Gift Recommendations for ACTIVE Almost 3Yr. Old

How about a basketball hoop? We have an adjustable height one that the kids get a lot of use out of.

Little people playsets are fun and spark imagination.

Playdoh and accessories - my kids will play with it for hours!

Puzzles.

Cranium Hullaballo gets the kids moving and acting out commands.

Crayola Color Wonders products - kids can create artwork without the mess of spilled paints, etc.

Candyland Castle - a fun, quick matching game that we played over and over and over.

Magnadoodle - another favorite that has been a life saver on long car rides and in restaurants.

Instruments.

Online - pbskids.org has a variety of games. Although at "just turning 3" there were only 3 or 4 games they could understand enough to play. There is a Christmas website that is fun. I don't know if your son can play the games himself but you could help. Go to www.northpole.com. I think they had one game my kids especially liked at that age. It was either decorating a tree or a snowman.

Look at the Imaginext line of toys. My son got the Batcave set for his 3rd birthday and loves it (just turned 4). They are well made, don't have tiny parts and there are themes to suit just about any boy. I like how the characters from the different sets can all interact since they are the same size. We got our son the castle for his 4th birthday. You really can't go wrong. There are additional "guys" you can buy to go with whatever set you choose and they are inexpensive. Here's a link to their website:
www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=10&e=imaginextlanding

Also, Mr. Potato Head and Play-doh are other favorites that my son never seems to tire of.

HUGE recommendation for Leapster here. Both of my sons loved theirs and they really learned a lot. It is educational disguised as fun.

My sons also loved their little knee hockey set with goals. You can also do a soccer ball with this.

I forget who makes them but I have seen them out....they are plastic police station, firehouse, etc. with action figures. They look like they are aimed at your son't age. My sons always loved pretend play with these kinds of things.

This is a fun resource called Tools for Tots. Check out some of the recommendations there:
http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.com/Tools4Tots.html

Hope that helps!
C.
http://priority1mail.blogspot.com

i have a 3 year old as well and he LOVES tools and putting stuff together. they little toolbox & workbench we got him is by far the best gift! he plays with it for hours and it really helps with coordination too!

if you can shop online, a lot of major stores like target or walmart, or even websites like amazon.com...... most popular items that sell often will almost always have reviews when you click on the link. you dont have to purchase online if you arent comfortable, you could still drive out to the store and get it, but i almost always research stuff online before buying it. i have saved myself from a lot of crappy "cheap" purchases this way, thanks to other people trying it out before me and liking it or disliking it and sharing for others to see. also, i am not sure if you are the same M. or not(sorry in advance if you are, i cant remember if that was her name), but a girl posted last week about "busy" toys for her 3 year old and toys to take grown up places. there were a lot of neat posts and suggestions for good products on those 2 things if you can find them. im pretty sure it was just last week, but i could be wrong.

My lil man is 5 now, but he has always been active and easily bored. I found that thomas the train is really durable at that age and they have battery operated trains that work nicely to keep them going. AC Moore's has then and they have a 40% coupon in there weekly ads. I would also recommended the hand held vsmile. They are great for that age and they teach them alot. Boys love to keep busy I bought nerf guns and let him play tag in the house when it was cold. I bought tents and blocks, he would build forts and play for hours. Good luck!