Toys for Three-Year-Old Boys They Will Definitely Like

Is there a special little boy with a birthday on the horizon? Or perhaps you’re super organized and looking ahead to Christmas, wondering about the perfect gift? We can help you track down a present he’ll love! Below you’ll find a carefully curated list of the very best toys for 3-year-old boys, from fun games to active play toys, and everything in between.

Contents:

• What Type of Toys Do 3-Year-Olds Like to Play With?
• Best Choice: Cool and Popular Ideas
• Top Toys for Cognitive Development
• Learning and Educational Toys for 3-Year-Old Boys
• Toys for Motor Skills and Physical Activity
• Creative and Imaginative Play
• Social and Emotional Development Toys
• Travel Toys for a 3-Year-Old
• Bath Toys
• Car Toys for 3-Year-Old Boys
• Toy Buying Guide For 3-Year-Old Boys

What Type of Toys Do 3-Year-Olds Like to Play With?

Choosing a toy for a three-year-old can feel tricky. After all, they’re out of the baby and toddler phase, but are still very young. What’s the best gift to pick?

All children are, of course, different, with their own unique personalities and interests. In general, many kids of this age love toys that encourage active play, or that support creative activities, such as painting or dough modelling sets. Toys designed for imaginative play are also a great choice, like role-play sets or mini car garages, while interactive, educational toys are good for helping children learn to interact with the world and develop skills.

Best Choice: Cool and Popular Ideas

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Top Toys for Cognitive Development

At age three, boys are curious explorers who learn best through hands-on play. Toys in this category help boost problem-solving skills, concentration, and early logic while keeping kids engaged and entertained. They’re especially great for children who enjoy puzzles, stacking, and experimenting with cause-and-effect play.

Wooden Shape Sorter $8.49

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When it comes to Montessori toys, this wooden shape sorter is sure to be a hit. With 20 colorful, sturdy pieces, it’s designed to help kids develop fine motor skills, recognize different shapes and colors, and build spatial awareness. Your young child will enjoy the challenge of this puzzle and feel a sense of satisfaction when they stack all the pieces successfully.

Chunky Wooden Puzzles $24.98

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These popular, chunky wooden puzzles are good for helping children get started with number recognition and refining their hand-eye coordination. The pieces are made from durable, natural wood for longevity and are perfect for little hands to manipulate. Choose from one of four fun animal designs—or treat your little one to the complete set!

Montessori Wooden Stones for Stacking $23.99

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Looking for ideas for educational boy toys that’ll provide plenty of entertainment as well as opportunities for learning? If so, these brightly colored wooden stacking rocks could be the perfect option. The set comprises 39 blocks of different shapes, weights, and colors, offering kids an interactive stacking challenge that’ll help develop fine motor skills as well as coordination and patience.

Wooden Learning Blocks and Trolley $22.99

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An evergreen classic toy for a three-year-old, this lovely set of wooden blocks, complete with pull-along trolley, comprises 30 pieces. The side of each sturdy, durable block features different designs, including letters of the alphabet, symbols, shapes, animals, vegetables, and more. These blocks are great for pre-school children, with soft, rounded edges that are kind to kids’ skin.

Pound a Mole Game $20.99

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Help build your child’s hand-eye coordination, rhythm skills, and muscle strength with this super fun Pound a Mole game! The exciting arcade-style play features two modes and 27 challenge levels, and the sound effects, flashing moles, and scoreboard will delight young players. Kids can play solo or with family and friends, and parents have peace of mind knowing the toy is constructed from safe, durable materials.

Jumbo School Bus Floor Puzzle $16.99

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This bright and bold floor puzzle is made from 24 extra-thick, wipe-clean pieces which are tear-resistant. The design stimulates different parts of a child’s brain to improve observation, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, and grasping skills, while the cheerful, engaging picture will have kids wanting to complete the puzzle again and again.

Bluey Hide and Seek Game $11.99

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Kids’ favorite Bluey challenges little ones to press her nose to start the timer, and then find where she’s hidden! Once a player discovers her, they can press a button to activate “Dance Mode” and celebrate their win. Offering near-endless opportunities for imaginative play, this Hide and Seek Bluey game is sure to be a winner at parties, family gatherings, or during playdates.

Montessori Multi-Activity Toy $12.99

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You may be surprised at just how versatile this toy is and how many hours of entertainment it provides. The sturdy, movable components promote color matching, shape recognition, basic mathematics, and both creative and logical thinking via hands-on play. Designed to offer a challenging but satisfying play experience, the toy is also very easy to clean and disinfect.

