Editing Merchandising (section)

==Children==

Merchandising for children is most prominently seen in connection with [[film]]s and [[videogames]], usually those in current release and with [[television]] shows oriented towards children.

Merchandising, especially in connection with child-oriented films, TV shows and literature, often consists of toys made in the likeness of the show or book's characters (action figures) or items which they use. This was first seen with the Peter Rabbit soft toy in 1903, with the ''[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian]]'' magazine stating Beatrix Potter "created a system that continues to benefit all licensed characters, from [[Mickey Mouse]] to [[Harry Potter]]."<ref name="Smithsonian"/> However, sometimes it can be the other way around, with the show written to include the toys, as advertising for the merchandise.

Sometimes merchandising from a television show can grow far beyond the original show, even lasting decades after the show has largely disappeared from popularity. In other cases, large amounts of merchandise can be generated from a pitifully small amount of source material ([[Mashimaro]]).