| If you know a toddler who is about to turn 3 | | | | Choosing Wisely |
| years old, you probably want to get him or her | | | | All of that said, here are 3 tips for buying a |
| the best birthday present you can find, but at a | | | | birthday gift for a 3-year old: |
| reasonable price. Three years old is a fun age, full | | | | 1. Look for gifts from reputable manufacturers: |
| of exploration, learning and wonder. You are going | | | | As mentioned above, you will want to buy a gift |
| to want to find a gift that reflects all of these | | | | that is child-safe, will not create a big mess, and is |
| things - but that is fun to use as well. | | | | low-maintenance for the parents. Most toys made |
| One of the secrets of buying for a youngster of | | | | by major manufacturers satisfy all of these |
| this age is to know how to please not only the | | | | criteria. So, while major brands are not the only |
| young person, but their parents as well. In fact, | | | | way to go, buying a major brand serves as an |
| the younger a child is, the more that the gift you | | | | important guidepost that you are headed in the |
| buy has to pass the parent test in order to be | | | | right direction. |
| well-received. | | | | 2. Keep it simple (most kids play with the box |
| For 3-Year Olds, the Rule for Gifts Is: Simple and | | | | more than the toy): As any parent will tell you, it |
| Safe | | | | is often the case that a child will spend more time |
| When you are buying for a friend, neighbor, or | | | | with the box a toy came in than the toy itself. |
| family member who will soon turn 3, one of your | | | | This is fact remains a perennial mystery to |
| motivations is likely that of seeing his or her face | | | | parents and toy makers alike, but the take-away |
| light up as they accept your gift. After all, it is a | | | | message is: keep it simple. The toy with all of the |
| great pleasure to make a little person happy with | | | | bells and whistles is not necessarily the one that |
| a well-chosen gift! | | | | will impress a toddler. |
| At the same time, however, when it comes to | | | | 3. Do not buy the featured product at the store |
| choosing a gift, simplicity and safety should be | | | | or online: Finally, if you will be attending a birthday |
| your main guide. Many gifts for young people | | | | party for this child, your gift will of course be |
| have age recommendations posted clearly on the | | | | given along with many others. That is why you |
| label, which is indeed helpful. But, this information is | | | | will want to avoid the toy you see online or at |
| not always enough, and you need to use | | | | the toy store that is the most prominently |
| common sense. | | | | featured. Why? Chances are, 2-3 other people will |
| Make Sure the Gift Pleases Mom and Dad, Too! | | | | be buying the same gift; this means that the |
| The gift you buy needs to make mom and dad | | | | parent will be heading back to the store with gift |
| happy. For example, it is not wise to buy a gift | | | | receipts to exchange some of the duplicates after |
| that is particularly noisy, has lots of tiny parts that | | | | the party. Help the parents avoid this hassle by |
| could get lost, or seems like it would be | | | | digging a bit deeper into the store or website for |
| time-consuming to assemble. At this age, you are | | | | the right gift. |
| buying not only for the child, but with the parents | | | | Follow these 3 tips for choosing the right birthday |
| in mind, too. | | | | gift for a 3 year old. |
| Birthday Gift Ideas for 3-Year Olds: 3 Tips for | | | | |