I first wrote a version of this guide when Hailey was 3 and we were counting down to Christmas. A few years later it was her little sister Kaitlyn who was eager to see what was waiting under the tree, and today both girls are well past this stage. I’ve kept this list of gifts for 3 year old girls updated over the years with the toys, books and games that were true favorites in our house.
My girls have very different personalities and play in different ways. Hailey tends to be a bit more reserved and thoughtful (even at her birthday party, she opened one card and gift at a time, keeping everything orderly!). She loves to read, do art and help me in the kitchen.
Kaitlyn is a tiny little thing, full of sugar and spice, and the word feisty always comes to mind when I think of her. She is loud and funny and messy and a born performer (watch the video in this post and you’ll see what I mean).
Even so, there are some toys, games and other gifts that they both loved, and that I love too. Some are educational in a sneaky way. Some let them explore their artistic sides. But most? They’re just fun. Many of these would be great for boys too, and I’ve added a few favorites that readers have shared in the comments over the years.
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Shop by category:
- Building and STEM Toys
- Pretend Play and Dress Up
- Outdoor and Nature Toys
- Puzzles, Games and Learning Toys
- Books
- Cozy and Practical Gifts
- Experiences and Less-Is-More Ideas
The Best Gifts for 3 Year Old Girls
Building and STEM Gifts for 3 Year Old Girls
Magna-Tiles
These are always a huge hit, and they aren’t only for 3-year-olds, so I love that this is a toy that grows with your kids. Their imaginations can run wild while their sense of shapes and geometry grows as they build towers and houses. This 32-piece set is a great starter, and the 100-piece set is a fun upgrade if you want to go big.
Gears! Gears! Gears! Building Set
Colorful gears that snap together and actually spin when she turns the crank. It’s a great open-ended toy for little hands and fine motor skills.
Mega Bloks Big Building Bag
Big, chunky blocks that are easy for 3-year-olds to stack and pull apart, and they all fit back in the bag for easy clean up.
LEGO DUPLO Building Plate
If you already have DUPLO blocks at home, a big base plate makes building towers so much easier. It’s such a helpful add-on!
Pretend Play Gifts for 3 Year Old Girls
Imagination is really kicking in at this age and it’s so much fun to watch it run wild.
Kids Karaoke Microphone With Stand
Even though she was sometimes shy about it, Hailey was really into singing and making up songs, and at 3 she started to give us little performances. Kaitlyn? She loved being in the spotlight. This one comes with its own stand, so she can put on a real show.
Color-In Cardboard Playhouse
We first discovered these when Hailey received one for her 3rd birthday. It was a huge hit then and is such a great option for this age. Kids can color the outside and inside and then play house with their toys, too.
Dress Up Capes and Masks
A set of capes and masks for little superheroes. These get pulled out for playdates again and again.
Twirly Dress
My girls loved twirly dresses for dress up and everyday play! This soft cotton one spins out beautifully and comes in lots of colors.
Melissa & Doug Doctor Kit
A play doctor kit is a classic for a reason. Expect lots of checkups on stuffed animals (and on you!).
Wooden Tea Set
Tea parties with stuffed animals were a regular thing at our house. This wooden set is sturdy enough to last through years of pretend play.
Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Set
Play-Doh never gets old at this age, and a kitchen set with cookie cutters and molds adds a whole new layer of pretend play.
Outdoor and Nature Toys
Some of the best gifts for 3 year old girls get them outside and moving.
Kidnoculars
A friend of mine had these, and they’re perfect for letting kids take a closer look at plants, animals or even their older siblings’ sports practices. They’re really sturdy and won’t break when dropped. The same company makes this first microscope, too!
Micro Mini Scooter
A three-wheel scooter is so much easier for a 3-year-old to balance on, and it’s a great way to burn off some energy outside.
Sidewalk Chalk
A big box of washable sidewalk chalk is one of those simple gifts that gets used constantly. My girls would cover our whole driveway!
Puzzles, Games and Learning Toys
Simple games and puzzles make great gifts for 3 year old girls who are just starting to learn how to take turns.
