Dad Hacks: How to Save Money on Toys Without Your Kids Noticing

As a working dad, I get it. You want to make your kids happy and you don’t want to waste energy you don’t have arguing. But you also don’t want to blow your budget on plastic dinosaurs and dolls with questionable hairlines. 

The good news? You can keep your kids entertained without emptying your wallet. Here’s how to be the fun dad and the smart dad when it comes to toys.

1. Embrace the Preloved Toy Life

It took me years to convince my wife to try to visit an op shop (she’s not from Australia so the concept wasn’t quite as culturally-ingrained.) When she finally did, man did it change our lives.

After all, why buy brand-new when there’s an army of second-hand toys out there waiting for a new home? Hit up online toy exchanges, Facebook Marketplace, or even your local op shop. Kids don’t care if a toy came with a price tag or not – they just want something new (to them).

Better yet, Sassybae makes it even easier to swap toys with other parents who are also drowning in clutter. It’s a win-win – your kid gets something new, and you clear out the old without spending a cent.

2. Visit a Toy Library (Yes, It’s a Thing!)

Imagine a place where your child can take home a LEGO set, a dollhouse, or a ride-on car… without you paying a cent. Enter: toy libraries.

These hidden gems exist in many communities, letting parents borrow toys the way you’d borrow books from a regular library. In fact, some regular libraries also offer toys for loan – be sure to check if it’s been a while since you last visited.

It’s a great way to keep things fresh for your kids without cluttering your house or draining your bank account. Plus, no more buyer’s remorse when your kid gets bored with a toy after two days.

3. Make Swaps a Family Tradition

Got cousins or friends with kids? Start a toy swap group. Every few months, gather up the toys your child has outgrown and trade them for new ones. It keeps playtime exciting, teaches kids about sharing, and stops you from wasting money on new stuff.

If you don’t have a network for this, online toy swapping apps (like Sassybae) make it easy to connect with other parents looking to do the same.

4. Choose Toys That Last (Not Just What’s Trending)

Kids’ toy trends come and go faster than your ability to build IKEA furniture. Instead of giving in to every new fad (and boy are there a lot of them), invest in quality, sustainable toys that will actually get used.

Some timeless picks:

• Wooden blocks (they survive everything – even tantrums)

• LEGO (good for all ages and has resale value!)

• Art supplies (hours of entertainment for minimal cost – although you might need to do some cleaning)

• Dress-up clothes (instant fun for years. Hit up your local cheap shop at Halloween for years of costume supplies very cheaply)

Opting for environmentally friendly toys also means they can be passed down to younger siblings or resold when your kid moves on.

5. DIY Toys (Because You’re Handy Like That)

You don’t have to be a Pinterest dad to make DIY toys work. Some of the best fun comes from homemade activities, and they often cost next to nothing.

Here are a few quick ideas:

• Cardboard box = spaceship, race car, or dollhouse. A black marker is all you need for the final transformation

• Old socks = hand puppets

• Empty plastic bottles = fill them with rice and sprinkles for colourful shakers

Your kid gets a toy and you get to flex your creative dad muscles. Win-win.

6. Buy Smart: Sales, Outlets, and Membership Deals

When you do buy toys, make sure you’re not paying full price like an amateur.

• Wait for sales: Retailers like Kmart, Big W, and Target regularly have toy discounts. In Australia, you’ll usually have a mid-year toy sale. Otherwise, you can expect sales around Black Friday, right before Christmas, and Boxing Day.

• Check outlet stores: Some brands have clearance stores where you can get toys at a fraction of the price.

• Join loyalty programs: Many stores offer reward points or members-only discounts that can score you some solid savings.

Pro Dad Move: If you know a birthday is coming up, buy during a sale and stash it away until the big day.

Smart Dads, Happy Kids (and Happier Wallets)

At the end of the day, saving money on toys isn’t about depriving your kids. It’s about being strategic. By swapping, borrowing, and buying smart, you can keep your little ones entertained without constantly draining your wallet.

So next time your kid begs for a new toy, remember: there’s a better way. Hit up a toy library, try toy swapping, or embrace the beauty of preloved toys. Your bank account (and your sanity) will be much better off for it!