Ideas for 3rd birthday gifts for toddler boy?

[AnimalBabe]

Posted this in the toddler forum too, but was hoping to glean more suggestions here...



First I wanted to ask if you all would recommend a particular type of scooter. I was thinking of getting the Mini Kick scooter, from a very brief review of these on amazon. I have not seen any in person to know how they maneuver or how high the handlebars are.

Second, I was thinking of getting beginner roller skates or in-line skates. Maybe this one (http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-G...I2DWVJ1JVMJN2F) or this one (http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-V...=inline+skates). NO idear whatsoever if the regular or in-line are better. Thoughts? Or do you have a different kind you love for a beginner?

My son already has little people stuff, a bicycle, ride-ons, basketball hoop, sandbox, and water table. Any other suggestions?? He also likes the lego duplos, so maybe some add ons for that. Are there any tractors or crane-type things you would recomend at this age? Hard to tell how big some of these things are online from the picture so far. He loves trucks, diggers, and cranes though!

Thanks so much!

[Tenasparkl]

My DD got a mini kick scooter when she was a little over 3 and she loved it. I think that's a perfect scooter for that age.

[AnimalBabe]

Thanks, Tenasparkl. Do you also have a particular type of knee/elbow pads you recommend?

[candaceb]

in the trucks, diggers, and cranes category, DS got this last year for his 2nd birthday and he was out there playing with it as soon as the snow melted this spring
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12310215

we have it filled with gravel because he prefers gravel over sand.

[citymama]

Bookmarking for my soon to be 3 year old girl who likes "boy" stuff! I was thinking about a mini kick too - where's the best place to get a good price on it? I've already bought her a Disney Cars Duplo set (Siddeley saves the day) because she loves Cars and Duplos. But I am looking for more ideas too so will watch this thread!

BTW, if you don't have a balance bike already, that's one idea. We have a Strider and she is only just starting to get into it, so I think 3 is a good age.

[AnimalBabe]

Citymama, yes the Mini kick does sound good. My son is quite the dare devil though, so any ride-ons scare me! Lol.

We actually got him the Strider balance bike when he turned 2 and just started taking it outdoors with his helmet. He loves it, and is super fast on it now and has just figured out how to cruise on it. :D

[brittone2]

DS2 got a Bruder trash truck for Christmas, adding to some of our other Bruders. The boy loves trucks.

You said you have a bike, but a balance bike is great at that age.

Child sized rake, shovel, wheelbarrow. The For Small Hands site has great ideas for practical life items for 3 yo. My kids have really enjoyed those items around that age.

A sit on excavator toy? We've had one for yrs and it still gets a lot of play. http://www.amazon.com/Big-Dig-Ride-on-working-Crane/dp/B00004WCI0/ref=sr_1_3?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1366253671&sr=1-3&keywords=ride+on+excavator

DD and DS1 got DS2 a playdoh set for his bday. He's very into play doh right now.

Board games: Busytown, Hi Ho Cherry-Oh, Eeboo's Life on Earth matching game, Haba Orchard, Zingo

[lizzywednesday]

...

Child sized rake, shovel, wheelbarrow. The For Small Hands site has great ideas for practical life items for 3 yo. My kids have really enjoyed those items around that age.

...

ILs got these:

http://www.forsmallhands.com/yard-garden/primary-garden-tools

And these:

http://www.forsmallhands.com/small-garden-hand-tools

And this:

http://www.forsmallhands.com/cleaning-up/push-broom

And these gloves:

http://www.forsmallhands.com/yard-garden/small-leather-work-gloves

AND

http://www.forsmallhands.com/wet-soil-gloves

for DD for her birthday last month.

She gets really annoyed with me if we head into the house through the garage and I don't let her sweep or rake in the yard.

I like how they are real tools and not toys. They're a good weight & the handles are solid wood. DD loves "helping" with the yardwork!

We also have a Mini Kick scooter (2nd birthday present; she's only starting to "get" it now) which DD loves. If you're not using a debit card, you can often score the best deal at the KickboardUSA site - they run coupon codes every now & again, plus free shipping within the US.

[bigpassport]

The most played with toys by my 3 y.o. are (in order):

Mega Bloks--He had a lot of Mega Bloks, but we got him a Mega Bloks First Builders Play 'n Go Table at Christmas and that has made it easier for him to build and play in the family room.

Melissa & Doug Wood blocks--These are the ones we got....http://www.melissaanddoug.com/standard-unit-building-blocks

Train-table/Trains/Tracks--Not so much the table as the tracks and trains. He likes assembling the tracks up on the floor and lining up his trains on them.

Hot Wheels--He likes to line these up also. He enjoys playing with the tracks, but can't put them together well by himself yet.

Sidewalk chalk