Holiday Gift Guide to promote active kids (age 3 and up)

Getting up and going is the name of the game for three year olds. They're always wanting to do stuff that involves running, jumping, dancing, any kind of moving about. They play hard and are at an age where they can enjoy and appreciate. Here's a look at some great products that would make good gifts for an active three year old (and up)... all tested and approved by my 3.5 year old. (Kids this age would also like the things in my gift guide for active kids 2 and up and even some of the ideas in my guide for kids 1 and up.)

Radio Flyer EZ-Rider Scooter -This scooter has a lot of life in it. It's made for kids as young as three up to 8 years old! That's a lot of fun time. It folds up flat for easy storage. If you look - the EZ Rider only has 2 wheels - but they're pretty wide. That's what makes it doable for a 3 year old and boy do they love them! My 3.5 year old thinks she is hot stuff when she puts on her helmet, knee/elbow pads and hops on. She goes back and forth on the sidewalk a million times. And boy was she proud to show this one off to the older kids up the street! I was impressed with how well she did on it immediately. She was able to hop right on and starting riding. This scooter can help improve a kid's coordination and balance too. Don't forget to add a helmet for safety to this gift.

Looking for a game that adds movement and fun for your little ones, as well as helps them learn to follow directions? Then Hullabaloo is for you. My three year old really enjoys this one and wants to play it over and over. She has a knack for winning too, which I think adds to her enjoyment of this game. Hullabaloo consists of a base machine and lots of colorful shapes with different objects drawn on them from foods to animals and musical instruments. Once you hit the play button, players follow commands that the base machine gives, like stand on a blue shape or sit on a food picture. At the end of the game the person who is standing on the exact object called out wins.

Animal Scramble is a great game for kids three and up. It not only teaches children listening and helps them learn to follow instructions, but it's all about running around and getting exercise. Read the details of how the game works HERE. It's very high tech but still simple to play and lots of fun.

Gazillion Bubble Rocket is kid powered fun. There's no batteries needed, just your child's energy to jump. You add bubble juice to the tray which the rocket sits in for blast off. When you step on the launcher up goes the rocket and a trail of bubbles. Even when we ran out of bubbles after lots of take offs, my 3 year old kept on launching. Recommended for kids 6 and up but a 3 year old can easily play and enjoy this one. This product also won a 2009 iParenting media award.

 For more gift ideas for active kids:

• Kids two and up, check out THIS gift guide.
  
• Kids one and up, check out THIS gift guide.
  
• Active babies 3 months to 1 year old, check out THIS gift guide.