The 36 Best Gifts for 3-year-old Boys of 2023

Reeves International The Big Dig Sandbox Digger Excavator Crane

5

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If you're looking for a highly interactive and cool toy for a 3-year-old boy who loves construction gear, you've found your winner. This excavator can have them digging in the sand at the beach, gravel at home, or nearly anywhere in the backyard.

This digger comes with a seat and crane that swivels 360 degrees and two handles that will help your little ones work on both their fine and gross motor skills as they dig away, according to our tester. "Our 3-year-old loved this toy, and we loved how much it engaged his muscles and imagination. If you are looking for a beach toy that will wow a construction-loving kid, this is the perfect gift," they shared.

Price at time of publish: $50

Just Play Disney Junior Mickey Mouse Funhouse Treasure Adventure Pirate Ship

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Sail away with Mickey and his friends with this adorable pirate ship from Just Play. Based on the Disney Junior Mickey Mouse Funhouse series, the play set includes seven figures, a spyglass, three "water" balls, a treasure chest with three pieces of shiny treasure, and a slide, perfect for hours of collaborative and imaginative play.

Price at time of publish: $54

Magna-Tiles 100-Piece Clear Colors Set

4.8

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These cool building blocks of sorts let kids dream up whatever they want as they magnetically stick together. While they come with a hefty price tag, your kid will spend hours with these as they work on their STEM skills, which will help them learn in the math and science fields. These tiles are also durable, so they will last your family for years to come.

Our tester loved that this toy encourages creative play while also teaching patience. "This toy was entertaining enough to hold the attention of our two toddlers for at least an hour every time," they shared. It's perfect for independent play or a bonding activity for the whole family since it appeals to so many ages.

Price at time of publish: $120

Hess Trucks 2022 Flatbed Truck with Hot Rods

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Celebrate the season with the 2022 version of the iconic Hess truck. This iteration features a flatbed truck with two hot rods with cool flames painted on the side. The first Hess truck was introduced in 1964, creating a legacy of high-quality toy trucks, perfect for playing with siblings or starting a collection.

Price at time of publish: $35

Fat Brain Toys Squigz Starter Set - 24 pc.

4.8

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Squigz are designed for kids ages 3 and older, but don't be surprised if your child is still playing with these when he's in elementary school. This starter set comes with 24 pieces in eight different shapes, and both joining them together and unsticking them (they pop loudly) is incredibly satisfying. They're made from dishwasher-safe, BPA-free silicone, which our tester loves, and additional sets can be purchased separately if your kid needs to go big with his creations.

Our tester loved the opportunities for play, saying "This single set can be a great bath time toy, an activity while making dinner (our son loved sticking these to the fridge), or a fun way to improve fine motor skills during free play time."

Price at time of publish: $31

Mudpuppy Robotics Lab Kaleidoscope

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Spin around this cute kaleidoscope from Mudpuppy to reveal silly robots, mix-matching heads and bodies before peaking inside for a gorgeous display of light and colors. The affordable toy makes a great travel companion for long car rides or plane trips and offers two forms of entertainment for little ones.

Price at time of publish: $8

Educational Insights Design & Drill Activity Center

4.5

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Power up the fun with this great activity set. The handy little man will love his own power tools. It comes with a reversible power drill with three drill bits, a hand screwdriver, a combination wrench, and 120 colorful plastic bolts. The workspace is a sturdy activity board with holes in it, which the bolts can be driven into for a variety of patterns, pictures, and other creations. They can use one of the 20 accompanying activity cards to aid in their design or freestyle all by themselves. Our tester loved all the different ways to play with this set, adding to its overall value. "Even our 21-month-old had fun sorting and play-counting the bolts as well as using the power drill to screw the pieces into the board," they said.

Price at time of publish: $46

SmarterKids STEM Bendy Builders

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Spend hours building figures, shapes, and structures with bendy builders from SmarterKids. The set includes 295 pieces of twisty tubes, wooden stabilizers, and plastic connectors. Use the idea guide for inspiration or just let your imagination run wild. The handy storage bin keeps everything in place for easy cleanup.

Price at time of publish: $120

Prextex Cartoon R/C Police Car and Race Car Radio Control Toys

4.3

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These little remote control cars are a perfect gift for 3-year-old boys with a need for speed. The pack comes with two vehicles—a police car and a race car. Each also comes complete with not one but two, removable action figures. The cars have flashing headlights and make lots of great sounds that will delight your little ones. Don't worry about rough play, because our tester confirmed these are super durable and long-lasting.

Price at time of publish: $50

Paw Patrol Rubble 2 in 1 Transforming X-Treme Truck

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If you're 3-year-old loves Paw Patrol, he'll flip over this transforming truck featuring construction-master Rubble. The 2-in-1 truck transforms to reveal an excavator, a crane, and other interactive toys. Different actions reveal lights and sounds, sure to excite toddlers as they explore and play.

