Events distinguish Learning Express Toys from your typical retailer. Bringing families together are the cornerstone of the experience. With the turnkey Play Day Party Kit program, the Home Office helps stores offer monthly events, with a focus on one vendor.
Home Office buyers collaborate with vendors to determine the best kits, and the Graphics Department creates all marketing materials for in-store, email, and social media. Stores then host the Play Days on the days of their choosing during the specified month.
March was Calico Critters month at Learning Express Toys, and it offered many ways for stores to individualize their Play Days. A big hit was inviting Bell Hopscotch Bunny to the store. Learning Express Toys of Citrus Park had a “most exciting and magical day,” owner Stefanie Dunlop said. “Kids of all ages enjoyed crafts, dancing, glitter tattoos, a balloon pop, and a tea party.” 
Stefanie who is in her first year as a Learning Express Toys owner has seen great success with her events and attributes the increased foot traffic and in-store engagement to her busy event calendar. “Our goal is to create a family-friendly go-to stop for moms and dads,” said Stefanie. “Our store is now seen as the place for fun, educational events.”
Last week she hosted an Easter Egg Hunt, crafts, and a Bunny Peep Rainbow Loom tutorial. The turnout was amazing! “We had so much fun with all of our wonderful customers,” Stefanie added. This week, there will be an artist teaching children how to make cartoon animals.
Though Stefanie holds several events each month that are not part of the turnkey Play Day program, she enjoys the ease of implementation with the ones organized by the Home Office. “It’s important to supplement the Play Day program with additional activities throughout the month,” Stefanie advised. “But, it’s nice to have one event that is relatively simple to execute.”
In addition to the value the Play Days provide for our customers, the programs helps to create a stronger relationship between the stores and the vendors.
Check out your local store’s Facebook page for information about the next Play Day in your area! For information about your local Learning Express store, click on this link.