Keep The Holidays Happy and Affordable With These 16 Kids’ Toys Under $30
Nothing beats the look on your kids’ faces as they rip the wrapping off a gift and discover it’s exactly what they wanted.
But sometimes those most sought-after toys cost top dollar. A $149 Paw Patrol fire truck or a $179 Barbie DreamHouse won’t make it onto cost-conscious parents’ holiday shopping lists.
A National Retail Federation consumer study says shoppers will spend an average of $637.67 on gifts this year, but you can spend less — much less — without resorting to off-brand, outdated or uncool toys.
We dug through lists for the hottest toys of the year as designated by three big-box retailers — Walmart, Target and Kmart — and found 16 gifts that cost less than $30.
Using those retailers’ lists and our $30 price threshold, we came up with our own list of affordable — but desirable — kids’ holiday gifts. Below we disclose the cost of each toy (before any sales promotions) and tell you which store (or stores, in some cases) selected the gift as a top toy for 2018.
Shop from the list below and you’ll be able to please the kiddos without compromising your budget.
Note: The prices of these toys were as of Oct. 30, 2018.
1. Treasure X Adventure Pack
![](https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/13140036/Affordable-Gifts-for-Kids-10.jpg)
Your little treasure hunters will need to peel layers, dig through sand and add water to uncover all the surprises in this adventure pack. Find it at Walmart for $8.92.
2. Pikmi Pops Surprise! Pikmi Flips
This furry plush friend is reversible and sweet-scented. Find it at Walmart for $9.88.
3. Lost Kitties Blind Box Multipack
It may look like a milk carton, but inside this multipack are five Lost Kitties figurines, five meme stickers and 10 tiny accessories — all hidden inside globs of dough your kids can reshape into their own creations. Find it at Walmart for $14.88.
4. Little Live Pets Wrapples
This furry creature giggles, purrs and wraps around kids’ wrists like a slap band. Choose from four characters. Find it at Walmart starting at $14.97.
5. Hairdorables Doll
This miniature doll is great for kids who like to experiment with different hairstyles. Each comes with 11 surprise accessories to unwrap. Find it at Kmart for $15.99.
6. Tic Tac Tongue Game
![A boy smiles while playing a game](https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/13140050/Affordable-Gifts-for-Kids-21.jpg)
This game uses masks to transform players into lizards, with the objective of knocking down insect cards with their tongues. This game is exclusive to Target and costs $17.99.
7. Baby Alive Sweet Spoonfuls Doll
Your child can pretend to be Mom or Dad with this doll who eats, drinks and requires diaper changes. Find it at Target starting at $19.99.
8. Monopoly Cheaters Edition
In this version of the classic board game, Monopoly players can get handcuffed if they’re caught cheating. Find it at Kmart for $21.99.
9. Drone Force Terra-Sect
![A boy plays with a remote control vehicle](https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/13140010/Affordable-Gifts-for-Kids-3.jpg)
This remote-controlled, all-terrain toy rolls, flips and crawls in any direction. Find it at Walmart for $24.88.
10. Harry Potter Interactive Wizard Training Wand
Your kid can be a wizard in training, learning spells and casting magic with a wand that lights up and makes sounds. There are four varieties of this toy for your child to pretend to be: Harry Potter, Hermione, Dumbledore or Lord Voldemort. Find it at Walmart for $24.88.
11. Sunny Day Sunny Styling Head
Budding stylists can try out different hairdos on this life-size Sunny Day head. Find it at Kmart for $26.99.
12. Zoom Tubes Car Trax
This racing set comes with over 12 feet of tubular tracks and a remote-controlled car that lights up. Find it at Walmart for $28.88
13. Fingerlings HUGS
![A girl plays with a pink doll](https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/13140014/Affordable-Gifts-for-Kids-6.jpg)
If your kids fell into the Fingerlings craze last year, they’ll probably love this version — a huggable plush toy that talks and makes sounds. Find it at Walmart for for $29.84 or at Target for $29.99.
14. Incredibles 2 Jack-Jack Attacks Action Doll
The youngest member of the Incredibles shows off his super powers as an action doll that lights up, makes sounds and comes with a raccoon toy to fight off. Find it at Walmart for $29.84.
15. Cool Maker KumiKreator Friendship Bracelet Maker
Your child can make up to 10 multicolored friendship bracelets with this set. Find it at Walmart for $29.97 or at Target for $29.99.
16. Lupita Doll and Book Box Set
![A girl reads a book in the park](https://cdn.thepennyhoarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/19130037/Affordable-Gifts-for-Kids-11.jpg)
This plush Lupita doll comes with a 35-page bilingual book (written in English and Spanish) that encourages children to be kind throughout the holiday season. This item is exclusive to Target and costs $29.99.
Nicole Dow is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.