We need a Store Manager to look after both our shop and our lovely customers in Kensal Rise, West London. Full details of the role and how to apply are posted on the main KIDSEN site. Click here for details.
Please feel free to forward on this post to anyone that you think may be suitable.
Our “January Sale” starts today with great savings on fantastic Scandi Brands both in-store and online.
Whether it’s just popping champagne corks or a full on fireworks display, the year should always go out with a bang!
If your kids will be attending the celebrations we have the perfect solution. Our Peltor Ear Defenders for Kids tune out harmful loud noises. Specially built for children, they’re also lightweight with no protruding parts. Order yours today and have a fantastic New Year!!
For more information on our Peltor Kids Ear Defenders Click Here
It’s Christmas Day and that can only mean one thing. The sales have started! Rather than clog up your Inbox today, we thought we’d just update our blog to let you know that our sale is starting very soon. Stay tuned for details of some great savings on your favourite Scandi gear – both in store and online.
In our last newsletter we published our top ten children’s presents. If you’re stuck for gift ideas we’re sure you’ll find them a great source of inspiration. And of course, all of them are available both online or in the KIDSEN store.
1. The Lundby Stockholm Dolls House
With a great range of accessories and incredible scale detail, The Lundby Stockholm Dolls House is top of our gift list and every little girl’s dream!
For more information on the Lundby Stockholm Dolls House Click Here
2. The Automoblox C9 Sports Car
Like all Automoblox Cars, the C9 can be pulled apart and assembled like a puzzle. Great design, with a fantastic wood finish. A firm favourite with kids of all ages.
For more information on the Automoblox Car Range, please click here
3. The Isak Family Tree
Plot your family on this beautifully illustrated family tree print. It’s a great way to teach little ones about all the members of your family.
For more information about the Isak Family Tree, please click here
4. The Hoppetossa – Pippi’s Pirate Ship
Fresh out of Sweden and just docked in our London store, it’s the Hoppetossa – the legendary Pippi Longstocking Pirate Ship. There’s no shortage of moving parts to play with here, guaranteeing hours of fun!
For more information on the Hoppetossa Pirate Ship, click here
5. The Oskar and Ellen ABC Play Bag
Oskar and Ellen make brilliant educational toys, they always find way to make learning fun. This ABC Play Bag is a great new addition to the range. Bright colourful characters make it a brilliant way to learn the alphabet.
For more information on the Oskar and Ellen ABC Bag, click here
6. The Brio Stove
We have one of these in the KIDSEN store and kids of all ages love to play with it, opening the oven, turning knobs and just generally cooking up a storm. It’s no surprise it’s on our best seller list – a very popular item!
For more information on the Brio Stove, click here
7. Skummis Pram Toys
Made from Soft Velour, the “Skummis family” simply attach to any pram. All babies love their weird and wonderful shapes and colours.
For more information on the Skumis range of Pram Toys, click here
8. The Brio Play Gym
Soft, cute and plenty to do for babies. A brilliant, stylish alternative to more traditional play gyms. We want one in adult sizes!
For more information on the Brio Play Gym, click here
9. Mini-A-Ture Cardigan
Gorgeous Stripey Cardign with flower detail and double pockets to keep little hands warm!
For more information on this Mini-A-Ture Cardigan, click here
10. Sebra Car Duvet Cover
This duvet cover features a great range of vehicles that are sure to appeal to any junior car fanatics. The colourful illustrations also brighten up any child’s room!
For more information on the Sebra Car Duvet Cover, click here
Had a strange phone call the other day. A customer from London called the shop with absolutely no idea of where Kensal Rise is, or where Chamberlayne Road is. We were surprised. Had they not heard all the (ahem) news – Chamberlayne Road? Named The Hippest Street in Europe by Vogue? Daniel Craig’s New Hang Out? We were shocked.
Seriously, the phone call made me think. If we put aside all the hype, because (obviously nowhere in Europe beats Stockholm) there are some nice things to do around us, that us locals take for granted. So if you’re not from the area and you come down to Chamberlayne Road to see us, here are a few things nearby that we’d suggest you do to make a day of it…
1) Pick up some great Italian Food at Langolo’s
An absolute institution in Kensal Rise. There is nowhere that does nicer Italian deli fare. Period. And now, there’s a great coffee bar and outdoor seating. Worth a visit.
2) Enjoy a mouthwatering lunch at the Chamberlayne
The food is consistently good at The Chamberlayne
Ok, it’s the second food based entry in our top five of things to do, but it is a great place to eat. Can be a bit small if you’re travelling with full buggy kit, but consistently great pub lunch food at reasonable prices.
3) Have a Family Day Out In the Park
KIDSEN is just behind Queens Park, which has it’s own mini zoo, a fantastic playground complete with sand pit and a small café. It’s a lovely park, with beautiful houses to peek into as you walk down to the park. A great reward for the kids…
4) Visit the World Famous Portabello Road
Ten minutes up the road from KIDSEN is Portabello Road Market. If you’re visiting us on a Saturday, it’s worth dropping in for a stroll. Bus 52 goes from virtually outside our shop.
5) Take in a Flick at The Lexi
The newly opened art house cinema is always worth a visit. Housed in a former Edwardian Theatre, it’s Beautiful and has just 80 seats, making it intimate and cosy They show children’s films too. Last time we checked, Bolt and Coraline was on the lineup. Also, they give 100% of their profits to community action in South Africa
Just a handful of ideas of things to do when you visit KIDSEN. Of course, we’ll give you a few more when you pop in.
Our address is 111 Chamberlayne Road, Kensal Rise, London, NW10 4PH
If you live in London and haven’t attended the annual Queens Park Day Festival, it’s certainly worth adding to your Filofax for next year. There’s a great range of family activities and it’s always a brilliant day out.
We were honoured to be offered a stall at this year’s celebrations, so we packed up our brightest children’s toys, prams and baby clothes and headed on down to set up our first ever KIDSEN Stall.
Luckily, we were able to persuade our friends at Scandinavian Kitchen to join us on our stall. Their mouth watering traditional Scandinavian cakes ensured we had a steady stream of customers all day.
It was great to see all of you down there and to meet new faces – even if some of you only stopped by for the Cinamon Buns!!!”
Bronte from Scandinavian Kitchen and her now legendary Cinamon Buns!
Our Snapshot of Queens Park Day
We stepped away from the Kidsen stall to snap a few things that we really enjoyed. The pictures are below. Thanks to all involved for a great day out!
"Detective Lester Freamon" from The Wire aka Clarke Peters shows his fun side for the KIDSEN camera at Queens Park Day...
The Human Mural Was a Fantastic Idea and People Really Got Involved!
We were assured nobody was hurt during the making of the mural... looks painful though!
The Selection of Food Was Excellent - No Herring or Crayfish Though...
The Tribal Face Painting Was A Big Hit!
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 once I caught a fish alive... sing along with me!!
So we decided to take a bit of time off from our busy schedule to celebrate Midsummer. For the unitiated, midsummer celebrations involve gathering with friends, eating a traditional meal (delicious Herring, Schnapps, Boiled Potatoes, Schnapps, Crayfish and Schnapps). Did I mention that we also have a few Schnapps.
We gave the London Locals the Low Down on why we Swedes celebrate Midsummer but after all those Schnapps I doubt they’ll remember….. Luckily there’s a handy guide right here.
