Toy Collecting- Is it for me?

Collecting can build cognitive skills such as pattern sequencing and visual discrimination and promote repeat activity. The enjoyment of collecting is a 4 step process:

1. Acquire – There is an entertainment factor and exploration principle of looking and finding.
2. Save – There is an entertainment factor and exploration principle of looking and finding.
3. Display – Window boxes, shelves and decoration around the home or office.
4. Trade & Sell – To make money on your collection investment.

     How do trends for a collection start? Getting children to collect "something in particular" is easily done through word-of-mouth hype. Starting a trend, promoting a gimmick along with marketing and promotions create the hype. This hype turns into a must-have that becomes a fad. Kids want what other kids have and many times, parents want to be sure their kids do have what those other kids have. This is when consumer-buying behavior begins and the trend turns into sales and profit. The popularity of a collections can be based on trend, such as Beanie Babies, a personal hobby, such as football cards or a current hype that kids are talking about (Pokeman). Other successful collections include: Matchbox and Hot wheels cars, model kits, stuffed animals, Barbie dolls, POGS dollhouse furniture and Dickens Christmas Villages.
     Remember that a collector never buys everything from the same store. One of the joys of collecting is to search for new items to add to the collection.
     Some collectors purchase by price point.
     Look for displays of all the collections in a single area. There is usually a special place in the store that collectors can find new products. It takes too much time for a collector to search a whole store, if they already know that when new product comes in and you have it in one area, that will entice a collector to visit more often.
      Remember that collecting is for all ages. Kids learn to collect while adults enjoy it as a pastime providing an escape from everyday pressure.
      Be aware some collections may affect a child's character development. Promoting a collection of licensed merchandise from an adult-focused television show or cartoon is not in the best interest for a child. Be aware that there are more products like this on the market. The toys we buy for our children today may greatly influence who they become tomorrow.