28 Best Toys for 3-Year-Olds, According to Parents

Imaginative play is vital for 3-year-olds. “Encourage that imagination with dress-up clothes and toy home items like vacuums and kitchens,” Low Kapalu advises. Melissa & Doug Cool Scoops Ice Creamery is a wooden ice cream shop that lets kids pretend they’re serving sweet treats to their friends. The level of detail is truly impressive here. Not only does it come with loads of fake ice cream, toppings, cones, and more, you get items like payment tablets, credit cards, and even loyalty cards. This adds a level of realism that 3-year-olds are sure to love as they pretend to be adults navigating the real world.

Melissa & Doug provides stackable scoops, play sprinkles, snap-on hot fudge toppings, and more accessories that allow “customers” to create complex orders your 3 year old will love figuring out how to fulfill. “[My children] do learn and build skills with this toy,” said our product tester Emily. “It shows them how to order something, pay and enjoy! It teaches them communication skills!” This toy is a surefire way to inspire your child’s imagination, and it’s even better for multiple kids. “They can play with it on their own making different types of ice cream and deserts but it was more fun for them to play with a second kid or parent,” said Emily. Who knows what fun and adventure will go on behind-the-scenes at your kids’ fictional ice cream shop? Based on the games I played as a child, I’m sure there will be plenty of complex lore.

Age range: 3+ years | Batteries required: N

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For three year olds, play isn’t strictly about leisure. It’s about learning, and—cliche as it sounds—KiwiCo’s Bake-a-Cake Stand Mixer makes learning fun. This wooden playset comes with a wooden stand mixer plus loads of play food like flour, sugar, and eggs that your little one uses to create the final product: a birthday cake, learning all about fractions and percentages along the way. All this sets them up for success academically later in life by helping them fine-tune their problem solving skills in a fun, friendly and age-appropriate setting. “[My daughter] is only 3 years old and I feel this toy was great for her age,” said our product tester Brooke.

This is a kid’s toy, but it doesn’t mean it’s not complex, which is a good thing to nurture your kid’s curious minds. Any adult baker will tell you baking is a science that requires quite a bit of mathematical knowledge. KiwiCo’s cakes may be made of wood, but constructing them requires similar comprehension. “My middle daughter is 7 years old,” said Brooke, “and also found herself enjoying creating a cake from her ingredients. She learned more about fractions and percentages through playing with [this toy].” All in all, this is a well made toy that will teach your child real-world skills.

Age range: 3+ years | Batteries required: N

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At three years old, kids are still learning to develop fine motor skills. Playtime activities that incentivize kids to handle smaller objects are key here. The Hape Green Planet Explorers Pandas’ Bamboo House is the perfect choice.

The adorable treehouse-style dollhouse comes with three stories. Your kids’ panda family of four can move through the house via an elevator basket attached to a pulley, a feature that was a big hit with our product tester Troy’s little ones. “They actually played well together,” she said, “except for when it came to the ‘lift’ which is a very popular feature.” The playset comes with tons of interactive accessories like swings and hammocks, which encourage kids to use their fingers to manipulate small objects.

All this helps build those motor skills, but there’s even more to love here. The set comes with day-to-day accessories like furniture, toys, dinnerware, and cooking supplies. This helps create a rich, imaginative world. Troy told us the Pandas’ Bamboo House helped their kids learn about practice, sharing and turn-taking while exploring chores like making beds and table setting. Overall, this is a great toy for building motor skills and stimulating imagination.

Age range: 3+ years | Batteries required: N

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Independent play is increasingly important as your child ages—and not just because it gives parents a much-needed break! Solo play helps kids boost their confidence, independence, problem solving skills and beyond. A toy train set is a childhood classic and it’s hard to go wrong with Melissa & Doug’s version. Their Swivel Bridge Train Set comes with over 47 features that encourage long bouts of independent play. As gifts for 3-year-olds go, this is a prime choice. “My child loved playing with this toy,” said Emily. “It kept him entertained for a long time. He loved playing by himself, with his siblings and also with his dad.”

The set comes with a three-car train held together by magnets that can navigate ascending and descending tracks. Melissa & Doug also include fun train features for kids to manipulate, like a covered bridge, a swivel bridge and a traffic gate that opens automatically once the swivel bridge moves into position. Emily had high praise for its easy setup and durability, telling us, “My child is usually rough with his toys and this one will definitely stick around with the amazing quality.”

Age range: 3+ years | Batteries required: N

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Paw Patrol continues to be a hit with kids and Spin Master Rubble & Crew Bark Yard Playset sets their beloved characters loose on a construction site. This playset is a great way to teach kids critical thinking skills as they’ll have a chance to figure out how to work play machinery—this two foot playset comes with a crane tower, which emits lights and sounds, plus building toys like scoops, trucks and cranes. The real star of the show, however, is the kinetic sand. This kit comes with 12 ounces of play sand plus molds kids can use to construct four different shapes they can stack together to form their own structures.

