SHOPPING
KIDS
MY SMALL WORLD TOY STORE Owner Dawn Burden describes the magic of her shop which is filled to the brim with sturdy, cool and timeless toys
What can customers expect of your store? It’s probably not like any other toy shop you’ve wandered into – every shelf and cubbyhole is filled with amazing discoveries. You’ll find toys from your childhood rubbing shoulders with new creations from exciting European toy designers. It’s not just a shop, it’s an experience. From the grass on the floor to the trees growing through the ceiling, just strolling through the doors brings out your inner child. What are your most popular offerings? Our party service has become popular as people are on the hunt for special gift ideas. We’ll happily pack your little bags for you, and we loan out beautiful melamine beakers, plates and cake stands for free, too, so you don’t have to spend a fortune on disposable stuff. What’s your most impressive item? We’ve become famous for our amazing hot air balloons, but the incredible wooden treehouse in the window might just be the most Instagrammed item in the shop. What makes a great toy shop? As many opportunities as possible for families to discover and play together. Family life is always under a time pressure, that’s why we want your experiences with us to be as easy and stress-free as possible. 19-21 St Lawrence Street, SouthGate, Bath; www.mysmallworld.co.uk
CAMOMILE KIDS
The store specialises in quality used children’s goods, such as clothes, shoes, toys and books. Jennifer Jennings-Wright, who co-owns the store with Natsuko Stroud, tells us more What makes your shop different? Our tagline is ‘browse away as the children play’. We recognise the difficulty of trying to shop with young children in tow and we’re happy to ease that pressure, that’s why we also offer an opportunity for children to play with the toys or read in-store, giving their parents a chance to look around in peace. Have you encountered any heart-warming stories at the shop? Funnily enough, an old, loved, battered toy lion was sitting on the shelf when we purchased the business. We kept it on the shelf, and about six months after opening, a young child came in with her mum and pointed at it. It was a very special lion which she had lost months before and had been looking for it ever since. Needless to say, both mum and child were thrilled, a scenario I’m sure a lot of parents can relate to. 86 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Above: traditional toys rub shoulders with modern European designs at My Small World Toy Store
FROM THE GRASS ON THE FLOOR TO THE TREES GROWING THROUGH THE
CEILING,
JUST STROLLING THROUGH THE
DOORS
BRINGS OUT YOUR
INNER CHILD
What’s the best thing about working in a child-centred business? It’s so satisfying to see so many items recycled. Children wear and use things for such a short time, and quality brands go on forever, often going through several sets of children. Having run the business for years now, we’ve seen children go through the different stages and growing up. It really is a privilege to witness. 1 Combe Road, Bath, www.camomileclothes.vpweb.co.uk
MEALS AND MAKES
Bath blogger Kate Gordon-Brown has launched her first range of products which combine food and creativity to encourage kids to develop a love of cooking and nutrition and to banish fussy eating. Kate tells us more What’s your story? I am a mum of young twins, living in Bath. I have worked in the foodie industry for over 10 years and have a passion for good food and a taste for adventure. My blog combines ideas for family, cooking and creative play. You’ve just launched a new product line for children, tell us about it… It’s a selection of handmade activity kits for kids. All of the ‘everything included’ kits have a fun, foodie theme, encouraging food positivity and giving parents emergency entertainment for their little ones. These packs are inexpensive, colourful and easy to use, making them ideal gifts. What’s in the kits? There are three ranges: Grow me; Colour me; and Sew me. Children can grow their own mini herb garden on their windowsill and turn the crop into a tasty meal; they can colour-in recipe pages; or maybe sew their own ice cream design. www.mealsandmakes.com