Great Gifts For 3 Year Olds

This post was written by Chelsea on October 21, 2009
Posted Under: Gear

Snow White and her Knight in Shining Armor

Snow White and her Knight in Shining Armor

And the imagination has arrived! I’ve been so excited to get to this age. Granted, “they” don’t tell you how much more challenging the three’s can be over the two’s, but with those periodic tantrums that can give you a run for your money, comes a newfound inventiveness and a whole lot of fun. Boost brain power with gifts that encourage imaginative play and spread your horizens now that you’ve survived the “not safe for children under 3″ years. Let the creativity begin!

Dress ‘em Up
Three year olds love to become someone else. Yes, I also swore never to put my daughter in a princess gown, but once you see how much fun they have while doing so, you soon will likely cave, too. There are plenty of outfits to choose from in the princess arena and knights, pirates, train conductors and more, too. Either hit up Target or check out the vast discounted selection from Amazon by clicking here. prices vary

31gFPDjK6HL._SL500_AA280_Watch ‘em Light Up
My 3 year old has an obsession with flashlights, so when I came across this Sprig Toys Baja Scout Dune Buggy with the figure whose hat lights up, I went so bazerk they asked me to leave their booth at the ABC Kids Expo (kidding… kind of…). Oh, and for green fanatics, this is made of wood chips and reclaimed plastic and is battery free! Kids pump the car with their hands by pushing down on the back and then it takes off. The light on the hat works through USB — I grilled them and they assured me this was safe. Comes in a girl version, too. Get revved up yourself by clicking here. $27

d0386a43e0538faa407c56833d8e8cda A Gift to Save
Love this piggy bank series from Child to Cherish, including the turtle in the photo and the lady bug version. The package it comes in has holes in it so your child can use it as a bug keeper, too. Have I ever told you I’m a sucker for creative packaging? The li’l one can save money and critters all in one. Collect your own by clicking here. $20.99

IMG_4731Stir it Up
Every Tuesday and Thursday my 3 year old and I have about an hour or two to fill while the baby sleeps and we eagerly await the return of our Kindergartener. Because we live so close to school, we’ve started the habit of baking for our friends — particularly Breezy Mama Elizabeth and her twin boys and four year old daughter — who stop in for fresh muffins that my son and I bake. yhst-31402111857155_2035_640947As I previously have talked about in Things to Do For Free, I am NOT a chef. But with a simple add water, eggs and substitute apple sauce to a mix — everybody wins. To encourage the win-win all around, check out these uber cute baking kits for kids that comes with cookbook, measuring cups, kid’s apron, whisks, spatula, cookie turner, spreader, creamer, mixing bowl, cookie sheet, springform pan and sand timer. Get cookin’ by clicking here. $35.99

img100m Cash In
When my daughter turned three, she loved the older version of this Pottery Barn cash register. Now, my son, daughter and even toddler continue to play with it. I often hear exchanges of currency going on while it “dings” and milk is purchased. Speaking of which, get yours by clicking here. $59

Need more great gifts? Check out Tiny Dimples — click here!


Princess Costumes

GIFT GUIDE SERIES:

green_elephantbreezy_deal1 Quick Contest! Type in a comment on this post and be entered to win a Child to Cherish elephant piggy bank as seen in the photo! Contest ends at midnight tonight and I will notify the winner by email in the morning — leave your comment. NOTE: Contest has ended, but feel free to leave a comment!

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Reader Comments

What great ideas! I have a dress up trunk for my little one that she absolutely LOVES! Forgot about a cash register…that one will be going on Santa’s list! And I think the dune buggy is going to make a GREAT Xmas gift for a friend of ours, son :) Thank you for sharing!

#1 
Written By Angela on October 21st, 2009 @ 8:39 am

We love the site!! Hoping to win a new piggy to hold our shopping money!!!!

#2 
Written By Dana on October 21st, 2009 @ 9:01 am

Some cute ideas Chelsea! I wish I was your neighbor. You know I would be stopping in on T/Th for yummy baked goods. :-)

#3 
Written By Rebecca on October 21st, 2009 @ 9:14 am

Thanks for the great suggestions. Adding a couple of those to my Christmas shopping list!

