Yahoo LifestyleYour 3-Year-Old Big Boy Will Go Nuts Over These Interactive Gifts
- 1/31
Your 3-Year-Old Big Boy Will Go Nuts Over These Interactive Gifts
You know when their birthday is, but you never see it coming. We’re talking, of course, of your baby boy turning 3. Somehow, the difference between 2- and 3-year-old boys is huge. One day they’re toddling around in their diapers shoving dry Cheerios in their face and the next (it seems) we realize we’ve just had a full-fledged conversation with our preschooler. So now that they’re more able to engage with the world around them, what toys do they want to play with? We have you covered, with a solid list of the best toys for 3-year-old boys your little one is sure to love.
This age opens up a whole new world of play. From coordination (hello, fine motor skills — we’ve been waiting for you!) to imagination (the plots they come up with for their action figures rival the complicated storylines on Game of Thrones…. but are hopefully still G-rated), to the sudden burst of language, three is a pretty awesome time for parents and caregivers. (It can also be challenging, what with their whole newfound sense of purpose and independence, but we’re not here to scare you — you’ll learn all that on your own.)
But sometimes all that choice can be overwhelming, and it can be hard to know where to begin when it comes time to shop. What do 3-year-olds actually like? What can they do? This list runs the gamut, from STEM toys and books to toys that nurture their sense of wonder and make-believe.
Getty Images - 2/31
1) Market Cart Playset
American Plastic Toys
wayfair.com
$25.10
Your 3-year-old will love taking his business on the move with this market cart, which comes complete with 20 pieces of toy fruits and veggies, play credit card and coins, and a play freezer compartment and shelf for convenient storage. Ideal for imaginative play.
wayfair.com - 3/31
2) Sandra Boynton Box Set
Little Simon
amazon.com
$15.92
For more than 40 decades, Sandra Boynton has been one of the great preschool authors, whose distinct artistic style and charming books entertain and educate.
This box set includes four classics from her complete oeuvre, including Moo Baa La La La!, A to Z, Doggies, and Blue Hat, Green Hat.
amazon.com - 4/31
3) Duplo Construction Set
LEGO
walmart.com
$15.99
He may not be ready for traditional LEGO just yet (you’re not quite sure if he’s stopped putting things in his mouth), but he can feel like a big kid with this cool Duplo set, complete with truck, excavator, and two Duplo figures. The set is perfect for building confidence and imagination.
walmart.com - 5/31
4) Magnetic Robot Block Set
Uncommon Goods
uncommongoods.com
$35.00
You would think that “low-tech” and “robot” don’t really go together, but we adore this little guy. Made of sustainably sourced Central American hardwoods and magnets, this figure can be built and rebuilt over and over, encouraging STEM learning and imaginative play.
uncommongoods.com - 6/31
5) Magnetic Dress-Up Dolls
Melissa & Doug
amazon.com
$12.31
Dressing up dolls is fun, but tiny clothes, especially when you have tiny hands, can be a challenge. Enter these wooden dress up figures – they’re like paper dolls but made of wood. They can be anything from a chef to a cowboy, simply by swapping out their magnetic outfits.
amazon.com - 7/31
6) Dinosaur Park Playset
TEMI
amazon.com
$32.99
Your kiddo will know you’ve spared no expense in this awesome dinosaur park! Complete with nine different dinosaurs, a detailed play mat, and its own carrying case, this toy will provide hours of imaginative fun, perfect for sharing on playdates.
amazon.com - 8/31
7) Dinosaur Construct and Play
GLM Brands
amazon.com
$31.99
Does your kid like building things? Do they like dinosaurs? Do they enjoy building things but also using their imagination to play with toys? Then you’re in luck with this dinosaur toy set. These dinosaurs are super sturdy and fun to play with, and also easy to put together and take apart with nothing but a small plastic screwdriver.
amazon.com - 9/31
8) The Original Stomp Rocket
Stomp Rocket
amazon.com
$17.99
Whether in rage, excitement, or glee, 3-year-olds are big into stomping their feet. Put that instinct to fun use with the Stomp Rocket. Just put the foam “rockets” on the launcher, countdown, stomp, and watch them sail up to 200 feet in the air. (It’s fun for adults sometimes, too.)
amazon.com - 10/31
9) Radio Control Cars
Prextex
amazon.com
$34.99
Remote control cars are undeniably awesome, but sometimes the ones meant for bigger kids can be challenging for preschoolers to figure out. This leads to frustration, which leads to a bad time for everyone involved.
