Save money on baby toys
April 23, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under Baby Savings
One of the baby-raising costs that many parents budget for is toys. The big secret is that you can almost entirely scratch this cost off your budget plan. Why?
Toys are the most fun baby gift (maybe besides clothing) for folks to give, so plenty of people will give your baby toys. Wait until after your baby shower, AND after your baby arrives to even consider buying a toy. Some folks will likely give you toys when the baby arrives.
Also, babies are actually not that into toys. I’d wager that my son Cedar played with about 10% of his toys before he turned one-year. He got tons of toy gifts (he was the first born grandchild on either side) and it was just insane how wasteful it was. He like um, his rings, some blocks, a couple of board books, and his cheap as sin puppet. Seriously, babies want your attention and hands-on games (think peek-a-boo) more than actual toys.
Use what you’ve got. Above I noted that Cedar was not a toy fan. He did however LOVE playing with old boxes, the laundry basket, my clothes, pots and pan, and rolling around in the grass. Kids aren’t that picky and most stuff you have around the house is entertaining. Just make sure it’s safe.
IF you must gather toys though, you can still save money…
Buy at thrift stores and garage sales: Super cheap and most just need a little soap and water clean-up.
Swap with pals: I gave most of my son’s toys to my best friend when she had her baby, so she saved a bundle. She in turn gave many of those toys to another pal. If you have friends with kids swapping and donating toys all around is a great way to save.
Forget toy stores: Hit places like Target or other department-like stores because they’ll carry toys at better prices than an exclusive toy store (usually). Of course shop around for the very best deal.
How did you save money on baby toys (or how are you planning to save $ – if you’re expecting)?
I agree with you 100% on not buying toys for babies…or toddlers for that matter. My twin boys are almost 2 1/2 and I can count on one hand the number of toys that I have bought…and our house is FULL of toys. We have received SO MANY toys as gifts that I have even been able to re-gift brand-new toys. I never opened a new toy as long as the boys were happy with what they had, so we grew out of a lot of toys before they were even opened. The toy buying/gifting has slowed down now that the boys are getting older, but it doesn’t matter…they would rather be outside with a bucket and shovel (both from the $1 bin at Target) than play inside with a toy.
I know! The house is full of toys and all my son wants to play is nine million games of connect four and go to the park. It’s nuts. The only toy Cedar plays with continually is his bin o’ legos.
Great article. I would like to add that if you are going to buy toys for babies/toddlers buy ones that will last and grow with your child. Like wooden blocks, mega blocks, little people. My daughter at age 4 still plays with all of those. I totally went overboard with her when she was younger. I shopped alot at yard sales and it is very easy to go overboard with those cheap prices. You have to be disciplined. It only took me 4 years to get that discipline. LOL
I haven’t bought any toys for my son (11 weeks old) and really didn’t get a whole lot of toys from others either except for stuffed animals. (And we don’t need any more stuffed animals!!!)
I am in the process of making toddler toys for my son. I figure I have a year or two to sew them up
So far I’ve made large felt baby blocks, a hobby horse, a wallet so he can be like daddy, a cape and a matching cape for his cousin, a family photo memory game, and some felt food. I loved play food growing up and hope my son does too!