Shopping Savings: Saving on Toy Trends

It can be hard to keep track of the hottest toys for kids because there are so many to pick from. Each year, it seems like there are bigger, better and more expensive toys on the market. I had a chance to interview Sara Skirboll, Shopping & Trends Expert at RetailMeNot, about the hottest toys for 2019. With her experience, she not only breaks down the toys all the kids want, but she also shares the best ways to save money on them.  

What are some of the newest hot toys this year?

• Boppi ‘The Booty Shakin’ Llama ($17.99) at Amazon or Target - Llamas have pretty much taken over as the new unicorn this year, and this colorful Boppi comes with three songs to move and twirl its head along to.
• Owleez ($38.99 at Target) -  Spin Master Owleez is an interactive pet that your kids can rescue, take care of and teach to fly. It is a nurturing toy that urges kids to feed, pet, rock it to sleep and more. It is a drone-flying owel, but in order to get it to fly, you need to take some time to train it.
• Rizmo ($49.99 at Amazon) - Released just in September, Rizmo is making headlines as the top toy of 2019. The plush toy is making its debut as the first-ever "evolving toy" and it sings and learns as it gets older. The more that children play with Rizmo, the faster it learns - plus it comes in 3 colors with 7 games.

What are some classic toys that remain popular?

Some toys that are making a comeback this year, but in different forms, are the Pinkfong Baby Shark Fingerlings, the Dreamworks Dragons Toothless Dragon Hatchimal, and the L.O.L. Surprise!. These toys keep making different versions and improving each year and the big trends we are seeing are interactive and "smart" toys that require some type of battery or charge and get smarter over time, as well as toys that are collectibles. 

How can parents plan their gift-giving budget for kid-friendly gifts that don't break the bank?

• Plan ahead & start early: Have a list ready of what you're buying and for whom and set a budget and make sure you stick to it and remember the early bird catches the worm! Start your shopping early in the morning if you’re looking for the best deals on specific items as stock might be limited on certain items.
• Two-step approach: Purchase a discount gift card for the retailer you plan to shop with to score an instant average savings of 10% or more. Combine the gift card with a promo code or cash back offer at check out to maximize your savings.
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• Utilize online product trackers: If you are shopping for toys specifically, use product trackers like zooLert, I4U and NowInStock to get instant updates on toy availability.
• Monitor social media: Be sure to follow your favorite retailers like Walmart and Gamestop for in-stock alerts and updates for toys and sign up for newsletters from retailers like Amazon and Target for the latest offerings.
• Call local stores: If you want to save yourself the time and hassle of driving to the store only to leave empty-handed, pick up the phone and call your local stores to see if they have toys in stock or when they plan to.
• Follow RetailMeNot: Hit that follow button on RetailMeNot’s Facebook and Twitter. We’ll be posting updates on availability and pricing!