Lab Practical #1: Let the Kids Sell It For You

(The Chalk Trick That Sold Out My Booth)

Craft show season is here—and if you’re prepping inventory, booth displays, or pricing sheets, here’s one tip I promise will make a surprising impact on your sales:

🎯 Capture the kids’ attention so their parents can shop.

That’s it. That’s the whole strategy.
And it worked so well, we completely sold out.

Let me explain.

👪 Why This Works: The Psychology Behind It

Craft shows are often weekend outings for families. Parents bring kids to stroll, snack, and maybe spend a little money.

And if you’ve ever shopped with a child, you know this truth:
You’re not leaving without buying something.

So instead of fighting that impulse, use it to your advantage.

Here’s how:

🎨 The Setup: Make Something for the Kids

Out at the very front of your booth—where kids walking by can see it—set up a small display of kid-friendly, low-priced items.

My go-to?

🧼 Homemade sidewalk chalk.
Bright colors. Fun shapes. Just $1 per piece.

I put it in baskets at kid-eye level so they can rummage through and pick their favorites. And while they’re happily building their rainbow collection…

Mom is finally free to browse.

And that’s where the magic happens.

🧠 The Hidden Win: Buying Time

Here’s what’s really happening while the kids pick their chalk:

1. Parents get a moment of peace. They’re grateful you’ve kept their child entertained for 3 full minutes. That goodwill turns into purchases.
   
   
2. They have time to look. Emotional connection drives art sales. The more time someone spends in your booth imagining your pieces in their life, the more likely they are to buy. Chalk buys you that time.
   
   
3. It softens the price tag. They might spend $5 on chalk and $45 on a print—but emotionally, it feels like they got a “deal.” They already said yes once, and that makes it easier to say yes again.
   
   

And even if they walk away? They’ll remember your booth—the one with the sweet, sparkly chalk—and they’re much more likely to circle back before they go.

Bonus? You’ve now got the perfect lead-in to offer a custom order if their favorite item sold out.

💰 Is This a “Loss Leader”? Maybe. But…

Let’s talk cost for a sec.

Each chalk piece costs pennies to make and sells for $1+.
You’re still making a profit—and using it to support the sales of your higher-ticket items.

So yes, the margins are small. But the return?

Priceless booth traffic, happy parents, and a cart full of sales.

🔬 Lab Procedure: How to Make Sidewalk Chalk

Ingredients:

• Plaster of Paris
  
  
• Tempera paint (or washable paint for bold colors)
  
  
• Water
  
  
• Silicone molds (ice trays, candy molds, or fun shapes)
  
  
• Optional: Glitter, fragrance, biodegradable confetti for extra kid appeal
  
  

Steps:

1. Mix plaster of Paris according to package directions.
   
   
2. Add a few drops of tempera paint until you get vibrant color.
   
   
3. Pour into silicone molds and tap to remove air bubbles.
   
   
4. Let cure for 24–48 hours depending on humidity.
   
   
5. Pop out and bundle by color or shape. Display in baskets or bins with cute signage.
   
   

💬 Your Turn

What’s your version of sidewalk chalk?

Is there something playful, small, and joyful you can make that helps your shoppers slow down and stay a while?

Experiment. Test. Tweak.

That’s what the Lab is all about.