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Home Gift Guides

Gift Guide: Boys Ages 3-5

Polly Conner
By: Polly ConnerPosted: 8/1/24Updated: 11/22/24

This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Out of all of our gift guides, I found this one was the easiest to put together. Young boys aren’t too hard to please and since I have two of them, with the help of my friends, we put together a killer list of ideas. Similar to our Girls Ages 3-5 Year Old Gift Guide, most of these toys will make boys or girls happy!

See all the gift guides here.

Gift guide for preschool boys. this …


 
Table of Contents
  • Featured Gifts for Preschool Boys
  • Gifts Under $25
  • $25-$50 Gifts
  • $50-$100 Gifts
  • $100+ Gifts for Young Boys
  • Check Out All of Our Gift Guides
  • 25+ Make Ahead Christmas Breakfasts

Featured Gifts for Preschool Boys

Kwik Stix Master Art set box with all the colors of Kwik Stix that come with it arching above and below the box.

Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paint Set

My boys have LOVED these for years and years! They’ve made lemonade stand signs, artwork, banners and more with them. Mama loves them because they aren’t messy. No cups, smocks, water or brushes required.

 

Simply uncap, twist and paint! Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paint have a fast drying formula that allows them to dry in 90 seconds while still leaving a paint-like finish!

Use THRIVINGHOME20 for 20% off!

Buy Now
Two kids stepping on different color and different size stepping stones.

Stepping Stones

I know these are a bit pricy but kids love them and use them over and over again. I got some of these for my crew years ago and they still get pulled out to play with. They use them both inside and outside and they can be used for almost any age!

buy now

Gifts Under $25

Magna Men.

Magna Men

These little guys are so magnetic, they’ll cling to each other, the fridge, and possibly your sanity as you try to pry them apart. Perfect for keeping kids entertained and parents bemused.

Buy Now
Shapes Puzzle tins open showing that one tin has different size, shape and color of wooden pieces, and the smaller tin having cards of what to make with the wooden shapes.

Shapes Puzzle

If my kids were younger, I’d for sure be snatching this up.

Sort, stack and sequence. Kids can try to build what is shown on the cards or create their own designs. It will foster their creativity and fine motor skill development.

Buy Now
Stock photo of Tube Building blocks built in to several different things.

Tube Building Kit

“Love this toy for my kids. They are bright and colorful, and such durable quality. You can make all kinds of creative things.” – RR

 

Buy Now
Wooden garage toy with three doors and a set of keys next to it - the red door is closed and a firetruck is parked out front; the white door is open and a white ambulance is coming out; the blue door is also open with a blue police car coming out.

Melissa & Doug Toy Keys and Cars Wooden Rescue Vehicles and Garage

I know my preschooler is going to love this!

buy now
Four Bluey figurines in the original packaging.

Bluey Figurines

The show Bluey is all the rage with this age. If you’re kiddo is a fan, then these figurines will be a hit!

Buy Now
Three different take a part dinosaur toys with the toy drill kids use to take them apart sitting next to them.

Take Apart Dinosaur

Dinosaurs and tools. This is an instant hit for any dino loving boy. A take apart Crane is another similar option.

Buy Now
Stock photo of the box for the game Don't Break the Ice.

Don’t Break the Ice

I genuinely enjoy playing this with my kids! Both of my boys LOVE this game.

buy now
Hard plastic blue semi-truck car carrier with three cars in yellow, orange and green.

Green Toys Car Carrier

BPA free, dishwasher safe and durable. Not only are these trucks built to last, but they are a huge hit with this age.

Buy Now
Hungry Hippos game sitting in front of the box it comes in.

Hungry Hungry Hippos Dino Edition

A new take on this classic kid favorite!

Buy Now
Box containing Melissa and Doug Alphabet Train floor puzzle.

Alphabet Train Puzzle

This is one of the few puzzles that has lasted through all three of my kids. They LOVE to put the alphabet together and it’s super long which is fun for kids.

buy now
Child stepping on a soft plastic box attached to a tube that launches a foam rocket when the box is stomped on.

Stomp Rocket

My boys had so much fun with this when they were younger. They can play with them on their own and have a lot of fun seeing how high they can shoot their rockets up in the sky. Make sure you don’t do them next to the house though. They can get stuck on the roof!

buy now
Collage of three different Melissa and Doug Jumbo Coloring Pads: Animal, Vehicles, and Multi-theme.

