Christmas Ideas for a 3 Year Old
- When considering appropriate gifts for your 3-year-old, encourage her developing motor and cognitive skills with gifts that focus on working with her hands and imagination. Play Doh is a sculpting material that comes in a variety of colors and, when stored in an airtight container, can be used and reused. Duplo, the toddler version of Lego snap-together blocks, allows 3-year-olds to construct sturdy shapes and structures. Magnetic alphabet letters provide not only hands-on play for your child, but also the chance to get a head start on learning the alphabet. A box of dress-up clothes is a gift that can provide hours of imaginative fun.
- If you live in a climate where you can expect snow at Christmas, take your 3-year-old outdoors to build his first Christmas snowman. Instead of the traditional carrot nose and broomstick, dress this snowman as Santa Claus with a red Santa hat and a bag of goodies by his side. You can also include your 3-year-old in your trip to the Christmas tree farm to help select the perfect Christmas tree or let him help you hang decorative greenery or lights outside the house. Create an outdoor craft project by letting him sprinkle birdseed on a slice of peanut butter-covered stale bread to hang outside as a Christmas gift for your neighborhood birds.
- Three-year-olds may not be mature enough to actually bake Christmas cookies, but they can join the process when it comes time to decorate. Provide a range of sprinkles, candies and squeeze frosting for lots of artistic choices. Put your child in a seasonal apron and let her decorate to her heart's content. If you are an ambitious baker and would like to create a gingerbread house, your 3-year-old will love helping you make this plain house and Christmas fantasy abode. For a gingerbread house, don't forget candy canes for trees, licorice for roof tiles and lots of icing to hold it all together.
- Your 3-year-old may be just old enough to really begin to understand the meaning of the Christmas season. Plan some quiet time to share the story of Christ's nativity and the reason for the season. If you use a nativity scene to help you tell the story, you'll give your youngster a concrete visual to add to the words. Three-year-olds are also ready to join the family in touring the neighborhood singing Christmas carols. Songs such as "Jingle Bells" and "Deck the Halls" have lots of repetition and are easy for young singers to learn. You can also take your child on an after-dark car trip through your community to see all the festive lights adorning homes and businesses.