Price at time of publish: $45

KidKraft Ride Around Train Set and Table

4.3

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All aboard for fun! If you’re looking for a big gift that’s going to be a big hit, you’re on the right track with this train set and table. It comes with 100 pieces for an amazing array of adventures, perfect for sharing. Included is everything from wooden train tracks to trains, airports, helipads, trees, people, street signs, police cars, and more. When they're done playing, cleanup is no problem with the included storage bins. They’re so much to see, do, build, and imagine, according to our tester. "The track is easy to work with and can be set up in multiple ways, which creates more opportunities for play. My son and his pals have now spent countless afternoons coming up with new play scenarios using the vehicles, animals, and people that populate this train set," they shared.

Price at time of publish: $180

LeapFrog Clean Sweep Learning Caddy

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While it's hard to imagine, this Toy of the Year Finalist from LeapFrog proves that sweeping and mopping can be tons of fun, even for toddlers. The singing caddy swishes and spins as your 3-year-old dunks his mop and gets to work. Play on your own or follow directions from the caddy while sneakily learning colors and fostering fine motor skills.

Price at time of publish: $30

Stomp Rocket Jr. Glow

4.2

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He’ll be soaring high when he receives a Stomp Rocket. The kit comes with one stomp launcher and four rockets. Kids simply run, jump, and stomp as hard as they can on the soft launch pad and send the rockets soaring up into the sky. Rockets can reach heights of up to 100 feet depending on how hard you stomp, and our tester can attest to how exciting it can be. Even better, these rockets glow in the dark, which makes them great for day or night. 

Price at time of publish: $20

Adventerra Games Hungry Bins Board Game

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Get the whole family together to play the Hungry Bins board game to improve kids' memory and teach them important lessons about recycling. Little ones find tiles with a matching symbol then place them in the correct bin. They can challenge their skills as a solo competitor or play against siblings or parents for an engaging, educational family game night.

Price at time of publish: $30

Fat Brain Toys Shape Factory

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Learning the basic colors and shapes will be fun with this Fat Brain toy. The puzzle has large pieces (great for small hands to grab) that have to be fit into the appropriately shaped slots. This is fun and also teaches important motor skills.

Price at time of publish: $37

SoaPen Hand Soap Pen 3-Pack

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A gift for 3-year-olds and their parents alike, the SoaPen makes washing your hands into a fun, artistic activity. Carry around the small pen in your purse or pocket and when it comes time to wash, kids paint all over their hands with the SoaPen, get your hands wet, and wash off the paint-like soap.

Price at time of publish: $18

Melissa & Doug Farm Cube Puzzle

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Complete six puzzles in one with this cube puzzle from Melissa & Doug. The 16 durable wooden cubes come together to create cute farm animals including a cow, a duck, and more. Three-year-olds practice their problem-solving skills as they build and take apart the puzzles again and again.

Price at time of publish: $16

PJ Masks PJ Seeker

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Get your kids the PJ Masks PJ Seeker, which is based on the popular show, and they can pretend to chase villains like Luna Girl, Romeo, and the Night Ninja. The large trailer can fit four vehicles in the detachable carrier and three figures in the front cabin. Note that it only comes with Catboy and the Cat-Car; others are sold separately. It has flashing lights, sounds, and even a searchlight for nighttime expeditions.

Price at time of publish: $65

Playmobil Duck On Call - Mobile Operations Center

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Playmobil's line of toys aimed at preschoolers, Duck Call, includes this engaging play set, perfect for toddlers to spring to action in case of an emergency. With the help of included figures, Polly and Freddie, little ones use the slide to respond quickly to calls, catch burglars, search for bad guys, and more.

Price at time of publish: $45

Melissa & Doug Fire Chief Role Play Costume Set

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Fire up his imagination with this fire chief dress-up set. He can jump into hero mode by donning this dapper uniform. It comes complete with a bright red jacket, sturdy helmet, official-looking badge, and reusable name tag, so he’ll look just the part. Even better, it also comes with accessories that include a fire extinguisher and a bullhorn that makes sound effects. (Note: The bullhorn requires two AA batteries, which aren’t included.) Both of them fit into the jacket’s built-in utility belt, so he has everything he needs to save the day right at his fingertips.

Price at time of publish: $36

PlasmaCar Ride On Toy

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Is it sorcery? There are no gears, batteries, or pedals on this ride-on car, but with enough practice, kids can get themselves up to a speed of 6 miles per hour. It has a weight limit of 220 pounds, so some adults can even take it for a spin. Kids won't realize that all the twisting and turning have a sneaky benefit: developing key motor skills like core strength and hand-eye coordination.

Price at time of publish: $100

Little Tikes Jump 'n Slide Bouncer

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Every parent of a 3-year-old knows: Tire them out, and bedtime is a breeze. Add bouncy fun to the mix, and you are the parent of the year. This bounce house is made to be puncture-resistant and includes a high-pressure blower for constant inflation during use. Slides and safety mesh make for easy on-and-off and parental supervision.  

