Raising Kids The Best Toys for 3-Year-Olds Inspire Imaginative Play From building blocks to baby dolls, these toys inspire imaginative play and more By Maya Polton Maya Polton LinkedIn Maya has more than 15 years of experience in digital media and communications and specializes in writing about family, food, and lifestyles. Learn about our editorial process and Ashley Ziegler Ashley Ziegler LinkedIn Ashley Ziegler is a lifestyle writer specializing in motherhood, family health, and consumer products. She has written for Romper, Moms.com, and more. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 13, 2022 Fact checked Verywell Family content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Emily Swaim Fact checked by Emily Swaim LinkedIn Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. On the brink of getting ready to start preschool, 3 year olds are really fun to shop for when it comes to finding the right gift. Whether it’s for a birthday, holiday, or a just because celebration, most 3 year olds will have just as much fun unwrapping the gift as they will receiving it. Reviewed & Approved The Kindi Kids Fun Time Friends is a sturdy doll sized just right for younger kids that comes with removable clothes and shoes, brushable hair, and accessories. If you want to splurge, we recommend the Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Building Blocks. "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, Co-Chair of the School Health Committee and Member of the PA Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, tells Verywell Family. The best toys for 3-year-olds are age-appropriate, easy to play with, and fun. We carefully considered design, material, ease of cleaning, value, and toy safety when reviewing products. Use this guide to find the right gift for your budget, lifestyle, and lucky 3-year-old in your life. Our Top Picks Kindi Kids Fun Time Friends at Amazon Bluey Plush Two-Pack at Amazon Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Building Blocks at Amazon Step2 Timeless Trends Play Kitchen at Amazon John Deere Big Scoop Dump Truck at Amazon Kid Connection Baby Doll Stroller Set at Walmart Fat Brain Toys Waddle Bobbers Bath Toy at Amazon Kido Magnatab at Amazon Point Games Googly Tower Stacking Game at Amazon USA Toyz Pop Up Kidz Tent at Amazon In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look for Why Trust Verywell Family? Kindi Kids Fun Time Friends Courtesy of Kindi Kids View On Amazon View On Walmart The Kindi Kids Fun Time Friends ranks high on our list because this oversized doll is fun, stylish, and makes for a lot of fun for pretend play. The sturdy doll is sized just right for younger kids and can withstand some rough and tumble play. Each doll comes with removable clothes and shoes, brushable hair, and accessories. Bluey Plush Two-Pack Courtesy of Bluey View On Amazon If your kiddo is obsessed with the little blue dog from the outback, it is a no-brainer that they will appreciate this set. Cuddly and soft, your Bluey fan will love their very own plush two-pack. The 8-inch Bluey and Bingo dolls are perfectly plush, ideal for snuggles, story time, or pretend play. Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Building Blocks Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Barnesandnoble.com Just like magic, these soft foam blocks contain magnets, so they click together. Young builders will love the open-ended possibilities that these STEM toys provide. The foam is safe in the bath, so the fun can go anywhere your kiddo goes. What Our Editors Say "Some toys that are designed to be played in and out of water actually end up falling apart from being submerged. These blocks are made from a very lightweight foam-like material that dries quickly so they don't disintegrate over time. My son played with these in and out of the water and the magnetic pieces worked and the foam is still holding up" - Latifah Miles, Commerce Editor Verywell Family Step2 Timeless Trends Play Kitchen Courtesy of Step2 View On Amazon View On Walmart A splurge-worthy gift that’ll get tons of use, this play kitchen has a neutral design and multiple kitchen stations. There’s room enough for a few kids to parallel play and plenty to do for solo fun as well. The set comes with decals for your kiddo to spruce up the design and 18 kitchen accessories to add to the pretend play. The 11 Best Play Kitchens of 2022 John Deere Big Scoop Dump Truck Courtesy of John Deere View On Amazon View On Walmart Get rolling in the backyard, sandbox, or playroom with this oversized dump truck that’s sure to keep little kids very busy. Free rolling wheels and the fully functional dumping action are fun indoors or out. Parents praise the well-made truck as long-lasting and tons of fun. The Best Swing Sets to Bring the Park to Your Backyard Kid Connection Baby Doll Stroller Set 4.5 Courtesy of Walmart View On Walmart Perfect for soon-to-be older siblings or those that love to care for their dolls, this gift will encourage pretend play. This kid-sized set comes with a baby doll, stroller, outfit, bottle, and more. The 14 Best Gifts for New Big Sisters of 2022 Fat Brain Toys Waddle Bobbers Bath Toy Courtesy of Fat Brain Toys View On Amazon View On Fatbraintoys.com Penguin party in the tub! These weighted penguin toys spin, wobble, and float in the tub. The set comes with six penguins, a slide, and an iceberg. Fully sealed, water will never get inside the award-winning bath toys. The Best Bath Toys That Kids Will Love Kido Magnatab Courtesy of Kido View On Amazon View On Maisonette.com Get a jump start on early writing and letter identification with this genius magnetic toy that features the full upper case alphabet. The built-in stylus pen pulls up the magnetic beads as kids are encouraged to follow the arrows and trace the letters. The 9 Best Toys for Learning Letters and Numbers Point Games Googly Tower Stacking Game Courtesy of Point Games View On Amazon Fun and face-paced, this easy-to-learn game can be played with friends or alone. The stacking challenge helps young kids build hand-eye coordination along with the concept of gameplay and taking turns. USA Toyz Pop Up Kidz Tent