Birthday Gift Guide for Three-Year-Olds from a Mom of Twins

Hello Friends! I am SHOCKED at what I am about to say- I am the mom of THREE-YEAR-OLD TWINS! WHAT! Time absolutely flew by. As part of our birthday celebration prep I put together a gift guide for our friends and family each year. They love knowing exactly what the kids need/would love to have and I get to guide our loved ones towards the developmentally appropriate products our kids are ready for. VTech® and LeapFrog® products are ALWAYS a must and I am sharing with you a few you want to bookmark, screenshot, and save for those three-year-olds in your life.

Gift Guide for Three-Year-Olds

I have been a mom for 12 years now and one of the most important things I have learned when it comes to gift giving is gifting age appropriate, learning toys. In our home we are huge proponents of educational toys, which is why VTech® and LeapFrog® are our go to brands. It's a win win!

Our kids are having so much fun playing they don't even realize they are learning at the same time! With our twins turning three, we are entering a new stage of development and leaving the baby toys behind; talk about a bittersweet moment. So, let's dive into the fun stuff- our favorite toys for three-year-olds!

VTech® Explore & Write Activity Desk™

The VTech® Explore & Write Activity Desk™ is a MUST on our gift guide! There are so many activities on this one desk your child will have so much fun. I love the interactive activity pages; letters, numbers, music, colors & more!

One of the twins' favorite features is the fold-down writing pad! They love that it lights up and they can practice writing by tracing with a stylus. This is such a fun and interactive way to introduce pre-writing skills!

Now, the creative mom in me was mind blown to learn that the desk transforms into an easel & chalkboard with storage space for art supplies! Bring on the crayons, chalk, and stick time. All you do is stick a piece of paper under the clip and they have their own little art station.

*Ages 2-5 years old

VTech® Write & Learn Creative Center™

While we are on the writing and creativity topic let's chat about the VTech® Write & Learn Creative Center™!First of all, YOU CAN CUSTOMIZE IT WITH YOUR CHILD'S NAME! COOL- I know! The screen will show their name and they can practice writing it below.

I am telling you I can't get enough of these interactive activities! The screen will also display animated demonstrations to help them learn proper stroke order for writing uppercase and lowercase letters along with drawing activities from simple lines to 26 different objects.

Let the creativity flow with the stencils, stamps, and the ability to draw their own pictures! Having the ability to go from guided activities to free form ones is so appreciated by myself and my kids. Some days they want to work with the guided activities and others they want to stamp all day, we call it balance!

*Ages 3-6 years old

VTech® KidiBeats Drum Set™

I don't think music will ever stop being a great way to learn, and the VTech® KidiBeats Drum Set™ nails it! The drum set can be used during freestyle play or kids play along to the nine pre-set melodies!

Our family has a very diverse taste in music, and we love that our kids can drum to a variety of music styles like rock, dance, and pop.

For those times when you seek structured play, your toddlers can follow the lights on the drum while learning about letters and numbers. You may get tired of me saying this...but- I LOVE the ability to choose between free-play and structured play. There is so much flexibility and you can alternate between everything which avoids your child becoming bored of a toy!

*Ages 2-5 years old

LeapFrog® LeapLand Adventures™

My three-year-olds are the youngest of four. They often see their older sister play video games and become upset that they are not able to play themselves. So, it's an understatement to say we were excited to set up our LeapFrog® LeapLand Adventures™ video game!

First of all, as the parent and from a setup standpoint, I wanted to hug whoever designed this game and made it such an easy setup. All I had to do was plug the HDMI stick to into our TV & power cable. I consider myself pretty tech savvy, but this setup made me feel invincible. There is no crazy complicated setup, download, account setup- nothing! Just a kid and their wireless controller!

This game is perfect for young kids, and we made separate profiles because our five-year-old was just as excited as her brothers! You can set up to five player profiles!

Playing the game itself is as easy as the setup. Your child can choose between two characters and explore five different lands as they collect gems, cleverberries, and treasure chest rewards. They can play the game over and over again collecting more gems, flags, and banners to decorate the castle and celebrate at the Gem Festival AND even explore more than 150 learning items AT THEIR OWN PACE (VERY IMPORTANT).

Because the game goes at your child’s own pace and due to its intended age group, my kids felt successful!

