Best Toys and Gift Ideas for 3 Year Old Boys in 2024
No more “terrible twos”! Your 2-year-old has finally reached that wonderful age of 3. It’s all uphill from here, right? Now you wonder what to buy a 3 yr old boy for the birthday? Well, at least until you have to pick out the perfect toy for your now 3-year-old toddler, that is. Try not to worry, we’ve got you covered. Three is that prime toddler age and as such, is a time of discovery, wonder, and activities.
Three-year-olds are notorious for being highly active individuals constantly to be on the move, which is why fun and attention-grabbing toys are a must-have. This is also a wonderful learning age where young children begin absorbing and remembering information that’s taught to them. Because of these two things, it’s very important to find toys that are physically engaging, while helping things like muscle coordination, mental skills, and toys that help preschool practice.
This is the best product on our list that is currently in stock:
- Fisher-Price Kinderbot
- Timber Tots Tree House
- Fisher-Price Transforming Fire Truck
- Fat Brain Toys Squigz Starter Set
- Magformers Basic Set
- Learning Resources Fishing Set
- Fisher-Price Little People Sit 'n Stand
- Paw Patrol "My Size" Lookout
- Tinkertoy 30 Model Super Building Set
- Little Tikes Gas 'n Go Mower
- PJ Masks - PJ Seeker Vehicle
- VTech KidiBeats Drum Set
- Little Tikes Tot Sports T-Ball Set
- The Original PlasmaCar by PlaSmart
- Battat Take-Apart Airplane
15 Top Rated Toys for 3-Year-Old Boys
1. Fisher-Price Kinderbot
Great introduction to technology
Promotes creative problem solving
Mixes education with fun
Relatively expensive for some
Fisher Price's foot is in the door of the world of tech and coding toys for small kids. The idea of the Kinderbot is to gradually introduce your child to coding, starting from the most basic level. And believe it or not, this toy is for 3 and up. In fact, this one is among the top rated toys for a 3 year boy that you will find being featured all over the place.
Read moreCreativity
As far as creativity goes, programmable robots are something that many 3 year old boys probably get their hands on, mostly based on the fact that some parents probably don't know that coding is something that can be learned from a fairly young age. The creative part comes in when your kid gets a little older and has time to discover more of what this robot can do.
Logic
The idea is to fire up more interest in not only a cool little robot, but how it actually works. The coding and programming is simplified a bit, making it more age appropriate, but the ability is able to be more advanced as your kid gets more familiar with how it all works.
Social Development
The development is more educationally driven. This is a really good one to get if your son shows some more than average interest in this realm of technology. It may be hard to believe for some, but children tend to show their real interests around this age, although hard to spot sometimes since they typically show interest in a lot of cool flashy things.
2. Timber Tots Tree House
The Timber Tots Tree House from Fat Brain Toys lets your son use his wildest imagination, playing the way he wants with the characters and their good sized play set. In fact, this one is even a finalist for 2020 toy of the year.
Read moreCreativity
The creativity with this toy is all up to your child. They can play out any scenario they want with the included two figures, car that fits both at the same time, and the play set itself that opens up to reveal a tree house with a simple push of a button on the top of the tree.
Logic
While there are some more "technical" toys on our list, the range of thought that can go into playing is as far as the kid can go. All of your boy's imagination can create a little world of fun, which translates into discovering logical play.
Social Development
In addition to the tree house, the set includes two little figures, and car they can cruise around in, and several pieces of furniture and accessories for the house. Other figure sets are available, so they can be added to make the story go further. Your child's social development can be advanced by creating their own story line as they play with the family of characters available.
3. Fisher-Price Transforming Fire Truck
Fun transforming action
Bright colors with lights and sounds
Transforming function is easy for a 3 year old to operate
Takes up a little more storage space
Truck toys for 3 year old boys are almost always a big hit. From Fisher-Price's "Rescue Heroes" line, this particular truck is so much more than the regular old fire truck toy with flashing lights. This one transforms into a super fire-fighting arsenal. With a simple pull of a handle, the truck extends upward to deploy the rescue claw and other gadgets.
Read moreCreativity
How can your kid's creativity not kick into overdrive with toys like these? Most little boys get bitten by the "hero bug" around this age, whether it is pretending to be their favorite superhero, or a real hero like a police man or, in this case, a firefighter. The fact that these best toy trucks for 3 year olds transform from an already cool fire engine to an even cooler rescue machine.
Logic
What's great about play like this, is how you'll notice your kid kind of figure out how it works, with regards to to whole hero deal. They put together their own story, solve make-believe problems, and rescue the helpless.
