We love to use the holidays and other gift-giving occasions to focus on giving our three daughters items in the categories of “something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read.” We have found this to be a helpful way to organize gift giving, and set boundaries and expectations. Here’s our holiday gift ideas for 3-6 year olds, with ideas in each category inspired by our kids!
Gift Ideas for 3-6 Year Olds
Related: Need MORE gift ideas for 3-6 year olds? Check out our Amazon Storefront shopping list!
Something You Want
We like to use the “something you want” category to choose a fun, developmentally appropriate toy or activity to engage our kids in PLAY! If you’re wondering “what do 3 to 6 year olds like?” or “what toys do 3 to 6 year olds play with?”, this list will help! Here are some fun play ideas for 3-6 year old kids.
Air-Dry Modeling Clay
This modeling clay set includes clay in 24 different colors and tools. The clay is soft and can be shaped into various figures, and then it dries and hardens to maintain the shape. It’s a fun activity for kids to create their own figures!
STEM Building Toy
This building set contains various balls, wheels, and connectors that kids can use to build lots of different designs. It’s a fun toy that lets them practice developing their engineering skills in a creative way!
Games and Activities
This is a good age group for learning to follow directions in games and also complete simple craft activities. Guess in 10 Junior, Dot It! Stickers and Fun with Foam Kits are a great place to start. If you purchase from the Skillmatics website you can use code TIDY20 for an extra 20% off. (also available at Amazon)
The Play Kits
This subscription play kit provides stage-based play essentials for your child. We love that these curated kits take the guesswork out of choosing developmentally appropriate toys. They recently expanded to include play kits for preschoolers!
Something You Need
We like to use the “something you need” category to gift our kids a practical item they will use. It is an opportunity to choose needed items in a fun way! Here are some “need” gift ideas for 3-6 year old kids.
Hooded Towel
This soft, plush hooded towel is thick, warm, and absorbent. It comes in infant size and toddler size, so you can choose the best fit for your little one. This is a practical item they will use every day! (available at Amazon, Target, Walmart)
The Regulars Bundle
This 3-piece set includes Everyday Lotion, Hair + Body Wash, and All Over Ointment. We like to use gift giving occasions to restock quality bath time essentials that we use every day. Shop our Tubby Todd link to automatically get an extra 10% off your purchase (no code needed).
Reading Nightlight
We let our girls read in bed until they fall asleep. These little clip-on book lights let them look at books with the overhead light off. They are rechargeable using a USB connector cable, so we also don’t have to worry about batteries. They are also great for travel activities in the car!
Dot Markers
We include art supplies in the “need” category because drawing, coloring, and writing are important fine motor skills. We like to use gift giving occasions to replenish art supplies. Dot markers are a fun art supply for this age group!
Something To Wear
Kids are constantly growing and changing sizes of clothing, socks, shoes, and accessories. We like to use the “something to wear” category to gift a few items in their current or upcoming size. Here are some “wear” gift ideas for 3-6 year old kids.
Pajamas and Sleep Bag
This two-piece pajama set is made of a soft bamboo fabric that is stretchy, comfortable and cozy. The alpine village print is fun for winter! The coordinating sleep bag walker is like a wearable blanket. It will keep your little one warm all night, but still allows for safe mobility!
BEST boots for toddlers
These boots are designed to support natural growth in little feet. They combine function and style, with a zipper closure for easy on and off. They come in classic black or metallic grey. Chelsea boots are a cute addition to any winter outfit!
Clothing Basics for Kids
Core styles like solid leggings can be the building blocks of your kids’s closet. Warm fleece-lined slipper socks are a great item to gift in the winter. If you’ve never ordered from Primary before, you can use code TIDYDAD20 for 20% off your first order, plus FREE shipping.
Something To Learn/Read
We like to use the “something to learn/read” category to gift some new books or a learning activity. Here are some “learn/read” gift ideas for 3-6 year old kids.
Pok Pok App
This digital app is inspired by Montessori principles and designed for kids ages 2-7. The activities spark creativity and learning through open-ended play. There are no rules, language, ads, or winning and losing. It’s designed to be a gentle introduction to digital activities. You can use my link to get a 7 day FREE trial (cancel anytime during that period if you don’t love it!), plus 50% off annual Pok Pok subscription if you decide to continue (with code TIDYDAD50).
Yoto Mini Audio Player
Our girls all love listening to audio books and music on their Yoto Mini Audio Player, especially at rest time, bedtime, and in the car. We love that the device has no cameras, microphones, or ads. We like to use holidays to add more audio cards to their collection. (also available at Amazon and Target)
Board Books
These boards books are great for little ones to hold and touch. The Nutcracker is a fun one to read during the winter season. Five Little Dinosaurs is a padded board book and Farm Days with Cow has “touch and feel” pages that makes it engaging for young kids.
I hope this roundup inspires you to consider some gift ideas for 3-6 year olds in the categories of “something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to learn/read”. It can be a great way to organize your gifting!
Thanks for pinning: Gift Ideas for 3-6 Year Olds
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission for purchases made, with NO additional fee to you.
Related: Need MORE gift ideas for 3-6 year olds? Check out our Amazon Storefront shopping list!
Need ideas for other ages?
More Ideas from the Archives:
Hi, I'm Tyler!
I'm a NYC teacher, writer, and dad of 3 girls. My wife and I live with our daughters in a
750-square-foot apartment in New York City. I'm on a journey to tidy up my life. I share practical, routine-driven approaches to tidying, because I believe the process of tidying can make space for what matters.
