Startup cost
$50k–$500k
TRUiC Business Ideas
How to Start an Educational Toy Store
Decision Snapshot
Educational Toy Store
Idea Score
31
Profit margin
6%
Break-even
4 mo–12 mo
Time to launch
12 wk–36 wk
Demand trend
Stable
5-yr failure rate
—
Capital intensity
Very high
Time commitment
Flexible
Part 1 - How to start an Educational Toy Store business - Background
An educational toy store (or instructive toy store) sells toys and games that are meant to stimulate and challenge the player’s creativity and intelligence. The market for educational toys is huge. Every age level can benefit from educational or instructive toys, stores typically have different sections for infants/toddlers, children, and adults. These toys have been known to decrease stress, increase happiness, and even potentially fight debilitating diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Our guide is in 3 parts:
- Part 1 - How to start an Educational Toy Store business - Background
- Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
- Part 3 - Action plan to get started
What are the costs involved in opening an educational toy store?
What you spend depends on where you are, and how you choose to sell your toys. If you choose to start a franchise, such as Learning Express Toys, then your investment will be considerable. The high-end estimate of the initial costs you’ll need is $384,000. The low end estimate is $194,500. If you choose to develop your own toys and sell them online, then you will only spend the cost of the materials to build them, plus any advertising costs you may have.
What are the ongoing expenses for an educational toy store?
Toy stores may face the following expenses over the years:
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Cost of materials to develop toys
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Wholesale costs of other toy makers
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Market research to determine where toys are headed
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Employee wages
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Office supplies (including computers, etc.)
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Mortgage/rent in a physical store
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Shipping costs for an online business
Who is the target market?
The best client will be one who wants a fun way to challenge themselves, or who wants to promote learning to their child in a stress-free way.
How does an educational toy store make money?
Money is made by charging a premium on all toys purchased. Regardless of whether or not an owner makes their own toys or sells the toys of others, the profit margin will need to be determined for each item based on supply and demand.
How much can you charge customers?
People are willing to pay money to strengthen their mind — up to $1,200 depending on the toy. However, the market does face somewhat stiff competition from educational apps for smartphones, so it’s important to set your margin at a reasonable rate based on market demand. If you develop a particularly popular game though that no one else has a version of, you can potentially set your own profit margin at whatever you want it to be.
How much profit can an educational toy store make?
Profits may be slim for the first year or so. If you franchise a toy store at the low end of the business model, you would need to make around $16,000 a month in sales simply to break even. Anything after this can be used as profit or reinvested into the company. Depending on the demand in your area, you could stand to make between $15,000 to $30,000 in profit a month.
How can you make your business more profitable?
If you develop your own popular toys, you can profit by offering your toys to other toy shops. You may also be hired by a large toy maker to design and create additional products for their line.
Day-to-Day and Growth
What happens during a typical day at an educational toy store?
A typical owner’s agenda may look include the following:
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Researching available educational toys
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Developing a line of toys to sell
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Selling to customers
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Managing employees
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Preparing sales reports
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Maintaining a physical store
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Marketing to different types of people
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful educational toy store?
An owner should have a good idea of how the brain works, so they can market their toys to the people who need them the most. Also, an owner should have a good understanding of what holds people’s interests. A 12-year-old who is struggling with numbers may not want to play anything that even resembles a math problem, so a toy maker or distributor will need to look for toys that address the deficiency without upsetting the recipient.
What is the growth potential for an educational toy store?
Growth is partially determined by the amount of people in any given city. In some places across the country, there may be little use for educational toys. People may think they’re too expensive, or not interesting enough to play. In other parts of the country though, the market may be oversaturated in certain major cities. Owners may want to sell online to reduce overhead and to reach a wider audience.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
What are some insider tips for jump starting an educational toy store?
The best thing you can do is be passionate about what you do by working to bring value into the lives of those who play the games and use the toys. Sell toys online, in a store, or both. There are so many fun ways for people to pass the time that also make them smarter!
Find out what websites your ideal customers are on (e.g., educational or news sites), and consider marketing your business on those pages. Choosing to franchise instead may also be a good idea if you’re looking for a tested business model that works. You also get the benefit of a trusted, recognizable name from the first day you open. If you don’t have very much experience as an entrepreneur, this will may be a good option for you.
How and when to build a team
Unless you have a large store with a constant stream of customers, you likely only need a few employees (or none at all.) This is not necessarily the most demanding job, so you can likely hire college students or even high school students to assist you. However, employees should have the people and sales skills to show and tell customers the best games for them.
Part 2 - Is an Educational Toy Store business the right fit for you?
Business Evaluation & Strategy Tool
We'll walk you through the four pillars every business needs: Points of Leverage, Marketing Strategy, Financial Model, and Personal Compatibility. At the end you'll see a personalized report and your action plan below will be tailored to your answers.
Step 1 of 4 — Points of Leverage
Every viable business has natural advantages. Below are common leverage points across four categories. Pick the ones that apply to your Educational Toy Store business. We've pre-suggested a few based on your idea — review and adjust.
Step 2 of 4 — Marketing Strategy
Without a way to connect with customers, even great businesses fail. Pick the channels you plan to use to reach your customers.
Step 3 of 4 — Financial Model
Enter your monthly baseline costs — the minimum overhead to keep the business running. Then we'll calculate how many sales per month you need to break even.
Step 4 of 4 — Personal Compatibility
A business that doesn't fit your life will fail no matter how good the numbers look. Tell us how this business fits you.
Your Educational Toy Store Evaluation Report
Complete the four pillars and your personalized summary will appear here.
Points of Leverage
Marketing Strategy
Financial Model
Personal Compatibility
Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Educational Toy Store business in 90 days
Nine concrete steps to take you from idea to open business, grouped into 30-day phases. Complete the planner above and we'll highlight what's most important for your situation.
First 30 days — Foundation
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Form your legal entity
An LLC keeps your personal assets separate from business debts and lawsuits — the most common reason small business owners choose this structure. Sole proprietorships and partnerships do not provide this protection.
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Get an EIN and register for taxes
Apply for your free Employer Identification Number through the IRS, then register for any state or local taxes that apply to your business (sales tax, franchise tax).
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Open a business bank account and credit card
A dedicated business account is required to maintain personal asset protection. Mixing personal and business finances ('piercing the corporate veil') can void your LLC's liability shield.
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Set up business accounting
Recording expenses and income from day one makes tax filing easier and lets you see when the business is actually profitable. Use software (QuickBooks, Wave) or a part-time bookkeeper.
Days 30–60 — Compliance & Risk
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Get permits and licenses
State and local requirements vary widely. Brick-and-mortar businesses typically need a Certificate of Occupancy; service businesses may need specific professional licensing; food businesses need health permits.
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Get business insurance
General Liability Insurance is the most common starting point. If you'll have employees, most states require Workers' Compensation. Specific industries need additional coverage (product liability, professional liability, etc.).
Days 60–90 — Launch
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Define your brand
Your brand is how customers perceive and remember you. A clear name, logo, and visual identity make every later marketing decision easier and protect you legally as you grow.
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Create your business website
Every legitimate business needs a website. Social media pages are not a substitute — you don't own the platform. Modern website builders mean you can launch a clean site in a weekend without a developer.
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Set up your business phone system
A dedicated business number keeps your personal life private, makes the business look legitimate, and lets you route calls professionally. Cloud phone services start under $20/month.