My 3 year old has always had several palpable lymph nodes on the back of his head. they are soft and move. maybe 3 of them. is this normal?

Lymph nodes: The lymph nodes are normal if your child has a running nose or upper respiratory illness

Yes: yes if there is no pain or fever and if they are less than 1 cm and mobile they are palpable in children especially in kids who have little body fat

Possibly: With a little time & effort most people can be taught to feel the small, non-tender pea sized lymph nodes in your neck. In that location they are often next to firm muscle & not buried in soft tissues like they are in most of the body. If they become tender & grow larger, they are reacting to something & may need to be evaluated.Most benign nodes swell & shrink over a 3wk cycle.