Top 10 Toys for 3-Year-Olds This Year

What toys should I buy this holiday season? This is a question I ask myself every year. I’m sure you do, too.

Because you don’t just want any and every toy. You want to get just a few of the best toys.

So here are our top 10 toys for 3-year-olds this Christmas and holiday season. 

 { This post contains affiliate links and was sponsored by Flybar }

1. Flybar First Pogo Jumper

Toot has had trouble developing her gross motor skills. This Flybar First Pogo Jumper really helps her learn balance and coordination.

It’s not as easy as it looks! But she loves to jump around on it. I can already tell that it’s helping her gross motor skills.

The Flybar is also a good way for your three-year-old to burn off energy. Yeah, they get exercise. That’s great. But I’m more concerned with Toot getting her energy out so she sleeps well. lol She has TOO MUCH ENERGY.  

It’s made by the same people who made the original Pogo stick. The foam bar at the bottom has a squeaker in it so it makes a fun sound when your three-year-old jumps. 

Your preschooler can use the Flybar inside or outside.

YOU can even jump on it if you want. The weight limit is 250 pounds. I tried it, and it definitely requires some balance (which I don’t have. lol) 

It comes in standard colors like blue, red, orange, and pink.

But you can also get fun Pogo Pal! We have the fox one. There’s also a panda, monkey, unicorn, frog, and even Hello Kitty.

Bonus: Get 15% off your Flybar with code FlybarHol15 on Amazon!

2. VTech Write & Learn Creative Center

This is an upgraded Magnadoodle. Remember those from when we were kids? They still make them.

And this VTech one has a little screen that will teach your preschooler how to write letters and draw simple objects.

We already have a Magnadoodle, but Toot loves it so much that I’m going to get the VTech one for Christmas.

She loves to practice writing. She’s getting much better at holding a crayon, but we’re going through SO MUCH PAPER.

Magnadoodles like this are great saving paper and unlike white boards, you can’t smear it. So that’s a plus if your kid is left handed.  

3. A Baby Doll

Baby dolls provide hours of entertainment. Your three-year-old can pretend to change the baby’s diaper, put him/her down to sleep, and feed the baby.

Toot has several baby dolls. She even has a baby for the bathtub. 

Pretend play is very important at this stage of development. It’s when toddlers and preschoolers can practice social skills. 

If you have a boy and you’re thinking “but that’s a girl toy,” then you need to take a step back and reconsider.

We bought a baby doll for Toot’s BFF for his third birthday recently. My BFF said he wouldn’t put it down. He had to take it with them in the car, and demanded that everyone be quiet so the baby could sleep. For 30 minutes. My BFF said “a silent 30 minute car ride was worth every penny you spent on that doll.” lol 

4. Candyland Board Game

Remember Candyland???? I loved it as a kid. Your three-year-old is now old enough to start playing it.

So if you don’t have it still in your mom’s basement, get a new version for your little one to play.

Board games are great during the preschool age because it gives them practice taking turns and following rules.

It also allows your 3-year-old to learn about how to deal with the feelings of winning and losing. 

5. A Balance Bike

Three-year-olds can ride this bike just buy sitting on it and walking. Toot has trouble peddling, but this bike has no peddles and no training wheels.

So kids learn how to balance on a bike first before they get on a real one.

A balance bike makes it easier for kids to learn how to ride a real bike. And it helps develop gross motor skills.

6. A Double Sided Easel

I’m sure you’re aware that I love Melissa and Doug toys. They make this really cool double sided easel that has an extra large chalkboard and a locking paper roll on the other side. 

There are cup holders for crayons, markers, or paint. And the height is adjustable.

Let your three-year-old channel their inner Bob Ross!

7. Paper Edging Scissors

Cutting paper is my 3-year-old’s favorite craft activity.

These paper edging scissors have fun little patterns that your preschooler can cut into their paper. 

I almost forgot about cutting skills until I saw something on Pinterest one day. Then I was like DUH!

Learning how to cut takes some time, and it helps build fine motor skills.

It’s definitely something you’ll want your child to learn before they get to kindergarten.

8. Melissa and Doug Bean Bag Toss Game

More Melissa and Doug. Surprise, right?

This bean bag toss game gives your three-year-old a reason to throw something in a reasonable way. Kids just WANT to throw things.

But they’re not great at making good decisions about what to throw and where. (RIP Side table lamp)

This game helps build coordination, number recognition, and counting skills! That’s something we need to work on.

And there are two ways to play. Horizontal is easy mode and vertical is a little more challenging.

9. Think and Learn Rocktopus

We got the Rocktopus as part of a review campaign, and I can’t say enough about how cool it is. 

It’s so much fun to play with and has three different games on it. Toot loves to just play with the different instruments. 

Check out the full review of the Rocktopus and how you can use it to teach your preschooler about music here!

10. Sit and Spin

Remember the Sit and Spin? Yeah they still make them!

I don’t have my original one anymore, but I do remember having a blast on it.

I’m getting one for Toot for Christmas this year. 

Get all of their energy out and build up arm muscles all at once.

If you’ve never seen one of these before, first welcome to Earth. Your kid sits on it and spins herself around with the handle until she either flies off or throws up.

Perfect childhood toy.

What are your top 10 toys for 3-year-olds?

What’s your three-year-old into? I’m always looking for more toys for my preschooler. Let me know in the comments below!

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