The holiday season is rapidly approaching, which might leave some people stressed out over their shopping list. If money is tight Christmas and other gift-giving holidays can really make you feel stressed. Luckily, there are a few ways to work around the high cost of the holiday so you can spend less while still bringing joy to the ones you love. These ten kid-friendly ideas will allow you to make or buy toys that will certainly make many children happy.

1. Slime
Without a doubt, slime has really hit the big time in the world of toys. You can find slime in almost any store, and it is reasonably priced to suit your needs. You can find basic slime, which is fairly cheap, as well as bulk packs to help you spread the slime out a bit. On top of that, there are numerous slime kits you can choose from. Some of these kits allow children to make their own slime, while others offer themed accessories to keep the slime fun. Of course, if you’re looking to save money and get creative, you can come up with your own slime kit. After making the slime simply add themed items into a container and you have a homemade gift that will definitely aim to please.

2. Craft Kits
Another thing that is bound to appease most children is craft sets. These can be found fairly cheap at department and hobby stores. If you’re lucky, you can even find a few items on clearance to help you find an even more affordable option. Craft kits are a great gift because they aren’t presenting the child with a toy. Rather, they are offering an activity that is certain to keep a child busy for some time. When the craft is complete, children can wear the item they made or put it up on display. There are also science kits that might be a great option. These kits can also be made at home if you’re looking to save some money but still want to offer the supplies a child will need to create something cool.

3. Ball
Without a doubt, a ball is a timeless gift that will suit children of all ages. Balls are a great gift because they can be purchased to suit almost any age group. Spending under $5 for a bouncy ball will make most toddlers feel happy and ready to play for days. Older children might be satisfied with a ball from their favorite sport. No matter what type of ball you choose to purchase, you will walk out of the store for fairly cheap. Generally, the best gift to give with a ball is time as most children will love playing with the item with someone else.

4. Bulk Toys
When you’re shopping for specific items or items that you know many of the kids will enjoy then you might want to search for bulk packages of toys. This will typically give you more than one toy of the brand for a reduced price when you compare it to buying the items single packaged. If you shop this way, you can always split up the bulk set so that it is stretched further, or so different children get the toy they enjoy. Bulk packs are also perfect for stocking stuffers if you open them up and place each unique item in the stocking to be discovered.

5. Dress Up Clothes
With Halloween over, you will find that there are lots of great goodies leftover at a discounted price. If you act fast, you can purchase all sorts of costumes at a great discount. This can help you allow your child to have a great collection of dress-up clothing. If you want to spice up the gift, you can even take a recycled box and decorate it to look like a treasure chest. If you shop for costumes that are larger in size, children will be able to use them for much longer too, so the gift will stretch even further, which will add to the fun. You should even be able to find some awesome accessories at a low price.

6. Board Games
When it comes to keeping children busy, especially when they can’t have screen time, then a board game is the way to go. Most board games can be purchased for next to nothing and will allow children of all ages to learn and have fun with their families. One of the best things about board games is they are the perfect gift for siblings. If you are gifting to a family then you can easily choose a board game as a gift for all of the children, which can save lots of money. Board games tend to last for years too, opposed to toys that are often outgrown.

7. Dolls
When it comes to gifting to children, one of the best toys you can get is a doll. No matter the gender of the child most children will love playing with dolls. You can purchase dolls in a wide assortment of price ranges too. You can choose dolls where lots of imagination is required, or you can choose dolls that have numerous different features. If you know a child that already has dolls, then doll accessories are an easy option too. This should help satisfy your shopping list while ensuring you get plenty of toys for the children on your list without breaking the bank.

8. Puzzles
Another great option that will suit children is puzzles. You can actually find a fairly large puzzle for next to nothing at many department stores. Puzzles for younger children tend to be higher priced because they use wood and other supplies, but even these won’t break the bank. If you’re looking for puzzles that make the perfect stocking stuffers, then you might check dollar stores. They will often share puzzles of popular characters for a dollar or less, which will allow you to stock up on items for all of the kids you know.

9. Off-Brand Playdough
Most kids tend to love playing with Play-Doh. However, the brand can get a bit pricey. Luckily, there are numerous off-brand options to choose from so you can get a lot more for your money. Many of the off-brand options will even offer fun accessories, like cookie cutters on the lid of the containers. If you aren’t interested in buying play dough then you can also make it yourself for next to nothing. Simply mix it together with smells, glitters, colors, and more, and then place it in special packaging. Kids will love playing with the dough and may even get more out of the gift since it is homemade. You might also look for cheap accessory options like cookie cutters, which can also be made if you have the right skill set.

10. Blocks
It is hard to leave blocks off of any toy list as they are popular with most children and also add an abundance of value to their playtime. However, blocks aren’t always the cheapest option when it comes to toy shopping. Luckily, there are many block deals during this time of the year that will help you get a lot more out of your gifts. Some of the cheapest blocks on the market are Mega blocks though, which are perfect for younger children learning how to work on their motor skills.

Shopping for the perfect budget-friendly gift for kids doesn’t have to be tough. These ten ideas will have you coming in under budget while still allowing the children in your life to have fun with the items that you choose for them. So, don’t stress this shopping season, because you will definitely have things covered.