Two train geeks here and therefore collectors of them good old Brio. It started with dusted off stuff from grandpa and grandma and the train set from back then has now been expanded with new material from today. Brio is timeless, indestructible and simply a real hit with so many children. And if friends want to give something for a birthday, we ask for a smaller item such as a separate locomotive or railway crossing. To be preserved for generations and also the ideal tool to use on a rainy afternoon.

Also very nice: Way to Play. A flexible rubber car track that can also easily be taken to the park or the beach. Or in the bath, yes. Dutch design too, and we think that's cool.

When we turned three ourselves, it was already a hit, and when the apple of our own eye reached the same age, we bought it for her: a doctor's set from Little Dutch. Complete with apron and hat, because a big part of the fun is of course the outfit. Since then, the bear has been lying around with bandages around his head and the cat's ear is regularly checked.

Your child will not be the first to show his or her cutting skills on the doll or - worse - a brother or sister. There is one walking around here who cut her own bangs when she was three, great success. If you have a deep love for hair straightening, you can prevent these kinds of scenes by making your child happy with a hairdressing set from, for example, Plan Toys or Minikane. Made of wood, that is. Comb, cut and blow-dry, but for the fake. Almost as much fun!

Three is pretty much the age when the first board games are on the table. Memory always works well. The boxes of Mudpuppy fit exactly in a shoe and there are different variants: unicorns, princesses, vehicles and animals. Also the games of Haba you can easily throw in your bag and conjure up when boredom strikes, like Orchard and the Little Rainbow Caterpillar.