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JennGM
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| Posted: Sept 07 2006 at 4:27pm | IP Logged
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My little guy is turning 3 this month. I have a few ideas as gifts for his birthday, but I'm at a loss in some areas and was hoping for some help. He's an only child and doesn't have that many toys. So those with large families try to remember when you had nothing and only littles and what works for this age.
He's very into music making and listening, puzzles, coloring. But mostly trying to be a little person, imitating all areas of life. Blocks haven't inspired him much, nor legos. It might be the parent operators...I don't know how to motivate that area. I was thinking Lincoln Logs, but not sure if that's way over his head, too.
His grandmother wants to give him a large component of Thomas Wooden Railway, but I don't want her to pay full price. None of my local stores with coupons have it in stock. Would any of you have favorite (trusted) places where you've ordered Thomas supplies online?
He's really into wheels and movement now. We have smaller cars, and like I mentioned, Thomas trains, but his last visit at Nana's he played with Daddy's big old trucks -- the Tonka hard steel ones. Nothing battery operated. But where can I find things like this?
I also wanted to look into Leapfrog items. Some have mentioned before some helpful items. I have the Fridge Phonics with the large letters, also the Fridge Farm. LeapPad? Anything else you would suggest?
I'm also looking at "educational" suggestions, trying to incorporate an Atrium and Montessori materials. I was thinking a tea set, nothing feminine. Any must haves or big hits at this age?
We're not trying to overwhelm him, but we really try to keep down the gifts except for birthdays and Christmas and also the kitschy and twaddly stuff. Still feeling like a new mom that I don't have my finger on the pulse of good resources and discount places!
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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stefoodie
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| Posted: Sept 07 2006 at 4:48pm | IP Logged
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hey jenn. glad to see you back -- how was your trip? i hope it went well.
i remember my kids at 3 being into making messes big time.
 how about fingerpaints, apron, an easel with big brushes and newsprint?
other ideas
- a trike
- our kids loved Thomas at this age too. we got lots of pieces at Boscov's when they'd have a 25% off sale. also at AC Moore.
- wooden blocks, the large maple ones. our set is about 5 years old now and it still gets played with almost every week. - i got these at Barclay Blocks i believe
- dress-up stuff -- costumes, hats, helmets, etc.
- tools
- we got steel Tonkas at a garage sale. i don't see them much anymore -- oops, just found a couple at hasbrotoyshop.com - click on "steel"
- a mini drum set or mini bongos
- musical instruments for little hands
- wooden puzzles with large pieces
- a horse, rocking or hobby
lots of ideas also at backtobasicstoys.com - you can search by age. i just got their catalog today. been a fan since my eldest was 3 -- wow, 12 years!
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stef
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JodieLyn
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yep.. they still make the tonkas in mostly steel.. You're looking for the "Mighty" series if I'm remembering right.. the fire truck is all platic but the dumptruck (hands down favorite) and the back hoe and crane and... hmmm what's the other they do.. well they're all mostly steel.
Trucks in the dirt are major favorites here.
The fisher price little people sets are good (ones with cars) those keep mine occupied better than blocks and such.
along with the wheels theme.. ride on toys are great.. depending on what area you have available to you and the particular development of your child.. a push with your feet ride on, a trike type, a 2 wheel bike with training wheels, a scooter (they make 3 wheel versions for kids who don't have the balance for 2 wheels yet).. any of those my 3 year is happy to ride (he even does well on the 2 wheel scooters for older kids)
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Caroline
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| Posted: Sept 07 2006 at 5:16pm | IP Logged
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I have bought a Thomas set for a friend's son (across the country, so it did need to be shipped) from Happy Hen Toys
and had a great experience with them.
As my only child is 6 months younger than yours I have no other help. I'll be watching this thread closely, though!
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Devoted Wife to and Mama to three beautiful boys and another little boy due in September , and two beautiful souls in heaven
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KC in TX
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Jenn,
I buy from All Aboard Toys. They're prices are great and I've never had a problem. You can join the frequent buyer club and get points towards a discount for a future purchase. I'll see if I can find a coupon code for you, but I think mine expired already. I'll see if my sister has a more recent one.
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And, my 2 angels, Rose ('08) and Mark ('09)
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JennGM
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| Posted: Sept 07 2006 at 7:26pm | IP Logged
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Great suggestions, please keep them coming. I have to laugh, my description of my son sounds like he's a quiet, mild, laid back child. Au contraire. He's the most talkative, active child I've met as of late.
I forgot to mention his obsession with any kind of sports, his continual running and jumping and leaping, everything is a ball and thrown and tossed everywhere. Oh, and we have a tricycle which has found constant use as of late.
Off to check out the links....
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Family in Feast and Feria
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Rebecca
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| Posted: Sept 07 2006 at 10:32pm | IP Logged
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Things my boys liked at three:
Little broom and dustpan
Gardening tools/wheelbarrow
Child's snow shovel, leaf rake and long handled gardening tools
Dress up costumes (cowboy clothes, knight costumes, Davy Crockett, etc.)
Marble Run(kept them interested for hours--still does!)
Wooden Blocks
Indian Drum. My ten year old STILL plays with this. It is durable and has such a nice sound to it. I bet he will probably be able to pass it on to his own children someday. It is really nicely made.
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Sarah in SC
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| Posted: Sept 07 2006 at 10:49pm | IP Logged
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AC Moore (if you have one close) puts a coupon in their flyer each week for 40% off a full price item. That's a great way to get Thomas (they sell oodles of them at AC Moore) with a price break!
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Happy wife to Tom and mama to Mac, 12, Hannah, 8, Rosemary, 6, Luke, now 1! and the 9 little angels that Mary is rocking.....
