No More Trucks
October 22, 2018 2:04 PM Subscribe
I have just been honored with an invitation to a young man's third birthday party next week. I would love to bring a fun present but his home is severely limited in space.
Normally I'd make a small soft toy by hand but I have limited time (and I'm currently getting over a bad cold.) I know very little about three year olds apart from my friendship with a few toddlers, and all the "55 great gifts for a 3 year old!" lists are full of huge objects or collections of things that won't be appreciated by the parents or fit into their already very cramped home.
I'm friends with his parents (but not all that close) and have spent some time with the whole family on occasion. Also, they all came to my birthday party this summer. I'd like to keep my budget to under $20, less if that's viable. I was thinking maybe some kind of special crayons and a pad of paper? Something consumable?
I'm really winging it when it comes to little kids - I am the classic childless weird aunt and have no grasp of things like childhood development. I know this one is really big for his age, loves sparkly things, has a tiny unicorn baby he takes with him everywhere, and will be sufficiently distracted with plastic trucks if encouraged. I can hold a pretty good conversation with him about coloring, but he wants me to do the coloring per his instructions, so my thought of special crayons is maybe not that great since all kids aren't me (I lived and died by art supplies every birthday until I was 13.)
I absolutely love giving gifts and made a big deal about gifts for my birthday so I definitely want to bring something wrapped, even if it's just a tiny token. I just don't know what kind of tiny token would be good for this situation.
Normally I'd make a small soft toy by hand but I have limited time (and I'm currently getting over a bad cold.) I know very little about three year olds apart from my friendship with a few toddlers, and all the "55 great gifts for a 3 year old!" lists are full of huge objects or collections of things that won't be appreciated by the parents or fit into their already very cramped home.
I'm friends with his parents (but not all that close) and have spent some time with the whole family on occasion. Also, they all came to my birthday party this summer. I'd like to keep my budget to under $20, less if that's viable. I was thinking maybe some kind of special crayons and a pad of paper? Something consumable?
I'm really winging it when it comes to little kids - I am the classic childless weird aunt and have no grasp of things like childhood development. I know this one is really big for his age, loves sparkly things, has a tiny unicorn baby he takes with him everywhere, and will be sufficiently distracted with plastic trucks if encouraged. I can hold a pretty good conversation with him about coloring, but he wants me to do the coloring per his instructions, so my thought of special crayons is maybe not that great since all kids aren't me (I lived and died by art supplies every birthday until I was 13.)
I absolutely love giving gifts and made a big deal about gifts for my birthday so I definitely want to bring something wrapped, even if it's just a tiny token. I just don't know what kind of tiny token would be good for this situation.
A caleidoscope. Portable magic.
posted by Too-Ticky at 2:20 PM on October 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Too-Ticky at 2:20 PM on October 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
I have a three year old and the best gift I could imagine (for the parents at least) is a really beautiful book, which you could get for $20 and write a message inside the book (which people rarely do!) There are just some gorgeous books, especially from independent publishers, that I would love my kids to have but are very expensive (for a book.) If you have a local bookstore, I would go in and ask.
Also, I love the art idea: my three year old would love different kinds of crayons (washable!) paired with different colored and textured paper, pipe cleaners, goggly eyes, stickers, with a little glue stick and toddler scissors in a nice-looking box. That said, that will take up some space!
posted by heavenknows at 2:21 PM on October 22, 2018 [4 favorites]
Also, I love the art idea: my three year old would love different kinds of crayons (washable!) paired with different colored and textured paper, pipe cleaners, goggly eyes, stickers, with a little glue stick and toddler scissors in a nice-looking box. That said, that will take up some space!
posted by heavenknows at 2:21 PM on October 22, 2018 [4 favorites]
Specifically, a glitter kaleidoscope.
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:21 PM on October 22, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:21 PM on October 22, 2018 [4 favorites]
It was my niece's second birthday on the weekend. We gave her a book, and one of the grandpas in attendance at the party had already read the book a couple of times to the all the kids there by the end of the party.
Depending on the book, it's a gift that could last for a long time -- two, three decades. If the kid and the parents like it, that is. Books are great because you can put a little note on the inside that can be read years and years later.
With our two kids, it's gotten to the point where I request that there be NO PRESENTS at birthday parties. Toys are much cheaper and plentiful than when I was a kid, and with our oldest son I found each year we were being inundated with toys, toys and more toys. It got to the point where the toys weren't even valued.
Another pet peeve is relatives who buy extremely complicated gifts that a younger child could never manage on their own, like a robot dinosaur that has some sort of AI learning. Or complicated board games.