Social Development
If your already doing play dates, your boy and his friends can combine their Rescue Hero toys to save the day together, creating new rescue scenarios and saving the day as a team! b
4. Fat Brain Toys Squigz Starter Set
No rubber residue
Bright color variety
Intriguing shapes
Great gift
Can be easily lost
Depending on whether you buy the deluxe kit or the starter kit the number of these items will vary. So give your kid the best gift for 3 year old boy that can ultimately be taken to any surface that has the ability to 'be suctioned to! The bathtub, the car windows, the hardwood floors you name it and a Squig can suction to due to the top quality materials utilized in Fatbrain's products. Over anything else, Squigz is a fun and vibrant toy that will keep kids happy and entertained for hours. Start building your collection today of these interesting little suction toys.
Read moreCreativity
The texture of a Squig is really what makes it unique to kids and keeps them coming back for hours of play. They are made of 100% silicon so they are likely to have a sort of gripped feel to them and are super easy to keep clean because of this. Dirt and crumbs will roll off your Squigz toys without a problem.
Logic
Squigz is one of the best suction technology toys on the market; it will be a hit for your 3-year-old kid. This promotes fine motor skill growth; this set includes a variety of pips, grippities, yoinks, scooches, a zorbit, a wonkity, and multiple doodles.
Social Development
Squigz just happens to be one of the funkiest toys for 3 year old boys on the market. We really like its awesome design and shapes of the toys they are almost 'stress-ball' like to a child. They can be chewed on, slobbered on, suctioned to a variety of surfaces or simply held in your child's tiny hands. Toddlers really enjoy how they look and feel. This can also be a fantastic gift for 4 year old boys.
5. Magformers Basic Set
Easy instruction booklet
BPA free
Strong magnet performance
Educational
Hazardous small parts
If you are looking for the best toys for 3 year old boys that are truly unique, why not give them the Magformers Standard Set?
Read moreCreativity
This toy stimulates a 3-year-old boy’s creativity in amazing ways. Watch the gears turn as he designs and builds geometric shapes. This game also introduces the concept of magnetism in a way that is intuitive for children. The Magformers Standard Set is a great introduction to STEM education. Also, this toy makes a great addition to your Christmas gifts set.
Logic
It’s a unique way to stimulate three-year-old boy’s creativity in designing and building geometric structures. It also helps in the mastery of color recognition as well as introduce early concepts of magnetism.
Social Development
These building best toys for 3 year old boys are composed of 30 Neodymium magnetized colorful geometric tiles for easy connection (plenty of tiles to share with friends!). There are no slots to be wary off as all the tiles can be connected to one another easily and securely using magnets. This is without a doubt, the best gift for 3 year old boy!
6. Learning Resources Fishing Set
Activity booklet
Fish floats
Case included
Safe magnets
Small parts
Three-year-old boys are considered too young to handle real-life fishing. But your little angler will be able to hook a big one with this fishing set. When he takes the bait, it’ll give him a fun chance to see what it’s all about. He will look so adorable in his fisherman’s vest and have fun learning the use of a tackle box and fishing rod.
Read moreCreativity
This great gift for 3 year old boy encourages imaginative and make-believe play. The perfect distraction during bath when it's time to clean your minnow.
Logic
With three colorful fishes to play with, he'll have plenty to catch. Reeling the fish helps improve motor skills while the accompanying activity booklet helps with kids’ writing and doodling skills.
Social Development
Fishing involves patience and an understanding of certain principles. With the Pretend & Play Fishing Set, you can now introduce these concepts to your 3-year-old boy. This learning resources toy set comes with a colorful multi-pocketed fisherman’s vest, a tackle box, a fishing rod with reel and line, and a fishing net. The tip of the line carries a magnet used to “hook” the 3 colorful fishes with magnets in their mouths.
7. Fisher-Price Little People Sit 'n Stand
Convertible
Over three feet tall when standing
Included warranty
Multiple track styles
Requires adult assembly
This line has been among the top toys for boys age 3 to 5 for many years. Standing more than 3 feet tall, the Little People City Skyway is one gigantic spiraling skyway for a 3-year-old boy. You will need to assemble this for your kid, though. But once erected, it is a true marvel to behold, and a perfect birthday gift for 3 year old boy.
Read moreCreativity
The towering skyway comes with 2 colorful cars that run down the spiraling maze of ramps. Flip a switch and the car takes a different route. There are 3 possible exits at the bottom of the tower, one of which culminates in a fantastic jump.
Logic
It helps stimulate the imagination as well as dexterity. It also promotes problem-solving as 3-year-olds will have to determine the correct switch to effect a jump outcome.