Related: The Best Sensory Toys for Babies and Toddlers.

Learning and Educational Toys for 3-Year-Old Boys

Three is the perfect age to introduce early literacy, numbers, and critical thinking in fun, age-appropriate ways. Educational toys can spark curiosity and lay the foundation for future school success—all while feeling like play, not homework. These picks are best for kids who love letters, colors, and interactive games.

Matching Letter Game $14.44

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This matching letter game develops spelling and memory skills and builds strategic thinking and word recognition. Each card features a picture and its respective spelling, and there are two ways to play. Kids can either match the letter blocks to the letters they see on the card or cover the word on the card to see if they can remember the right letters and their order. The cards can also be used as flashcards, for even more ways to play.

Magnet Color and Counting Maze $12.99

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The best educational toys are so fun that kids aren’t even aware they’re learning! That’s certainly the case with this option, in which children must use the magnetic wand to move the little colored balls into the right “bucket.” As well as building color and matching skills, this maze game is great for developing concentration, focus, and fine motor skills.

Interactive Electronic Learning Pad $64.99

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Think Academy’s interactive electronic learning pad offers hours of screen-free fun, active learning, and a variety of game modes to challenge and entertain. The pad supports color and number recognition, early reading, math, and much more. With more than 70 themes and opportunities for graduated learning, expansion packs are available, meaning that this toy will continue to inspire.

LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Word Book $21.99

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The LeapFrog brand has been well known for its range of high-quality educational toys for many years, and this 100 Word Book is no exception. Kids will meet learning friends Tiger, Monkey, and Turtle who’ll introduce over 100 words in categories including pets, food, mealtimes, animals, colors, opposites, activities, and more. When your child touches the words on the page, they are said aloud, along with some fun sound effects and facts.

Electronic Alphabet Poster $13.89

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This educational toy is designed to help children learn the alphabet and numbers up to ten. Its games and music modes make for interactive fun, and it’s easy to use—kids just need to touch the letters and words to hear them spoken aloud. Parents will be pleased to know that it’s easy to wipe clean, and it automatically shuts off when not in use to preserve battery life.

Children’s Color Classification Toy $12.49

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The cute little bears make matching, sorting, and counting lots of fun. The set comes with 48 differently colored bears, 2 grabbers, 6 colorful sorting bowls, and a handy storage box, and can even be used to help kids get to grips with early math operations such as addition and subtraction. There are many different ways that children can match and sort, and the activity promotes sensory development, hand-eye coordination, and the ability to distinguish shapes, colors, and objects.

GeoSafari Jr Talking Kids’ Microscope $35.00

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This kids’ microscope will spark curiosity and discovery and features the voice of Wildlife Warrior Bindi Irwin, who will teach kids plenty of fascinating facts about the natural world. A real scientific toy, the set includes 60 full-color images on 20 pre-prepared slides, and two modes, Fact Mode and Quiz Mode.

Winblo Busy Board $22.99

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This busy board features five themed pages and 26 age-appropriate activities. The sensory boards are designed to reflect real-world situations and build practical life skills, while the felt cloth is soft on little ones’ skin. With its lightweight design and handle, the busy board is easy to take anywhere, meaning kids can stay entertained on a car journey or while away from home.

Toys for Motor Skills and Physical Activity

Three-year-olds have boundless energy, and active toys are essential to help them build balance, coordination, and strength. From ride-ons to outdoor games, these toys encourage movement and healthy habits while providing a fun way to burn off energy. They’re ideal for kids who love to climb, run, and play outside.

Little Tikes Ride-On Tractor and Cart $64.99

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Boys of this age will enjoy this ride-on tractor and cart set with its working steering wheel and horn, comfortable seating, and foot-to-floor design. Kids can load up the detachable cart and give their favorite toys a ride. Good news for mom and dad: it’s super easy to assemble, and great for developing large motor skills.

Sand Digger and Excavator Ride-On $34.99

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Treat your special 3-year-old to the ultimate ride-on toy: this fun sand digger and excavator, which is easy to control and perfect for outdoor settings. It’s weather-resistant, highly durable, and stable, with a rotating boom and seat to improve hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity, and rubber grips to ensure a comfortable play experience.

