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Gifts for 3 year old that loves learning

21 replies

waterlane · 27/10/2023 11:21

My little boy loves numbers and letters and learning. I was wondering if anyone has any good present recommendations. We've got books and puzzles and things like that but was thinking of a toy that he might like? Thank you

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17caterpillars1mouse · 27/10/2023 12:49

Check out the learning resources website. Loads of learning toys on there. Orchard toys games and jigsaws would be another idea.

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waterlane · 27/10/2023 12:55

Wow thank you, the learning resources website is fantastic! Lots of great present ideas on there so thank you very much

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Forgottenmyphone · 27/10/2023 13:01

The Leapfrog globe is brilliant.

Bournetilly · 27/10/2023 13:05

Alphabet letters for the bath
Usborne lift the flap books

NannyR · 27/10/2023 13:16

Forgottenmyphone · 27/10/2023 13:01

The Leapfrog globe is brilliant.

I normally steer well clear of leapfrog/vtech type electronic, interactive toys but this globe is really good - probably more for 4+ though.
Marble run is a brilliant toy, also magnatiles.
Some good maths resources to have at this age are, maths cubes (learning resources) these are like the numberblocks, numicon shapes, play money (again, learning resources do a good set), sets of little plastic toys (I can't remember the name of them, but you can buy various sets on amazon) - you get 100 dinosaurs (or cars, or sea creatures) in different colours and types, they are brilliant for counting and sorting as well as sensory and imaginary play.

skkyelark · 27/10/2023 13:29

Yes to Usborne lift the flap books, a child's atlas was also popular, also a child's book about space with photographs instead of drawings.

We have some Orchard Toys games, but it's a board game set by HABA that gets the most play (and I like that it's one big box, not ten). He might also like one of the balancing tabletop games, or a set of balancing scales.

A good quality building toy, with enough pieces for big constructions. We had magnetic tiles, duplo, and wooden blocks at that age, all of which were well-used.

For stocking bits, a small retractable tape measure (the sewing ones are cheap), a small torch, a magnifying glass, magnetic letters for the fridge. A set of hexagonal fridge magnets was so popular for pattern making we had to buy a second set so we have some to actually stick papers up. A hand counter/clicker counter, a cheap stopwatch, and 'magnet men' are on my list of possible stocking stuffers this year (aged 4.5). Detailed plastic animal figurines are also good for stockings.

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waterlane · 27/10/2023 13:56

Yes to marble run, we had a cheap one from Amazon that he loved but it was difficult to assemble so perhaps I'll look for a wooden one. Thanks for these ideas

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Original poster
waterlane · 27/10/2023 13:57

The Leapfrog globe looks great too. Im thinking my 5 year old would also like this

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WeDidntHaveWaterBottlesInThe80s · 27/10/2023 14:01

https://www.learningresources.co.uk/geosafari-jr-talking-telescope

My daughter had this when she was 4. A big hit!

Antsinmypantsneedtodance · 27/10/2023 14:10

Similar 3 year old.

Decent blocks (we have grimms large stepped pryamid) we got a great one from smyths a while back in a tray for £5 but looks like they've discontinued it.

Loose parts - these are used for loads of things. Counting, sorting, money, stacking.

A toy till and money. Great for learning and imaginative play.

Lift the flap books are a bit young for a 3 year old. But books in general.

If independent a montessori friendly kids cooking set knives etc.

A decent marble run.

I've got my eye on melissa and doug letter and number matching puzzles.

Look at some of the galt lab kids. Some may be suitsble under supervision.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 27/10/2023 14:15

When mine were young they loved Galt Octons which are shapes with slots in them which they make something
I think they have a young version for his age
Beads in a tub which thread onto a string Good for hand/ eye coordination
A stomp rocket was a hit too
Just trying to think of simple things

MockneyReject · 27/10/2023 14:17

The best thing I ever bought was an easel. My 3y old used it daily, sometimes for hours.
It was just an IKEA one, with blackboard, whiteboard and a paper roll.

He also loved number and letter flashcards, playing cards and dominoes.

He (we) still play with the Citiblocks, from time to time, and he's 14, now. Expensive, but well worth it.

Oh, and I've just remembered story blocks.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 27/10/2023 14:18

My eldest is 29 and they still make them!

Gifts for 3 year old that loves learning
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waterlane · 27/10/2023 14:20

@uncomfortablydumb53 he loves the stomp rocket! A fair few have been launched into next doors garden 😂

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uncomfortablydumb53 · 27/10/2023 14:22

Yes! I remember saying " away from the fence boys"
It's lovely to see them develop

sellingupslow · 27/10/2023 14:22

Connetix, most played with thing in our house (LG is 3), and extremely popular with visitors of all ages!

They are quite pricey but great quality and will last for many years!

converseandjeans · 27/10/2023 14:50

Lego
Playmobil
Hama beads
Kitchen
Orchard Toys board games
Post office or shop set
Baking set & book

skkyelark · 27/10/2023 15:04

@Antsinmypantsneedtodance , the Usborne Look Inside books are worth a look – they're really detailed non-fiction books for something like ages 3-6. The 'lift the flap' aspect is kind of misleading, they're definitely not for the Dear Zoo and Spot age group. We've got ones on space, food, and a more general science one, and there's a huge amount of info there, some at quite a high level (formation of the universe as a bedtime story, anyone?).

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waterlane · 27/10/2023 15:43

@Bournetilly these look great! Thank you for sharing

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