What's your 3-4yr old getting for Christmas?

[Chelsea524]

I am at a total loss of what to get my 3 yr old son for Christmas. When you ask him what he wants he says The Stick game, no idea what in the world he is talking about. I was thinking he would really enjoy a play kitchen but thinking about it I don't know hom much longer he would enjoy that, should have gotten it last year. I thought about maybe a little bike, his 8 yr old brother is getting a bigger bike this year so that mught be fun but I just don't know. So, the question is....What are you getting your 3-4 yr old this year??

[jay&erinn]

My 4 year old wanted Aqua Dots (guess that's out with the recall:rolleyes:). She's getting a leapster and mostly arts and crafts since that's what she loves.
Before she turned 4, I took her to the toy store and just followed her around for an hour. Told me exactly what she liked since I had no clue.

[JenniferEC]

DS is getting the Candyland Castle game, the FP camera and some Cars stuff. It's all stuff he's been asking for.

[Kingdono]

DS will be getting the planet heros, a movie he wants, scooby doo and hte mystery machine gang and probably craft stuff he really likes to cut out things so probably a set of fancy shape scissors.

[kristin]

Great thread!

I think this age is a hard because they are well past the "baby" stuff and not quite old enough for the "big kid" toys.

My DS loves cars and I'm ashamed to admit he already has the movie, soundtrack, and most of the cars figures. I don't think he is quite into spider man yet. I'm thinking some pirate stuff -toy swords, treasure chest, etc.

One toy I really recommend that was given to DD is the v-tech laptop computer. It's only $19 from walmart and I wound up buying one for DD as well.

Our list so far:

Madge (new wooden train)
Elizabeth (retired train)
Easel with paints (to share with 2 yo DD)
Hess Truck (he has gotten this for past 2 years - always a hit!)
Cash Register and shopping carts (again to share)

I'm thinking maybe just one or two more things.

"Before she turned 4, I took her to the toy store and just followed her around for an hour. Told me exactly what she liked since I had no clue." God Bless you, I don't think I could survive such an experience. I would have to drag my children kicking and screaming from the store if I didn't buy them something!

[SiValleySteph]

Wow. I have no idea.

DS will be 3yr 3mo.

He will get at least one pop up book. He has the Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs (http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Prehistorica-Dinosaurs-Definitive-Pop-Up/dp/0763622281/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/104-6348071-4605529?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194642728&sr=1-2) one by Robert Sabuda and loves it. He wants the Shark (http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Prehistorica-Sharks-Other-Monsters/dp/076362229X/ref=pd_sim_b_title_1/104-6348071-4605529) one, I think, and then maybe the Mega Beast one as well.

I was thinking about a bike, but I'm not sure. He's happy with his tricycle and scooter now, so do we really want to move him to a bike?

Toy wise, I haven't really thought of any yet. Maybe Magna Tiles (http://www.amazon.com/Magna-Tiles-Clear-Colors-100-pieces/dp/B000CBSNRY/ref=pd_bxgy_t_text_b/104-6348071-4605529?ie=UTF8&qid=1194642929&sr=8-4)?

I think he would like Zoobs, especially the Zoob Dudes (http://www.amazon.com/ZOOB-ZOOBDude-Fireman-Action-Hero/dp/B000A12YRQ/ref=sr_1_9/104-6348071-4605529?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1194642985&sr=1-9), but he's too young for these, I think. The age recommendation is 6.

He already has train stuff out the wazoo, so I don't want to add to that. :)

Oh, I remember one more thing. Maybe another Matchbox pop-up set. He has the farm (http://www.amazon.com/Matchbox-Compact-Pop-Up-Playset-Barn/dp/B000V1ZK26/ref=sr_1_3/104-6348071-4605529?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1194643131&sr=1-3) one and it is so nice to take out to eat. It all folds up nicely in about the size of a book. Maybe the firetruck.

He would like a ramp for racing cars, but I'm not sure about the space that would take up.

