Ages for pin trading?

[mrsbornkuntry]

My family is going to be taking our second trip to WDW and my sister's family was going to go on this trip with us so I bought my nephew the starter lanyard set from the Disney Store online because he had collected pins on his last trip, but now he's not going so he doesn't want the lanyards. I was going to sell them on ebay, but I was thinking instead I would keep them for my own kids and get them started trading. I have 5 kids, they are 8, 7, 5, 3, and 6m. The kit came with 3 lanyards and I think my 8, 7, and 5 year olds would be old enough to enjoy trading, but I'm wondering if I should also find one for my 3 year old or if I should use a hat for his pins (he enjoys wearing hats). Is he old enough to trade pins? I still worry a little about the backs coming off and him getting hurt. Is there something else more appropriate that he could do instead?

Also, where is a good place to buy a few pins for the kids to start with before we leave? Is ebay a good place to look? I don't think the kids are going to be interested in their value, just getting characters they like and they are very outgoing so I think they would love interacting with the cast members and trading for different ones.

 

[daber]

My 2 year old grand-nephew enjoyed it. Needed help from mom and dad though. Your 3 year old might feel left out if you let the older kids do it and not them.

 

[Parkhopper]

The great thing about pin trading is that it is fun for people of ALL ages!

Suzi

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

My 4 year old LOVES to pin trade, and had a blast on our recent cruise trading with the CMs. And she's a hawk, too -- she automatically goes for the $12 pins.

Marcy

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Thanks for the input, and you're right, I think he (my 3yo) would feel left out. I guess I'll have to get another lanyard, but I think they will have alot of fun with this.

 

[ellyn2000]

I bought my youngest DS a sportsman's type khaki vest from LLBean (inexpensive) and he really enjoyed displaying his pins on that while @WDW. It also made it easier for him when trading in the parks. This year he's 15, so I think he'll prefer the lanyard. Regardless, they've enjoyed trading since it began. Have a wonderful time!