Your three-year-old doesn't need to understand the rules of basketball or soccer to benefit from sports-inspired play—they just need to move, explore, and have fun. At this age, active play is where real development happens. Every time your child reaches for a ball, climbs over an obstacle, or throws something toward a target, they're building the physical confidence and coordination that will shape how they move through the world for years to come.
Sports toys for toddlers aren't about creating future athletes (though that's a wonderful possibility!). They're about giving your child the freedom to be physical, to test what their body can do, and to discover the joy of movement. Whether it's a soft foam ball, a mini hockey set, or a colorful climber in the backyard, these toys create those perfect moments—when your little one's face lights up as they succeed, or when they're so engaged in play that time just disappears.
The toys you'll find here are chosen specifically for three-year-olds: sized right, safe, and designed to spark that enthusiasm that carries kids toward healthier, happier childhoods.
Our Recommended Products
NERF Mini Foam Sports Ball Fun
NERF Mini Foam Sports Ball Set is the ultimate gift for our little sports enthusiasts! This fantastic three-sport pack equips young players with a mini football, mini soccer ball, and mini basketball, making it a versatile choice for playful learning. Not only do these soft foam balls encourage physical activity and coordination, but they also foster teamwork and social skills as kids engage in fun, interactive games. With the ability to play both indoors and outdoors, we can keep our children active and entertained, regardless of the weather!
NERF Mini Foam Sports Ball Fun includes a versatile three-sport pack that keeps kids active and encourages creativity, whether they’re inside or out. Plus, who needs a gym membership when you have a mini football?
Nerf Mini Sports Fun Set
The Nerf Mini Stress Foam Sport Ball Set is an exciting trio of mini sports balls that brings playtime indoors and outdoors alike! Ideal for fostering various skills, this set enhances hand-eye coordination, teamwork, and physical literacy in young sports enthusiasts while also serving as a fun stress relief toy. Parents and educators will appreciate how these soft foam balls allow kids to engage in active play safely, promoting a healthy lifestyle from an early age.
Nerf Mini Sports Fun Set includes three soft foam balls that make active play safe and stress-relieving, turning any space into an arena for teamwork and fun.
Step2 Game Time Sports Climber Fun
The Step2 Game Time Sports Climber is a fantastic way to turn your backyard into an exciting sports arena for kids aged 2-6! Encouraging active play, this climber not only provides a slide but also features a climbing wall and a basketball hoop, inspiring kids to develop their physical strength, coordination, and social interaction skills. With engaging activities like scoring soccer goals and showcasing imaginative play, parents will love how it keeps little ones physically active while enhancing problem-solving abilities. Plus, the durable design ensures it can withstand years of joyful adventures in play!
Step2 Game Time Sports Climber features a climbing wall and basketball hoop, transforming any backyard into an energetic playground that encourages active play and teamwork.
Mini Foam Sports Balls for Kids
The Franklin Sports Kids Foam Sports Balls set is a delightful trio of mini sports equipment designed for children aged 3 and up. With a mini football, soccer ball, and basketball, these soft foam balls not only encourage physical activity but also promote hand-eye coordination, teamwork, and a love for sports. Perfect for both indoor and outdoor play, they allow kids to develop their throwing, catching, and kicking skills safely and comfortably. Each game becomes a fun-filled learning experience, making it an ideal choice for parents and educators looking to inspire young athletes!
Mini Foam Sports Balls for Kids includes a mini football, soccer ball, and basketball that invites safe, energetic play while developing crucial athletic skills for future champions.
LEGO Friends Sports Fun Set
The LEGO Friends Sports Center 41744 Building Toy Set is a fantastic way for kids ages 8 and up to engage with various sports through imaginative play. This vibrant set not only fosters creativity as they build and design their own sports center, but also develops teamwork, coordination, and problem-solving skills while role-playing with friends. Perfect for parents who want to encourage active lifestyles and collaborative play, this toy brings the excitement of sports right into the living room!
LEGO Friends Sports Fun Set includes a vibrant sports center that encourages kids to collaborate, strategize, and bring their athletic dreams to life, right in their living room.
Champion Sports Foam Balls for Fun Learning
Champion Sports Coated High Density Foam Balls are the perfect addition to any playtime or learning environment! These versatile 4-inch balls not only provide endless hours of fun, but they also promote important developmental skills such as hand-eye coordination, teamwork, and physical fitness. Whether you're teaching basic sports skills or organizing fun group activities, these foam balls are soft and safe for kids of all ages. As parents and educators, we love how they encourage active play and creative learning in a safe way!
