Between three and five, children play pretend, ask “why” all day and want to do things themselves. The gifts that last are simple and open-ended: things they can use in a new way every day. Many come in wood, fabric or cardboard.
Building and stacking
- A set of wooden blocks in different shapes, ideally with a bag or crate to keep them in
- Wooden pattern blocks for making pictures and shapes
- A wooden train or road set that can grow with add-on pieces
- Large cardboard blocks for big towers and forts
A plain block set can become a tower, a zoo or a road, and gets used well past five.
Pretend play
- A dress-up clothes set with a few simple costumes, hats or capes
- A wooden play food set with a basket for “shopping”
- A doctor kit or a tool set made for this age
- A soft doll or stuffed animal with a blanket and a few clothes
Choose dress-up clothes without long cords or drawstrings at the neck. Short capes that close with hook-and-loop tape are safer than ones that tie. Take capes off for playground play and sleep.
Books
- A few picture books about things they love, such as animals, trucks or bedtime
- A lift-the-flap or seek-and-find book they can “read” alone
- A book about something new coming up, such as starting school
If you’re not the parent, ask which books they already own.
Puzzles and early games
- A floor puzzle with large pieces, around 24 to 48 pieces depending on age
- A simple matching or memory game
- A cooperative board game, where everyone works together and nobody loses
Art and making
- Washable markers, chunky crayons and a big pad of paper
- An easel with a chalkboard or a paper roll
- Child-safe scissors and a glue stick
- Modeling dough and a few simple tools
Look for art supplies labeled nontoxic and made for children. Watch that young children don’t eat modeling dough. Most dough contains wheat, so check for a wheat allergy. Homemade dough has a lot of salt, which is harmful if a child eats a large amount.
Curious kids and the outdoors
- A magnifying glass and a small bucket for collecting leaves and rocks
- A child-size gardening set with a watering can
- A balance bike or a tricycle
- A kids’ bike helmet, worn every ride
A helmet should have a label saying it meets the CPSC safety standard. It should fit snugly, sit level about two fingers above the eyebrows and stay put when the child shakes their head. Take it off before climbing or playground play.
Safety notes for this age
Small parts. Many toys say “not for children under 3” because they contain small parts. Children aged three to five still put things in their mouths, so skip toys with any part that fits inside a toilet paper tube. Keep small parts away from younger siblings. Balloons (including uninflated or broken pieces), marbles and small balls are choking hazards for children under 8.
Magnets. If a child swallows two or more magnets, or a magnet and a metal object, they can pull together inside the body and cause serious injuries. Choose magnetic toys made for this age, with magnets fully sealed in. Never give loose high-powered magnets.
Button batteries. These can cause serious burns within hours if swallowed. Choose toys with a battery compartment that closes with a screw. If you think a child swallowed a magnet or a button battery, get emergency care right away or call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.
Gifts that aren’t things
- A zoo, aquarium or children’s museum membership
- A trip to a pottery-painting studio or a library storytime together
- A “coupon” for a baking afternoon with an adult. Ask about food allergies first, wash hands, and skip tasting raw dough or batter (raw flour and eggs can carry germs)
Fewer gifts, more play
Young children often play longer with one gift than with a pile. Relatives can each add pieces to one bigger set, such as blocks or train track.
