enquiry

[BHay26]

Hi I am wanting to start a small idea of selling children's boxes. This type of thing is for like long car journeys, bored children in the house etc? I am just wondering what kind of things children would enjoy in these boxes and what activities keep children occupied for a long period of time.
My idea was story books, building things such as lego, craft ideas?

many thanks!

Children of different ages like VERY different things. Are you talking toddlers or teens or everything in between??

Seems slightly bizarre to start a business like this if you have no idea what children will enjoy and the type of activities that might them occupied, let alone the vague question about "children" without age qualification.

I would g have bought anything like this when mine were children as it’s dangerous to have excess stuff in the car that in the event of an accident could become a missile.

^^ would not.

I agree with @Galassia that you don't want a box of stuff like books and toys that could go flying forward in the event of an accident.

@LondonMummer

Children of different ages like VERY different things. Are you talking toddlers or teens or everything in between??

Seems slightly bizarre to start a business like this if you have no idea what children will enjoy and the type of activities that might them occupied, let alone the vague question about "children" without age qualification.

I work with children myself so i am aware of what mine enjoy but I only work with children up to 4 as this would be 5+. I have ideas but wanted to just get some general advice.

I think that’s a tad dramatic @Galassia. On a long car journey parents have a bunch of stuff to keep toddlers occupied anyway so why is it more dangerous if it’s sold in a box?

I think things like colouring book with a few crayons, one of those telescope things that you can twist and see different shapes, a little sheet of stickers, a small bag of candy. I mean it varies depending on the age of the child the box is catered to. Good luck x

thanks soo much! That is the kind of advice I need! It would not just be car journeys I was also thinking technology is all children like these days but what about actual toys and games to play with!

@Parentingdilemmas

I think that’s a tad dramatic *@Galassia*. On a long car journey parents have a bunch of stuff to keep toddlers occupied anyway so why is it more dangerous if it’s sold in a box?

I think things like colouring book with a few crayons, one of those telescope things that you can twist and see different shapes, a little sheet of stickers, a small bag of candy. I mean it varies depending on the age of the child the box is catered to. Good luck x

Because the box is the thing that'll come flying forward in the event of an accident. We used to have one of those bag things that attached to the seat in front, and tucked sticker/travel books into that to keep it all contained.

What about those ispy books. We used to love them as kids. And tbh any magazine you get in a service station can have a load of plastic crap with it so I don't see the issue there.

A bag sounds a good idea too! I am talking about also when just bored in the house too not just in the car!

Something like an I spy book. We used to love those as kids and may have joined the I spy club at one point.

Not sure. I think I could put easily something like this together myself for free with things we have in the house. From a certain age kids will only read / play on their tablet / listen to podcasts or music most if the time anyway. Lego is not a great idea IMO because bits would inevitably fall down and then they would winge that they can't reach / have lost them.

Oh YES we had those car front seat thingies, it was like a pinny with a pocket, had forgotten that!

Age 5 upwards non car:
Magnetic balls and sticks (Magnetix?)
Top trumps. (Also real playing cards, our offspring were surprisingly good at playing Black 5 and Chase the Ace once they had mastered Memory and Snap.)
Pick up sticks, Jack Straws.

@ichundich

Not sure. I think I could put easily something like this together myself for free with things we have in the house. From a certain age kids will only read / play on their tablet / listen to podcasts or music most if the time anyway. Lego is not a great idea IMO because bits would inevitably fall down and then they would winge that they can't reach / have lost them.

I agree. I wouldn't buy a made up box created by someone who doesn't know my children.
Anyway, audio and singalong tapes kept our kids attention for hours on long drives eg down to the south of France.
"Flies in the sugar bowl" and "My grandfather's clock" still conjure up memories of Formule #1 motels and never ending bouchons on the autoroute!

I make up a bag of colouring/puzzle books, story books, assorted Lego, fidget toys, hand held puzzles (rubix cube type things) for my two if we’re going on a long journey. Also audio books or singalong music from my phone are useful. I’m not sure I’d buy a box like that though because they have so much stuff I can usually find things they’ve not looked at in ages which then feels new to them.

Thanks for all the replies! Just going take the feedback away and decide what to do!