Champion Sports Foam Balls are soft and safe 4-inch foam balls that not only bring fun to playtime but also sneak in valuable lessons about teamwork and coordination.
Franklin Sports Indoor Mini Goal Set: Fun & Learning!
Franklin Sports Indoor Mini Goal Sports Set is the perfect way to bring active play indoors. With its versatile design, kids can enjoy exciting games of floor hockey, knee hockey, or mini soccer, all while developing essential skills like teamwork, coordination, and agility. This set not only keeps our little ones physically active but also enhances their social skills as they engage with friends or family in friendly competitions. It’s easy to set up and store away, making it an ideal choice for any family looking to promote play-based learning in a fun and interactive way!
Franklin Sports Indoor Mini Goal Set includes versatile design for floor hockey, knee hockey, or mini soccer, transforming our living rooms into action-packed arenas of fun and fitness.
Mini Hockey Fun for Active Kids
Franklin Sports NHL Mini Hockey Stick and Ball Set is the perfect introduction to the world of hockey, right in the comfort of your home! This engaging set encourages physical activity while developing hand-eye coordination, teamwork, and fine motor skills. With two durable mini sticks and soft foam balls, kids can practice their shots safely indoors and enjoy endless hours of play. Plus, as a licensed NHL product, it brings that authentic sports excitement to your living room, making it a fantastic choice for parents looking to instill a love for sports early on.
Mini Hockey Fun for Active Kids includes two durable mini sticks and soft foam balls, making it a safe way for children to embrace their inner athlete while promoting healthy play.
Champion Sports Foam Dice for Learning Fun
Champion Sports 3 Inch Coated Foam Dice are an exciting addition to any playroom or classroom! These soft, vibrant yellow and black dice are perfect for safe tossing, making learning both active and enjoyable. Whether we're teaching counting, basic math skills, or even the fundamentals of probability, these dice offer endless possibilities for engaging activities. We love that they’re durable yet gentle, allowing our kids to explore their creativity and teamwork in a fun way!
Champion Sports Foam Dice for Learning Fun are soft, vibrant dice that make math learning a toss-up of fun and creativity, perfect for active engagement in any setting!
Champion Sports Playground Ball for Active Fun
Champion Sports Playground Ball is the quintessential addition to your child's playtime, inspiring active learning and social interaction. This versatile ball empowers children and adults alike to engage in classic games like kickball and dodgeball, fostering teamwork and coordination skills. With its durable design and textured grip, kids can confidently explore their throwing, catching, and kicking abilities while having a blast outdoors. As parents and educators, we cherish toys that promote physical fitness, social play, and cognitive development—this playground ball checks all the boxes!
Champion Sports Playground Ball’s durable design ensures endless outdoor fun, helping kids build essential physical skills while laughing and playing together in the great outdoors.
VTech Smart Shots Sports Center Fun!
VTech Smart Shots Sports Center brings the excitement of basketball and soccer right to your child's playtime! As fellow parents, we love how this interactive activity center combines physical play with educational benefits. Little ones can enhance their fine motor skills while turning gears and shooting hoops, all while learning shapes, numbers, and sounds. With its animated LED scoreboard cheering them on, kids are encouraged to stay active and engaged—what a win for their development!
VTech Smart Shots Sports Center features an animated LED scoreboard cheering kids on, turning playtime into a fun-filled educational experience that promotes active learning through sports.
Water Wow! Sports Fun Coloring Pad
Melissa & Doug On The Go Water Wow! Sports Activity Pad transforms play into a magical learning experience for kids aged 3 to 7. As little ones use the chunky water pen to reveal colorful pictures and engaging activities, they enhance their fine motor skills, creativity, and hand-eye coordination—all without the mess of traditional coloring. Perfect for travel, this reusable pad encourages screen-free fun while fostering a love for art and exploration.
Water Wow! Sports Fun Coloring Pad features a chunky water pen that turns mess-free artistry into engaging learning, making travel fun and creative without the clean-up.
Franklin Sports Dodgeball Ball Set Fun
Franklin Sports Dodgeball Ball Set is the ultimate playground accessory for active learning and skill development! These lightweight, easy-grip foam balls encourage teamwork, coordination, and physical fitness while keeping playtime safe and enjoyable. Kids will love creating their own gymnasium games, honing their throwing and catching abilities as they engage in friendly competition. Say goodbye to painful stings and hello to hours of fun—as parents and educators, we know how important it is to keep kids active and engaged!
