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The Best Toys for 3-Year-Olds in 2023

Tiffany Smith
  Sep 29, 2023 6:41 AM

If you're looking for the Best Toys For 3-year-olds, you're going to the right place. Here we recommend you top 30 best-selling products in 2023. With the support of detailed descriptions of each product, we hope that you can choose the right one for you and your baby.


Overview

At age 3, children enter a new world of pretend and imaginary play, and the selection of toys to inspire play for them is virtually endless. If you're shopping for a holiday gift for a 3-year-old, consider this toy list we've narrowed down after speaking with two toy experts and a developmental psychologist.

All of our experts stress the importance of considering 3-year-olds' preferences when buying toys for them, whether it's their favorite activity, TV show, or animal. If there is an attractive toy that you know they will enjoy, we recommend buying it immediately to avoid price increases and possible shortages due to supply chain issues.

With expert advice and our own research and testing, we've compiled the best toys for 3-year-olds. From activity toys to art projects and everything in between, we've found something sure to delight your kids on your shopping list.


Buying Guide

1. Imaginative games

The more toys you can find that offer an opportunity for imaginative play, the better. Pretending is a very important area of development for 3 years old. Toys that allow them to be confident and imaginative are key as this is a growing concern at this age.

Some examples of imaginative toys include dressing up/outfits, dolls, or miniature versions of things you use every day. Playhouses or kitchens are fun for 3-year-olds. Additionally, we suggest finding toys and games that allow them to pretend to play with others, such as friends or parents, as children begin to transition from parallel to cooperative play at this age. 

2. Motor skills

It's important to support a 3-year-old's development of gross motor skills, and one way to do that is through toys they play with. In terms of gross motor skills, they will start to be able to pedal. Starting to think that a tricycle or exercise bike might be a good choice. Also, according to the CDC, three-year-olds often have difficulty climbing, so toys that allow them to climb safely will help them master the skill and strengthen their gross motor skills even further.

To develop fine motor skills, you should encourage your children to color and draw with crayons and colored pencils. This not only helps strengthen children's fine motor skills but also helps them learn to draw and write with control. Other ideas include Play-Doh, play dough, tethered toys, or anything else for kids to make small movements with their hands and fingers.

3. Milestones

As with any age, developmental milestones are still important for 3-year-olds, and toys are a great way to help support children in achieving and mastering these skills. Here are a few key milestones to look out for, as well as toys that can support them:


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Last update on 2023-09-29 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


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