Social Development
Younger children especially need variety when it comes to toys, which is why this versatile option is a perfect choice. Because it can easily convert from a horizontal highway to a vertical one in minutes, this means you and your child will have double the fun! Each option has a completely different look, which keeps things fresh and interesting. The track styles also curve in unique ways depending on whether it’s straight-up or flat, so you’re essentially getting two toys for 3 year old boys for the price of one! Your little one will be delighted as they send their cars hurling down the various highways. You could also check out some other classic Fisher-price toys, such as Fisher-Price Little People Animal Sounds Farm.
8. Paw Patrol "My Size" Lookout
A lot of times toy brands will release a headquarters playset that doesn't exactly match the scale of the figures it is supposed to used with. Doesn't make much sense. Well, at around 32 inches high, Spin Master made a Paw Patrol Lookout that is about the same size or taller than your 3 year old.
Read moreCreativity
The set includes Chase the police pup, Chase's vehicle, Marshall the fire pup, as well as pup packs and accessories for both. So right out of the box, your kid can jump into rescue mode, or add the rest of the team to carry out even the toughest missions.
Logic
While there is no real problem solving or technical points to this toy, your kid can play out his own emergency scenario that calls for that team of brave little pups to save the day. With plenty of accessories, he has the tools to give the figures to get the job done.
Social Development
Paw Patrol typically promote good values and helping others. That kind of play at home and with friends is a healthy way to practice those qualities and put them into action figure play and imagination.
9. Tinkertoy 30 Model Super Building Set
Boosts creativity
Boosts motor skills
Endless possibilities of creations
Durable
Easy to assemble
Not recommended for anyone under the age of 3 as comes with small parts and could be a choking hazard
Tinker Toys are easy to assemble and very kid-friendly. The set comes along with 30-page building ideas booklet and a box to store them in. These Tinker Toys also stay together once built, your child won’t have to worry about their favorite creation falling apart unless they say so.
Read moreCreativity
We love these 3 year old boy toys because it helps boosts your toddler’s creativity and motor skills.
Logic
Your child will love this toy because it helps with hand-eye coordination, boosts their creativity, and hones their motor skills.
Social Development
These gift ideas for 3 year old boy are perfect for busy hands. This interactive toy comes with 200 vibrant pieces so that your child’s creative side can expand. They can build anything from castles, bicycles, friendly creatures-–the possibilities are endless. These pieces are durable, completely safe and made in the USA. This can also be a great gift for 2 year old boy.
10. Little Tikes Gas 'n Go Mower
Boosts motor skills
No batteries needed
Easy for children to maneuver
Not for toddlers who have trouble with walking
If your little one loves being outside and wants something to push around, this mower is for them. It’s perfect for your helper to help mow the lawn beside you.
Read moreCreativity
This Little Tikes' mower is the kid version of a real lawn mower. All your child will have to do is pull the cord and you’ll hear the same engine sounds. This present for 3 year old boy will come with its own pretend key, and when your child pushes it, the beads pop.
Logic
We love this product because it helps keep your little one active. It’s the perfect toy for those nice sunny days and it helps boosts your child's motor skills.
Social Development
If your little one loves being outside and wants something to push around, these are the best gifts for 3 year old boy. It’s perfect for your helper to help mow the lawn beside you.
11. PJ Masks - PJ Seeker Vehicle
Transforms into different vehicle modes
All three character can have their own crime fighting tool
Hours of imaginative play
Definitely in the expensive range.
Your kid can use his imagination to save the day in the night, with those pajama clad heroes in their new multi-function vehicle, the PJ Seeker. Stop Romeo and the Night Ninja in their tracks with the 3 in 1 modes, enough for each of the three heroes to have their own crime fighting vehicle. This is definitely one of the best truck toys for 3 year olds, if you kid is a big fan of PJ Masks.
Read moreCreativity
What makes this set one of the best truck toys for 3 year old boys, is the fact that this is not just one vehicle but multiple. The set has something for each of the three main heroes. Going back to the very first action figure type toys, creativity is the very root of play. Toys like this are not just for Christmas gifts. Randomly surprising your boy with a cool transforming vehicle once in a while will be a big hit.
Logic
Your son will have to put the case together to solve the crime and catch those villains, so a little bit of logic is used in imaginative play like this. Your kid will have to figure out the best way to use each of the vehicles when separated to catch Romeo and save the night.