Candy Land
At this age, it can be hard for kids to understand the rules or pay attention long enough to finish a game, but there are some really fun options for beginners. Candy Land will always be a classic!
Busy Barn Floor Puzzle
A big floor puzzle with jumbo pieces that are easy for little hands. The barn shape and animals make it extra fun.
Lift & See Alphabet Puzzle
A wooden peg puzzle with a picture under each letter, which makes it a sweet way to start learning the alphabet.
Shape-Sorting Wooden Dump Truck
A wooden dump truck with shape blocks to sort and haul around. It’s simple, sturdy and great for this age.
Wooden Train Table
This one is more of a splurge, but a train table with tracks and storage bins is a gift that gets played with for years.
Book Gifts for 3 Year Old Girls
For her first Christmas, Hailey received a personalized book and loved it. Both my kids had so much fun finding the letters of their names in books, so having something just for them is a really special idea. I See Me! has some great personalized options.
Gregory, the Terrible Eater
A funny story about a picky goat who would rather eat fruits and vegetables than tin cans. This was a favorite in our house.
The Big Book of Berenstain Bears Stories
We loved the Berenstain Bears, with special mentions to Kindness Counts, The Trouble With Chores and The Joy of Giving. This collection is a great way to start.
LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book
An interactive book that says words out loud in English and Spanish when she touches the pictures. Great for this age.
Cozy and Practical Gifts for 3 Year Old Girls
Kids Sleeping Bag
Whether it’s for an indoor slumber party or a travel adventure, a kid-sized sleeping bag is such a fun gift.
Musical Unicorn Jewelry Box
My girls loved playing with jewelry at this age. Having a place to keep their treasures is a great way to teach them to take care of “precious” things, and it keeps what could become a tangled mess fairly well organized.
Kids Apron and Chef Hat
My kids and I love spending time together in the kitchen, and an apron of their own is such a fun way to help them get involved and feel like it’s really special.
Lifefactory Water Bottle
A glass bottle with a silicone sleeve, so it’s easy for small hands to hold on to. It’s easy to wash, too.
Bentgo Kids Lunch Box
We often went on adventures and needed to pack snacks and lunches that might be eaten hours later. My friends love these Bentgo boxes, and PlanetBox is pricier but really nice. Pair either one with this insulated lunch bag that’s easy for younger kids to carry.
Experiences and Less-Is-More Ideas
Each year, I try very hard to remember that less is more. We talk a lot at home and in homeschool about gratitude and giving back. So if you are looking to save some money or cut back on the tangible gifts this year, here are a few ideas:
- A reader shared this thought, which I love: pick one gift that your kids want, one that they need and one that’s something to read.
- Look on Facebook Marketplace or at a consignment store to find local, gently-used items.
- Three is a great age to give experiences. That could be a membership to a local museum or aquarium, or vouchers for special one-on-one days with Mom or Dad.
Gifts for 3 Year Old Girls: Common Questions
What are the best gifts for 3 year old girls?
Open-ended toys that grow with her are the best value at this age. Magna-Tiles, pretend play sets like a doctor kit or tea set, a big floor puzzle and a few favorite picture books are all great picks that get played with long after the wrapping paper is gone.
What do 3 year olds like to play with?
Three-year-olds love pretend play, building, coloring and anything they can do “by myself.” Look for toys with chunky pieces, simple rules and room for imagination.
Shopping for a different age? I also have gift guides for 2 year old girls, 4 year old girls, 5 year old girls and 6 year old girls, plus a list of toddler stocking stuffers.
I hope these gifts for 3 year old girls help you find something special for the little one in your life! What was the best gift you received as a child? What is your favorite gift to give to a child? I’d love to hear in the comments.
Jodi says
Great ideas lady!! Growing up , my family didn’t give a lot of gifts throughout the year. We got gifts on our birthday and clothes for back to school, so Christmas was a magical time for us bc Santa never disappointed!! My favorite toy was always the one present that was unwrapped which signifified where our gifts were under the tree ( since there were 4kids) I would always play w it in the middle of the nite!
