The KIDSEN BlogNews, Views and Advice from the UK's First Scandinavian Children's Store

We were recently asked to photograph our store for a local feature and with no photographer at hand I was let loose in store with my brand new camera. 

It was so much fun and I realised that although many of our loyal customers are local and familiar with our store, many have only experienced KIDSEN online. So I am hoping  this little collage will give you a little insight on what KIDSEN looks like as a ‘real’ store and inspire you to visit us when you are next in London, UK. 

Come and visit us at  KIDSEN in Kensal Rise. Find us here: Directions

Most parents today know that it is important to feed their children healthy non sugary foods, or smother them in sun cream when the sun is out, but surprisingly a great majority of parents don’t know the importance of well fitting shoes.  Many still think it is okay to use ‘hand me down shoes’ worn by older siblings, or that shoes are required to give great support. We believe feet are the ‘sole’ of the body and are trying to educate or customers HOW important it is to have great fitting shoes. This video by one of our best loved brands is a great start.

Vivobarefoot are available at KIDSEN where we offer a shoe fitting service. Happy walking, running and playing. 

Yes Our Big Sale is Now On – Visit us in store at 111 Chamberlayne Road or shop online for gorgeous Scandinavian Children’s Clothes & Shoes

Happy Shopping!!

Thank you to everyone who entered the KIDSEN & Little Scandinavian Photo Competition.  It was incredibly hard to choose between our five finalists, but sadly there could only be one winner.

And so the first prize goes to (insert drum roll) Me & My Gal submitted by Kayt from London.

All the judges just loved this fun, special moment between mother and daughter which just pipped the other entries to the post.

Thank you so much to all our entrants and congratulations to all our finalists:

Darren: Stoke On Trent

Amy: London

Karina: London

Amelia: London

We’ve just got back from an Easter break in Greece which gave us a good chance to get our little product testers to put some of our latest collection through it’s paces…

The Sun-San sandals are a firm favourite of the girl’s and they loved the latest colours which they picked themselves (of course).

For Splashing around Big M chose the Mini Rodini Pineapple Swimsuit – Little M decided to go for a Moomin Bathing suit which (shock horror) was not from KIDSEN!

The Mini Rodini Pineapple Dress was great both on and off the beach!

The Shampoodle Dresses were great for keeping cool, whilst still staying protected from the sun…

#

And of course, they won’t go anywhere without their Hummel Trainers – even up the Acropolis

This is how you say ‘Easter’ in Finnish, Norwegian, Danish and Swedish.

Although there are many similarities to British traditions, like Easter egg hunts, the Scandinavians have their own unique traditions.

Swedish children get to paint their eggs and dress up as Easter witches knocking doors asking for sweets (not dissimilar to Halloween tradition). According to Swedish folklore, during Easter the witches fly to the ‘Blue Mountain’ to meet the devil.

And Swedish homes are filled with birch twigs decorated with colorful feathers and the big lunch or dinner takes place on Holy Saturday rather than Easter Sunday.

The Norwegians have a lot to celebrate as they get the longest holiday break in Europe, with Easter holidays starting on Wednesday afternoon and ending on Easter Monday. And their long weekend is spent solving crimes, as the nation becomes obsessed with ‘Easter-Thrillers’ – with even the milk cartons taking part with murder stories printed on their sides.

And the Danes like to be romantic, starting their tradition way back in February, when they send teasing letters, writing secret poems to people they like. If the recipient can guess who sent the poem they receive a reward in form of an egg at Easter.

And in Finland they celebrate with Easter egg hunts for the kids and ham or lamb for lunch after church on Easter Sunday.

Whatever you do and how ever you wish to spend your Easter we wish you all a chocolate filled and relaxing Easter.

Glad Påsk!  

From the KIDSEN Team

Please note:

Our opening hours during the Easter holidays are as follows:

Good Friday the 6^th & Saturday 7^th: 10.00-15.00

Easter Monday 9^th : CLOSED

Tuesday 10^th : 10.00-17.30

Do your children bring out the kid in you? Do you have family fits of giggles at the funniest things? Show us your best moments in our ‘Little Kid in Me’ competition and you could win a fantastic outfit from our spring summer collection for both you and your child, plus a photo session with a talented children’s photographer.

WHAT’S THE STORY?
Acclaimed lifestyle blogger, Little Scandinavian and KIDSEN, recently crowned as Britain’s Best Independent Children Store, have joined forces to launch an exciting photographic competition celebrating special, fun or interesting moments between children and their parents.

We’re looking to find the picture that best illustrates the bond between children and their parents, showcases their unique personalities and celebrates the spirit of childhood.

HOW DO I ENTER?
While you’re spending time with your family this Easter why not capture a special moment on camera. Or maybe that magic moment is just sitting in your photo library. If so dig it out and upload it to our Facebook Page.  You can even ask your friends to vote on your entry. 

Pictures with the most votes will be reviewed by a panel of judges from Little Scandinavian, KIDSEN and photographer Sophie Lechner King. The Top 5 will be exhibited in store at KIDSEN and online at Little Scandinavian.

WHAT’S THE PRIZE?
The picture that best manages to really capture the essence of the competition will win the grand prize of a FREE photo shoot with Sophie Lechner King and also a fabulous parent and child outfit from KIDSEN’s wonderful Spring Summer collection.

So Get Snapping and upload your entry HERE

Photography: Sophie Lechner King
Read More About Little Scandinavian Here

We may have they same sense of humour but when it comes to language England and Sweden are world’s apart. Here are 10 Swedish  words you just wont find in the English language.

If there was one word  England should adopt is ‘Vabba’, don’t you think?

Yes, Pippi Longstocking The Game is in the making and due out in June 2012.   The Nintendo DS title will be produced by PAN Vision and Ravn Studios and will be developed in conjunction with Saltkråkan, the company which was set up to preserve Astrid Lindgren’s literary heritage.

The Pippi Longstocking title is said to be an adventure game designed for children aged 4 to 10 years old and promises to stay true to the Pippi legacy by offering characters and environments made famous by Astrid Lindgren’s books and movies. 

Pan Vision, the developers of the game say “In the game the player gets the opportunity to meet and help well-known characters, solve problems in Pippi’s own way and play together with friends in new and exciting adventures.”

So it sounds like there will be plenty of educational value to the game and it’s June release will  give us a great guilt free opportunity to let our kids loose on video games over the summer holidays*

*Not the whole holidays – just during daylight hours.