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Fun on the Fly: A Game for Kids in a Model Home

By
Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate VA License # 0225089470

Fun on the Fly:  A Game for Kids in a Model Home

Ever have one of those days when you have been going all day long?  You have a buyer and are going to builder to builder?  Maybe they've been going back and forth between two competing builders in a neighborhood and it's 5pm and they finally seem to be honing in on THE ONE, but one of the decision makers is not yet on board.  The kids are in tow and getting restless.   Everyone is hungry.  

First of, order pizza.  That calms everyone down, even the adults think more clearly on a full stomach.  But when the parents get to talking serious business and the kids are just nagging because they are bored, maybe the iPad ran out of juice, you have to get creative.

For kids that can count, here's a fun game that can be played solo or as a competition.  Give them a color, for instance pink, and have them tally up how many items they can find in the model home with the color pink in it.  Worked to keep a very bored six year old busy tonight.  She felt like she was on a scavenger hunt.

Do you have any proven methods of keeping the little ones busy when the parents need some space to make decisions in a model home?

Comments (10)

Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

I haven't done it since I started the new job, but when I sold furniture before, I would take the little ones to the mattress aisle, make them take off their shoes and let them jump on the bed.  The kids loved it, they were supervised by me while the parents had time to shop.  After a while the kids were worn out and would sit quietlly while I wrote their parents order.

Jun 28, 2013 09:05 PM
Barbara Hensley
RE/MAX Properties - Rockwall, TX
Homes for Sale in Rockwall County, Texas

Chris Ann, this is a great  and I had to suggest!  I keep a supply of toys or games in the truck of my car so as to be prepared when the kids get bored.  Suggested as this is a great tip for all. 

Jun 28, 2013 10:47 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Chris ann what a great idea, i like that game and will certainly use it. It is better than the game where the kids sneak away, jump on the bed and try to touch the ceiling or try to get the real fruit out of the plastic fruit trick. I have sold new home for 2 decades and kids running around are a big issue. 

Jun 28, 2013 11:14 PM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

What  a great idea and so much better than a collar, leash and bottle of kiddie valium.  ;-)

Jun 29, 2013 01:25 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Chris Ann - That's a very good idea. I prefer a coil of heavy rope and a gag, but we always keep crayons and coloring books for kids, with the caveat that in someone else's home, crayons require at least some supervision.

Jun 29, 2013 03:38 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Roger:  That would be fun to do as a kid since the parents are most likely anti-bed jumping at home.

Barbara:  Thanks for the suggestion.  Sometimes you just have to think on the fly and this is one I thought up off the cuff.

Scott:  Yeah.  The running around and mayhem is not a good thing.

Susan:  Or a cage.  Just kidding.  :)

Dick:  In the age of the iPad, I don't crayons and coloring books are as desirable as they once were, but we have those on hand at our office.

Jun 29, 2013 06:50 AM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Chris Ann - Thankfully my clients never bring their kids with them, but if they did I'd have to get creative like you and ordering pizza is an excellent start.

Jun 29, 2013 09:00 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Michelle:  When it's dinnertime and the little ones are losing it, it's time to eat.  Then, it's time to stay occupied.

Jun 29, 2013 09:22 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Chris Ann~ Since there's 2 of us, I'm usually the one that keeps the kids entertained.  We've never done it in model home, so I don't have any good ideas. I like yours and may use it some day!

Jun 29, 2013 01:28 PM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Donna:  Works in a family home too, though they should have plenty of their own toys to keep them occupied in a listing situation.

Jun 30, 2013 02:28 AM