FAO Schwarz, Kidlandia help kids create worlds

NEW YORK – Kidlandia, a company that enables children to create such personalized items as maps, kingdoms and family trees, has opened its first in-store boutique at FAO Schwarz in Midtown Manhattan.

Working with a dedicated FAO Schwarz associate, children and their families can use the Kidlandia Kiosk, which utilizes hardware provided by HP, to create their own personalized kingdom. Customers can select from Kidlandia’s own map designs, or choose a map featuring popular characters from Disney and Nickelodeon. Each map will be designated the land of the child’s name provided, and for further personalization, other names of family and friends can be added, which then become the names of locations on the map.

In addition, as an exclusive to FAO Schwarz, guests can select a map of Manhattan and use it as a way to remember their trip.

The Kidlandia Personalization Boutique will offer 24 x 18-inch Kidlandia fine art prints that will be packaged in a travel-friendly tube for the customer, the company reported.

“2011 will be a monumental year for Kidlandia,” said Kidlandia CEO Brian Backus. “The company was born to give every child their own kingdom to rule. All these exciting new initiatives and products are certain to entertain, educate, and delight kids and parents, and also capture important moments in a highly personalized gift.”

Kidlandia also has an online retail presence with Disney Store, Pottery Barn and Gilte Group. The company said it is developing other relationships with brick-and-mortar retailers.