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 8 Ways to Save Money on Toys For Your Kids
By: Ashley Laine
Kids toys are getting more expensive and more high tech every day. The latest gadgets that you spend sometimes hundreds of dollars on are the toys that I find my kids do not even play with as much as their simpler toys. The advertising your children see on television convinces them that they âneedâ the next greatest or biggest thing to come down the pike.
Often these toys are recalled after Christmas because they where taken to market for the holiday shopping season. Make sure the toys you buy are well made and will last past January 1. In reality there is no reason to get caught up in the hype. Here are some tips to have a great Holiday experience on a budget.
   Host a toys party
Often my friends and I will get together and trade the toys our children are not playing with and save then for a treat or surprise when the kids are behaving.
The idea is to recycle the clutter and at the same time encouraging your child to act as you would have them. As a book I once read stated, âCatch your kids doing something right and you will get better results than just catching them doing wrong things.â
It is another excuse to be around adults as well which is always a good thing every now and again.
Thrift Shops
Thrift shops often have toys that are in excellent condition for a few dollars, especially bicycles and the like. We have found toys that looked new for under two dollars that cost over fifty in the stores.
I suggest shopping in thrift stores only if you are in financial hard times. Many individuals who are financially challenged in our society have these as the only way their kids have a Christmas at all. Being Socially conscious and considerate is important especially this time of year.
Rummage Sales
Rummage or Garage Sales are a great way to shop for toys. My husband and I have found some great toys that we would have never bought for the kids if we had not found them for a few dollars at a garage sale.
Look in the paper on Thursday and they often list garage sales coming up. Get there early on Friday morning or at least the first morning. This is when you will get the best selection.
Consignment Shops
I shop at consignment shops all the time. This is a great way to find childrenâs clothes, coats and toys. My kidâs love going with me and choosing a toy or even the clothes they like. It is a great bonding experience and rarely do I have to utter the phrase it is to expensive.
Make your own
Kids love using their imaginations. Projects are a fun way to spend time as a family. There are hundreds of websites that are dedicated to craft ideas and kids projects.
You will find yourself looking forward and cherishing these moments as much if not more than the kids. I once had an older woman tell me when I was still pregnant with my first, âWhen you have children your life goes from finishing tasks to creating memories.â I love that sentiment and wholeheartedly agree with it.
Shop after Christmas
After Christmas sales are great. The stores have toys that they purchased to much of during the holidays that did not sell. We have a gift closet where we put the toys we buy after Christmas. You will have birthday parties you will have to go to throughout the year.
You might also have baby showers as well. If you purchase these items right after Christmas then you will save hundreds of dollars over the next year.
Simplicity
Your children may be different than mine, but my observation is that I find them playing with the toy that draw their imagination out of them rather than the ones that act as their imagination. It is normally the simple toys that do that rather than the expensive electronic toys.
Coupons or Online Freebee Sites
The web is full of coupons for different toy stores. Type âtoy store couponsâ into your favorite search engine and you will see all of the sites that offer them. You can also get on look on Freecycle.org or Craigslist.org for some free stuff.
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