Arcade Basketball Set $39.99

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This arcade-style basketball set is height-adjustable, so it can grow with your child to provide years of entertainment. As well as the frame and hoop, the set comes with four inflatable balls and an air pump, and it’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, making it a great way to tempt kids away from the screen and get them active.

Toss and Catch Ballgame $28.49

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With its four paddles, four sticky balls, and travel bag, this game is ideal to play in the backyard, at the beach, or at the park. Each paddle is easy to put on and has adjustable straps, so the whole family can join in the fun! The game encourages kids to be outside and active, and is effective for developing hand-eye coordination and teamwork skills.

My First Pogo Jumper $12.99

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What kid can resist a pogo stick? This great gift option comes in a range of colors, and children will laugh at the funny squeaky sound the pogo makes each time they land. Highly durable, it’s a great way to get kids off their screens and moving while building coordination and balance.

Franklin Sports Grow-with-Me Baseball Batting Tee and Stand $24.98

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If you’re looking for an active toy for a 3-year-old, this baseball tee and stand should make it onto your list. For very young players, the ball can be suspended from 18 to 22 inches from the ground, and adjusted as they grow in age and ability. As well as the tee and stand, the set comes with a plastic bat and four baseballs with self-stick covers, meaning kids can get started having fun straight away.

Backyard Arcade Game $35.99

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This easy-to-set-up outdoor two-in-one game turns your backyard into an arcade! The two-sided board can be easily flipped to switch between games; choose between bean-bag toss or pinball. The fold-up design means you’re ready to play within seconds, and the storage bag makes it easy to transport and store.

Stomp Rocket Jr $27.99

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Give your 3-year-old a birthday or Christmas to remember with this popular toy! Kids can take turns launching their rockets by stomping (or jumping) on the launch pad, then watch them soar up to 100 feet into the sky. The set comprises 8 differently colored rockets, a launch pad, a launch stand, and an air hose, and is extremely easy to assemble—no batteries or cords necessary.

Creative and Imaginative Play

Pretend play flourishes at age three, helping kids explore emotions, build language skills, and stretch their imaginations. Toys in this category encourage storytelling, role play, and self-expression, making them a wonderful choice for little creators and daydreamers.

Barbecue Grill Playset $35.99

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Three-year-olds love toys that fuel their imaginations, and this barbecue grill playset is a great example. It comes with 35 pieces, including a playset with a closable canopy, a range of cooking tools and pretend food, and even features realistic sizzle sounds and smoke effects. Children will enjoy “cooking” while mom or dad takes care of the real barbecue, and get a kick out of making delicious “meals” for their family, friends, and toys.

LCD Drawing Board $9.99

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This LCD drawing board is a great gift to encourage imaginative play, and can be used for doodling, writing, and even to play games in a range of vibrant colors. Best of all, when kids are ready, they can just press the erase button and the screen magically clears, ready for the next creative adventure. The board’s batteries are replaceable, and the device emits no blue light, meaning it won’t cause eye strain.

Water Wow Multi-Activity Drawing Set—Around Town $10.39

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Perfect for creative play on the go, Melissa and Doug’s Water Wow set features pages that come to life when wet. Children can use the special water pen to reveal hidden pictures, and then the magnifying glass to explore even more. The set is designed to be easily used by little hands, and its spiral-bound pages make it perfect for travel. Once the pages are dry, the pictures disappear, ready to be revealed again.

Dual Lens Digital Camera for Kids $19.78

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This kid-friendly digital camera has a cute dinosaur design and a host of features that kids will love. As well as taking high-quality photos, children can use it to listen to music, add stickers, and even play games. The rechargeable battery provides hours of photo-taking fun and comes with a pre-installed memory card, while the silicone casing protects the device if it’s dropped.

Harry Potter Magical Creatures Collection $Various

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Many young children love Harry Potter—if you’ve got a serious little fan on your hands, then you may want to consider a really special gift from the Harry Potter Magical Creature Collection. These beautiful figures are officially licensed and come with their own display case. You probably won’t want to let your little one play with these beasties, but as a decoration to enjoy and, potentially, a future collectible, they could be worth considering.

Play-Doh Fun Tub Set $16.99

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As a parent, you probably have happy memories of playing with Play-Doh yourself—and the toy remains hugely popular with kids today. Introduce your little one to the world of dough modelling with this set, which includes five tubs of differently colored Play-Doh, 12 animal and shape cutters, seven accessories, and a reusable container.

