Christmas or Xmas Gifts for a 3 year old boy - that they WILL play with

So, you want to know what to buy a 3 year old boy.

Well I will start by telling you what he got LAST year that he STILL plays with:

I am going to highlight the price of each item, for those speed reading with a budget in mind.

It was £84.95 from Play Merrily and still is, but it was from me Santa, and it has been a childminder ever since he has played with it every day since.  I'd call that GOOD value for money.

If you are not buying for Santa, and you are a relative/friend with a smaller budget, then the Ikea train set (only £8) was his first ever track when he was much younger and he played with that every day when he got it and still sometimes does.  I did not know when I bought it, that it would foster such a love of tracks - he has so many now!  Another favourite is the one that Rubba Dubba bought him for Xmas last year: Thomas & Friends Take-n-Play The Great Quarry Climb - this Thomas Land track which is also a winner. It is currently £39.99 on Amazon.

Aaron regularly plays with his Bubble Guppies microphone which I bought him in Kiddicare recently.  It was £14.99 but worth every penny as he plays with it often.





What he actually wants for Xmas this year, on his Santa list:

1. Iron Man costume
2. Spiderman costume
3. Incredible Hulk costume
4. Jake and the Neverland Pirates Ship (he has been staring at this each time we go to Kiddicare as below).  He started wanting it when he saw it on display at Lollibop - naughty Lego stand had it close enough to touch but they weren't allowed to - it was for parents to look at apparently (i.e. advertising) and it worked!  But the one that keeps getting advertised on TV is the OTHER one, so I think he will be getting both!
5. This:

   LEGO® Jake's Pirate Ship Bucky £31.99 in Kiddicare

   and

6. This:

   Disney Jake & The Never Land Pirates Hook'S Jolly Roger Pirate Ship £24.99 in Kiddicare

   

Just so you know, our favourite shop: Kiddicare will be doing three for two soon:

Kiddicare’s three for two toy promotion runs

5th November to 2nd December 2013

inclusive, in-store, online and via the Kiddicare mobile app. 

They have also put together a top ten list so you don't have to:

Make your toddler’s Christmas with these gifts from Kiddicare, that get the Kiddicare toy tester’s seal of approval:

1. Sunny Safari Rocking Zebra, RRP £39.99, 18months+

A wild addition to any playroom, this gorgeous rocking animal will help improve your tot’s balance and leg muscles. Kiddicare toy tester Missi Waik (aged 3) says: “I love Zebby Zebra because he rocks really fast and has a crinkly, crunchy mane.”

2. Buzzing Brains Alphabet Teaching Frame, RRP £12.99, 2 years+

A classic. This brightly coloured teaching frame is the perfect way to introduce your little one to words, letters and numbers.

3. Buzzing Brains Wooden Building Blocks, RRP £11.99, 12 months+

Sort shapes, sizes and colours for endless hours of fun and learning whilst they develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

4. Buzzing Brains Click Clack Track, RRP £15, 12 months+

Encourage sharing between siblings and friends as players take it in turns to race four colourful cars down the wooden click-track.

5. Buzzing Brains Parking Garage, RRP £39.99, 3 years+

Rev up your little one’s imagination. This parking garage also features a working elevator, three ramps and service station with car wash, repair area and 2 fuel pumps. Who said cars were for boys? Toy tester Missi says: ‘The blue car is a police car and tells the red car off when it parks in the wrong place. They go really fast when I push them down the ramp.’

6. Buzzing Brains 2 in 1 Magnetic Art Case, £19.99, 3 years+

Two sides, unlimited learning. A magnetic board for spelling and counting and peg board to make shapes and graphics. Parents will love that it all folds into a compact and tidy case when the fun is over!

7. Buzzing Brains Letter Train & Piano Activity Table, RRP £29.99, 12 months+
   Feature packed table top with light-up musical keys, sliders, gearshift, spinning top, flapping butterfly and lots more.  

8. Buzzing Brains Rock Star Keyboard & Stool, RRP £29.99, 3 years+

Is your little one born to be a star? They’ll love the light-up keys and songs this keyboard boasts, as well as the record and play back functionality. ‘I sing ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ into the microphone and like dancing to the music,’ says Missi Waik, official Kiddicare toy tester, aged 3 years.

9. Buzzing Brains Busy Discovery Home (Dolls House), £29.99 currently on offer at £23.99, 3 years+

This beautiful doll’s house comes complete with furniture and family figures. Watch your child create scenes and stories in the four rooms and attic as their imagination develops.

10. Buzzing Brains Deluxe Big Kitchen, RRP £149.99, 3 years+

Let them cook up a storm in this ‘grown up’ kitchen. This life-like play set includes refrigerator, freezer, oven, and microwave with interactive knobs and taps that turn and click. 

Disclosure: I have not been paid to write this post.

We actually bought the dolls' house mentioned above in the Summer as one of Aaron's (June) birthday presents. It is a very unisex style that doesn't feel too girlie and Aaron loves it.

Here he is playing with it in my friend's garden this Summer, although he is posing more than playing in this particular snap (the close door front and the handle top both make transporting it to a friend's house incredibly easy):

Aaron came with me to Christmas in July this year.

These were his favourites that he played with A LOT - so they are tried and tested further gift ideas :-)

If you are ready to start thinking all things Christmas I can also recommend this company:





Disclosure: if you make a purchase at Love Christmas Ltd I will receive a small commission of 10% as thank you to me for directing you there. Tis well worth a visit though and a lovely family run company!