Jumbo Coloring Pads

I LOVE LOVE LOVE these. I have given them as birthday gifts and have even bought them a second time for my family. The pages are large, thick, and white. Every child of mine 4-9 still loves them. They also have girl versions if you have a preschool-aged girl.

buy now
Original resealable plastic packaging of Kinetic Sand.

Kinetic Sand

This is just a MUST for this age. I like to spread it out on a baking sheet and let them play with it on that. It’s not messy like regular sand either. We have pretty much had Kinetic Sand in my home for the last 8 years!

buy now
Plastic toy leaf blower that blows bubbles.

Bubble Leaf Blower with Solution

One of the best bubble machines we’ve found. It doesn’t leak!

Buy Now
Two sturdy kid-size plastic shovels.

Shovels

On a last minute whim, I got these for my kids when they were youngsters and they were the Christmas morning favorite! Perfect for snow, beach or even just digging in the dirt. (Obviously for the older end of this age group.)

buy now

$25-$50 Gifts

Lite-Brite Touch.

Lite-Brite Touch

My 4 year old nephew loved this! There are 12 art guides included that you can follow along to create your art. Or get creative and make your own pictures with light.

Buy Now
Doctor's Kit for preschool boys.

Doctor’s Kit

The 25-piece Melissa & Doug Get Well Doctor’s Kit Play Set offers realistic accessories let little doctors help patients get well!

Buy Now
Joey Jump - a wooden red board that launches the green and yellow sandbags when the board is jumped on.

Joey Jump

So simple but so fun! Stomp and catch board teaches coordination, but best of all your little will get lots of exercise!

buy now
Temi race track toy.

Race Track Toy

“This cause-and-effect race track is so popular with my own four-year-old and her friends that we had to buy a second one. It’s by far the most popular toy when people come visit — even parents think it’s cool.”

buy now
Floor puzzle box in a shark shape because the puzzle is called Shark Reef.

Floor Puzzles

This age LOVES puzzles. Crocodile Creek is a great brand to go with. Beautifully designed and high quality floor puzzles are always a win for preschoolers!

Buy Now
Boy holding his name as a wooden puzzle - the letters are different color and can be taken out and put back in.

Name Puzzle

A colorful wooden name puzzle made just for your child. each one is made-to-order in Omaha, NE. Up to 9 letters allowed. 

Buy Now
Bubble lawn mower toy with bubbles coming out of it.

Bubble Lawn Mower

I have yet to meet a kid that doesn’t love this. For sure an outside toy though!

buy now
Stock photo for the box containing the Duplo Train Set.

Duplo Train Set

This was one of my 3-year-old’s favorite gifts last year. He has played with it all year long. It’s battery operated and has lots of tricks it can do.

buy now
Collage of 7 books in the Pigeon series by Mo Williams.

Pigeon Series: Mo Williams Books

My kids loved (and still love) pretty much any book by Mo Williams. His characters are endearing and kids love the story lines. This bundle of Pigeon Books would be a great gift. Another personal favorite is The Itchy Book.

Buy Now
Stock photo of a Ziggle in red and silver - it has 4 caster wheels, a seat, and a handlebar.

Ziggle

A neighborhood favorite. Kids young and small love this toy! Every time someone sees my kids riding this, I get asked where it’s from.

Buy Now
Pop-up playhouse that looks like a fire engine with a child dressed in play fireman's gear in front of it.

Firetruck Pop-Up Play House

I am getting one of these for my little guy this year. I love that when stored, it isn’t a space hog either! I’ll probably get the matching fireman gear too.

buy now
Stock photo of a box of Dig A Dozen Dino Eggs opened so you can see all 12 eggs.

Dig a Dozen Dino Eggs

Kids love these. Just be sure to do them outside!

buy now
Bugs in A Kitchen Game where the bottom half of the box is the game board and the lid of the box is standing up next to it.

Bugs in the Kitchen Game

My 4-year-old loves this game! It comes with a special edition hexbug that runs through the maze while the players try to trap the bug. For 2-4 players, this one is a family game night win!

Buy Now
Stock photo of a box containing Magic Tracks that are used for a battery-powered light up car to race on.

Magic Tracks

Snap a limitless amount of tracks together to create a fun race for multiple zippy little cars. Tip — buy extra cars and AAA batteries!

buy now

$50-$100 Gifts

Melissa and Doug wooden pizza play set where you can put different toppings on the pizza, bake it in an oven, and box it up.

Pizza Top & Bake Set

Sets like these are the types of toys kids come back to over and over again. Worth every penny! Another great option is their Ice Cream Counter.

buy now
Picture of an Airfort blown up - like a tent with a small tunnel to the side that leads to a box fan blowing air into it.

