by Sonali Rai
Published On : 7 Dec | 6 min Read
Have you ever tried reasoning with a 3-year-old mid-tantrum?
It is not an easy feat! Negotiating with them is akin to talking to a Wall! But there is a secret to it all. If you keep can keep these toddlers with purposeful play, magic happens!
Welcome to the world of educational games for three-year-olds; a land where toddlers build castles, solve puzzles, and somehow learn their home address without even being aware of it. Whether you are a preschool educator or a tired parent, this list of games and activities is your shortcut to turning a chaotic situation into a creative one. So let's look into a long list of educational games for 3-year-olds that can keep the toddlers engaged and their minds growing!
At three years of age, your little learners have minds like sponges, when they can soak up knowledge, test boundaries and keep on asking “why” innumerable times a day. This is the golden window for introducing new concepts to them, and what better way than educational games for 3-year-olds, that are fun, engaging and have definitive learning outcomes.
These games are essential for developmental milestones like:
With these learning games for 3-year-olds, you can turn every play session into a rich learning experience!
Here are our top picks of educational games for 3-year-olds that double up as fun learning activities for 3-year-olds—perfect for home or preschool settings:
Cut out shapes from construction paper. Lay them on the floor and call out fun commands:
Start with something personal—your address!
This one teaches memory skills and boosts safety awareness.
Next time your child asks “Why is the sky blue?”, flip the question:
“Hmm, what do YOU think?”
This encourages imagination and develops critical thinking. Plus, it's a delightful break from googling answers on the fly.
Turn household chores into learning games for 3-year-olds:
Learning + life skills? That’s a win-win.
Mute a cartoon and guess the emotions of the characters together.
This teaches empathy and facial recognition, critical for social-emotional development.
Use cookie cutters to trace shapes on felt or foam. Cut them in half, paste the halves on a board, and ask your child to match the rest.
It’s hands-on, screen-free fun—no batteries required.
Classic for a reason. Use alphabet or number blocks to build towers, bridges, or even “block cities.”
Bonus: Watching the tower tumble is part of the fun (and science!).
Start with puzzles featuring animals, fruits, or numbers.
Great for concentration, vocabulary, and problem-solving.
Play a sound game:
Ask your child to guess what it is. These learning games for 3-year-olds build auditory discrimination and memory.
Mix in learning with classic commands:
A hit for group play in preschools or playdates at home.
Not every game needs prep time or costly props. Everyday moments can double as educational games for 3-year-olds:
These everyday games for 3-year-olds at home build observation, language, and even early math.
Q1: How often should I play educational games with my 3-year-old?
Short, regular sessions of these games work best for children. Children of this age can only pay attention for so long. You can keep on doing this 2–3 times a day.
Q2: Are screen-based games good for learning?
Hands-on games are more engaging and effective for this age. But a few well-designed ones, particularly built for preschoolers, can check all the boxes for learning through play. Like akadmy!
Q3: Can I reuse the same games?
Absolutely! Repetition strengthens learning. A child often enjoys repeating a game over and over again till they feel they have mastered it.
Q4: What’s the best time of day for learning games?
Mornings or after naps, when your child is rested and receptive, is the best time for learning games.
