Budget-Friendly Gifts for Newborns to Tots

Tub art: Budding Picassos just itch to get their fingers into paint and crayons, but parents cringe at the messes they leave behind. With bath art sets, kids can draw and paint to their heart's content, and parents can wash the mess right off when tub time is over. Better still, kids stay occupied for the whole bath.

Lift and look/pop-up books: Children love to lift flaps, move levers, and see the surprises that await them on every page of these interactive favorites. They have so much fun exploring, they don't even realize they're reading.

Planes, trains, and automobiles: Both boys and girls get a kick out of toys that fly or roll at this age. You'll find that there are some nifty wooden toys available at reasonable prices if you shop around.