# what to get a three year old boy for his birthday, need answer by early Saturday **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 27, 2018, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706 "2018-07-27T22:30:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2018, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/1 "2018-07-27T22:30:15Z")
All I can tell you is he is three and lives near a beach. my immediate thought was beach toys but he probably has tons. Still, beach toys! anyway, I appreciate any suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2018, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/2 "2018-07-27T22:38:11Z")
I got [this](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BN6QAVI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) for a relative’s 3-year-old’s birthday a few weeks ago. It was a big hit, even playing with it just at the water table on their porch. For the record, I played with it some, too, and thought it was pretty cool. So age range: 3-50. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2018, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/3 "2018-07-27T23:32:23Z")
Picture books always make great gifts. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2018, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/4 "2018-07-27T23:38:33Z")
Any Super hero character. You might call his Mom and ask what is his favorite. Gift certificate to Build-a-bear workshop. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2018, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/5 "2018-07-27T23:43:34Z")
Price range? Age appropriate puzzles good, to a good wood (maple ideally) block set if wanting to spend more, to a new Brio or Thomas train or special track part if they have a set. Beach stuff? No. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2018, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/6 "2018-07-27T23:48:09Z")
Thomas Trains are loved by every little boy I know. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2018, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/7 "2018-07-27T23:49:30Z")
Realistic model airplanes, like a miniature real-looking replica of a 747. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2018, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/8 "2018-07-28T00:13:29Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > I got [this](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BN6QAVI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) for a relative’s 3-year-old’s birthday a few weeks ago. It was a big hit, even playing with it just at the water table on their porch. For the record, I played with it some, too, and thought it was pretty cool. So age range: 3-50. 😃 that does look like fun 🙂 price range is $15ish. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2018, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/9 "2018-07-28T00:31:06Z")
Play-doh construction set of some kind, like [the fun factory](https://www.amazon.com/Play-Doh-Fun-Factory-Deluxe-Set/dp/B01BYBUY0Y/ref=sr_1_10?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1532737567&sr=1-10&keywords=play+doh). [Bubble machine](https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_5?url=search-alias%3Dtoys-and-games&field-keywords=bubble+machine&sprefix=bubbl%2Ctoys-and-games%2C209&crid=36U2F7EP5FJZ0) or [pop up tunnel](https://www.amazon.com/Sunshine-Yellow-Development-Meshing-Visibility/dp/B004OSVXQO/ref=sr_1_26?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1532737702&sr=1-26&keywords=pop+up+tunnel) (or houses!) Depending on your friend and her view of sidewalk art, outdoor chalk is always fun too. ---
**Author:** ![Weedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/weedy/32/301_2.png) [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2018, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/10 "2018-07-28T00:47:00Z")
[The Gruffalo](https://www.amazon.com/Gruffalo-Julia-Donaldson/dp/0142403873/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=) and [Room on the Broom](https://www.amazon.com/Room-Broom-Julia-Donaldson/dp/0142501123/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1532738743&sr=1-1&keywords=room+on+the+broom&dpID=61717NOl-IL&preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch) are good picture books for that age. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2018, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/11 "2018-07-28T00:54:29Z")
> [@Weedy](#): > > [The Gruffalo](https://www.amazon.com/Gruffalo-Julia-Donaldson/dp/0142403873/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=) and [Room on the Broom](https://www.amazon.com/Room-Broom-Julia-Donaldson/dp/0142501123/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1532738743&sr=1-1&keywords=room+on+the+broom&dpID=61717NOl-IL&preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch) are good picture books for that age. Strong upvote for the Gruffalo ---
**Author:** ![PoppaSan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/poppasan/32/189_2.png) [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2018, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/12 "2018-07-28T01:12:37Z")
As a parent? Nothing that makes noise or has lots of parts. Previously as the single uncle, a drum or bicycle horn. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2018, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/13 "2018-07-28T01:31:43Z")
Something electronic that makes loud and repetitive noises when you press a button. _You_ don’t have to live with it… ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2018, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/14 "2018-07-28T01:48:53Z")
A puppy or a drum set ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2018, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/15 "2018-07-28T01:53:09Z")
My nephew and niece really liked [Stomp Rockets](https://www.stomprocket.com/) when I bought it for them at about that age. Be warned that it’s very easy to lose one of the rockets on the roof or in a tree, but if you fire straight up in a clearing, you can generally avoid that. ---
**Author:** ![RunSilent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@RunSilent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RunSilent)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2018, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/16 "2018-07-28T11:02:27Z")
A flashlight. Little kids love them. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2018, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/17 "2018-07-28T11:22:31Z")
> [@RunSilent](#): > > A flashlight. Little kids love them. A [_dinosaur_](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tintec-Projector-Torch-Kids-Flashlight/dp/B07F9WDSYF)flashlight… ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2018, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/18 "2018-07-28T11:50:56Z")
Any age appropriate music creation device. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2018, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/19 "2018-07-28T12:15:30Z")
thanks to all those with good suggestions; even if I don’t buy Stomp Rockets I’m just a little bit happier to know they exist. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2018, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706/20 "2018-07-28T12:34:32Z")
I’d check with the parents before getting play dough - that shit is hell to get out of carpets [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-get-a-three-year-old-boy-for-his-birthday-need-answer-by-early-saturday/818706.md?page=2)