Franklin Sports Dodgeball Ball Set features lightweight, easy-grip foam balls that turn competitive play into a safe adventure, keeping kids active and engaged with every throw and catch.
Champion Sports Playground Ball: Fun and Learning!
Champion Sports Playground Ball (Red, 13-Inch) is the perfect addition to any home or school playground! This soft and bouncy nylon ball encourages active play, helping our kids develop essential gross motor skills, coordination, and teamwork while they laugh and have fun with friends. Thanks to its durable 2-ply cover, it promises to maintain its shape for countless kickball games and outdoor activities. Parents and educators alike will appreciate how this versatile ball keeps kids engaged and moving, making learning through play an enjoyable experience!
Champion Sports Playground Ball's soft and bouncy nylon design invites laughter-filled games while building crucial gross motor skills and encouraging fun teamwork among friends.
Ultimate Nerf Kids Mini Foam Sports Set
Nerf Kids Mini Foam Sports Ball Set is the perfect way to get our little ones moving while having tons of fun! This set encourages physical activity and helps develop coordination, balance, and teamwork through play. With a mini football, soccer ball, and basketball, children can engage in various sports, boosting their confidence as they learn essential motor skills. Plus, the soft foam makes it safe for indoor play, which saves us on grab-the-umbrella rainy days!
Ultimate Nerf Kids Mini Foam Sports Set includes mini versions of a football, soccer ball, and basketball, making any day a chance for indoor sports fun and skill-building!
Champion Sports Rhino Stick Hockey Fun
Champion Sports Rhino Stick Elementary Hockey Set invites young players to dive into the world of sports! This exciting set is crafted from durable ABS plastic, ensuring that kids can enjoy their indoor games without damaging gym floors. With 12 sticks in vibrant red and yellow, plus no-bounce pucks, it’s perfect for developing coordination, teamwork, and motor skills. It's a fantastic resource for educators and parents wishing to promote active play while fostering a love for hockey from an early age.
Champion Sports Rhino Stick Hockey Fun includes 12 vibrant sticks that turn any space into an active play zone, sparking teamwork and a lifelong love for hockey.
Champion Sports Wood Scooter Fun!
Champion Sports SCWB16 16 Inch Wood Scooter invites your little ones to explore the joy of movement while developing essential motor skills! With its sturdy wood construction and non-marring rubber swivel casters, this scooter is perfect for indoor play, encouraging balance, coordination, and teamwork as children glide and scoot around. It's more than just a toy—it's a tool for fostering physical activity and social interactions in a fun, safe environment. As parents and educators, we can appreciate how it supports active play while keeping our kids engaged and learning!
Champion Sports Wood Scooter Fun! features sturdy wood construction and non-marring rubber swivel casters, making it a safe and exciting way for kids to explore movement together.
Inflatable Sports Toss Game Fun!
Toysmith Inflatable Sports Toss Game is perfect for young athletes ready to hone their throwing skills while having a blast outside! This vibrant inflatable features both a football player and a baseball player, making it a fantastic way to teach kids the fundamentals of two popular sports. As they toss the ball toward their inflatable friends, children develop hand-eye coordination, gross motor skills, and social interaction through playful competition. It's an engaging way for parents and educators to encourage physical activity and teamwork, making playtime educational and fun!
Inflatable Sports Toss Game Fun! features both a football player and a baseball player, sparking competitive spirit while kids develop athletic skills and make outdoor memories.
Intex Action Sports Play Center Adventure
Intex Action Sports Play Center is the ultimate backyard playground that brings the world of sports right to your home! With activities like soccer, volleyball, and baseball, it encourages physical fitness, teamwork, and strategic thinking. As our little ones kick, hit, and pass their way through fun-filled adventures, they also develop essential motor skills and coordination. Plus, it's a fantastic way for kids aged 3 and up to nurture their social skills while having a blast in a safe, inflatable setting!
Intex Action Sports Play Center Adventure features inflatable sports activities right at home, turning our backyard into a lively arena where fun meets fitness and friendships flourish.
Bounce into Fun with Champion Sports Ball
Champion Sports 5 Inch Playground Ball is not just a ball; it’s a gateway to hours of active play and skill development! Perfect for kickball, dodgeball, and four square, this durable and bouncy ball encourages kids and adults alike to engage in physical activity, fostering teamwork and coordination. Its textured grip makes it easy to handle, empowering even the youngest players to build confidence in their throwing and catching abilities. As parents and educators, we know the importance of play in learning, and this versatile ball is a fun way to promote active lifestyles and social skills at home, school, or camp!
