Top Ten Gift Ideas for a Three-Year-Old Girl

The list excludes big gifts like bicycles, playhouses, slides, televisions, diamond rings, and so on. These are smaller gifts. Anything outside of this list and you might be setting yourself up for failure. Stuffed animals, clothes, snow globes, and piggy banks don't get you by like they might have at two.

10. Books/Games/Puzzles: While they are excellent things for kids to have-they exercise their minds, keep them out of trouble, and so on-they aren't always the most popular gifts. It takes someone who is already secure and comfortable to give a kid a book at a party, because then everyone gets to see the disappointment when he or she opens the present. That person gets a lifeless "Thank you." Some kids do love books, but even those that love them are typically more excited by things they can play with, that they can use and get dirty.

9. Art supplies: Art supplies are also risky; they might not be well received. Some kids love them, others don't. When it comes to a girl, your safest bet here is something with glitter paint, something sparkly and bright, pinks and purples. Crayons won't do much for them. Sidewalk chalk might work, but it's iffy. Your best bet is paint; try to accompany that with a princess coloring book or something to catch her eye, to make it seem like more than just art supplies, like a way to get her into a fairy tale, Disney paints with activities, a variety pack. And the less mess the better.

8. Magic wands that light up, those princess sticks with ribbons, and things that talk or sing: Three-year-old girls like princesses and fairies. If you can get them something that makes them believe they are a princess or a fairy, they will be very happy. But they can't usually be simple things, they need some kind of light that flashes, a pretty ribbon with glitter, or something talks or sings-the more elaborate and gaudy the better. Electronic dogs and cats that move around and bark or talk might work, too, although they are not as likely to please as a flashy princess or fairy accessory.

7. Movies: Three-year-olds are beginning to really love movies. They understand them, for the most part. They enjoy them. They watch the same ones over and over and over again. The trick here, though, is getting one that both interests them and they don't already have. You have to be sure, otherwise the child will not be happy. Children become very upset, furious, fuming, when they get something they already have; it is a travesty! For girls, things with animals or princesses are a safe bet, if they don't already have it.

6. Things that sparkle (Rings/Necklaces/Glitter/Make-up/Stickers): Girls love things that sparkle. If you can't decide what to get her, find the things that sparkle the most. They don't have to be big things; it could be a bunch of little things, plastic rings and earrings, necklaces, crowns, anything she can wear and model. Or get stickers and sticker books; she'll find wonderful places for them all over the house and car. Get her child make-up kits; she'll put it on herself and anyone else she can find. Remember: when all else fails, get things that sparkle.

5. Child household accessories: It seems kids love to think they are being productive, that they are doing the grand things just like the big people are doing, grand things like cooking dinner and cleaning. Kids, girls especially, seem to like to have things like vacuum cleaners, pots and pans, forks and spoons. The giant toy kitchens aren't even that important; it's the little things they spend time with. They like blenders, brooms, dust pans, they clean up your house, make you milkshakes, and so on. Of course, they mostly push dirt around, and the milkshakes aren't real. You have to pretend to really like the shakes, the cookies, the hamburgers. But she'll spend hours doing it. And you (or her parents) won't have to teach her how to do chores later. You (or they) might have to find ways to make her do it, but you won't have to teach her.

4. Tea set: It doesn't need to be fancy; any tea set will do. She will want to open it right away. She will set it up. She will start making tea and other things for you. You'll have to sit down. You'll have to blow on the imaginary tea. You'll like it, of course; it's very good tea. And you'll have to talk to the imaginary friends that are there at the tea party, like Mickey Mouse and Santa Claus. But she will be thrilled, and it teaches her how to be a good host, how to prepare, how to be accommodating, and so on.

3. Candy: They love it. So it rots their teeth; they're going to fall out anyway. If your child is upset, give her some candy. If you need her to be quiet and still for a few minutes, give her some candy. And if you're out of ideas, go to a candy store, get a big bag, and load it up with different kinds and colors. Watch her eyes light up when she gets the bag.

2. Dolls: We all know girls love dolls. Three-year-olds seem to like princess dolls the best. Baby dolls and little animals can work, but princesses seem to be at the top of everything for them. They carry them around. They take care of them. They want to bring them everywhere. They are mesmerized by them. They can't have enough. Just make sure she doesn't already have it, unless you want to see great disappointment and anger. They are, typically speaking, a sure fire gift.

1. Dress-up clothes: Dress-up clothes aren't just clothes; they are the key to whole other worlds. They will keep her busy for hours. They make her feel special and excited. Sure it can be difficult if she makes you role-play with her, pretending to be the prince who wakes up Sleeping Beauty, or Sleeping Beauty, or the doctor, or the patient, or Mickey Mouse, or Santa Claus, or Robin Hood, or whatever it is that she wants you to be. It is tiring, yes, but it's great for her imagination. You (or her parents) can teach her things during the role-playing. She is much more likely to listen to you (or them), to understand and appreciate what you say if it's during a game. All around, they are great gifts, and great to have around, for kids and parents.