ETA - When I take my son to the toy store, he just wants to hang out at the train table for an hour. :p

[shelbel]

We will probably get our 3 year old the Leap Frog ClickStart My First Computer
http://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-ClickStart-My-First-Computer/dp/B000NRVFV8/ref=sr_1_2/002-4846462-2154440?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1194643087&sr=1-2
Does anyone have one of these?
She also wants a new baby doll and a stroller for her doll. And I want to get her a nice duffel bag for when we go on trips. I also want to get her art and craft supplies and some books.

[hisdaffodil]

Em's 4 but on a 3 yr old level with his autism. Jamie's 2.

They're getting two joint big presents this year
- a play kitchen (DH is building it from wood, so it'll be big enough for years of use rather than the tiny short plastic ones)
- a blow-up ball pit, with balls - Jamie'll like this one more, but Em will like it too.

So on those veins, they're getting play pots.pans/dishes/food for other gifts.

Plus a new Smartridge for Em's Vtech Vsmile

others:
new toy cars for stockings
washable crayons and markers for stockings
new coloring books
new age appropriate puzzles for each

and.... clothes. :)

[dziner]

DD is turning 4 next month. She is getting

Chutes & Ladders
Ladybug Game
Sit N Spin
mini trampoline (to share w/DS)
puzzles
art supplies

[jay&erinn]

Before she turned 4, I took her to the toy store and just followed her around for an hour. Told me exactly what she liked since I had no clue." God Bless you, I don't think I could survive such an experience. I would have to drag my children kicking and screaming from the store if I didn't buy them something!
It was her one-on-one time with me and she knew up front that we were just looking for the most part. She was allowed to pick out one small art related toy (she chose color wonder finger paints) and that was it. When we're one-on-one she's very easy to deal with- just likes the individual attention. My one year old on the other hand would have trashed the store;)

We also love board games in our house.

[kmmommy]

My DS is 3. He's getting:

Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden sets
Melissa and Doug Wooden tool set
some sort of laptop or Leapster, Vsmile, etc.
books

Not sure what else yet.

[lauren f s]

DD will be 4 and her birthday is 9 days before Christmas. For her birthday she is getting a bicycle, Hungry Hungry Hippos, some art goodies and an Eloise doll.

For Christmas:

Barbie laptop - she specifically requested this when we asked her a few days ago. It's cute and teaches as well and as much as any other.
Rose Petal Cottage - she loves pretend play and DH & I both think she'll go crazy for this.
Puzzles
Eloise books

plus stocking stuffers.

[vjel]

my dd (and her baby brother, although he won't get use of it right now he will later) is getting the train table from Costco, a play coffee pot, mixer, toaster set since she is really into pretend play in the kitchen and prob some other little things like books and puzzles.

[emschwar]

Noah's 3.5.

From us, he's getting the Discovery Toys Fire Hose Hero Set (https://www.discoverytoyslink.com/ecommerce/control/product?PURCHASE_STATE=STANDARD&product_id=2724) and some books from the scholastic book order at school.

From my mom, he's getting the Plan Toys Construction City Crane (http://www.hearthsong.com/hearthsong/product.do?section_id=0&bc=1005&pgc=1593&cmvalue=HS|0|Normal%20Search%20Result|P1).

My sister's getting him the Plan Toys Road System (http://www.hearthsong.com/hearthsong/product.do?section_id=0&bc=1005&pgc=1591&sv=2429&cmvalue=HS|0).

He's also got on his wish list (DH's side hasn't started shopping yet):
A fat ton of thomas stuff
a viewmaster and reels
Gears! Gears! Gears! by Learning Resources
V.Smile cartridges
Preschool Time Online subscription
Melissa and Doug See & Spell
Fun-2-Learn Teaching Clock
And some books and CDs.

