18 gifts for 3-year-olds that push their imagination

These magnetic tiles are a huge, huge hit with the 3-year-old set, though parents have a great time playing with them as well. Part of the appeal are the magnetized edges that click together easily, offering variety and a bit more stability for flat shapes or mesmerizing translucent towers. This also makes it easier to keep all the pieces together when you clean up. You can start with a 32-piece set and build upon your collection if it’s a hit with your child (spoiler alert: It will be).

Heads up

If you have younger kids at home (or a 3-year-old who still puts everything in their mouth), you’ll want to be careful. Swallowing magnets can be dangerous (or even deadly).

Parents say

“My 4 yr old DS just got them for Xmas. He's playing with them right now. 2-3 hrs a day. It's fucking bliss.” - Lake mom1

“I'd say they've been a consistent favorite amongst my 2 and 4 yr olds. My 2 yr old more than the 4 yr old. I should have bought two sets.” - LovetoLOL

“Magnatiles are awesome for years!” - tacostuesday

Specs

Weight: 2.67 pounds

Dimensions: 11.73 x 2.13 x 10.04 inches

An easel holds everything your child needs to make a masterpiece, essentially giving them a designated space to be artistic. What’s great about Melissa & Doug’s sturdy wooden easel is that it’s double sides: One side is a dry-erase board and the other is a chalkboard, both of which are conducive for drawing. A roll of paper sits on top and can be fastened to either side, while big plastic trays hold all the markers, paint, chalk, and crayons. And if you don’t have a ton of floor space, it folds flat for easy storage. This item is also placed at the perfect height for artistic 3-year-olds (yet will likely remain a favorite for years to come).

Heads up

While reviewers praise the sturdiness of this pick, there are more affordable alternatives on the market.

Parents say 

“My 19 month old went apeshit over the melissa and doug table top easel we got her. She loves to color though. She also likes the little tikes push and ride racer.” - NikkiDT

Specs

Dimensions: 27 x 26 x 47 inches

Weight: 15 pounds

If you’re shocked by the price tag on this play kitchen, trust me, you’re not alone. But I can assure you the quality alone makes it worth the price.

I bought my kids a small play kitchen from another brand before they were given this one from Pottery Barn; The set I bought broke after a few months, the Pottery Barn one is still going strong nearly two years later. Unlike other play kitchens on the market, this one is tall enough for preschoolers to use. As a parent, I love how beautiful this looks in the playroom, and I really love that these pieces offer up an amazing storage space for my kids’ toys. My children are big fans of whipping up meals in their kitchen, and it’s become the main attraction in a playroom full of stuff.

Heads up 

This set can be purchased as individual pieces or as a full set. The latter option is very expensive, so it may be wise to make this a group gift. There’s also a smaller play kitchen, but be warned: That version is very small.

Parents say

“We got a Pottery Barn kitchen during a flash sale and it was a gift for all three kids to share… I had a wood one for DS when he was little, but the light wood got colored on and scrapped up. The quality for this one is really solid. The other one was easily pulled over and I got nervous when DS would try to sit on top. Not a problem with the new one.” - nwwoodsymom

Specs

Dimensions: 18.5 x 15.5. x 37 inches (fridge), 18.5 x 15.5 x 26 inches (oven), 23 x 15.5 x 26 inches (sink)

Weight: 48 pounds (fridge), 29 pounds (oven), 33.5 pounds (sink)

You can't have a play kitchen without an array of mouthwatering play food, and this beautiful collection of 21 wooden, hand-painted staples sets your small chef up for success. Thoughtful bonus: The colorful items on the menu come in cute crates separated by food group for some early education; The selection, including fruits and vegetables, cheese, and fish, gently encourages a whole-food diet.

Heads up

Some reviewers point out that the paint chips on these toys after some time. 

Parents say

“DS likes the food playsets from Melissa and Doug.” - HariSeldon

“We have Melissa and Doug play food that is solid. We also have the sandwich set from them. The kids go to a place that has the Melissa and Doug cuttable food and they love it. I might be getting that for them for Christmas. I just love wooden toys.” - lizzietaylor1

“Mds loves the melissa and doug wooden food sets.” - isaaksmoma

Specs

Dimensions: 2.5 x 8.75 x 12.5 inches

Weight: 2.5 pounds

Got a future doctor on your hands? This 7-piece kit comes with a thermometer, a stethoscope, a syringe, and more — all in a snappy carrying case. Kids particularly enjoy the button on this kit's thermometer that you can press to go from "sick" to "well." Volunteer as a patient and you'll make playtime even more enjoyable. (This is also a great way to play with your child while lying down!) 

