Inexpensive things that look more for 2.5 year old

[Itsamumone]

We have got him a bike already, and it’s more than we intended to spend (it’s a good one) 😥 So now I’m just thinking he’s going to walk in on Christmas morning to only one gift. What else could we get him that would be exciting for him but not end up another couple of hundred pounds

Aldi has just brought out all of their wooden stuff for Christmas which is lovely, train sets etc. Tesco do the big playdoh tubs half price on Clubcard around this time every year too which looks impressive and was about £15 last year I think.

I always find Vinted great for toys

Lots of fantastic books in charity shops. FB marketplace is good for toys, too.

You could go to a charity shop and pick up all sorts for a bargain. Anything from trains to duplo.

Books, PJs with his favourite characters on them, cheap toys.

The books and toys don't need to be new.

Got to bnm or pound shops - great for some value toys. Also yes to market place and Vinted

Pop up tent.
torch.
cooking bowl, and tin and a cake mix
sand in a big plastic tub, add cornflour and baby oil, plus a dustpan and brush.
bath toys.

Make a fort out of cardboard boxes, get some books from a charity shop and cheap sweeties and cars from Poundland. They have no idea about Christmas at 2.5, savour not having to spend much at this age as I think it gets harder when they are teenagers.

I said he’d like playdoh so will keep an eye out for this

I buy loads of clothes on there but hadn’t seen the toys, will have a look

The Leap Frog Scoop and Serve is great and there's usually lots on Marketplace second hand for a decent price.

A stocking full of little bits of tat. At 2 years old he really won't care what it all is.
Flying Tiger, Sostrene Greene, B&M, The Range. Even supermarkets.

Chocolates
Socks
Toy cars/trains/trucks
Teddies/soft toys
Colouring books
Arts and crafts
Crayons/pens/pencils
Mini games

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My son loved this at about that age! Hours of fun!!!

Have a look on Facebook marketplace. I’ve just done a big clear out of our playroom and I’m sure lots of others have done similar at this time of year.

Not a pitch for my stuff as it will take me forever to take photos and get around to posting ads on fb 😆 But the kind of stuff I’ve got in my garage waiting still look new (things like a sit on Bobby Car, Medium Paw Patrol Tower, LeapFrog ice cream cart, big Little Tikes car transporter) and are perfect “big” gifts that don’t cost so much secondhand.

P.s. My DC still love big empty boxes more than anything else!! 😂

Also this with a big pack of crayons/pens!! We had the castle a couple of years ago and my DC loved it!!

Ordering this now! Thanks

Another good shout!

Check out Vinted and charity shops - for the latter you do need to keep going in regularly. I’ve picked up so much stuff over the years for DS(8) since he was a toddler. New or nearly new condition toys and books, some of which has been quite pricey new.

Argos’ Chad Valley range usually always has deals on.

I'm the same with charity shops, I pop into the local ones at least once a week and can usually pick up quite a lot for birthdays and Christmas.

DS is the same age. Very small budget this year due to being on maternity leave with DC2.
We have got him a wooden tool set (google Montessori tool set) that’s like wooden Meccano. About £20. Other things:
Crayons
Stickers (Home bargains for 69p)
Slinky (£2 from the Works)
Puzzles (looks unused from charity shop under £1)
Book (as new Zog from charity shop again under £1)

We are also getting more Magnatiles to add to the starter set we got last Christmas, this will make it up to 100 pieces but the starter kits on offer for about £25.

We've got a small expensive main present too so we got a toddler shopping trolley (no food!) And he literally puts everything in there but it's great for his imagination of shop.

We also got him one of the Melissa and doug dress up sets because they again come in a huge bag and look lots bigger than they are.

I buy alot of stuff secondhand. Actually our 3 year olds main presents are both secondhand. A dollshouse that retails at £299, i got for £25 and a bike that's usually well over £150 for £40. Both in great condition. Aldi have got 99p books at the moment with duggee, peppa and bluey. Their wooden toys are worth a look. Not loads left in store but when i went yesterday they had the detectives set and hair dresser set and a toy hospital (like a garage with extras) both weren't expensive but looked good. We got some of their play shop food last year and its good. Go on marketplace and find a toy trolley or shopping basket and till and thats a great gift. We're always playing shop.

I also go to home bargains for craft stuff. Sticker books and colouring books in there are like 79p. Some nice Crayons. Great for fillers to bulk out presents and useful too for car journeys or rainy days. They always get used.

I check out smyths and the like for things i think she might like then search vinted and fb marketplace for them. Kids have no idea whats new or secondhand so why waste money on packaging? I know someone has to buy new for something to be secondhand. But honestly the amount of toys listed new, nearly new or whatever is huge.

Also it pays to be organised. Pick up things as you see them on fb and vinted. I started in June and just stick them in my wardrobe. Also i clear out throughout the year. Toys and clothes on vinted. Keep the vinted balance and buy stuff as i see it later on. So only spending what i've made.

A 2.5 year old shouldn’t know what expensive is….just get some charity shop bits

Sticker books and those sheets that change colour after you write on them with a water filled 'pen'. And another vote for second hand. My girls had two Playmobil princess castles which retailed at eye watering prices for the bargain cost of about £25 second hand. Quick wipe over with antibac and all wonderful.

Charity shops are your friend, they don't care if it's second hand plus it's environmentally sound