A key part of smart shopping for kids is learning that the cheapest option isn’t always the best—and the most expensive isn’t either. Introduce a simple question: “How long will this last, and how often will I use it?” A toy that costs a little more but survives months of play might be the better deal than a bargain that breaks in two days.

When your child wants something, look at materials, reviews, and how the item will be used. If you can, touch it in person—stitching on a backpack, zippers on a jacket, hinges on a box. Show how warranties and return policies protect buyers who choose quality. If the item has interchangeable parts (markers that can be refilled, shoes with replaceable insoles), point out how that extends life.

Teach kids to do a quick “cost per use” estimate. If a ball costs $20 and they’ll use it twice a week for a season, that’s a few cents per play. If a $12 novelty will be used once, it’s fun—but expensive fun. There’s no shaming here; there’s just light added to the decision. Over time, kids start to say, “This one might last longer. I’d rather wait and get it.”

When a quality item finally wears out after a lot of use, name the value you got from it. You’re rewarding the choice, not just the purchase. That memory will guide the next decision.