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Finding Elmo
Fill the Toy Box on a Budget By Alexandria Powell
There's a pricey new toddler toy on the market: Are you feeling pressured to buy it? If so, step back and give the matter some thought, says Sandra Rotondi of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
A few years ago, Rotondi and her husband fell victim to Tickle Me Elmo mania. "We finally got the laughing Elmo, paid close to $60 for it and proudly presented it to our toddler," she says.
Her little girl was thrilled at first. Then Elmo got tickled. "It started to shake because Elmo was laughing, and my daughter screamed in horror and ran away from it," says Rotondi. "She never touched that Elmo doll again." Since then, Rotondi and her husband have stayed calm about the latest toy trends.
It happens all too often: You spent more money than you planned to on a toy that just doesn't live up to your expectations. But there are ways to save on toddler toys and get the toys your toddler needs while still being able to afford diapers.
When shopping for toddlers, basic toys that have been around for decades (and sometimes centuries) are often your best bet. Items such as balls, dolls, vehicles, building blocks, sturdy books, simple puzzles, bucket and shovel sets and pull toys are inexpensive, and toddlers love them.
One of the biggest mistakes parents make when choosing toddler toys is skipping these classics in favor of "smart toys," says Alan Fields, co-author of Toddler Bargains: Secrets to Saving 20% to 50% on Toddler Furniture, Clothing, Shoes, Travel Gear, Toys and More
