Bats, spiders, turtles and one hairy eyeball

As a face painter I dread the request for Spiderman. Batman's fast, all that takes is an eye mask or a simple graphic. But Spiderman requires a painstaking web that covers the child's reddened face. Once you've done one, other boys wants them, too.

This week on Oak Street Beach, I got big help from a boy's imagination. With just an eye mask drawn of webbing and a simple radioactive spider on his forehead, he began whooshing invisible webs from his wrists over the guests. Superhero bats, spiders and turtles give me great hope for Edgar & Ellen's mysterious pet, Pet--who's much easier to draw!

Making waits less hateful

At Orlando's Kid Power this week, speaker David Calvert, "Corporate Director of Fun" at Starwood pointed out a guest service opportunity that rang with truth. Tired, antsy kids at hotel registration desks need distraction and entertainment. Starwood tries to make the experience fun--with giveaways and face painters.

What a sponsorship moment! Any kid (and parent) would look gratefully upon the company that popped for a puzzle. treasure map, or comic.

Some smart marketer should own the "I Hate to Wait" moment, not just in hotels, but wherever kids encounter it.

Sparkles and muscles

Face painting at Chicago's 57th Street Book Festival provided a great reminder of what kids like.

The picture was always Edgar & Ellen's pet, "Pet" a one-eyed fur-ball of indeterminate gender. 93% of all children preferred sparkles. But a few of the older boys were hesitant to get painted until they saw Pet on this impressive arm.

"I want one just like the strong guy!"

Superheroes come in all shapes and styles.