Ideas

Interesting idea. With more and more kids now on the internet, it might work.

I'm not sure I like the reward system, but the idea of doing some sort of MySpace for kids is neat.

You need to develop it a bit more though. Why would kids hang out on the site? They'd get bored with just toy showcases.

HI Louis.

The reward system is integral to the idea, because kids are working towards getting the toys they like the most. Otherwise it is just kids sitting there complaining about what toys they want with no means of parents providing a system of earning those toys. This idea is my first attempt at bringing together my work (psychology) and the net. Having worked in child mental health, boundaries are a real issue for kids. I want to bring some boundaries around things like toys. Help kids develop sense of "earn" and also sense of giving, through donating to other kids, giving gifts back to parents etc.

Keeping the kids coming back is about 1) regularly showcasing new toys 2) special offer digital toys (e.g., digital pets) 3) toy swap schemes, 4) cartoons and other entertainment, 5) community features - talking to other kids, showcasing their actual toys (e.g., photo upload).

http://www.etoys.com/ does a lot of this.

I like the rewards system. As a parent, this is very effective for my kids. As they grow older, I can see this being a great tool for them. I wouldn't restrict it to toys though - younger teens could use this site and get rewarded with other things. +1 from me.

Thanks Aidan. I really appreciate the +1.

etoys certainly has the selection. Just need a more kid-friendly interface so kids can browse the toys more effectively, put the ones they really like in their "toybox" or some equivalent bookmarking type idea. Would be interesting to see how the different toy manufacturers jostle to get their product in front of the kids. Could make for a really lively interface.

I would love it if the site actually attracted the parents first, who set up an account for their child, with the rewards system already in place. Kids then get access to the site as a surprise and can work towards their favourite toys. I would really like to emphasize also the donation component, where kids can donate toys they have earned. Kids are naturally generous and when given good guidance can be very pro-active.

by "toymarking" their favourite toys, the program can also automatically generate price lists, and sales forms for parents to purchase toys. They could get regular emails as to their child's favourite toys, or even better, sit down with their child and scan through all the different toys.

Like the integrated reward system :)

Sweet idea. The reward system is a bit questional but I think it would still work. I also think that the parents could start a comunty much like this one (you know how parents talk about their children and create ideas). That would be the finishing touch.

:))) This would be great. I mean, if kids nowadays spend so much time in front of the computer why not play during this and have their own toys! I believe this is the best thing you could. I can't wait to have something like this for my children. Kenmore Parts (http://www.houseonah.../kenmore_parts.html) and you just made my day!