The 30 Best Gifts for 3-Year-Olds

Magna-Tiles are a popular way to introduce little ones to STEM at a young age. They’re perfect for encouraging independent learning and open-ended play (the kind that doesn’t require mom or dad to hover and help). Yay, downtime!

Want to get a game-changing tech gift? Meet the Yoto player, which engages and entertains kids in storytime and activities without screens. You buy cards that feature everything from classic fairy tales to seasonal stories and activities (“Father Christmas Needs a Wee,” for instance). We love the travel-friendly Mini version (which still has cute miniature LED art) so parents can bring the fun with them on trips.

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If you want to go with something simple, buy these classic figures to get their imagination going. The German brand Schleich has been making figurines since the 1950s, and its universe is vast. You can keep it classic with this set of farm animals, get a well-known character like Baby Smurf, or get mythical with unicorns and dragons.

Gifting a stuffed toy is a sure-fire win, but why not take things up a notch with Warmies? Each plush toy is pleasantly weighted, lighted scented with actual lavender, and able to be microwaved for extra-warm cuddle sessions. Much like weighted blankets for adults, they’re especially great for kids that need help with self-soothing or little extra comfort to alleviate anxiety. If you needed any more incentive, these little cuties made it onto Oprah’s Favorites Things list for 2022.

Do the parents have a little Chip or Joanna Gaines on their hands? If so, this pint-size workbench may get them far more excited than a miniature kitchen. The best part for the parents is that the entire thing is less than 10 pounds.

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What’s childhood without some play dough? If you want to help keep the kiddo away from preservatives, The Dough Project makes DIY mixes of all-natural ingredients that you could find in kitchen pantries. Only, they’re packaged up with easy-to-follow instructions that won’t have Mom running to the nearest grocery store.

Meet the best gift subscription you can buy a little bookworm. With Literati, the parents are sent a box of five children’s books per month. The kiddo has a week to choose which books they’ll keep and which to send back (free of charge).

Time to shred something other than the mail. Loog guitars are popular choices because, well, look at them: They’re kid-size acoustic Fenders. Plus, they are free of lead and made of sustainably sourced wood. They feature three strings (instead of six) to make learning easier on the little Hendrix.

As Dr. McKnight said, go big with a tricycle—a mode of travel the 3-year-old can actually master. This one from Banwood looks so good, the parents will absolutely not mind when it’s sitting out in the living room. We also love the basket for collecting rocks, twigs, and anything else on their neighborhood expeditions.

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The scooter: the modern kid’s rite of passage. This one is top-rated since it has a more stable three-wheel design, a lower deck for shorter legs, and comfortable hand grips. It also has the smoothest ride, thanks to shock-absorbing wheels.

If their 3-year-old is interested in the weather, help them discover more about meteorology with this fun little play station. It has moveable parts and multiple weather symbols so they can get creative with forecasting each day.

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Anything you buy from Mudpuppy will be a big win for parents who cringe at electronic toys with all the blinking lights and bells and whistles. It’s an award-winning brand that centers its products around nondigital designs to entertain kids, like this chefs play set that’s kind of like a paper doll game, but magnetic.

For the family that loves to cook, if their kiddo doesn’t have their own set of prep utensils, you’ll want to add this set to cart ASAP. The whisk and spatula are sized down but no less effective (seriously, the parents will use them even with the 3-year-old isn’t around), and they’re bundled with a fun card game that encourages exploration through cooking.

Kinetic sand is another thing parents can technically make themselves, but it requires a bevy of ingredients that may not be on hand. Plus, this best seller comes in a carrying case that opens up into a sandbox with construction toys. Coolest sensory bin ever.

As Dr. McKnight mentioned, this age can come with big life changes—going to school for the first time (alone!) or welcoming home a new baby—so it’s a good idea to boost the 3-year-old’s emotional literacy with these helpful cards.

Speaking of becoming a new sibling, encourage some empathy building by getting the big bro or sis a doll to take care of. Our favorites are the Dinkums from Olli Ella since they’re a little more whimsical and a little less on-the-nose humanoid like some other brands.

Another good idea for traveling with fewer headaches? Headphones that’ll actually allow their kid to hear their favorite movies and shows while they’re in the cabin. These are the top-recommended noise-canceling kid’s headphones over at Wirecutter since they work to lessen engine noise. Plus, they have a cap on just how loud the sound can go, are wireless, and easy to use.

And now, a gift for the kid that’s also a major gift to the parents. If the family are frequent fliers, look no further; this is a piece of rolling luggage that the kid can ride through the airport. Carry-on sized, it stows in the compartments above or under most seats. Best of all, it also helps turn an economy seat into a makeshift bed (not all airlines will let them use this feature; they’ll need to check).

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For more fun with STEM, look to KiwiCo, which makes puzzles, games, and activities that’ll keep the tinkerer busy for hours on end. Case in point: this easel that you can use in a few ways. They can build a marble track on one side (woohoo, physics!), then flip it over and use it as a chalkboard.

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For entertainment that’s a bit more portable, this Kiko + GG toy is an erasable drawing board that comes in a travel-friendly pouch. If the parents were fans of Wooly Willy or Etch A Sketch while growing up, they’ll have stars in their eyes watching their kid play with this magnetic board.

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By this age, their kid may be able to count to 3—and may even know certain numbers up to 10! Help them keep up the good work with this interactive fishing game.

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Dress-up time is the best time, and Meri Meri (makers of beautiful kid’s party decor) has a slew of costumes that look, dare we say it, couture.

Now that they’re living in their clothing for a little longer than a month at a time, splurging on a unique personalized jacket isn’t a bad idea! This one has stars and a rocker edge to it, but there are loads of other options (like ice cream– or cherry-themed ones) to keep their kid feeling stylish and special.

At the risk of making Mom and Dad cry, gift the preschooler a set that can help ease the transition. This kit includes a story and a full-on school—playground included—to familiarize the setting. Even better if the little student is already a fan of the classic PBS show Arthur.

A genius setup for parents who are lacking a ton of space but want to give their kid(s) the joy of realistic imaginative play. This “stand” hangs right in any doorway, so their little farmer or baker can peddle wares in their home, rain or shine.

If the family has a dedicated playroom (bless) with an empty corner, fill it with this chic playset from Gathre. It’s a favorite among mommy bloggers since the vegan-leather-covered polyurethane arcs help ward the littles off actual furniture, and they look good whether they’re stacked or sprawled out to function as as a seesaw, swing, or a slide.

If it’s been literal years since their bath routine has been upgraded, Lalo has just the thing. This set includes classic pouring and stacking cups, a bin to keep their toys dry, and—the pièce de résistance—cushions for Mom and Dad’s arms and knees.

Where to keep all their fun new gifts? In an equally fun storage solution. Mustard Made makes lockers (available in a rainbow of colors) that can keep rooms tidy and cute. They’re available in a few sizes and formations so the parents can find the Goldilocks fit.