Long time readers will know that I am absolutely obsessed with Target’s semi-annual toy clearance. Every January and July, I take to the toy aisles of Target, ready to furnish gifts for Christmas, Easter, Birthday, and Arbor Day celebrations at 50, sometimes 70%, off.
The drill is simple. The sales start at the beginning of the month and last the entirety. January tends to end a little more sharply than July, which can sometimes go well into August.
Except this is 2020 and nothing goes according to plan, so why start now?
Tis my tradition to do a quick sweep of the toy section whilst enjoying a Christmas clearance hunt. Sometimes stocking stuffer type gewgaws are still in the toy section but sporting that 50% off, and sometimes the clearance has begun a little early, with a few smatterings of 15% off here and there.
But this year? This year Target went full 30% off BEFORE WE EVEN HIT JANUARY.
And I didn’t get anything. Because let us be real, I’m not out here paying 30% for Toy Clearance. Not when I can remember those halcyon days where we would routinely get up to 90% off. I just can’t make 30% happen for anything that is not LEGO.
So, I left Target with some Christmas clearance and nothing else, thinking I would try again a little later in the month. With the rumpus, I haven’t been going to the store as often. Because. You know. Rumpus.
I decided to stop in today, and the clearance fairies rewarded me! A ton of stuff, mostly in the 50%-70% off range, with a few 30%s sprinkled throughout.
One quick word of advice before we hop into it: In these clearance climates, I would grab anything you really want if you see it at 50%. Only consider waiting for a drop if there is a large inventory. But with so much at 70% off, there might not be another drop…
The one thing I do love about this new clearance method is that they put the new price on the label for you. Less time doing math, more time deal hunting!
If there is something you really want but the price isn’t right, check online! The store will price match for you! All you have to do is take the item to guest services and show them the online price. This FurReal Mama Jose Kangaroo is full price ($69.99) in the store, but 50% off ($34.99) online!
Make sure you’re reading all the info in yellow, as sometimes the discounts don’t match up. This Baby Shark toy is 50% off, at $2.49. The smaller label is correct, but the larger one mistakenly says 30%.
$3.99 for Driven automobiles.
Dolls dressed as penguins, reindeers, and elves for $4.99 each.
I got the last one! Ya da da da da da da, bringing this baby home.
All manner of slime and slime related things from 30%-70% off. Be sure to price check!
Same with Play-Doh. I loved these little sets for $1.49.
This troll doll has interactive hair. Don’t ask me how. $29.99.
Make your own entirely too large bow for 50% off, $12.49.
Nice try, game. I’ve seen how this ends.
$59.99 for this Hot Wheels set that feels as big as an actual speedway.
This gift feels too soon, even if it is 2021.
This life size Water Nokk was originally $149.99. It is now $74.99. It lights up on the inside and is bigger than my two year old…
These Poopsie Slime surprises were 70% off. I couldn’t price check them because there was someone trying to shop and I was trying to take pictures and it felt weird to keep reaching past this nice lady and her singing child…Oh good news, I just remembered the internet exists. So I looked them up, and they’re $9.99 normally (for real???), which should make them $2.99. Thanks, internet!
Fingerlings of many species down to $4.49, 70% off.
Originally $8.69, these Unicorn blind bag things I have never seen before in my life and suspect I will never see again, are $2.61.
I just liked this picture. I was accidentally artsy.
$4.49 for Princess Dress Up.
And only $5.99 for a Baby Shark shape sorter submarine. I have so many questions. Why are the sharks in a submarine? They’re sharks. Wouldn’t the submarine be harmful to them?
Speaking of babies, start the coffee addiction early for only $2.99.
Another holiday season, another limited edition Shopkins doll! $5.99.
Okay, Target almost got me with this one. Chelsea’s Soccer Playset was 50% off, $12.59.
Lots of Barbie styles for 50% off.
But I held out for the 70% off! For $5.99, this is a great addition to the gift closet.
Okay, these blind boxes (blind starfish?) are totally cute…But what is in them?? Mermaids? There were no pictures on the back and I didn’t want to risk it at 30% off. $3.49.
Gaggles of action figures for 70% off.
This fly wheels thing is $2.99. Don’t know what it does, but it sure is a good deal!
I snagged a bunch of these Hairstyle Sets for the gift closet. $2.99 a piece.
There were so many toys I have never heard of or seen in my life. It was like a fever dream. This doll is $2.99.
This cute Lori set was $4.79, originally $15.99. Why didn’t I get this?
Paw Patrol clearance galore! The twins were down to $4.49.
This vehicle set was 50% off, $17.49.
Blind boxes were $1.99.
There were also some collectibles that would up in the toy clearance. Like this Transformer and this X-Men set, both originally $49.99, down to $14.99.
What are these? Are they real? Is this all in my head?? $3.99.
Don’t forget the outdoor toys! Jump ropes were only $3.50.
This Dude Perfect Nerf set was 50% off, so $9.99.
Look at these cute toss games for 70% off! I grabbed the flamingo one for $7.50.
The Queen of Arendelle was $9.99.
I love mystery things for little dudes. I feel like the ladies get most of the blind bag love. These were $4.99.
My small, but mighty haul.
- Flamingo Toss-$7.50. Originally $24.99.
- Hairstyle Sets (4)-$11.96. Originally $39.96.
- Barbie Noodle Bar-$5.99. Originally $19.99.
- Paw Patrol Blind Box-$1.99. Originally $3.99.
- Lucky Fortune Blind Box-$1.49. Originally $4.99.
- T.O.T.S Blind Bag-$3.99. Originally $7.99.
Total Spent: $32.92
Original Retail Price: $101.91
Total Saved: $68.99
Considering the crazy year it has been for clearance, I am not mad about this at all! I’ve got Easter gifts well in hand now! Did you find anything great during January clearance? Let’s see it!
Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey three years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!