17 of the Best Gift Ideas for the 3-Year-Olds in Our Lives

The holiday season is officially here, and that means we're on the hunt for the best gift ideas for the people we care most about. Shopping for other people can be a real challenge. We want their holiday to be special, memorable, and there's a lot of pressure to get it all right. When we're shopping for the older people in our lives, it's a little easier because they can tell us what it is they want. Or at least we would have an idea because we could choose something that may interest us. But for young children, it's a whole different ball game. Three-year-olds can't always tell us what it is they want.

Whether we're shopping for one of our own 3-year-olds, one that's in our extended family, or we're looking for a gift for someone in our kids' lives, the gift options can seem endless. There are toys, books, and characters that we've never heard of. We have to take in account the age level of the toy and be respectful of any rules or guidelines parents may have in place.

For anyone on the hunt for the best gift ideas that will win big with toddlers in their lives, remember they understand the concept of "mine" at this age. They're also just starting to get into the idea of games and taking turns. It's also a good age to start looking into building skills like knowing the alphabet and sounds.

Check out our favorite ideas for the best gifts for 3-year-olds, and hopefully holiday shopping will go smoothly this year.

Beluga Baby Doll Carrier

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Beluga Baby

Kids at this age really start to have fun mimicking mom and dad, and this baby doll carrier allows the toddler to do just that. This carrier lets them play mommy to their dolls, wrapping it around them just like their own mama did.

Litti City Doctor Kit for Kids

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Amazon
single icon $23.97 from Amazon
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This doctor kit comes with 11 different pieces that will allow kids to pretend they're a doctor and get a feel for what the career would really be like. Children who are 3 years old are full of make-believe, so it's an ideal age to get their imagination going.

Loog Mini Acoustic Guitar

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Amazon

Kids this age can start learning how to play a musical instrument, and this guitar is a good place to start. It's a real one that the little ones can actually learn on, and there are several colors to choose from.

A Mini Toy Barbecue With Play Food

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Weber
single icon $44.99 from Weber
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Kids of this age group really love being able to mimic what their parents are doing — which is why toy kitchens are so popular. But this baby Weber is the ultimate gift for the child of a barbecue lover and one that both kiddos and their parents will get a kick out of. It's a perfect replica of the real thing with play charcoal that lights up and sizzles. It also comes with toy accessories and play food.

Eezy Peezy Monkey Bars Climbing Tower

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Amazon

Toddlers have endless energy, and having somewhere that they can safely climb around can help them channel that energy and help them sleep better at night. This is a durable plastic set that can be built inside or outside β€” whatever fits the home best.

Premium Audi

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Kid Trax

Go big or go home, right? This car would be an amazing gift for lucky little ones. They can drive their own little mini-Audi at home and be the talk of the playground. Because it's for a little one, this model also comes with a remote control so parents can help with the driving.

Mickey or Minnie Chair

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Target

There is something adorable about tiny kid-sized chairs, and being able to dress up a child's room with favorite characters is a big plus. This set comes as a Mickey Mouse or a Minnie Mouse option, and the chairs are the perfect size for a toddler.

The Dough Project

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The Dough Project

Being able to use their hands is a wonderful way for toddlers of this age to build up their fine motor movement. Playing with moldable dough is always a hit, and this set from The Dough Project is an all-natural plant-based dough for those fun creations.

Minnie Mouse or Mickey Mouse House

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Walmart

This playhouse with either Mickey or Minnie mouse gives little ones their own separate space and can be built inside or outside. The kids are going to love the space that they'll have in this playhouse, which will provide a little quiet space as well.

Magical Forest Land Tent

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Kid Trax

Add this sweet and magical forest tent to the kids' list this year, and they'll be thrilled with the quick makeover it will bring to their room or outdoor space. It folds up into an easy-to-carry bundle, which is convenient if portability is helpful.

LeapFrog, My Pal Scout

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Walmart
single icon $12.99 from Walmart
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For any parent looking to give kids the gift of something cuddly and educational, this loveable puppy is the perfect thing. This creative toy brings daytime fun and learning and nighttime comfort with songs and lullabies, and it helps with learning alphabet basics.

Disney Princess Necklace Activity Set

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Target
single icon $9.49 from Target
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This set lets young children get in on the action of making their own jewelry. This Disney Princess set can make givr different necklaces, and the beading is a fun way for kids to start working on their fine motor movements and to have something pretty to wear.

Cubcoats' Uki the Unicorn Outfit

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single icon $7.95 from Amazon
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Know a three-year-old who is obsessed with unicorns? They'll love these new Uki the Unicorn outfits. The set includes joggers ($17.95), a transforming zip-up hoodie ($39.95), a colorable t-shirt with fabric markers ($15.95), socks ($14.95), and an adorable face mask ($7.95).

Chutes and Ladders

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Walmart
single icon $7.97 from Walmart
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At 3 years old, children start to get interested in games and can understand the concepts of winning and trying. This is one of the first games that will get them excited, making it a useful gift that can keep them entertained on snowy or rainy days.

TEMI Dinosaur Toy Figure With Activity Play Mat

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Amazon
single icon $29.99 from Amazon
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This set combines nine dinosaur action figures with a detailed dinosaur park mat to let the imagination of a little one run wild! With everything from a tyrannosaurus rex to a stegosaurus and velociraptor, kids can play to their heart's content. Parents will be pleased because no gadgets are involved and the set is made of nontoxic PVC, so the hand-painted figures are durable.

KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen Set

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Amazon
single icon $189.99 from Amazon
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This play kitchen might be better than our kitchen, but we know that the kids are going to spend so much time playing with it, thanks to all the details. There's nothing that wasn't overlooked – it has an ice maker, burners that light up and makes sizzle noises, and even a laundry center.

Melissa & Doug Pet Vet Play Set

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Amazon
single icon $20.97 from Amazon
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Kids love pets and they love to be able to take care of them. This set is perfect for the young empath who is always looking to help people β€” and pets β€” feel good. The set, from Melissa & Doug, lets kids pretend to be the one in charge of making their furry pets feel their best.

*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, CafeMom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.