$30

[Amatullah0]

If you only had 30$ for a toy(or toys) for your 6mo, and that was to be the only toy that they had for 3-4 months, what would you get/where would you shop?

[EviesMom]

Are books separate? What are the other items in the house that might be available as toys?

If the $30 doesn't include books, personally, I'd go with a small doll like a Minimo which can be chewed on, teethed on, and snuggled with, a ball, and a wooden rattle. I would look around the house for materials to make a see through fabric square for playing peek-a-boo, stuffing in and out of things, etc. and plastic bowls and spoons to use as a drum and play with in the bath, and eventually for pouring and play with rice/dry beans/etc.

If it should also include books, I would probably do 2 or 3 board books as well, probably from a barnes and noble bargain bin, whatever looks cute for $2-5. and I would do something cheaper on the rattle and ball to afford them.

These are amazon prices for reference, but might be cheaper other places.
Minimo: $11 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...8DBZ921WY5AZHF

Ball: $8
http://www.amazon.com/Rhino-Toys-100...9077567&sr=1-2 (less expensive playground ball from drug store would also be an option, I've seen them for $3 or so here)

Rattle: $10
http://www.amazon.com/Montgomery-Sch...9077626&sr=1-1
(these maracas have been a big hit at our house, and are less expensive particularly if you get them from a local store, the mom and me classes use them with 9 month olds: http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-M...078105&sr=1-14)

[sunshynbaby]

Personally, I would hit the thrift stores/garage sales and get more than one toy

[GreenGranolaMama]

Originally Posted by sunshynbaby

Personally, I would hit the thrift stores/garage sales and get more than one toy

Exactly what we are doing! $30 is close to what I'm spending on my 6mo...I got a wooden baby sled with the back part so I can tuck him in it for $20, I made him a super cute loveie bunny out of corduroy fabric scraps, and I got a wooden puzzle for $10. Here is the pattern I found for the bunny, SO cute! http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/bunny-pattern.html

[Amatullah0]

thanks pp! i totally forgot about thrift stores! i think of them for clothing, not so much toys.

i wanted to get him something new though too, ya know? i was looking at wooden rattles, etc, but i'm not sure which one would be best. and, how do wooden teethers work? is it pretty much the same as the wooden rattle, only sold for teething(and without the rattle noise?)

books kinda count, but not if they're cheap enough. :P also, we don't do stuffed animals/dolls. if you have a pattern for an amish-type doll, i'd be interested though!

[Just1More]

I'd get the Melissa and Doug shape sorter (covers blocks and puzzles and comes with 12 pieces), a ball, something to push, and a lift the flap basic animal book (Dear Zoo is a favorite around here). If I had enough left over, I'd consider a small wooden instrument set (maracas, bongo, triangle, etc.).

BUT...you can stack canned goods (or whatever), push around a cardboard box folded together and taped, surely you have a ball around there somewhere, you can go to the library for books, and you can make your own maracas, etc.

SO...what sounds the most fun for YOU to play with.

[lifeguard]

Blocks, balls, maracas & a stacking ring toy (we got ours at ikea) were/are ds' favourite. Anything soft or stuffed he could care less about.

[_betsy_]

I keep hearing really positive reviews for that Sophie the Giraffe teether. She runs about 25 bucks, though, I think. And if your baby doesn't really like it, you're out practically your whole budget.

[Biscuits & Gravy]

I would get a set of stacking cups. If you are not opposed to plastic, you can find a set for about $3 at babies r us. Discovery Toys makes a great set that is a little more expensive. You could do wood if you want to spend more. Stacking cups have been huge hits with both of my guys. Then I would find some kind of toy that consists of a large container that has smaller pieces that can be put in and taken out. Over and over. In our house that is a cardboard box and a set of coasters.

Sophie was just sort of "eh" for DS. But he has an older brother with much more exciting things to get at, so I think Sophie was boring in comparison.

[Ruthie's momma]

Your babe has the most fun with you! Toys can be simple and cheap. So, please don't worry. You will be able to get your LO several little gifts that will provide a lot of enjoyment.

*I agree with the plastic stack and count cups from Learning Curve Baby. DD's were purchased at BRU, too. She has had these cups for over two years! DD plays with them everyday...in the bath, with her Schleich animals (as little houses), as an addition to her tea set, with her cars, as hats for her dolls, and as ice skates......LOL!

http://www.learningcurve.com/product...3?locale=en_US

*Books!!! Scope out clearance racks, yard sales, used book shops and thrift shops.

*Blocks & pushing/pulling toy. Here is an ABC block cart from Melissa and Doug. It includes ABC blocks for building in a little wooden cart that can be either pushed or pulled.

http://www.melissaanddoug.com/dyn_pr...4&name=Classic

HTH!

[nukuspot]

I was going to say a Sophie the Giraffe or a Baby banana brush teether. They are both favorites here and less than 30 (but Sophie is just right around 23 dollars or so.)

[CrunchyMamaB]

One of my son's favorite toys right now is a clear plastic 2 liter bottle. I put colorful pony beads, feathers, and sequins inside, glue on the lid so he can't get it off, and he pushes it around, shakes it, mouths it, stares at it. He just started crawling so he chases it across the floor

I would spend my $30 on craigslist toys (be careful about recalls), but if I wanted brandnew I would definitely get some stacking nesting blocks or cups

[AKislandgirl]

Don't forget that Sophie is available here for about $17! Probably the best price you'd find for her.

You can get some silk scarves from Dharma Trading Company and dye them with kool-aid. My DD loves hers for peek a boo. The prices there are the best. Here is how to dye them.

We had an old set of dominoes that my dd loves to put in and out of her dump truck. A box would work in place of the truck! They are big enough to not be a choking hazard and are easy to clean!

DD is really into big chunky puzzles. We got ours as hand me downs. They are mellisa and doug brand.

I'm thinking of getting some bathtub toys from the soft landing. BPA free site.

Check garage sales, thrift stores, craigs list, etc...

[mamazee]

stacking cups, ball, blocks.

[Carhootel]

Originally Posted by mamazee

stacking cups, ball, blocks.

open ended toys are the best in my opinion. They last a long time and provide tons of enjoyment because you can do so much with them

[femalephish]

Originally Posted by Carhootel

open ended toys are the best in my opinion. They last a long time and provide tons of enjoyment because you can do so much with them

ditto. Check out etsy.com- Moms make the best toys!

[Katico]

I would spend a couple of dollars on colourful scarves ( silk if possible) from the thrift shop.

My DD absolutely LOVES this taggie book, it's $12
http://www.taggies.com/cgi-bin/estor...ntry?index=145

[fawnanddoe]

I second Etsy.com! I have found some really great stuff on there. Also craigslist, thrift stores, and Ikea has some super cheap toys too.

Ball, blocks, a few books, something that makes noise when you shake it. I am sure you can get a wide variety for $30! Good luck, let us know what you get!