Top Inexpensive Toys for 2009 Holiday Season

While it seems that a good deal of folks buy too many gifts every year at the Holidays, that won't be the case for some families this year. 2009 has been, and will continue to be a tough year for some. Inexpensive toys are definitely on the list this year.

So here's my list of the 5 cheap inexpensive toys for 2009:

1) Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster by Num Nums appears to be one of the hottest selling items this year. I have never seen so many people pleasantly excited and yet enraged at the same time - and all over this toy! Some are selling this item online for as much as $40 when it can be purchased at almost any large retail store for about $8. One consumer was disappointed by all the online price gouging, but stated this toy was received enthusiastically by four-year-olds and adults alike at a kid's birthday party. The durable, stuffed hamster ran, zipped, weaved and darted all over the floor much to the delight of all, even adults. All agreed it would make a fantastic gift. $8.00-up. Ages 3 and up.

2) Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Baby's First Blocks is a great toy for kids ages 6 months to 3 years. Kids can sort, stack, and learn to identify and match colorful shapes. Ten bright blocks are dropped into an open bucket through a shape-sorting lid. $8.99 online.

3) Banangrams is a fast and fun word game that requires no pencil, paper or board. It can be played quickly, it's educational, and fun! Perfect for travel, just grab and go. Highly rated by both kids and adults. $13.95 online, Ages 7 and up.

4) Live Butterfly Garden by Insect Lore is a reusable, collapsible habitat for watching how butterflies are born. Witness one of nature's most spectacular transformations up close. Mail-in coupon gets you butterfly larvae and food. Great learning gift. $14.31 online, Ages 4-14.

5) Trouble Board Game by Hasbro is a classic race-and-chase game with a die-rolling popper in the middle. Be the first player to send all 4 of your pieces around the board and win - unless someone else's piece lands on your piece - then there's trouble. Highly rated by kids and adults alike. $15.15 online, Ages 5-9.

The holidays may be tough for you, but your kids may not understand everything that's happening. It's important they remember the holiday season as a time of joy, giving, and love - even if that means cheap toys for 2009.