The play set contains a blackboard design and refillable paper roll at top, along with a handy shelf to keep art supplies within reach.
Melissa & Doug Water Wow Books
The best gift or stocking stuffer for your 3-year old! Grab this mess-free farm animals water-reveal pad! Includes 4 reusable white pages that include simple line drawings when they are dry, then are filled with color when wet.
Ultimate Stationery Dot Markers
These markers are a must-have toys for 3-year-olds! Foster hand dexterity and creativity with these mess-free washable dabbers! Great for both 3 year old's and younger kids too. The set includes 6 bright-colored dot markers that kids can use to make wonderful art.
Kinetic Sand
Like play dough, but better?! Stretch it, slice it, squeeze it or mold it into incredible sand art. No matter how you use it, sensory sand provides hours of tactile fun. A super fun gift for this age group!
Outdoor Play
Smol Water/Sensory Table
The source of plenty of outdoor fun! This sea-inspired table is as functional as it is playful, making it the perfect addition to your backyard entertainment. What’s even better is it doubles as a sensory table! Fill with beans, sand, etc. for different ways to play!
Melissa & Doug Bug Catcher
The perfect gift for your little explorer or bug-lover! This adorable bug habitat from Melissa and Doug features a sturdy carrying handle and an easy-to-use, push-aside door! Use it as an educational toy to teach your 3-year-old about the natural world!
Smol Mini Bounce House
The perfect addition to your little’s bedroom or play area. The Rainbow Minis inflate in under 3 minutes, and stay inflated for endless hours of play! A staple toy that 3-year-olds can use both around the house or outside!
