Christmas presents for a soon to be 3 year old

[MinimogMum]

I was wondering how people handle getting Christmas presents for their 2-3 year olds?

My DD is going to be 3 at the beginning of December and I was wondering if it was a good idea to take her to a toy shop and get her to choose what she might like for birthday/ Christmas of if this would be disastrous at her age. Previously I just got presents I thought she would like at put suggestions on an Amazon wishlist for other members of the family (which was largely ignored).

I would love to hear your experiences and suggestions.

I tried this when my son turned 5 and he hasn't played with a single thing he 'wanted'. Most of it has been sold/charity shopped already. Duplo was a big hit for my son at 3, they do lots of nice sets. What sort of things is your daughter into?

Agree with PP, a trip to a toy shop is a lovely idea in theory, but kids that age can't make the best of decisions as they just get drawn in in the moment by the most colourful/noisy item and not the things they will actually enjoy playing with. Save that kind of experience for when they're older.

I second duplo, also a wooden train set gets lots of mileage (forgive the pun) Has your DD got a play kitchen yet as that's always been a winner this end? What about a scooter or balance bike? December isn't the nicest of months for outside toys, but if birthday and Christmas are close together then not sure when else you'll find the reason to buy these big ticket items?

Sorry, just to add as I think you were actually after advice on how to decide what to buy as opposed to ideas themselves - I got the 'entry' level options for duplo and train set first and then when they proved a hit, was able to buy extras and ask family members to also buy more. That way the initial expenditure isn't large. Same for the magnetic tiles (which my two also love). Those types of toys are great for ever growing additions. Maybe spend a tenner now on one of them and see in time for December? Same for the kitchen - if you buy just the kitchen, others can buy the pots and pans and the food. Then if cooking roleplay is something your DD likes you can. add in an ice cream parlour, pizza over etc etc. toys/role play options you can expand is your best bet. So work a bit on learning your DDs interests so you can tap into that

I also watched my first one on things like play dates to see where she gravitated (second one just got what we already had and made do!)

If not letting them pick and you picking I would go for maganyiles. They are great

Yeah that wouldn't work with my 2. Because kids want everything they see! I currently have a 6 year old and an almost 3 year old too.

Duplo is a good idea, or playmags, those are excellent actually and I like playing with them as an adult too

Thank you very much for your responses, I won't be taking her to a toy shop to choose her presents until she is older.

@TeddyBeans She is into pretty much everything...very active and intelligent. Loves noisy and ICT toys best, but likes to run around and climb/ swing on things. Books, puzzles and is really into pretend play right now.

She already has a box of assorted Duplo which she played with at first but has lost interest in. She recently got into her wooden train set and Thomas the tank engine. She doesn't have a play kitchen but has a talking food truck and a shop/ ice cream stall she plays with.
I know, she has a lot of toys already, but she is the only grandchild of 2 families, so her grandparents, great grandparents, aunt and uncle tend to spoil her 😆

I was thinking of getting her a toy laptop, and asking for some outdoor and dress-up toys. Also asking the family not to go overboard this year.

Books
Games
Clothes
Dress up/pretend to be clothes
Crafts DIY
Colouring pencils and activity books
Magnetic tiles
Duplo
Tickets for the pools, theatre, cinema or a museum

No at 3 I'd definitely go with your idea of what she will play with and id stick with this for as long as possible.

Ideas for presents could be
Balance bike or scooter
Toy kitchen
Workbench or tool set
Water or sand table for outside
Any sort of garden play equipment e.g slide, swing etc
Dressing up box full of costumes
Craft box with paints, stickers, foam bits, pipe cleaners etc
Exciting bits for her train set
Garage and cars
Drs kit
Playdough
Playhouse

At 3 I'd really take the opportunity to look at what are the key toys you would like her to have over the next 5 ish years because now is the age to buy them before she starts reception and she has a Xmas list full of whatever Smyths are advertising.

My mum's bought my DD a climbing triangle for Xmas, she's going to absolutely love it! If you have space, that would make a great gift for an active climber. We've only gone for the triangle and not the arch as the triangle folds up for storage. Or a year pass or something to an activity centre? Where she can climb and run to her hearts content?

Small world like happyland or little people? Or dressing up outfits if she likes roleplaying. Maybe someone could stretch to a hanging bar for all of the roleplay outfits to go on? You can get ones with storage at the bottom for shoes and related paraphernalia.

She sounds like a very lucky little girl having so much family to love her ❤️

Balance bike or a playhouse in the garden if you want a larger present?

My 3 year old loves Magnatiles, Kid Knex, Duplo, Brio but has older siblings so has inherited these!