To think my hobby could be turned into a small business

[CountryMummy1]

My DH thinks its a non starter but I think it might make me a little bit of money, hopefully enough to allow me to continue to be a SAHM.

My background is teaching/education and I ran a rainbow and brownie group for many years. Along the way I saw many younger siblings and children who weren't in the groups be very envious of the badges that the brownies could earn. This got me thinking and as a hobby I have produced some little activities and badges for my almost 3 YO and her friends as there is nothing like that for their for their age group. All of them absolutely love it.

At the moment I have a variety of different badges e.g. 'Crafter' 'Nature Detective' etc. To gain each badge the child has to complete 5 activities obviously with help in the 3-5 year age group. The activities are very open ended using materials easily found at home or out and about. The activities are very open ended and can be approached in many different ways. Once the 5 activities are complete the parent (child themselves) when older can submit evidence (photos, text etc.) to my website. They then receive personalised feedback and a badge to print off to stick in their little book. I have just sourced some cheap cloth badges for DDs friends as they want to put them in their T-shirts.

Obviously this could be extended in many ways - older age groups, links to University of the 1st Age, links to National Curriculum, special badges for special events (Olympics).

My DDs friend's parents love it but I realise they are probably biast (as its free for them) and they are a very small sample.

Anyone think there is any potential in this??

[MyFirstName]

Also, (sorry if someone above has said this) the like of Rainbows/Beavers are not-for-profit - so if they cannot make money from such activity based stuff then am not sure how you could?

[GreenPetal94]

fun, but this will no make you any money

[lougle]

Diy.org already does this. Badges are $4 and they ship internationally.

[Branleuse]

i would have LAPPED that up when mime were little. Especially for PFB

just give ot a try

[raltheraffe]

I think it is brilliant you have come up with a business idea but I think it would be very difficult to turn a profit with this one.
But keep coming up with ideas! I have a lot of respect for anyone who wants to start a business, it is a very tough thing to do.

[BelindaAllWorkedOut]

Run it during holidays, esp in a "drop off" environment. I'm in central London and there is precious little in the way of places I can drop my 3 young DCs at, to play. Fit For Sport, for eg, will take children from 3 years' of age, but quoted me £100 for all 3 to play for a morning. No mention of learning anything, just play.

[DeWee]

I can't see this making any money.

If it was free, and someone had handed me a pack:
Dd1-would have done it, enjoyed having a sticker. But actually she liked any sit down and do sort of exercise, she'd have been just as happy with a colouring book or workbook.
Dd2-might have done it for the sticker. More likely started and decided the sticker wasn't worth it.
Ds wouldn't have done it if you'd bribed him with a whole shop full of toys.

Too many places have ideas of things you can do for free, and I can make up a badge they would have been thrilled enough with easily enough. Or i'm sure i could find one easily that was relevant using google images.

It's the sort of thing you see on Dragon's den, and they say they've had great feedback from the 100 they gave out for free, and have 500 likes on the fb page, but very few would actually pay.

[CountryMummy1]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Back to the drawing board........... x