Out of the “terrible twos” and in the next stage of toddlerhood, 3-year-olds are in the phase of exploration and independence. As 2-year-olds they were wobbly and with limited speech. But at 3-years-old, these kids are more stable with better verbal capabilities and motor skills. Unsure what gifts best fit these skills? We’ve got you covered!
As toddlers enter preschool and pre-K it is important to foster and exercise social and learning skills. Three-year-olds need gifts that expand their developing imaginations and ideas while giving them a space to exercise their free will (to an extent).
This curated gift guide includes toys, books and more that are sure to entertain and engage any 3-year-old, as well as tips from child development and education experts to help your gift shopping journey!
STEM-friendly$29.34$58.99
Screen-free fun$22.68$26.99
What should I look for in a gift for 3-year-olds?
Now that they are more creative and engaged, 3-year-olds are more keen on independence and opportunities to exercise their ideas and social skills. Play-time is a safe and effective way to practice these capabilities.
“Three-year-olds are getting to be more social and have ideas of their own,” says Tovah Klein, director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development and author of “How Toddlers Thrive.” According to Klein, “Open-ended toys such as blocks and building toys allow them to explore, discover and carry out their ideas.”
“They are deep in the “I’ll do it myself” phase, so they enjoy things that help them master the fine motor skills that might help them dress themselves,” says Marie Conti, head of The Wetherill School in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, and a board member of the American Montessori Society.
We’ve curated a slew of gift options that spur a 3-year-old’s autonomy and imagination, with toys that are sure to make play-time possibilities feel endless.
Best building toys for 3-year-olds
The options are endless when it comes to the patterns and designs your child could make with these vibrant geometric blocks, but they can also build the patterns that are already included with the set. Their problem-solving skills and natural curiosity will also be tested by shapes like hexagons, trapezoids, rhombuses and more.
Encourage early STEM development and fine motor skills with this interactive gear set that really works. According to the brand, this set will help them start learning about sorting, grouping, counting — and even putting physics into play with the spinning gears!
These magnetic tiles allow kids to create their own masterpieces and will captivate them for years to come. “Kids will play with those for hours,” Conti says. They’re also a favorite of commerce vice president Jen Birkhofer.
Reclaim your couch and bedding by getting your budding architect this modular playset, which former deals editor Rebecca Brown says “offers endless opportunities to be creative.” It comes with 16 panels that, in a blink of an eye, can be used to create castles, pods, cozy corners and more. Plus, no tools are needed. “It’s great,” Brown adds. “You just open the box and they get going. There are no instructions to read.”
This stacking set will help 3-year-olds learn, build and grow as they can use the pieces to create a chair, stool and more. Shop TODAY editor Kamari Stewart-Jackson shares: “I gave this set to my 3-year-old nephew. My sister set it up as a tower in their apartment and, without any prompting from her, he immediately took the stones apart and laid them out in a path to create walkable stepping stones (like the name of the brand!)."
Stewart-Jackson adds that she was “surprised and impressed at how intuitive it was for him to play with these and love that he was able to figure it out on his own. It really speaks to the thoughtful design. Plus, my sister likes that they neatly stack in one place and aren’t an eyesore!"
Best educational toys for 3-year-olds
Every 3-year-old has a little scientist in them. Allow them to channel their scientific urges with this water lab bath toy that creates double-chain reactions and effects.
Most little ones are familiar with the classic tale, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Now they can get a hands-on experience with the story! This sensory bin is loaded with 2.5 pounds of sensory sand, a Hungry Caterpillar toy, foam accessories, shovel, sand stamp and colorful clings, among other things.
They'll develop fine motor skills alongside shape and pattern recognition with this toy drill board. Each set comes with five reversible board cards that they can follow, or they can use their imagination to get creative.
Between the vibrant colors and cute animals (dinosaurs, dolphins, rabbits and bears, oh my!), these puzzles will keep your toddler entertained for hours. Not to mention, they will help them count numbers and refine hand-eye coordination while they play, according to the brand.
Now they can work on their very own laptop just like Mom and Dad! This LeapFrog LeapTop has five different modes — ABCs, numbers, games, music and messages. It can also be customized with their name so they can practice spelling it.
Best arts and crafts and music toys for 3-year-olds
These mess-free coloring pages are perfect for travel (and for avoiding stains on every surface in the house). If they’re not into Bluey (but let’s be honest — what kid isn’t?), there’s also a Barbie option.
This is the ultimate gift for the little rising pop star who loves to perform. “My family friend’s 3-year-old daughter loves to sing and she absolutely loves this microphone,” ShopTODAY intern Sreya Nair says. “During family parties she brings out the mic and sings her favorite Disney songs. It’s a great gift for kids that like music and the whole family.”
Little ones are unleashing their inner artist at this age, and this set lets them explore through touch and feel. It comes with 31 tools and six cans of Play-Doh to create animals, shapes and anything else they can dream up.
Prepare for hours of music play with this mini guitar that's just right for little fingers. “Musical toys can form a big part of a 3-year-old’s day,” says educational toy expert Lauren Leisk.
