What to get 3year old DS for birthday and Christmas

[TortillasAndChocolate]

DS will be 3 the week before Christmas. I've got lots of ideas for smaller presents, but need to decide on a main birthday present and a main Christmas present.

Some of my friends are buying their kids tablets but I'm reluctant to do this. I feel like there will be plenty of time for all that and that id like to buy him proper toys and not get him too hooked on technology just yet.

Im wondering whether to get him a playhouse for the garden, or is he getting too old? Or some playmobil which would last him. Or a big set of duplo like the pirate ship. Another thought I had was a kids camera with a projector (although that's technology based I guess!). I'm just not 100 percent convinced on any of these.

Other than those ideas I'm stuck. He's already got a scooter, bike, slide, toy kitchen, workbench, garage.

If anyone has any ideas, I'd really appreciate it! I'm probably overthinking this.

I think either a big duplo set (not necessarily a specific building though, just as much fun from a basic load of bricks at that age IME), a wooden train set, an easel with loads of paints/brushes etc, playhouse or wigwam/tent (an outdoor toy might be a bit frustrating in the depths of winter though)

I wouldn't get a tablet at that age either. Toys are more fun :o

Play kitchen
Wooeen train track
PLaymobil
Arts and crafts

He might be a little old for a playhouse - my 3.5 year old has to bend to get into his but still enjoys it.

How about those little football nets and a football? Or a musical instrument that's a bit more complex to play like one of those early learning centre pianos or even a ukulele?

I do let my DS play things like cbeebies games on my phone but I would be reluctant to buy a tablet just for him at 3, I'm with you.

Train set/marble run/mobilo/elc build it/walkie talkies/hex bugs/duplo/ pillow pet/ trampoline/ v tech camera/ annoying plastic guitar/ easel/ big cardboard space rocket - all things that went down well when my ds was 3.

I have DS the same age so watching this thread with interest. So far am getting him a vtech digital camera and a CD player for him to play nursery rhymes/story books. Marble run and then lots of books, little cars and arts things. Did briefly consider a tablet but also agree its too soon, think he needs simpler things for the moment.

i think hes the proper age for a play h ouse, but for 3 i would be tempted to buy a wooden one thats slightler larger then the normal plastic play house so it would last longer.

trampoline also good and if you got a good size would last him 10 plus years, though please if you consider one do get the netting for it, i dont want to seem paternizing but you hear so many bad reports about children fallen from them and being seriousley hurt.

train sets?

Thanks everyone, this is great. I'm going to get on google and find out what hexbugs are! Marble run also sounds great. He's literally just moved into a toddler bed from his cot (I know it's late!) so a pillow pet might be nice to live on his bed.

Trampoline is a good idea too, I hadn't thought of that. I might wait and see what money he gets though and put that towards a trampoline in the spring maybe. (With netting, definitely).

He's got a brio train set that he got last year and is just really getting into.

I'm worrying about big presents but I think he might actually enjoy all the smaller bits and pieces as much - thinking of getting him a firemans hat as he's always putting them on at playgroups.

Has anyone got the game Elefun? Is it good or a waste of money?

Oh and a ukulele is a great idea too a - thank you. I've just asked my sister to look at getting one for him as she needed ideas and he's always playing her guitar!