momtoone
Shy Member
Posts: 31
Apr 13, 2016 22:40:14 GMT
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Post by momtoone on Apr 19, 2016 22:30:41 GMT
This will be our second year doing a travelling petting zoo and because I am still healing from a MVA we're going to have to hire some help in order to run events like we have.
I'm trying to get creative in what other things we could sell or offer to generate more income to offset the cost of hiring someone.
Currently we take about 10-15 animals with us and sell feed cones, carrots and hay bundles if children would like to feed some to the animals. I enjoy taking pictures with my dslr and have thought about taking "pictures with a donkey or baby chick" or something for an additional charge but in the day of smart phones I think thats "old". I wondered about packaging small plastic farm animals in a ziplock with nice toppers on them, but with the cost of buying them our selling point would be too high, we considered having our dd (12 yrs old) do glitter tattoos for a nominal fee and am just looking into the cost of that.
Any ideas or have you saw some unique things at petting zoo's you've been at?
TIA!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 30, 2024 6:30:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2016 23:44:31 GMT
Pony rides? Little bottles of hand sanitizer?
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momtoone
Shy Member
Posts: 31
Apr 13, 2016 22:40:14 GMT
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Post by momtoone on Apr 20, 2016 3:34:39 GMT
I so wish we could offer pony rides, unfortunately our insurance won't let us. Hand sanitizer, hmmmm... maybe we could do something with that?
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M in Carolina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,128 
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Post by M in Carolina on Apr 20, 2016 5:40:42 GMT
Snacks and beverages would be nice. You can get canned soft drinks, bottled water, juice packs, and individual chips and candy at the warehouse stores.
My dad used to do auctions, and my brother and I would sell hot dogs (the cookers, etc are rentable) and sodas. I also rented an ice shaver to make sno cones for a carnival the youth group at my church put on one summer. The syrups and cups were sold at Gordon's warehouse.
I think the hand sanitizer is a great idea. Kids' hands get pretty nasty, and the animals have germs as well.
I'd also buy a big container of paper towels at the warehouse store to have on hand--and some big trash cans. --we get the big containers of Bounty paper towels at Sam's for $10 for several full size individual wrapped rolls.
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Post by mlynn on Apr 20, 2016 5:48:12 GMT
Face painting is always a HUGE hit around here.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Apr 20, 2016 11:35:35 GMT
Hand sanitizer, hmmmm... maybe we could do something with that? If you are having a petting zoo, isn't it mandatory, by your insurance, that you provide a hand sanitizer station or handwashing station? I agree that a face painting or tattoo station would be good and cost-effective. |
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JustTricia
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,842
Location: Indianapolis
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Post by JustTricia on Apr 20, 2016 13:53:11 GMT
Hand sanitizer, hmmmm... maybe we could do something with that? If you are having a petting zoo, isn't it mandatory, by your insurance, that you provide a hand sanitizer station or handwashing station? I agree that a face painting or tattoo station would be good and cost-effective. I wondered that, too. If I went to a petting zoo I'd either expect there to be sanitizer there or none at all. Selling it sounds like nickel and diming the customer, to me. Like selling a soda, but charging extra for the straw. Sure, it would be nice to have a straw, but honestly I can do without it and would be put out being charged for it. |
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Apr 20, 2016 14:57:39 GMT
I do think people will pay for printed pictures in a decorative folder or frame, especially if you can keep it at a reasonable price point.
Every petting zoo I have been to has had hand sanitizer at the end in large dispensers.
They usually have dispensers for hard food and a higher price for carrots or something like that.
Since it is a traveling petting zoo, I'm guessing you are mostly at events that have concessions and things like that readily available, but what about something alongside the zoo - a maze made of hay, for instance. Or a pumpkin painting station where the pumpkin is purchased then the kids paint it.
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Post by BeckyTech on Apr 20, 2016 15:16:06 GMT
I was at an event recently and the glitter tattoos were being offered for some ridiculously low price like $3.50 or $5.00 or something so that should work out well for you.
Maybe you and your dd could make some cute little felt animals to sell. I kind of like the block animals, I've seen them in both the barnyard and wild animal varieties, but there are plenty of ideas here: Felt animal ideas I'm thinking that felt is pretty inexpensive and making some of these should go pretty quick. |
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Peamac
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea # 418
Posts: 4,229
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Post by Peamac on Apr 20, 2016 15:33:14 GMT
Have you checked Oriental Trading for animal-themed stuff you could sell? They might have a good price on animals that you could resell, and they often have free shipping for $49 or $79 purchase.
If you're not artistic enough to do face painting, see if there's a local art student who would be able to come and do the painting. My DD#2 has done face painting once or twice and really enjoyed it, even though her area of artistic expertise is in drawing.
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momtoone
Shy Member
Posts: 31
Apr 13, 2016 22:40:14 GMT
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Post by momtoone on Apr 20, 2016 21:24:15 GMT
Yes, we have hand sanitizer at both the entrance and exit to the petting zoo, I was thinking perhaps offering little ones with our logo on it to sell.
Ohh, I forgot about Oriental Trading, will take a look there.
Thanks for the other ideas!
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Southern Side eyed Pea 
