How do you handle limiting souveniers for small children?

[JanaV]

We told the kids (9 and just 4) ahead of time that they would each get $50 for the week. Anything they wanted beyond breakfast, lunch or dinner would come out of their $50; ice cream bars, t-shirts, goofy hats, etc. We were amazed at how frugal they were. They actually ate LESS junk food because they didn't want to spend their money for it. Dd spent the whole thing on a Minnie Mouse dress that she just loves and she had no regrets! It was a great lesson and I was very proud of them.

 

[Lady V]

We just tell our kids that they can have one big special thing, no matter what it is. The only catch is that everyday when they say they want something we tell them to remember it and if they want it at the end it can be thier special treat. It saves a lot of $!! The first year my daughter ended up with a 10 $ bracelet and my son a 40 game. this past year it cost about 40 a child. Much cheaper than little junky things everyday and the big stuff tends to get played with more.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Our kids are pretty good with the I wants. They are 4,2,1. They usually have their eye on one item as soon as we get there so we usually get them that and a few other things. Other than that we just say no. They aren't always thrilled, but let me assure you that my kids have way more than they and 20 other kids need. They are usually so busy that they don't even give it a second thought. We also don't spend hours shopping so that probably helps.

 

[dpuck1998]

We do what many have already said, we give them money (depending on how long we are there) at the start and when its gone no more stuff. I often buy them shirts/hats (because I like them ) We've been doing this since they were about 3 and they do quite well with it. My oldest even brought some money back last time to buy something else he wanted at home.

 

[Honeymooner04]

I thought I would add my .02 even though my daughter has a while (I hope) before she starts the "gimmes". I plan on using the same technique on her as I use on myself in that we can look all we want all week but we wait till the end of the vacation to do the big shopping. I have no idea if this will work with her but that's what I'm going to try!

 

[widallas]

My kids each earn an allowance each week, plus a "buck" with their name and picture on it (made on the computer) for each week they complete their chore charts or if they've done something special. These can ONLY be used to do stuff, i.e. go to the movies, go bowling, hit the water park....things they love to do and are willing to work for. They love them.

This year, we're planning a surprise trip to Disney, and I'll be bringing their "bucks" to use to buy whatever they want. They only earn about $20-25 over 6 months, so it's enough for them to pick out one thing they really want. (And if they run short, they can earn some bucks while they're there, too!

Good luck!

 

[bctripp]

My kids are so used to me telling them "No" at home, that they handeled it well at Disney. I guess i'm the grinch or something. That being said, they spent about $50 each at Disney. I have a few favorites of what they have gotten before. DD5 got the box of my little pony stuff from Downtown Disney, and she's gotten the potato head box before too (about $20 for either one). Also, we like the litttle plastic character cups, they were only like $5 I think. Best advice is to avoid the stores. We did most of our shopping on the last 2-3 days. Set a limit for speding before you leave home. I think making the coupons would be a good idea, or getting some Disney Dollars.

 

[dpuck1998]

Since we are going in Jan. I had grandma buy them gift cards. She wanted to get them for toysrus anyway so I told her to get disney instead. You can get them online and they work in the parks/resorts. So they will get to use this money for anything they want. Be sure you get the ones that are good in the parks and not the "online only" cards.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I am pretty good at limiting with my kiddos but this will be their first trip. LOL! I plan on letting them get one shirt, a pair of ears and then one other thing of their choosing.

 

[hollyb]

I am pretty good at limiting with my kiddos but this will be their first trip. LOL! I plan on letting them get one shirt, a pair of ears and then one other thing of their choosing.

So really they only get 1 thing that they want, you get 2 things that you want? What fun is that for them?

 

[Lovemy3babes]

So really they only get 1 thing that they want, you get 2 things that you want? What fun is that for them?

No, those are things they already mentioned they want before we've even left. So, they'll get 3 things they want.

 

[rt2dz]

I haven't read all the posts (Maybe 1/2 - 2/3?), but here is how we handle it:

We decide what we are purchasing upfront and let the kids know that. This might be shirt/hat, autograph book, pressed penny book, the foam dinosaurs, whatever we decide on.

Then we give the kids either a $ amount or # of items that they can pick out through the week. They can either budget the money or save up and decide what things they want most. Which we choose just kind of depends on how much we have budgeted for "stuff".

Also, we do pressed pennies. I save the good pennies and quarters in a jar between trips. When those pennies and quarters are gone, so are the pressed pennies they get. It is usually a sizable amount, and with 3 kids that is needed. They tend to pool their pennies and split them up at the end of the trip. This is wonderful for keeping the "I wants" away, as they feel like they are constantly getting something. Really great with the littler ones.

Another way to avoid the "I wants" is to take advantage of the free things--Epcot & AK Kid stations for example. Not only are they having fun doing something, but they are walking away with things.

As far as snacks go. That is part of our food budget and we pay for that. We are not going to make the kids pay for their Mickey bars or popcorn. We do limit how much junk they get, but that has to do with making healthy eating choices v. money. Yes, we spulrge on vacation, but we don't just jump out of the plane without a parachute either.

Other than that, if they want something, they have to use their own money. They get to make the choice of how to spend their own money period. Yes, we take a portion for charity & into savings to teach them money management. But part of money management is choosing how to spend the rest any way they want.

ETA--some things are reuasble every trip (ie, mouseears, Goofy hat, certain toys). We also have the rule that souvies must say the name of the place on them, with a few minor exceptions. I will not buy something I can buy at Walmart are half the cost. Or something that could have come from anywhere.