*Ages 3+

LeapFrog® LeapPad® Academy

The LeapFrog® LeapPad® Academy may be my new bff. If you are out here searching for a gift for a three-year-old, do not overlook this item on our gift guide! I could not believe how perfectly designed this learning tablet is. The child's parents will hug you after their child starts using it, I promise.

This tablet includes 20 educator- approved apps to work on reading, math, science, creativity and more. It also includes a word of the day, drawings that come to life with the Art Studio Ultra, and nature field trips in the forest with Ms. Giraffe. They have SOOO many options and this is a learning tablet that really grows with your child.

When setting up the learning tablet you can create various profiles. Each profile can sync with a child’s age and developmental level, so the activities are tailored to them. As a bonus, LeapPad® Academy includes a three-month free trial of LeapFrog Academy®, which is an interactive learning program that guides kids on Learning Adventures with more than 2,000 games and activities. (Remember, I LOVE the guided and free-play options!)

Now, parents/friends/family- the setup is super easy again, it has a 7' shatter-safe screen which is a MUST for little ones, an attached stylus, and a tough bumper for those inevitable falls/drops.

But, my FAVORITE feature has got to be the parental controls to set time limits and expanding content. I can set a time limit for games vs other activities to ensure my child isn't just focusing on one area. When we feel we need more, we just visit the LeapFrog® App Center and can download additional games, apps, music and videos!

*Ages 3-8

Gift Guide Recap

If you didn't notice my common theme, let's talk about it a bit more: free-play and guided play! Both free-play and guided-play are super important for kids and parents alike. When choosing a gift for a child I like to put my mom cap on and think of something that both kids and parents will enjoy and benefit from.

VTech® and LeapFrog® toys are designed with that perfect mix in mind. They allow parents/loved ones to sit down and enjoy free-play. They are also perfect for quiet time thanks to all their guided activities and give us the ability to sit down and drink our coffee warm. The gift you're giving is learning, growth, and peace of mind to both kids and parents!

Talk about perfect gift giving!

Karen is the mom behind Mamma Bear Says, https://mammabearsays.com/, a family and creative brand empowering parents to live their most authentic and creative lives. She is a mom of 4, including twin toddlers, and loves to share her tips, tricks, and stories of all the good, the messy, and the chaos.

Top Gifts For 2-Year-Olds

In celebration of one of my favorite ages- TWO! - I put together a 2nd Birthday Gift Guide to tell you about some of my favorite toys from VTech® and LeapFrog® that are sure to inspire learning and play. Check out my Top toy picks that are sure to make your two-year-old’s birthday wishes come true!

Getting to know your toddler’s growing personality along with watching the emergence of new skills is so much fun! My two-year-old seemingly learns how to do something new every day, whether it is kicking a ball for the first time or scribbling across a piece of paper to create her own little work of art to proudly hang on the refrigerator. She is bursting with energy and so excited about everything there is to learn in the world around her!

There is something extra special to me about 2nd birthdays because it has always been the first time my children begin to understand and acknowledge that it is their special day. We love celebrating with tons of colorful balloons, a special outfit, a birthday hat, and unwrapping a few special presents!

As a mom of three from ages ranging between seven and two years old, I love using a birthday celebration as an opportunity to refresh our toy collection as they continue to learn and grow. When shopping for any birthday, I always try to think about milestones and skills that are expected to emerge within the next 12 months or so so that I can choose toys that will encourage their development. For this 2nd birthday gift guide, some things I am looking for include toys that promote gross and fine motor skills, speech & language development, cognitive developments, and support social/emotional milestones.

Healthychildren.org mentions these examples of skills that may have already emerged by age two and will continue to develop in the upcoming year:

- Gross Motor Skills- Walking, running, jumping, climbing, throwing, kicking.

- Fine Motor Skills- Building towers, turning knobs, pouring, scribbles.

- Speech & Language- points to or names objects in pictures, strings together words to form sentences

- Cognitive- sorting, colors, shapes, concept of counting, problem solving,

- Social/Emotional- Pretend play, independence, playing alongside others.

