Between
nursery furniture, clothes and other gear, you can rack up some serious debt
before your child learns how to crawl. With all these expenses, it can be hard
to find room in your budget for toys and games, but these items are important
for your baby's development. Here are a few ways to keep your little one
entertained without going broke.
Garage sales and second hand items Second hand items are far less expensive than retail,
and toys are no exception. Check out the garage sales in your area, and you
might find some great deals. You'll want to get there early before all the best
things have sold. Another great source of low-cost toys is a swap site, where
you can both buy items for your child and sell them when outgrown. A quick
Google search for "toy swap" should yield a few popular sites.
Keep it simple
Toys don't have to be elaborate or flashy to keep a child's attention. He may
even find a few on his own - such as a big cardboard box that becomes a pirate
ship, or a wrapping paper core that doubles as a knight's sword. Introduce your child to other common items that can become fun toys. A sock
and a few markers can become a hand puppet and (for as
long as your nerves can take it) a pan and wooden spoon make a great drum set. Save old purses, shoes, costume jewelry and hats. Your kids
will love playing dress-up.
Get crafty Sidewalk
chalk, finger paints, paper and safety scissors... which provide both a creative
outlet and hours of fun. And all are very budget-friendly. Remember that
cardboard box/pirate ship? Let your child loose on it with some markers and transform
it into a fort, a house or a fairy garden. Even a simple paper plate, coupled
with some colored paper and glue or crayons, can turn into a fun craft project.
Inexpensive outdoor toys A bucket, toy shovel, and dedicated area of the
garden can provide hours of entertainment. Just make sure the dedicated area is
well understood before your little one brings you a bucketful of your newly
planted flowers!
Baby
toys bought at retail prices can quickly burn a hole in any family's budget. By
looking for secondhand items and getting creative with your definition of
"toy," you can give your young children hours of entertainment without
breaking the bank.
About the Author: Angie Mansfield is a freelance
writer whose work covers topics of interest to small business owners and
consumers alike, including nursery cribs.
2 comments:
very timely advice -thank you
Educational toys are essential for children's development, with puppets standing out as tools for imaginative play, enhancing social skills, and fostering creativity from an early age.
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