WOW factor toy gifts for 3 year old son

[Melaine]

I am going to look at Magnatiles and scooters.

For the Leapster, did he start playing with it before he turned 4 or after he turned 4 or was it a waste?

I think I gave the girls their Leapsters when they were 3 and they started using them around 3.5 or so....definitely more use after 4.

My thought when I saw your thread was the mini kick scooter. My girls totally flipped out about these the other day at a toy store. (they tried the mini kick and the maxi kick). I'm not sure we can stretch it for two maxis, but the mini is cheaper and it was definitely still fine for them at tall 5 year olds (wouldn't want to buy the mini now for the first time, but I'm sure it would get used for a year or so).

[LBW]

I have three boys, so it's always a challenge trying to come up with a new present for my youngest. Here are some ideas I've come up with in the past year. FWIW, my youngest is 4, and all of these were hits when he turned 3 one year ago or at Christmas:

an aquaplay set
Martian Matter Alien Maker playset (huge hit with all three boys, though may be better closer to 3 1/2)
Bruder trucks (bought at rummage sales and TJ Maxx/Marshalls)
Hess trucks (this may be an East Coast thing, though)
any Playmobil
any Lego (he has transitioned to from Duplos to regular Legos in the past year)
small RC car/truck (his oldest brother has a very fancy RC truck)
Play-doh sets (he wants the dentist set for Christmas)
Team Umizoomi fan club backpack and activity sets

I'll add to the list if I can think of anything else.

[catpagmo]

I think I gave the girls their Leapsters when they were 3 and they started using them around 3.5 or so....definitely more use after 4.

My thought when I saw your thread was the mini kick scooter. My girls totally flipped out about these the other day at a toy store. (they tried the mini kick and the maxi kick). I'm not sure we can stretch it for two maxis, but the mini is cheaper and it was definitely still fine for them at tall 5 year olds (wouldn't want to buy the mini now for the first time, but I'm sure it would get used for a year or so).

Totally agree with the mini-kick scooter (and helmet/knee-pads). That would be a WOW! gift, for sure. My DS will be 3 in Feb., and he loves his.

Also agree with the age for a leapster. DD started playing hers at 4 y.o.

[mommyapb]

How about an air hockey table. Something like this sits on top of a coffee table/ activity table. We have a full sized one in our basement and DS has played it almost daily since 18 months...he LOVES it!!
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/produ...oMerchRules-_-

DS also loves the foosball table at our neighbor's house.

HTH

Amelia
DD 5.5, DS 2.5, #3 due 3/12

[justlearning]

I would suggest magna tiles or a balance bike. The Little Tikes basketball hoop also is fun if you have a place to use it.

[happymom]

Would he enjoy these?
http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo...%7CRA119~~.jsp

They are not actually dinosaurs, but I have them in my 3-4 yr old classroom, and the kids all call them dinosaurs. They get a lot of play, but I will say that they haven't held up as well as I would like. There is a little clip-like thingie in each hole on the main body that the arms/legs/head click into, and the clip sort of broke in some of them. Its a really cute toy though...

Also, would your boys enjoy a kitchen?

ETA: How about this dinosaur floor puzzle?
http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo...%7CFK276~~.jsp

Ok, just realizing now that these are not exactly WOW gifts.

How about the magna-trucks?
http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/sea...08474395181113

[mrshalco]

I have three boys, so it's always a challenge trying to come up with a new present for my youngest. Here are some ideas I've come up with in the past year. FWIW, my youngest is 4, and all of these were hits when he turned 3 one year ago or at Christmas:

an aquaplay set
Martian Matter Alien Maker playset (huge hit with all three boys, though may be better closer to 3 1/2)
Bruder trucks (bought at rummage sales and TJ Maxx/Marshalls)
Hess trucks (this may be an East Coast thing, though)
any Playmobil
any Lego (he has transitioned to from Duplos to regular Legos in the past year)
small RC car/truck (his oldest brother has a very fancy RC truck)
Play-doh sets (he wants the dentist set for Christmas)
Team Umizoomi fan club backpack and activity sets

I'll add to the list if I can think of anything else.

Where did you buy Team Umizoomi stuff? DS2 LOVES LOVES LOVES them!!

[abh5e8]

ds is newly 3 and im pretty stumped too. he LOVES his balance bike, wooden trains, wooden blocks, duplos and baby dolls (yes, dolls, he has an older sister ) but we have tons of toys...and he loves them.


i think we are doing:

magformers or magnatiles
bitty baby twin boy
sleeping bag and flash light
puzzles and books (the kid LOVES both)

[kijip]

Thanks for all the great ideas.

We do have a small play kitchen and food and he has a babydoll be loves and plays with.

Thinking about magnatiles, scooter, balance bike and some others. Some things sound great but we don't have a ton of space. Need one for Christmas and then a couple of things for his birthday. I am much better prepared to shop after this thread than before. Thank you!

[JTsMom]

I see someone suggested a Bruder truck. Those are a huge hit here with both boys. We have a shopping cart and Ikea push wagon that both love to play with.

We're in the same boat here. I'm thinking about this
http://www.bjs.com/little-tikes-big-....198230?dimId=
for Zach. He is very into anything with wheels.

Our big gift this year is a (CL find) powered John Deere Gator for both to share.