Inspire your little photographer with this digital camera designed for toddlers and young children. With an attached lanyard, your 3-year-old will be able to bring this wherever they go, and take adorable photos that will soon become cherished family memories.
Best pretend play toys for 3-year-olds
This automated bubble wand will keep any little princess entertained. It also has colored lights and plays music, making it the perfect party item.
This toy was designed to inspire hours of screen-free fun. They can change the color of the light in the lantern. Plus, it plays soothing noises like bird chirps, campfire sounds, ocean waves and more to help them feel like they’re on a real adventure.
For the 3-year-old with a budding green thumb, this gardening set is perfect for encouraging independent play outside. It comes with a watering can, gloves, a rake, a shovel and a fork all stored in a tote bag for easy cleanup after they’re done tending to their — real or imaginary — plants.
If Japanese fare is more your child chef’s speed, they can now “cut” sushi and then pick them up using (helpfully velcroed) chopsticks, thanks to this sushi “slicing” set.
Kids may hate going to the dentist, but they won’t mind playing dentist! Landing on Walmart’s Top Toys list in 2023, the Melissa & Doug pretend play set comes with plenty of accessories to teach them about good oral hygiene.
Their imagination and motor skills will be developed simultaneously with this magnetic construction set. It comes with four animal figurines, nine squares, ten triangles, an arch and a pentagon, so they can practice shapes while reigning over their imaginary jungle.
This recent collab from Melissa & Doug and Van Leeuwen is a hit among the children of senior production manager Becca Delman. “This is the one that turns them into a mini shopkeeper — real scoop-and-stack action, play money, taking orders like they’ve got a whole business going,” Delman says. Not only does it exercise creativity, but is the perfect introduction to math and counting skills.
This whimsical playhouse is full of charm, crafted by the sustainable play company co-founded by Amanda Seyfried, Make It Cute. “This is the one of those toys that actually gets used — my kids use their imagination and play for hours, building a little world,” says Delman. “It folds flat, wipes clean, doesn’t fall apart. Easy favorite.”
Best stuffed animals, dolls and figures for 3-year-olds
If your little one was a fan of the “Paw Patrol” movie, they’ll love having Marshall, Chase, Rubble and Skye to hang out with at home. They’re all in uniform and ready for their next rescue adventure!
This plushie is not only super soft and great for snuggling, but it also can be microwaved to be warmer. This is meant to calm little ones and, as an added feature, the plushie is scented with lavender to help soothe them.
This doll is huggable, machine-washable, dryer-safe and comes with its own pet for extra fun. Harper not only includes a white built-in onesie and adorable bow, but she also sports a cute removable dress and shoes!
This toy set is interactive and soft! The mushroom home is made out of velour fabric and is perfect for snuggling. Your child can also learn all about how animals live with each other while simultaneously working on their fine motor skills. Plus, this toy has a handle, making it portable.
Best cars, trains and vehicles for 3-year-olds
These toy cars can be stacked or linked together, which makes them an amazing toy for fine motor skills. They're both plastic and dishwasher-safe, which makes cleaning them an easy task.
Let their favorite characters celebrate alongside them this year with this Lego Duplo set. This birthday train set includes a three-part train, birthday cake, number bricks and accessories.
This train set is perfect for developing fine motor skills and supports early learning. Its changeable and customizable design encourages creativity, problem-solving and spatial reasoning. The wooden design is durable and allows for new adventures for every play-time.
Best play sets for 3-year-olds
A dollhouse gives toddlers room for creative play, as well as a space to work through issues around separation as they head to school. This one has an open design that lets kids play on all sides, so there’s no elbowing for a spot.
Best books for 3-year-olds
As farm animals wait for the sun to rise, it seems to take a little too long. So they set off on a journey to the edge of the world to summon the sunrise. If your little one loves animals great and small, they’ll love this tale, which, according to Publisher’s Weekly, “appreciates creatures’ gentle ways and offers a quiet reminder about perceptions’ ability to mislead.”
Sylvie the spider watches over the tenants where she lives beneath a fire escape. Not since “Charlotte’s Web” has a spider been such a kind friend.
Brown is the color of leaves and black a dark puddle in this lyrical exploration of positive associations of black and brown. Paired with these verses are illustrations that are called “soft, rich and warm, evoking feelings of safety and calm.”
“This busy book kept my son busy for hours on a car ride,” Delman says. “It helps build fine motor skills, focus and independence in a fun, screen-free way.”
How we chose the best gifts for 3-year-olds
The Shop TODAY team works hard to find the best products and coolest gifts out there. We use our own personal experiences with brands and shopping to find the most unique gifts on the market that are sure to be a hit.
Meet the experts
- Marie Conti is Director of Regional Community Relations for American Montessori Society. She was the former head of The Wetherill School in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania.
- Tovah P. Klein, Ph.D., is Director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development in New York, as well as the author of “How Toddlers Thrive." She focuses on young children's social emotional development as well as parents' experiences raising them.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present for every kid on your list including babies, 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds, 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, 7-year-olds, 8-year-olds, 9-year-olds and 10-year-olds.
Brooklinen Dreamweave Waffle Bed Blanket
Brooklinen Dreamweave Waffle Bed Blanket