Books at least combine utility with personality. And you can get a good one for under twenty dollars.
posted by JamesBay at 2:22 PM on October 22, 2018 [7 favorites]
Depending on the book, it's a gift that could last for a long time -- two, three decades. If the kid and the parents like it, that is. Books are great because you can put a little note on the inside that can be read years and years later.
With our two kids, it's gotten to the point where I request that there be NO PRESENTS at birthday parties. Toys are much cheaper and plentiful than when I was a kid, and with our oldest son I found each year we were being inundated with toys, toys and more toys. It got to the point where the toys weren't even valued.
Another pet peeve is relatives who buy extremely complicated gifts that a younger child could never manage on their own, like a robot dinosaur that has some sort of AI learning. Or complicated board games.
Books at least combine utility with personality. And you can get a good one for under twenty dollars.
posted by JamesBay at 2:22 PM on October 22, 2018 [7 favorites]
Books!! Sandra Boynton, Little Owl, Make Way for Ducklings, Blueberries for All, Mike Mulligan...
posted by ChuraChura at 2:23 PM on October 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by ChuraChura at 2:23 PM on October 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
Oh another idea, etsy has some gorgeous handmade superhero masks and capes. I can't imagine a kid who wouldn't love that!
posted by heavenknows at 2:24 PM on October 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by heavenknows at 2:24 PM on October 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
Consumables my three-year old enjoys:
Glow sticks, playdoh, helium balloon
Possible gifts that are small and a hit for that age group:
Costumes (construction vest, doctor's coat and stethoscope, chef's hat are easy to fold)
In terms of books, Richard Scary has been an absolute hit with both my kids. It requires sitting down and explaining all the pictures.
posted by typecloud at 2:26 PM on October 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
Glow sticks, playdoh, helium balloon
Possible gifts that are small and a hit for that age group:
Costumes (construction vest, doctor's coat and stethoscope, chef's hat are easy to fold)
In terms of books, Richard Scary has been an absolute hit with both my kids. It requires sitting down and explaining all the pictures.
posted by typecloud at 2:26 PM on October 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
How about a magazine subscription instead of a book? That way he'll get something every month, and magazines are disposable in a way that books and other toys may not be.
You can get a set of Dr. Seuss mini board books. They aren't going to be something he'll keep forever but he'll enjoy them for the next year and a bit.
To an extent it doesn't matter what you get. You might end up getting him something that he totally wants right now and he'll be super excited, but could forget all about it in a couple of months. You could get him something that he doesn't like now and it might be his favourite toy in six months time. It's almost random what kids like. When my son was 3 he loved Paw Patrol and he'd have phases where he'd like other shows he happened to be watching but nothing else really stuck the same way. He's 4 now and doesn't like Paw Patrol anymore.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:32 PM on October 22, 2018 [5 favorites]
You can get a set of Dr. Seuss mini board books. They aren't going to be something he'll keep forever but he'll enjoy them for the next year and a bit.
To an extent it doesn't matter what you get. You might end up getting him something that he totally wants right now and he'll be super excited, but could forget all about it in a couple of months. You could get him something that he doesn't like now and it might be his favourite toy in six months time. It's almost random what kids like. When my son was 3 he loved Paw Patrol and he'd have phases where he'd like other shows he happened to be watching but nothing else really stuck the same way. He's 4 now and doesn't like Paw Patrol anymore.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:32 PM on October 22, 2018 [5 favorites]
Oh, and DVDs are great if you have an idea what shows/movies his family might enjoy that are in his age range.
posted by typecloud at 2:35 PM on October 22, 2018
posted by typecloud at 2:35 PM on October 22, 2018
I agree with consumables and books! Those are my go-tos for birthdays. And I second JamesBay - I explicitly request no gifts on our birthday party invitations because I can no longer deal with the wealth of undervalued toys we end up with afterward. My kids are still young enough that a cardboard box is longer lasting entertainment than whatever came in it - it's wasteful to toss endless toys at them.
posted by annathea at 2:37 PM on October 22, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by annathea at 2:37 PM on October 22, 2018 [1 favorite]
Books! And, get a recently published one. Most kids have the classics already. Look for reviews and things like Publisher's Weekly best of the year lists.
posted by quince at 2:50 PM on October 22, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by quince at 2:50 PM on October 22, 2018 [1 favorite]
I would personally recommend Mark Todd's Monster Trucks board book. It was a hit when my son was 3 (which was about 4 years ago).
posted by sleeping bear at 3:12 PM on October 22, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by sleeping bear at 3:12 PM on October 22, 2018 [1 favorite]
Those paint with water books are amazing, and small, and relatively mess free.
