It’s also important to find toys that will begin to strengthen their social and collaboration skills. 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 that the best toys for this age group will help kids “build on growing fine motor skills and their ability to play and interact with others.” Not to mention, they should be fun to play with, durable, and easy to clean. We researched toys with these helpful features in mind. Here are the best toys for 3-year-old boys. Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $34 Price at time of publish: $19 It’s full of different ways to play and is great for curious kids as young as 2 years old. Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $45 Price at time of publish: $50 Plus, it also lights up, makes sounds, and comes with six Pup figurines, Chase’s cruiser car, and a clip-on backpack. This toy is designed for kids 3 years old and up. Price at time of publish: $70 This one is available in several colors and is sized for kids between 18-months and 4 years old. It has an adjustable seat and handlebar so that it can grow with your child, is lightweight, and features puncture-proof tires. Price at time of publish: $50 The easel stands just over 40 inches tall, is made from high-quality materials, and is made for kids 3 years old and up. Price at time of publish: $45 This table is made for kids as young as 3 years old and does require some assembly. Price at time of publish: $161 Each of these cubes is made from durable BPA-free plastic and is brightly colored to add more fun. Price at time of publish: $29 Price at time of publish: $70 Price at time of publish: $28 Kids will absolutely love the fun sounds it makes, too, including running water sounds at the sink and sizzling sounds on the stovetop. Measuring 44.2 x 13.6 x 43 inches, this adorable kitchen has more than enough bells and whistles to keep your little one’s imagination running wild. Price at time of publish: $190 Kids as young as 3 years old can safely play with these silly tubes, and they come in an assortment of bright colors. Price at time of publish: $7 Your toddler will have so much fun defending his kingdom in this cute costume. Price at time of publish: $38 This set is great for pretend play and something that kiddos can play with solo or with friends. Price at time of publish: $164 When shopping for toys, consider dress-up sets, dolls/action figures, or a mini version of a real-life object (like a play kitchen or pretend toolset). These toys will not only encourage kids to use their imaginations but will also be something they find genuinely fun and interesting. Even better, their love for imaginative play will only continue to grow in the coming years, so they aren’t going to quickly grow out of these toys.
Milestones
Milestone development is still rapid and important during the toddler years, so finding toys that aid in mastering new skills or strengthening existing skills is a great idea. Here are three milestones Dr. Schreiber says are important for 3-year-olds, as well as toys that can aid in the development:
Collaborative Play
At 3 years old, kids are still developing socially and are becoming more interested in actively playing with their friends. Because of this, Dr. Schreiber suggests looking for “games that are turn-based or allow for working together as a team, but are also very simple in directions.” Toys that combine their love for pretend play and collaborative play are also going to be big hits. “They also want to include others,” explains Dr. Schreiber, “so role-playing toys that allow another peer or adult to be involved are key.” Toys that are specifically designed for collaborative play are obviously great, but so are toys that can be played with other kids or solo are also good. For kids that don’t have siblings or other children in the home, playing alone helps to foster imagination and can teach them social independence. Additionally, in general, a toy that can be played with in multiple ways (whether solo or not) is a great option because it allows kids to use their imaginations and extends the toy’s longevity.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Ashley Ziegler is a staff and freelance writer who covers lifestyle, home, parenting, and commerce content for a variety of platforms. She’s a wife to a public school administrator and mom to 1-year-old and 3-year-old daughters. In addition to regularly scouring the internet to find the best things for herself, Ashley spends multiple hours a week researching, comparing, and writing about products specifically for kids and families.
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 Toys for 3-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 3-Year-Old Girls 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