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teachingmom
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Do you have a wagon? My 3yo loves to be pulled in our wagon, whether around the block or to the playground.
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Joelle
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Hi Jenn,
My oldest was an only child at three and all I can say is: Thomas, Thomas, Thomas!! Our son's Godfather built a wooden table for the playboard at a fraction of the cost of buying it (and for his own, they didn't buy the playboard, but used green & blue indoor/outdoor carpet glued to plyboard to make the "playboard scene"-he's quite the carpenter). Also for YEARS, the wooden trains were gifts from grandmas & family members for Christmas & Birthday. Another plug: He is now 10 years old and it is still up and running! Three sisters since him have played with it AND every little boy that comes to visit and now (finally for him) his little 10mo old brother is pulling up & eyeing it... He can STILL be found designing track layouts, although of course, he's "just doing it for the little people!" You also don't have to do the giant set all at once. We started with the small set & grew from there.
God Bless that boy on his birthday & always!
Joelle (mom of 5; ages 10mo to 10yrs)
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ElisabethGrace
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| Posted: Sept 07 2006 at 11:13pm | IP Logged
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Jenn,
Just wanted to let you know that they make a lowercase letter set for the Fridge Phonics. I found it this week for about $10.
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JennGM
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| Posted: Sept 08 2006 at 9:45pm | IP Logged
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RE: Thomas and Friends. Last year for Christmas we bought a collection from Costco, which had so many pieces, trains and a wooden box to hold it all. We've really been pleased, and haven't "had" to buy much more track or pieces to keep ds interest.
I noticed our Costco is carrying it again, but it's not online. PM if you want more information. This was THE gift last Christmas, but no regrets.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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MarilynW
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Hi Jenn - I have a VERY active 2.5 year old (who has older twin brothers) - things I have found that all my boys love:
1) Basketball hoop inside the house (we got ours years ago from Zany Brainy when it was still there) - makes a cheering sound. We have it in our basement and Matt spends ages there just shooting baskets while I am doing school with the older ones
2) Set of mini motors counters (planes, trains, cars, buses etc) - whole tub of them - and he likes to sort them by color and type and just play games with them.
3) Dress up - knights costume with sword, Williamsburg costumes - hats and muskets (they did invoke their second amendment rights to convine me to buy them!!)
4) Wedgits
5) Melissa and Doug Tabletop Easel - we do not have a big house - and this works perfectly as it is a magnetic and white board too. We have magnetic animals and alphabets (Melissa and Doug too) - and he likes to play with these.
6) All mine have loved board games starting from before they are 3 - Candyland, Hi Ho Cherrio (or the apple tree game as mine call it) Chutes and Ladders
7) DVD/Videos - Signing Time, Letter Factory, Donut Man are our favorites
8) Puzzles - we have all types and Matt has just got into them - he loves the GALT sequence puzzles and First Puzzles (from Europe - not sure where you get them here)
9)PLAN wooden toys - geometric sorters etc
Marilyn
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Becky Parker
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This is a timely question for us as we have a soon to be three year old as well. One thing my little guy is showing an interest in is tools. Maybe it's because dh has had to fix quite a few things lately and he wants to imitate dad. Tools are on our list for his birthday as well as Thomas (he plays with big brothers a lot - we'll just add to the Thomas collection). I love all the ideas above! Now I have some ideas for grandma!
Becky
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JennGM
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Becky Parker wrote:
This is a timely question for us as we have a soon to be three year old as well. One thing my little guy is showing an interest in is tools. Maybe it's because dh has had to fix quite a few things lately and he wants to imitate dad. Tools are on our list for his birthday as well as Thomas (he plays with big brothers a lot - we'll just add to the Thomas collection). I love all the ideas above! Now I have some ideas for grandma!
Becky |
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The tools! Yes, it's a great age. My sister received for her 3 yos an play automatic drill and my son just played and played with it. I'm trying to figure out how to get one as a gift. We have the hammer benches and a tool box from Melissa and Doug that are played regularly.
These suggestions are so great...and helpful as Christmas is not too far away and I can plan and budget.
One thing I really wish is the Signing Time DVDs weren't so expensive. I keep putting off purchasing those because it's such a big hunk of money, and then I start feeling guilty that I should be using the money for active things, and not TV watching. I know it's educational, and he loves them, but, but, but....you know the feeling.
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Bridget
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this is the goofiest thing, but my little kids have loved it. I need to make one for my current little ones.
Take a block of foam, like florists foam, at least a foot wide and 2 inches deep. Let the kids use a play hammer and pound golf tees into it. Big fun.
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Genevieve
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Bridget wrote:
this is the goofiest thing, but my little kids have loved it. I need to make one for my current little ones.
Take a block of foam, like florists foam, at least a foot wide and 2 inches deep. Let the kids use a play hammer and pound golf tees into it. Big fun. |
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Not goofy since my kids are currently enjoying it too... I do substitute foam with big blocks of clay... less powder mess, I think.
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JennGM
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| Posted: Sept 25 2006 at 3:26pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, Everyone, for the great suggestions. One of the big purchases was the Melissa and Doug Easel and he just loves it. He's writing on the chalkboard and painting up a storm. I'm so happy he's enjoying his creative side. 
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Family in Feast and Feria
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Sept 25 2006 at 5:21pm | IP Logged
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My 3 yo ds really enjoys his Home Depot Work bench (got at a garage sale).
My kids are not very into the LeapPad stuff.... I would suggest just getting one thing and see how they like it before getting into whole systems. I think they are so neat-- but my kids are more of the pound golf tees into foam sort....
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Topic: Three Year Old Suggestions
