My Son Is Turning 3 and Everyone Wants to Get Him Something

My first choice for a gift would be savings bonds. 2nd, I would get him a leapster hand held game...its really educational and fun for preschool aged kids.

Before our daughter was born in 1994, we established her college fund. No one donates to that fund but us and she is fully funded at this point.

However, several relatives wanted to do something different because she has everything....they give her savings bonds....and coins. We collect coins and our family knows that... so good quality collector sets are appreciated as well as the savings bonds. Her bonds are enough right now that they could possible fund her wedding or first house.

Just a thought.

How about things like a gift certificate to the zoo, or to the movies, or to Chuck E. Cheese?

This is such a fun age to start buying stuff for! Since he's getting a sandbox, maybe sand toys? Also, other outside stuff he doesn't already have. Maybe books or clothes. We set up college funds when each of our kids were born, and relatives like to put money in there and give a small gift at birthdays sometimes. This is also an age where board games are fun. When my kids were 3, they liked Lucky Ducks, Elefun, and a fishing one (can't remember the name of it). Hullabaloo and Candy Land are also fun, but probably not for a few more months. Playdough is also fun for this age.

I was going to suggest the Cool School, but he already has that =) Love the Cool School! We bought my daughter some of the games for it, and she really likes having the option of what games she can play. For her 3rd birthday one of her friends put together a really neat gift with a kite, velcro baseball glove, golf clubs, and a soccer ball. She plays with them all of the time! It is nothing fancy just a bunch of sports toys that could not have cost more than $20 total. You could get a big tupper ware storage container, paint his name on it,fill it with all of the sports themed toys and put a bow on it. That would be wrapping, the gift, and storage all in one! Can't get better than that =)

Hi H.,

I am totally with you on the what to get dilemma. My son just turned 4 Thursday & we had his party today. I asked everyone to purchase movies, books or board games that we could do as a family as he doesn't need any more clothes or toys either. It worked out great cause that is all he received & it is much more "FAMILY" stuff. I think he really liked it that way to. Good luck & I hope he has a wonderful 3rd birthday!!!

Hi H., what about a personalized storytelling with your son as the main character?
That way you introduce him to the literature in a cool way. Specially now that videogames take over the books.

Here in the local business reviews i saw a couple of places that do that, just look for them at the entertainment part in books and libraries.
God Luck and congratulations on the little one.

My son turned 3 close to Christmas so it was really tough. He has a Thomas Train set so it is always a great idea to get accessories and engines for that. You'll never run out of things to add with that! Also, Leap Frog Toys are great - the letters sets and word games. He also likes his Doodle Pro. And I believe you can't have too many books!

My children have so many toys, and I really wanted to teach them above giving, so for each of their birthdays we pick a different charity to support. We have everyone bring something for that charity and then my and my children take it up there and give to the charity. I still have big parties for my kids and my husband and I get the children something for their birthday.

Also, the grandparents give to the charity and also put money into a savings account that I opened for their college fund.

Hope these help!