(He asks to put everything he sees on the list, including boxes of cookies :rolleyes: )

[pixielou]

i'm kinda stumped for dd. she'll be 3.3 at christmas. so far i've ordered her the sesame street old school dvd. she has absolutely no interest in sesame street on tv, but when i start playing the old skits on youtube - she is totally mesmerized.

i've been debating buying her her own portable dvd player - but i think i'd rather keep her watching dvd's in dh and i's room - i'll have more control that way.

she already has: a step 2 play kitchen with tons of accessories and a grocery cart; she has both the 5-sies dollhouse and the little tikes dollhouse with tons of accessories; she has tons of dolls plus a high chair, stroller, changing table and bed; 2 laudry baskets full of dress up clothes; enough books to fill a 3-shelf bookcase; a tricycle and a bicycle; she has a complete wardrobe in both 3t and 4t. as i said, i'm at a loss.

[kmmommy]

pixielou ~ What about some art/craft supplies? Maybe an easel?

My DS is about the same age and he loves the Crayola Color Wonder markers and paints.

[Renrel]

pixielou - How about a good set of solid wood blocks? I loved those as a kid and used them to make floor plan houses for my little people dolls and maybe even dawn dolls. DS got those last year, along with some special ones for marble runs and he loves them.

I have no idea what DS is getting for chanuka. There are lots of things I see in cataloges that I like but nothing that is the stand out must get gift. I am thinking about board games, a toy for learning about telling time, one of those big foam puzzles of a map, some kind of building toy, maybe a little trampline, those big cardboard building blocks if I can figure out where to store them. I have a leapster in the closet that I am holding off on giving to him. I am sure he will love it but I am worried about the slippery slide into handheld games. DH does not like the idea of a gift every night, and we get stuff from grandparents and aunts/uncles, so I really only need 1-3 gifts. I would like one to be big, particularly since we did not get him something big for his b-day this year but nothing comes to mind. He will get a bike in the spring because we want to let him grown a bit more. I have no other ideas.

[pixielou]

kmmommy we have the easel. and tons of art supplies. i'm replenishing markers in her stocking. and i'm adding little paper punches, stamps and ink pads, and scissors.

i should probably take another look at the color wonder stuff. my initial impression of the stuff was that it was for kids that couldn't be trusted to write on just paper. we've done a bit of painting with lemon juice and then ironing, and dd thinks it is pretty cool - so maybe i need to relook at this color wonder stuff.

renrel we have wooden blocks. 2 sets in fact. we also have 2 sets of those big cardboard blocks. we have mega blocks, bristle blocks and some legos.

before anyone thinks that i go out and buy every single toy available on this planet - my dd has a 7yo cousin and dh's side and 10 and 12 yo cousins on my side - and our house is the proverbial dumping ground whenever our siblings clean house.

i want to get dd a large trampoline - one of those 10' round ones with the safety nets on the side. and i want to get a wooden playset for the backyard - but those are something we will just get her once we finish landscaping our yard.

[OctoberPrincess]

DS loves tools and working with his hand so we just picked up the new Little Tykes tool bench for him. We also got him a Viewmaster and some discs for his stocking. I plan to get him the Stranger Danger video (for his stocking) as well. The tool bench will be from Santa. DH and I will probably be giving him the Candy Land Castle game, a Melissa and Doug puzzle with locks that he has been wanting, and the v-tech laptop.

[mamax2]

a Melissa and Doug puzzle with locks that he has been wanting

This is an awesome toy! DD got it when she turned 3 it's a BIG hit.

DD will be 4 y 4m:

- New kitchen set (larger, wooden & to share w/her sister)
- Tea Set
- Ladybug Game
- Books

That's as far as I've come so far ;)

[Chelsea524]

OK, I am still at a loss as to what to get DS. Does anyone have any idea what a stick game is? All DS says he wants is a stick game, when I ask him what it is he says you put the stick in the holes. Anyone have any idea what that could be??? I keep trying to convince him he wants this or that but he keeps insisting he wants a stick game.

