Kids Picking up Freebies at Businesses

Kids love trinkets and that just seems to be how it is. At a friends clinic (profitable but not rolling in dough) she finds that kids drink more water from the water cooler in the lobby than they probably ever do even playing soccer on Saturday. Kids just like stuff. To me as long as they don't go nuts and take 3 or 4 things in one visit each its just the cost of working with kids. I am surprised at the stuff my 6 year od in particular wants but he usually uses the stuff for good reason later. For instance he would take a business card for dramatic play at home when he acts like he is a business man in his office or if reinacting the cooking would put a hair tie in his sister's hair. Not sure you really do want to change this behavior especially if saying no to little stuff may encourage them to hide taking somehing that has even greater monetary value

Think about it:

Dentist = stickers
Doctor = lollipop
Grocery store = cookie AND balloon
Bank = candy
Offices in general = candy
Restaurants = crayons

That's a lot of freebies! So, kids don't understand, and expect all places to be like that.
When kids go to an art or craft class, they get to make something and bring it home. So, maybe they go to your fun class, and just want to bring something home from it, to remind them they did something cool that day. And really, kids just love getting stuff!!

It's the parents allowing their kids to not be respectful and be wasteful. I do a lot of craft and children's fairs and parents just let their kids run around taking whatever they want, and how much they want. Since you work at a non-profit that deals with children, having a bulk roll of stickers or the cute stamp for their hand is a good idea. If they want to take something that is not intended to be a giveaway to everyone, like the hair tie, business card... simply tell them it's not for them, then give them an alternative.

You know if it is something useful then I will allow my kids to take it but if it's something that I will toss as soon as I get out of my car I tell them to leave it or it will go into the trash.I don't think my kids expect to be given sioemthing they are happy to have that free toothbrush with a sticker & floss from the school dentist visit or have a picture from the school assembly from a a team scot mascot there are places like SAM's club that has free samples sure go for it or cell phone companies displaying their buisness & has a free keychain or water bottle they want you to take it they want to draw in buisness.BUt if your annoyed with kids asking or expect a freebie they are just kids to them this is a gift maybe they don't get things at home.

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Some of the kids classes and libraries here do an ink stamp on the back of the kids hand. Probably just as much fun as a sticker but cheaper.

I think I'd start saying no to the free hair ties unless someone forgets theirs. Put the hairbands away at the front desk or somewhere central and make the kids ask for them if they really need one for class. Kids should understand rules and not expect a freebie all the time. I think if it's offered, it's fine, but I don't think my kids should assume they will get a little perk at the end of our errands every time we stop. As a mom, I can buy them the small rewards when I see fit. Now, if the kids are seeing the hairbands being easily distributed in class to some of the kids, yep, they will want one so they aren't left out. Totally normal for a kid to want what the other one gets. I used to teach dance and I can imagine the mayhem if I started passing out hair bands in class. Those should be controlled by the front desk. Each child got a sticker after each class though. They loved them!