These cool cars are perfect for smaller hands. Best of all, this set comes with two cars, making them ideal for sharing.
amazon.com - 11/31
10) Space Shuttle
Daron
amazon.com
$20.99
Prepare for liftoff! Some toys are just fun to play with for reasons we can’t quite articulate, and, undoubtedly, toy rockets are at the top of that list. They’re just so much fun to swoosh around — and your little guy will have loads of fun playing it.
amazon.com - 12/31
11) 100-Piece Magnet Tile Set
PicassoTiles
amazon.com
$47.99
Your tiny architect’s imagination will be unleashed as he uses the clear, colorful magnetic tiles to build three-dimensional castles, animals, patterns, shapes, and more.
And because the possibilities are endless, he’ll enjoy Picasso Tiles for years to come as his ideas and designs grow with him.
amazon.com - 13/31
12) Scoop & Serve Ice Cream Counter
Melissa and Doug
melissaanddoug.com
$64.99
Satisfy their sweet tooth with this 28-piece pretend play ice cream counter. The sturdy wooden tabletop counter holds eight wooden scoops of different-flavored ice cream and comes with six assorted toppings, two cones, and an ice cream scooper, to name just a few accessories to help your little one scoop up some fun.
melissaanddoug.com - 14/31
13) Kitchen Barbecue
Play-Doh
walmart.com
$11.97
Play-Doh is a fantastic gift for 3-year-old boys — and so is the gift of grilling. Thanks to this set, there’s no need to wait until he’s a middle-aged dad to give your boy his first taste of the joys of grilling. This Play-Doh barbecue gives him everything he needs to put together a fine (albeit clay) meal.
Fun fact: The Play-Doh is technically edible, but we don’t recommend it …
walmart.com - 15/31
14) Go! Go! Smart Wheels Ultimate Corkscrew Tower
VTech
amazon.com
$19.97
There’s something genuinely hypnotic about watching cars go down a ramp, especially a 3-foot spiral ramp when you’re barely 3 feet tall yourself! This musical tower comes with “Rocky the Race Car” and is compatible with other vehicles and playsets in the Go! Go! Smart wheels line (sold separately).
amazon.com - 16/31
15) Band in a Box Musical Toys
Melissa & Doug
amazon.com
$18.49
Awaken your child’s inner musician with this set of six percussion instruments to help him learn all about rhythm and beat. At first, he’ll probably just like making noises with the cymbals, triangle, and maracas, but, you know, everyone starts somewhere.
As they say, the journey of a thousand songs begins with a single tambourine.
amazon.com - 17/31
16) Wooden Train Set
pbk
potterybarnkids.com
$89.00
There are some toys that are just classics, and a simple wooden train set is one of them. Made of solid wood, the tracks and bridges can be arranged however your child wants. Magnetically connected trains move smoothly along the tracks among the signs, trees, and piers for locomotive fun.
potterybarnkids.com - 18/31
17) Dress Up Costumes Set
Jeowoqao
amazon.com
$35.19
Your 3-year-old can be anything he wants to be. A police officer, a chef, a construction worker, or, heck, why not a pirate? With these cool costumes, he can try out any one of his future careers or at least have fun pretending.
amazon.com - 19/31
18) Cotton Play Tent
e-Joy
wayfair.com
$39.99
Great for indoor or outdoor play, this pole tent is the perfect get-away for adventure, imagination, or for those times when life is getting hectic, and you need some quiet time with a board book and a stuffed animal. (Because we’ve all had days like that, amiright?)
wayfair.com - 20/31
19) Harley-Davidson Tough Trike
Fisher-Price
amazon.com
$39.99
Just looking at this toy might conjure up memories you have pedaling one of these down the sidewalk in your neighborhood or the blacktop of your preschool. Rest assured, they’re just as fun now. Your 3-year-old will be king of the road (or your driveway) on this cool Harley-Davidson model!
