Best Gifts for a 3-Year-Old

Finding the perfect gift for a three year-old is not the easiest task. At this age, children have their own personal interests, and it can be difficult to know exactly what they will like. If you don’t know what to give the three year old in your life, here are ten great gift ideas to consider:

8-pack Washable Dot Markers

These washable dot markers are a perfect solution to messy arts and crafts time. The set includes eight dot markers and 10 physical pages. The set also includes four downloadable activity books that were designed for dot markers.

What we love:

• They’re not as messy as paint, which makes clean-up minimal.
• The set includes a variety of colors.
• The bottles are the perfect size for small hands.

What we don’t love:

• Some parents have found that these dot markers are not as washable as promised.
• They can dry out quickly if the caps aren’t replaced properly.
• They can be hard for toddlers to adjust to if they haven’t used them before.

ALEX Discover My Giant Busy Box Craft Kit

The Busy Box Craft Kit from ALEX includes enough materials for 16 different projects. These projects are recommended for children three years and up. Children get to create two tissue art animals, four paper bag puppets, four farm animal collages, four dough animals, and two sticker art pictures.

What we love:

• Children get to be creative and learn how to make simple crafts.
• The kit can last a long time with 16 different crafts.
• It’s more affordable than buying each of the items individually.

What we don’t love:

• The kit doesn’t include instructions for every project. This allows kids to use their imaginations, but some grown-ups may like to have the option of using instructions.
• Some younger children may need help with the projects.
• The crafts might be too complicated for young children, and they may get frustrated.

National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Why

This is the perfect book for a curious preschooler. It’s written in an interactive question-answer format. In addition to including lots of answers, it offers hands-on games, simple recipes, and crafts.

What we love:

• It encourages children to be curious and promotes a love for learning.
• It’s a very affordable children’s book.
• There are lots of pictures and interesting facts.

What we don’t love:

• It is not as durable as it could be.
• It may be too advanced for some three-year-olds. It depends on the child’s interests.
• Some of the questions will require further answers from parents.

Flybar My First Foam Pogo Jumper

This pogo jumper is made from durable foam and was crafted with kids in mind. It helps to get kids active and lets them try something new. It’s available in a variety of different colors.

What we love:

• It’s very affordable.
• It helps children to learn balance skills and to develop hand-eye coordination.
• It’s great for indoor or outdoor use.

What we don’t love:

• It squeaks by design. This can be annoying for parents.
• It can be dangerous if children do not use it properly, or if adults are not supervising.
• Due to its low price, it is not as durable as other options may be.

Pure Fun Rocker Kids Seesaw

This is a unique seesaw that rocks gently and is designed to hold up to three kids at once. The weight limit is 150 pounds total or 75 pounds for each seat.

What we love:

• There is space for three kids on this seesaw, which is hard to find.
• It’s gentler than most seesaws.
• It’s affordable for a durable, long-lasting seesaw.

What we don’t love:

• It’s difficult to put together.
• Little ones may not know how to use it right away.
• If kids take their feet off the bars, they may hurt their feet.

Heritage Kids Unicorn Sleeping Bag

A sleeping bag makes a great, practical gift. This cute unicorn one is designed for children three to eight years old, so a three year old can easily grow into it.

What we love:

• It’s soft inside.
• It can be washed in the washing machine and dried in a dryer.
• It’s easy to pack up and store when not in use.

What we don’t love:

• It’s pretty expensive for a sleeping bag that won’t last past elementary school.
• It’s not as durable as other options may be.
• The zipper may break easily, so be cautious when using it.

Wildkin Sleeping Bag

This is the perfect sleeping bag for a preschooler to use. It comes in a variety of prints from vehicles to wild animals, and it’s designed for children ages three to 10.

What we love:

• It includes a drawstring storage bag and matching travel pillow.
• With so many fun prints, there is a sleeping bag for every child’s interests.
• It’s durable, and the colors don’t fade.

What we don’t love:

• It’s expensive for a sleeping bag that only toddlers and young children can fit in.
• The filling shifts easily in the washing machine.
• The fabric is not as soft as some parents might expect.

Little Tikes 3′ Trampoline

This is an indoor trampoline that is perfect to get kids more active. It’s designed for children ages three to six, and its maximum weight is 55 pounds.

What we love:

• It’s great for cold or rainy days when kids need to be active but can’t go outdoors.
• It’s easy to assemble.
• It’s very affordable.

What we don’t love: 

• It’s not easy to fold up or store.
• The bar is not as durable as it could be.
• The foam on the handle peels off easily. Children may eat or bite it.

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Double-Sided Tabletop Easel

The Melissa & Doug Double-Sided Tabletop Easel has a chalkboard on one side and a dry erase board on the other side. This offers a variety of ways for children to create. It’s designed for kids ages three and up.

What we love:

• It’s magnetic, which is great for using letter or number magnets.
• It’s durable and should hold up to years of use.
• It’s small and easy to store without taking up too much space.

What we don’t love:

• It costs more than some parents may be willing to pay.
• It’s not adjustable and can only be used at one angle.
• The chalkboard side doesn’t work as well as it should.

Schwinn Balance Bike

This is a high-quality balance bike designed for children ages two to four. It’s available in a variety of different colors. The wheels measure 12 inches.

What we love:

• It’s sturdy, but it can still be picked up by children.
• It helps young children to gain balance skills before riding a bike with pedals.
• It encourages children to be active and play outdoors.

What we don’t love:

• The price is higher than other balance bike options.
• Because the bike is designed for two to four year olds, it cannot be used for long.
• The seat may break after some use.

As you’re on the search for the perfect gift for the three year old in your life, think about giving them one of these great items that make for perfect gifts!