School groups are a vital audience for many UK visitor attractions. Whether you're a museum, heritage site, or science centre, catering to younger visitors requires thoughtful, age-appropriate products that are both exciting and educational.
Here’s how to create a souvenir strategy that works for schools, with help from The Souvenir Collection.
What Do Schools and Parents Want?
When schools bring students on trips, they’re looking for souvenirs that are:
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Affordable: Parents often provide a small budget, typically under £10
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Safe: No sharp edges, choking hazards, or fragile materials
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Educational: Products that reinforce learning and help remember the visit
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Durable: Items that survive the bus ride home
At the same time, the gift shop is often a highlight of the trip, so the products need to be engaging and fun.
Best-Selling School Group Souvenirs
Some of our most popular products for school audiences include:
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Branded pencils, pens & stationery sets
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Character keyrings or Magnets
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Pocket-sized toys
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Mini badges
These items can be grouped into pre-packed bundles for ease of sale and storage, or offered as part of “pick & mix” counters to create excitement.
Make It Educational
Linking merchandise to your exhibits or curriculum is a great way to reinforce learning:
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Use quotes from exhibits, historical facts or visuals in designs
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Include QR codes that lead back to your attraction’s digital resources
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Offer customisation to encourage creative engagement (e.g. “Design your own…”)
With TSC’s in-house design support, we can help you craft age-specific artwork and product concepts that truly connect with your educational mission.
Tips for School-Friendly Retail
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Set up a dedicated area or counter for school souvenirs
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Offer clear pricing (e.g. £2, £5, £10 bins)
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Use signage that explains the products’ links to learning
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Consider online ordering for teachers or pre-booked gift packs
Let’s Create Souvenirs They’ll Take Home and Talk About
From budget-friendly bundles to meaningful learning tools, TSC makes it easy to design merchandise that meets the needs of schools, students, and staff.
Get in touch with our team, and we’ll help you build a school-friendly range that’s safe, fun, and truly memorable.