Little Tikes Story Dream Machine Starter Set $49.49

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The Story Dream Machine brings storytime to life, allowing kids to listen, watch, and read along to and with stories such as The Saggy, Baggy Elephant and The Poky Little Puppy. It’s great for developing word recognition and early reading skills, as children listen to the narrator read the story and see the words projected. As an added bonus, the device doubles as a white noise machine and nightlight, to help kids fall into a relaxed, peaceful sleep after all their daytime adventures.

Sensory Bin: Construction Zone $23.95

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Sensory bins are great ways to develop and nurture children’s senses, and get them engaged in creative, imaginative play. This option comes with a reusable storage container, 2.5 lbs of sensory sand, various tools, signs, cones, vehicles, and pebbles. Once the fun is done, just pop on the lid for easy tidy-up and storage.

Looking for gift ideas for little girls? Check out our guide to the Best Toys for 3-Year-Old Girls—packed with recommendations for imaginative, educational, and fun play.

Social and Emotional Development Toys

At this age, boys are just beginning to understand feelings—both their own and those of others. Social-emotional toys can gently guide kids toward empathy, resilience, and communication skills, while also making tricky concepts fun and approachable. Perfect for families who want playtime to support emotional growth.

Who’s Feeling What? Game $14.99

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Who’s Feeling What? is a social-emotional learning game where kids match the faces and expressions to the feelings. Making for a fun way to talk about feelings and inspire wider discussions, the game incorporates 12 double-sided emotion prompt cards and 12 double-sided caller cards, meaning it’s never the same activity twice. The game is a good way to help kids develop their social-emotional skills and become school-ready.

Dentist Pretend Play-Set $15.99

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This play-set comprises everything your 3-year-old needs to pretend to be a dentist, including a costume, a range of tools, a storage bag, and a set of model teeth. As well as being a great opportunity for role play, this set can help young children who are nervous about visiting the dentist’s office feel a little more confident.

Exploding Emotions Game $24.99

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Exploding Emotions features 140 scenarios with cards explaining emotions (and what they may look like) in a crystal clear fashion. The game and cards are really useful to help children better recognize and understand feelings, while the handbook covers subjects including perspective, empathy, social skills, expression recognition, and problem-solving. Further, there are 40 coping cards included, offering practical advice to help kids manage a variety of situations.

Play Books: Becoming Resilient 4-Book Set $39.96

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Covering life skills such as compromise, making friends, respect, and acceptance, this lovely set of books aims to give kids coping mechanisms that will be useful in a variety of scenarios. Fostering resilience and emotional intelligence, each book encourages children to overcome obstacles and anxiety and try new things.

Hand2Mind Social-Emotional Task Cards $24.99

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This set of 64 colorful cards aims to guide children through their feelings and emotions and promotes problem-solving, empathy, and self-expression. As well as building emotional resilience, the task cards are designed to spark conversation around navigating big feelings.

Know Your Emotions Book Set $31.80

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Identifying and understanding different emotions can be challenging for children. This set of four beautiful books with large photo illustrations covers a range of emotions (including anger, happiness, fear, and sadness) and real-life scenarios and encourages discussions around experiences and feelings.

Express Your Feelings Sensory Bottles $19.99

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This set of four sensory bottles represents the four primary emotions: happiness, sadness, fear, and anger. Each has its own color and facial expression, and the idea is that kids can choose the one that best reflects what they’re feeling and swirl, shake, and rotate the bottle to help them regulate their emotions. The bottles are handy to keep on hand, and can be a simple but effective tool to help children identify, talk about, and manage their feelings.

Calming Moments Projector $33.68

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Choose this versatile projector as a gift that’ll help your 3-year-old wind down, relax, and let go of anxiety. The calming scenes can be used alongside a mindfulness or yoga activity, and the device also features a range of breathing patterns to further promote peace. The glowing nightlight cycles through a range of hues, and its adjustable timer makes it suitable for any bedtime routine.

Travel Toys for a 3-Year-Old

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Looking for more inspiration? How about these travel toys, perfect for a 3-year-old on the go!

