21 Best Homemade Gifts for 3 Year Olds

Gifts for 3 year olds can be overwhelming and challenging at the same time. We have a big list of homemade gifts for preschoolers that they can help make or you can keep it a surprise. Whether you are making a gift for a 3 year old birthday or holiday, this list of easy handmade gifts for 3 year old boys and girls can’t be beat!

DIY Gifts for 3 Year Olds

Also these gifts for 3 year olds for boy and girls are the best toys for 3 year olds you can make. It is so easy to over-spend at Christmas time or on birthdays! Often kids enjoy the more simple homemade gifts as much, if not more than the store-bought gifts.  

Related: Check out our homemade gifts for 1 year olds, homemade gifts for 2 year olds and homemade gifts for 4 year olds.

Being 3 years old is an adventure which is why all these handmade gifts are full of colorful fun!  Most of these DIY gift ideas simple to make and you could use a 3 year old assistant for the gift making silliness.

Easy & Creative Homemade Gifts For 3 Year Olds

Preschoolers love jumping into an adventure and helping make a gift to give (especially if it is something they would want) is extra fun. Their little hands are always willing to try building toys.

Related: More homemade gift ideas

Alrighty! Let’s chat homemade toys for 3 year olds! Here are the 21 ideas of gifts that you can make for your three year old…

1. Silly Monster Pillow

Keep the monsters at bay with a silly character pillow. This fun toy doubles as a pillow and the bright colors and your own designs are brought to life for creative play.

2. Potato Head Game Portable Toy

Play potato head anywhere with this DIY felt board game. Super cute, so much fun and sure to elevate quickly to favorite toys status.

3. Sparkly Playdough

Add some sparkle to average playdough with items you have in your bathroom – sparkly shiny playdough is a great gift for both boys and girls. Deliver the homemade toy in an airtight container.

4. Spinning Top

Make a spinning top from a toothpick and strips of colorful paper.   Your kids will love watching this homemade toy wind up and spin. It makes for unusual and colorful sensory play.

5. Sock Horse

Transform a sock into a horse – these are just adorable, easy to make and perfect for the cowboy/girl in your home. The only downside is you will want to make a whole herd of them!

6. Go Fishing Game Toy Set

Go fishing with your kiddos “ in your living room “ Make a set of fish for your child to catch. You could make a holiday toy version with matching holiday patterns. Little kids love this game.

7. Velcro Ball Game Set

For an active three year old, especially one with siblings, make a set of Velcro Balls for them to play ball with. This simple game works indoors and helps 3 year olds gain both fine motor skills and gross motor skills.

8. Homemade Stilts for Kids

A set of stilts will fascinate your child as they attempt to navigate the world at new levels and develop new skills.

9. Pretend Play Doctor Kit

My three year olds love playing pretend. You can create a Dr. Play kit for them to help heal all the boo-boos and owies. This is a fun toy to encourage independent play and can be made so much more comprehensive than the popular toys version in the store.

10. Bubble Shooter Blower Toy

Create a Bubble Blower from straws for your kids to make the best bubble snakes. Include a jar of homemade unbreakable bubble juice.

Check out our homemade giant bubble wand toy and foolproof how to make bubble solution instructions.

11. Silly Faces

Create a set of silly face sticks. These are a great gift for the kids who love to play pretend or for photo booth props. All the family members will want to get involved in this hands on toy!

12. DIY ABC Mat

Your kids can learn the alphabet as they exercise with a DIY ABC mat. It is part full size board games and part learning toy.

13. Homemade Toy Cars

This is a great toy to make and bring out and about. Car lovers will love getting to play with their cars on-the-go. Imaginative play has never been so fun and 3-year-old boys and 3-year-old girls couldn’t be happier about it.

14. Monster Magnets Game Set

A hilarious set of mix-and-match monster magnets will add some color to the fridge and entertain your tots. Helps preschoolers with hand-eye coordination and a great way to learn basic puzzle and matching skills.

15. Craft Stick Puzzle Toy

This is a great gift for kids to make for others – craft stick puzzles. Half the fun is creating them for friends to solve.

16. Bouncing Board Coordination Toy

Help your kids develop balance and spatial awareness of where they are, with a bouncing board. Open-ended toys always favorite educational games and a great way to get kids moving.

17. Felt Mustache Toys

Be super silly with disguises. These felt mustaches are sure to put a smile on all three year old faces (and their older pals).

18. Surprise Eggs

Make washing hands a fun experience – make surprise “eggs” of soap for your kids to wash with. This is a win-win toy that can get kids to clean up different ways.

19. Family Of Rocks Toy Set

Make Rock People using pebbles around the yard.   You can gift your child a set of decorated pebbles, and a set of paint pens with extra rocks for them to make their own “family” of rocks.

20. Paper Bag City Toy Set

Customize this pretend city toy for your child. Choose to make buildings and houses that are seen all around your town.

21. Goop

Goop! Make your own. Your kids will love how slimy it feels and moms will love how it does not leave a residue like playdough, making clean-up easier.

More Gift Ideas from Kids Activities Blog

Do you have any other suggestions for DIY gifts for 3 year olds? Add it in the comments below!