25 best toys for three-year-olds, from ride-on cars to balance bikes

Give a kid a camera and you get a really cute insight into what's special in their life. That, and lots of photos of thumbs and fingers. This one is super chunky making it easier to hold with little hands, and comes with special effects, too. Ages 3+

This ride-on electric car is the stuff dreams are made of (if you're a kid!). With lights, sounds, a working steering wheel and a boot that opens, the authentic Land Rover Discovery Ride On has real wow factor, with little ones.

But fear not, it also comes with a remote control (and a seatbelt!) so parents can take control if they need to for added safety. Age 2+

Le Toy Van makes the most beautiful wooden toys, and this stunning dollhouse will be passed down from generation to generation.

With opening and closing windows, shutters and doors, it's a dream to play with, and can be filled with all of their favourite things. We love this add-on conservatory playset. Age 3+

With the fun of traditional paint, minus the mess, we were impressed by the way these semi-solid paints didn't drip, slosh or spill. This set makes tapping into their creative sides even easier with three primary paint colours, two brushes and a table top easel to paint on. Ages 3+

These may just look like pencils, but don't be deceived. These clever creative sticks are a colouring pencil, watercolour and wax crayon in one. They can even be used on glass, as well as dark paper. Mini artists will love them. Ages 3+

This is an inexpensive present, but one with big impact. The four cubes light up the second they come into contact with water, making boring bath times a thing of the past. The fun sensory experience is also calming, making them popular with SEN children – and they automatically turn off once dry. Ages 3+

Designed for two-to-four-year-olds, this is the perfect first bike for little ones. It comes in lots of different colours and has a basket and a bell. Ages 2+

There are 25 activity sheets in this pack, which kids can use to practise their cutting, folding and sticking skills. The sheets gradually get more challenging, and our little one was utterly engrossed! Ages 3+

This kit includes 10 faces, five wigs, and enough big building pieces to make different bodies. It inspires open-ended play that can encourage conversations about how people look different or have different emotions.

Duplo-loving kids will find the characters refreshing compared to the ones in other sets, which can't move their limbs or be repositioned. Ages 3+

The object of this simple family game is easy – match the correct farm animals to their babies and post them into the 3D barn. The 30 chunky, wipe-clean cards are perfect for little hands, and kids will love to get involved. Ages 2+

No, this camera doesn't take actual video. But they'll love pretending to film everything in sight like a little content creator. Who knows? You may even have the next Steven Spielberg on your hands. Ages 3+

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They can spread out their blanket and get ready for a picnic with this fun food set. Stacking the food on the plates will help their fine motor coordination, too.

There's a selection of items to play with (including fruit, cakes and sandwiches, as well as wooden plates and cups) to spark their imaginations, and when they're done, everything can be stored back inside the basket. Ages 3+

While colourful and cartoony cleaning toys are great, this one is hilarious because it looks so much like a real Dyson vacuum. Colourful balls swirl around, but that's not all – it even has enough real suction to pick up small pieces of paper, which they can empty through a removable dustbin in the back. Ages 3+

This set gets their imaginations firing as they add their favourite toppings and pretend to cook the pizza in the oven. But they'll also practise sorting and counting – it comes with fake money – as they run their own pizza shop. Who needs Deliveroo? Ages 3+

Get them to work on their balance and co-ordination with this curved board, which kids can sit on or stand on and rock back and forth. The fun part is that the bottom is covered in suction cups, so it makes a popping sound. Ages 3+

This scooter was designed with preschoolers in mind. It has three wheels to help keep them balanced, and the handlebars are height adjustable to keep up with them as they grow, up to the age of five. Plus, it comes in three colours, so you can choose their favourite. Ages 2+

There are dinosaur toys, and there are train sets, but BRIO has combined both in this wonderful gift.

It comes with two Brachiosauruses figures (that can pick up dino eggs using the power of magnets), a pteranodon, a lava cave, a wagon and plenty of tracks to send them around. It's sure to become a new favourite toy. Ages 3+

It's a challenge for three-year-old kids to put this puzzle together, but when they do they'll learn their numbers at the same time. It will also help them learn colours, and develop logical thinking, as they start to realise each piece only fits in one place. Ages 3+