AirFort

I think this is Amazon’s best kept secret. Attach it to a simple box fan and a large fort is blown up in seconds! Such a great alternative to the big mess forts can make!

buy now
Fisher Price B.B. Hoopster toy - a small basketball hoop sitting on a car that moves around.

Fisher Price B.B. Hoopster

This is not your ordinary kid hoop. Upping the game, the electric base moves around to challenge skill. This is one toy you might enjoy every bit as much as your kids.

Buy Now
Two kids sitting on a Wooden Wobble Board which is an arched piece of wood that can be used in a variety of ways.

Wooden Wobble Board

Featuring a safe space for your little one fingers on all the sides. A perfect alternative to channel energy and exercise. Watch them discover new possibilities everyday. As a wobble toy, wooden slide, teeter popper, racetrack, rocker toy, bridge, and more.

Buy Now
Stock photo of a Razor 3-Wheel Scooter in blue and silver.

Three-Wheel Scooter

Available in 13 colors, the highest-rated scooter on Amazon, and a good price for all the use you’ll get from it.

buy now

$100+ Gifts for Young Boys

Toniebox for preschool boys.

Toniebox

A new audio system designed for little listeners. Turn it on, pop a Tonie on top and let the adventure begin!

 

Buy Now
Bluey's Playhouse.

Bluey’s Playhouse

Hours of fun for any Bluey fan! Bought this for my girls and they play with it everyday, it’s big enough that they can play with it together. Even though it’s big when fully open it does close to half the size which is great for when my girls are not playing with it. – Stacey

 

Buy Now
Collage of many ways you can use the pieces of the Play Couch to make different structures for kids to play on.

Play Couch

Great for building and jumping on. Kids can build so many variations with all of the pieces.

“It was a hit! Very good quality and completely worth it. Would definitely buy it again!” – Andressa

Buy Now
Melissa and Doug wooden train set all set up with trains on the tracks and details like wooden trees sitting around the track.

Melissa & Doug Wooden Train Set

Great for pretend play. I love that this can grow with your kids too. Ask family members for additional pieces!

buy now
Magna-Tiles put together into a structure like a castle.

Magna-Tiles

My kids play with these almost daily. It’s a big-ticket item so it might be best to ask a grandparent for it. Another great toy that can grow with your kids.

buy now
Child riding on a large toy roller coaster.

Step2 Up & Down Roller Coaster

Be the envy of every play-date with this fun roller coaster. If you have the space, this can go indoor or outdoor and easily breaks apart for storage.

Buy Now
Stock photo of a Strider Balance Bike in yellow and black.

Strider Balance Bike

This age group loves the freedom of their own ride, and a balance bike is the perfect trainer for learning to ride and stride.

buy now
Three kids playing on a bounce house that can fit in many basement play rooms.

Action Air Bounce House Castle With Slide

A big-ticket item but SO worth the money!

buy now
Good New of Great Joy advent devotional pages laid out.
Our Gift to You!

Good News of Great Joy

A simple, weekly Advent devotional that’s intended to help your family focus on the story of Jesus’ birth.

The discussion questions and wide range of fun activities are designed for children ages 2-11.

Each weekly activity focuses on a different aspect of the Christmas story.

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Check Out All of Our Gift Guides

 

  • Gifts for Babies & Toddlers: Ages 0-2
  • Gifts for Boys: Ages 3-5
  • Gifts for Girls: Ages 3-5
  • Gifts for Boys: Ages 5-9
  • Gifts for Girls: Ages 5-9
  • Tween Boy Gifts
  • Tween Girl Gifts
  • Teen Boy Gifts
  • Teenage Girl Gifts
  • Gifts for Moms
  • Gifts for Dads
  • Gifts for Grandparents
  • Stocking Stuffers
  • Gifts for Teachers
Collage image of various make ahead breakfast ideas for Christmas.

25+ Make Ahead Christmas Breakfasts

We have rounded up the BEST ideas for Christmas breakfast or brunch on the internet. The good news is that all of these can be prepped ahead of time so you can relax and enjoy the morning.

25+ Christmas Breakfast Ideas
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Polly Conner

Polly Conner

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Polly’s passionate about helping busy parents get dinner on the table. With a house full of kids, dogs, and (usually) a DIY project in the works, she knows firsthand how every minute (and every dollar) counts. As a business owner, she enjoys wearing multiple hats and serves best as a project manager for Thriving Home.

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