#4 
Written By Michelle on October 21st, 2009 @ 9:35 am

What a nice article! And what a cute piggy bank! we want it!!!!!!!!! :)

#5 
Written By Rosalva Silva on October 21st, 2009 @ 9:45 am

I love the childrens bakers set… such a great idea to keep the little ones busy and helping out in the kitchen! And the register is great for pretend time and teaching children the value of a dollar at a early age… Thumbs up on the great ideas :)

#6 
Written By Kayla on October 21st, 2009 @ 9:56 am

Thanks for the ideas! My soon-to-be three year old daughter would love some of these for Christmas. And I might just steal your muffin idea while we wait for big sister to get home from school some days, too!

#7 
Written By Ashley on October 21st, 2009 @ 10:02 am

I love all of your ideas. I actually plan on baking cupcakes this afternoon with the kiddies in between homework. Its going to give them something to look forward to!

Twincere(at)gmail(dot)com

#8 
Written By Tanya W. on October 21st, 2009 @ 10:02 am

Thanks for writing about our Dune Buggy. We appreciate being included with so many other great products.

#9 
Written By David M./Sprig Toys on October 21st, 2009 @ 10:15 am

Great ideas, Id love to get my daughter the baking set. I love baking and it would be a joyful thing to do with my daughter.

#10 
Written By Tina on October 21st, 2009 @ 10:28 am

My kids loved to dress up at Age 3.

#11 
Written By Adam Wills on October 21st, 2009 @ 10:50 am

Perfect timing! I have a 3 year old’s birthday party this weekend and needed some ideas. :) Cute stuff!

#12 
Written By Mari B. on October 21st, 2009 @ 10:59 am

Kids LOVE cash registers! It’s always the biggest hit when given as a gift. Unfortunately you end up going through a lot of them because they get used up quick!

#13 
Written By Tina R on October 21st, 2009 @ 11:11 am

Childrens Orchard’s Halloween Sale is a great time to stock up on dress-up clothes. I purchased cowboy boots, hats, capes and more for my preschool and homes’ dress-up corners.
2 and 3 are my absolute favorite ages!!! They are becoming little people and the things they begin to notice and share are just precious!

#14 
Written By Sara on October 21st, 2009 @ 11:14 am

My 3 year old (all Boy) loves to put on his Spaceman suit that we found at a rummage sale for $0.25. I am not sure what he is more proud of the rummage sale find or the suit. Dress up is the best. Keep an eye out for the best Superman ever this Halloween.

#15 
Written By Rachel on October 21st, 2009 @ 12:04 pm

i used to love playing with cash registers when i was little! i used to have a real one :)

#16 
Written By christy on October 21st, 2009 @ 12:51 pm

I believe that I should be able to win the piggy bank because I have been at home for three days with a feverish four year old and her brother with no cell phone : )

#17 
Written By Joanna on October 21st, 2009 @ 2:01 pm

Thanks for the great tips! My 3 year-old loves to dress up, too!

#18 
Written By Lena Kubota on October 21st, 2009 @ 3:44 pm

3 years old is such a fun age!

#19 
Written By kate on October 21st, 2009 @ 4:17 pm

My boys love playing with a game called Zingo. Both my 3 year old and 5 year old love it. It is a game we can all play together and doesn’t involve moving around a board (hard for a 3 year old!)

#20 
Written By Chrissy Bachman on October 21st, 2009 @ 5:02 pm

Love all the comments! Thank you everyone! And a big congrats to Angela!

#21 
Written By Chelsea on October 22nd, 2009 @ 7:40 am

A great place to buy the non Disney dress up is usually Costco around the holidays. My in-laws bought my princess crazed 3 yr old a trunk containing 5 dresses for Christmas last year for like $30 and it is still the greatest thing ever. Yes they eventually start to tatter but they are used every day by her and her friends!

#22 
Written By Linnea Holmes on October 22nd, 2009 @ 7:44 am

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