Toy Ideas for 3 Year Old

Look into the PlayHut tents. My 3 year old loves it when we set it up. They are kind of big though (but fold small once you get the hang of it), so it's more of a once in a while toy - not an everyday one.

Does he like playing with bubbles? There are some wonderful bubble toys at Wal-mart. My son's favorite (also 3) is the one that plugs in and is constantly blowing out bubbles. Keeps him entertained for forever! Sounds like your son is a very actice little guy... try to find things that'll keep him moving! Good luck and hope the party is a hit!

Hi K.,
I know this may sound really crazy but when my son was that age my parents and relatives would buy my son really nice expensive toys . Ones that were the new thing or what everyone was buying at the time. I would go about twice a month to Odd Lots to pick things up and I would usually get him a .99 cent toy in the check out isle (usually cheap plastic). These were the toys he would play with the most. I don't know why, but he loved them. I may not have helped much but I guess my point is not to worry about it too much.
He also loved tractors. We would get him a nice John Deere tractor and he still has them now they last forever. Good luck.
SAHM of 14,9,4 yo. Very happily married.

My son was addicted to his Leap Pad at 3 (he had the My First Leap Pad). We got it for him just before his 2nd birthday (for Christmas), and he really got into it around 2 1/2. His sister is now 2 1/2 and really likes it, too. Another big hit with our son was a bike. He is now 4 and is really good with it now, but he enjoyed figuring it out at 3. His favorite book at 3 was an early reader Cars book. He obviously wasn't reading, but he LOVES the movie, so the book was a big hit. He also was really into Chicka-Chicka-Boom-Boom and the Golden Books 101 Dalmations. If you're looking for movies or videos, my son loved Cars (as I said before), the most recent 101 Dalmations (not animated) with Glen Close (I think), Night at the Museum, and Where the Garbage Goes (www.littlehardhats.com). We've borrowed Where the Garbage Goes from the library at least 4 or 5 times in the last couple years. Even my daughter loves it. :)

Since different kids are into different things, just think about what his favorite things are. If it's trucks and machines and trains, go that direction. If it's sports, maybe a T-ball set or mini-bowling set. If it's animals, maybe a membership to the zoo.

I know you mentioned Thomas with no luck, but I'll throw this out there anyway. My son was never into Thomas until my sister gave him a Thomas station with tracks that he can carry around with him. The tracks are stored in the "roof" of the station, and he can put the tracks together himself. He usually runs his matchbox cars around on it more than Thomas, but he has asked for more buildings in the set.

I hope this has given you new ideas!

Pretend play is usually really big at that age. Have you thought of a play kitchen or other toys like that? I know some people do not want boys playing with supposed girl toys (I think that is pretty crazy), because all kids like to play with dolls and other things like that. My four year old nephew is obsesed with firemen, so he has all the costumes, trucks, books, puzzles etc. He plays fireman all day long.
Have you taken him to a toy store or a playroom to see what he is interested in? Our library has a huge playroom. See what he gravitates towards, he will show you what he wants.

Geotrax!!!!!!! My son loves them. Make sure you have an area that is big enough for the train to be set up. Once you set it up it is much easier to leave set up because you son can than play with it whenever he wants.

My son when he was three loved anything that made him feel like a big boy. A bike, scooter, soccer net, outdoor toys. There are a bunch of really neat things like sand/water tables, and little kid scooters by Radio Flyer at Wal-Mart.

Hope this helps. Let us know what you end up getting him.

K.,

I know where you are coming from. I have a son who will be 3 at the end of July. I welcome you to check out my website - www.iambabycrazy.com/adecker We specialize in unique and educational products for children from birth through preschool. We have a TON of products that I think you will find exactly what you are looking for. Toys that introduce cognative thinking, gross motorskills and plenty more. I just got a game for my son call "Leaping Frogs" and he loves it. Also, not sure if you are in the Ft. Wayne area or not, but I am having a booth at the Three Rivers Fest and I will have over 500 items of inventory and the best thing is that you won't be paying for shipping. I will be at the Meijer Marketplace by the pavilion. Good luck shopping!

My 3 year old son is very much into pretend play and using his imagination. He loves to dress up in his spiderman costume that I bought on clearance after Halloween, and he also has a pirate outfit, fireman gear, and a knight in shining armor. He does have an older sister which helps spark his imagination and gets the role play under way. He also has a kitchen in which he loves to prepare meals, a tool shop for repairs along with play power tools, and he loves all sorts of vehicles...monster trucks are his fascination at the moment. For his 3rd birthday we splurged and got him a John Deere battery powered ride-on vehicle. Oh bOy! That is the greatest! He zips around the yard, up and down the sidewalk and driveways. It even sparks his imagination. He wears his farmers hat and does yard work and pretends he is a farmer.
Your little guy may grow into the thomas toys and geotrax now that he is 3...my son did. At 2, it was a little over his head, and he didn't have the dexterity for the train tracks and such.
ENJOY!

My oldest son is about to turn 4, but in the last year, the things that really challenged him were learning to ride a bike, learning the alphabet, colors, numbers, shapes.... and he discovered dinosaurs. He LOVES dinosaurs.
We have had a membership to the zoo since he was one, but also bought a membership to the Ohio Historical Society this year. We take him to a lot different museums and interesting places, so maybe something like that... I know it isn't a present that he can "open" but it "keeps on giving" all year. Books are always good too.

There are some really neat educational toys at a local store here -- The Knowledge Shoppe -- neat matching games, games that review shapes, colors, alphabets and make it fun. Sometimes I think this store is a hidden treasure.

When my son was about 3, he was obsessed with fire trucks. He still loves them to this day. We got him hooked on the Rescue Heroes figurines. They are specially made for small kids (think GI Joe, only a lot bigger) and they come with different vehicles and animals, many of which make noise. My son was hooked on them and ended up getting most of the characters they have, and now my younger son plays with them as well. I know Toys-R-Us has them, and Wal-Mart and Meijers carried them for a while.

I would also start working with things like simple puzzles....no more than 24 pieces, what about books....TONS of things there.....CHUTES & LADDERS, Mr. Potato head, the fishing game that has magnetic fishing poles, (games help them begin to learn rules, counting, taking turns, etc.) ....lincoln logs, tinker toys -- if he likes building things and will give him some work on creativity.

If he likes science.....there are plenty of beginner things to do.....like where they grow a seed in colored ??? so they can see it take root & grow, watching them grow both above & below the surface. What about some of those things that you add water to....Abbie has a starfish, octopus, etc. They get lots bigger by adding the water.

Playdough and there are TONS of things to do w/ Playdough these days. How about a "first workbench"? Complete /w hardhat and toolbelt!

Since all kids are different, I would say to take your son to town with you. Just walk through the toy isles and see what he grabs at, tries out, and just can't seem to live without. Good luck, Shannon G.