Question by Jill Tregre: What are the best toys for baby that are not too expensive to buy?
Looking for the best toys for baby that are affordable. We are buying tons of toys and we are trying to cut down on expenses so what toys for baby would you recommend we get?
Best answer:
Answer by Fiona Williams
U could go charity shops then clean them in the washing machine/ with anti bacterial wipes for plastic toys
What do you think? Answer below!
For what age? Babies don’t really need toys at all until around 3-4 months, and even then, a little goes a long way. A few rattles with lots of contrast (black and white) and bright colors would be more than enough. Once baby reaches around 6 months, they need/want more stimulation, but you still don’t have to go overboard. Some of my baby’s favorite toys weren’t toys at all, but stacks of empty yogurt cups that he could stack up and knock over, or empty salad dressing bottles I filled with some dry rice and he used them as rattles/shakers. Babies can have fun forever with empty bowls or tupperware and a big spoon to bang with. Don’t focus on store-bought toys if you don’t have the cash — just look around your house and find things that are safe and interesting for a baby. Good luck and have fun!
You need to make sure that before you buy anything used you look it up online because as late as last year other countries were sending toys over here with lead based paint. Truly all of my kids wanted random stuff. Every year they tell you the newest thing is.. Nothing beats board books you can read together!
blocks, balls, stuffed animals, anything babys can shake, chew on, or see them selves in !!! With my first child i was extremely strapped for cash and i took a water bottle dumped out the water, let it dry, then put small macaroni noodlles in it! she shook that think all day every day! i still stick old school stuff. We dont have everything but my 3 year old has coloring books paint and barbies, my 1 year old likes anything that makes sound, she can chew on, throw, or has pretty bright colors! just be creative! The best thing you can give your child is not toys but pure love, affection, and attention! they dont need much more than that!
Think about it. You probably bought a lot of stuff that lights up and makes noise. You probably do both of those things, and without batteries.
Besides you, your baby would probably enjoy playing with things you already have, like plastic storage containers, pots, pans and lids.
Another free game is playing outside or going to the park. The library is another good source of free amusements.
As far as “real” toys, visit thrift shops or ask relatives/friends with older kids if there’s stuff they’d like to get rid of. Hand-me-downs rule!
A ball, set of blocks, a soft doll and household items are about all you need. An empty box, pots and pans and spoons can keep a baby entertained for a very long time. After 4 children, I found that baby toys are a waste of money. They much prefer things they see mom and dad using and exploring their environment. Even while in their carseat they love just watching what is going on around them and “talking”.
As baby becomes mobile purchase one car/truck (Little Tykes makes great ones with handles that are easy to push while crawling. They also have cargo space!) A play kitchen with simple pot and pans will last for years. Stock it with empty cartons and containers from your kitchen and tupperwear from yard sales.
We have had great success with the Fisher Price Little People playsets once the babies become toddlers. Take out the batteries (they don’t need all the noises they make and they will never know the difference). The pieces are interchangable between sets and they are quite durable. We can have an entire town set up and all 4 kids (ages 2-7) playing.
Take the money you save on toys and invest in books. They are more beneficial in the long run than toys!
I thinkk the simpler the toy the better. I absoutly love the meilssa and doug line. I wold buy a lot of toys that he could stack. Also plain plastic cups. and kitchen stuff, kids love that. go down to your local dollar store and buy a few and put them in a boc, kids go nuts. sometimes I think that teh simpler the toys the better for development.
I found my babies always preferred the box and wrappings the toys came in.Still,I love toys! I always found babies love anything that is colorful or makes noise.Being a music lover,I never went wrong with any toy that made music.
Also,non toxic blocks and books make excellent toys.I used to buy my girls dolls,and they were seldom interested.One thing,definite…hold off on buying the Barbies as long as you can.That was a big mistake I made.It encourages all things parents want to avoid..such as an early interest in make up.
Babies at this age need basic toys, and not all the expensive electronic gadgets.
I would look for something that encourages the baby to crawl/cruise – often toys where you push a button down, and then the toy moves further ahead.
Musical toys are always a hit. I would look for something that encourages cause and effect, and better hand/eye coordination – xylophones, drums (which you can make out of an empty plastic container and a small wooden spoon), tambourines, bells, maracas and rainmakers. There are lots of baby-proof toys out there, and the baby sets can be fairly inexpensive because they are plastic and small. Also nothing wrong with pots, pans, plastic containers and wooden spoons, and spatulas.
Books – this is so important for speech development, learning how to read, setting the precedent for enjoying reading, and getting some quality time with a parent or caregiver. There are all different types of books for babies and preschoolers, just be prepared for some chewing. I still buy board books for my toddler and preschooler, because they are cheaper than the paper ones. And, some of the board books have the entire story and illustrations for 1/2 the price. Get a family library membership – libraries also offer story time even for babies.
Stacking toys and shape sorters – Wal-mart and TRU each make their own cheaper version than Fisher Price, but the FP is a thicker plastic. Be prepared that your baby will not be able to sort shapes for quite awhile. Stacking toys just need to be varying degrees of sizes, shapes and colors (to help differentiate the shape, and keep their interest). Great for hand/eye coordination and motor skills.
Blocks – get something that is easier to grasp in their small hand – larger, or squeezable, or even small. Just not too small that they are a choking hazard. TRU and Wal-mart each have their own knockoffs, which will save you a bunch of money.
Balls – I would get a bunch of softer balls. I would buy them in different sizes. If you have trouble finding them, my toddlers seem to be into the dog’s balls (we won’t go there). I don’t mind because they are indestructible (no chewing off small pieces) and most are squeezable.
And a couple of plastic containers in which to put stuff in. The stuff can be the shapes from the shape sorter, blocks, balls or other small toys. Older babies like to put stuff into a container, dump this into another container or out on the floor.
Babies are fascinated with themselves (actually I think they just see “other” babies). One of our babies went to daycare. They have a mirror, mounted behind Plexiglas) that was about 3 feet tall and 6 feet long. All the babies and toddlers were fascinated with it. A small unbreakable mirror would do. We hooked up a baby car mirror (unbreakable), that was too small for the car, up to the side of the coffee table (in this house we attached it to the railing that runs along the living room).
And the very best toy is YOU! Babies want to interact with their parents/caregivers. They want to play interactive games like Peek-a-boo, or pat-a-cake or sing nursery rhymes or children’s songs. This is the best place to find the tunes and lyrics for nursery rhymes http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/musicchild.htm Because I was never great at remembering the tune or the lyrics, or both.
http://www.milanoo.com/wholesale-Toys-c1113
I hope you like these plush toys.
GOOD LUCK.