12. VTech KidiBeats Drum Set
Multiple music styles
Three drum faces
Drumsticks included
Follow-along option
Batteries required
Cultivate your 3-year-old boy’s passion to become the next rock star with the KidiBeats Kids Drum Set. The musical toy for toddlers includes 2 tom-toms, a snare drum, and a colorful cymbal.
Read moreCreativity
Children can choose from 4 different modes of play so they will have greater variety in learning and in having fun. It teaches kids about letter and numbers while giving them the chance to beat to the rhythm of 9 melodies.
Logic
Being able to differentiate between different sounds is an important part of a child’s sensory skills that develop over time. This exciting toy does just that with its three drum faces that each produces a unique individual sound. Your child is exposed to other sounds as well; different genres of music such as pop and rock can be played through the speakers, giving your child an even richer experience. And if your child is having trouble deciphering between the sounds, the friendly follow-along feature can be played. With so many tempos, rhythms, and beats, this beloved set will become a valuable learning tool for your child.
Social Development
It’s one of the favorite gifts of 3 year olds. Parents love it, too as it provides a chance for kids to really engage in more physical activities. It promotes muscle coordination and musicality.
13. Little Tikes Tot Sports T-Ball Set
Adjustable height
Easy assembly
Ball compartments on base
Teaches motor skills
Base can be wobbly
Do you think your three-year-old has what it takes to play in the Major League? With the TotSports T-Ball Set, anything is possible!
Read moreCreativity
It has a unique design allowing for ease of storage. For children, this toy is great for promoting hand-eye coordination and arm muscle strength. Great for imaginative play, too.
Logic
Kids take a swing at the stationary baseball propped on top of the tee, similar to golf. The tee itself can be adjusted in height so kids can still use it as they grow older. Storage is easy too, as the tee’s base already serves as the holder for all the baseball equipment.
Social Development
A wonderful outdoor toy for growing children. Your son will love trying to hit the ball with a large bat as he develops hand-eye coordination. The lightweight plastic construction also ensures that nobody will end up in the hospital if he missed the ball. And the toy is light enough to avoid destroying neighbor windows. As he swings away at the ball his batting skills, motor skills and coordination will improve.
14. The Original PlasmaCar by PlaSmart
No batteries required
Can support up to 220 lbs
Included warranty
Can travel up to six miles per hour
Hard surfaces only
The PlasmaCar is simple to operate. There is no need to charge; no need to pedal either. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really work that well on carpets, sand, gravel, or even grass. What it needs is a hard, flat, and smooth surface.
Read moreCreativity
This toy promotes coordination and balance while promoting exercise. Your son will surely strengthen his arm and leg muscles while exploring his amazing world. Children can use their arms or legs to propel them forward through an ingenious mechanism. Especially good for kids who might not be ready for a full bicycle with pedals. This toy gives them a chance to learn the art of riding without the dangers of falling.
Logic
It’s excellent for strengthening arm muscles. It also helps promote coordination and balance. Steering requires spatial intelligence as well.
Social Development
Three-year-old boys enjoy fun outdoors. Giving them the PlasmaCar Ride On Toy will surely allow them to explore their backyard or even their neighborhood in a more efficient manner. This is one of the best gift ideas for 3 year old boy.
15. Battat Take-Apart Airplane
Durable parts
Compatible with other Take-A-Part vehicles
Functional screwdriver
Easy to assemble for kids
Batteries required
These toys for 3 year old boys come with a power drill complete with 3 drill bits. The airplane is made of 21 different parts so it should be great to see your kid reassemble them.
Read moreCreativity
Watch your son's imagination take flight after he spreads his wings with this construction set. Pilots and mechanics will taxi into excellence as they use 21 different parts to disassemble and reassemble their toy airplanes. Watch his motor skills soar as he uses tools to learn about his world.
Logic
It’s useful for stimulating problem-solving skills while enhancing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It also helps teach kids about the different parts of an airplane.
Social Development
Three-year-old boys are naturally curious about how things work. When you give them the Take-Apart Toy Airplane, you give them the opportunity to disassemble and reassemble a miniature biplane.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Social Development
If there is one thing that is very indicative of the developmental milestones of a 3-year-old boy, then that would be his ability to play with other children. He is now more cooperative and will already share his toys for 3 year old boys and other playthings. Additionally, he may already begin to understand the value of waiting for his turn. Playtime activities, therefore, are geared towards teamwork and sharing. One thing to think about when trying to figure our what to buy a 3 yr old boy for birthdays or other occasions, is how much social development does a toy really stimulate.
This leads to the development of healthier and more beneficial social skills as 3-year-old boys begin to realize that it is a lot better to play with siblings and friends rather than to play alone. This also fosters a beginning sense of independence as they now have the confidence of being “away” from mom and dad and in the company of friends and other children.
