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Saving Money on Toys

August 31, 2012

Toys from Trash"Tolan, how cool is that?" queried Papa who had just put together a wagon with his three year old grandson. And posing with his newly created robot, twelve year old Cole said, "I think I'll be able to use this for school too."

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Both boys had just completed projects using the age appropriate kits that I gave them. These reusable systems encourage youngsters to stretch their creative abilities. Tolan and Cole found used items from around the house (like empty boxes, egg cartons, paper cups, bottle tops, and coat hangers) and they combined these items into something else (a wagon, a robot, a car, a space ship, an animal.)

"Just add a box and some imagination" say the creators of RoloBox, Tolan's kit. It contains four brightly colored plastic wheels and brackets, eight wing nuts, eight bolts, and one pulling handle. Tolan, with the help of his grandfather, enjoyed twisting and turning the screws and later pulling his stuffed animals and mommy's keys around the house.

Cole's kit, on the other hand, called MakeDo, is actually for young people over five (although some adults have been known to use it in their offices as well.) MakeDo comes with an inspiration poster and 165 reusable parts: two plastic safe saws, 17 lock-hinges, 73 connecters, and 73 releasers. In addition, its website provides video tutorials and a gallery where "kids" can upload their creative images, some of which will end up on the next poster.

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"We love making . . . not just making but making do, using stuff we have to make something new" is the motto of the makers of Cole's kit. He spent several hours building his robot, and his older sister Tayler contributed a handmade bird. Both said they were surprised at how quickly time flew and at how much fun they were having.

RoloBox and MakeDo are great gifts for special occasions and nice to have around the house for “rainy days.” (Of course, if one has a well-stocked workshop at home, he or she can put together something similar without having to purchase the kits as I did.) These gifts have benefitted my own grandchildren by encouraging creative activity; by helping them see value in everyday objects—even waste; and by providing a new way to look at and care for the earth.

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By Viaux from Miami, Florida

Do you have a frugal story to share with the ThriftyFun community? Submit your essay here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_myfrugallife.ldml

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Silver Post Medal for All Time! 433 Posts
May 15, 2012

I have many times bought the kids those play food kits, and I always found they tired of the stuff quickly. Now I save empty boxes of food and keep switching the stuff around so they always have different play food.

Plastic shopping cart holding food boxes repurposed as child's play food

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August 22, 2008

Tips for saving money on toys as suggested by the ThriftyFun community.: The best money saving tip I have is - don't bring your kids to the toy store with you.

Saving Money on Toys

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 899 Posts
January 22, 2015

My son loves to get ahold of my mom's pot and potato masher when he visits her. I didn't want to give him mine and have to continually take them away to use them.

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So I decided to buy a few items at Goodwill and let him have his own set. He loves them!

baby with pot

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Silver Post Medal for All Time! 288 Posts
October 15, 2007

Need safe toys MADE IN THE U.S.A. for a great-granddaughter that will be 4 years old in Dec. I do not sew or do handwork. Anyone have ideas that will be easy and not much money? ($10 - $20 max)



I already give her grandma money for her college fund. Her birthday is a couple of days before Christmas. I don't want her to feel left out of the birthday party so I need something to give her for that too.
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Great Granny Vi from Moorpark, CA

Answers


Gold Post Medal for All Time! 519 Posts
October 15, 20070 found this helpful

Look for handicrafts made by your local senior citizens! They have their wares for sale at craft faires, etc. and are usually not expensive- look for rag dolls, and so on...or wooden blocks...

 

Bronze Request Medal for All Time! 66 Requests
October 15, 20070 found this helpful

Dollar stores have cute things for little girls like hair doodads, socks, etc....Also grab bags which kids seem to love. I was born a few days before Christmas so I know all about "it's too close to Christmas" syndrome.

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Believe me, someday she will appreciate your kindness, you're a very thoughtful grandma!

 
October 17, 20070 found this helpful

It's true that everything in Dollar stores are cheap. The point is we now want to buy toys (and other things) Made in USA. You would have to check the packaging very carefully. Many churches have "fairs" in December and members often donate handmade things for sale. Good l;uck.

 

Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 378 Feedbacks
October 17, 20070 found this helpful

The best toys use the kids' imaginations. The awesomest toy I ever had growing up was a gunny sack full of blocks. They were just odd sized scraps and chunks, and they had been taken to a belt sander by a family friend to polish them a little. The three of us played with those until we were like fifteen or something. Loved them!! You could also look on eBay's vintage toy department for ideas.

 
October 17, 20070 found this helpful

Here's a list for you to check out. I believe all of
Melissa and Doug's products are safe and made in
the US. I've found some of their puzzles for
about $5. You can search for Melissa and Doug
if you'd like to see more of their toys.

You might consider clothing too, or a purse, or
even a little camera. They have some little digital
ones at Walmart (online) clearance for less than $10.

Hope you find what you're looking for!
Linda

Buy American www.foxnews.com/.../0,2933,292056,00.html
Toys Made In America www.toysmadeinamerica.com/
US Made Toys www.usmadetoys.com/
Fat Brain Toys made in America www.fatbraintoys.com/.../made_in_america.cfm
Lead-Free USA made toys www.thedailygreen.com/.../
*list of more toy sites here too
American Made www.madeinusa.org/.../toys&

 
 
By cutiepie (Guest Post)
October 18, 20070 found this helpful

I ordered several things from www.klutz.com.

Painted rocks book
Solar powered car book

I like it where kids can actually do or make something.

 
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September 11, 2007

I see toy food for sale all the time and think that not only is it a waste of money. It may not even be safe with all the recent recalls. Save pint-sized milk cartons, empty pizza boxes, empty mac n'cheese boxes, any food container.

 
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December 2, 2008

My daughter and her friends are not buying their children any new toys for Christmas. Instead, they are having a toy swap among themselves. Their kids will get all "new" toys without having to spend a dime!

 
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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
July 24, 2018

Get toys with missing pieces for free or very cheaply and look for the same toy with missing pieces. Combine the toys for a complete set.

A play sushi set with parts from different sets.

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April 17, 2008

When my 4 children were small, we did not have much money and used our imaginations a lot. The one "toy" my daughter remembers is when we made a house for her Barbie out of a cardboard box.

 
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