November 4, 2023
Gift Ideas for 3-6 Year Olds
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We love to use the holidays and other gift-giving occasions to focus on giving our three daughters items in the categories of “something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read.” We have found this to be a helpful way to organize gift giving, and set boundaries and expectations. Here’s our holiday gift ideas for 3-6 year olds, with ideas in each category inspired by our kids!
Gift Ideas for 3-6 Year Olds
Related: Need MORE gift ideas for 3-6 year olds? Check out our Amazon Storefront shopping list!
Something You Want
We like to use the “something you want” category to choose a fun, developmentally appropriate toy or activity to engage our kids in PLAY! If you’re wondering “what do 3 to 6 year olds like?” or “what toys do 3 to 6 year olds play with?”, this list will help! Here are some fun play ideas for 3-6 year old kids.
Air-Dry Modeling Clay
This modeling clay set includes clay in 24 different colors and tools. The clay is soft and can be shaped into various figures, and then it dries and hardens to maintain the shape. It’s a fun activity for kids to create their own figures!
STEM Building Toy
This building set contains various balls, wheels, and connectors that kids can use to build lots of different designs. It’s a fun toy that lets them practice developing their engineering skills in a creative way!
Games and Activities
This is a good age group for learning to follow directions in games and also complete simple craft activities. Guess in 10 Junior, Dot It! Stickers and Fun with Foam Kits are a great place to start. If you purchase from the Skillmatics website you can use code TIDY20 for an extra 20% off. (also available at Amazon)
The Play Kits
This subscription play kit provides stage-based play essentials for your child. We love that these curated kits take the guesswork out of choosing developmentally appropriate toys. They recently expanded to include play kits for preschoolers!
Something You Need
We like to use the “something you need” category to gift our kids a practical item they will use. It is an opportunity to choose needed items in a fun way! Here are some “need” gift ideas for 3-6 year old kids.
Hooded Towel
This soft, plush hooded towel is thick, warm, and absorbent. It comes in infant size and toddler size, so you can choose the best fit for your little one. This is a practical item they will use every day! (available at Amazon, Target, Walmart)
The Regulars Bundle
This 3-piece set includes Everyday Lotion, Hair + Body Wash, and All Over Ointment. We like to use gift giving occasions to restock quality bath time essentials that we use every day. Shop our Tubby Todd link to automatically get an extra 10% off your purchase (no code needed).
Reading Nightlight
We let our girls read in bed until they fall asleep. These little clip-on book lights let them look at books with the overhead light off. They are rechargeable using a USB connector cable, so we also don’t have to worry about batteries. They are also great for travel activities in the car!
Dot Markers
We include art supplies in the “need” category because drawing, coloring, and writing are important fine motor skills. We like to use gift giving occasions to replenish art supplies. Dot markers are a fun art supply for this age group!
Something To Wear
Kids are constantly growing and changing sizes of clothing, socks, shoes, and accessories. We like to use the “something to wear” category to gift a few items in their current or upcoming size. Here are some “wear” gift ideas for 3-6 year old kids.
Pajamas and Sleep Bag
This two-piece pajama set is made of a soft bamboo fabric that is stretchy, comfortable and cozy. The alpine village print is fun for winter! The coordinating sleep bag walker is like a wearable blanket. It will keep your little one warm all night, but still allows for safe mobility!
BEST boots for toddlers
These boots are designed to support natural growth in little feet. They combine function and style, with a zipper closure for easy on and off. They come in classic black or metallic grey. Chelsea boots are a cute addition to any winter outfit!
Clothing Basics for Kids
Core styles like solid leggings can be the building blocks of your kids’s closet. Warm fleece-lined slipper socks are a great item to gift in the winter. If you’ve never ordered from Primary before, you can use code TIDYDAD20 for 20% off your first order, plus FREE shipping.
Something To Learn/Read
We like to use the “something to learn/read” category to gift some new books or a learning activity. Here are some “learn/read” gift ideas for 3-6 year old kids.
Pok Pok App
This digital app is inspired by Montessori principles and designed for kids ages 2-7. The activities spark creativity and learning through open-ended play. There are no rules, language, ads, or winning and losing. It’s designed to be a gentle introduction to digital activities. You can use my link to get a 7 day FREE trial (cancel anytime during that period if you don’t love it!), plus 50% off annual Pok Pok subscription if you decide to continue (with code TIDYDAD50).
Yoto Mini Audio Player
Our girls all love listening to audio books and music on their Yoto Mini Audio Player, especially at rest time, bedtime, and in the car. We love that the device has no cameras, microphones, or ads. We like to use holidays to add more audio cards to their collection. (also available at Amazon and Target)
Board Books
These boards books are great for little ones to hold and touch. The Nutcracker is a fun one to read during the winter season. Five Little Dinosaurs is a padded board book and Farm Days with Cow has “touch and feel” pages that makes it engaging for young kids.
I hope this roundup inspires you to consider some gift ideas for 3-6 year olds in the categories of “something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to learn/read”. It can be a great way to organize your gifting!
Thanks for pinning: Gift Ideas for 3-6 Year Olds
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission for purchases made, with NO additional fee to you.
Related: Need MORE gift ideas for 3-6 year olds? Check out our Amazon Storefront shopping list!
Need ideas for other ages?
More Ideas from the Archives:
November 4, 2023
Gift Ideas for 3-6 Year Olds
About me
Hi, my name is Tyler Moore. My wife and I live with our three young daughters in a 700- square-foot apartment in New York City. I began my tidying journey when an early-30’s crisis invited me to reflect upon, challenge, and change my patterns of daily living. I quit my job as a school administrator, returned to teaching, and started Tidy Dad to help others tidy, simplify, and find joy in their lives. I firmly believe the tidying process can transform your life. I’d love for you to join me in exploring ways that tidying can make room for what’s important in life.
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