This increased cooperative play requires good communication and language skills. In fact, child development psychologists say that it is through social play and social interactions that 3-year-olds are able to expand on their vocabulary and further enhance their language and communication skills. Three-year-old boys can begin to read body language and nonverbal cues to enhance their communication skills. That is why it is critical for them to continuously interact with other people, other children, to help refine their understanding of both verbal and nonverbal communication.
Logic
Cognitively, 3-year-olds are quick to master simple activities especially when these are reinforced. This also leads to a boost in self-confidence and can fuel them to strengthen their focus and concentration on the accomplishment of such activities. Unfortunately, don’t expect them to have the attention span of adults or even older children. So, it is important to choose top rated toys for 3 year old boys that are really interesting and can capture the attention of your child for a much longer period of time.
Did you know that the 3-year-old boy’s favorite question always starts with a “why?” They are now exploring and learning a lot about the world around them so you really have to be patient in answering their questions. It can be quite frustrating to talk with a 3-year-old because of the endless whys you will be bombarded with. Nevertheless, this is important as they are trying to understand and make sense of certain things in their world. Patience is a virtue that you need to have if you have a 3-year-old boy.
Creativity
Because of their natural curiosity and inclination to learn more about the world, they love to play with outdoor toys a lot more. This means they will be playing with sand, mud, stones, leaves, and even insects. They love climbing, running, and walking up and down the stairs. Additionally, they now participate a lot more in active play. Playtime activities that promote the use of both large and small groups of muscles will be important for the 3-year-old boy.
Three-year-olds are now more active and more interested in the world around them. It is therefore very important to make sure that they are able to play with toys that allow them to explore and learn more about things in this world. It is for this reason that our list of the 10 best toys for 3-year-old boys will hopefully help you in making the correct choice to give as presents for them.
Around the ages 2 or 3, your little one will start to favor their left or right hand.
Around the age of 3, your little ones should already know how to use the potty.
Other Factors to Consider
Educational Value
We researched the web and found the most popular toys for 3 year old boys that your little one will not only love but benefit from the most. The tedious search looked at everything about each toy and after extensive comparison, we developed this high-quality list of products. Every toy also offers a different mix of important learning skills. These toys are perfect to help your active toddlers move their bodies. It’s so sad to say but, the U.S. is undergoing an epidemic of childhood obesity.
As parents, encouraging children at a very early age that playing outside can be fun and rewarding is a step closer to ending the obesity epidemic. The toys on our list allow a toddler to practice problem-solving skills and at the same time lets them focus on other things as well as using their imagination to get things done.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: What to get a 3 year old boy for Christmas?
We all want the best toys for 3 year old boys that are suitable for them. We want to give them the best opportunities to succeed while letting them enjoy life. While we wish to teach them important lessons and skills in life, all they want to do at that age is play. Luckily, kids learn by playing and educational toys encourage the development of important skills such as creative thinking and muscle development.
q: How to pick early educational toys?
Ask yourself a few questions when deciding which toy to pick. These questions are:
Is this a STEM toy?
Will my kid learn new skills with this toy?
Is there more than one way to play with this toy?
q: What are the different skill sets to look for when purchasing toys?
Different gifts for 3 year old boy teach different skill sets. If the toys you pick encourage one or more of the following then you should be ok: creative thinking, cognitive skills, motor skills, and soft skills.
q: What is a STEM toy?
STEM is an acronym that stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. In the future, more jobs will require a strong background in science. Toys that encourage STEM learning will give children a “leg up” over their classmates. STEM toys are meant to strongly enhance divergent thinking, innovative thinking, and develop hand-eye coordination.
q: When should I start to worry about teaching my kid cognitive thinking and language skills?
According to the Early Head Start program, cognitive thinking and language skills start at age 3. So it’s important to look for toys that help enhance these skills, right when kids start to comprehend how to think critically and put words and sentences together.
q: Are there any other benefits for a 3-year-old playing with educational toys?
Playing with educational and physically active toys do not just enhance early developmental skills. They also provide a healthier mentality as children grow older. They are not as depressed as other kids during puberty and have a happier outlook in life when these skills are encouraged at an early age. To learn more, the full article can be purchased online.
q: Can early educational toys help my kid in the future?
Yes, children who are exposed to early educational toys end up doing well in preschool. Their confidence is high because they can see that they understand the concepts they are being taught in preschool. They can run and play well because they played with physically active toys at an early age. The full text can be requested online.
Sources
- Why Bureaucrats Are like Three-year-olds, Article ,