Top Toys and Gifts for 3 Year Old Toddlers

Plasma Car is a ride-on toy that won't be outgrown quickly. This cool car is powered by the motion of the steering wheel. As the child turns the wheel back and forth, the car moves forward. Because the Plasma Car can even hold an average size adult, you won't have to worry about it being outgrown in a few months. It's easy to learn how to make Plasma Car move, even for a toddler, and the cars come in plenty of colors to match almost any little one's tastes.

Your little one can indulge an artistic streak with this cool easel from Melissa & Doug. There's a blackboard on one side and a dry erase board on the other side, plus you can clip paper to it for more drawing or painting fun. Trays at the bottom hold art supplies at the perfect height for a toddler. The whole thing folds for easy storage, too.

Toddlers can trace the lights on this cool electronic toy to learn how to draw shapes and pictures, and how to write lowercase and uppercase letters. It's ideal for a travel toy since it's lightweight and reusable, and the pen is attached with a string, so it won't get lost in transit.

This big, dragon-themed toy has lots of bells and whistles to keep a toddler engaged, but also encourages lots of imaginative play thanks to the knight toys that are included. When the knights enter the Dragon World Fortress, they will find all sorts of adventures, including firing cannons, rolling boulders, and a wild attack dragon. This is a great toy for sharing with friends or siblings, too.

If your family is into playing games together, get the toddlers in on the action with UNO Moo. Using the same color-matching principles of the regular UNO card games, you match 3D animal figures. Instead of matching numbers, you can also match the same type of animal. Farmers are wild! This game is easy enough for little ones to understand and is actually fun for the whole family.

Toddlers love to build things, and this construction set allows a toddler to do just that. This set also teaches critical thinking and problem solving, though, because toddlers must consider how the marbles will roll on the track as they're building. There are plenty of pieces so your little one can get creative. When building time is through, the marbles roll down the track, and it's time to start all over again. The Ball Track Construction Set from HABA will be used for many years, because as your child grows, he or she can learn to make more complicated tracks.

Lots of fun imagination play awaits with this cool circus set from Plan Toys. I love the magic box where one of the characters can disappear. The set also includes clowns and circus animals, as well as extra people so there can be a ringmaster performers and audience. The colorful circus tent even has a tightrope! The wooden pieces are made of chemical-free rubberwood and the finishes are all non-toxic.

Idbids do include the key element of toys - fun - but they also have a potentially greater impact on a toddler's life. These plush toys come with a story book and field guide that teach about environmental responsibility. Most importantly, it teaches kids how to take small, manageable steps towards green living, so your toddler can feel like he or she is accomplishing something right from the start. Cloud water drop and flower Idbids are available. The plush toys are made of organic cotton and the packaging is even recycled materials.

The Wheely Bug gets my vote for the best ride-on toy ever! The large size is perfect for older toddlers, and is available in ladybug, bumblebee and cow themes. The Wheely Bug has a padded seat covered with wipe-clean material, and a padded handlebar on the front. The caster wheels are mounted on a wood platform, and swivel in every direction, so toddlers can spin, glide and roll wild all over the house or driveway. This is sturdy toy that offers plenty of fun for toddlers and pre-schoolers.

Melissa & Doug wood toys are made well, so they stay looking nice for a long time. My choice for this year is the pizza party set, which includes a yummy looking pie with a pizza cutter, a whole bunch of toppings and a tray for serving. Everyone can pick their favorite toppings and practice making the perfect pizza.