Three years old is a developmental stage in children's lives, when they begin to understand and become more capable. At the baby and children's goods floor on the 6th floor of the Isetan Shinjuku Main Building, we frequently receive questions like, "What kind of toys are good for children at this age?" So, this time, we asked Hei Sato, a Baby & Kids Category Specialist on the same floor, to provide a detailed explanation of toys recommended for children around three years old.

When children start to be able to do things on their own

As I observe the children who come into our store every day, I notice that around three years old, children's desire to do things on their own increases, and their physical abilities, dexterity, and speaking skills rapidly increase.

From around the age of two, children begin to want to do things that adults used to do for them, such as changing their clothes and brushing their teeth, and they begin to overcome the frustration of not being able to do them themselves.

We want to cherish their desire to do things and the joy of succeeding, and share in the joy with them. On the other hand, if something is something that happens every day, they may get bored and annoyed...Even in times like these, why not try items that can be used as an extension of play and add fun to everyday activities?


Play&Go World Map / DJECO
This is the time of year when children leave lots of toys scattered around while they play. French toy manufacturer DJECO's Play&Go is a tidying mat that can be squeezed like a drawstring bag to gather all of their toys in one go. Tidying up becomes an extension of play, leaving the area clean.

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Playbrush is an interactive, educational toothbrush. It works in conjunction with a dedicated smartphone app, allowing children to progress through a game by brushing their teeth and see where they have brushed, making it a fun and motivating experience for brushing.

When playing with tools becomes fun

Your child will still love large physical activities like jumping, running, and climbing up and down slides, but at this age, they will also be able to use tools and balance by moving their arms, legs, and fingers.

For example, they might pedal a tricycle to move in the direction they want, move the handlebars to go in the desired direction, or control their breath to blow bubbles.

They might be frustrated when they can't do it, but have fun and try again...and that challenge will teach them how to control their movements, which will be a good physical stimulus. I hope that using tools will make their usual play at home or in the park even more fun.

NICK N Four-Wheeled Vehicle Runner / ATELIER NIKI TIKI
This is a four-wheeled vehicle that moves forward by kicking the ground with your feet. You move in the direction you want by turning the handlebars. By operating and moving a tool other than your own body, your mind and body become linked.

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Balance Board, Grey / ATELIER NIKI TIKI
This balance board lets you balance yourself while standing on an unstable surface. Enjoy the thrill of the wobbly feeling. Made from lightweight foam polypropylene, it can withstand a weight of 180 kg, making it safe for adults to climb on.

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Stacking Stones Secondary / Atelier Niki Tiki
Play by placing them like stepping stones, jumping across them, and balancing. This expands the scope of pretend play, with games like "don't fall!" playing. As children's sense of touch develops, they'll be able to stack them and enjoy them, taking their building block play to the next level.

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Because we want you to enjoy pretend play to your heart's content

I think pretend play is a classic childhood pastime, but around the age of 2, children begin to imitate family, shops, and picture books. They enjoy imagining and expressing themselves through observing familiar objects.

They also understand adult speech to a certain extent, so have you ever been surprised by how they imitate adult speech and wonder where they learned it? We hope that children will be able to freely express what they see, create and play based on picture books and play with friends, and enjoy a variety of pretend play activities to their heart's content.

Items that expand this pretend play experience. Pretend play is evolving, with models now being so realistic they can actually move.

Kids Concept pretend play items
Pretend play, where children can pretend to be someone other than themselves, is something they long for but are not yet allowed to do. Kids Concept's stylish play kitchen items, featuring natural colors, are popular for pretend cooking and shopping.

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Bistro Blender (Blender BISTRO Mixer) / kids concept
The blender's lid opens, allowing you to remove individual pieces of fruit. As your child's sense of taste develops, it's fun to play while talking about the taste of each fruit, describing it as "sour" or "sweet."

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Teepee Tent / DJECO
This tent can be placed inside a room and can be used as a stage for pretend play or as a private space to retreat to. It's also great for changing the scene or organizing your emotions. It's easy to assemble and designed to be friendly to adults.

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What's a unique gift?

If you're unsure of the recipient's preferences and interests and can't decide on a gift, why not try some fun craft supplies that can be used and played with? You can add your own ideas and create lots of fun projects.

Play Mice L / Atelier Niki Tiki
Craft materials made from natural materials derived from corn. Just wet them and they stick together to create a variety of shapes.

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Even though we may all be lumped together as 3-year-olds, children grow at different rates. I don't think that every three-year-old is like this, and each child has different strengths and weaknesses. I hope that this book will help you choose items that will help develop and nurture the interests of each child, while respecting their individuality.

We also recommend "5 pretend play toys!"

Click here for a list of toys recommended for 3-year-olds