While some parental supervision may be required for 3-year-olds, kids will have fun figuring out how to work the crane to build their molds. Our product tester Nicole says, “My kids were able to play independently with the toy, after I showed them a few things on how to use it.” The kit also comes with an action figure of Rubble from Paw Patrol, allowing kids to incorporate storytelling into building.

Age range: 3+ years | Batteries required: N

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A massive amount of cognitive development happens in your child’s early years. It’s important to find games and toys that nurture vital skills, including focus. Teaching focus can be especially hard in the age of tablets and smartphones, but puzzles remain a classic option to cut through the noise. According to Low Kapula, “[Kids] are ever so proud of their ability to put together simple puzzles.” Mudpuppy Level-Up Puzzle set is an excellent choice as it was made with a 3-year-old brain in mind. “These puzzles were great because they kept my daughter entertained for quite some time, said our product tester Sasha. “The design and colors of each of the puzzles was something my daughter loved and she was able to play with it independently—of course I helped some because it was even fun for me to try and put the puzzle together!!”

Each set comes with bright, engaging illustrations that will catch a child’s interest fast and motivate them to start piecing things together. Mudpuppy provides 6 x 8 inch puzzles of varying complexity, including one 20-piece, one 24-piece and one 28-piece puzzle. For the eco-conscious parent, it’s worth noting these puzzles are made from 90% recycled material, so it’s a gift you can feel good giving.

Age range: 3+ years | Batteries required: N

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Next up on our list of the best gifts for 3-year-olds has quickly become a cult fTeaching kids to listen was always an uphill battle, but it’s even more challenging in an increasingly noisy and distracting world. Many parents of young kids are searching for screen-free toys that encourage active listening, and Toniebox delivers. It’s a simple audio system that guides children through sing-a-longs and narrative adventures, with zero distracting screens required.

The Toniebox is a small box with a square on top where your child places a small toy, known as a “Tonie.” Once the Tonie’s in place, the fun begins. Kids can listen to songs, educational material, stories, and more. In addition to the standard Playtime Puppy included with the set, you can get Tonies of various beloved kids characters from major movie franchises. Kids can operate the toy independently by tapping the sides and ears to switch tracks or change volume. In fact, one mom in our survey told us her daughter could reliably use it all on her own.

Age range: 3+ years | Batteries required: N

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Oh, Bluey! Beloved by children and adults alike, this blue heeler pup’s popularity isn’t going anywhere for the foreseeable future. If you’ve got a 3-year-old, there’s a good chance they’re a fan, so this Bluey Plush is a great gift idea. As children move beyond baby- and toddlerhood, they continue to learn to self-soothe. A good old-fashioned plushie modeled off a beloved kids’ character is a classic comfort toy, and this particular plushie is a top notch choice.

First, it’s made from uber soft fabric that feels good to snuggle and hug. Second, the high-quality, durable material holds up well during play, meaning this plushie doubles as a comfort object and playmate. One mom told us her son used it to imagine cartaking skills, like feeding the plushie or giving it a kiss. All in all, if you’re looking for a new best friend for your little one, it’s hard to go wrong here.

Age range: 3+ years | Batteries required: N

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Dollhouses are fun, but why not aim—well, a little higher—with a model rocket complete with a living space for astronauts? Lakeshore’s Play and Explore Rocket is a three-level model spaceship built to stimulate young minds and encourage a budding interest in science, technology and outer space. Three-year-olds are naturally curious, and crave toys that encourage exploration. This playset comes with plenty of fun features to keep your little one engaged for long play sessions—one mom told us it kept her son’s attention for up to 30 minutes at a time.

On top of this rocket you’ll find a two-person control room, which kids can use to pretend to navigate outer space. However, even while engaged in intergalactic adventures, the Play and Explore Rocket offers some down-to-earth fun with a living space and bedroom for little astronauts to engage in day-to-day tasks. By appealing to different forms of roleplay—both the fantastic and realistic—the Play and Explore Rocket allows kids to build a multifaceted world for their little astronaut pals. Plus, there’s an adorable little rover so kids can imagine traveling through other planets once their astronauts arrive.

Age range: 3+ years | Batteries required: Y

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The parents we spoke to just couldn’t say enough good things about Magna-Tiles. “This was my daughter’s go-to building toy throughout her toddler and preschool years,” says Daniel C., dad of one and associate director of e-commerce content for The Bump. It’s easy to see why. These seemingly simple magnetic tiles allow for hours of independent exploration and creative play. Children can construct an endless array of different shapes and structures as they learn invaluable lessons about spatial awareness. Combined with high-quality BPA free, phthalate free, latex free materials, there’s loads to love here.