[emschwar]

Could Ker Plunk be the stick game?
http://www.amazon.com/Mattel-37092-Ker-Plunk-Game/dp/B0000205X3

[Chelsea524]

Thats what everyone else has guessed that I ask but we have that game and so I wouldn't think he would ask for it but maybe I need to pull it out and ask him, we've played it a million times so he knows we have it but who knows.

[NicoleWisconsin]

Can you ask him more about it? (Where he played it, etc?)

[Winter Biscuit]

Could the "stick game" be a Pick Up Sticks (http://www.boardgamesexpress.com/prodinfo.asp?number=1A30&Pick-Up-Sticks-Game&source=shopping) game?? My parents have that, and my DD loves to play with it, although she makes up her own rules!

I'm not sure what we'll get DD. She turns 4 on December 17, so I have her birthday to think of as well. We've been getting bombarded with all the holiday catalogs, and she has been asking for a pen almost every day so she can look through the catalogs and circle things that she likes. So far, she has selected a bunch of random stuff. Some of the things I can remember off the top of my head include:

- A scooter
- Moon Sand
- Little Einstein's Pat Pat Rocket
- The 2007 holiday Barbie
- A parrot (it might be a talking one? I am not even sure, I didn't really look at it closely but I do think the catalog suggested it is for older kids)
- Aqua Dots (out of the question due to the recalls)
- A Disney Princess cash register
- An art desk

Of course, she has only circled the things that she sees in the catalogs, so it's hard to tell what she REALLY wants, and I haven't really looked at some of these things to see if they are really appropriate for a 4yo. I'm also curious to know if she is attracted to some of the toys due to the way they are advertised and/or due to the characters (e.g. would she have been attracted to a plain cash register, or is she only interested in the fact that the Disney princesses are plastered all over the cash register that she saw).

I was thinking of buying her Chutes and Ladders, and the M&D See and Spell game. She loves games and puzzles. I also have some M&D wooden fruit that I bought last year but never gave to her.

What is the M&D puzzle with locks that has been mentioned - does anyone have a link to that?

[pixielou]

winterbiscuit i've seen lots of other options - i tend to like the plain boards with just the locks and latches, but this is the only one (http://www.educationallearninggames.com/latches-wooden-board-md.asp) i can find on line. i find the m&d one to be a bit "busy". maybe if you try and independent toy store in your area you could find one.

[SiValleySteph]

I had my son make a list:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/SiValleySteph/list2.jpg

There's a also a marble run on the back. He wants everything. He insists it is not a Christmas list, it's a "Play list." I think because he doesn't want to wait until Christmas.

He's such a goofball. He refuses to tell me which of the fine motor games he likes best (you feed the dog/bunny/monkey with chopsticks) and says he has to have all 3. I told him no way since they are $15 each and he would get tired of them, so then he tried to tell me that 3 was only $3 and not "too 'spensive" and he had $5 in his cash register. :D

ETA - Sorry for the goofy "cheese" smile - so hard to get a real smile! :p

[AlisonCO]

Xmas list for DS who is 4

a watch
2 games - Diego matching game and another
maybe the spiderman laptop - need to research it more to see if it is at all educational
paint smock, brushes and paints to go with the easel both kids are getting
pirate ship - don't know what kind
camera - maybe
a couple of art projects - saw some at Hobby Lobby but need to make sure that they are age appropriate
stamp set
clay
a sled - maybe

[Pookie]

DS is 2 1/2, but I'm trying to gear his gifts for what he'll need/ want in the upcoming year.
Here so far:
stocking:
"cars" car
"cars" tattoos
"cars" bubblebath

from us:
easel and assorted paints, brushes, paper, chalk, dry erase, stickers,etc
2 trucks (1 from me and 1 from DH)

from grandparents:
wood tool set and assorted accessories
games - Candyland, Hullabula
battery operated Jeep

I'm not sure if I'm done yet. I bought a Firefigther costume on sale and am thinking of including that to go with the Jeep. Here's my list of other possibilities:
- pirate ship
- balls
- basket ball hoop
- wood blocks

[Phen]

My boys (3.5 at Christmas) will be getting:

a Cars Crayola Color Wonder set; Candyland castle game; magnetic play boards for car; Toy Story & Toy Story 2 on DVD; viewmasters; nemo squeeze bath toys; handy manny PJs

Santa is bringing one boy Marble Run and the other Little People Parking Garage.

