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Too many birthday parties. Too expensive. Seven high quality gift ideas for less than $10

By Mara Kaplan

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 13Jan2009
Word count: 832
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Once upon a time, there was a "rule" about birthday parties; if your child is turning 2—invite 3 guests, if your child is turning 5—invite 6 guests. The number of guests should be your child's age, plus one.

Those days of easy and small parties are gone. The days when you might only need to purchase 4-5 birthday gifts a year are gone. We all know why. There is a new rule. This rule says you must invite everyone in your child's day care, nursery school, preschool or kindergarten class. Unlike the old rule, which was just common sense, this new rule is written in the MANUAL.

Now you are expected to purchase anywhere from 6 to 20 birthday gifts a year. Not only is this time consuming. It is expensive. You end up buying whatever is cheap, which often means it is not a great toy. Often the child isn't even interested in what he has received or the birthday parent does not let their child play with the gift. It is lose-lose.

Here are seven suggestions for high quality birthday gifts for under $10. This a win-win solution to inexpensive birthday present buying. These are great birthday gift ideas for both boys and girls. These are perfect for 4, 5 and 6 year olds.

1. Oceans of Fun Wikki Stix--Wikki Sticks stick together with just fingertip pressure. They are endlessly reusable. They will not pull apart and cut easily with scissors. Clean and easy to use-no preparation, no mess. Oceans of Fun comes with 48 Wikki Stix, 4 colorful fish to decorate, 2 dowels, 2 large ocean scenes to complete, a matching activity, a maze and interesting information on fish.

2. Make your own cards from Made by Hands--This perfect product was created by two moms, who got tired of buying craft kits for birthdays and finding out there was no creativity in them. The only thing you got was the picture on the box. The Make Your Own Cards Includes 10 Note Cards, 10 Envelopes, Over 250 Pop-Outs, 1 Glue Stick, And a sturdy, portable box. The Pop-Outs are what makes this product and all of their other projects so great. They are already cut out shapes in multiple colors. All the child needs to do is to use the glue stick and glue the shapes down in any way they want.

3. Rainbow Brush Intro Pack--Rainbow Brushes are amazing markers. They are the world's first patented color blending markers that can clip together and be squeezed to blend colors and create rainbow effects. With Rainbow Brush techniques you can create amazing lettering and designs including flowers, butterflies and fish. Included are five markers and an instruction DVD.

4. Thinkfun Rush Hour Jr.--After setting up their game board according to pictures on various challenge cards, players steer their ice cream truck through a jumble of blocking cars, trucks and buses. A playful theme and 40 age-appropriate challenges will keep even the most restless child captivated for hours. This is appropriate for 6-8 year olds.

5. The Skipper by Just Jump It--This is a physically remarkable toy that can be played indoors and out. It encourages coordination, agility, and refines motor skills. Swung around the ankle and hopped over by the opposite food creates and ongoing motion. They come in many vibrant colors and are engineered so the ball will not come off, and the loop is steadfast.

6. Zome Tool—Bubble Kit--Ever seen a square bubble? Build basic 3-D shapes to dip into soap solution and create amazing bubbles. Full color instructions make bubble-sculpting a breeze. The kit includes 72 parts: 12 white nodes, 36 each of 3 lengths blue struts, 12 each of 3 lengths yellow struts and 12 each of 3 lengths red struts, and step-by-step color instructions packed in a convenient plastic jar.

7. Insect Lore Critter Carnival--This amusement park for bugs is the ultimate bug playground! Find some bugs and watch them play and perform in the zany carnival bug-play area with a slide, swing, maze, tightrope, Ferris Wheel, and teeter totter. Then let them go after the show. Escape proof domed habitat provides 360 degree views and features an extra larvae built in magnifier lid. A great observations habitat for ladybugs, pillbugs, grasshoppers..... it's the insects' own one-ring circus!

Listed above are art and science activities, games, and gross motor toys. These toys appeal to different children, so you will want to think about what will appeal to the child for whom you are purchasing. A highly quality toy is great, but not if the child isn't interested in it.

All of these toys come highly reviewed and many have won prestigious toy awards. Most of the descriptions for the toys come from the manufacturer and at the time this article was written, you could purchase each toy for under $10.

Mara Kaplan recommends and reviews high quality toys to ensure that children are learning from their play. A longer list of recommended birthday gifts for under $15 is available  www.letkidsplay.com/choose_a_toy.html

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