Finding the right gift for a 3-year-old is a delightful task. Full of discovery and blossoming independence, three-year-olds learn about their worldthrough play, often reimagining their experiences, such as playing doctor after a visit to their pediatrician or pretending to be a firefighter. They are also developing cognitively, and by age 3, many children can complete simple puzzles or build towers from blocks.1 That means the world of early toys and games is open to them, and there are many gifts that will make their day.
When buying a gift for a 3-year-old, look for hands-on toys that let them act out real-life scenarios. They may enjoy pushing a baby doll in a toy stroller or serving pretend ice cream in a play kitchen. Dress-up toys also go over quite well, whether they are real-life costumes like a construction worker or fantasy-based characters like Elsa from Frozen. Because 3-year-olds are beginning to move from parallel play to cooperative play, look for toys that will be equally fun played alone or with other children.
When reviewing gifts for 3-year-olds, we considered versatility, developmental milestones, design, safety, and ease of cleaning. We also looked for gifts well suited to a 3-year-old’s interests, such as dramatic play, outdoor activities, and huggable animal friends.
Based on our reviews, these are the best gifts for 3-year-old girls on the market today.