Plus some more viewmaster things and a Thomas train (not-from-China) for their stockings.

I am asking grandparents, aunts, etc. to give them things like Colorforms, the third Shrek on DVD, a zoo membership for the family, and little tennis classes in the spring.

~ phen

[twinnyme]

DD will be 35.5 months at Christmas - and her birthday is two weeks later. For Christmas, we are getting her:

Dora wood puzzle (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2326322)

Dora Lego (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2736603)

Fun-2-Learn Teaching Clock (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LT1CI4/ref=wl_it_dp/103-0773555-8105444?ie=UTF8&coliid=I36VD8MHPA0N0V&colid=1GPHN985W5XRS)

Dick & Jane Christmas Story (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B91FX6/ref=wl_it_dp/103-0773555-8105444?ie=UTF8&coliid=IJPQ8H6XNBHVE&colid=1GPHN985W5XRS) (and other books!)

Art display thingie (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GL1D40/103-0773555-8105444)

Alex My Art Storage Case (http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/602-2761487-2762208?ASIN=B000HV0XLS&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B000HV0XLS|Alex_My_Art_Storage_Case&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B000HV0XLS&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001)

plus art supplies in her stocking and a dress-up trunk (my parents bought the trunk a while ago and my mother has been buying dress-up clothes/Halloween outfits on sale).

For her birthday, we are getting her tickets to Sesame Street Live and an art class. We'll probably also get her books to go with each of these themes, possibly the Mini-Masters book set (http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Masters-Boxed-Julie-Merberg/dp/081185518X/ref=pd_sim_b_img_15/103-0773555-8105444) (recommended to me by a friend whose DD loves these books!).

I have no idea what others are getting for her.

[Renrel]

twinnyme - Have you seen the learning clock in person? I have been thinking of getting a clock toy for DS since he seems interested in time (telling me it is 14 o'clock and things like that) but have been unsure which one was
the best." I see the 2 reviews for the one you listed are great and that it had more stars then the alternative listed but wonder if you had anything else influencing your choice.

I think we have decided to add more train track to DS list of gifts. DH has been talking about getting more straight track off of e-bay for a year now but keeps not acting on it. Last night DS was creating some wonderful track designs but once again did not have the pieces to compete his visision.

[twinnyme]

twinnyme - Have you seen the learning clock in person? I have been thinking of getting a clock toy for DS since he seems interested in time (telling me it is 14 o'clock and things like that) but have been unsure which one was the best." I see the 2 reviews for the one you listed are great and that it had more stars then the alternative listed but wonder if you had anything else influencing your choice.

I haven't done much research but one of my nephews has it. I had already been thinking of one for DD then saw it in my nephew's bedroom (just turned 4 in June but he's had it for a while I think) and his mother said he liked it. I like that both the digital and the analog clock are clear - even in this day and age, I think it's important to learn to tell time via the analog clock as well. I have seen others in catalogs we've received, but I like this one the best so far - just in terms of its looks.

[Renrel]

Thanks Twinnyme! :D

I just read the recall info on the aquadots. Yikes. Pretty scary, and I was going to get that toy. DS got a similiar toy as a party favor, but you iron the end result to make it stick and really liked it. Though I would encourage the crafty thing before he decided it was to "girly." Oh, well.

