Toys for children aged 3 and up – toddlers

At three years old, playing becomes increasingly interesting for children. They start role-playing and want to imitate adults. But it's not just getting better for the children; it's also better for the parents. I personally love shopping for toys and was often disappointed that most things are only for ages three and up. As a mother of twins, we have tested a lot of toys, and here I would like to present our list.

Toys for children aged 3 and up/toddlers

Musical instruments for children

Our children are absolutely crazy about musical instruments. Our children are especially fond of the guitar; it had to be one with real strings, and they really play it with full passion.

Of course, there are all kinds of instruments for children in toy stores: piano, flute, or drum. Depending on what volume level you as a parent can live with, you should choose carefully. I can still remember a conversation at a flea market where a mother told me she really wanted to sell the drum because she could hardly bear the noise at 5:30 in the morning.

You can buy instruments for children in almost all toy stores, often at discounters, or at Amazon.

Play shop and accessories for children

Now children like to play role-playing games and imitate adults. They want to do everything just like the 'grown-ups'. Therefore, a play shop is a very good idea for children; here they can shop to their heart's content and, if there is a sibling, also negotiate.

Extra tip: It doesn't always have to be a large, expensive play shop; there are many accessories, and you can simply take boxes or cartons and set them up on a table. I always find it nice when children still use a lot of imagination and put many things together themselves.

A play shop is available in almost all toy stores, often at discounters, or at Amazon.

Blackboard for children

A blackboard is a very nice children's toy. I did have some concerns about the chalk dust, but the concerns were unfounded.

Our blackboard has two sides: on one side you can draw and write with chalk, and on the other side, letters and numbers can be attached as magnets. I find the model with two sides really very successful, and our children are very eager to draw or attach magnets. Furthermore, our model is made of wood and therefore very stable; it stands very well. Definitely make sure that the blackboard has a good stand so that it cannot keep falling over.

Furthermore, there is a clock and something for counting included. The chalk breaks very easily in children's hands, of course, and we only had a very small sponge included, which we replaced immediately.

I am already curious when my children stand there as teachers and want to teach me something.

Blackboards are available in almost all toy stores, often at discounters, or at Amazon.

Play dough for children

With play dough, a lot of imagination is also required, and our twins love working with play dough. We bought a few basic colors and matching tools, such as rolling pins, cookie cutters, and small knives.

There are already many additions from various manufacturers where children have to create pizzas or ice cream. However, you have to expect that they will mix the colors. And what I have always wanted to say: where did the hairdresser go? Those who played with play dough in the 80s will know what I mean. Very unfortunate in any case; I loved how the hair always 'grew' so beautifully.

Extra tip: I simply found the rolling pin, the cookie cutters, and small knives in the kitchen accessories department at the toy store.

Play dough is available in almost all toy stores, often at discounters or at Amazon.

Play sand for children

Children love to work with different materials; sand is one of them, for example. Here there is wonderful Play sand for children with which children can also play very nicely indoors.

Board games for children aged 3 and up

Finally, the time has come. I am passionate about playing games and could hardly wait to venture into one game or another with my children. At two years old, they were still too small, but from 3 years old, there are already many beautiful games.

They should be short games that you can explain to the children quickly. Furthermore, the games should be robust, so for example, the dominoes should be made of cardboard. Games where they can touch something are great, such as the Duck Dance or the Bobby Car game. With Quips, I find it very valuable for the children because they can count and learn the colors at the same time.

Here are our favorites for board games for toddlers:

1. Quips
2. Bob the Builder Rally
3. Bobby Car Game
4. Memory
5. Domino
6. Fishing game
7. Duck Dance
8. My first Electric

Board games are often available at discounters, in almost all toy stores, or at Amazon.

Parking garage with cars for children

Both children love playing with a parking garage. However, I didn't find it so easy to find a suitable one, as our children still handle them quite roughly. In my opinion, it should be very solid, the floors must be well connected, and small accessories like guardrails on the side don't last long with us.

Small additions like a car wash, an elevator, or a ramp and barriers are great; that makes it even more fun for them. Matchbox cars are very suitable as cars.

Parking garages are often available at discounters, in almost all toy stores, or at Amazon.

Remote-controlled cars for children

These cars are always equally popular with boys and men. I know almost no man whose eyes don't light up when a car with a remote control is within reach. The same goes for our children; they love driving their cars around and are becoming increasingly skillful.

