Spending Budget for kids?

[tinkerhon]

Got my DS a GoHenry card - actually his says GoDylan )
I love it , and it has a weekly spending limit - believe its $40
Will be perfect for our WDW trip

 

[Jtrem]

We haven’t set a $ limit in past when kids were younger, but I’d say $50 per child is decent souvenir money. I don’t make them buy their own treats (we don’t buy lots typical snacks but will do a Mickey bar /dole whip or similar each day though want to branch out on next trip) my kids liked to do pressed pennies so brought change for those. My rule was if wanted something from MK or resort store they had to wait till later in trip so they could see what else there was (since tend to go to MK 2x with one one the last day before leave that night or early next morning) unless something would absolutely use entire trip like ears or water fan thing in summer.

 

[Timandalicia]

How do you guys handle setting a budget for souvenirs? not just for yourself but specifically for your kids? I know Disney is full of amazing souvenirs and it's easy to get caught up in the "gotta have it" mindset. I am planning to preload giftcards to use for souvenir purchases but I don't know what a realistic amount to budget would be

I think there are too many factors to give you a good answer... Financial situation, age of kids, length of stay etc. We do $20 per day with the option of banking. Then they get 2 magical extras from mom and dad during the trip (that way we get to buy them “gifts” as well as them spending their own money). What advice I can give is did you know you can return anything you buy on property anywhere else on property? This is helpful for inevitable frustration throughout the trip- like passing up a sweatshirt that is all of the sudden gone when you go back to Mouse Gear, or that pin you buy and then you see a different one you like better.

 

[tinkerjo]

We not go every 2 years or so but it’s often enough that the kids never asked for a lot so we didn’t really have a set amount. One year DD just had to have an Aerosmith tshirt for $50 (about 10-12 years ago) it was the only thing she really asked for and I still shudder at spending that kind of money on a T-shirt. She ended up wearing it for her senior pictures a couple years later. It was her favorite shirt and I’m glad we got it. With little ones I always planned on a balloon and a stuffed animal. Snacks( dole whip, Mickey bars, churros and the like) were always on mom and dad and usually 1-2 a day depending on our mood and what park we were in. Of corse it depends on your financial situation and what your kids are used to. Luckily, mine were just happy to be there for the most part and too busy going from one attraction to another to get sucked into the gift shop at the end of the ride

 

[annadreamsofdisneyworld]

I do the same thing for my kids that my parents did for me. They are each allowed to pick out one souvenir for approximately $10-$30. Past souvenirs included stuffed animals, hats, mickey grabber, figurine set, slinky dog toy, and more I'm forgetting. They, and I as a child, have always been happy with this approach. It never even occurred to me to buy more than one souvenir until one of my preschool students returned from Disney with a stuffed animal, shirt, necklace, and more. I have always been satisfied to be on vacation and get one souveneir.

 

[Daisy7425]

I agree with above that said it is so dependent on length of stay, financial situation, do you go multiple times per year or is this a once in a lifetime, etc but also general attitudes of kids (will your kid just spend it all in first store, or not spend anything at all).

In January 2019, my boys were 6 and 8 and they each got $100 to spend for the entire week. They both had money left over. It was probably too much. We had plans to go during the pandemic but that was cancelled and we discussed $50 each plus we would buy a lightsaber for them.

I understand your question, I had the same one. I think it would be a good idea to start with $50 and then if they generally have awesome behavior or you realize things are more expensive, then say "hey! You earned another $50 for souvenirs"

 

[dmband]

Our budget is zero.

We realized very early in parenthood that when you buy souvenirs, too much of the trip becomes about buying. Kids start rushing through experiences so they can reach choosing time. And what happens to most of the stuff? It goes into next spring's yard sale.

we have a similar plan.
they can shop but in most cases they are forced to wait till we come back later in the week.
A- it doesn’t have us carrying stuff all the time
B- most stuff they then change their minds about
C- in the end they actually picked something that might not end up in the yard sale
For some reason though, Woody always ends up in the yard sale

 

[DisneyOma]

I used to give my kids coupons in the summer, 21 for a week, each one good for 1/2 hour of tv or computer time. They could earn more by doing chores (there was a list) or reading a book. At the end of the summer, any coupons not used would be worth 50 cents. If we had a Disney trip planned, the coupons could be exchanged for $1 to spend on the trip. Was great when there was the option of purchasing real Disney Dollars. That was their spending money, plus any cash they had from Christmas or birthdays. We'd also get them a resort t-shirt and the refillable mug.

 

[flowergleam1211]

We told them that they can choose one toy during this trip. We will take photos of toys they like and then make a decision by the end of the trip or maybe even order when we return home.

 

[tinkerjo]

We told them that they can choose one toy during this trip. We will take photos of toys they like and then make a decision by the end of the trip or maybe even order when we return home.

Just remember that all items are not in every park or even orders or online. I made the mistake of waiting till the end of the trip once before buying a gift and I couldn’t find the one I wanted (and I did not have park hoppers)