Many retailers entertaining kids

by Rachel Mosteller (Subscribe to Rachel Mosteller's posts) Nov 7th 2006 1:04PM

Gone are the days of children having to lag along behind Mom and Dad at the grocery store. In fact, many children today are used to going out in public and having the retailers court them. From story time at Barnes & Noble to a playroom at the grocery store, retailers are realizing that happy kids equals parents that spend money.

I've definitely started to see more "kid" places while out in public, though we have nowhere the number mentioned in the article. My local scrapbook store has a "kid" room with VCR. One of the local grocery stores has a daycare for kids at the front. Even Pottery Barn Kids has a story hour.

As a parent, it is nice to see businesses cater to those of us with offspring, though I do realize their ulterior motives. Children are powerful consumers ($700 billion a year, to be exact) and these retailers know that getting them in the door is the first step towards handing over that debit card.

While I don't mind "kid zones" at places such as the grocery store, I will be steering clear of reading time at Pottery Barn Kids or Barnes & Noble.

Do you go to stores that offer these services? Do you use the service?

Comments (9)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Angelica 11-07-2006 @ 1:40PM

What is wrong with using a story time at the book store? I've tried story time at the library and it just doesn't do it for the kids.

No one holds a gun to your head and makes you buy things. Just don't be so loose with the credit cards. Take advantage of the event and the interaction.

Whole Foods offers arts classes and other things for the kids, so I just make it a part of the trip.

Very bored on a rainy day? Head over to the toy store for their free demonstration of whatever hot new toy just came in. The kids play with it THERE, so you DON'T have to buy it and take it home.

Eden 11-07-2006 @ 1:52PM

Why wouldn't you allow them storytime at Barnes & Noble?

Kimberly 11-07-2006 @ 2:43PM

I wonder if those who are in charge of "entertaining kids" have had a background check? I don't think I would want the "bag boy" keeping my child while I shop. Find a qualified sitter or family member to step in while you are out for a couple of hours. I think my childs wellbeing is worth more than a gallon of milk. (sorry, this article just hit me wrong)

jen 11-07-2006 @ 2:59PM

I love kid-friendly stores. Until yesterday.

I took my son for his first pair of 'proper' shoes yesterday. The store doesn't have many personnel, so we had a to wait a bit. Now he's walking, F doesn't do sitting in the buggy any more. So he set to the ball-maze with great concentration. He got upset when I had to hold him to measure his feet, and then when we left - all hell broke loose. He doesn't tend to throw tantrums often (I try to avoid starting them!) but that was one heck of a tantrum.

Now I wish the shoe shop was a darn sight more boring... ;)

Rachel Mosteller 11-07-2006 @ 3:30PM

"Just don't be so loose with the credit cards." You assumed I am loose with them, which I'm so the opposite.

It just happens to be that at least at Barnes and Nobles, the activity is in the children's area. Books, toys, you get the idea.

When I'm out with two small children on my own, heading somewhere like that with a 2-year-old that just doesn't "get" the concept of not buying everything (heck, or that things aren't for the taking) isn't my idea of fun.

Kimberly 11-07-2006 @ 3:37PM

Again, that Kimberly up there isn't me.

My kids wouldn't go into those places anyway, so it's not really an issue with me. But I do look at the childcare place at the mall with longing when all I want to do is buy a pair of pants for myself.

Ginny 11-07-2006 @ 4:25PM

"...isn't my idea of fun."

I am SOOO with you on this one. Unless we went specifically for the story time, you'd see me heading the other way with my two.

Eden 11-07-2006 @ 7:00PM

It could be that providing these services is as much a service to other customers. Kid having a screaming fit? Maybe he'd prefer playing with a train set in the kid area for ten minutes.

I still don't get why a storytime, at a bookstore or PBK or anyplace, is a bad thing.

Belinda 11-07-2006 @ 10:01PM

I have never seen a store in my area with these services, but I think I wouldn't use them. I would rather to have my child with me and have her learn how to act in public then have a stranger (or someone else) entertain her just so I can get my shopping done.

It takes me a long time to do some regular simple shopping, but it isn't because my 21 month old is throwing a fit it is the opposite, she is a COMPLETE angel in PUBLIC (at home is ANOTHER story, little DIVA) but if I go by the electronics department (Wal-Mart where I work) EVERYONE has to talk to her and get their kisses (my daughter just loves EVERYONE).

If I go by the meat department in the evening my fiance strikes up a LONG conversation with his buddy about football (BORING) so my daughter and I usually have fun running from one aisle back to the cart and back. Grabbing one item at a time. Who cares that chili and mac and cheese are on the same aisle? We go for the mac and cheese and back for the chili! LOL!

If we need to get in and out in a hurry, we avoid electronics and the meat department.

I'll keep my kid with me, thanks.

How To Submit Photos:
If you'd like your children (any age will do!) featured on ParentDish, upload photos into the ParentDish Flickr Pool. Be sure to read our main Flickr page for more information.