Otherwise, books. Books are great. At three, flap books are magic. I personally stick to tried and true books, as if they are still being sold by book stores a decade after they were printed, they must be good.
posted by kjs4 at 4:00 PM on October 22, 2018 [2 favorites]
Otherwise, books. Books are great. At three, flap books are magic. I personally stick to tried and true books, as if they are still being sold by book stores a decade after they were printed, they must be good.
posted by kjs4 at 4:00 PM on October 22, 2018 [2 favorites]
Definitely a book. There are soooo many beauties to choose from, but here's one my kid liked at that age (spoiler: he's 15 and we still enjoy it from time to time).
posted by BlahLaLa at 4:04 PM on October 22, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by BlahLaLa at 4:04 PM on October 22, 2018 [1 favorite]
As the parent of a 2.5 year old, art supplies would be welcome. Look for something non-toxic (he still occasionally decides to, like, paint his tongue) and easy to clean up (...or the couch). My child tells me what to draw, too, but he will still entertain himself with drawing. Those crayons that you can get wet and turn into watercolor type action would be fun and different.
posted by slidell at 4:24 PM on October 22, 2018
posted by slidell at 4:24 PM on October 22, 2018
A magic cape! My mother found this fabric that was black and gold metallic swirls and - this was the best part - if you put it over your head and body, you could see out b
ut nobody could see you! A yard of that with a snap that would let the kid would fasten it around their neck would be cool although we just had a sheet of unmodified fabric and kids loved it. I don't know how to identify the fabric without holding up to the light so you would have to go the fabric store and see what they had but it is simple, folds small and encourages imagination.
posted by metahawk at 4:43 PM on October 22, 2018 [4 favorites]
ut nobody could see you! A yard of that with a snap that would let the kid would fasten it around their neck would be cool although we just had a sheet of unmodified fabric and kids loved it. I don't know how to identify the fabric without holding up to the light so you would have to go the fabric store and see what they had but it is simple, folds small and encourages imagination.
posted by metahawk at 4:43 PM on October 22, 2018 [4 favorites]
Books are great, but if you don't know what is in their library already, candy + stickers or temporary tattoos are AWESOME at that age and don't end in clutter.
Source: I recently gave glow in the dark unicorn tattoos and a movie box of candy and it was in the top #2 gifts.
posted by hapaxes.legomenon at 5:22 PM on October 22, 2018
Source: I recently gave glow in the dark unicorn tattoos and a movie box of candy and it was in the top #2 gifts.
posted by hapaxes.legomenon at 5:22 PM on October 22, 2018
If you want to go for a magazine, Big Backyard from the National Wildlife Federation has been a hit with all of my grandkids. I renew subscriptions for their birthdays and when they’re older, switch to Ranger Rick.
posted by FencingGal at 6:37 PM on October 22, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by FencingGal at 6:37 PM on October 22, 2018 [2 favorites]
Gift certificate to best neighborhood book store somewhere near the family that you can think of. Books are so great at that age. If you would prefer to buy a book instead - my all time favorites to read to kids around that age are either Each Peach Pear Plum or Doctor DeSoto. You can't go wrong with either one.
posted by Mid at 7:54 PM on October 22, 2018
posted by Mid at 7:54 PM on October 22, 2018
Paint with water books are nice. I also like reusable sticker books by Melissa and Doug. I love buying books for kids too but for $20 for a 3 year-old, you could do a nice gift bag of smaller treasures if you have a fun toy store or even Target nearby. Paint with water, stickers, crayons, play doh, a pinwheel, small balls and such would keep my daughter busy and happy. Plus those things are nice because I can throw them in a bag when my husband and I are driving somewhere with daughter and want to keep her busy.
posted by kat518 at 8:10 PM on October 22, 2018
posted by kat518 at 8:10 PM on October 22, 2018
Take him out to visit the fire station, meet the first responders, sit in a fire truck, and then go out for ice cream.
Bring the first responders a box of cookies as thanks.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 3:11 AM on October 23, 2018
Bring the first responders a box of cookies as thanks.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 3:11 AM on October 23, 2018
I gave my nephew a REAL GROWNUP flashlight on his 3rd birthday and it was a big hit.
posted by sarajane at 4:26 AM on October 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by sarajane at 4:26 AM on October 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
I give consumable gifts, because I figure then even if they take up space it's not for too long - a big box of pens, crayons, stickers, a bunch of felt shapes, googly eyes, playdough, or craft sets when they're a bit older.
