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Three-year-old boys can be a tricky bunch to buy a gift for. The best type of gift? One that captures (and keeps) his attention while ideally encouraging developmental skills. Oh, and it should be a blast to play with. Take a look at our guide to toys for 3-year-old boys, which range from dinosaur race tracks and glow-in-the-dark rocket launchers to paint sets and sensory pillows.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
$29 from Amazon
For 3-year-old boys obsessed with cranes, this excavator will likely make for hours of digging in the sandbox. The digger offers 360-degree swivel action and can dig up to 15 feet deep — perfect for when you're building a moat for that epic sandcastle.
$25 from Walmart
It's never too early to get your kids involved in STEM. This play drill set encourages strategic thinking and creativity as they use drill bits and a peg board to design their own patterns or follow 20 vibrant pattern cards.
$120 from Walmart
Wooden train sets are timeless, and if you can find the space for this massive set, add it to your cart. The Ride Around TownTrain set features four separate scenes, 100 pieces, and a couple storage bins to make sure nothing strays.
$139 from Budsies
Bring your child's creative sketches to life with Budsies, which creates custom stuffed animals based on drawings and other artwork. Each handmade stuffed toy is transformed into a 16-inch, 3D version — though you can upgrade to a 30-inch stuffed animal — for a present that celebrates your kid's one-of-a-kind artistry.
$55 from Montessori Generation
This versatile board features two sides: a whiteboard, on which kids can attach magnetic objects while drawing scenery around them; and a blackboard, where they can express their creativity with the included chalk pieces. The board also includes an idea book to spark their imagination.
$80 from Fat Brain Toys
Young boys who are into all things cars should be enthralled by this model truck engine, which comes with 62 parts that can be removed, tinkered with, and put back together. Have him check the oil, remove the wheels, inspect the spark plugs, and more. The battery-operated toy also allows kids to turn on its emergency blinkers and rev the engine.
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$26 from Amazon
Featuring flexible tracks and a collection of figurines that would make any dinosaur fan giddy, this playset allows toddlers to build their own Dinosaur World. A battery-operated car runs on the track as a T-Rex, triceratops, and other dinosaur figurines loom nearby. Batteries not included.
Related: The Very Best Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Kids of All Ages
$12 from Amazon
3 … 2 … 1 … blastoff! Energetic 3-year-olds can channel their inner astronaut with glow-in-the-dark rockets shot into space via a kid-powered launcher. Each kit comes with four foam rockets, a launcher, and a tripod stand.
$22 from Bombas
If he’s a full-on sprinter, these cozy slippers can help keep his feet warm while preventing him from taking a tumble around the house. The sherpa-lined shoes have grippers on the bottom, making running around corners a safe endeavor. Choose from two colors: Lipgloss and Jewelpine.
$35 from Amazon
Get them hooked on remote-control cars with this two-pack police car and race car featuring honking sounds, a police siren, and flashing lights. The intuitive, steering wheel-shaped RC controller has just two buttons, with each vehicle operating on its own frequency.
$40 from Uncommon Goods
It’s not too early to teach 3-year-olds chess — especially with the help of this game. Kids learn the rules, language, and strategy of chess through a story that moves characters one square at a time, all with the help of a colorful storybook and regulation-sized chess pieces.
Related: The Best Gifts for 6-Year-Old Boys
$57 from Moon Picnic
Meteorologists in the making will have a blast playing with this wooden weather set featuring four moveable dials and five weather symbols. He’ll get a kick out of announcing the temperature, wind, and humidity every day, and the toy’s solid beech wood material ensures that it’ll last for years to come.
$25 from Amazon
Instill cleaning habits early with this miniature vacuum that makes tidying up a family affair. The pint-sized appliance is able to pick up small pieces of paper, and a removable debris drawer can be emptied out once it’s full. Featuring small, colorful balls that zip around inside the clear cylinder, this toy might just convince a 3-year-old that cleaning can be … fun?
Related: The Best Gifts for 8-Year-Old Boys
$11 from Walmart
Clumsiness isn’t an issue for kids gifted this paint set, which comes with five washable, spill-proof paints that prevent accidental messes. The washable paint is easily cleaned off of skin and clothing, meaning your burgeoning artist can get as messy as he wants.
$10 from Target
This book features 14 classic Disney stories that have been condensed and simplified for a 3-year-old audience. Get your little one hooked on time-honored tales like “101 Dalmations” and “Peter Pan,” all paired with colorful illustrations to help bring each story to life.
Related: The Best Gifts for 11-Year-Old Boys
$60 and up from Etsy
Made with birch and linden wood, this play structure aims to teach hand-eye coordination, posture, and balance. The set, which includes an adjustable balance beam and a selection of stepping stones featuring either numbers or shapes, is easy to assemble and mold into different configurations, and is sure to inspire plenty of “the floor is lava” games.
$22 from Etsy
This adorable little pillow actually doubles as an educational toy, allowing kids to explore buckles, buttons, zippers, and latches while they improve their motor skills. Another bonus? It’s compact, and makes for a quiet play toy when traveling in a car or plane.
Related: Great Gifts to Buy Your Grandkids
$30 from Uncommon Goods
Have some issues keeping the 3-year-old in your life focused at the dinner table? This tablecloth is one way to make sure he’s occupied. The expansive cotton tablecloth invites kids to color in countries, landmarks, and animals from around the world, with the occasional fun fact sprinkled in. The ink disappears after washing it in warm water, so he can reuse it again and again.
$59 from Crate&kids
Designed by artist Blanca Gomez, this charming bean bag toss features six holes through which kids can toss three bean bag birds. Hang the canvas in the doorway for a classic game that also helps improve hand-eye coordination.
$15 and up from Fat Brain Toys
Encourage his inner architect with one of these 3D puzzles, which invites inquisitive kids to build structures using easy-to-follow blueprint designs. For an easier puzzle, choose the birdhouse or dog house; for a more difficult challenge, opt for the cabin or barn.
$39 from Walmart
Get him involved in the grilling process with his very own barbecue grill playset, which can be expanded as he gets taller. The grill features tongs, a frying pan, a spatula, and a plate, along with hamburger fixings so he can pretend he’s King of the Grill.
$70 from Odin Parker
Whether you choose the dog drawing board or the cat drawing board, the preschooler in your life will likely be enthralled by this artistic gift. Using the magnetic pen, he’ll be able to draw animals and more onto a multi-colored background, then use the circle-, triangle-, and square-shaped magnets to add fun shapes to his art piece.
$27 from Amazon
Trying to raise an enthusiastic camper? He might feel right at home with this camping tent set, which includes an appropriately sized tent complete with a telescope, walkie talkie, shovel, whistle, water bottle, and more. Have him practice camping inside for a bit before he hits the great outdoors (aka, your lawn).
$12 from Uncommon Goods
We wouldn’t be surprised if these fizzy test tubes actually had him asking to take a bath. The set features four colors that create colorful combinations when poured into the bath together, making for a fun science experiment while your little one gets clean.
Related: Fantastic and Fun Gifts for the Adorable 3-Year-Old Girl in Your Life
$32 from Etsy
Is your 3-year-old enthralled with the neighborhood mailman? Help him play his own version with this colorful play mail set, which comes with a felt mail bag (choose either red or blue) and six letters, each with its own heart stamp sewn on (note that these letters do not actually open).
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