This $13 Spill-Proof Washable Paint Is the Perfect Stocking Stuffer for Kids

When they reach 3 years old, kids are not toddlers anymore. While they still might love their toddler toys, they're ready for bigger and better things, namely toys that help them get into more expansive imaginary worlds, make the most of their enhanced fine and gross motor coordination, have more advanced rules or put them on the path toward the reading and math skills they'll be learning in preschool and kindergarten.

According to Rebecca Parlakian, M.A., E.D., a parenting expert from Zero to Three, three-year-olds are interested in how the world works and enjoy all kinds of blocks, animal figures and vehicles, so they can build structures and universes of their own, test exactly how high something can can go or solve problems. "Dress-up accessories can add some zing to their pretend play – think of a construction worker helmet and set of toy tools, exploring how objects work," she says, adding that their growing memory and emerging self-regulation means they are ready for simple board games, too. They'll also love puzzles, lift-the-flap books, stuffed dolls with practice buttons and zippers and art materials that help them build the dexterity skills they’ll need later on. Above all, while kids may gravitate toward electronics, hands-on toys will help develop the skills they need to grow, says Gayle Kligman, M.Ed., the executive chairman of Family of Kidz.

To help you find the best toys and gifts for 3-year-old boys, the Good Housekeeping Institute's toy experts have rounded up their top picks of the year tested and reviewed by real kids and parents. Some went on to be Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award winners. We make our recommendations after evaluating factors like safety, quality and functionality to see which toys truly perform best and deserve a spot on our list of the best toys and gifts for 3-year-old boys in 2022.

High on the list are building toys that help them with their STEM skills, vehicles and play sets that get them into imaginative play, toys that support at-home learning and more of the hottest toys in 2022.