But this pretend medical kit is more than a source of entertainment. Many parents say they use it to help their child prepare for a medical appointment, which does wonders to ease their fears.

Heads up

Some reviewers complain that the quality of these pieces is not that impressive.

Parents say:

“I'm buying DS the Fisher Price doctor kit, it has great reviews and I think it has a lot of advantages (preparing him to see the Dr when he's older and not being nervous, teaching him about parts of the body, interactive, etc.)” - Diplomatic Wifey

“Another toddler idea- play doctor kit (we have the Fisher Price Medical Kit). I don't know if this is what did it or not, but my son screamed and cried every time a doctor/nurse weighed him, got his length, checked his temp, measured his head, looked in his ears, mouth, or nose... It could have been that he magically grew up in the 2 months between appts, or it could have something to do with his doctors kit he got for Christmas. We played doctor every night before bed for a month preparing him for the ultrasound he was getting a few weeks ago. I was amazed at how differently he handled that appointment.” - 1littlepumpkin

Specs

Dimensions: 16.5 x 2.5 x 11 inches

Weight: 13.6 ounces

Stimulate a 3-year-old's brain power with The Ladybug Game, a counting game that understands the magic of a child's budding imagination. This bug's story features a cast of insect characters including ants and aphids, all making their way to the rose garden. Your child will have fun trying to match things that are alike or learning to count backward.

Heads up

Small pieces may pose choking hazards, so be careful if you have a child under 3 in the house (or a 3-year-old who still likes to put small pieces in their mouths).

Parents say

“Board games we really like are: Sneaky snacky squirrel The ladybug game Battleship Guess who Monopoly Uno Out foxed (my favorite)” - WinterWonderland

Specs

Dimensions: 9 x 2 x 9 inches

Weight: 1.06 pounds

Easy-to-ride scooters help develop your 3-year-old’s balance and coordination, while serving as a natural prelude to pedal bikes. This scooter rolls smoothly over surfaces like sidewalks and pavement, has a nice low deck that little ones find easy to climb onto, and comes in a rainbow of colors so your 3-year-old can pick their favorite. Although the brand makes several models, this one is sure to be a hit with kiddos thanks to the LED light up wheels.

Heads up

You’ll also want to buy protective gear (especially a helmet) before allowing your kid to ride this.

Parents say

“The micro mini is AWESOME! My son just got a razor now that he is 5, but my daughter now uses the micro. It is still in great shape. It is very sturdy!” - Firstlittleoneforus

“My son has the same micro scooter and it's awesome!! The handlebars are the perfect height for me to push him on it when he is tired. He has it since he was two and is such a pro now :-)” - kayazl

Specs

Dimensions: 12 x 4.5 x 25 pounds

Weight: 4.2 pounds

A toy set that strengthens your child’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and creative skills all at once? Sign us up. This DUPLO set allows your 3-year-old to build a castle in three distinct ways. It also comes with figurines in the shapes of beloved Disney characters and symbols (think: Cinderella’s shoe, a magic book), which provide vehicles for all kinds of pretend play. Let your little one lead the way and create play scenarios within the walls of the castle they build.

Heads up

This set contains small pieces, so be careful if you have younger children in the house.

Parents say

“My son will be 3 in 3 months and LOVES his duplos. He has no problems putting the pieces together and is so creative with what he makes.” - YummyYumTum 

“My 5 year old had Lego items (mostly City) and Duplos. He plays with his Duplos almost daily since it easier for him to build, and he can build big stuff. I imagine we’ll still have them for at least another year. I would definitely do Duplos for a 3 year old.” - rubytadpole

“DS is 4 and he's had Duplo since 1.5. He's very interested in Lego, but most of the pieces are still too tiny, and it's difficult for him to take apart the pieces or build anything without my help. With Duplo, he can play independently.” - Orangeblacktulip

Specs

Dimensions: 18.9 x 22.91 x 4.88 inches

Weight: 7.1 ounces

Playing dress up is about much more than just donning a costume With this Doc McStuffins dress up set, your child will be able to engage in dramatic play by stepping into the role of the beloved toy doctor. Allow them to care for their own “patients'' (which can absolutely include all their toys, as well as family members) to cultivate caregiving skills and flex their budding imagination.

