Kyle from The Penny Hoarder sent in the following tip:
Toys are expensive, right? Smart parents use coupons to help offset the cost of those must-have toys, but what if there was a way to get some of the newest and best toys for free?
There is, and it’s probably one you haven’t tried: sign your child up to be a toy tester.
How Toy Testing Works:
Toy testing is pretty simple. A company sends you a toy, your child plays with it, and then you provide a review, complete a survey, or otherwise let the company know how your child enjoyed the toy.
Sometimes, toy companies hold lab-style tests, where children are invited to come to a company location and play with toys there.
Interested?
Here are some tips to get your child on that toy-tester list.
Check out your favorite toy companies’ Facebook pages and social media accounts to see if they offer toy testing opportunities. Here are a few good accounts to follow:
- Mattel Imagination Center Facebook Page
- Step2 Facebook Page
- Mega Bloks Facebook Page
- Discovery Toys Facebook Page
You can also contact companies directly to ask about their toy testing opportunities. When we reached out to Fisher-Price, for example, we learned that you can find out about toy testing opportunities for both Fisher-Price and Mattel products by signing up for their Family Club.
You probably can’t expect toy testing to take the place of all of your toy shopping, but getting a bonus toy now and then is fun, and it’s a great way to save some money.
Have you ever tried toy testing? Do you have advice for other parents?
Dianna says
Sometimes there are local research panels where you can test toys but usually you don’t get to keep them. Instead, they usually give you cold hard cash. I’d like to find out where my kid can test and keep more STEM toys like the BeeStretchy (https://www.beestretchy.com) stretchy bands. They helped me teach my kid geometry. Ever since finding the stretchy bands I’ve been hooked on STEM toys.
Bernardine Chaney says
I have several grandchildren , neices , nephews and close friends children that I buy for on birthdays and holidays ranging in age from 3 to 17 years of age.I also donate to our local charities when I can. I lost my husband over 5 years ago to an unexpected tragedy which makes it that much worse when I am unable to do what we did every year. When a dear friend told me about programs like this, which would allow me to brighten some very deserving children’s holidays and carry on our tradition. Please think of all the smiles you would bring. I go into debt every year because even though I pay until August to September every year it brings me joy and keeps my husbands spirit with me. So to be able to earn some toys would be a real blessing. Feel free to contact me with any questions, it would be an honor to test some of your toys and share the joy. God bless.
Zoe says
So how do you become a toy tester I also have three year old twin boys
kerri says
Love the idea of free toys, but, how do u have 3 yr olds play with toys then have to take them away? I have 3yo twins and that would not go over well. But I do like thr idea.
Brenda says
The toys don’t get taken away- they’re yours to keep for being a tester…
Rose Mercier says
We haven’t been exclusively toy testers but have been on Bzzagent for years. You test out tons of different products based on your responses to survey questions. Many of the products are kid related. All you have to do is write some on line reviews and disclose that you received the sample product for free.
Leighann says
Several years back I managed to get in on the Fisher Price House Party thing, where they sent us five HUGE brand new toys to try out. We were supposed to do a party and invite parents and kids, let them try the toys, and inspire them to buy Fisher Price.
Well, I invited everyone I knew and NO ONE SHOWED UP! We had the party (with tons of food and juices and sodas to drink, and cool decorations and music) at a local park pavillion on a brilliant, beautiful sunny weekend day. It was perfect for preschoolers and toddlers to come and try out the toys. The problem? Well, when I asked why people hadn’t shown up, they told me they thought it was one of those selling parties, like Pampered Chef or Scentsy, and that they would be expected to make purchases.
I quickly disabused them on that idea. It was a party, for parents and small children. Ideally, the parents would choose to buy their kids Fisher Price toys that were demonstrated there, for birthdays and Christmas and so on, but I personally didn’t take orders. I just showed off the product (and had giveaways! I held on to those stacking rings for ages). Once they found that out they were disappointed to have missed the party, since, well, it was a party, and free food/non-alcoholic beverages, right?
Probably not surprisingly, I have never been chosen for a House Party since then. All I had to share were pictures of my toddler playing with the toys in an empty pavilion. So if you have an opportunity to do something like that, and you need to have a party or something as part of the deal, make sure you tell people you invite that there are no sales involved!!
Mary says
That is a very helpful. I would have never thought that would happen. Maybe that says something about the UN fun adults that were invited. They put their wallet before spending a day seeing their child happy. What kid doesn’t love to have their parents watch them have a great time. ” Hey dad, look at me, watch me….” A kids famous saying is…” look ma, no hands” . If kids could drive they all would have shown up. Fun toys and food from a nice lady, yayyyy !!! You couldn’t have kept me away. I’m the aunt that always brings the toys to the party or pick nick. Heck, I carry bubbles in my purse, a yo-yo in my back pack and a kite in my car trunk. And I’m an adult, but not a mom. 🙁 I just LOVE toys. !! But don’t let those adults detour you from having other parties for your kids. Your a good mom, keep up the good work. Mary aka Ima Kidd
Ann says
Excellent share. Thank you.