The mall or department store is a special place for anyone with its sights, sounds, and smells. There are several things to do with children before, during, and after the shopping trip to make it more worthwhile for both parent and child.
Just before leaving for the mall, talk with children about exactly what they will be doing. For younger ones, include a ride on an escalator/elevator (if there is one) and a special meal or snack. While wandering through each department or each small store in a mall, discuss the noises, colors, smells (especially in the bakery or cosmetic departments), and textures of things. Pick up free samples so they can be examined at home and let the children participate in any taste or smell tests offered. Shopping excursions are terrific opportunities to help children develop their senses and vocabulary.
After the shopping trip is over, spend some relaxing time at home with a fun project. Recycle the trip into a collage. Have the kids use parts of boxes, labels, bags, tissue paper, tags, and ribbon to create a permanent record of this trip. Glue these pieces of memorabilia onto a large sheet of construction paper or poster board.
Strolling Down the Mall With Baby
A shopping trip with a little one need not be a hassle if there is a plan. Here are some tips:
- Plan a few short trips to the store, rather than one long one. A child's attention span is only so long and shopping is tiring even for adults.
- Go at the best time of the day for the child. Try not to interfere with routines like nap time.
- Always take a stroller along. Otherwise, a tired child may expect that he is carried. The stroller will save a parent's back, provide a comfortable ride for the child, and help keep a toddler where he needs to be.
- Make a list of things needed and make it a house rule to stick to it. Try to avoid the "buy me" situation.
While at the mall, involve the child and talk with him. Give a "picture list" to the toddler so he can remind parents of the things they need to buy. Cut pictures from magazines and catalogs of the needed items and glue these onto index cards or a sheet of paper for the toddler to carry along. Or, draw simple pictures of the objects mom needs.
Toddlers can get into trouble when they are bored, so keep them busy. For the child who loves to carry things, a fanny pack will become a favorite accessory. This will let the toddler carry all sorts of treasures. He will learn from experimenting with shapes and sizes, as tries to make things fit.
Shopping With Preschoolers
Preschoolers love to go shopping. Play store at home by having the child act out going to a store, trying things on, and buying things. Use bags and boxes from stores to wrap up her purchases.
While shopping at the mall, ask the child her opinion on things. "Which sweater does she like the best?" Don't forget to ask why she prefers one thing over another. Besides making her feel very grown up and boosting her self-esteem, these questions help her develop important thinking skills. Let the child be responsible for one purchase. Have her pick out the item, take it to the salesperson, and pay for it. Isn't this task an ego booster?
Take along a sturdy pad or small clipboard and crayons. Children can use this for drawing, or making tallies of people or items. This activity is perfect for those waiting times that are unavoidable in busy stores.
Shop 'Till You Drop Game
Older children love a challenge when visiting the mall. Play this "shop 'til you drop" game which is like a basic scavenger hunt; where a list of things is found within a specified amount of time (but the kids don't actually collect them). Each child will need a tablet and pencil to write down the name of the store where each item is found. This shopping list gives ideas to plan this scavenger hunt, but it has lots of room for variations and creativity. Here are a few ideas:
- Something "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny"
- Something people wear "under"
- Something that makes music
- Something that smells like coconut
- Something dated with the year
- A pig of any kind
- Something rough and hard
- A variety of candy
- Something with a Disney character
- Where to find a Zhu Zhu Pet?
Back to school shopping doesn't have to be hard and trying, just use some imagination and make shopping days fun and exciting. Kids may even learn something along the way!
Tania Cowling - Tania Kourempis Cowling is a former early childhood teacher, a published author of three teacher resource books (Shake, Tap, and Play a ...
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