Simon Malls Stage Kids’ Cooking Events
Simon malls are hosting a cadre of pint-sized chefs for a summer campaign that benefits America’s Second Harvest food banks.
The Simon Kidgits Super Duper Mini Chefs event brings activities for kids to 82 malls.
Kids can decorate cookies, twist pretzels into shape and make a pot holder or apron. A drawing in each mall will give away a Lifestyle Dream Kitchen play set from toymaker Step2, and a copy of“Let’s Cook,” a pop-up cookbook for kids.
Simon’s marketing partner, preschool TV network PBS Kids Sprout, will give all kids who participate a video of Barney or Bob the Builder, a recipe flyer from the Sprout Diner feature on PBS Kids’ Web site, stickers and activity sheets.
Kids are encouraged to donate canned goods for their local food bank, through America’s Second Harvest. The program runs through July.
The campaign is an extension of Simon’s 3-year-old Super Chefs Live tour that brings celebrity chefs into malls to give cooking demos (Promo Xtra, April 7, 2005).
Simon is using its kids’ loyalty club, Kidgits, to stage the event. Kidgits hosts a handful of promotions for kids three to eight throughout the year, based on the themes of health and wellness, education, safety and entertainment. Kids who are currently club members get a baking set at the Super Duper Mini Chefs events, including a muffin pan, measuring spoons, wire whisk, metal bowl and cookie cutters. Simon will recruit new members during the cooking events.
