Finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list is hard, especially if they're only three years old. But don't fret — we did it for you, scoping out the best toys, practical gifts, and unique gifts for every 3-year-old boy and girl.
The 3-year-old on your list is ready to explore with all of their senses. They're able to sit and play with one toy for an extended period of time, then tell you when they're over it. That's why it's important to provide them with a variety of toys that help them develop different skills through play. Check out our favorite holiday and birthday gifts for your preschooler this year, from toys based on their favorite TV characters to their first piece of technology!
Find the best gifts for the toddlers and kids in your life with our gift guides, including for 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds, 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, 7-year-olds, 8-year-olds, 9-year-olds, tweens, and teens.
Created by a six-year-old, The Lady Bug Game ($25) requires no reading. Every time you play, you're in for a different adventure! The goal is to help the ladybugs find their way back home to the rose garden, and you can play with two to four players.
If you're looking to take water games to the next level, you need this Intex Dinosaur Play Center ($36, originally $74). It's perfect for hot days, and will make the dream of summer. It has a mini water slide, a ball pit, and a palm tree that sprays water.
This LEGO Duplo Creative Play All-in-One-Box-of-Fun ($60) will keep them constantly entertained. So many kids will fall in love with this. It has a whopping 200 pieces, so they'll never get bored, and can create a birthday party, with a cake, presents, party food, and more!
These Melissa & Doug Construction Vehicles 4-in-1 Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles ($8, originally $16) will ensure your kids are entertained for hours. There's four different puzzles to complete in a set, and a number of categories to choose from. From dinosaurs to construction and cars, there's a puzzle for everyone.
They'll want to cuddle with this cute Gund Baby Animated Flappy The Elephant Stuffed Animal ($35, originally $45). It can also cover its eyes, which can help kids communicate how they're feeling. It's soft, compact, and perfect for hugging. They'll definitely want it in their stocking.
Dragons Love Tacos ($9, originally $19) is the cutest book about what can go wrong at a dragon taco party. Spoiler alert: a lot! It's an adorable story they'll want to read over and over again, and then have tacos for dinner!
So many young kids want to learn how to ride a bike. They won't be able to stop riding around on this Radio Flyer Classic Pink Dual Deck Tricycle ($57, originally $70). It comes in a few different colors, but the pink is so much fun!
Do a puzzle and learn about geography? We love this Melissa & Doug USA Map Floor Puzzle ($13, originally $17), and we think they will too. It's a great way to teach them about the US, and each state has a fun graphic on it.
This Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Spinning Treats Mixer Food Set ($28, originally $31) is the perfect toy for any kid who wants to star in their own pretend baking or cooking competition. Utilizing the mixer, they will be able to stamp out their own creative bake goods.
This 3 Bees & Me Bath Toy Basketball Hoop & Balls Set ($15, originally $25) fits around 95% of bathtub faucets. It'll make any kid excited for bath time, especially one who's obsessed with sports. Plus, it's super easy to clean, and is compact enough to be stored when you want to take a bath.
This Superhero Double Side Cape and Mask Set ($23, originally $31) is a dream gift for the superhero child in your life. They can choose from five capes and matching masks, so they can be whatever superhero they want to be. The best part is, each cape is reversible, making them able to choose from 10 different superheroes.
An update to Melissa and Doug's immensely popular ice cream set, this ice cream counter ($65) will have them scooping out cones for all of their friends. Plus, it may just postpone the constant asks to go out for ice cream.
Draw your cares away with this Crayola Magic Light Brush and Drawing Pad ($28). They'll spend all day creating. The Color Wonder markers only show up on special paper, so they won't make a mess around the house. It's brilliant.
They'll doodle for hours on this Free to Fly Large Aqua Drawing Mat ($20, originally $30). Simply fill the magic pens with water and they'll be able to draw on the mat, but nowhere else. There are also number, letter, and shape stencils, so it's an educational toy too!
This FunzBo Flower Garden Building STEM Toy ($19) is such an innovative toy that's both educational and fun! Plus, they'll be obsessed with taking care of the plants and all the different colors. They can learn about plant structure and how to help things grow.
Your budding scientist will have some fun with this safari-themed experiment kit. The GeoSafari Jr. Jungle Crew Lab Set ($25) comes with six pieces and 10 activities to get kids experimenting.
This Mantra-Singing Mini Devtas Bundle ($47) is amazing. It comes with three stuffed dolls that play musical mantras: Baby Ganesh, Baby Hanuman, and Baby Krishna. They're so cuddly, and your little one will love having them as an addition to their stuffed animal collection.
If they're obsessed with insects, they need this Outdoor Explorer Kit & Bug Catcher Kit with Binoculars ($30, originally $42). It'll indulge their curiosity, which is always a good thing. It comes with everything from binoculars to a net and bug catcher, so they can go exploring for new insects.
If they love Sesame Street, it's highly likely they're an Elmo fan, and who could blame them? They'll want this Sesame Street Talking ABC Elmo Figure ($50). It'll keep them entertained for hours, and will help them learn their ABCs. It's a winner for everyone!
This VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe ($47, originally $65) will keep them occupied all the time. It can help them learn their letters and numbers, as well as express their creativity through drawing and painting. Plus, if you work from home, giving them their own little desk will help them see that they have a dedicated work space too!
They'll love cuddling with this Stitch Plush ($27). If they're afraid of the dark, this will make a great buddy to sleep with. He has faux fur tuft, so he's super soft and cuddly, and they'll want to take him with them everywhere.
They can take care of their baby doll just like their parents do with a Disney Junior Doc McStuffins Baby All in One Nursery ($70). It comes with a little crib, stethoscope, thermometer, bandage, and everything they need to play doctor. It's so adorable!
If you have a toddler who's obsessed with all things baseball, this is the gift for them. Let the toddler in your life work on their batting average with this Little Tikes T-Ball Set ($16). They'll be hitting home runs in no time.
Fans of Kiwi Crate's subscription service for school-age kids will be thrilled to learn about Koala Crate — its toddler-friendly counterpart ($17-$20 per month, depending on subscription frequency). Sign up the preschooler in your life for hands-on fun that lasts long after the holidays are over.
Brackitz, a new building toy that encourages open-ended play, is perfect for the 3-year-old in your life. The Brackitz Architect 44 Piece Set ($56) has planks and connectors so kids can build up and out to their hearts' content. They'll never be bored!
These sweet Dinkum Dolls ($80) are available in six different skin tones and hair colors. They also can stand and sit on their own, which is great for storage. They'll love taking care of their doll, and you'll love buying them a doll that more closely represents them.
As a part of Fisher-Price's new Think & Learn line, the Smart Scan Word Dash ($16, originally $30) teaches tots early literacy skills. It also helps tots connect animals and their habitats. There are a whopping 10 activities to choose from, so this is a toy they can use all day and night.
The Giving Tree ($8, originally $18) is a classic essential for a child's library. It teaches them about love and sharing with others. If you're looking for a crowd pleasing gift that's under $10, there's no better option than this beloved title.