1. Magnetic Travel Fishing Game — $14.99. A compact fishing game with magnetic rods and fish, great for keeping little hands busy and building coordination on the go.
2. Magna-Tiles Travel Construction Set — $19.97. Portable magnetic tiles that let kids build mini structures anywhere, encouraging creativity and problem-solving during trips.
3. Busy Board Magnetic Maze Game — $15.99. A lightweight board with magnetic tracks and pieces to move, designed to strengthen fine motor skills and focus.
4. Magnetic Take-Along Jigsaw Puzzles — $11.99. Easy-to-carry puzzle boards with magnetic pieces that won’t get lost, making them ideal for cars, planes, or restaurants.
5. Robot Sensory Travel Toys — $8.99. Small fidget-style robots with moving parts that help kids self-soothe and stay entertained during long journeys.
6. Eye Found It! Hidden Picture Card Game — $8.49. A fast-paced search-and-find card game that builds observation skills while offering fun, interactive family play.
7. Aqua Rings Handheld Water Game — $14.99. A retro-style water ring toss game that kids can play over and over, no batteries required—just endless screen-free fun.

While you’re planning for your next outing, don’t forget about safety, too. The Findmykids app can help you keep track of your child’s location in real time, so you can relax knowing they’re safe whether you’re at the airport, on the road, or exploring somewhere new.

Bath Toys

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Bath toys are always a winner for 3-year-olds. And even better, they may even make bath time a more pleasant experience for reluctant customers!

1. Squigz Suction Bath Toys — $32.95. Colorful silicone pieces that stick to each other and to smooth surfaces, perfect for creative building during bath time.
2. Tub Works Construction Trucks Bath Toys — $13.99. Mini construction vehicles designed for water play, letting kids scoop, pour, and dig while in the tub.
3. Nuby Wacky Waterworks Pipe Bath Toy — $11.97. A fun pipe system with spinners and valves that kids can rearrange, teaching cause and effect while water flows through.
4. Light-Up Floating Dinosaur Bath Toys — $14.99. Cute floating dinos that glow when they hit the water, adding a magical touch to bath time.
5. Mold-Free Bathtub Boats — $9.99. Simple, durable boats that float and pour, designed to dry fully to prevent mold and mildew.
6. Lighthouse Bathtub Playset — $25.99. A stacking lighthouse that floats and pours water, combining construction fun with sensory water play.
7. Floating Airport Set in Gift Box— $29.99. Foam blocks that float and stick together when wet, so kids can build their own buildings in the tub.

Car Toys for 3-Year-Old Boys

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And last but not least, a selection of car toys sure to be a hit with your little one.

1. Light-Up Monster Truck Toys — $14.99. Sturdy monster trucks with flashing lights and oversized wheels are great for rough-and-tumble play.
2. Tuko Cargo Aircraft and Cars Toy Set — $19.99. A big cargo plane that opens to carry mini cars, offering both pretend flight and driving play.
3. Emergency Vehicles Toy Playset — $39.99. Includes police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances—perfect for role play and teaching about community helpers.
4. Racetrack Transport Vehicles and Cars Set — $34.99. A large transport truck that unfolds into a racetrack, so kids can race cars straight out of the carrier.
5. Dinosaur Pull-Back Cars — $9.99. Fun dinosaur-themed cars that zoom forward when pulled back, combining two favorites—dinosaurs and racing.
6. Shark Track Rescue — $29.99. An exciting race track with a giant shark obstacle, adding action and surprise to car play.
7. Wooden Car Loader with Crane Playset — $17.49. A classic wooden truck with a working crane for loading and unloading cars, designed for imaginative and hands-on play.

Toy Buying Guide For 3-Year-Old Boys

With so many options out there, choosing a great gift for a 3-year-old boy can seem like a daunting task. However, bearing a few key things in mind will make it much easier.

1. Start by considering your little one’s unique personality, interests, and abilities. Not all kids develop at the same rate or like the same things, so always make a selection with this in mind. Perhaps there’s something they’ve recently become interested in, such as puzzles, dinosaurs, or painting.
2. Always look for toys and activities that are age-appropriate. As well as helping ensure the toy will match their abilities and not cause frustration, this is also important to make sure it’s safe for your 3-year-old to play with.
3. It’s also a good idea to check out a wide range of online reviews from parents to find out more about the quality of the toy and other kids’ experiences of playing with it.

Finding the Perfect Toy for Your Special 3-Year-Old

Use our guide above to easily choose the very best toy for a three-year-old boy, whether you’re looking for a Christmas gift, a birthday present, or simply a treat. Many of the ideas we’ve listed above will provide hours—if not years—of entertainment for your child, guaranteeing plenty of fun and laughter both today and in the future