I've also found that really good pop-up books are a big hit. Especially those ones that aren't really a book but fold out into a whole house or marketplace or something similar.
posted by stillnocturnal at 4:52 AM on October 23, 2018
I've also found that really good pop-up books are a big hit. Especially those ones that aren't really a book but fold out into a whole house or marketplace or something similar.
posted by stillnocturnal at 4:52 AM on October 23, 2018
Best answer: Seconding the Melissa and Doug sticker books; there’s a cute Eric Carle one too.
As far as art supplies go, Kwik Stix are pretty neat and out of the ordinary, and my non-drawing preschooler had fun with them.
An anecdotal word of caution about books as gifts: my 4-year-old gets at least one or two for every birthday and Christmas, and they usually get ignored. He loves books and we go to the library at least once a week, but with birthday festivities and new toys they get lost in the shuffle.
posted by Metroid Baby at 5:07 AM on October 23, 2018
As far as art supplies go, Kwik Stix are pretty neat and out of the ordinary, and my non-drawing preschooler had fun with them.
An anecdotal word of caution about books as gifts: my 4-year-old gets at least one or two for every birthday and Christmas, and they usually get ignored. He loves books and we go to the library at least once a week, but with birthday festivities and new toys they get lost in the shuffle.
posted by Metroid Baby at 5:07 AM on October 23, 2018
A fossilized shark's tooth!
This may be a tiny stretch for a three-year-old, depending on the three-year-old, but I have used this as a gift for multiple four-year-old birthdays, and it has always gone over like wildfire. You can get them pretty small and blunt, so they're not dangerous and are very easy to store. They can be played with or kept as a decoration or a talisman. It always blows little kids' minds that they are now the owners of a SHARK'S! TOOTH! and it's even a DINOSAUR! SHARK!
Super extra bonus points if you find a tiny treasure box to keep it in.
posted by lollymccatburglar at 5:46 AM on October 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
This may be a tiny stretch for a three-year-old, depending on the three-year-old, but I have used this as a gift for multiple four-year-old birthdays, and it has always gone over like wildfire. You can get them pretty small and blunt, so they're not dangerous and are very easy to store. They can be played with or kept as a decoration or a talisman. It always blows little kids' minds that they are now the owners of a SHARK'S! TOOTH! and it's even a DINOSAUR! SHARK!
Super extra bonus points if you find a tiny treasure box to keep it in.
posted by lollymccatburglar at 5:46 AM on October 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry. Timeless. My two boys wore out 3 copies, deciding which car they liked best (the pickle car?, the amazing caravan with a pool on top?) And of course, they soon could find goldbug on every page.
posted by Enid Lareg at 10:06 AM on October 23, 2018
posted by Enid Lareg at 10:06 AM on October 23, 2018
As far as magazines go, my grandkids have really dug Cricket and Baby Bug, depending on age.
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 5:56 PM on October 23, 2018
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 5:56 PM on October 23, 2018
Response by poster: I remembered that I have a local toy store where I could go in and actually like, ask experts. So I did that today.
They had a sticker book full of unicorns and some of them are sparkly! It might be too much fine motor control for this kid though so I bought it and have hoarded it away for future gift giving occasions. What I'll be bringing tomorrow is a set of those Kwik Stix, but in metallics! Along with a pad of paper, of course.
I specifically wanted to avoid books because I'm not familiar with their home library but these guys are huge nerds surrounded by other nerds and I specifically listened to the mom complain one time about how they have no room for more books and she was going to institute regular trips to the public library and try to help her kid pick his favorites so they could give away the excess. That's largely why I asked this question, because of course a book is my go-to! But not for this family in the place they're in now.
posted by Mizu at 4:21 AM on October 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
They had a sticker book full of unicorns and some of them are sparkly! It might be too much fine motor control for this kid though so I bought it and have hoarded it away for future gift giving occasions. What I'll be bringing tomorrow is a set of those Kwik Stix, but in metallics! Along with a pad of paper, of course.
I specifically wanted to avoid books because I'm not familiar with their home library but these guys are huge nerds surrounded by other nerds and I specifically listened to the mom complain one time about how they have no room for more books and she was going to institute regular trips to the public library and try to help her kid pick his favorites so they could give away the excess. That's largely why I asked this question, because of course a book is my go-to! But not for this family in the place they're in now.
posted by Mizu at 4:21 AM on October 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
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posted by molasses at 2:12 PM on October 22, 2018 [3 favorites]