This was a particularly popular toy in our survey, and some parents told us their kids could lose hours tinkering with Magna-Tiles. With tiles in various simple shapes and sizes, kids can create everything from castles to creatures as they let their imaginations run wild. Allowing for open-ended play not only encourages creative thinking but incentivises kids to learn about basic geometry as they figure out how different shapes fit together. Plus, many parents told us these toys were fun for them as well, so this is a great way to spend some quality time with your kids.

Age range: 3+ years | Batteries required: N

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At 3 years old, kids are learning new skills all the time, including social skills. While Hot Wheels Monster Trucks might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “social skills,” collecting and then comparing Monster Trucks is an early bonding activity for many kids.

As a mom in our survey told us, Hot Wheels are a big hit at the park. Kids love sharing their cars with other Hot Wheels fans and inviting other kids to play. Think back to your early childhood. Weren’t some of your first best friends kids you bonded with over different toy collections and interests? Hot Wheels have been consistently popular among kids for years and they remain an excellent choice to both keep your kid entertained and get them socializing with like-minded children.

Age range: 3+ years | Batteries required: Y

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Part of the wonders of childhood is that you really didn’t need a whole lot to play pretend. Remember the days when a box could be a castle, a car, a cottage and beyond? If you’re looking for an easy way to encourage creative play, Uncommon Goods Unicorn Cape fits the bill. A reversible cape that is a unicorn on one side and a dragon on the other, this quality gift is a great way to stimulate your child’s ever-growing imagination.

While the cape is simple, there’s a lot to love here. It’s made from high-quality, colorful material, with pastel shades on the unicorn sides and dark green on the dragon side. Easily machine washable, cleanup is a breeze – which is a huge plus, as every parent knows kids are messy! This no-frills design is a cute, easy way to let your child’s imagination run wild as they engage in some creative play masquerading as their favorite magical creatures.

Age range: 3+ years | Batteries required: N

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Based on the award-winning BBC show Numberblocks, this activity set introduces young minds to basic math, giving them a headstart when they enter the academic world. Mathematics can feel very abstract to kids when they first start learning to count. MathLink Cubes help by giving numbers tangible value. These simple blocks guide kids on how to stack towers from one block to 10 blocks, giving them a better understanding of numbers and how they work. One mom told us that her son, “likes to recreate the Numberblocks from the TV show. He also likes to use his blocks to do addition and multiplication problems.”

The MathLinks kit comes with 100 MathLinks cubes and fun extras like stickers, character cards and faceplates. The kit comes with a booklet of 30 educational activities you can do to help your little ones start learning math. Plus, while you don’t need to be a fan of the BBC program to enjoy this toy, activities are linked to episodes. Watching along can add a little fun!

Age range: 3+ years | Batteries required: N

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One wonderful thing about childhood is that the world is brand new. Kids love being able to identify new things in their environment and recognize new patterns and routines. Listening to something as simple as birdsong—typically present to some degree even for city-dwellers—is a great way to teach pattern recognition while nurturing your child’s natural interest in their surroundings. The Little Book of Garden Bird Songs is a high-quality sound book that teaches readers how to identify the sounds of 12 common birds found in Europe and North America.

The Little Book of Garden Bird Songs has 12 buttons that emit specific bird calls. The text provides a brief paragraph with information about each bird, including where they’re typically found and simple ways to identify them. Given many of the birds found in the book are fairly common in many different regions, you can easily bring this knowledge into the real world. Yelena*, a mom of three, told us, “[My daughter] loves pressing the buttons and turning the pages. She loves to point at the pictures.” In addition to teaching kids pattern recognition, *The Little Book of Garden Birds* shows kids how reading and learning can relate to their everyday surroundings.

Age range: 3+ years | Batteries required: N

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A dinosaur stage is more or less a rite of passage for every kid. When the day comes that your child starts asking for all things dinosaur, you can’t go wrong with the appropriately-named Epic Dino toys. A great gift for 3-year-olds in the depths of their dino phase, the size of these toys alone will be impressive to kids. As one mom told us, “[my son] loves dinosaur toys, and loves that these ones are bigger.”

Standing anywhere from 19 to 22 inches, these sizable figurines are a great way to encourage independent play. Kids will be drawn into the prehistoric world by these brightly colored dinos made from pliable vinyl material that’s easy to bend and mold. You have your choice of four options: t-rex, velociraptor, brontosaurus and triceratops. In addition to being a great choice for independent play, kids can use these dinos for classroom projects like dioramas as they get older.

Age range: 3 to 12 years | Batteries required: N

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