The cars and also the remote control should be very stable. A car with a fixed antenna is not yet for our children; the antenna would bend very often because they simply drive under everything. Nowadays, there are already remote-controlled cars for toddlers that perhaps have similarities with well-known series or films.

Remote-controlled cars are available in almost all toy stores, often at discounters or at Amazon.

Balls for playing

Balls are always popular with children. Whether for throwing or kicking with the foot. Balls should not be missing in any child's room. There is a very large selection of balls: different colors, consistency, sizes, and sports. For small children, a colorful and soft ball is perfectly fine.

Doll accessories

At three years old, small children more often become caring doll moms or doll dads. The doll must be carried around, put down, fed, or comforted. Our doll is also being carried around more and more often with us.

For our daughter, a Maxi Cosi has therefore become very practical, as she can carry the doll around like a real mom. Above all, the belt must always be well fastened. By the way, our son is also fascinated by the Maxi Cosi because our model also has wheels, so that you can convert it into a stroller.

In general, accessories for the doll are becoming more and more important, be it a bottle, diaper bag, clothes to change, or even a potty. The doll (or sometimes a stuffed animal) simply has to be treated exactly like a baby.

Doll accessories are available in almost all toy stores, often at discounters or at Amazon.

Large cars for children to play with

Not only are the children getting bigger, but so is the desire for ever-larger cars. Yes, of course, my son also wants to drive our car, but that is a different topic now. In this article, I mean cars as children's toys.

My son is thrilled when the cars are really big, so not Matchbox cars, but many times larger. And that's where it becomes even more important with a blue light or light: rescue, fire department, and police are very popular. Monster trucks have also recently become very popular with our children. Because these are very robust and simply have to drive into or down everything.

Furthermore, garbage trucks, buses, trucks, and car transporters are also a first-choice toy. With car transporters, children always like to load and unload other cars. It is nice when some cars also come with figures so that someone really has to steer the car.

Large cars are available in almost all toy stores, often at discounters or at Amazon.

Wooden train (Brio railway) for children

The train also has something fascinating for children. Whenever we see a train driving, we naturally have to stop and look at every single wagon; that can often be quite long with freight trains.

In my opinion, the wooden railway from Brio is very well suited for playing. With this game, dexterity is improved and imagination is stimulated. The children have to build their tracks again and again and can always start new train journeys with trains and wagons. Of course, there are also wonderful additions like barriers, a crane, or houses so that the whole thing looks more authentic.

Train sets are available in almost all toy stores, often at discounters or at Amazon.

Stuffed animals for children

stuffed animals are very important for children to play and cuddle with. Many have a favorite stuffed animal that must always be with them. Our children like stuffed animals very much and always take them all to bed. Also for playing, the animals are often gathered together and covered up or fed.

Books for children aged 3 and up – books for toddlers

Books are still very popular with our children. Especially in the evening, it is a nice ritual to read one story or another before going to sleep. It is practical that there are already really many books where you can also approach current topics in a playful way, such as becoming potty trained or sharing. Here I would like to give a few tips for really good children's literature:

Books for children to become potty trained

• Luzie and Lottchen
• Moritz Moppelpo no longer needs a diaper

Books for bad dreams and self-confidence

• Laura's Star and the Dream Monsters

Books for helpfulness, cooperation, or friendships

• Maya the Bee – most lovely bedtime storybook
• Books by Bob the Builder
• Books by Winnie the Pooh

Books for dexterity and imagination

• Play books with magnetic parts, e.g., from Ministeps

Books are available in bookstores, in almost all toy stores, often at discounters or at Amazon.

Conclusion

Children like to play, and it is quite natural that you want to support them in doing so. I think it is important that children need a lot of imagination despite the toy and that not everything is predetermined. It is always wonderful when a table turns into a garage, or the crane also serves as a grill.

Toys for children do not always have to be brand new; there are really good opportunities nowadays to acquire beautiful toys cheaply. My favorite is flea markets because you can usually talk to the sellers – who are usually mothers or fathers themselves, or it is even the children themselves – very well and get advice. I have already bought quite a few things where I was then very surprised that the children really like them very much.

Furthermore, you can also buy many things used and therefore often cheaper via eBay, online flea markets, or Amazon.

Also a good possibility are Flea markets: here in the Marchfeld, some good ones are offered where you can buy really great toys.

I hope these tips were helpful and there is something for everyone. If something is missing, please write an email or a comment right away so that this list becomes complete!

Photos by Sabine, meinhaushalt.at

Also read: The best flea markets in the Marchfeld