4 Expensive Gifts Your Kids Don’t Want (And What To Buy Instead)
Written by
Jordan Rosenfeld
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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The holidays often bring out generosity in people. You want to wow, awe or enchant yours, or other people’s, kids with gifts they’ll remember for a lifetime.
However, kids are notorious for moving on quickly from items that lose their interest, which can be doubly disappointing if you spent a lot of money on something.
Instead of big splurges, remember that most kids are happy to receive gifts from people who love them at all, and there are often just as many affordable alternatives to anything that comes with a hefty price tag.
Here are four expensive gifts your kids don’t want and what to buy instead.
Don’t Buy SuperSpace Big Set
It’s tempting to give in to pricey play sets for kids, imagining that you’re not only buying them a fun place to let their imaginations run wild, but maybe some quiet time for you. The SuperSpace Big Set of movable, buildable panels certainly does look like fun, but at $399 that’s a steep price to pay for a couple hours of quiet play, and not superior to letting your kids build their own blanket and pillow fort for free.
Do Buy This Playroom Bundle
If you do like the idea of a private space your kid can call their own that doesn’t need to be deconstructed every time, consider Target’s Gathre Playroom Bundle, which includes a tent tunnel and ball pit for just $54.99.
Don’t Buy This Boardless Skateboard
Retailers are always trying to find new ways to market old ideas, and this Boardless Skateboard feels more like a gimmick than a useful form of fun transportation. Described as a cross between inline skates and a skateboard, and likely with a learning curve, for more than $100, it’s likely to be the kind of thing you find abandoned in favor of a bike or a real skateboard instead.
Do Buy an Actual Skateboard
If your kid is into skates or skateboarding, why not just skip the unnecessarily expensive toy and opt for a good old-fashioned skateboard or pair of skates? While skateboards can come in a wide variety of styles and prices, you can get a decent one for as low as $40 or less, such as this one from Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Don’t Buy This Snow Joe 24-Volt Ride-On Snow Plow
It’s tempting to want to wow your kids at the holidays with gifts they’ll remember for years to come, and you certainly might experience memorable delight with this Snow Joe kids rideable snow plow. The problem is, you’ll probably be the only one to remember it, at nearly $500, while your kids may get some fun riding on it, chances are they’ll quickly outgrow it, leaving you with one very expensive forgotten item.
Do Buy a Push or Electric Scooter
Instead, help your kids get fun physical activity with a push scooter, like this Mad Gear Cruzer from Walmart for under $40. Or, if you really want to take it up a notch for an older kid or teen, this electric Segway NineBot e-Kick retails from Amazon for around $107.
Don’t Buy This 3Doodler 3D Pen Set
What technology has done to toys is undeniably cool, and you can’t be blamed for wanting to fork out cash for something you’ve never bought your kids before, like this starter kit of a 3D Pen Doodler Set. It allows kids to bring drawings to “life” in three dimensions.
For $50, however, (and that doesn’t include the cost of refilling the pen) you might find that your kids are just as entertained by traditional pens, pencils, watercolors and other simple art supplies.
Do Buy Art Supplies
Stick with the tried and true, art supplies that will not only last a long time, but not require adult supervision or require expensive refills of supplies. You can invest $10-$20 in an art kit from Amazon with a variety of arts and craft supplies, or better yet, scrounge the house for things you can repurpose for free that kids can glue, cut, stick and draw on.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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