Best Gift Ideas For Ages 0 To 3

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

The yellow step stool seemed to be an unusual and possibly even strange gift for a one-year-old.

Given by an experienced mom, the item didn’t hold much pizazz initially. Yet, over the next several years, I realized this ready piece of sturdy furniture became one of my child’s most handy, helpful, and used possessions. The step stool made it possible for my toddler to stand beside me at the kitchen counter to stir recipes and put away silverware.

In turn, all seven of my children used that step stool to wash hands at the bathroom sink, reach for their toothbrush, and see themselves in the bathroom mirror.  The bright and cheery step stool proved to be a simple tool to encourage exploration of the world around them as well as facilitate development.

Best gift ideas for ages 0 to three help a child improve hand-eye coordination, sharpen motor skills, and connect to the important relationships in their lives.

Best gift ideas for hand-eye coordination

Studies show the primary colors, red, green, yellow, and blue are especially appealing to young children. Toys with cheery colors and games that involve sorting by color and shape are beneficial for development in a child’s early years.

Toy trucks and cars give opportunities for youngsters to recognize their ability to create movement. Look for toys that play music and have buttons that make sounds when pressed to encourage dexterity in little fingers. Musical instruments from keyboards and pianos to xylophones, harmonicas, and percussion instruments enhance creativity and concentration.

Playing with a baby doll or a favorite stuffed toy can serve as a tactile comfort companion. Bath toys bring play to bath time. The bobbing and movement of colorful toys give practice to hand-eye coordination.

Matching games to pair colors, images, and simple numbers are quick methods to learn these basic building blocks for learning. Kids like Go Fish and matching the dots for Dominos. Montessori puzzles and sorting toys encourage little people to connect spatially and recognize likeness and difference. Such toys are designed to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and discovery skills.

For safe exploration of a child’s environment and surroundings, best gift ideas for 0 to 3 include electrical outlet covers and a safety gate to guard little ones from a tumble down the stairs.

Best gift ideas for motor skills

“Me do,” is a healthy declaration from a toddler. As often as possible, celebrate these natural progressions to independence. Provide shoes they can slip on by themselves. Supply tip-proof cups that allow small hands to get their own drink. Dropping or tossing the cup, as toddlers will do, does not result in frustrating spills. Similarly, non-breakable eating utensils and dishes make fun gifts while a child is learning to feed themself.

Floor mats with a grippy texture engage tactile senses and encourage crawling. Eager to move and explore, toddlers are entertained while developing muscle strength using baby furniture that encourages jumping and bouncing. Little people learning to walk find freedom with baby walkers. For one to three-year-olds, there are plenty of styles of tricycles. Choose from balance bikes with no pedals, trikes with pedals, and strider two-wheel bikes.

Toddler-size climbers and slides can be used outdoors and indoors. Outdoor swing sets come in multiple sizes to fit space and budget, providing hours of playtime. Sidewalk chalk and bubble wands enhance outdoor play. A covered sandbox with beach pails and shovels is a favorite with toddlers. Sand play is double the fun when friends join in.

Kitchen sets and wooden foods that can be sliced through halves held together with Velcro let toddlers play what they see occur in everyday life.

Washable markers, large sketchbooks, and stickers are reachable when paired with a child-size table and chair. For travel, coloring pads that change color with a water pen are a reusable, mess-proof activity.

The best gift ideas for ages 0-3: important relationships

From 0 to 3 years of age, children are learning who is part of their world.

Create a book with photos of members of the family. In the first several years, children like to turn pages and name these special people in their lives. Include photos of grandpa, mimi, aunt, uncle, and cousins.

At the top of the best gift ideas for 0 to 3 is the early nurture of a relationship with Jesus Christ. A Children’s Bible such as the Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones is age appropriate and beautifully written. Build a child’s library with board books, interactive books with flaps that open, and colorful, uplifting picture books.

Lullabies and children’s music featuring Scripture are an easy way for young hearts to commit God’s Word to memory.  

Plastic nativity scenes with movable figures familiarize youngsters with the characters who were part of the Christmas story. As children hear the story of the birth of Jesus, the process of reenacting with the figures strengthens what they learn.

Designed for 3 through 7-year-olds, Clubhouse Jr. Magazine reinforces Christian values and beliefs. A year-long gift, the monthly full-color magazine arrives in the mail. Each issue is filled with fresh activities, kid-friendly recipes, and stories to read and reread aloud.

Time together

Being outdoors is proven to refresh and reset adults and children alike. For a practical gift, choose shoes that support the toddler’s steps on outdoor walks. A stroller that is easy-to-open, close, push, and load into a vehicle is priceless for child and parent. This gift gives mobility and convenience for years.

Babies and toddlers thrive when they are secure in the love and care of the important people in their lives. Children feel important and heard when held, playing with toys, and singing songs together. Reading stories, answering their questions, and showing them how to do a simple task helps them feel close and connected.

As often as possible, celebrate their natural progressions to independence. Like the yellow step stool, the best gift ideas for ages 0 to 3 are the ones that facilitate together time and build relationship.