What smaller things are you buying for your 3 year olds?

[AliasGrape]

Just looking for ideas really.

We're going back and forth over whether to get her a yoto player as the 'big' present, or whether just to get a few smaller things.

Already got her some magnetic tiles - good deal on prime day - but it's the same set she already has just to supplement it/ allow her to build bigger things.

Would also like some suggestions to give family members as some have already started asking and I feel out of ideas this year! Anything from £5-£20 really I tend to suggest a range (I've said it's not expected but they like to buy and wrap something for her and see her open it).

We do a stocking of small things too - it will probably be something like chocolate coins, pens/ crayons, bubble bath or the coloured bath bomb type things, stickers. But any other good ideas gratefully received!

Things I either already have or are on the list to give to family:
Mr Men books
Playdoh
Kinetic sand
Animal dominoes
Gruffalo board game
Build a Bear outfit
Bath pipes toy
Unicorn egg cup

So far for my DS
felt tips
kinetic sand (construction set)
hot wheels cars
yoto card
Puzzle
a number puzzle
some bath toys

Thanks for the ideas!

We do stuff like jigsaws/puzzles, books, colouring books, paints, crayons, games (Orchard Toy have a lovely range, including Mini Games), dress up, card games (The Works have them in a tin), Playdough, non toxic nail varnish.
B&M, Asda and The Range have a lovely selection of craft stuff (like sand art, paint a money box, mould and paint magnets, that kind of stuff)
Also Lego/Duplo, Jenga, magnifying glass or binoculars, dominoes go down well at that age.
Jacques of London have some beautiful stuff that is reasonably priced (and usually have offers on)

We have tons of Orchard games and plenty of the Jaques of London games/ puzzles too, plus a well stocked craft tub!

I think my problem is probably that I’ve overbought in the past and not just at Christmas/birthdays I’ve always just picked things up as and when I’ve seen something that she’d like - now she’s getting older I’m definitely going to be waiting/ saving stuff for present occasions more! Plus she has older cousins and I had children later than my friends so they all have older children too and we have had the most insane amounts of stuff passed on. She’s a very lucky little girl but I definitely need a clear out and to be a bit more thoughtful in future about what will be most used and enjoyed!

She got a Jaques of London bug hunting kit for her birthday with binoculars, magnifying glass etc. It’s been one of the biggest hits ever to be honest and was not expensive at all - definitely recommend that to anyone else looking for ideas!

I like the idea of the more focused craft kits rather than just more paints/ paper/ crayons etc. I think she’d enjoy something like sand art or a ‘paint your own’ something now.

Kinetic sand could also be good.

And I like the idea of Jenga though DH and I would be in danger of getting very competitive! 😂

Some ideas…

The Melissa and Doug magnetic dolls were a hit with my dc, as was their cutting food sets (the pizza was the favourite).

Usbourne magic painting books or the usbourne dolly dress up sticker books. The smaller sizes ones are better imo for this age.

Jigsaw puzzles

Orchard toy games

Dolls clothes or accessories if she is into dolls

The barbie Chelsea dolls

Sylvanian families figures - though still probably a bit young for the sets

Schleich animals. Mine loved the sea creatures for the bath at this age

Learning resources do some great sets fir this age. Mine loved their toy test tubes for making potions (still do)

Melissa and doug ice cream counter is still played with all the time years later

Craft stuff like foam paint stamps, simple mosaic sticker sets etc baker ross is full of great sets

Playdough! Still very popular with my almost 5 year old

Books

Extra sets for play kitchen like a smoothie maker, biscuit set, tea set etc

I buy different coloring books for my son, and we color them together. My son really likes to paint New Year's socks, snowmen, and New Year's toys. I also buy stickers with Christmas toys and he glues them on the Christmas tree. It's funny to see how they try to paint everything. At that moment, you realize that you were the same too! I bought it on this site: https://wunderkiddy.com/materials#materials-filter-container There's a lot more out there.