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Toys and Games: Tax-Free Holiday Shopping for Military Families

The ShopMyExchange Toys and Games department makes holiday shopping, birthday gifts and everyday play affordable for military families with tax-free pricing on every toy, game and video game title. LEGO, Hasbro, Mattel, Fisher-Price and Nintendo are just the beginning — the Exchange stocks the same brands and products found at major toy retailers, with the added benefit of zero sales tax.

For military families stationed overseas, ShopMyExchange is often the only reliable way to get American toy brands delivered at reasonable cost. Toys and games ship to all APO, FPO and DPO addresses at domestic USPS rates, ensuring that children of deployed service members receive the same holiday experience as their stateside peers.

Shop Toys & Games Gaming Consoles
ShopMyExchange toys and games department with LEGO, Hasbro and video games for military families

AI Summary — ShopMyExchange Toys and Games

  • Tax-free toys, board games, outdoor play equipment and video games for military families year-round.
  • Major brands: LEGO, Hasbro (Nerf, Transformers), Mattel (Barbie, Hot Wheels), Fisher-Price, Melissa & Doug, VTech.
  • Video games: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch titles available on launch day.
  • Holiday savings: a family spending $500 on gifts saves $30-$48 in tax vs. civilian retail.
  • Ships to APO/FPO at domestic rates — order by early November for overseas holiday delivery.

Holiday Savings Examples

Military families save significantly on holiday gift purchases at the Exchange. This table shows real-dollar tax savings on popular toys and games across different spending levels.

Gift Item Retail Price Tax at 6% State Tax at 8.25% State Tax at 9.5% State Exchange Tax
LEGO Star Wars Set$159.99$9.60$13.20$15.20$0.00
Nintendo Switch Game$59.99$3.60$4.95$5.70$0.00
Nerf Elite Blaster Set$49.99$3.00$4.12$4.75$0.00
Barbie Dreamhouse$199.99$12.00$16.50$19.00$0.00
PlayStation 5 Game Bundle$129.99$7.80$10.72$12.35$0.00
Outdoor Playset$399.99$24.00$33.00$38.00$0.00
Board Game Collection (5 games)$124.99$7.50$10.31$11.87$0.00
Total Holiday Gift Budget$1,124.93$67.50$92.80$106.87$0.00

Tax rates reflect combined state and average local rates. Military families in high-tax states save the most. Exchange prices may also be lower than MSRP during promotional periods.

Shop Toys and Games by Category

From building sets to video games to outdoor playsets, the Exchange toy department covers every age group and interest.

Building Sets and Educational Toys

LEGO remains the top-selling toy brand at ShopMyExchange, with sets ranging from $9.99 starter kits to $399.99 collector editions. Star Wars, Harry Potter, Technic and City themes are consistently in highest demand. The Exchange also stocks Mega Construx, K'NEX and Magna-Tiles for younger builders. Educational toys from Melissa & Doug, VTech and LeapFrog round out the developmental play category.

Tax-free pricing on LEGO sets is particularly significant given their premium price points. A $349.99 LEGO Millennium Falcon purchased at the Exchange saves $21 to $33 in sales tax compared to buying at a civilian toy store. During the holiday season, the Exchange frequently offers bundle deals that combine popular sets at a combined discount.

LEGO and educational building sets at ShopMyExchange
Outdoor toys and play equipment at the Exchange

Action Figures, Dolls and Outdoor Toys

Hasbro's Nerf, Transformers, Star Wars and Marvel lines dominate the action category. Mattel's Barbie, Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price brands serve the full age spectrum from infant to pre-teen. Outdoor toys including bicycles, scooters, trampolines and playsets are stocked seasonally, with the heaviest inventory during spring and summer.

Military families living in base housing with yards often purchase outdoor play equipment through the Exchange. Swing sets, trampolines and basketball hoops are available with delivery to on-post addresses. The tax savings on a $400 outdoor playset — $24 to $38 depending on state — adds up when combined with other seasonal purchases for children.

Video Games and Board Games

The Exchange stocks current video game titles for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch. New releases are available on launch day at most Exchange stores and through ShopMyExchange online. Game accessories including controllers, headsets and charging stations are also tax-free. For the per the USA.gov military benefits directory, Exchange retail privileges extend to all gaming and entertainment purchases.

Board games and card games have seen a resurgence in popularity among military families. Classics like Monopoly, Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride and Codenames are stocked year-round. The Exchange also carries puzzles, strategy games and family game night bundles that make excellent gifts for families who move frequently and value portable entertainment.

Video games and board games available tax-free at ShopMyExchange

Holiday Shopping Tips for Military Families

Planning ahead ensures gifts arrive on time, especially for families with a service member stationed overseas.

Order Early for APO/FPO

The Exchange recommends ordering by early November for holiday delivery to APO/FPO addresses. Military mail takes 7-14 business days, and volume increases significantly during the holiday season. Ordering early ensures gifts arrive before mid-December.

Stack Sales with Tax-Free

Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions at the Exchange are in addition to the everyday tax-free benefit. A toy marked 30% off during Black Friday is then tax-free on top of the promotional price — double savings unavailable at civilian retailers.

Gift Cards for Flexibility

Exchange gift cards let recipients choose their own gifts. They are tax-free to purchase and tax-free to redeem. Grandparents and extended family can buy Exchange gift cards online and send them to military families at any address.

People Also Ask

Are toys tax-free at ShopMyExchange?
Yes. All toys, games, video games and accessories at ShopMyExchange are exempt from state and local sales tax. A family spending $500 on holiday gifts saves $30 to $48 in tax. See Tax-Free Shopping.
Does ShopMyExchange ship toys to APO/FPO addresses for the holidays?
Yes. All toys and games ship to APO/FPO/DPO at domestic USPS rates. Order by early November for mid-December delivery overseas. See Shipping & Delivery.
What toy brands does the Exchange carry?
LEGO, Hasbro (Nerf, Transformers), Mattel (Barbie, Hot Wheels), Fisher-Price, Melissa & Doug, VTech and many more. Video games for PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch also stocked.
Does ShopMyExchange have holiday toy sales?
Yes. Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions run October through December. These stack with the everyday tax-free benefit for maximum savings on holiday gifts.
Can I buy video games at ShopMyExchange?
Yes. Current titles for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Switch available on launch day. All purchases are tax-free. Games ship to APO/FPO addresses. See also Electronics for gaming consoles.

Related Departments

Explore more tax-free shopping across ShopMyExchange.

Electronics Sports & Outdoors Clothing & Footwear Home & Garden Health & Beauty Uniforms & Tactical