Courtesy of USA Toyz View On Amazon Give young kids their very own private play space, even in the middle of the house. This easy-to-assemble pop-up tent has a tie-back flap door, mesh widows, carrying case, and can fit up to three kids. The included projector toy showcases themed images to complete the fun. Choose from space or other themes that fit your kiddo’s interests. Melissa & Doug Doctor Role Play Costume Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart We all know how helpful doctors are, so it’s no wonder if your child wants to dress up like one. This kid-sized, well-made doctor costume comes with a jacket, mask, and essential doctor tools. Micro Kickboard Mini Deluxe 3 Scooter Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Your mini-me will love to get rolling on this super popular three-wheeled scooter. Perfect for little kids, the adjustable and lightweight scooter helps kids master balance and movement while making sure they're safe on a wide and stable base. The 9 Best Scooters for Kids of 2022 WoodilyToys Wooden Name Puzzle Courtesy of Etsy View On Etsy A lovely gift, especially for kids with unique names, this all-wood puzzle will help kids with letter recognition and hand-eye coordination. Choose from a wide variety of color and style options for a one-of-a-kind present. The 8 Best Puzzles for Kids of 2022 LEGO DUPLO Town Airport Set Courtesy of LEGO View On Amazon View On Walmart Jumbo-sized for the preschool-aged crew, this DUPLO set includes 20+ pieces that’ll turn into an airport, plane, and characters. Use this toy to build excitement and ease worry for any first-time flyers. The 4 Best Lego Subscription Boxes of 2022 Melissa & Doug Froggy Kickball Courtesy of Melissa & Doug View On Amazon View On Kohls.com Give a young kid their very own oversized kickball and watch how much fun they’ll have. Decorated with a cute frog, this ball is perfect to kick, bounce, throw, roll, and play with. Power Wheels Dune Racer Courtesy of Power Wheels View On Walmart Wow your kiddo with their very own dune racer vehicle. With room for two (weight maximum is 130 pounds), the dune buggy drives forward at either 2.5 or 5 miles per hour (parent-controlled) and in reverse at 2.5 miles per hour. The 9 Best Ride-On Toys of 2022 First 100 Stickers: Animals: Over 500 Stickers View On Amazon Kids will love learning about animals, building vocabulary, and focus on hand-eye coordination as they are challenged to find matching stickers and place them in the correct spot. With 100 animals and over 500 stickers, this book is sure to be well-loved. Jellycat Fuddlewuddle Elephant Plush Courtesy of Jellycat View On Thepaperstore.com Cozy up to Jellycat’s incredibly soft stuffed elephant. Machine washable, this stuffy is sure to be well-loved, but if elephants aren’t your thing, pick from Jellycat’s wide array of super soft stuffies. Little Likes Kids Joyful Carousel Jumbo Puzzle Courtesy of Little Likes Kids View On Amazon View On Potterybarnkids.com Not only is the artwork on this puzzle inspiring with its depiction of multicultural families, but the oversized pieces are sized just right for little hands. Fun alone or with a friend, a puzzle is a smart addition to the playroom. Final Verdict There are so many great toys out there for 3-year olds. For affordable options that are fun again and again, a Melissa & Doug Froggy Kickball (view at Amazon), Melissa & Doug Water Wow Book (view at Amazon), or Little Likes Kids puzzles (view at Amazon) are all great picks. If you’re looking for a splurge that’ll get lots of use alone or with a friend, a Step2 Play Kitchen (view at Amazon) or Micro Kickboard Scooter (view at Amazon) is always fun. What to Look for When Shopping for Toys for 3 Year Olds Imaginative Play The more toys you can find that offer opportunity for imaginative play, the better. In an interview with VeryWell Family, Justin Schreiber, DO, MPH, Co-Chair of the School Health Committee and Member of the PA Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, says “Pretending is…a very important area of growth” for 3-year-olds. “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/costumes, dolls, or miniature versions of things you use every day. “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. Motor Skill Development It’s important to support a 3-year-old’s gross and fine motor skill development, and one way to do that is through the toys they play with. “In terms of gross motor skills, they should start to be able to pedal,” says Dr. Schreiber, “starting to think about a tricycle or pedal bike with training wheels might be a good option.” Additionally, according to the CDC, by three years old kids are typically pretty strong climbers, so toys that allow them to safely climb will help them master the skill and strengthen their gross motor skills all the more. As for fine motor skill development, Dr. Schreiber suggests “encouraging coloring and drawing with crayons and colored pencils.” This will not only help strengthen their fine motor skills but also help them as they learn how to draw and write with control. Other ideas include Play-Doh, modeling clay, lacing toys, or anything else that has them making small movements with their hands and fingers. Milestones As with any age, milestones are still 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. Here are some milestones to be on the lookout for, as well as toys that can support them: Takes turns when playing games: The Point Games Googly Tower Stacking Game (view at Amazon) Learning how to dress and undress themselves, which Dr. Schreiber says can be supported with a doll with changeable clothes like the Kindi Kids Funtime Friends doll (view at Amazon) Collaborative play: Bluey Plush Toy Two-Pack (view at Amazon) 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. 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. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get expert tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 1 Source Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. CDC. What developmental milestones is your 3-year-old reaching? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.