Heads up

This set includes some small accessories, so you’ll want to be cautious if there are kids under 3 in the house.

Parents say

“Her tricycle and bicycle, bubbles, swing set (slide and swing especially). She also enjoys coloring and counting , playing doctor (they have a doc mcstuffins dress up set), a stick pony and a inflatable donkey she bounces on.” - MedicMom16

“My DD turned 4 last week. Her favorite gifts were play doh, Frozen dolls, and a Doc McStuffins dress up set.” - 104MommyRN

Specs

Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 2.5 inches

Weight: 1.18 ounces

The popular Pottery Barn Anywhere Chair may not be a toy, but it will act as a place for your child to read a book, watch a show, or explore other playthings. The popular chairs come in multiple styles, sizes, and colors, and can be personalized with your 3-year-old’s name. It’s pricey, but parents swear by both the look and function of their chair. We love the idea of placing this chair in a child’s bedroom or play area, but true to its name, it can be moved around the house easily. 

Heads up

The “kids” size is great for 3-year-olds.

Parents say

“My LO has an arm chair....he loves it.” - Bunny B

“We have the anywhere chair, but got it as a gift. I am too cheap to pay the $$$...DS loves it, he reads on it all the time.” - i’mjenn

Specs

Dimensions: 25.25 x 21 x 22.5

Weight: 6.75 pounds

At this age, your child loves to discover new things, so they’ll get a kick out of crawling through the tunnel to see what awaits them on the other side. Though this probably won’t be super challenging for a 3-year-old, playing in the tunnel will help boost your child’s motor skills and coordination — and it makes a great toy for families with younger kids as well, as this provides opportunities for them to safely play with their 3-year-old siblings (with supervision, of course). The tunnel itself collapses easily and can be stored inside the included bag when it's not in use. Once your child has mastered climbing through the tunnel, you can attach it to a play tent or ball pit for additional modes of play.

Heads up

This is more expensive than other tunnels on the market. 

Parents say

“Just wanted to share that I got my LO the play tunnel from IKEA and it's a big hit!”  - Bauchgefuehl

“I used to make obstacle courses for my kids and time them. They loved it. A mini trampoline, cones, sit in spin, pillows, a tunnel from ikea, hours of entertainment.” - HappyEverAfter

Specs

Dimensions: 17 ¾ x 49 ½ 

Weight: 2 pounds, 4 ounces

There are few things more exciting for 3-year-olds than being able to emulate the grownups in their life. This salon set allows your little one to put on makeup and blow dry their hair “just like mommy.” I bought this exact set for my daughter and she’s spent hours giving herself and anyone else who comes to our home makeovers. She loves getting to act like an adult, and I love that she gets to flex her imagination with the dramatic play. These toys are pretty good quality as well; we’ve had them for a year and they’re still in good condition.

Heads up

This set comes with an “organizer” to keep all of the pieces together.

Parents say

“My DD, 3 years old has been asking for this for months.” - Blu’s Mommy

“My LO is always trying to get into the stuff on my vanity so we got her this lol” - fawnnydawnny

Specs

Dimensions: 15.5 x 12 x 6 inches

Weight: 4.9 pounds

With their expertly curated play crate, KiwiCo puts options for many different kinds of play right at your child’s fingertips. Parents can choose their plan, and a box of science or art-based activities appears at their door. The great thing about KiwiCo’s subscriptions is that you have the option of several different time intervals. If you want a new set every month, that’s possible. But if you find so many toys overwhelming (or too expensive), you can also set the delivery cadence for every three, six, or 12 months.

Heads up

These kits are pricey.

Parents say

“We just started kiwico for my 3 and 1 year old and they both love it a lot.” - Aubsner

“I got a subscription to KiwiCo where my 3 year old gets a box of a few new activities and crafts every month. It breaks things up so she's not doing the same thing all the time. Plus I don't have to do any thinking or shopping for crafts.” - UhHello

“We were gifted a kiwi crate for christmas last year. The kids love it.” - mareyn1990

Specs 

Dimensions: Vary

Weight: Varies

Kids will love loading up carrier, “driving” it across the floor, and coming with various configurations for all the cars to fit on the trailer. (And parents will love that this comes with a built-in storage solution to keep the cars organized.) his five-piece set includes a cab with detachable trailer, as well as three toy cars. Everything is made of 100% recycled BPA-free plastic, and all these pieces are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. 

