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But, is there such a thing ?
In pursuit of my dream on getting cheap child toys, I used to snatch one-dollar toys displayed at the check-out while queeing at the grocery store. But, as I discovered ... there was always a reason why they are priced so low ...:). Yes, these toys are of low quality. They either breaks out too easily or it just does not live up to expectation.
But, does it have to be this way ? Can't I get a cheap toy without sacrificing the quality ?
The answer is yes, if you are willing to go to the extreme. Here are few tips I'd like to share with you.
First, get a second-hand child toy. Hey .. don't squeam. Think this way. If these toys can make it to a second-hand store and still look presentable, then there's a good chance that they are of good quality. Plus you can always clean them up before giving them to your children.
So pay a visit to either consignment store, thrift store, or yard sale often. I find that the price at the consignment store is higher than the thrift store but they have more selection to choose from, especially if you have children consignment store in your area. The cheapest one is of course yard/garage sale items. You can get cheap child toys very easily there.
You can also try to get a child toy free by spreading the word that you just 'had a baby' or that you don't mind getting hand-me-down items. I got one box full of expensive Legos from my colleague (who has two grown-up sons) just by chatting with her about my children.
Second, if you don't feel like buying a second-hand toy, then always buy child toys ahead of time so that you can buy them during sale season at the department store. So if you think that you will need toddler toys in a year, buy the toy the year before so that you can buy heavily-discounted toys, for instance, during Thanksgiving the previous year.
Third, consider to borrow child toy from a local toy library or swap toys with a group of friend. As a parent, I found that the change in children between 'wow' to ' whatever' in regard of toy is just a few days. This rapid change of attitude towards toy often dissapoints parents, especially if the toy is brand new and expensive. So, I think the idea of swapping toys or borrowing toys is very good.
It allows children to get 'new' toy every week without you as a parent having to reach deep in your pocket.
You can find information about the location of the nearest toy library and how to set one up (if there is none in your area) from:
US National Toy Library Association.
1326 Wilmette Avenue
Wilmette, IL 60091
Phone (847) 920-9030
Fax (847) 920-9032
Email usatla@aol.com
Fourth, consider making your own toy. When pursuing this strategy, don't attempt to replicate store-bought toys. The important thing is to make sure that the home-made toy can achieve the same goal as the bought version. For instance, you don't have to invest in expensive baby mobile. Instead you can make your own baby mobile which fulfill the requirement for it to be an educational one.
One caveat before you go hunting on cheap child toys. Always put safety the first priority. Make sure that the cheap child toys that you buy are not falling apart to small pieces or exposing sharp edges.
Finally, I'd like to wish you good luck with your cheap toy hunting.
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