Gifts for 3-year-olds that aren't screens

At age 3, the best gifts are the ones that get children using their hands, making up stories and playing with adults: drawing and modelling materials, simple wooden games, activity books and pretend-play toys. Here are 10 ideas and what to check before you buy.

What to look for in a gift for a 3-year-old

• Safety. Check for CE marking and the age shown on the label. Toys with small parts are only for children over 36 months.
• Busy hands. Modelling, slotting, scribbling and stacking help develop fine motor skills, the basis for holding a pencil properly later on.
• Simple rules. At this age, a game has to make sense within a few minutes.
• Playing together. Gifts that need an adult alongside are the ones that come out of the cupboard most often.
• Durability. At 3, everything ends up on the floor. Wood and cotton hold up better than thin plastic.

10 gifts for 3-year-olds

1. Plasticine or modelling dough

Rolling balls, snakes and little figures builds finger strength and allows play without rules. Choose bright colours and a washable mat for the table.

2. Coloured pencils and a sketchbook

Coloured pencils with a sharpener and big sheets of paper are enough for hours of drawing. At this age, what matters is scribbling, not the result.

3. Books with big pictures and activities

Books to read aloud, with pages to colour in or complete, turn reading into a game for two.

4. Building blocks

Stacking, knocking down and building again teaches balance and patience. Wooden blocks last for years and get passed from one sibling to the next.

5. Picture dominoes

Before counting dots, children can match identical pictures. It's a good first experience of a game with turns and rules.

6. Wooden noughts and crosses

Three in a row is easy to explain and fits on a café table. At first the learner wins, and that's fine.

7. Traditional toys to try with an adult

The yo-yo and the spinning top are still tricky at 3, but watching an adult throw them is a show and an invitation to have a go.

8. Inset puzzles

Puzzles with a few chunky pieces help children recognise shapes and colours without frustration.

9. Pretend-play toys

A small kitchen, hats or a suitcase feed the imagination and the first made-up stories.

10. A kit that brings several activities together

If you'd like to give everything in one box, the Explore Portugal with Rabiskas kit, Level 1 was designed for ages 3 to 6. It includes an activity book about Portugal, noughts and crosses, dominoes, a yo-yo, modelling clay, coloured pencils with a sharpener, 2 graphite pencils, a bracelet and the Rabiskas bag, all in a Rabiskas backpack. The kit has CE marking.

How much screen time is recommended at age 3?

The World Health Organization recommends that, between ages 2 and 4, sedentary screen time should be no more than 1 hour a day, and says less is better (WHO guidelines for children under 5). A gift that invites play away from screens helps keep to that without arguments.

Frequently asked questions

From what age can you give toys with small parts?

From 36 months. Before that there is a choking risk, so always check the age shown on the label.

Is a wooden gift better than a plastic one?

Wood is usually sturdier when dropped and lasts longer. Whatever the material, the most important thing is CE marking and being right for the child's age.

What can you give a 3-year-old who already has lots of toys?

An activity to do as a family: a book to complete together, a simple board game or materials for an afternoon of drawing and modelling.

Buying for an older child? Take a look at the Level 2 kit, for ages 6 to 9, or compare the two kits.