Hi friends! Today, I’m updating my go-to list of preschool gifts! KJ is in his third year of preschool (he started early with a two-year-old program), so we have quite the list of home run items.  These items are best for kids in the 3-5 age range.  Of course, every kid is different; some may be ready for these items sooner, but in general, preschool age is what this list is geared toward!

One nice thing about KJ having his birthday at the end of October is the toy catalogs roll around before that, so we can see what he is interested in and split some of his picks from birthday to Christmas.  It also means some of the stuff he LOVED from his birthday is on this list! Hope this list helps you find something for the preschooler in your life!

Something They Want

•  Plasma Car – KJ received this for his third birthday but didn’t start really riding it consistently until right around his fourth birthday.  Best $90 ever spent! He literally rides it all over the house every day, and I can tell it’s an outlet for him when he may be feeling antsy, energetic, or even a bit destructive. This was on my toddler gift guide, too, because KK started riding his at two.  
• Dancing Flamingo – this is totally random, but we gave this to a friend’s daughter who turned 3 last year, and she LOVED it.  She happens to be really into flamingos, so it might have been specific to her, but I added it to the list anyway!
• Bike and Helmet – we got a bike for KJ this year on this fourth birthday!  He’s learning to pedal and ride it like a champ! KJ is on the taller side, but we went with a smaller 12-inch bike so that it would be easier to learn. We plan to upgrade him to a taller bike as soon as he gets comfortable.  This way, KK can have the 12-inch when he is ready!
• Dino Eggs – KJ really enjoyed these break-apart dino eggs he got for his birthday! They’d make a fun gift for any preschooler!
• MAGNA-tiles –  KJ was at first hit or miss with MAGNA-tiles, but this year, he is more into them, it’s one of the few things he likes to build with. My nephew has loved them since he was about three years old. My best friend’s kid got really into MAGNA-tiles this year at 5 years old, so it might just be something some kids are late bloomers on. And if you know a kid that loves MAGNA-tiles there are all sorts of expansion kits I’m sure they would love to have, even if they have some MAGNA-tiles, they likely want more.  (Kind of like getting additional lego sets.) 
• Tinker Toys – Tinker toys are an old-style building system that the boys LOVE.  My in-laws had some leftovers from when my husband was little, and we noticed that around 2 years old, KK started building with them, and KJ would join.  We got one KK his own set for his birthday in May, but there are really small pieces, so I’m putting this on the preschool gift guide since KJ loves them, too.  
• Power Wheels – We’ve had ours for about a year now, and the boys LOVE it.  KK still rides shotgun, but KJ has been driving it for over a year! Ours is a very similar model, but not the exact same as they discontinued the one we bought last year.  But I remember comparing these two side by side, and they were essentially the same.  
• Grow Sponge Animals – my kids, especially my preschooler, LOVES these probably more than anything else.  He saves the sponges and has a whole village of them he plays with when his little brother is sleeping.  For 10 bucks, you can’t really beat the value.  PS We also did them in the bath with warm water. 
• Kid Chair – I can’t tell you how much the kids love their own little chair to sit in when they get screen time or family movie time.  My in-laws got this one for KJ and got another one for KK for Christmas this year. My only complaint is that potty training wasn’t kind to it, and it would be nice if there was a washable/waterproof option.  Also, for a more aesthetically pleasing chair for your living room, this one looks nice while still being at a good price point. 
• Bean Bag Toss – an entertainer for sure!  
• Real Bug Discovery Kit – We gave this to KJ for Christmas last year, and it’s still a favorite! 
• Color Lab Kit – we got a color lab kit from Loveevery, which was a huge hit this year.  You could put the same type of kit with these test tubes, dyes, and syringes.  Highly highly recommend it! 
• Go Fish – a classic, and for a good reason!
• Kids Digital Camera – We got this for KJ for his fifth birthday, and it was a huge hit! If you have a kiddo who loves to steal your phone to take pictures, this is a win!
• Alphabet Bingo – for learning letters in a fun way!
• Kids puzzles – KJ started with these 12-piece puzzles and has moved on to these 48-piece puzzles.  He can’t quite do the 48 pieces by himself, so I’m going to get him a few 24 piecers as well for Christmas.  I figure eventually, KK and Baby Girl will do them, too!
• Play-Doh Sets – This magical mixer was a huge hit from KJ’s 5th birthday. Both boys love it, so a toddler close to 3 might enjoy this too. 
• Tablets 
  • Amazon Fire Tablet 8 (for kids 2+) – These are just OKAY.  Initially, when we got them, I LOVED them.  Now, I’m so so on them.  They have a nice return policy but are kind of glitchy.   If you find them on sale, they are a great deal, but I wouldn’t pay full price for one again. Fire Tablet Accessories: Headrest Mount| Clear Screen | MicroSD Card
  • LeapFrog Tablet – We’ve been using more LeapFrog products/shows on the recommendation of our son’s preschool.  I’ll likely buy this tablet for Christmas.  
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab – my nephew has this tab, and it’s so much better than the Fire tablets.  If I wanted just a general tablet for movie/show watching, I would get this! 

