A Halifax toy company is recruiting a team of craft consultants to provide feedback on their products.

The Orb Factory has been in business for more than 20 years, and specializes in niche toys aimed to spark creativity in children.

Right now, the company is looking for boys and girls between the ages of six and 12 to participate in focus groups as ‘craft consultants.’

“We're starting to involve more kids in the process of designing, just to see how they interact with different components,” said Morgan MacDonald, a product developer at the company. “That part is so much fun – just actually seeing kids react to things, seeing what they have to say.”

The toys are designed locally by an in-house team of product developers.

By playing with the toys, the kids give feedback to the company that helps them manufacture a better product.

“It really allows not just our designers but all our staff to interact with local kids and local families and see how they play and what they're interested in,” said marketing co-ordinator Stephanie Carver.

The kids meet up after school a few times a month to put the company’s toys to the test.

“Sometimes they come in and they test one product, sometimes they come in and test a whole bunch of different ones,” said Carver. “Right now, we're working on a new product line for February. We’re in the very early stages, so sometimes they’ll come in and play with one component or one aspect of the craft, which is really fun.”

The company launches new products about twice a year, but not without getting a second – or third – opinion from one of their craft consultants.

“It takes listening, because if you do something wrong it might not come out as good as the others,” said experienced toy-tester, nine-year-old Callie Clothier.

“You have to be really focused,” said ten-year-old Nate Chin, another company consultant. “If you’re just talking the whole time, you might not get anything done.”

While they may not get paid in cash, the kids are still compensated for their time at the end of the day.

“When they leave, they get to take a toy home with them, which I think is their favourite part,” said Carver. “Their eyes just kind of light up.”

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Caitlin Andrea.