How much do you spend on kids toys, books, and DVD’s?
If you’re like me, you love buying things for your child not only because he or she enjoys them but because you enjoy them as well. If my friends and I had not become parents, I’m sure the toy industry would be in a slump. How much money are you spending on toys, books, and DVD’s? Take our poll and see how you stack up against British parents.
From The Scotsman, June 10, 2005:
Britain’s children have turned their toy boxes into treasure chests - amassing £11,000 ($19,939 USD) of goodies by the time they are 16, according to new research.
Youngsters receive £715 ($1,296) worth of toys and games every year, worth a total of £8 billion ($14.5 billion) nationwide.
The average monthly spend per child is £37 ($67), rising to £96 ($174) for birthdays and £175 ($317) per child at Christmas. Scottish children receive more, with £42 ($76) of toys per month, £224 ($406) worth at Christmas and £116 ($210) on birthdays.
Many parents splash out more because they are under pressure from “pester power” children to keep up with the latest playground trends, according to the research. One in 20 resented buying toys linked to television programmes and films, saying they thought they were a waste of money, while 14 per cent of parents felt the same way about dolls and teddies, and the same proportion would not buy board games and puzzles.
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4 opinions for How much do you spend on kids toys, books, and DVD’s?
jenmcd
Jun 10, 2005 at 8:46 pm
Wow, it’s so hard to believe that I spend that much money on my son, but when you average out the birthday and holiday months, it is nearly US$50 per month. That is usually one movie ($15-20) and various little toys, plus the average of the big stuff two months a year.
Lei
Jun 10, 2005 at 8:58 pm
Really makes you think twice when you start tallying it up, don’t you think? Vietnam has cheap DVD’s (p*rated *wink*) so I save a lot of money there.
Stef
Jun 19, 2005 at 11:16 am
we spend a lot (~$200/mo) because we’re homeschoolers, plus I figure with 4 kids it will all come out cheaper in the long run.
Lei
Jun 19, 2005 at 8:04 pm
Stef - With four kids, you technically only spend $50/kid per month! ;) Still below the UK average.
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