Fun, frivolous or practical--these toys won't take a huge bite from your Christmas budget. Plus, take advantage of a board game rebate from Hasbro.
Board games
A generous rebate from Hasbro Inc. toy company makes board games even more attractive, not to mention thrifty, gifts this Christmas. Jamie Lee Curtis has signed on as a celebrity spokesperson to promote a mail-in rebate ranging from $2 to $3 on each of 12 games, including Clue, Monopoly and Life. Ages: 7 and up. Price range: $8 - $15.
Roll your way to a pint of homemade ice cream with no electricity or cranking. Fill one end of the ball with rock salt and ice and add ice cream ingredients to the other end. Pass the ball back and forth to a friend or roll it around yourself. A cold pint of ice cream is ready in 20 minutes. Perfect for the beach, camping, or a rainy day at home. All ages. Lowest price: $24.99.
Pretend Food
Kids can’t resist a turn at waiting tables or acting as the family fry cook. Plastic and wooden food sets are sturdy and last through numerous siblings. Parents are sure to prefer the healthy food sets. Food that “peels” and “slices” adds another layer of fun. Ages 2 – 6 years. Price range: $8 - $25.
This engaging game has decreased in price with the release of a new DVD version. In the standard electronic game, kids move from different pads with colors, shapes and pictures on them following the directions from a recorded voice on the game console. The player standing the winning pad at the end of each game takes a victory jump, performs a funky dance or takes a bow. The youngest players get practice learning their colors and shapes while they play. Older kids enjoy the challenging “Hullabaloo moves” that find them in Twister-like positions.
Ages 4 – 10. Best price: $19.89
Classic Hot Wheels Tracks
The versatility of the original orange tracks for racing Hot Wheels cars beats the newer, fancier battery-powered versions. Just fit these together and suspend the tracks from the top of the sofa. Watch as gravity sends your speedsters flying. Ages 4 and up. Prices vary. Kmart sells them in their stores, but not on their website. Tracks crop up on Ebay regularly.
tags: Christmas toys, inexpensive Christmas toys
