Best Toys for 3 Year Olds
As your baby becomes an official preschooler, it’s time to understand their development as well as the best toys for 3 years olds to match their growth. Age appropriate toys are a must!
Your baby is growing up into a little lady or man. They may now be attending preschool, playtime with other children or even learning to dance hip-hop or ballet! (Don’t those little tutus make you want to melt!?!)
Your child loves to move and get involved with their surroundings as their brain begins to take in more of what the world and other people have to offer.
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Your Child’s Development at 3 Year Olds
Your child’s imagination capabilities are at their highest at age 3, leading them to the ultimate peak of pretend play. With pretend play, lots of questions begin to arise for your child about why things are the way they are and what things do. You may be overwhelmed with all your child’s questions, but this stage of development is a critical point in his or her understanding of everything around them.
RELATED READING: Four Ways to Encourage Pretend Play in Children
Be patient and enjoy this time of filling your child with useful knowledge and self-esteem. He or she will need this in order to survive life and to feel comfortable expressing their needs and feelings in the future.
As your child’s independence increases drastically, so does their social and emotional. They will find a lot of enjoyment dressing up as others, such as a mom, dad, police officer, teacher or doctor.
Doctor Kit for Toddlers
Learning Resources Pretend & Play School SetMelissa & Doug Police Officer CostumeDalmatian Vet Kit
Your child will also be starting to compare themselves with others, which is why it’s important to encourage and praise your child to build their self-esteem from this early stage.
Your child’s physical ability to safely move around much more can also sometimes be difficult to keep up with at this time!
Role-Play Toys
This is the age where role-play toys become more intricate as your child knows more about the way things in the world work. Choose a theme that your child loves, such as dolls and a small table to serve tea, a cleaning set to mimic cleaning the house, a racetrack and cars to pretend to be a race car driver, or a princess castle to pretend to be one of your child’s favorite princesses.
These toys mainly encourage development of sensory skills, imagination and creativity, and the ability to share and cooperate with others.
Princess Castle TentPrincess Dress Up Toys & JewelryDisney Princess Royal Collection, 12 Royal Shimmer Fashion DollsPrincess Necklace Activity Set
Get in and play with your child to encourage more imagination with your interaction. You may add some problems into the role-play setting to encourage problem-solving.
Large Transport Cars Carrier SetToddlers Cars with Lights and Siren Sound236 PCS Construction Toys Race TracksToddler Remote Control Cars
You’ll both have so much fun taking the real world out of the equation and pretending to play in a comfortable environment!
What are the Best Toys for 3 Year Olds?
Toys for 3-year-olds should encourage their growing independence, creativity and imagination while also supporting their fine and gross motor skills. Here are some of the best types of toys for this age group:
Building Toys: Toys like LEGO Duplo, Mega Bloks, or wooden building blocks allow them to create structures and use their imagination.
Art Supplies: Crayons, washable markers, colored pencils, and art paper for drawing and coloring.
Puzzles: Simple jigsaw puzzles with larger pieces help with problem-solving skills.
Play-Dough: Modeling clay or play-dough for creative sculpting.
Dress-Up Clothes: Costumes and dress-up clothes for imaginative role-play.
Imaginative Play Sets: Toys like dollhouses, play kitchens, or train sets encourage creative storytelling.
Outdoor Toys: Bicycles with training wheels, scooters, balls, or simple sports equipment promote physical activity.
Musical Instruments: Small instruments like tambourines, xylophones, or keyboards to explore music.
Jar Melo Dot Paint Art Marker Kit (Washable, Non-Toxic) With 40 FREE Pdf Activity Book & Physical SheetsSpirograph Jr. for Preschool and upMelissa & Doug Created by Me! Bead Bouquet Deluxe Wooden Bead Set With 220+ Beads for Jewelry-Making12 Paper Plate Art Kit Toy Maker
Books: Picture books with engaging stories and simple text for early reading.
Board Games: Simple board games like Candy Land or Chutes and Ladders that teach turn-taking and counting.
Science and Nature Kits: Kits that allow them to explore the natural world, like bug catchers or simple microscopes.
Building and Construction Sets: Toys like magnetic building sets or marble runs that encourage engineering and problem-solving.
Bath Toys: Toys designed for bath time, such as boats, water squirters, or foam letters for learning.
Classic 32-Piece Magnetic Construction SetMarble Run Building BlocksMelissa & Doug Wooden Building SetPicassoTiles Hedgehog Block Tiles
Educational Apps: High-quality educational apps or interactive learning tablets.
Outdoor Exploration Kits: Tools for exploring nature, like binoculars, butterfly nets, or magnifying glasses.
When selecting toys for 3-year-olds, prioritize safety by ensuring that they are free from small parts that could pose choking hazards.
Look for toys that foster creativity, social interaction and open-ended play.
These toys will not only entertain but also aid in their cognitive, emotional and physical development.
Best Toys for 3 Year Olds
More Age Appropriate Toys
Explore a variety of age-appropriate toys that enhance playtime while supporting children’s developmental needs!