Kids will now have the opportunity to shop for parents at the Kids Holiday Market in Downtown

The Holiday Kids Market sponsored by GreenState Credit Union is a chance for kids to shop for everyone on their holiday lists with the assistance of Santa’s helpers this holiday season.Located in Black Hawk Mini Park in the Pedestrian Mall, the Holiday Kids Market opened on Monday, November 15th and is open from 10:00am until 7:00pm until Wednesday, November 24th.

“When I was I child, the local chamber hosted a kid’s secret Santa event, the event remains one of my most fondest memories. The event allowed me as a kid to take money and go shopping for my parents and sister without them knowing what they were getting. It is such a cool experience for mom, dad, grandparents, whomever, to receive something special that was specifically chosen by the children in their lives”, said Director of Creative Services, Betsy Potter. “For many years, I have wanted to recreate that event here in Iowa City. The Downtown Kid’s Market is a chance for kids to gain independence shopping on their own, learn about budgeting while shopping, and widens the options kids have for gifts to give. ”

Kid’s will be able to shop from a collection of items from various downtown shops with gifts priced between $5 – $50. The shop includes great gifts for mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, siblings, teachers, and more! Parents and guardians will help submit a list of all gifts that need to be purchased, the budgets for each person, and then wait while the kids have the opportunity to shop in secret. Once their shopping is complete, children will have the opportunity to have the gifts wrapped and bundled before returning to their parents with their holiday shopping complete.

Each child will have around 30-45 minutes to shop for everyone on their list. Santa’s helper will help kids stick to their budget, make sure they get something for everyone on the list, and shop efficiently.

Groups will come to the Holiday Pop-Up Market in Black Hawk Mini Park to check in for their shopping appointment. Parents and guardians will fill out a sheet indicating who the child should shop for and the budget for each person. Children will then walk next door to the shopping shop with Santa’s Helper to budget, shop, and decide what each person on their list will receive. Once all gifts are finalized, the gifts will be brought to the last shop and wrapped. The child will then return to their parents or guardians with gifts purchased and wrapped.

Customers are able to reserve their shopping time ahead of time online at the Downtown Holiday Market. Drop-in appointments will only be open when they are available. See more details and the full calendar of holiday happenings downtown at downtowniowacity.com.

Another great bonus to the Downtown Kid’s Market is the partnership with GreenState Credit Union to provide shopping days and times for families in need.  Thanks to the sponsorship/partnership a number of families in the community will be given a shopping experience at the market.