amazon.com - 21/31
20) Skylar Dollhouse
Pidoko Kids
amazon.com
$89.99
You might find your child’s ability to create adventures for dolls and action figures has reached new heights at the age of 3, which makes this simple but charming handcrafted dollhouse a perfect addition to any kids’ playtime. Complete with a toy family and furniture, the open-sided design makes collaborative play easy.
amazon.com - 22/31
21) Zoo Crew Memory
Skip Hop
amazon.com
$26.95
This game of memorizing and matching just goes to show you can’t do much to improve upon a classic. Adorable Skip Hop animal friends are featured on 48 durable cardboard cards. Use all the cards for a challenge, or just a few until your kiddo gets the hang of it.
amazon.com - 23/31
22) Guess In 10 Junior
Skillmatics
amazon.com
$14.97
Your 3-year-old is extremely good at asking questions these days: “Can I have that?” “Why?” “Do I have to?”
Now you can let them put those powers to good use with this exciting game, where asking questions can give you clues to guess the object on the card.
amazon.com - 24/31
23) Golf Clubs
Little Tikes
amazon.com
$22.95
For the young man who knows his future lies on the sprawling fields of an elite country club (or the small child who likes whacking balls around), this set of golf clubs for preschoolers is the perfect toy to get him in the swing of things. (We’re not sorry.)
amazon.com - 25/31
24) Mine To Love Doll
Melissa & Doug
amazon.com
$23.99
It’s not all wheels and sports for little dudes. Boys can be just as nurturing and compassionate as anyone — so what better way to let him cultivate those feelings (and just have make-believe fun) than with his own baby? This doll’s eyes open and close, and he comes with his own pacifier.
amazon.com - 26/31
25) Toy Doctor Kit
iBaseToy
amazon.com
$49.99
Subtly hinting you think medical school is a great idea just got a lot more fun with this super-cool doctor’s kit with all the bells and whistles. It can transform into a handbag, trolley case, medical table, or bench quickly and easily.
It includes 40 pieces, from stethoscope to thermometer, complete with sound effects — making it the perfect gift for 3-year-old boys who also happen to be doctors in training (hey, you never know!)
amazon.com - 27/31
26) Personalized Monster Town Adventure Book
Uncommon Goods
uncommongoods.com
$35.00
This personalized book helps your child learn how to navigate emotions through a journey through Monster Town, where your child will help monsters find ways to cope with anger, frustration, and sadness. They just might learn a thing or two themselves!
uncommongoods.com - 28/31
27) Peppy Pets Mutt
PEPPY PETS
amazon.com
$34.99
Tired of demuring every time your kid asks for a puppy? This might just buy you some more time. Pull your cuddly Peppy Pet along on her leash, and their legs will skitter along and look like they’re really walking. No batteries required — it’s 100% kid-powered.
amazon.com - 29/31
28) LCD Doodle Pad
TEKFUN
amazon.com
$21.99
Scene: You need 10 minutes of quiet time, but feel guilty about resorting to screens. Enter this no-mess doodle pad. Using a stylus, your kid will have fun creating drawings and designs. Plus, the long battery life and waterproof surface ensure it will be enjoyed for a long time.
amazon.com - 30/31
29) Junior Basketball Hoop
Step2
amazon.com
$59.99
Your kid might not be 4, but he can start training for the Final 4 with this basketball hoop. The large backboard and wide rim make it easy to score a point, and it even comes with a basketball perfect for small hands. Plus, the hoop is adjustable, so it will grow right along with him.
amazon.com - 31/31
30) Fold-and-Go Wooden Barn Set
Melissa & Doug
amazon.com
$36.99
Old McDonald has nothing on your toddler who knows all the animal noises, and frequently uses them instead of words. Put that knowledge to good use with this Melissa & Doug Fold-and-Go barn set!
Your kid can “moo moo” and “baa baa” and more, with the seven animals included in the set, and when they’re done playing, everything can be stored right in the barn.
amazon.com