Price at time of publish: $214

Little Tikes EasyScore Basketball Set

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Basketball is such a classic game, and this set has everything to get started. The hoop adjusts to six heights (2.5 to 4 feet) and has an oversized rim, so little ones can make shots. The set also includes a kid-size, soft basketball that they can easily grip.

Price at time of publish: $36

The Day the Crayons Quit

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You can never go wrong with a book as a gift for a 3-year-old boy. This favorite follows the day the crayons quit! Besides sparking imagination, your kid (and you!) will laugh along at all the hilarious protests these crayons make. Available in hardcover or a board book, any child will get a kick out of this clever read.

Price at time of publish: $9

Munchkin Fishin' Bath Toy

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Let’s face it: 3-year-old boys can be a sticky, messy sort, so bath time is a frequent necessity. This bath toy comes with a magnetic fishing rod made for little hands and three adorable sea critters that float. He can reel them in over and over again—no bait required. This game also works well in a swimming pool, in the kitchen sink, or even on dry land, and it promotes hand-eye coordination. Of course, don’t forget that children this age must be supervised in the bathtub and near water at all times.

Price at time of publish: $9

Little Tikes 3-Foot Trampoline

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Three-year-olds get the wiggles frequently, but with a trampoline, they can bounce them out. This model was created for kids ages 3 to 6 and can safely hold up to 55 pounds. (It's meant to hold only one kid at a time.) There's a stability bar to help with balance, and the jumping space is 3 feet wide, offering plenty of room to move.

Price at time of publish: $80

Melissa & Doug PAW Patrol Rescue Mission Wooden Dashboard

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Pretend play is at max with this wooden dashboard. Your three-year-old can steer his way while listening to the realistic sirens and horn, crank up the turn signals himself, or shift gears like he's watched you do all along. The three windshield mission cards inspired by PAW Patrol make for a more exciting play.

Price at time of publish: $70

Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Building Blocks

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Every kid needs a set of building blocks, and this set is a great option with some unique features. The blocks are made of foam, and they're magnetic. So parents won't have to hear the crashing of hard, wooden blocks. Plus, the 360-degree rotating figures let kids create imaginative designs.

Price at time of publish: $45

Sesame Street Love to Hug Elmo

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Sesame Street's famous red monster is still a go-to holiday gift for the preschool set. "Love to Hug" Elmo, who speaks both English and Spanish, lives up to his name. After a belly squeeze, he'll lift his arms for a hug. And when kids do embrace him, he responds with kisses, songs, his signature giggle, and phrases such as "Hugs, please!"

Price at time of publish: $47

Simplay3 Carry and Go Durable Track Table for Toy Cars, Trucks, and Trains

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Traditional train tables can be fun, but they also require a ton of real estate in a bedroom or playroom. This portable, two-sided alternative weighs just under 7 pounds and has a carrying handle, so it can be easily moved between a table and the floor. It has two sides: One has classic figure-eight train tracks, and the other is a race track with obstacles for toy cars and trucks.

Price at time of publish: $50

Kinetic Sand Beach Sand

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Kinetic Sand is all the rage, and it is easy to see why. This fun sand lets kids (and adults) craft castles and other designs with no need to worry about a sandy mess being left behind. The sand all magically sticks together, so cleanup is a breeze. The sand will never dry or harden, so you'll get a lot of miles out of this 3-pound pack.

Price at time of publish: $15

Kinoo Magic Wand

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Kinoo's smart wireless magic wand talks, glows, plays music, and responds to your 3-year-old's movements and gestures as they engage with the included movement books and posters. This set from the brand also includes access to the Kinoo magic app, where parents can download new activities, and the Kinoo Connect app where kids can video chat with friends and family while playing entertaining and educational games.

Price at time of publish: $99

Hot Wheels Jurassic World Dominion Clash ‘N Crash Track Set

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Travel to prehistoric times with this Jurassic World play set from Hot Wheels. Built the track and watch the included car speed past the dangerous Giganotosaurus with the motorized booster. Add more vehicles, tracks, and elements to make the perfect introduction to the iconic car toy brand for your toddler.

Price at time of publish: $59

Clixo Tiny and Mighty Set

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The magnetic, flexible building toy, Clixo, can create both 2D and 3D shapes, combining the power of origami with convenient magnets. This tiny and mighty set includes nine pieces to make endless creations, designed for kids ages 3 and up. Plus, the lightweight pieces snap together for compact, easy storage.

Price at time of publish: $18

Papaton Shadow Puppet Theater

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Upgrade nightly story time with this shadow puppet theater from Papaton. The kit comes with a folding screen, smartphone stand, 20 fairytale characters, and 12 props to tell hundreds of interactive stories that the whole family will love. Many of the characters come from classic fairy tales so you have an easy place to start. Then, let your imagination run wild as you create your own tales.

Price at time of publish: $70