How to Give a 3-Year-Old the Gift of Creativity

When it comes to buying gifts for a 3 year old I have found that back to the basics for ideas is often the best gift. Back to the basics includes anything that lets a child put their own creative touch on drawings or pictures or anything that lets them use their own imagination. The minds and ideas of children at this age back to the basic gifts let their minds take control of their actions and they are only limited by their imaginations.

Good old-fashioned Play-Doh is at the top of my list of gifts for this age. The fun and colorful dough and be molded and cut to make any shape of creation. From piling it high to make mountains or squishing it as flat as a pancake children can have hours of fun by creating over and over again.

Crayons and markers are the next on the list of creative fun; both in the new washable forms are preferred of course. Activity books, coloring books, or just pads of paper are great accessories to go along with the crayons and markers. Their creativity can run wild to design pictures for their bedrooms, drawing their favorite car or baby doll, and even making that special birthday card for mom or dad.

Finger paints are another great gift that mixes a child's love for being creative with their next favorite love of getting messy. Rolls of butchers paper is a great addition to this gift for kids to paint on. The paper is reasonably priced and thick so that the paints will not leak thru.

Stickers are always a hit with young children as well. They love adding stickers to their drawings and paintings. They especially seem to like the ones that sparkle and shine to add a bit of glitz to their creations. Boys love car stickers, Thomas the Tank Engine, and Animal stickers. Girls seem to like just about anything that is girly; from princess to Dora the Explorer you cannot go wrong.

A painting smock and easel are also great additions. These are just a few idea you can use to creative a wonderful and fun filled birthday give for a child that you know. You can certainly buy an already made craft box at the store but by making your own you are able to add exactly what you know the child will love and make sure everything is age appropriate.