The 35 Best Gifts for 3-Year-Old Girls of 2023

Melissa & Doug Cutting Fruit Set and The Elephant Project Kiki doll on a purple background — Verywell / Sabrina Jiang

Full of discovery and blossoming independence, 3-year-oldslearn about their world through play, often reimagining their experiences, such as playing doctor after a visit to their pediatrician or pretending to be a firefighter. They are alsodeveloping cognitively, and by age 3, many children can complete simple puzzles or build towers from blocks.That means the world of early toys and games is open to them, and there are many gifts that will make their day.

To select the best gifts for 3-year-old girls,we surveyed 875 parentsto find out what toys their children spend the most time with and why. Moreover, we asked families about their favorite brands and what brings them back year after year. We also reviewed guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ondevelopmental milestones for 3-year-olds.When reviewing products, we carefully consideredage recommendations, toy safety, design, features, ease of use, milestones, and value. We chose gifts that suit a 3-year-old's interests, like dramatic play, outdoor activities, huggable animal friends, and more.

In This Article

Our Picks
How We Selected and Tested
What to Look For
Why Trust Verywell Family

Bluey Ultimate Lights and Sounds Playhouse

Amazon

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The Bluey Ulitmate Lights and Sounds Playhouse ranks high on our list because of itslarge size, many accessories, and fun sounds and phrases. Moreover, this Bluey playhouse is a recommendation from the parents we surveyed, who say their kiddos love the show, and playing with the includedBluey, Bingo, and Chattermax figurinesis the cherry on top of this playset. In addition to the beloved characters, there are several accessories to spruce up rooms in the playhouse, like beds, a table and chairs, and more.

At 17 inches tall and 30 inches wide, the Bluey playhouse is large enough for two kiddos to share during playtime. Press a little green octopus on the interior of the playhouse to activatelights and over 50 sounds and phrases.For even more added fun, attach Bluey, Bingo, and Chattermax to the moving dancefloor to recreate the show’s dance scene opener.

Price at time of publication: $90

Amazon

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Thesemagnetic tilesare a blast to play with. Your child will be fascinated by how they stick together by "magic," though it's actually a brilliant opportunity to talk about scientific principles (in an age-appropriate way, of course). This Magna-Tiles set comes with32 translucent shapesthat your kid can fashion into any number of two- and three-dimensional projects.

Price at time of publication: $50

Melissa & Doug Wooden Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter

Amazon

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Order up! Replicate the entire ice cream counter experience with this28-piece wooden setthat includes everything kids need to serve the very best treats. Parents recommend the Melissa & Doug Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter because itencourages imaginative playwith pretend ice cream scoops, cones, and more accessories. The best part? It all fits back in the durable wooden stand for easy storage.

Price at time of publication: $65

Amazon

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This is a fun, fast-paced game that doesn’t require any reading. Players are challenged to use their mallets totap out the ice blocks,one by one. To win, keep Philip the Penguin on top of the ice. Fun fortwo to four players, this is a great introduction toboard games.

Price at time of publication: $17

Amazon

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The Melissa & Doug Cutting Fruit Set offers endless opportunities for imaginative play, both independently and with others. This beautifully crafted wooden fruit set features17 painted fruit pieces and a wooden knife. Kids can slice apart each piece of fruit with a wooden knife for a satisfying crunch sound. The pretend food, whichreattaches with self-stick tabs, is well-made and long-lasting.

The play setfosters imaginative playas kids will enjoy making a pretend meal and serving it with the wooden tray. It’s also great fordeveloping fine motor skills and early math concepts. While the fruit set is the perfect addition to a play kitchen, it’s equally fun on its own.

Price at time of publication: $28

Amazon

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Protect little eyes with thesesuper stylishsunglasses that’ll have your mini-me looking just like mom or dad. Made with kids in mind, the glasses come with acarrying pouch and an easily adjustable strap.

Price at time of publication: $35

KidKraft Alexa-Enabled 2-in-1 Wooden Kitchen

Amazon

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Bringimaginative playto the next level with this splurge-worthy gift. This KidKraft play kitchen features a kitchen on one side, and the other a market check-out counter.Alexa-enabled, the kitchen can also makesounds, play games, and prompt activitiesfor kids to keep busy.

Price at time of publication: $183

The Elephant Project

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Help save elephants through The Elephant Project organization. Your kiddo will love to cuddle Kiki, and you’ll love that100% of net proceeds go to various organizations that help elephants.

Price at time of publication: $39

Amazon

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Your mini-me will be instantly obsessed with pushing around with her very owndoll stroller. Sized fordolls up to 24 inches, the Baby Alive Doll Stroller features afoldable canopy, undercarriage basket, and harness, and itfoldsfor easy storage.

