Toys Under $20 - Top 20 To Buy Now

I was in a brick and mortar store last night, one of the big box stores that I just love to go to late at night without the kids, and just walk around in the peace and quiet.  Honestly, as a full-time working mother of two, this is about as much quiet time as I get and I try and savor it.  So anyway, I was walking around, enjoying some quiet time and *bam!* here come the Christmas tunes.  Now I am no Scrooge, but the amount of Christmas that seems to be seeping into the stores before it is even Thanksgiving is a little over whelming. 

In the interest of getting the shopping over with so  you can enjoy the better things about the holiday- such as playing in the snow, making hot chocolate, decorating the tree, and enjoying the wonder in your children's eyes,  I have a few suggestions of toys under $20 that you can buy now, stuff in a closet to hide until wrapping time comes, and then not think about shopping for toys again until the next birthday rolls around. 

1. Easy Bake Oven & Snack Center by Hasbro (Includes 3 Mixes) - Currently 40%, this little wonder will have your children baking up a storm!  The little cakes are perfect for a tea party.

2. Speaking of tea parties, the Green Toys Tea Set is a must for pretending.  It is also made of recycled milk cartons, and a great value at over 30% off.

3. For older girls, the Paperoni Deluxe Studio is a great value at 50% off.  This tested really well with our toy testers in our Days of Play event.  It was easy and fun for tween girls.

4. A great family game, Sorry! Sliders is an update of an old favorite.  Right now it is marked down 40% and is a great addition to your family game night. 

5. Tween boys will love the Tech Deck Build a Park with Board Pack. This set lets them live their skating dreams indoors and on a smaller scale.

6. A great toy for preschoolers is the GloDoodle.  Great for long car rides at night, and also as a wind-down toy before bed, this is a fun and creative way to encourage some quiet play. 

7. Have a Hot Wheels fan?  The Color Shifters Blaster lets your little racer change the color of the car with ice cold water.

8. Need an activity for preschoolers? The Wild Planet Crayola Crayon Town Zoo Set will entertain multiple kids with it's cross-over playset and arts and crafts activities.

9. Bop It is a great game for teens and families.  It also makes a great party game, you could even take it to a holiday party as a hostess gift that everyone could enjoy while at the party.

10. Another great family games is Farkle. Right now you can get it for under $10.

11. Have a LEGO fan on your list?  How about the LEGO City Camper? For under $20 your little builder can go on a camping adventure with their mini-figs.

12. A very popular preschool learning toy this season is the LeapFrog Scribble and Write.  It's never too early to get a little education included with their play time.

13.  A very hot new doll line this year are the Moxie Girlz.  This Best Friends 2 pack is under $20 and would be great for two sisters or two best pals to share.

14. If you have a future fashion designer on your list, the Project Runway Design Projector kit is a great value and a great way to get her started on her future career.

15. A classic that was updated a bit for the movie Toy Story, The green Toy Soldiers set makes a great traveling toys and a great gift.

16. Another classic game that every child should play is Operation.  Right now, it is also a great value at $10. 

17. The GI Joe Movie Ninja Snake Eyes Figure would make a great gift for any of your action figure fans.  He is also just the right size to fit in a stocking.

18. Combining computer play and dinosaurs, the Xtractaurs Starter Kit, is creative fun that knows no bounds.

19. Another hot line of fashion dolls this year at the Liv Dolls.  They have a unique style and each come with a code that lets girls play online.  They also come with a long and short wig to let girls change the hair style of the dolls.

20. If you have a girl who likes to build, how about trying the Best-Lock Girls' Container Twinpack?  It comes with castle pieces and horses and is under $15.

Happy shopping and have a great weekend!

--Laura M.

Comments

[George on November 13, 2009 at 06:43 PM]

They aren't under $20 right now but once the supply catches up with the demand they will be - they are zhu zhu pets. Right now Amazon is about the only place that has them but they are one of the must have toys for Christmas.

[SteveS on November 14, 2009 at 03:40 PM]

Do not take Bop It on a trip in the car. Never. Ever.