I admit it, I can be pretty cheap. I don't like buying inexpensive, junky toys that break within a week but I also don't like spending a lot of money on a quality toy that I'm not sure my son will really spend time with. So I've been looking for a happy medium: well-made, long-lasting, small toys for a modest price.
Here are ten I like for different ages. Look for them first in your local shops so you don't end up spending as much on shipping as you did on the toy! If you're looking online for similar toys, shop smart by looking for sites that categorize toys by price (often $10 or $25 and less) or that allow you to sort them by price.
Top Row:
1. Wooden Canoe ($9.99)
2. Automoblox S9 Mini Sedan ($9.99)
3. Early Melodies Rhythm Set from Educo ($9.99)
4. Green Toys Jump Rope ($9.99)
5. Imaginarium Natural Wood Fire Engine ($7.98)
Bottom Row:
6. Wooden Giraffe Push Toy ($8.50)
7. HaPe Geo Form S-Mixed Shape Puzzle ($8)
8. Yoyo Harlequin ($9.50)
9. Fruit Puzzle ($10)
10. Balloon Racer ($6.50)
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I could not rave enough about automoblox minis. I have to say tho - they are cheaper when you buy them in three packs and the whole point of them is having multitudes of them, you you can change the wheels of the blue car with that from the red, you can connect all three cars together etc... they are designed to be a proper activity
At just $2 over the price range, I've gotta mention the Build-A-Racer ( http://t.co/uRNs9iL ) and Build-A-Train ( http://t.co/9UdLRLe ) by Jump Toys. These have given my Pre-K son many hours of enjoyment since Christmas '08!
And they're made in America!
Love this list!