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While I was packing up the house in Colorado, I started getting cut throat about the items that were going to come with us.
After just a few boxes, I was seriously overwhelmed by the amount of stuff we had and could not believe how much we had accumulated in just six years of living in Denver. It seemed like there were clothes, sheets, towels, books, office supplies, kitchen gadgets, and other miscellaneous items that I was holding on to for “someday”.
I say “I” because Rob is really good about not holding on to stuff. Except for books, he has a keen sense for things he actually knows he will use versus not. He has no qualms about getting rid of items.
Bring on the multiple trips to Goodwill to get rid of those things that were just taking up space and had not been touched in over a year. I absolutely refused to move stuff because of overwhelm or for someday.
We are pretty limited on the toys we buy for the kids as we opt for outings, outdoor time, books, and arts and crafts, but there still seemed to be a good amount of random toys we were holding on to that neither Zoey or William were interested in playing with.
I was able to get rid of a bunch of toys, but there were a few that Zoey, our three year old, absolutely loves. As you prepare your holiday shopping list and hunt out gifts for the three year olds in your life, this is a list of the toys that our three year old plays with whenever there is a chance.
Other gift guides:
- Gift Guide for the Health Minded Mom
- Two Year Old Must Haves
- No Screen Toddler Gift Guide
- Newborn Must Haves
- Gifts For Teachers They Will Actually Use
Art Supplies
Our little lady loves to do projects and make things for other people. Having a cache of art supplies on shelves she can reach makes this really accessible for her. Items like scissors, paints, and non-washable markers are out of her reach, but everything else is up for grabs in one of our kitchen cabinets.
A few of our basic items include:
- Washable paints
- Paint brushes
- Cardstock
- Construction paper
- Markers
- Stickers
- Coloring book
- Paper plates
- Plastic cups
- Child-friendly scissors
- Old magazines or newspapers
Some other items she loves that are a bit out of the ordinary for craft supplies include:
- Composition notebook we call her “Preschool Book”
- Melissa and Doug Water Wow books
- Post it notes in various colors and sizes
- Popsicle sticks
- Feathers
- Pipe cleaners
- Sequins
- Google eyes
- Painter’s Tape
Cooking Utensils & Bowls
Zoey has always loved helping in the kitchen. We used to sit her on the counter and let her mix, taste, and put things in bowls. The only things that have changed is she now stands on a chair to help and wants to do more cutting.
Some child friendly cutting utensils and bowls are perfect to let her help more without being stressed that she might hurt herself or break a bowl.
Our favorites are:
Strider Bike
Her yellow Strider bike and pink helmet have been a hit since got them at 18 months old. Once she actually learned how to use the bike on her own, it has been all she wants to do anytime we play outside or walk to a playground.
Grocery Store Items
Usually after her hour of quiet time, while William is still napping, Zoey wants to play grocery store. We shop in the little kitchen, pack items into bags, and then make an audible “beep” as we check out our items across the coffee table. We even exchange playing cards as our money.
In Zoey’s grocery store, nothing you buy costs more than five dollars. I would shop there every day!
Anything store related is a win in Zoey’s book. For example:
- Shopping cart
- Cash register that actually beeps
- Any paper bag with handles
- Recyclables to use in the store
- Wallet. We got one for $2 at Goodwill. I put some old gift cards, coins, and pretend money in it.
Puzzles
Our girl just adores puzzles and has since she was almost two. She is getting pretty good at them!
Whichever puzzle you opt for, I recommend choosing one that has straight edges and not wavy or curved ones. Also having a model of what the puzzle picture looks like helps her visualize what to put together. It surprises me how many puzzles come without this base image.
This Melissa and Doug Puzzle in a Box is Zoey’s favorite because there are four different ones in the box itself.
Tent
This tent was another item, like the play kitchen, that Rob and I were very hesitant to have in the house because of its size.
Turns out that both William and Zoey love it. William loves to sit in it and hide from us. Zoey loves to sit in it and read, or take breaks in it with a blanket and a pillow.
Books
We are a bit book crazy around here. To the point that Rob and I have to hold each other back at book sales and have constantly rotating library hold notices in our emails. Zoey is no exception. She will often read for her full hour of quiet time in her room without complaint.
When I say read, I mean she will flip through the pages and talk to herself in a reading voice. With her excellent memory, often if I read a book to her once, she pretty much has it memorized.
Lately, her absolute favorite books have been:
- Fancy Nancy series
- Monster Books by Amanda Noll – These are a serious hit!
- Look and Find Picture Books – For a three year old, I recommend getting ones that have a picture in the corner of the item they are to find, not just the listed word. This makes it easier for them to match exactly what they need to be looking for.
- Elouise series
Play Kitchen
Rob and I hemmed and hawed for a few months about bringing something this size into our house, but it was one of our best investments. Both Zoey and William love playing with it and are constantly mixing, stirring, and open and closing doors.
A few accessories to the kitchen itself that have been hits:
- Pots and pans
- Utensils – I found one very similar to this at the dollar store.
- Puff balls
- Plastic food – I like these better than the fabric ones because they are easier to clean.
- Apron
Tea Set
Who knew a tiny tea seat with a velcro cake would be such a hit? Even William enjoys this one.
Opt for a sturdy, unbreakable set in its own carrying case.
Yoto Speaker
When Zoey was first gifted this music and story box, she was not that interested in it. Now that she has figured out how to use and realizes it can play her full stories, she is all about. We are even able to time her bedtime going by the Yoto Box as it shows a sun during the day, a sunset, and then a moonrise. She gets very excited whenever it switches.
William also loves to put in a music card, adjust the light and volume buttons, and dance around the play area.
You can learn more about how we use the Yoto Speaker here.
Museum & Play Place Memberships
I love taking Zoey and William to places they can run around, climb, discover, and have a bit of out-of-the-ordinary fun. Memberships to places like these are used over and over, especially on the colder winter days. Ones we have loved:
- Minnesota Children’s Museum
- Children’s Museum of Denver
- WOW! Children’s Museum
- Denver Botanic Gardens
Quality Time
Often times all Zoey wants to do is ready together, play together, or cook together. The key word here being “together”. Sometimes slowing down from work, house chores, and my general go go go attitude is all she really wants. When she seems particularly in need of that time, I make sure to stop what I am doing and give it to her. Some of our sweetest conversations, cuddles, and memories come out of those quieter moments just the two of us.
There are so many toys I think the kids would enjoy, but we choose what we get them based on the creativity they invoke, multiple ways to use them, and the longevity they would have in holding their interest during on play session and for more than just a few months.
I would love to hear what some of your favorite three year old toys are as well in the comments!
Do not forget to grab your list of 43 Screen Free Toddler Activities. This list gives you tons of ideas for both indoor and outdoor activities that our girl loved as a toddler.
I’m Brooke Selb, a Personal Trainer and Health Coach specializing in helping busy moms and moms to be to easily juggle mom life with family friendly recipes, and easy exercise routines to help you achieve your fitness goals that fit in with your already busy life with sound nutritional advice.
