What should I get for a three-year-old instead of gadgets?

Get the Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Dig & Delight Shovel and Pail Set. Three-year-olds don’t need gadgets — they just need good tools for moving dirt. The shovel handle is thick enough for small hands, the pail is sturdy, and it’s cheap enough that you won’t panic if it gets left at the beach.