Business & Finance

Frugal Gifts for Kids

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A frugal gift for a kid is a gift that will get used again and again – and often that's not the latest toy or gadget. Check out these can't-put-'em down gift ideas:

1. An Ice Cream Maker

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Making ice cream is fun, but it's even more fun when it's made inside of a ball while you play. Purchase an ice cream ball for your little one, and let the games begin!

Popsicles are a kid favorite, and they couldn't be easier to make. Pick out a popsicle mold for your small fry (Tovolo has some great ones), and start experimenting with all of the various flavor combinations.

Popsicle Recipes

3. Art Supplies

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Crayons, paper, paint and other art supplies are a great kid gift because they encourage creativity and they don't create long-term clutter. Look for a kit with something a bit unexpected, like color-change markers, and your gift is sure to earn rave reviews.

4. Slippers

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Warm, snuggly slippers are a great gift for the young and old alike. Pick out a pair that's a bit quarky, and they're sure to get worn and worn out. The Slipper Genie pair pictured at left features chenille soles that clean the floors as your kiddo walks (er, runs) around the house.

5. Bath Stuff

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Make bath time fun with body paints, bath crayons, and fizzies, and your kiddos will be begging for more tub time.

6. Reusable Sandwich Bags

Photo © Erin Huffstetler

Spiffy up their lunchboxes and cut out plastic bags by giving your kiddos some reusable sandwich bags, like the ones pictured at left, and sold by Repac.com.

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7. A Sewing Kit

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Sewing is a very useful skill, and it's one that's best fostered at a young age. Pick out a sewing basket for your little one, and fill it with enough sewing supplies to get her started. Then, spend a few afternoons teaching her the basics.

8. Worms

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Order a couple pounds of worms, and get your kids started with worm composting. It's just creepy crawly enough to earn you major cool points.

9. A Tool Kit

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Fix-it skills are invaluable. Buy your kiddo a tool kit with real, kid-sized tools, and start teaching him (or her) what to do with them.

10. Gardening Tools

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Pint-sized garden tools are just the thing to turn a kid on to gardening. The Toysmith Garden Tool Set pictured at left sells for just $5.89 on Amazon, and are made of metal and wood (not plastic).