“Toys that allow them to make-believe and be imaginative are key, as this is a growing interest in this age,” Justin Schreiber, DO, MPH, the Co-Chair of the School Health Committee and a member of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, tells Verywell Family. Safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to kids’ toys. Consider whether the toy contains any small pieces or button batteries to avoid a potentially dangerous situation. Additionally, look for age- and developmentally-appropriate toys to ensure your little one plays safely at their skill level. We carefully considered design, features, toy safety, batteries, developmental milestones, age recommendations, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best toys for 3-year-olds. Price at time of publication: Starting at $55 Price at time of publication: $58 Price at time of publication: $18 Price at time of publication: $20 Price at time of publication: $32 Price at time of publication: $140 Price at time of publication: $15 Price at time of publication: $37 Price at time of publication: $25 Our tester loved that her little ones instinctively practiced categorizing the Squigz by color as they played and noted that they were endlessly entertained by the satisfying pop each piece made when pulled off a wall or window. Price at time of publication: $27 Price at time of publication: $55 Price at time of publication: $29 The included projector toy showcases themed images to complete the fun. Choose from space or other themes that fit your kiddo’s interests. Price at time of publication: $55 Price at time of publication: $38 Price at time of publication: $40 Price at time of publication: $95 Price at time of publication: Starting at $16 Price at time of publication: $39 Price at time of publication: $279 Price at time of publication: $10 Price at time of publication: $40 Price at time of publication: $28 Price at time of publication: $13 Price at time of publication: $156 Price at time of publication: $89 Price at time of publication: $18 Price at time of publication: $38 Price at time of publication: $11 Price at time of publication: $28 Price at time of publication: $43 Price at time of publication: $18 Price at time of publication: $40 Price at time of publication: $78 Price at time of publication: $100 Price at time of publication: $25 for Pack of 3 Price at time of publication: $100 Price at time of publication: $26 Price at time of publication: $22 Price at time of publication: $40 Price at time of publication: $25 Price at time of publication: $145 Price at time of publication: $98 We also spoke to Justin Schreiber, DO, MPH, Co-Chair of the School Health Committee and Member of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and reviewed guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on developmental milestones. We chose age- and developmentally-appropriate toys for 3-year-olds that are easy to use and sure to entertain for hours.
What to Look for When Shopping for Toys for 3-Year-Olds
Toy Safety
Toys are meant to be fun, but safety should always come first. Be sure to opt for toys that are bigger than your child’s mouth and don’t contain any small pieces, since they can pose a choking hazard. Additionally, steer clear of toys with small button batteries and high-powered magnets to prevent your child from potentially swallowing them. Toys should be well-made and sturdy to provide a safe play experience.
Age Recommendations
It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s age recommendations for a few reasons, with safety being the top priority. Some toys contain small pieces that are not safe for 3-year-olds to play with due to a choking hazard. You also don’t want a toy that’s too difficult for your little one to understand or play with, so opt for a toy that matches your child’s development level. This will ensure your child plays safely and at their own skill level.
Developmental Milestones
As with any age, milestones are very important for 3-year-olds, and toys are a great way to help support kids as they work to reach and master these skills. For example, support a 3-year-old’s gross motor skills development with a bike, such as the Huffy 12 in. Rock It Kids Bike. “In terms of gross motor skills, they should start to be able to pedal,” says Dr. Schreiber, adding, “starting to think about a tricycle or pedal bike with training wheels might be a good option.” As for fine motor skill development, Dr. Schreiber suggests “encouraging coloring and drawing with crayons and colored pencils,” such as the Shuttle Art Washable Gel Crayons. This will not only help strengthen their fine motor skills but also help them as they learn how to draw and write with control.
Imaginative Play
The more toys you can find that offer opportunities for imaginative play, the better. “Pretending is…a very important area of growth” for 3-year-olds, explains Dr. Schreiber. “Toys that allow them to make-believe and be imaginative are key, as this is a growing interest in this age.” Some examples of good imaginative play toys include dress-up accessories and costumes, like the Melissa & Doug Doctor Role Play Costume, dolls, or miniature versions of things you use every day, such as the Step2 Timeless Trends Play Kitchen. “Playhouses or kitchens are a lot of fun [for 3-year-olds],” says Dr. Schreiber. Additionally, he suggests looking for toys and games that allow them to play pretend with someone else, like a friend or parent, as kids start moving away from parallel play and into collaborative play around this age.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, 6-year-old son, and 2-year-old daughter. In her house, a scooter and a personalized cape are an official sign of being 3 years old (and of course, they must be used together). Additional reporting by Ashley Ziegler and Katrina Cossey. Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer for Verywell Family with nearly eight years of experience under her belt. Katrina’s background in journalism began at an Emmy Award-winning news station in Oklahoma before she obtained her B.A. in professional media. Her love for service journalism, helping others, and becoming a parent led to her commerce writing role, which allows her to research and recommend the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages. Ashley Ziegler is a lifestyle writer specializing in motherhood, family health, and consumer products. She has written for Romper, Femestella.com, InspireMore, Moms.com, Introvert Dear, This Is My Brave, and various other publications. As a lifestyle writer, Ashley publishes content on everything lifestyle, from home, family, and kids, to fashion and beauty.
More Toys and Gifts for Kids
When it comes to toys and gifts for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top gift and toy picks for every age and stage here:
The Best Christmas Gifts for Kids The Best Newborn Baby Gifts The Best Unique Baby Gifts The Best Baby Gifts The Best Gifts for Baby Girls The Best Baby Boy Gifts The Best Infant Toys The Best Gifts for 2-Month-Olds The Best Gifts for 3-Month Olds The Best Toys for 4-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 5-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 6-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 7-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 8-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 9-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 10-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 12-Month-Olds The Best Gifts for 1-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 15-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 18-Month-Olds The Best Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 2-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 3-Year-Old Girls The Best Toys for 3-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 4-Year-Old Girls The Best Toys for 4-Year-Old Boys The Best Educational Toys for 4-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 5-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Girls The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 6-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 6-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 6-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 7-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 7-Year-Old Girls The Best Toys for 7-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 8-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 8-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 9-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 10-year-Olds The Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Girls The Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 12-year-old Boys The Best Gifts for Teens The Best Gifts for 14-Year-Old Boys The Black-Owned Gift Guide
