Toys

My sons always enjoyed GeoTrax by Fisher Price. I've had every child (even older ones) want to play with it.

Hi!

I know that at 3, my son was into Rescue Heroes. They're great action figures with a positive message. Unlinke many action figures, when they are shooting something they're shooting water to put out fires. There are a lot of figures and vehicles to choose from and even command centers. It's good to start out with a figure and a vehicle- some come with free dvds!

At 3 my son liked Disney Cars (anything about the movie), trucks, or Thomas the train items. You may want to try a soccer ball net and ball, a t-ball set, or a tricycle for outside. My 4 year old really likes his v-tech v smile game console and it is wonderful for teaching things. He started using it at 3.5 years old and his preschool teacher was amazed at how advanced he was in sorting, matching, numbers, colors, etc. That gaming console is wonderful, and obviously don't let him sit in front of tv all day. Play doh is a big thing around here as well. They do make some preschool games also- elephant game, letter factory, etc. that you can find with the other board games. Puzzles are nice too. At office supply stores, they sell wipe off books where they can practice writing letters, shapes, lines, etc. Just look for the ones for 3 year olds. Hope this helps.

J.,

Our son is 2 and loves, loves LOVES his Duplo Legos. He can't get enough of them.

T.

My boys are now 11,8,and 5. All of them at some point(some more than others) loved trains. Thomas the Tank Engine playsets are great! The Take a Long Thomas sets(Target) are great because the sets fold up slightly and you can fit the track and trains to match in the sets to carry to Grandma's house. My 5 yr old still plays with them. Legos are always a great idea. You just have to make sure to get the age appropriate sets.

I bought my son a firetruck that goes about 4 miles per hour. A little electric one and he and his brother play in it for hours. It actually squirts water. It was $200 at toys r us.

Leap Frog's fridge phonics are GREAT for fun and learning letters. My 3 year old LOVES LOVES LOVES his bicycle. If he doesn't yet have a bike with training wheels, that may be a great gift. I just saw ones at KB Toys for only $19.99. GREAT DEAL, as some are up to $70 for the little 12 inch bikes. My son got his at Christmas, 3 months before turning 3 and did great with it, so it would be great for a 3rd birthday. My 3 year old also LOVES the Cars movie characters. Those were a big hit at his 3rd birthday party, including a fold up figure 8 Cars racetrack that works for all the Cars character cars. I also like that sports equipment idea.