VTech® and LeapFrog® are two brands that offer an amazing selection to add to any 2-year-old’s birthday gift list. Each toy is always the perfect combination of learning and fun! I know that as excited as my child will be to unwrap one of these toys, I will be equally as excited to know that these gifts will help her develop and learn important age-appropriate skills. Take a look at five of my top choices to wrap up for your little one’s 2nd birthday:

2nd Birthday Gift Guide

1. LeapFrog® 2-in-1 LeapTop Touch™

My toddler has just started showing interest in imaginative play and she is going to love this laptop that lets her pretend to work alongside me! She can type away on the A-Z keyboard or play one of the five fun learning modes. The coolest feature? The magic swivel screen that turns the laptop into a tablet- complete with a touch screen! There are fun games, like bubble popping, on the screen that keep her engaged and giggling the whole time she plays! I especially love the handle that makes it easy to take this toy along with us in the car or to appointments.

2. VTech® Smart Shots Sports Center™

This sports center is a must for any budding sports superstar! My two-year-old is always tagging along to her older siblings' sports games and I know she will love this fun 2-in-1 play experience that is just right for her!

Whether they are tossing the basketball into the hoop or kicking a soccer ball into the net below, children will love to hear playful sounds and encouraging phrases! The songs are seriously cute and your little one will love to dance and sing along! Count baskets along with the LED screen that also displays fun animations to encourage play. A variety of manipulative features, such as gears and buttons, help to build fine motor skills while also teaching shapes and numbers!

3. VTech® Explore & Write Activity Desk™

This activity desk is everything; so much fun and function packed into one space. As soon as I saw this interactive desk, I knew it was a toy that would grow with my two-year-old for years to come! (In fact, my five-year-old son loves it just as much!)

The activity pages are filled with engaging content including numbers, music, colors and more. They can explore by tapping the images as well as toggling between modes to play different games. My toddler loves the music page where she can tap out tunes on colorful piano keys. There are even expansion packs that offer different themes such as nursery rhymes, math, and reading skills (a great gift for future holidays!).

A fold-down writing pad and light-up display encourage writing practice by tracing letters, numbers, and shapes. Not to mention, learning how to hold the stylus promotes fine motor control as she taps the lights to fill them in.

Make space on the fridge to display plenty of artwork because you can also switch things up by transforming the desk into an easel to encourage creativity. Plus, I love all the built in storage space for art supplies!

4. VTech® KidiBeats Drum Set™

There is nothing my two-year-old loves more than music! I already know she will be dancing along to the beat of this drum set as she learns to the music! There are four electronic learning drums she can play along with using the included drumsticks. Watching each light up as she taps them creates a fun multi-sensory experience. Along with nine melodies in a variety of musical styles, it also teaches letters and numbers.

5. LeapFrog® Letter-Go-Round™

This spinning ride-on seat is so much fun and an engaging way to use some of that never ending toddler energy! The colorful lights and music that play encourage kiddos to turn the steering wheel and spin themselves. Each spin introduces something new, like letters, colors, numbers, and animals.

I hope that this 2nd birthday gift guide helps you to choose a special gift for your two-year-old that will inspire learning, skill development, and of course tons of fun!

Jessica Grant highlights a joyful and creative childhood, motherhood, and home through her social media and blog, JessicaEtCetera.com. With a background in preschool education and now a mom to 3 young children, Jessica enjoys sharing all kinds of fun including crafts, DIY, and learning through play with the goal of creating a magical and memorable childhood!

5 Toys To Establish Your Baby's Routine

Having a routine for your baby each day can bring stability and predictability for not only your baby, but also you!

A baby's daily activities can be broken down into three parts: eat, play, and sleep. You will want to feed your baby, play with your baby, and have your baby sleep. You repeat this cycle throughout the day from the time your baby wakes up in the morning until the time your baby goes to bed at night.

An important element for establishing a routine is to have consistency. Get your baby up at the same time, try to have feedings and naps at the same times, and have bedtime at the same time.

Consistency is key, but it can of course get a little monotonous.

VTech® has some great products to help keep your playtime routine interesting and help your baby grow to reach important milestones.

Baby Playtime

Of course when you think of VTech®, you think of toys! They have wonderful toys that are high quality and best of all, will grow with your baby. Here are some toys that go well with a baby’s routine at various ages.

VTech® Tummy Time Discovery Pillow™

When you are starting a routine with your newborn and young baby, a big part of each day is tummy time. It is important to help build strength in the neck and shoulders, which is vital so your baby can one day sit up, crawl, and walk. It also helps prevent flat spots on your baby's head.

