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When it comes to buying toys for kids, age guidelines are a good starting point, but knowing your child’s interests and abilities is the best way to pick out the right playthings. "Even if a toy isn't what your kid wants right away, don’t immediately discard it. Children's abilities and interests change over time, so if you keep it around for three to six months, your child may grow into it," says Dr. Kennedy-Moore.

The best toys for kids encourage creative and active play, building fine motor skills as well as social skills. They should also be durable and able to be played with for a long period of time. Luckily, there are plenty of toys to choose from, even when you’re on a tight budget. In fact, we've rounded up the top five kids toys under $25 that every kid will love (and actually use).

For your favorite kid who loves to dress up and pretend, get them this Melissa & Doug mix-and-match styling set. They’ll be able to create their own unique outfits with this colorful toy, which includes a variety of accessories like hats and scarves.

If your little one is a big Sesame Street fan, you can’t go wrong with this two-pound weighted sensory Elmo plush. Studies have shown that cuddling weighted stuffed animals can help reduce stress levels and anxiety.

A game that’s perfect for kids who love to compete and challenge their friends, this brain-building kit features over 500 interlocking plastic disks in a huge array of vibrant colors. Unlike other similar products that only allow for one specific creation, the KidKraft Build-a-Blocks Deluxe Set allows players to use their imagination and make whatever they want.

This fun game is a great addition to any family gathering, with just two players required. This fast-paced card game revolves around matching spoken words with the right cards on the center pile. It’s easy to travel with and can be played anywhere, making it a must-have for any parent looking for a new family game.

A fun twist on classic Monopoly, this slap-down version of the board game is ideal for kids ages 4 and up. This fast-paced game requires speed and strategy, as players race to slap down their pieces before their opponents do. It’s the perfect family-friendly game for any holiday or birthday party.

The holidays and birthdays are coming up, so now is the time to start thinking about gifts for kids. And, although it may seem counterintuitive, you don't have to spend a fortune to bring a smile to their face.

In fact, a good gift doesn't have to cost more than $25. After scouring the best-selling toys, reviewing top-rated items and speaking with child development experts, we rounded up these fun and affordable kid's gift ideas that are all under $25.

Shopping Smart: The Top 5 Kids Toys Under $25

Whether your kid is into Barbies or Legos, there is something for every kid on this list. From a popular new board game to a dinosaur figure to an adorable new toy that will keep their rooms tidy, these budget-friendly gifts will impress the kid in your life without breaking the bank.

A number of factors can contribute to consumers' satisfaction with their marketplace transactions, including the sense that they have obtained bargains and price savings. Some of these factors include the use of coupons or other promotional incentives, the effort a consumer invests in searching for promotions (e.g., comparing prices or making purchases in multiple stores), and the satisfaction that a consumer feels with their ability to effectively search for and attain discounts (e.g., using a store discount card or knowing where to find a good deal).

To make it even easier for shoppers to feel satisfied with their transaction experience, retailers have created a variety of promotions and other incentive programs designed to increase consumers' perceptions of value and satisfaction with their shopping experiences. These incentives and strategies, which are often described in the media as "smart shopping," can help encourage consumers to engage in behavior that will lead to more favorable outcomes, such as obtaining price reductions or purchasing more products than they would otherwise purchase at full retail.

These incentive programs also have the potential to provide a wealth of psychological and social benefits for consumers, including hedonic satisfaction, self-esteem, and self-image enhancement, as well as feelings of control and achievement (e.g., the hedonic effects of finding a bargain or getting the "best deal"). However, despite the many motivations and rewards associated with shopping smart, not all consumers are able to realize these benefits because not everyone has the requisite skills to successfully seek out bargains and discounts. In order to maximize the benefit of these types of incentive and promotion programs, consumers must possess a series of market-specific knowledge and skills, including couponing techniques, product comparison skills, and effective information searching and retrieval strategies. This book will provide instructors with the tools they need to teach their students these market-specific knowledge and skill sets in a fun, engaging and interactive way. The instructor's guide features illustrated, reproducible step-by-step sequences of grocery and department store shopping and related skills like planning for shopping, dressing right, unpacking at home and more. The book also includes 288 full-color laminated Shopping Cards that illustrate food, cleaning, personal care and clothing items.