We scoured reviews and ratings online, and looked for products that are popular, even trending on social sites like TikTok. We also used our own personal experience and talked with friends and family members with kids around this age to come up with the best of the best. We also considered toys we loved from our own childhood that seem to be making a resurgence (or have always been classics).

In addition to the considerations above, we also looked for toys that promote physical activity and time away from the bright, distracting screens of connected mobile devices. The toy should be durable enough to withstand the slippery fingers and the rowdy nature of a typical 3-year-old: a toy car that is going to crack when they slam it on the ground won’t cut it. We also looked for products made of BPA-free, non-toxic materials.

There really is no one size fits all answer here. There are certainly items you can’t go wrong with, and that any child of that age would love, like a puzzle, a book, a toy car or an electronic toy of some kind with buttons that makes noises. 

Every child is different, so consider the specific child. Do they appear to be ahead of the curve in terms of intellectual development? If so, consider a more advanced toy; something educational that will challenge them. Are they rowdy? Look at something that will help them expend energy indoors or out, in a healthy way. If there’s a specific TV show, movie, or character they love, you might want a gift that ties to that. 

Consider the parents as well: if you know they are overwhelmed with three kids under the age of 5, maybe steer clear of the noisier toys and ones that require supervision or assembly. Finally, do you know the child’s interests? If they’re totally obsessed with dinosaurs, a dinosaur toy is a no-brainer. If they love sports, help introduce them to a new one. 

Gifts for 3-year-olds are super-easy to find at all types of stores. Naturally, Amazon has a massive selection from which to choose, as do stores like Walmart and Target. You can find some great tech and educational toys at Best Buy, along with other goodies like board games and playsets.