Unique Birthday Gift Ideas for a 3 year old?

So, my youngest niece is turning 3 next month.. and I have NO idea what to get her!

She has two older sisters, so she gets the toys handed down.. and they have EVERYTHING I can think of!

I am trying to think of something unique.. and something not too terribly expensive.

I admit, my sister doesn't take care of the nice toys I get them. I got them one of those peddle cars for Christmas last year, cost over $200 bucks.. and they left it out in the rain and snow. Destroyed now I can't get anything too nice!

Any suggestions for a smart 3 year-old?

Get her a few cheap things. My great-niece was given several nice presents last Christmas by all of us, but the one that fascinated her was a Slinky. I raided the $3 bin at Walmart and found it in there.

My first thought is that 3 girls probably have plenty of dolls, kitchen playsets, and play houses. I would swing the other way (like you did with the pedal car) and get her a train, planes, dinosaurs, wild animal playset, or  construction set - a traditional "boy" toy. Even if your sister gives her kids non-gender-specific toys, I'll bet the gifts received from others are mostly pretty girly.

Things are that ALWAYS needed when you have kids is the stuff that get used up, like paper, paints, markers, or clay. A roll of art paper and a set of washable markers makes a truly awesome gift for a little kid. The paper will last a long, long time, and doesn't limit her to drawing on just sheets (think decorated wrapping paper, banners, table cloths). 

A pedal car is a super nice gift - those things can last for generations - I'm sorry to hear they didn't take care of it.

I say just let her pick her own presents and take her to Chucky Cheese.

Stickers are the way to my 3 year olds heart.  For her birthday one of her friends got her a heart shaped cardboard box and some of these foam like heart shaped stickers to decorate the box.  Her favorite gift by far. 

thanks for the suggestions! Keep them coming!

How about some sidewalk chalk?  They even have some that I think comes with some 3D glasses! Looks Fun! 

Nice pretty dress and get her picture taken for you.

This one won't work just yet...  Last year right after Halloween my Mom went into kmart and got DD several costumes for dress up!  She's got a bee one, a Dorothy (wizard of oz) one and a few ballerina/princess style ones.  She puts them on and dances all over.  Mom gave them to her for Christmas.  We hit the princess phase as soon as she turned 3; so they are right up her alley too.  

MoochNNoodles said:

This one won't work just yet...  Last year right after Halloween my Mom went into kmart and got DD several costumes for dress up!  She's got a bee one, a Dorothy (wizard of oz) one and a few ballerina/princess style ones.  She puts them on and dances all over.  Mom gave them to her for Christmas.  We hit the princess phase as soon as she turned 3; so they are right up her alley too.  

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good idea,the dresses should be cheap and hope she is having fun dressing up.

I work for a halloween company.. lol. My nieces are always asking for costumes, so I oblige and bring some home for them every so often!

They got sidewalk chalk for Easter. lots of them.

I am thinking about taking her to Build a Bear or something...

Draco said:

I work for a halloween company.. lol. My nieces are always asking for costumes, so I oblige and bring some home for them every so often!

They got sidewalk chalk for Easter. lots of them.

I am thinking about taking her to Build a Bear or something...

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Oh lucky little girls!!  

We had DD's birthday at Build a Bear.  It was great!!  She sleeps with her bear every night and for naps.  Sometimes she uses it as a pillow too. lol  With things being kind of hectic with her party she didn't get to explore the clothing for the bears.  But I won a gift card to Build a Bear a couple weeks after so we need to get back up there with her!  I did get her a birthday cupcake for the bear to hold.  They even had little panties and underwear for the bears.  They were hysterical.  I'm thinking of getting a pair to go on her bear since we are finally making progress with potty training.   Customizing them and picking things out is so fun for them at this age; wanting to make choices themselves and what not. 

That's a good idea. Then she will have a memory of you guys going to do that AND a bear!!  You could even go to lunch!

Love this site for unique stuff. 

I agree with boy type toys to keep her interest 

http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toys/toys_by_ages/boys/top_picks_3.cfm

Or the personal name puzzle, etsy has cute ideas of dress up stuff too.  Maybe an experience?  Like an indoor kiddie pool or the zoo, kids science museum or aquarium?  Baking cookies at your place?  Bulk bins at Whole Foods?  

My granddaughter has loved her own CD player from quite young, she progressed to a karaoke machine for Christmas, she was 7 in March. Her 4 yr old brother has his own too, but they both love playing on the karaoke together. My other grandson is 3 and has a toy guitar and a mike, and loves performing for people. :-)

How about a new pet ? 

 What about a hoola hoop?  Sidewalk chalk is also a great idea.  What about a skipping rope?  A new doll?  Board games?

Buying for 3 year olds is easy. It's the 13 year old ones that are more picky.
 

Natalie_ca said:

 What about a hoola hoop?  Sidewalk chalk is also a great idea.  What about a skipping rope?  A new doll?  Board games?

Buying for 3 year olds is easy. It's the 13 year old ones that are more picky.
 

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13 yr old ? how about a Ipod ?

I don't know about a new pet for a 3 yr old...Mom gets stuck with the upkeep(says the mom with a new fish tank)

Build a Bear is a Great idea, we took the little one there for her birthday, and it was great...although you spend easily 50bucks or more, she'll get a birth certificate to go with the bear which is neat

Toys R Us has some great little 3wheeled scooters out now for grown up little girls?

I actually found a bunch of toys that I grew up with.. Fun games too. Decided to give those to her along with a new pool toy