Go back in time to when many of us were children, do you remember the scratch and sniff stickers that would gain you attention during class? Every kid on the planet, boy or girl, loves stickers. Peruse many online auction listings for Garbage Pail Kids stickers, and the proof is undeniable. Stickers are valuable commodities. Stickers are inexpensive items that generally can only be used once, yet children go nuts for them. Bank tellers know this and often hand out stickers to any customer who has a child in tow.
Grocery store cashiers happily hand over "paid" stickers to youngsters who ask. So, what is the fascination? Children love sticking these nifty items all over their notebooks, books, doors, and even their bodies. Ask any child why they have stickers on their face and they will answer, "Because it is fun".
Stickers are a means to that child expressing his or her individual personality. Of course, many children will admit that sneaking stickers onto unsuspecting family members' backs is also fun. Some of today's best selling stickers include popular movies like Finding Nemo, Cars, or Flushed Away. Popular television characters like Strawberry Shortcake, Thomas The Tank Engine, Pokemon, My Little Pony, Spongebob, and Rugrats are also top sellers. Older children love stickers from their favorite musicians. Stickers with images of Green Day, Britney Spears, Usher, Kayne West, and Hillary Duff sell out of stores quickly.
Why? It is a child or teenager's way to express a little about him or herself. Think back to your own childhood. I remember in fifth and sixth grade, my notebooks and binders were covered in scratch and sniff stickers. As I aged, rock bands like AC/DC and Aerosmith replaced the girly stickers from my past. By high school, the cruder Garbage Pail Kids were far more appealing.
It just goes to show that even as I aged, stickers were still forms of entertainment. You may be surprised to learn that many stores are now selling Garbage Pail Kids again. Like many children's toys, stickers from the past are making a comeback. Stickers never go out of style. They still appeal to children and always will. Though they are fun, you should teach your child about the importance of some stickers.
Remember Mr. Yuck? Mr. Yuck was a brightly colored sticker placed on poisonous items to warn children from touching or ingesting that item. Make sure children know the difference! Obviously, you should watch little ones who have stickers.
Toddlers are usually tempted to put just about anything in their mouths and stickers can be a choking hazard to children that age. It is best to closely monitor a toddler if you decide to allow that child to play with a sticker. Stickers help bring out the artistic nature in children of all ages. As many sticker sheets cost a couple dollars, it is an excellent way to surprise a child.
A sheet of stickers will certainly brighten your child's day.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a funny bumper stickers at http://www.shop4stickers.com
