Although there have been dramatic, wide-arcing changes in how children play and learn today compared to a mere 20 years ago – one thing that has remained fun as well as intellectually and artistically engaging is coloring. This also promotes more adept hand-eye coordination. And it is not blue-screen-based!
According to www.momjunction.com, “Children need hand strength and dexterity to manipulate a pencil on a paper. Working on strength can eliminate the possibility of incorrect pencil grasp. Activities like children coloring pages and sheets will help them to hold the writing tool the correct way.”
Another thing that has not changed for generations: children always asking questions, mostly “Why?” and “How?” This is the mind being active, wanting to learn. Curiosity of one’s environment and the people in it drive these questions – and promotional coloring books can answer those questions, potentially even developing a passion for a future career.
For example, Dave TenEyck from Fields Manufacturing, which offers economically priced coloring books for children, notes that healthcare, banking, safety and others are popular areas. Through targeted coloring books Fields offers, children can learn to eat healthy and exercise, how to save their earnings and spend wisely, how to save energy and be productively eco-conscious, and how to remain safe during the school day. “Also, remember that fire departments typically visit schools in October to teach about fire safety, and police departments like to hand out safety and 911-related books to children in their communities,” he adds.
Fields Manufacturing provides a Fun Pack of four crayons that can be imprinted and an Action Pack that a coloring book can be rolled up and inserted into.
“Sustainability is a popular topic in the promo industry, and items that teach kids about eco-initiatives and activities can introduce this important topic to the next generation,” observes Carrie Lewis, marketing and communications manager for BIC Graphic. The company’s Coloring Book with Mask: Recycling is Fun (#40895) “is a teaching tool that is perfect for schools, youth programs and environmental organizations promoting recycling tips,” she highlights.
HealthPromotionsNow.com offers 24 coloring books that represent various aspects of healthcare, from diet to dental care, hospital visits, chiropractic care, immunizations, pharmacies, first aid and more. In addition, more than 20 other coloring topics range from pet care, to carts and trucks, bullying prevention, black history, bike safety and more. Such a diverse range of coloring books makes it easy to offer this child-friendly (and parent-approved) option for your client list.
Coloring Book Solutions likewise has numerous targeted books, including several for the holidays. For example, Learn About Christmas Elf sparks imaginations about what it’s like to be one of Santa’s elves. And Make Winter and Holidays Safe coloring and activity books id described by the company as teaching children ages three and older about holiday and winter safety tips. According to the company, this book is “ideal for schools, day cares, toy stores and any holiday promotion.”
Coloring books sales can follow the Health Awareness Calendar and repeat each year at the same time for perennial sales, Ten Eyck suggests. For example, March is Good Nutrition Month, April is Earth Day, June, July and August are Summer and Sun Safety, September is Back to School. October is Fire Safety Month and November and December are Holidays.
Although there are numerous other children’s promotional products you can find, Lewis advises that safety and security are growing concerns as “more end users are requesting CPSIA Certificates of Compliance that state products comply with the safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008.” BIC Graphic carries a variety of promos like activity books, bags, colored pencil sets and more that comply with CPSIA standards for children’s products, she notes.
Coloring Book Solutions also offers activity posters, growth charts, paint with water books, puzzle books, activity pads, and fun packs. And, according to the company, its products have been lab tested and approved to meet federal guidelines enacted by the HR4040 Act and CPSIA. Additionally, all its products are Prop. 65 compliant.
No matter the client, helping them bond with children (and their parents) is a good business idea. There’s no downside for any business to provide coloring books and matching logoed crayons, because when children have fun learning – they will take those fond memories and help their families to become loyal customers.
CASE STUDY
Dave TenEyck from Fields Manufacturing: “A large auto company wanted to give out a children’s gift at all the National Baseball games. They decided on a custom coloring book telling the history of their cars and showing the newest model sports car with its first-year model on the front cover, with a branded 4 pack of crayons in a clear poly bag. The children couldn’t have been happier with their promotion. Some were even able to get the book signed by their favorite players and mascots.”