I am having a hard time reigning uti this year w the girls. Initially I was stressed bc I like to buy gifts with and for a purpose. Like the potterybarn anywhere chairs or the table and chairs they use everyday. So this year I got creative and we are revamping the playroom bc the girls are so into imaginary play! I got a couple new kitchen piece on Craiglist for a quarter of the price and a new canvas garden cottage in amazon using a gift card I had. So I keep justifying that I am totally NOT spending a lot, but is keep thinking of more things… think we are going to put a table and chairs up there to make a little kitchen. And flower and tree wall decals. And with that, I will stop…. 🙂 but I can’t wait to see there faces when they follow a little ribbon from the tree up the stairs to the playroom! I am definitely more excited for Christmas this year now that the girls are old enough to understand!!
Brittany Dixon says
What an awesome idea! Their faces are going to be priceless. And so is H’s when we come over to play in it with you 😉
Melissa G says
I agree with all of these. =) A doll house could be included. Train table and trains are also fun. We got both our kids (boy & girl) that for a big gift last year, best gift ever!! My husband made the table, which is perfect for other toys as well, like legos. Legos are on their list this year. (Ages 3 and 5)
Jess says
I had to comment because you mentioned personalized books. I got this one (https://www.lostmy.name ) for my daughter’s first birthday a couple of months ago. She’s too young to get it, but the illustrations are unreal! The site let’s you enter the name, pick the gender, and see how it will turn out. Highly recommend! And I have nothing to do with the company, I just actually clicked an ad off Facebook for the first time ever haha.
Brittany Dixon says
Totally checking this out- thanks!
Sabrina says
Love this list! Just put the frozen karaoke machine on Ali’s list. I realized yesterday that the kids didn’t have anything cool to open so I am adding a few fun gifts. Thanks for the idea!
And we have a bunch of magnatiles so none for our kids this Christmas, but I bought the 100 piece set for my niece. Hurray!
I can’t wait for Ali to be into jewelry. Any fave brands or stores to check out for pretend jewelry?
Brittany Dixon says
I need to look more into this myself but the jewelry she has now is mostly favors from birthday parties or necklaces she made from noodles. And while I’ve got you… CONGRATULATIONS!!! 🙂
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
So cute! 3 is a fun age! 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
When I was a kid I LOVED getting a fresh new Barbie, all perfect and in the box (before their hair got all messed up and they were still pristine!). Seriously was one of the best gifts, haha!
Joanna @Makingmine says
Oh those Magnatiles are super cool! I think I’m going to get my daughter a Bitty Baby when baby #2 is born. I always wanted one growing up haha
Brittany Dixon says
H has a bitty baby and it’s been a huge hit. They’re so cute!
staci says
Do you still do the want, need, wear, read gift categories?
Brittany Dixon says
I do! I love it. I am sticking with just those for Kaitlyn, but am trying to reel it in a bit for Hailey because I can think of more than one want for her!
Kelly @ The Fit Skool says
Those dress up clothes are awesome, I can’t wait until my little one wants to play dress up!!
Erica { EricaDHouse.com } says
I read this great article on teaching kids the value of gratitude and the meaning of the holiday. It suggested you get your kids three gifts; something they want, something they need and something to read. Or some variation of it; 3 things they want, 2 things they need and 1 thing to read. I LOVED this idea but when I told Travis I’d want to do it if we had kids he looked at me like I was certifiable.
Brittany Dixon says
That’s what we do too- want, need, wear, read! Isn’t it great? This is the first year I’m struggling with wanting more than one want for H 😉 It’s tough sometimes!
Shari says
Love your choices for Hailey!!
I got a My Little Pony game for Hanukkah when I was four or five, and I adored it. Would you believe I still have it packed away in the basement? Some things it’s just hard to get rid of, you know?
Brittany Dixon says
Oh I know it! I’m at my parent’s house now and my mom and dad have asked me repeatedly to get all my treasures (old junk ;)) out of their storage haha
Marnie @ SuperSmartMama says
My son is three-and-a-half and he cannot get enough of his magnatiles. They are pricey, but one of those presents that inspires creativity and never gets old. I totally agree with this choice!