Anyone have a recommendation for a good and safe play sword? DS is into sword play every since he saw PeterPan but I only want to get one that I feel he can't really hurt anyone either by poking or smacking someone with it. (And rather than enter a battle I don't think I will win regarding no weapons play I have decided to try and control it by making sure he had a safe option to use as a sword and rules to apply regarding when, where and how to play with it.) Some sort of very soft foam is what I am thinking but I have not seen anything so far that worked. It would help if were not too expensive given that we would really need to get two and probably two shields as well to really feed his imaginative play. If the bad guy can't fight back at all the game is kind of boring.

[BeachBum]

I've heard great things about these automoblox http://www.automoblox.com/m9model.htm

[pixielou]

clocks?

somewhere on cc, people have posted a link to have a clock custom made with your kid's name on it. there were like 20 or 30 designs to choose from. anybody know what company i'm talking about? dd has a celestial design room - so if anyone knows where to get a yellow star clock - doesn't need to have dd's name on it.

my dd has a digital clock in her room. and she is startingt to comprehend analog time - based on the clocks we have downstairs. so instead of a clock toy, i want to hang an analog clock on the wall near dd's digital clock, so we can talk about the 2 different clocks.

[Phen]

Wall clocks? Olive Kids personalized clocks (http://www.olivekids.com/p_clocks.html)

~ phen

[twinnyme]

Yup, Pixie - we also have a personalized clock (Country Baby) from Olive Kids for Becca's room. Looks like they have an "Out Of This World" one that has stars, a rocket, planets and a flying saucer on a blue background.

[pixielou]

thanks phen and twinnyme - those are the clocks i was looking for. maybe this time i'll actually bookmark the page.

[Renrel]

I think I finally know what DS is getting for chanuka now. We were given most of the family gifts over thanksgiving.

from us -
A Darda race track,
money to donate/buy a farm animal for a family in need through the Heifer project
A few chanuka books, including one with 8 stories, one I will read each night
A book on telling time (to go with one of my sister's presents)

from my parents
a balance board
a jumping toy ( a stick spins round and the kids jump over it)
Romper Stompers (plastic cups with long strings you grip to hold them on your feet like little stilts)
Wegits (I may be spelling that wrong)
Some kind of zoo puzzle toy
pjs
(Mom has a budjet she spends for each kid and she just kept buying till she reached it since I did not give her one big budject item.)

From one of my sisters
A book
? something I don't know

From my other sister

The Fun to learn clock (thanks for the idea Twinnyme)

From one BIL

Tinker toys
Something I don't know

There may be other presents from the second BIL and mostly likely money from the other grandparents.

So we already have 15 presents for 8 nights, so I will have to combine some of them.

I want someone to get him either a kids flashlight that turns off after 15 minutes or one of those flash lights you shake or turn a crank to power, since he wants to take flash lights to bed and we are burning through batteries.

We got a handme down jr rush hour game and DS loves it as did his 5 year old cousins, if anyone is looking for a good game. Though it does require a kid have a bit of concentration and patience.

[dana b]

dd will be 3.5

melissa + doug folding stable and some horses
music together instruments (joint w/ little bro)
kettler trike w/ tandem seat (joint w/ little bro)
some movies and cds
ella pj's
some books
shutterfly photo album
pbk shopping cart
clothes for baby doll and bitty baby trunk

things on my list that i'm NOT getting, b/c i have too much already - magnatiles, electric company dvds

stocking:
holztiger animals
lip balms
socks
stamps + pads
band-aids


from family:
doorway puppet theater + puppets (joint w/ bro)
hullabaloo
madeline books
pbk dog w/ carrier

[SiValleySteph]

My son is 3-1/4 at Christmas.

We have bought for him:
Marble run
Alphabet floor puzzle
Magnetic dart board
Feed the dog fine motor game
Dino dig (small dinasours you bury, then dig up with sifters and brush off)
Prehistoric Shark pop-up book

Need to buy his yearly Christmas ornament.

Doesn't seem like as much when I write it out. :)

Still need to fill up his stocking.


I also have a Big Bird in China DVD, but I'm not sure if it will fit. I might just give it to him to watch our our plane flight next week.