Price at time of publication: $20

Micro Kickboard - Mini Original 3-Wheeled, Lean-to-Steer, Swiss-Designed Micro Scooter for Preschool Kids, Ages 2-5, Blue

Walmart

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Get rolling on a scooter that’s made for kids from two to five years old. Thethree-wheel designprovides a stable and supportive ride so small kiddos can master balance and coordination. Strong and lightweight, thehandlebar is adjustable, so it grows as your child does.

Price at time of publication: $95

Maisonette

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Portableand easy to pack away, this sweet barn set is perfect to play with alone or with a buddy. Made entirely of wood, the set featuresanimals, tractors, farmers, trees, and a big red barn.

Price at time of publication: $70

Amazon

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Introduce your little lady to awide range of role modelspromoting “girl power.” Theboard bookformat isdurableand easy to read over and over and over again!

Price at time of publication: $13

Pottery Barn Kids

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Fun for years to come, this play cash register and money set is inspiring for any young entrepreneur. Both thecash and coins are slightly bigger than real money, so they are sized just right for kids, and they help young mindspractice counting and coin recognition.

Price at time of publication: $16 to $59

Amazon

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Fun forrole playing, water play, bath time, or anytime, thiscolorful setis made in the USA from 100 perfect recycled milk containers. Included arecups, saucers, a teapot, spoons, and more. Pinkies up!

Price at time of publication: $22

Amazon

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You’ll love reading thesesix board booksover and over again to your 3-year-old. The simple, engaging text andcolorful collage picturesare well-loved favorites for good reason.

Price at time of publication: $49

Amazon

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Head to outer space in this well-made,machine-washableastronaut costume that’s sized for younger kids. Thevelcro closuresmake it easy for kids to take on and off on their own. Add this to adress-up collectionfor fun that’s outta this world.

Price at time of publication: $38

Land's End

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Made of 100% cotton, this可爱的hooded towelis designed for your kiddo to be able to wrap herself up after taking a dip in the bath, shower, pool, beach, or anywhere else. For an added touch,add a monogram or nameto the towel.

Price at time of publication: $53

Amazon

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Durable and safe, this stylish helmet comes intwo sizesand is made just for kids ages three years old and up. Use the size chart to find the right fit, and pick fromeight cool designsfor a helmet your kiddo will love to wear.

Price at time of publication: $70

Melissa & Doug Water Wow! Reusable Coloring Pads

Amazon

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An amazing option for travel, life on the go, or just some much-needed quiet time, these genius coloring pads arepowered by water. Simply fill up the included brush/pen, color the pages, and watch how they change. Once they dry, they’re ready to use again. The best part is that they'remess-free!

Price at time of publication: $8

Lalo

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A splurge-worthy gift, this attractive Lalotable and chair setcreates an instant play zone. Sized for young kids, choose fromfive different colorsfor the chairs. Stylish and practical, the set is easy to clean and comfortable.

Price at time of publication: $270

Amazon

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Perfect alone or with other figures, Calico Critters areflocked figuresthat include clothing and accessories that can all be removed,jointed arms and legs, and rotating heads. Gift your kid a set, and watch how much fun she'll have playing with her animals.

Price at time of publication: $20

Maisonette

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These are perhaps the moststylish play shoesyour child could dream up! They feature elevated accents, such as atulle and a gem-filled heel. It is no surprise they are so chic, as the founder is a former fashion magazine director and mom of three daughters.

Price at time of publication: $35

Tara Toys Disney Princess Necklace Activity Set

Amazon

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Your rainy-day activity is solved! This jewelry-making kit includesfive princess character charms, 150 beads, and four silicone necklacesfor your little one to design with.

Price at time of publication: $15

Maisonotte

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Dress your toddler up in thisfabulous tulle cape and leatherette glitter mask. And then help her discover her "superpowers," such as sharing, listening, and being a supportive sibling.

Price at time of publication: $68

Amazon

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Treat your Peppa Pig fan to thissix-book seriesthat's as educational and engaging as the TV show. All books arrive in astorage box,so they stay in the same place.

Price at time of publication: $13

Target

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Your toddler can bring thiswaterproof, water-filled babyeverywhere from her bath to her swim class, as the doll can float! She can also accessorize the doll with themini floaty, lotion bottle, and towel.

Price at time of publication: $18

LeapFrog Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart Deluxe

Amazon

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This ice cream cart islightweight and easy to set up,和它有可能接受你的孩子hours. It allows her to flex her creativity by cocktailing different ice cream and popsicle treats with various toppings. There is alsoplay moneyfor people to "buy" ice cream from the portable shop.

Price at time of publication: $55

Amazon

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We all love those Cocomelon episodes in which JJ experiences his first boo-boo. Now, your toddler can take care of her favorite TV character with this Cocomelon-themeddoctor kit. It's super interactive, asJJ's head, elbow, knee, or foot will light up when it "hurts."She can help him "feel better" by applying one of the three decorative band-aids, as well as checking his temperature and heart or giving him a shot.JJ even sings"The Boo Boo Song" when you press his tummy.