Heads up

Reviews regarding the quality of the included toys are mixed, though I’ve found Green Toys products tend to be quite durable.

Parents say

“I’m late catching up, but the Green Toys car hauler is a HUGE hit over here! It’s easily YDSs fave and the two others I’ve gifted it to love it as well.” - Braden0315

Specs

Dimensions: 5.25 x 4.5 x 12 inches

Weight: 1.09 pounds

If your child is anything like my own son, they’re fascinated by firefighters and fire trucks. This set allows your child to explore the inner workings of a fire station, and offers up an opportunity for parents to initiate conversations about fire safety. This wooden playhouse is open on all sides, which makes it ideal for multiple children to play with at once. The set includes 15 accessory pieces to allow your 3-year-old to create all sorts of play scenarios, like helping a firefighter descend a pole or rolling a fire truck out of the station.

Heads up

Some reviewers wish there were more firefighter figures included, and there doesn’t seem to be the option to purchase more to add to the set.

Parents say

“Kidcraft has a fire station "dollhouse" that looks pretty awesome.” - canuck2611

“My youngest had the Kidcraft firehouse...he loved it!” - MareMarie

Specs

Dimensions: 16 x 16 x 17.76 inches

Weight: 9.92 pounds

Little kids love playing with household items — sometimes even more than they love playing with toys. This brightly colored, appropriately-sized cleaning set will likely get your toddler to step away from your own broom and mop. It’ll also help boost your child’s coordination and motor skills, as well as provide an excellent vehicle for open-ended play. Who knows: Maybe this toy will  even spark an interest in actually helping out around the house. 

Heads up

The stand can tip over and fall when a child is pulling off an item. 

Parents say

“The melissa and doug cleaning set is a great idea. my LO loves stealing the dust pan.” - CascadeDawn

“We bought the melissa and doug broom/mop set and our son loves it and it keeps him away from our brooms so win win.” - Kinsum

“My sister bought him the Melissa and Doug mop and broom set.... this kids eyes lit up.” - Mommy29plus2

Specs

Dimensions: 4 x 28 inches

Weight: 3.31 pounds

At just over two feet tall, this dollhouse is a great size for little kids. It has three floors with multiple rooms and comes with accessories, so kids can find so many ways to have their characters play within the house. With its durable wood construction, it will last as your 3-year-old grows, and if you have other children in your home, there’s enough room around the dollhouse for multiple kids to play. 

Heads up

The house can accommodate dolls up to 5 inches tall.

Parents say

“I gave that one to my dd a few months ago. She loves it. So far it’s held up well.” - AugustIzzy

“We have that dollhouse. My daughter got it last year for Christmas and it’s still one of the most played with toys. She’s four, she’ll be five shortly before Christmas. But it’s definitelt a favorite and well worth the $50!” - Pinkarink

Specs 

Dimensions: 12.99 x 27.95 x 25

Weight: 14.96 pounds

If your 3-year-old is growing tired of their existing bath toys (or, if those toys are starting to grow — yuck! — mold), let us introduce you to this foam alphabet. The set of 36 colorful letters and numbers cling to bathroom walls when wet, providing educational entertainment during bathtime. In the beginning, you can use these as a tool to teach letters, numbers and colors. As your child gets older, they can use them to spell new words. Another great thing about these foam letters and numbers? Since they don’t have cavities to collect water, they won’t be nearly as prone to growing mold inside. 

Heads up

As with most foam toys, you’ll want to make sure your kiddo doesn’t attempt to chew on these.

Parents say

“They stick to the tub/tile when wet. They're light enough for infants to handle, they don't fade easily, they float, and they don't need to be drained. Plus of course they're cheap. I buy a pack to go with pretty much every shower present I give.” - Jhope111

“If you want to try a new toy her all time favorite bath toy is the munchkin foam letters and numbers. They float around the tub and they stick to the sides of the tub.” - Mamalovinpenguin

Specs

Dimensions: 0.35 x 2.24 x 3.15