by Mike Kravinsky

Why hasn't the construction industry in the U.S. thought of this?

Do you have kids, nephews or nieces? How many times have they stopped in their tracks while walking with you to just stare at a construction site? How many kids have toy construction equipment at home?

Now, imagine being a kid and someone offers you the opportunity to operate real construction equipment. Would you say, "Oh no, I'd rather continue pretending with my Tonka toys"? Of course not! You would jump at the chance.

In England, there's Diggerland. Owned by an excavation firm, its four locations offer kids the chance to drive and operate real construction equipment! I don't know any one of my nephews (or me for that matter), who when we were young wouldn't have drooled over the opportunity to operate real earth movers, tractors or cranes. Forget about Lego and Tonka. Bob The Builder? Who's he? Are you a builder with construction equipment? Do you have some land? Your next act is theme parks.

The idea of Diggerland made me think of all the other theme parks that could be tailored to kids. How about House on Fire Land, Pit Crew Land, Fly A 747 Land, and Blow Up Dynamite Land? The list is endless.