Buying new toys for your kids can get expensive. Kids lose interest in toys quickly, and they always want something new to play with. Buying toys for your kids doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Follow these tips to get kids’ toys without breaking the bank.
Hit up second-hand stores
Second-hand stores can be a great place to find all kinds of treasures. And while we often think of second-hand stores when shopping for clothes or furniture, some stores have a great selection of toys for the kids, too. Stores like Goodwill or the Salvation Army store accept donations of used toys and sell them for low prices. Not every toy you find at these stores will be in perfect condition, but if you look around you can score some great deals on gently used toys.
Go to yard sales
Many neighborhoods host regular yard sales, and there’s bound to be a house or two around you having a yard sale almost every weekend. Yard sales are a popular way for people to get rid of old or unwanted items, and this includes toys. Yard sales are typically held on Saturday or Sunday mornings, and you’ll want to get there early to get the best stuff. You can find information about upcoming yard sales online through websites that list yard sales, or simply by keeping an eye out for yard sale signs in your community.
Search online classifieds
Though classified ads in the newspaper are mostly a thing of the past, you can search online classifieds through websites such as craigslist, a popular site where users can list items for sale. You can also try letgo, a newer website and app where people list items for sale locally. Parents whose kids have grown out of their old toys sell them on sites like this for steep discounts. Look through ads in your area and you might find some great deals on barely used toys.
Browse online stores
There are more options for buying toys online than ever today. Sometimes, all it takes is a quick Google search and you can find a lower price online than you would in any brick-and-mortar store. Stores like Amazon offer a wide variety of items, often at lower prices than other stores. You can also check out online stores for second-hand toys. Websites like eBay allow users to list unwanted items and sell them to people all over the world.
Take advantage of after-Christmas sales
If you’re looking to find brand new toys at a discount, it’s all about timing. Prices on popular toys may spike as demand rises in November and December, but after the holidays, there are tons of sales. Stores stock up on toys before Christmas, and afterwards, they’re left scrambling to sell their extra stock. Many toy stores have huge after-Christmas sales, and you can get a good deal on the hottest toys from the holiday season.
Search the clearance section
Most toy stores have a sale or clearance section somewhere. Often, this section is full of all kinds of random toys that have been discounted for various reasons. Toys with minor flaws or defects are usually thrown into the clearance section along with toys that aren’t selling well. Some of these toys are perfectly good, while others may just need a small repair to be in working order again. Sift through the clearance section before shopping around the rest of the store—you never know what you’ll find in there.
Use coupons
Coupons aren’t just for groceries anymore. Check your Sunday paper for ads featuring great deals on toys, and look for coupons. You can also find great coupons online. Search coupon sites like RetailMeNot and Coupons.com for big savings on new brand-name toys. If you can combine valuable coupons with low prices or sales at your local toy store, you can save a ton of money on toys.
Get crafty
Kids’ toys don’t have to be store-bought. Some of the best toys can be made at home. Search online, and you’ll find plenty of ideas for DIY kids’ toys. Websites like Pinterest are full of crafty ideas for making toys. You can even get the kids involved—have them make their own sock puppets, dolls, or other toys. They’ll love the process of making something themselves and the toy they create will be something they can cherish for years to come.
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