Your kids love toys and you love your kids, so chances are at times you feel a bit overwhelmed by the toy wish list they tend to create. There are many ways to give your children the toys they want while still maintaining a tight budget. With these ten tips you can bring joy to you child’s face without having to stress out over rising toy prices or your child’s constantly changing interest. Now, you will be able to enjoy the time you spend playing with your child rather than considering the amount you need to spend on toys to make them happy. You might even teach your child the value of their possessions, so that in the future they will learn the value of work and how to maintain their goodies.
1. Look to Household Items
Most younger children are incredibly ease to please when it comes to toys. There are a lot of items you can find around that will keep your children entertained for hours. If you begin to notice your child is tiring of the toys they have in their room then try pulling out a few pots and pans and come wooden spoons. Show the child that these items make different noises and watch as your child explores the world of music at no cost to you. If you have recently ordered something online, or purchased a larger utility item then chances are you have a big box lying around the home doing absolutely nothing. Give the box to your children and watch as they turn it into an aircraft, race car, apartment or an idea all their own. An old tire and rope can also be a great way to get your child outdoors and exercising. Make sure the tire is securely tied to a tree and let your child enjoy some swing time. If the weather is hot find an old tarp and baby oil for a great slip and slide your kids will want to play on all of the time.
2. Used Saves
Although you might think twice about buying used toys most kids couldn’t care either way as long as they have the toy to play with. So, instead of spending full price for every toy your child wants try looking for the toy on online auction sites, or in the local classifieds. A lot of the time your child will find a new and exciting toy when you take them to yard sales or thrift stores. This will allow you to help out other people and charities as well as get your child interested in toys that aren’t commercialized. Most of the toys sold at these places and events tend to only cost you cents, so you can get a bit more for your child to play with. These places are also great for finding bigger toys, such as climb on toys or swing sets.
3. Shop Around
If you have to have that new toy then make sure you shop around. One of the easiest ways to do this is to take to the internet and looking on shopping sites for stores that will have the best deal. There are many websites that can give you a great deal, but the problem tends to be finding them. Make sure to ask your friends and family for any suggestions as well as research when you can. If you think you’ve found a great deal then try calling the store to double check the price. Some stores will even hold the product for you so you can ensure your child will get the toy that is desired. If you’re looking for a quick treat for your child then check out the clearance bin at just about any store that sells toys. A lot of the time there are hidden treasures that have been reduced greatly. Also, never forget to utilize your coupons, as they can save you big time.
4. Toys with Versatility
Choosing specific toys can also help cut down on the amount of money you spend on toys. Many toys such a LEGOs and dolls can be used in many different games, so your child will bore of these things less than they would other toys. LEGOS and other building blocks encourage your child to use their imagination to create things from their minds. This will open up your child to many different games from construction to racing and outer space. Dolls can also lead children to play house, daycare, school and dress up which will keep them busy for hours. Of course, buying your child items like crayons and paints can also keep them busy for longer and will help them express their creativity and moods. By choosing toys that don’t have a theme your child will be more interested in playing with the toys as they won’t go through fads that force them to want new items every time they favor a movie.
5. Hand-Me-Downs
Kids can outgrow toys just as fast as they can clothes, so why not put the unused toys up for your younger children to use? Younger kids tend to look up to their older siblings, so receiving toys that were once deemed cool by an older sibling can be like gold for many kids. This will help save you money as a lot of times kids are interested in the same genres of toys, so you are already covered for many of your kids future needs. You can do the same thing with relatives who have older or younger children. Keep track of the toys you have stored away and you can trade with family and friends who might have toys your child would be interested in.
6. Trade with Friends
Many kids fall in love with the toys their friends might have, which is why a trading date might be a great way to save you and child’s friend’s parents a lot of money. A lot of times parents tend to discourage their children from sharing with friends because it might cause a lot of hurt feelings or misunderstandings. However, allowing your children to trade toys in a monitored setting can teach them the value of their possessions as well as partnership. When you bring the children to the trading date make sure to make it clear that the trade is final, so the children will think twice over the things they choose to trade. Of course, if you think this might be a problem then allow the children to borrow one another’s toys for a week or so. This will allow your children to learn responsibility over other’s possessions and will allow you to see if your child will actually hold interest in a toy they are requesting you buy.
7. Hit the sales
Throughout the year there are many different sales that tend to occur around holidays. This is one of the best times to get out there and stock up on your children’s toys while they are on sale. Of course, you don’t have to give the toys to them right away, but rather put them away for a birthday, holiday or special treat. By shopping the sales you won’t have to worry about spending a lot of money on toys when the holiday season comes around. This will make your holidays less stressful and will ensure that your children will have the toys they want without you having to hit the busy holiday stores. If you can’t make the sales then try your hardest to clip coupons that will make a big difference in the final price. Sometimes you can even get lucky enough to get a 50% off coupon that makes getting that expensive toy a little less of a burden.
8. Promote Imagination
Encouraging your child to use their imagination during play with also help your child use creativity in the future. The imagination can be one of your child’s greatest toys as they can invite anything they would like to play. A simple stick can become a sword and a piece of paper a shield. As your child used his or her imagination more and more you will notice that they do not long for newer toys as much as they did before. By encouraging the use of imagination, and playing along with your child’s imagination, you will increase the way your child thinks out of the box. This will save you greatly on toys and will even give you a rewarding feeling as your child begin to explore his or her inner self.
9. Utilize Chores
Chores can be one of your best allies when it comes to the toy battle. If you make your child do chores to earn an allowance then the child will begin to learn what exactly it takes to earn an item. This will teach the child not to make frivolous decisions when it comes to buying things. The child will work for the money, or points, to get a certain item at the store. So, if you teach them to save their points then you will certainly make them rethink the toys they aren’t actually that interested in playing with. You child will then begin to ask for items that they actually find fascinating and will happily do the chores needed to earn the item. This is great for you when it comes to saving on toys, but is also great for child as it will teach responsibility for their actions and how to avoid buyer’s remorse.
10. Make Your Own Toys
If you’re looking for a way to bring the family together then try making your own toys a part of the family craft night. You can choose a great number of items that can be found around the home, in craft shops, or even pieces of wood to get your toy making hobby on the go. For younger children you might want to start out working with clay or simple items that can be glued onto things to make a crafty and unique toy. As the children ages you can begin making your own doll houses, sewing your own dolls and even whittling different crafts. For more ambitious wood craftsmen you might want to try building your own car. If you have the right tools you can add a CO2 cartridge to the back for a fast race car that will amaze you and you child. Making your own toys will help you keep your budget in line and might even give you an extra income if you and your child become skilled enough in the craft.
Toys are an important part of every child’s youth and makes them feel special and loved, so of course you want to give them what they desire. As you begin to follow these tips you will find that your child will become less demanding when it comes to toys and will come to appreciate the items he or she already has. This, in itself, will help you save more money than you thought you ever could while still allowing your child to feel happy and loved.
