Friendship during Lockdown with Kindi Kids

AD – Items gifted for review

Like many families across the UK (and indeed the world!) we’ve had our fair share of ups and downs over the last 10 weeks. Our normal routines have been thrown out the window, we have both adults attempting to work from home and schools and nurseries have been shut for an undetermined amount of time. We have very quickly had to adapt to a ‘new normal’ and work with what we have to find the positives for all of us during lockdown.

For me personally; one of the biggest positives of the lockdown has been spending more quality time with the girls and watching them play and talk together. They have definitely grown closer during the last 10 weeks; showing far more affection towards each other than they used to – Erin becoming quite protective of her younger sister, helping her do things she finds difficult or comforting her when she gets upset. It’s been really lovely to see their friendship blossom and whilst of course there has at times been some bickering; for the main they’ve really bonded by having this extra time together.

Having a sibling with whom they can share toys and play with at home has been a huge help in getting through lockdown, as for many children, keeping those friendships and social interactions going during this period of time has been challenging for both the child and their parents.

We were recently sent some of the Kindi Kids toy range – a toy brand who’s motto is ‘Yay Let’s Play’. A group of adorable preschoolers who live in a world of imagination and discovery which is all about playing and making friends. Kindi Kids have been sharing #30daysofplay over on their Facebook page – suggesting loads of fun activities and ways to play at home. Here are some of our own tips for keeping friendships alive and find fun activities to share during lockdown:

Write letters / draw pictures – In this technical age sending an email or text message is usually the norm, however, there has been something really lovely about sending and receiving letters to friends during lockdown. The girls have really enjoyed drawing pictures to send to their friends from school and nursery and are chuffed to bits when they receive a reply – normally with lots of stickers and glitter!!
Zoom Calls – We’ve definitely embraced the world of video calling over the last 10 weeks and as well as FaceTiming grand parents and relatives, we’ve also made sure that the girls link up with some friendship groups via zoom too. The conversation hasn’t always been riveting and there were LOTS of funny faces being pulled, however on a few occasions we’ve set up a supervised play time, where the girls just play with their toys together from their own playrooms. It’s been really lovely to hear them use their imaginations and make up little stories together! We’ve even played games like bingo and charades over zoom with the girls’ cousins – something they really enjoyed.
Find the fun in everyday – Whilst there has been some home schooling going on here, we’ve also been finding other fun ways to add some educational fun into the girls day; from baking (measuring out ingredients and following instructions) to craft (we did some great preparations for VE Day) – we’ve found that practical tasks work really well.
The Great Outdoors – We’ve really been making the most of our daily exercise and time outdoors at home, having played some fun games outside to encourage us to get on our feet and move around a bit! The kids have loved playing hopscotch and going on a scavenger hunt in the garden or around our local woods.

Some other ideas from Kindi Kids are below – with loads more being shared over on their Facebook page every day!

About the Kindi Kids Toy range

The girls are both big doll lovers, but I have to be honest I hadn’t heard of the Kindi Kids range before. Not surprisingly though, both the girls had, with Neve (nearly 4) recognising straight away the link with the Shopkins.

We were sent some products from the Kindi Kids Season 2 range including Kindi Kids Toddler Doll Rainbow Kate and the Kindi Fun Scooter and the girls were really excited, desperate to open up the packaging and start playing!

The Kindi Kids Toddler Rainbow Kate doll is just adorable and I would have been chuffed to bits to receive something like this as a child. From her wobbly bobble head which nods and moves around as you play to her super cute big purple glittery eyes, she was the perfect friend for the girls to play with during lockdown. Neve absolutely loved her apt rainbow hair, with her very own rainbow scrunchie, with the ability to remove and restyle her hair as you wish.

Kindi Kids Rainbow Kate comes with some mini Shopkins accessories, including a cupcake which can be moved around and taken out of its ‘wrapper’ and a pink glittery smoothie which swirls and moves up the straw as she ‘sips’.

Kindi Kids Rainbow Kate wears a removeable rainbow tutu style dress and rubber shoes with a little slit at the back to make them much easier for the girls to take off and on without assistance. She has poseable legs and can sit down and stand up unsupported.

Rainbow Kate was a HUGE hit with both of them, and they are now very keen to add more Kindi Kids friends to.their collection, with other characters such as Marsha Mellow, Peppa Mint, Donatina and Jessicake to choose from, each of whom has their own individual personality, style and accessories.

In addition to Rainbow Kate, we were sent the Kindi Kids Fun Scooter – a little ride along scooter which is perfectly sized for Kindi Kids dolls to sit on, with a support to rest her feet and even hold on to the handle bars. There is a small cup holder at the front as well as trailer at the back for storing Shopkins.

The Kindi Kids Fun Scooter came with two exclusive shopkins, including a large strawberry shopkin and a smoothie shopkin which shoots pink up the straw when you squeeze.

As pushed along the ears of the Fun Scooter (which looks a little like a puppy) flap up and down – much to the girls delight! The Kindi Kids fun scooter is sturdy and strong and the perfect size for them both to share.

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Overall, the Kindi Kids toys were a big hit with both girls and I have already popped Jessicake on the shopping list for Neve’s birthday later in the year. With prices starting at £25, they are currently on offer for £19.99 at Argos here.