And although my son is not a girl (obviously) I am going into look into those knives you recommended. I am a HUGE cook and I have recently started to include my son in some of the kitchen activities. I would love to involve him in cooking!!
Thanks for these great tips!
Laura @FitMamaLove says
These are great ideas, many of them for boys too! I was nodding my head at a few that my son loves too. And OMG, I LOVE the AG babies! I can’t wait to give my daughter her first AG doll!
Brittany Dixon says
I know these would work for boys too! I guess I was half asleep this morning when I specified girls 😉
Jen says
Those knives are awesome! My little who is almost 3 would LOVE them.
Lauren says
I am so going to look into those knives! C loves to help me prep and chop too and sometimes her little knife just doesn’t cut it–ha literally! I just gave my niece magnatiles for her bday and she was playing with them before opening her other gifts 🙂 I might give C magformers since they are less expensive to go with the other gifts we want to give her. It is so hard to not go crazy on your kids because you know what they would love, what they don’t have, etc. But yes, I totally agree with your mindset that less is more! One of my fave gifts as a kid was an American girl doll in elementary school and also the bitty baby. I have all of them packed up and plan on giving C the bitty baby with all the accessories in May when her baby sibling is born 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving, Brittany!
Rachel says
If I can be nit-picky here for just a second, your gift list need not be specific to girls. My son, along with most boys would enjoy all of these items!
We have those Magnatiles along with Magnaforms and they’re awesome! Pricey, but awesome. Just get ready to pick all those pieces up that end up everywhere :/
I love to get my kids things that encourage creative play. Both my son and daughter love doing crafts and making “projects”. I go to the dollar store and load up on pipe cleaners, fuzzy balls, googly eyes, etc. And because we’re lucky enough to live in AZ I’m always looking at toys and games for them to play with outside 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Oh yeah, I know these gifts are great for boys or girls- I think I was still half asleep this morning when I specified for girls. I’m surrounded by them so I tend to be female-focused 😉
And I love creative play too! Great idea with the dollar store. Seeing their minds stretch and imagine is pretty amazing.
Sarah (SHU) says
love the jewelry box idea! Love this post.
A’s fave gift ever was a cute mermaid sleeping bag.
Josephine says
Great list! I’m getting my three year old;
a jewellery box too,
doc mcstuffins operation, giant snakes and ladders, ladybug counting game by Oxford,
Sophia the first play doh kit and Disney Princess Create a Palace Play doh kit.
Would love to get her blocks with a theme to build (she has plain duplo blocks and plain wooden blocks)
Chantal says
Gosh I got my soon-to-be-three year old WAY too much stuff. I just can’t help it… I see things and I just want to buy her all of it. I did restrain myself a bit, but still. Lol. Maybe next year I’ll be better.
Ginger says
Great ideas! I used to teach nutrition and cooking lessons to pre-k and elementary school kids, and we used those knives ALL the time. They actually work really well for cutting foods, but are still very safe. We never had any accidents with them! The kids loved being able to cut foods all by themselves (with supervision, of course).
Charlie Hendricks says
Taking my son to his first Princess party tomorrow – since I was blessed with boys the pressure is on. You gave me some great ideas. Thank you.
LaToya says
This gave me a few ideas (thank you!) Zoe is 3 and I was struggling on what to get her for Christmas!
Wendy Cartright says
I was reading through your list and I had to stop at number 9. A personalized book is the best idea I have ever heard, and I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of it before! I have been looking for a birthday gift for my niece, who is turning four. I am definitely going to have to get one for her. She will be so excited that she is in a book.
JOHN J STATHAS says
Santa has a lot of choices! C ya later. The boat’s ready 🙂
abby says
I really appreciate your gift guides! My girls are 4, almost 3, and almost 1 and I go back through your archives each year for their birthdays and Christmas to get ideas. They are great! Keep it up!
A few other ideas:
– Zingo game
– Wooden beads for making jewelry
Thanks!
Brittany Dixon says
I have not heard of Zingo but will look it up- thank you Abby!