My boy Riley is going to be three years old at the end of this month, which sort of freaks me out every time I think about it. He’s getting so BIG! And wait, I thought all this bratty behavior we’ve been experiencing recently has to do with being three, are you saying I’ve got more than a YEAR of this to go?
With birthday presents in mind, here are the things we’re planning to gift his way this year:
Toy rocket. Riley is super interested in rockets at the moment and while I’m sure that will fade by the wayside along with his various other obsessions to date (see: excavators, trucks, and farm animals) I figure I’d tap into the current craze. I got him this book, too.
Automoblox car. I found these cars quite a while ago while researching a post here at Milk & Cookies, now that it’s arrived via Amazon delivery I can confirm that it looks like a really neat toy. If he doesn’t play with it, I will.
Mudpuppy Sticker Play Scene. Another item I found via “research” (ie, aimless web-window-shopping). I am less confident that he’ll be interested in playing with this for very long, but I bet it occupies at least a little time during car rides.
Push bike. Technically we already gave this one to him (we literally dropped everything and drove to the toy store after he pooped in the potty for the first time, because we’d made such a big deal about how pooping in the potty like a big boy = BIG BOY BIKE) (note that he hasn’t pooped in there since, maybe it wasn’t as good of a reward as I’d hoped) but I’m including it because it’s been such a good toy. I can’t find the exact model we have online (gah, it’s probably been recalled) but it’s similar to the one here — the advantage being the steering column on the back, which means we can go for long walks and just push him when he gets tired. Win!
What gift ideas would you suggest for a 3-year-old?
My son has the automoblox car and it is, indeed, awesome. Would be fun to have another one so we can mix and match the parts a bit.
We are also huge fans of these:http://www.anamalz.com/
Michelle | August 15th, 2008 at 4:06 am
My nephew (who is about two weeks younger than Riley) got that rocket for Christmas and is still loving it.
I see an automoblox in his future. Thanks!
Mandee | August 15th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
We have the rocket, and it’s a huge hit with my 2/3 year old and my 4 year old, and oh hell, even my 10 month old likes to play with it! There’s another set to go with this with another buggy and a robot and a big scientific looking.. thingy. They love that too.
jen | August 15th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
My daughter got the games Ele-Fun and Hi-Ho Cherry-o fir her 3rd birthday. I never in a million years thought she would like them. She LOVES them.
Trina | August 15th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Jordan will be 3 this sunday!!! Holy friggin’ mackral!!!!! Anyways though, we’ve been telling people to just give him money so we can get him a really nice swingset.
Samantha | August 15th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
We had that push bike for my son - although no cover. But the extended handle does save your back!
My son was totally into pirates at his 3rd birthday (last year) - don’t know how you feel about “weapons” - but his favorite gifts were swords and other pirate paraphernalia.
Cleo | August 17th, 2008 at 3:43 am
If you think Riley would be at all inclined, I do think there are lots of great games out there for his age. Game-playing is a great way to spend time together (not that you need help with that, at all!) and teaches kids important skills from taking turns to things that form the foundation for reading and math success in schools. My daughter, now closer to four than three, particularly liked/likes Candy Land, My First UNO, picture BINGO, and animal dominos. She also loves that Ele-Fun game, but man, I hate that thing more than Candy Land so that is not in our regular rotation.
And don’t worry, the first part of three was hellacious for us, but the closer we get to four (Harper will be four in November), the more delightful she gets. Hang in there!
Kelsey | August 18th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Toy dinosaurs. They’re relatively inexpensive, and spark imagination play
Miz | August 26th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
The toys that my 3-year-old has most appreciated over the last two months are a magnifying glass, a flashlight, a piece of rope, and clear plastic boxes (with lids) for putting bugs in. I’ve always tried to buy things that encourage imagination but I’ve really noticed how she has been much more creative about her play since she hit 3. I guess for full disclosure i also have to admit she has discovered Barbies as well in the last week. She carries a naked doll everywhere and calls it her “lady”, as in “Mommy, where is my lady?” or “Can my lady take a bath with me?” So I suppose the lesson is that you have to go both high brow and low brow with your present selection…
Nicole | September 4th, 2008 at 10:15 am
hi dad you are the best
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Geburtstagsgeschenk | June 9th, 2010 at 11:45 am