Price at time of publication: $28

Play Doh Kitchen Creations Pizza Oven Playset

Target

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Pizza night just got a makeover! Allow your little one to help with the "cooking" bycreating doughy pizzasfor the whole family. The best parts arepatting, cutting, and decoratingthe slices.

Price at time of publication: $17

Walmart

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This junior-sized hoop is perfect for a little athlete. The Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Setadjusts to three different heights, so it'll grow right alongside your basketball star. It alsocomes with three balls. Pro tip: If you have a kid who likes to dunk, you can weight the bottom of the hoop with sand so it stays put.

Price at time of publication: $36

Melissa & Doug Wooden CafÃ© Barista Coffee Shop

Amazon

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If your little one is always begging for a drink when you hit up the coffee shop, she'll love this Melissa & Doug set! Thedecorative counterhas everything she'll need to make the perfect brew—a cup and mug,tea and coffee pods, whipped cream, and so much more. All the benefits of a cup of joe and none of the downsides (namely, a toddler who is bouncing off the walls)!

Price at time of publication: $120

Educational Insights Design & Drill Patterns & Shapes Toy with Electric Drill, Preschool STEM & Take Apart Building Toy, Boys and Girls Ages 3, 4, 5+

Walmart

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Help your child learn theirshapes and patternswith this fun tool set. The set comes with 5 pattern cards that kids can "build" with their drill and different colored screws. Or, they can create designs straight from their imagination. It's a great way tointroduce STEM conceptswhile fostering fine motor skills.

Price at time of publication: $18

Amazon

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Some kids can't help themselves—they draw on whatever is in front of them. Luckily, this snuggly panda ismeantto be drawn on! It comes with aLED penthat kids can use to draw patterns, write words, or make scribbles all over the panda's body. Their drawings will thenglow in the dark!The best part? They fade after two minutes, no washing required.

Price at time of publication: $40

Manhattan Toy Playdate Friends Harper Doll

Amazon

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This adorable doll ismachine-washable, so it can handle whatever your child throws at it (or on it). The outfits are removable, too, so there are endless options for playing dress-up! Besides Harper, you can getfive other Manhattan friendsto suit your kid's fancy.

Price at time of publication: $31

Amazon

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You're probably already helping your kid identify her emotions. Whether she's sad, scared, angry, or happy, this Duplo set can help her figure it out. Thebricks have various facial expressionsthat can help her identify what she's feeling. They're Duplos, which means they'reendlessly durableand can be stuck together in as many ways as your child can imagine.

Price at time of publication: $95

How We Selected and Tested Gifts for 3-Year-Old Girls

To select the best gifts for 3-year-old girls, we reviewed guidance from the CDC on developmental milestonesand surveyed 875 parents on what toys their children love. We asked parents to provide details on how their children play with the toys and why they (kids and parents) love them. Next, we studied the design and features of more than 70 toys, books, art kits, and other gift options on the market before narrowing down our list.

We researched reviews from customers and competitors and monitored shopping trends to bring families the most up-to-date offerings on items. When reviewing products, we carefully considered toy safety, age recommendations, design, size, ease of use, and value.

寻找什么Gifts for Three-Year-Old Girls

Versatility:Three-year-olds will often begin to play with their peers rather than playing alone near them (parallel play).This developmental step happens gradually, however. Young preschoolers don't fully grasp the concept of sharing yet, and it is best not to force them to share.相反d, choose toys that can be played with alone or with others. That way, caregivers can respect the child's needs by letting them decide to play by themselves when they want to but also keep the door open for collaboration.
Dramatic Play:When buying a gift for a three-year-old, look for hands-on toys that let them act out real-life scenarios. They may enjoy pushing a baby doll in a toy stroller or serving pretend ice cream in a play kitchen. Dress-up toys also go over quite well, whether they are real-life costumes like a construction worker or fantasy-based characters like Elsa from Frozen. Because three-year-olds are beginning to move from parallel play tocooperative play, look for toys that will be equally fun to play alone or with other children.
Fine Motor Development:Three-year-olds' finger muscles are beginning to develop. Over time, that will prepare them to hold a pencil and write, but for now,fun activities that engage the small muscles in the handswill help them on their way.Toys and games that promote grasping and manipulating small objects (as long as they're not so small as to be choking hazards) prepare little ones' hands for future learning.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Maya Poltonis a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a ten-year-old-son, a seven-year-old-son, and a three-year-old daughter. She keeps a secret space in her basement closet for last-minute gifts. Outdoor toys and art kits are Maya's go-to gifts since they have a wide appeal. Her kids are super-active and love any toy that can be played with outside.

More Toys and Gifts for Kids

When it comes to toys and gifts for kids, our team has you covered. TheVerywell Family team of editors(who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top gift and toy picks for every age and stage here: