KID2KID – POP Into A Whole New World Of Learning And FUN!
Fidget toys have taken the market by storm and quickly earned a reputation as the “next big thing”. It is something that every child wants and that every classroom needs. When I first discovered the very popular fidget toys, I honestly did not get the buzz. It seemed silly to me, and I just could not understand what the craze was all about. But, being me, I needed to dig a little deeper to understand more, and the research took me by surprise! It was only once I truly knew and understood what fidget toys really are, that I could see and experience all of its benefits – for my own child and the learners in my Grade 2 class, and now I can’t get enough! I, however, also realized that many parents don’t really know how amazing this “simple toy” that their child kept nagging for truly is, so I’m here to help!
What are fidget toys really?
In essence, fidget toys are self-regulation tools that were created to help with focus, attention, calming, and active listening. Fidget toys come in all shapes and sizes, but the goal remains the same – they help focus attention and improve learning ability. Did you know that research actually shows that most children learn better when their hands are busy and funnelling expandable energy in this manner allows them to focus better on what they are trying to learn. Experts have also found that movement is necessary for learning, because the learner is required to use both left and right sides of their brains. So, in short, a fidget toy is an object that can be given to a child to regulate his need for movement and touch. This increases his/her ability to remain calm, focused, and attentive.
Benefits of fidget toys:
1.Increases concentration and focus in children
Fidget toys help children to use both the left and right hemispheres of their brains which is necessary for learning and the carrying out of tasks.
2. Reduces anxiety
Fidgeting is a calming mechanism. Anxiety, stress and disorders such as ADHD often affects the hands and fingers, and although fidget toys cannot prevent or eliminate the issues, it can help calm the child.
3. Create movement for stimulating the brain stem
One of the brain stem’s most important functions are to control basic body functions such as breathing, heart rate, consciousness, and whether one is awake or sleepy. Movement is a fundamental way to trigger the brain stem, because it sends signals from the body to the brain to awaken and be alert. Fidget toys can thus serve this purpose of movement.
4. Serve as minor distractions
Fidget toys serve as minor distractions which can help boost focus and productivity by giving your child’s mind a break and making it easier to pay attention.
In a nutshell we have all used fidgeting to help us focus, or to help us calm down in stressful situations, at some point in our lives. Whether it was clicking the back of a ballpoint pen, tapping our pens on a table, or just tapping your foot on the ground. Fidget toys just gives our children a better and less disrupting way of doing this, while they try to listen, focus or calm down.
About Kid2Kid
We were recently introduced to the little small business Kid2Kid, and the story behind this business is just so inspiring and incredible that I had to share it! Kid2Kid was founded by Jaden a 7 year old boy (yes, you read right, a 7 year old!) who has a passion for fidget toys and follow the latest crazes from across the world. His incredible mom and dad are busy teaching him how to source, market and import his own stock online and through many leading retailers throughout South Africa! JD, who has spent a lot of time watching his mom and dad work super hard, now uses his time after school and on weekends learning, playing and sorting his fidgets for delivery. And if this is not inspiring enough, he also loves to go around children’s homes to hand out fidgets to children who cannot afford to buy them themselves. What an incredible story and I just think these parents can be so incredibly proud of themselves and their little boy! Just WOW!
What we love about Kid2Kid:
1. I love that this is a local, small business run by a young entrepreneur! I mean, you don’t find many 7 year olds that run their own businesses, especially not in SA! This reason alone is enough for me to support his little business!
2. A PopIt one-stop shop
I love how you can find all kinds of fidget toys with just one click! Kid2Kid stocks so many fun, unique and exciting fidget toys, and I can almost guarantee there is something for everyone, from toddlers to teens and even adults! I feel like a young child myself while browsing their site, it’s just so much fun!
3. Easy to shop
I love that their website is so easy to browse, which makes shopping simple and effortless.
4. Affordability
Their shop not only stocks a huge variety of fidget toys, but they are also super affordable! You also get free shipping for all orders over R450!
5. Relevant
I love that JD is still a kid himself, because who better to ask what kids would love, and what the latest trends are than a kid who understands the target market! I can say with confidence that JD has a huge advantage in this regard and the site speaks for itself! You can be sure to find all the latest fidget trends, crazes and “it” products right there on the Kid2Kid site!
Some of the amazing products you can expect to see in the Kid2Kid shop includes:
1. Simple Dimple Spinner
Ditch the boring fidget spinners that everyone else is having for one of these super cool fidget spinners that guarantee to make you stand out from the crowd. JD described this fidget spinner as a colourful alien saucer spinning at top speed. This 2-in-1 fidget spinner and popper can help to relieve stress, restore your mood, and create a fun atmosphere.
2. Fidget pad
I personally love the fidget pad! You can press, push, play or spin the fidget pad in different ways and directions to help improve hand-brain coordination as well as creativity.
3. The Lumo fidget ball
This is one of A’s favorites! The Lumo Rainbow Fidget Puzzle Ball is a color-matching puzzle that is shaped like a ball. The objective of the puzzle ball is to get all the colors of the orb to match the outline on the ball. There are 12 holes which correspond to the 11 colors of the orbs, with an extra hole so you can push the orbs around freely. Once you have completed the puzzle, just re-shuffle the orbs and you can have another go!
This is such an excellent toy for children as it helps to develop their logical thinking ability & motor-skill coordination and exposes them to the different sensitivities of colors. I love that the ball is small enough to carry with you and it’s the perfect toy to give the children when you are going on a road trip or whilst sitting in a restaurant!
4. A large variety of Popits
I’m sure you have seen the popit’s everywhere by now, but Kid2Kid takes it to a whole new level! From large rainbow popit’s, to sun changing popit’s to rainbow circle popit’s and popit’s in all shapes, sizes and even themes! I bet you haven’t seen a giant Mickey, unicorn or minions pop it in your local shop just yet? What about a Captain America, baby Yoda, Among us or Pokemon popit? One thing is for sure… whatever size, whatever color and maybe even whatever theme, Kid2Kid has got you covered!
These popit fidget pads are a softer, quieter version of bubble wrap that doesn’t have to be tossed away after one use. It has so many uses, some of which include:
- It is a stress reliever
- Can be used to play parent-child games
- Can be used for autistic exercises
- It can assist in preventing brain degradation in the elderly
- As a teacher I love to use the large ones for counting exercises
- I also use them in my classroom for sound activities where the learners need to pop the sounds of a word, and so much more!
5. Heart Simple Dimple PopIt
This is one of my personal favorites! I love that this popit actually comes out with the alphabet printed onto it! I use this popit with A for word-building activities, sounding out simple CVC words, and for letter and sound recognition! It is such a fun way to make learning fun and to stimulate his brain and fine motor skills!
6. The large simple dimple popits
These are awesome for smaller children since it is much bigger and easier accessible for little hands. A loves his superhero simple dimple!
7. Orbit spinner
I love that this is a tiny little pocket puzzle! It is pocket sized so easy to carry around and pull out when your child starts to get bored, annoyed or a little worked up. This marble track top cube toy is a novel educational toy designed for brain development; it can keep your fingers busy, help you relieve stress and anxiety, and let you focus your attention on strength and relaxation. The marble orbit gyro cube is conducive to cultivating spatial imagination, logical thinking and finger flexibility; they also help to exercise practical skills, observation skills, and promote children’s growth as they swirl, spin and try to solve the little puzzle.
8. Mochi Squishy pack
These are just adorable! These animal squishies comes in a pack of 3 jelly-like textured, stretchy and squishy little animals! They are super fun and can be stretched, squished and pulled in all directions, whilst serving as an adorable little stress ball!
9. Monkey Noodles
These were also a huge hit with A! These rainbow colored noodles come in a pack of 6 and can be stretched, twirled, wrapped and squeezed! A loved playing with these in so many different ways! He shot them at a target, made bracelets out of them, used them to tie knots and create traps, and so much more! These are awesome for tactile and sensory stimulation and they are so much fun!
10. Rotate and slide puzzle
This is another little pocket sized puzzle that A loved! This little toy is a combination between a magic cube and puzzle. It’s puzzle pieces can be rotated from left and right around the axis and can also be slid up and down. You can create different patterns, or restore the puzzle pieces that are out of order to the original state layer by layer. This toy also helps develop logical thinking as well as problem solving skills!
11. Magnetic spinner
These are excellent for stress relief! You can either spin them, twist them or use them as magnets! The choice is yours!
12. Poop Snapper
This snap and pop fidget fits perfectly in your palm and is the perfect tool to strengthen those hand muscles. Grip it tight and squeeze it for a satisfying SNAP! This is also a fun and effective occupational therapy tool!
These are only a few of the amazing fidget toys that you can expect to find on the Kid2Kid website, there are so much more to discover and explore!
In conclusion I love how fun and exciting learning has become because of the use of fidget toys in and around my house and classroom! A and my learners want to learn and it definitely brings a POP of joy and color into what used to be dull and boring! With Christmas around the corner there is just one kid I would trust to help a little with my Christmas shopping and that is 7 year old Jaden! Whether you are looking for some stocking fillers, something fun to add to your child’s Christmas Eve box or the coolest gift ever, Kid2Kid is the place to find it – from one kid to another!
If you’d like to check out all of the cool things they offer, just tap this link – https://kid2kid.co.za !
You can also find them on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kid2kidsa/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Kid2KidSA) !
We are always looking for positive role models that could inspire and motivate our children, and Jaden is definitely that and a wonderful inspiration that could teach us all some very valuable lessons!
Kid2Kid gets a thumbs up from us!
Lots of Love,
~ A and Mommy ~
