What do you get for someone who is 3 years old? Three year olds are well aware of what birthdays mean so ideally gifts should be immediately usable. They will not want to wait to physically “grow into” a toy although it is fine to buy toys that will become more interesting to them as the year goes on.
Safety is still an issue with toys for three year olds – avoid toys with parts that are small enough to swallow or with removable parts that are sharp or could be swallowed, check paint is non-toxic, avoid long cords. Everything should be unbreakable and safe for them to put in their mouths. Building bricks, furniture etc should have rounded corners. Tricycles and similar toys should be designed for their age and size. Ride-on toys are not a good idea if they live in a hilly area or have a steep driveway.
Suggestions: Peg boards and similar toys where they match a shape with a hole. Pretend toys like animals, cars, trucks, dress-ups and house toys. Creative three year olds like to draw with large crayons, dustless chalk on a chalkboard and play simple musical instruments. Toys that encourage color, size and shape identification and hand-eye coordination are popular. Sturdy pedal-cars, tricycles and riding toys are popular but check for quality and safety.
Three year old boys (and some girls) will often be into trains and transport items. Three year old girls (and some boys) will like pretend cooking and housekeeping items. Three year olds are often quite aware of gender stereotypes but that doesn’t mean you have to reinforce them. If you’re not sure of the child’s or parent’s preferences, play it safe with non-gendered toys.
- PeeDee Toys is a Melbourne-based toy shop that delivesr Australia-wide and international, plus the option to pick up from their Tullamarine warehouse (shipping details here). They are a member of the Australian Toy Association and were one of the first online toy shops in Australia. You can shop by age – see toys for 3 year olds or shop by brand.
- Coolthings – Lots of cool novelty gifts for all ages and great for prizes as well as gifts – see their gifts for children. Coolthings are based in Launceston, Tasmania with delivery Australia wide and free gift wrapping.
- Yogee Toys is a Sydney-based online toys store with a huge range of stock from many of the major brands. Orders that are fully paid before 1PM Sydney time are dispatched from their Seven Hills warehouse on the same day. For 3 year olds, you could consider…
- Toys for Toddlers 1-3 years or Pre-schoolers 3-5 years depending on the child’s stage of development.
- Pretend Play
- Vehicles and Trains
- Ride-on toys
- Sesame Street
- Soft and plush toys
- Books
- A Little Luxury is one of our favourite gift stores with a wide range of unusual and elegant gifts, homewares and customisable gift baskets for all ages. Based in Sydney, delivery Australia wide. See Gifts for Children for keepsakes and special gifts from Bunnykins and Royal Selangor plus children’s books and other treats you can add to your gift.