Tummy time needs to be a part of baby's day, each day, during at least one playtime.

The problem is that many, if not most babies, hate tummy time. This soft pillow helps babies actually enjoy it!

The VTech® Tummy Time Discovery Pillow™ is a cute giraffe with several textures, patterns, and colors for tactile and visual stimulation. This keeps your baby engaged. There are over 50 songs, melodies, and phrases with the light-up piano. It introduces numbers, colors, shapes, and animals and also plays nursery rhymes.

As your baby grows, you can use the pillow for playtime while sitting. It can support your baby while they learn to sit independently.

As your baby gets even older, you can remove the mirror, piano, and rattle to be independent toys for your baby to continue to enjoy.

VTech® Kick & Score Playgym™

Another excellent element of play to add to each day is independent playtime.

A playgym is an excellent toy to use as it allows your baby to play independently. New parents can tend to be in their baby's face the entire time they’re awake. In reality, it is good for baby to have some quiet playtime without a person overstimulating them.

A newborn is very entertained by simply looking at things. Everything is new. You can place your baby at the playgym and sit quietly to the side while your baby observes the gym. As your baby gets older, they will start to reach for toys, swat at them, and kick them.

This is also another excellent toy for some tummy time. Your baby will be able to look at the colorful mat design and play with the rattles, color cards, and other hanging toys while doing tummy time. It will help to mix up tummy time each day.

As your baby learns to sit, they can sit at the toy and interact with the items. You can also detach the panel to just play with that.

Allowing your baby to play independently teaches them many important skills. Your baby will learn creativity and problem solving. Your baby will also learn to be comfortable with their own company.

Add in independent play for 5-10 minutes each day for a newborn and work up from there as your baby gets older.

VTech® Turn & Learn Ferris Wheel™

Another great activity during playtime is table time. This is when your child sits at the table and plays with certain toys. This can help develop focusing skills.

Once your baby is at least 6 months old and is able to sit up, you can use the VTech® Turn & Learn Ferris Wheel™ during table time. This toy helps with fine motor skills, colors, animals, and numbers. It has a suction base to keep in place. You can attach it to any smooth surface.

Table time is a great activity for your baby when you are getting their meal ready, doing the dishes, or helping an older sibling with something close by.

VTech® Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker™

A walker is one of the best investments you will make when it comes to baby toys. The VTech® Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker™ can be played with as a crawler up to a walker. There is an activity panel you can remove for floor time play. This is great for more independent play options.

As your little one gets older and able to start trying to walk, the walker provides some support and a lot of fun with spinning gears, five piano keys, colorful rollers, light up shape sorters, light-up buttons, and a telephone handset.

This is a great toy to develop motor skills as well as provide your baby with the opportunity to focus on shapes, colors, animals, and music.

Baby Sleep Time

Once your baby is done playing, it is time for some sleep. If your baby can self-soothe, during, then they will be able to take longer naps and get longer stretches of sleep at night.

VTech® 3-in-1 Starry Skies Sheep Soother™

This VTech® 3-in1 Starry Skies Sheep Soother™ can help you reach your baby’s sleep goals. This toy includes a projector, glow light, and sounds.

These soothing lights and sounds help to set the stage for sleep. It can be used for white noise to help block out any noise the family is making while your baby tries to sleep. There are nature sounds, lullabies, and melodies.

You can change the volume and even set a timer on the projector and the sounds. Your baby's cries though activate the soother to turn on again.

You can use this during playtime and have fun listening to the nursery rhymes while your baby play, which helps develop language skills!

Once your baby outgrows the need for the projector and sound effects, you can remove the electronic module to create a cuddly, plush toy!

Conclusion

Being intentional about the toys you get for your baby can benefit your budget and space. These toys are super helpful when establishing baby's daily routine and will adapt and grow as your baby does! They help develop motor skills and language skills as well as help your baby learn to recognize letters, colors, and numbers.

A well-rested baby is ready to learn and make the most out of playtime. These VTech® toys will assist with all of that.

Valerie Plowman, known as "the Babywise Mom", is the happy mother of four children. She has been helping parents with their parenting concerns since 2007 and loves helping others absolutely love being a parent. She has helped thousands of parents and would love to help you! Head to babywisemom.com to get started!