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Reader Tips - Kids

If you’re looking for lots of great tips to help you in your frugal journey, you’ve come to the right place! Our list of reader tips has been growing since we started in 2004, and there’s something for everybody. Browse from oldest to newest by type of tip.

Click a reader tip title below to view the full details.

Artistic Wrapping Paper

Saw your tips on the Today Show for gift wrap. I have a similar idea.

When my boys were young (now 19 and 16) they loved to paint pictures so I bought them the paper from office supply stores that comes in easel pads and when they were done with the pictures we used it for wrapping paper. They loved telling everyone that they had made the paper.

Tip type: Crafts / Decor, Kids
Instant "Apple Pie"

Cheap snack for kids! Take sandwich bread and top with applesauce and cinnamon. Make a sandwich and butter both sides. Cook like a grilled cheese sandwich. Sprinkle with sugar and you have an instant apple pie. The kids love it!

Tip type: Cooking, Groceries, Kids
Power Budgeting

As a single guy, saving to go to grad school, I’ve seen the value of sticking to a well defined budget. With careful planning I’ve been able to save between 30 to 40 percent of my income while still enjoying my lifestyle. Yes, I’ve eliminated a few “luxuries” but haven’t really noticed a decline in my enjoyment.

Tip type: Education, Kids
Nights and Days at the Museums

Buy a membership to a museum or aquarium. The total cost depends on how many you want to put on the membership. But, you'll save money after several uses. It also gives you places to take visitors when you have company. There discounts even at their gift shops. But one of the best things is that some memberships are honored at related museums in other states.

Tip type: Education, Entertainment, Kids, Vacations
Childhood Cancer Family — Hospital Camping

As a former Childhood Cancer family—Thank God remission continues to hold—but... we are oh sooooo very BROKE!

Saving on food Meals for parents and family members visiting the hospital get really expensive with 3 meals and snacks each day.

One way we found to get around some of that expense is to bring in 2 totes with lids (cold and dry storage) and a bag of ice and use them to store food in your child's room.

Include your beverage of choice (off brand pop, gatorade, juice, etc) cold cereal,

Tip type: Babies, Health Care, Kids, Shopping
Inexpensive Recreation Ideas

Recreation doesn't have to be expensive to be fun.

Try some of these ideas:

Tip type: Entertainment, Kids, Vacations
Toy Clutter Solution

All year long our kids leave toys and things throughout the house and we end up picking them up. To help our kids and our wallet we collect them and place them beyond the reach of the kids and hold them till Christmas time.

The large box is then wrapped with all the kids' names. The now actually ask for their toys back as part of their Christmas list. An added bonus is that some lovely toys are forgotten and become more interesting again when regifted to the child that owns them.

Tip type: Cleaning, Gifts, Kids
Postcards for Home

You find gift shops everywhere you go these days. My children are ages
5 and 7. They tend to want to get something as a souvenir whether we are at
the zoo, on a road trip, etc. To allow them to purchase something with their
allowance, but still avoid spending s too much, I have started a post card
album for each of them. When we are on vacation or a special day trip, they
can choose a couple of post cards to add to their album of memories. This is

Tip type: Entertainment, Kids, Vacations
Home Made Hand Wipes

I have found a good way to save on all those anti-bacterial wipes. I use an empty container and cut up paper towels, usually in four pieces, then roll them up, stuff them in, and pour rubbing alcohol over them so they are wet. Alcohol is a great anti-bacterial and you can find it for $ 0.50 - 1.00 a bottle. Great when you need to wash your hands. I use them a lot in the car.

Tip type: Cleaning, Health Care, Kids
Pass it Down and Pass it On

My little tip is to accept and pass on hand-me-downs. I saved every piece of clothing from my first son. Five years later I had my second one and here I am, using all the old clothes. I am now saving baby's clothes that don't fit him anymore to give out to a friend who is expecting.

Tip type: Babies, Clothes, Kids
Re-Selling Yard Sale Clothes

Whenever I go to yard sales where they have children's clothes and are doing "bag" sales ($1 to fill the bag), I buy up most of the kids clothes that are in good shape. I take them home and sort through them to see if there is anything that will fit my granddaughter. If not, I take the rest to a Kid-to-Kid location and trade them in for store credit. Then I can take my granddaughter shopping there for the clothes she needs. I did that the other day. I spent $4 and got $40 in store credit to spend!

Tip type: Clothes, Kids
Savings at Costco with Caution

I typically shop at Costco because I get more for my money. You can buy huge bags of certain produce, use some fresh and freeze the rest. Same with their chicken and Tiliapia. I put all my cereals, rice, snacks etc. into reusable large plastic storage containers so my children cannot see the brand and do not protest over it. If it's in a plastic container they never know the difference. I also find huge savings on buying my spices and coffee from Costco as well. Not only do we eat healthier but we save a lot of money too.

Tip type: Groceries, Kids, Shopping
Multiply Your Yard Sale Clothing Deals

Tip type: Babies, Clothes, Kids
Love of Books

“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world.
Love of books is the best of all.”

Jacqueline Kennedy

Tip type: Education, Kids
Groovy Party Ideas

My daughter recently had her 12th birthday party.

Tip type: Crafts / Decor, Entertainment, Gifts, Kids