When the payload under the Christmas tree yields plenty of expensive toys from Mom and Dad, how do other relatives compete? Especially when you have half a dozen, maybe a dozen or more, nieces and nephews and assorted children for which to buy gifts?
Maybe it’s time to go old-school. Get a little funky and try something different. Here are 10 cool gifts you can buy kids for $10 or less. Remember, we did our shopping early in the month and most of these items weren’t on sale – so they could be even cheaper when you buy them. Also remember that prices can vary by store in different parts of the country. But we’re in the ballpark.
Here’s what we found.
Shimmer Glitter Tattoos are just the thing for the pre-teen who wants to look cool but isn’t ready for the real deal. They paint on with a stencil, are bright and sparkly, and wash or wear off in about 10 days. For ages 8 and older only. Bed, Bath and Beyond, $9.99. We found some even cheaper ones (though not as shiny) at Walmart and Target.
Walkie-talkies are so retro, and kids just love them. We found Hello Kitty Walkie Talkies for $9.99 at Marshall’s. Yes, they’re pink. But we can’t imagine a boy in the world who wouldn’t be intrigued by them anyway. Recommended for ages 7 and older.
How about some board games? Tell the kids they are 3-D – you get to actually touch and move the pieces yourself! We found Operation, Yahtzee, Chutes and Ladders, checkers, chess and more, all for less than $10 at Target and Walmart.
And don’t forget card games. You can buy a pack of cards for less than $5 just about anywhere – including the corner convenience store. Teach kids to play some simple games, like “go fish” or simple solitaire, and they won’t be pestering mom the next time it’s a snow day or the power goes out.
Hula hoops are back – and they’re sparkly and glow in the dark and what-not. We found them for $5.99 at Target. Besides being fun, they’re good exercise for TV-bound kids.
Snow toys are great if you live somewhere that gets snow. A simple saucer-style sled was $5.99 at Target. Sno-Brick Makers, plastic molds you fill with snow to make bricks to build igloos and forts, were just $2.99. What creative fun they can have with those.
Got a budding artist (or would like to have one) in the family? Check out the art supplies at discount stores for great prices on such retro media as fingerpaints and a giant tablet of paper ($4.99 each at Target, possibly cheaper elsewhere). We’re not talking high-tech here, and they may be totally thrilled by getting their hands dirty.
Kids love wildlife. How about a simple birdfeeder to hang in the back yard so they can watch the birds, and maybe start a list of what they see? Get a basic feeder for less than $10 at places like Walmart or Kmart, but we were particularly charmed by a wooden feeder you paint or stain yourself, available for $4.99 at Michael’s craft store. You’ll have enough left to buy a small bag of starter feed. They can identify birds online. Just click here.
Give a kid a magnifying glass, and she’ll spend hours examining everything from her own fingernails to the ants in the backyard. You can get a pretty nice one for $5.99 at Walgreen’s (look in the stationery department). Perfect for the budding scientist in the family. Or any curious kid.
You think an exercise ball is just to keep you in shape? Not so. Kids love them. They’ll sit and bounce on them, play a gentle game of giant dodge ball in the back yard, and even exercise on them (if you show them how). This is a seriously good way to get them to use some muscles instead of just being couch potatoes. We found a Gold’s Gym ball for $8.77 at Walmart.
Look for kids’ gifts in unexpected places – Home Depot or Ace Hardware, for example. They’ll get plenty of the hard plastic stuff – Barbies and Legos and such, from everyone else. But they’ll use and remember your gift. Betcha!
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Linda DuVal
Linda DuVal has lived in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region since 1969. She has been writing about the area for most of that time and is the co-author of the new “Insider’s Guide to Colorado Springs,” from Globe Pequot Press. She was a working journalist with The Gazette – the city’s daily newspaper – for 32 years, covering everything from city council to fashion trends, books and authors to travel and food. She has been a freelance writer since 2004, contributing regularly to newspapers, magazines and online sites. Linda owns and operates Pikes Peak On The Cheap.2 Responses to “10 cool gifts for kids under $10”
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[...] Here Are 10 Cool Gifts for Kids — All Cost $10 or Less December 4, 2012When you have a bunch of kids to buy gifts for, it can break the holiday budget. But here are some ideas for gifts you can find for $10 or less. Shimmer Glitter Tattoos (that wash or wear off in a few days) at Bed Bath and Beyond for $9.99. Hello Kitty Walkie Talkies for $9.99 at Marshall’s. Go retro with board games for $10 or less at Target, Kmart of Walmart. Card games are even cheaper — take the time to teach them a few simple games and they’ll be entertained for hours. Hula hoops are back – and we found them for $5.99 at Target. Snow toys are great if we ever get any snow. A simple saucer-style sled was $5.99 at Target. Sno-Brick Makers, plastic molds you fill with snow to make bricks to build igloos and forts, were just $2.99. Check out the art supplies at discount stores for great prices on such retro media as fingerpaints and a giant tablet of paper ($4.99 each at Target, possibly cheaper elsewhere). How about a basic birdfeeder to hang in the back yard so they can watch the birds, and maybe start a list of what they see? We were particularly charmed by a wooden feeder you paint or stain yourself, available for $4.99 at Michael’s craft store. Give a kid a magnifying glass, and she’ll spend hours examining everything from her own fingernails to the ants in the backyard. You can get a pretty nice one for $5.99 at Walgreen’s (in the stationery department). An exercise ball is good for more than just to keep you in shape. Kids love them. They’ll sit and bounce on them, play a gentle game of giant dodge ball in the back yard, and even exercise on them (if you show them how). We found a Gold’s Gym ball for $8.77 at Walmart. For the full story on this topic, go to Living on the Cheap. [...]
[...] 10 cool gifts for kids under $ 10 — Need a good gift for the kid in your life? Consider giving him or her a magnifying glass! [Living On The Cheap] [...]