Bounce into Fun with Champion Sports Ball features a textured grip that makes it easy for kids to throw and catch, ensuring everyone can join in the action!
Mini 4-Ball Sports Bag Adventure!
Nature Bound Mini 4-Ball Sports Bag is the ultimate ticket to endless fun and learning for our kids! With soft foam versions of basketball, soccer, volleyball, and football, this set not only promotes physical activity but also enhances coordination, teamwork, and social skills during play. We love that these balls are safe for indoor and outdoor use, allowing our little ones to engage in active play without the worry of injuries or damage. Plus, the included mesh storage bag means we can easily transport them anywhere for spontaneous adventures!
Mini 4-Ball Sports Bag Adventure! includes soft foam versions of popular sports, making play both safe and a fun way to learn teamwork while keeping them active.
Engaging Franklin Sports Cup Pong Set
Franklin Sports Stadium Cup Pong Set is not just a game; it's a fantastic way for kids and adults to engage in friendly competition while developing essential skills! This Jumbo 6 Cup Pong Game Set encourages teamwork, hand-eye coordination, and strategic thinking as players try to master the multi-level adjustable targets. Whether at home, the beach, or a lively picnic, parents will love how this set transforms gatherings into exciting learning experiences. Plus, it’s a super fun way to get everyone active and outside, fostering both social skills and physical activity!
Engaging Franklin Sports Cup Pong Set features adjustable targets that turn any gathering into a lively competition, making learning feel as fun as being outside with friends.
WOW Sports Pool Noodle: Float, Learn, and Play!
WOW Sports - Green Vacation Mode Pool Noodle is more than just a fun accessory for our summer pool days; it's a fantastic tool for engaging our kids in active play while developing essential skills! As they float and explore their buoyancy, children gain confidence in the water and enhance their motor skills. We appreciate how the ribbed structure provides them with a secure grip, allowing for safe adventures in their aquatic playground. This noodle is perfect for creating memorable bonding moments while promoting a love for water activities and the joys of swimming!
WOW Sports Pool Noodle features a ribbed structure for a secure grip, making splashing around a safe and confidence-boosting adventure while promoting unforgettable summer memories.
Champion Sports Rhino Playground Ball Fun
Champion Sports Rhino Poly Playground Ball Set is a vibrant and versatile addition to any playtime! With its seamless, durable construction and fun colors, these balls encourage children to engage in active play while developing essential skills like coordination, teamwork, and motor skills. Perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, they provide endless opportunities for creative games, sports, and imaginative play. As fellow parents and educators, we appreciate how these balls can enhance physical fitness and social interaction among kids, making learning through play both enjoyable and effective.
Champion Sports Rhino Playground Ball is made with durable, seamless construction, ensuring that playtime is both active and filled with laughter as kids learn valuable teamwork skills.
Champion Sports Heavy-Duty Scooter Fun
Champion Sports 16 Inch Heavy-Duty Scooter with Handles is the perfect blend of fun and learning for active kids! This durable scooter not only encourages physical fitness through balance and coordination but also provides endless hours of playtime. With its non-marring rubber wheels and robust construction, it's built to withstand the toughest adventures while keeping your child's safety in mind. Perfect for group activities, these scooters promote teamwork, spatial awareness, and social skills as children glide around together, making it an essential addition to any playroom or educational setting.
Champion Sports Heavy-Duty Scooter Fun features non-marring rubber wheels that make gliding safe and smooth, turning active play into a delightful exercise in teamwork and coordination.
Educational Value
At three years old, your child is developing gross motor skills—the big movements that involve running, jumping, throwing, and climbing. Sports toys give them purposeful ways to practice these skills in play that feels like pure fun, not exercise. When your child reaches toward a basketball hoop or kicks a soft foam ball, they're improving their coordination, balance, and spatial awareness without even thinking about it.
Beyond the physical benefits, sports play teaches social skills and teamwork. Even young toddlers learn to take turns, share, and celebrate (or accept) the outcome of a game. They discover that their body is capable and strong—building confidence that extends far beyond playtime. For quieter learners, even foam dice and water-wow activity pads connect sports themes to counting, colors, and creativity, proving that active learning comes in many forms.