Ten $10 (or Less!) Toys

When holiday shopping time rolls around, I find it’s always good to have some options that fall into a lower price range.  They’re good for filler gifts (not everything can be a three-story dollhouse), and when my kids want to give gifts to their friends, I consult my list for that too.  Also, it seems like the smaller gifts are often the ones that they end up playing with the most throughout the year.  So, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite toys that won’t cost you more than $10 each, and some are even less.  Enjoy!

Barbie Fashionistas

This is my #1 favorite development in toys for 2016–and maybe ever.  The new line of Barbie Fashionistas introduced three new body types: petite, tall, and curvy.  Combine that with an increased variety in skin tones, hairstyles, and outfits, and you’ve got a line of dolls that offers something for every little girl.  Barbie has never been more real, and I can’t describe how happy I am that my daughter can experience how the doll has evolved.

Color Wheel Finger Paint

The Crayola Color Wheel Finger Paint set is perfect for both boys and girls. What makes this a winner for me is that it’s all of the fun of regular jarred finger paints but without any of the mess. I remember as a kid the finger paints taking forever and a day to dry…who has time for that today? Works of art created with Crayola Color Wheel Finger Paint dry quickly, so they can be enjoyed much sooner! This set comes with 12 pieces of paper and 5 vibrant colors.

NERF N-STRIKE ELITE FIRESTRIKE Blaster

Who is down for a good ole Nerf gun game? The Nerf N-Strike Elite Firestrike Blaster is the perfect introduction to the world of Nerf guns or addition to your already established arsenal. The darts shoot up to 75 feet, and the laser has a 15-foot light beam to help you zero in on your target. How cool is that? The tactical rail lets you upgrade your weapon with accessories to really take your battle a step higher. Three darts are included, but the 2 AAA batteries are up to you.

Snap & Go Hula Hoop

When I was younger, I loved my hula hoops. I loved the different designs they came in, and I loved winning hula hoop contests I’d have with my friends.  (Yes, we really did that.)  My parents, however, were not such big fans of having giant rings lying all over the floors at home. Well, the Snap & Go Hula Hoop takes care of that problem. The hula hoop comes apart in 6 easy pieces, making storage a non-issue, and it’s easily reassembled without the help of an adult. The Snap & Go is even more special because it’s equipped with LED lights, so your kids can dazzle you and their friends with an awesome light show.

SpyX Micro Voice Disguiser

The SpyX Micro Voice Disguiser is must-have for any kid on a secret spy mission. This fun little device records your voice and plays it back twisted to conceal the identity of the source. Kids will have endless hours of fun changing their voices and making secret messages. Don’t be surprised if they try to pull off a few pranks with this one too!

Distance Maxx

The Distance Maxx jump rocket will get and keep your kids off the couch, and who doesn’t want that? A jump onto the rubber bladder will launch the rocket up to a whopping 125 feet, and kids can adjust the angle to experiment with height and distance. (Fear not, the tip is made of foam for safety.) My son wants to be an astronaut when he grows up, and he’s quite sure this is the first step in that direction.

K’Nex Mighty Makers

We’ve featured K’NEX Mighty Makers before, and they’re still one of our favorites. Mighty Makers encourage girls to build big and dream bigger, and all while they’re having a fun time learning STEM concepts. Each set is its own little adventure, and in our house, the whole family enjoys building them together. If you’re not ready to grab one of their larger, more complicated, and more expensive sets, these three are the perfect option for you. Hailey’s Star Gazing Adventure Set will encourage an interest in astronomy, Jess’s Jammin Garage Building Set explores the relationship between math and music, and Marissa’s Turtle Tours will have your kids coming up with creative ways to save the turtles. Add these to your existing Mighty Makers collection, or have just as much fun using them as standalone toys.

StikBot Action Pack

StikBots are back, and now you can customize them to your heart’s content with a whole new line of accessories.  Turn your StikBot into a pirate, a ninja, or a rock star!  Your photos and stop-animation films will be more fun than ever with these new hats, helmets, hairstyles, weapons, and other props.  Each Stikbot comes with a total of 10 different hair pieces and hats.  My 6-year-old son absolutely loves to play with these, and he doesn’t even make movies.

Original Giant Slinky

The Original Giant Slinky sure does take me back! I can’t even begin to figure out how many hours were spent watching my Slinky “walk” down my stairs. No childhood is complete without this simple and classic toy. It’s something every child can enjoy–and it’s still made in the USA! (I’ll be humming that theme song all day.)

Lil’ Lockitz Selfie Set

I am in love with the Lil’Lockitz line, and the Selfie Set is a great place to start. Girls can customize their own locket with an assortment of gems, backgrounds, and charms to create unique jewelry to commemorate an occasion or share with a friend. It even comes with a picture puncher, so you can add perfectlyl-sized pictures of yourself and your friends for a really personalized piece. The set includes 2 Locket Tops, 2 Locket Backs, 2 Necklaces, 8 Charms, 6 Gems, 4 Backgrounds, Sequin Letters, Photo Puncher, Photo Stencil, Locket Crimper, and instructions.