The following are items we are planning on purchasing or already purchased. I can’t say how well they’ve gone over yet, but I figured I’d share!

• Remote control tarantula 
• Hot Wheels Ultimate TREX Transporter – I’m a little nervous about this because I don’t find Hot Wheels products to be very durable, but I guess we will see.
• ABC Dinos 
• Live Ant Farm 

Something They Need

•  Amazon Backpack – this backpack is great quality for a beginner backpack, comes in lots of designs, and is perfect for your preschooler who needs to carry things to and from school or activities. It has a chest strap, so it doesn’t fall off them, and they can actually wear it. 
• Bentgo Leak Proof Lunch Box – great for school lunch or outings at the park.  We’ve had zero issues with this bento box, and I love that it comes apart easily for cleaning and can be put in the dishwasher!
• Montessori placemat – love this placemat because it’s HUGE and because it introduced the concept of setting the table.  I’m sure that I could have taught KJ to help set the table when he was much younger, but I had multiple young children and no energy for that or the potential mess.  But this year, he’s started helping me set the table at dinner, and the placemat helped him catch on quickly to what everyone would need at the table.  
• Hydroflask – by far, my favorite hyrdroflask of KJ’s is the one his grandparents bought him.  It doesn’t leak when traveling and keeps liquids cold! UPDATE: The new model seems to leak, but we might have gotten a dud.  
• Scissor Skills books – we have this one and this one for extra practice at home, and KJ loves them!
• Convertible Bunk Beds – We got the boys these convertible bunk beds at the beginning of the year, and I have to say it was a great purchase.  So far, they are holding up well, are easy to build, and look great.  Right now, KK is still in the crib in the boy’s room, but around his third birthday (or sooner if he starts crawling out), we will move him to the big boy’s bed. I love that this set gives us the option to set up two beds or bunk beds in case KJ is too scared to sleep on the top.  
• Bathtub Plastic Shelf – this shelf will save your sanity if you find yourself constantly wiping up wet floors.  While it’s not 100% at keeping water off the floors, the boys just love this shelf so soooo sooo much!

Something To Wear

• Stitchfix Kids Delivery – I’ve done Stichfix a few times for KJ now.  I usually do it to get him started on the next size up of clothes for each season (we really only have two seasons here – hot and cold haha). This year, when it got cold, I realized he fit in none of his 4T pants and immediately needed the next size up.  I quickly changed his SF date to the next day and had a whole really cute wardrobe by the end of the week. I don’t use this that much for KK because he gets so many hammy downs!  
• Pajamas are ALWAYS appreciated by parents of preschoolers!  
• Nonslip socks – I’ve purchased this same brand of socks 3 times for KJ.  They have grippers on the bottom that long outlast the socks themselves! 
• Amazon baseball hat – KJ loves his Amazon dino hat! Surprisingly, I’ve never had an issue getting him to wear it. 
• Tracksuits – nothing has gotten more use over the years than KJ’s tracksuits.  He grew out of his 2T suits, so his grandparents gave him some 4T for this year.  Nothing is cuter than a little boy in a tracksuit. I don’t know why. It just is. Now KK is wearing his older one!
• Old Navy Puffer Jacket
• Old Navy Snow Suits – if you watch the sales can get these for around $20 bucks, which is a steal compared to other places for the same item! Since my kids see the snow like 1-2 times a year max, these are perfect!
• Wild Kratts Costumes – if your older toddler is into Wild Kratts, they may love to dress up and get creature powers! (Looks like the shop is taking a break, but I would definitely save it on Etsy in case it comes back!)

Something To Read

KJ now enjoys sitting through longer books, not quite chapter books, but longer stories now.  Here are some of his favorites:

• This Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown
• The Little Engine Who Could
• The Poky Little Puppy
• The Poky Little Puppy Pumpkin Patch
• Search and Find Dinosaur Book
• Fish Out Of Water
• Are You My Mother? 
• Put Me In the Zoo
• The Beginners Bible (We have been gifted several children’s Bibles over the year, but this is by far the winner as far as holding KJ’s attention.  KJ loves it!)
• Blank Board Book – My aunt (who was a third-grade teacher and later a middle school art teacher) MADE a book for KJ when he was around 2, and it’s still one of his favorite books.  This is a great thoughtful gift if you are crafty and can draw.  (I would not fall into that category haha) 
• It’s a Frog Thing – KJ received this for his birthday and LOVED it!
• Inky the Octopus
• Gruffalo