Gifts for 3 year old

[April45]

DS is 3 in a couple of weeks, and had some lovely toys for Christmas but I'm stuck with what to suggest he'd like for his birthday when relatives ask.

I've tried to ask for gift experiences for them to take DS or buy for us all at Christmas but they don't seem keen and want to buy a gift to open.

He's got the obvious things like train set, kitchen, farm set.. just looking for ideas of something a bit different.

Any thoughts?

Kinetic sand
I’m guessing he has Lego/duplo?

Clothes? Not terribly exciting but if he doesn’t need anything it’s better to get something useful.

Adopt an animal (wwf). Then you can teach him about them.

Soft blanket for making dens and beds in places.

Scooter
Balance bike
Helmet
Magnetic fishing game
Books
Orchard toys games
Puzzles
Football
Cuddly toy
Play dough
Sticker book

We got 3yo DS a marble run for Christmas and he LOVES it. We also got him some dominoes to stack so you can make a chain reaction where a marble reaches the end of the run then knocks down the line of dominoes.
Does your DS have a bike/scooter?

My DS turned 3 this week, in addition to toys etc he also got a bike and a new swing/slide set for the garden. Winter I know but he loves to go out in all weather as do his older sisters.

I would be a bit more forceful with the asking for something which isn't toys. "Since his birthday is so close to Christmas, we have just recieved so many toys and really don't have space. Please could you give money towards XYZ and maybe a small gift such as A. Or buy him something small now and something later in the year when he needs it"

If they won't take no for an answer here are a few ideas-

Playmobil is very popular with our nearly 3yo daughter.

Something "useful" like bedding, clothing, wellies, furniture (my DD got a mini ikea chair for xmas)

Balance bike or scooter? People could club together and/or buy accessories like a helmet, stand, basket etc.

At 3 he may be ready for an actual bike as opposed to a balance one, we've never bothered with a balance bike for any of ours, just popped them on an 18" bike at 4 and they've all been fine with stabilisers.

My Lego-mad DD went to legoland for her 3rd birthday- wd stayed in the park and she chose new lego from the store there. A trip somewhere might be another idea if there is anything he is really into, cbeebies land, peppa pig world etc?

Some brill ideas, thankyou.

MIL is very over generous but I like the idea of furniture.. he could do with a bed rather than his cot bed.

He has bike and scooter. He had a cape for Christmas which he thinks is amazing.. Any
more ideas for things a bit different

just popped them on an 18" bike at 4 and they've all been fine with stabilisers

The point of a balance bike though is it takes away the need for stabilisers... they go straight from a balance bike to a normal bike with pedals and no stabilisers. Mine went from balance bike to pedal bike at 4. Plus gives them something o ride now!

My little one is 2yr 7 months and has got some great bits for Christmas. Favourites are a doctors set, vet set, a play cash register (think it was from Aldi) and a balance board. Could you ask relatives to chip in for one more expensive item rather than lots of little ones- that’s what we did with the creatimber board so we didn’t end up with too many new things. Also lots of craft stuff always goes down well here, keep a bit out and then stash the rest for rainy days.

If he likes his cape how about a dressing up box and everyone buys one thing for it?

But you can ride a bike with stabilizers on, so no need for "something they van ride on now". Two weeks practicing with stabilisers and they can come off, only needed the one bike to get there instead of 2?!

Magna tiles (magnetic tiles) or Tegu blocks are a big hit with my near three year old
A tuff tray and stand is a good investment - you can do lots of messy play activities in there

For his birthday I intend to get ds a trampoline and a mud kitchen for the garden