Why do kids choose cheap toys over expensive ones?
By tanniebabe78
@tanniebabe78 (2934)
United States
May 1, 2007 2:07pm CST
We got the kiddo a new bike and helmet... lots of money spent this weekend. So I go yesterday to get some oil for the car and we see a bubble wand sword thing for 88 cents...
Now he will not ride the bike. He would rather play with the bubbles. He rode that bike once..... why do they do that??
4 people like this
8 responses
@pratu0708 (126)
• India
1 May 07
Kids dont really care if it is expensive or no, they just love the stuff they love, for them a simple bowl and spoon too is a great toy. I too bought a cycle for my girl for her birthday, first she was excited, now she has gone back to her first love bat and ball, and uses the cycle for the basket to collect flowers. Kids are kids but its nice to see them just love what they have irrespective of how much it is for!!!!!!!!!
@tanniebabe78 (2934)
• United States
1 May 07
That is true. lol. I guess it is a good thing that he liked the bigger bike and that they didn't have a smaller one. At this rate, he won't use it much. Especially once we get the 100 pc bubble set, I know he will love that one. And it will enable other kids to play with him, which is a nice thing.
2 people like this
@trinidadvelasco (11401)
• Philippines
4 May 07
it will be good for us to observe what makes our kids happy. that's what toys are for. it is good that you have recognized that bubbles can make your child happy and is thus considering the idea of buying some more, so more kids can participate in a bubble spree.
1 person likes this
@gabesmom (1246)
• United States
1 May 07
Children have very short attention span so they are easily distracted. They are also very curious that they will look and try to touch whatever is around. I have noticed that the simpler the toy is, the more my toddler will play with it. We bought him a keyboard and he played with the box instead. It took him some time to get comfortable with the keyboard. He now plays with it for a minute or two. I agree that children don't know which toy is expensive and which one in not. As long as there are a few things that they can play with, they'll leave us alone for a while.
@tanniebabe78 (2934)
• United States
1 May 07
Yeah, I'm not expecting him to know the prices of stuff, although he is incredibly smart. I would just think he would want to play with all of them. I was going to take him out back to the park and play with both bike and bubbles with him. AND sidewalk chalk too, but he about had a blooming FIT when I started to pick the bike up and take it with us, that is just what I'm meaning by my post.
1 person likes this
@calvin222 (1606)
• India
1 May 07
It is the novelty and the desire. if a kid really wants something he will enjoy it for longer before the novelty wears off. the price of a toy is of no consequence to them.
@tanniebabe78 (2934)
• United States
1 May 07
yes, but showing more than a passing interest in a bike would be nice. Shoot, I got a bike when I was young and I couldn't stay off it! I wanted to be out there riding on it even with lightning crashing all around, lol. I guess that is a difference between he and I...
1 person likes this
@trinidadvelasco (11401)
• Philippines
4 May 07
the bike and the helmet is not a toy for your child. for him, it is something that he has to use to commute. it is the equivalent of a car for a child. the bubble wand is what makes him happy, he can play with it. this is a toy for him. can you still recall how much you enjoy playing with bubbles while you were young? allow him to have the satisfaction of playing with bubbles, too. it is his time to have some funtime of his own.
you can still make your son ride that bike. just don't pressure him. time will come when he will be interested in it. just be patient.
1 person likes this
@tanniebabe78 (2934)
• United States
4 May 07
The bike and helmet aren't transportation for him, because he is only 4 years old. lol. He doesn't understand that he can go do stuff on the bike, and he won't be able to for another 3-4 years anyways. IF that. Depends on what this town is like then.
As for my childhood, I didn't play with bubbles. Or rarely. I rode my bike mostly. I also was more into physical play. Sports, running through the fields playing tag. Sometimes we would get out the cars and play in the sandbox or play house in the tree fort. Climbing trees and just hanging out was the absolute best!
I miss those days.....
1 person likes this
@cyrile07 (236)
• Philippines
4 May 07
well, its that they go for the inexpensive ones, its just sometimes kids go for the new toy :) and maybe thats what your kid really love the bubble sword, kids loves bubbles as well as adult right? so basically that's what kids do play the new toy compare the old ones :)
@tanniebabe78 (2934)
• United States
4 May 07
maybe, but the bike is brand new too. Just bought the day before. However, I have found out his MO.... He only wants to ride it when it storms out. Go figure!
1 person likes this
@mflower2053 (3223)
• United States
3 May 07
lol that is so true. No matter how many toys my daughter has she would rather play with stuff just around the house and has more fun with that then the toys she has.
1 person likes this
@tanniebabe78 (2934)
• United States
4 May 07
well the one thing he is consistant in playing with is his hot wheels.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
5 May 07
Kids have different values than adults. Often they appreciate the cheaper toys because (according to them) they allow them to be more creative. As adults we WANT to give our kids everything and we MEAN WELL when we buy them expensive big things, but kids haven't learned to think like that. They will appreciate the big stuff later. Don't take it personally, it's just how kids are.
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
6 May 07
Things usually work out for the best. A good question, though.
@tanniebabe78 (2934)
• United States
5 May 07
I'm not taking it personally. Sorry if it sounded that way, but its not. I was just asking a general question. Its how most of my posts are designed, as a general concept, kids DO choose the inexpensive stuff over the expensive stuff all the time.
I know he will come to love and appreciate the bike more later on. And I should really be grateful that he isn't into it more than he is, because I'm not in a condition to be chasing after him on it right now anyways. And won't be for the next 3 months at least.
1 person likes this
@tanniebabe78 (2934)
• United States
1 May 07
nah, he just loves to chase them. lol. Mine is not particularly artistic. He has crayons, paints and other artsy stuff, but he would rather play with cars (BIG racing fan) and video games. And apparently run after bubbles....
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