Here are some crazy numbers for you: as of February of this year, merchandising sales from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise reached the $1.6 billion mark. Merchandise from vampire-themed movies such as Twilight and TV shows like “True Blood” raked in over $7 billion between 2008 and 2010. Wow, right? Those huge numbers encompass not just ticket sales or viewership, but the massive amounts of merchandising surrounding these movies and shows, from t-shirts to books to toys, mostly aimed at kids and teenagers. So what can you do to reduce their influence?

 

Have Kids Think About What They’re Watching

One of the best ways to get kids and teens engaged is to ask them questions about what they’re watching: What do they like about it? How does it make them feel? While these movies and shows are escapist entertainment, they don’t provide much of a learning experience. If they want a specific item connected to a movie, helping them think about why they want it will help them understand they don’t “need” it.

 

Plan Alternate Activities

At first blush, going to the movies seems like a family activity, right? But add in the cost of tickets, plus the cost of (mostly junk) food, plus sitting in a dark room for 2 (or more) hours… in the end, it can be a big waste. Instead of going to the movies in this case, plan a book club night where you can read a book and discuss it together. Go to the library and research real pirates together and learn a little history along the way.

 

Simply Don’t Buy “Stuff”

It goes without saying – the best way to keep kids from jumping on the “more machine” is to simply refuse in a loving way to buy any of the merchandise connected to these shows and movies. Your budget will thank you for it, though your kids may grumble. My Mom and I used to have this conversation when I wanted something:

“Are you going to die if you don’t get this?”

“Well, no.”

“Then you don’t need it.”

I would get angry at her about it, but soon enough I’d get over it. Kids grow out of t-shirts, tire of DVDs, and eventually end up throwing away the “stuff” they accumulate – it’s easier to stop the cycle before it even starts!

 

How do you keep your kids from the merchandising machine? Like us on Facebook and tell us!