Raising children is full of ups and downs – and all too often, grocery shopping with kids is waaaaaay down there at the bottom. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Co-ops can embrace the opportunity to welcome kids and families and turn a challenging experience into a delightful one! The formula is simple: food, facilities, function and fun.

Food

• Get a snack in those little hands ASAP. Having a Co+op Explorers program is a great way, as is offering a sample at the entrance.
• Offer small portions of prepared foods, such as 8 oz. drinks, half sandwiches or snack cups filled with fruit and cheese or trail mix. Be sure there are lids and straws available (with no guilt/shame).
• Make water available for shoppers with a water fountain or water bottle refill station.
• Keep samples above kid-height with sample stands. Check with an adult before serving kids, in case of allergies.

Facilities

• Test carts to ensure they have functioning child seat belts. Bonus points for cup holders in the cart!
• Offer hand sanitizer and/or wipes at the entrance.
• Avoid auto-flush toilets in the restroom – they can terrify small children. Offer baby changing tables in all restrooms, or a gender-neutral family restroom.
• Compost bins are great for paper towels, but be sure to provide a trash can big enough for diapers.
• Offer free Wi-Fi for shoppers. Online games can save the day!
• Provide booster seats and high chairs in the seating area and stepstools at sinks and water fountains.
• If the seating area allows for it, reserve a small play space for kids. A mini table and chairs with some crayons and coloring sheets or a play panel on the wall can be a big draw! Keep hand sanitizer nearby, and make sure you clean and sanitize any toys or puzzles frequently!
• Outdoor space where parents can take a break with the little ones is always appreciated when kids are rowdy. A bit of grass, shade and a bench or table is all that is required.

Function

• Even simple tasks like unloading a cart at the register becomes difficult when pregnant or toting a kid around. Offer to help if you are able!
• Unless they request otherwise, bag groceries and offer carryout assistance for folks shopping with kids. No one wants to leave a child alone in the parking lot to return a cart.
• If something breaks or an accident happens, reassure the family that it’s no trouble and you’ll take care of the cleanup.
• Use inclusive and gender-neutral language when talking to kids and families – not all adult caregivers are moms or dads, and clothing and hair don’t signal a child’s gender.

FUN!

• Delighting kids brings joy to everyone! Look for opportunities to make a kid’s day, like letting them press the peanut butter grinder button or peek inside the walk-in cooler.
• Kids love mini-sized grocery carts, even if adults have mixed feelings about them.
• Stickers at the register are practically required these days…and they distract kids while the adults handle payment.
• What other little delights can you include around the store? A seed bomb vending machine? Recordable buttons that have silly animal noises or fun facts about food? An herb or fairy garden that can be explored? A Little Free Library outside the store?

Looking for more?

Read on for tips on hosting family-friendly events and starting a Co+op Explorers program!