As a mom of two boys, I've seen my share of costumed shenanigans. In fact, most days, my guys spend a great deal of their time either costumed or half-dressed. If you absolutely must wear clothes, then let it be ninja clothes (or jedi, superhero, spy etc.). If you know what I"m talking about, you might want to put KidCon on your radar for next summer's "must-attend" events list!
A special part of Magic City Con, KidCon lets the youngest of Birmingham's geek population get together and party with their favorite fictional characters. Bringing them to this event is guaranteed to leave them star struck and feeling like they've just rubbed elbows with the biggest of celebrities. Since our oldest son got to spend a week at camp, I treated our youngest son, Cole to a mommy-son date at KidCon. Here's what we got to do!
Pirate and Princess Tea Party
The very first event of the day, combined with a large crowd of excited people, resulted in a bit of a chaotic start. Event organizers wanted to make sure pre-registered kids got to experience what they signed up for, and received swag before unregistered families. But with so many people, it wasn't quite clear what was supposed to be happening. It is possible that KidCon is outgrowing its venue or that limited registration will be needed for next year. One thing was obvious though, everyone involved was dedicated to making sure every single kid there had an amazing time and went home with a prize!
Despite the bumpy start, many kids enjoyed a snack and drink and were able to visit with guest celebrities Princess Rapunzel and Prince Flynn Rider.
Dark Jedi Sith Training
Cole chose to dress as Kylo Ren (an evil commander from Star Wars) for the day, so we scurried to sign up for Star Wars training. Kids who signed up for this mini-camp received a free lightsaber and were split into two groups depending on the color of their saber. Red-sabered kids went into Dark Jedi Sith training and green or blue-sabered kids went to another room for regular Jedi training. Cole was excited to get a red saber to match his costume!
The Sith trainer who led the mini-camp was very much in character the entire time. Cole was absolutely convinced he was the real deal and that the lightsaber he carried on his belt was the real one (you know, the one that will slice your arm off). Because of this, Cole took the training very seriously, as did the majority of the kids involved. They learned the Sith code and various battle moves and stances with their sabers. Then the kids practiced their moves on each other before taking on the trainer himself.
Video Game Lounge
Two rooms were set up with six or seven large flat-screen TVs and gaming consoles for participants to play video games. We had some trouble getting our game of Super Smash Brothers started, but two helpful room monitors rescued us. Cole and I then proceeded to beat the living daylights out of each other for some good old fashioned mother-son bonding time. We both loved it.
Shopping for Cool Souvenirs
One thing I did not expect was the huge ball room FULL of fandom themed vendor booths. Cole was absolutely in shopping heaven. We traversed the whole room before he decided to spend his allowance on a stuffed Pikachu and a quartz crystal necklace.
Sidequest Treasure Hunt with Non-profit Blanket Fort Hope
On the way out, Cole spotted an intriguing table off to one side, laden with interesting objects. Curious, we went over and discovered it was a table-top scavenger hunt for kids! You get a sheet with clues to finding the correct objects on the table, each with a set of letters written on them. When you put the letters in order, it gives you a mission. If completed, you earn a super cool medal! Cole's mission was to walk up to a stranger and deliver a wookie yell!
We also learned quite a bit about Blanket Fort Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting and preventing child sex trafficking in the Birmingham area. We were so impressed by this organization's mission, that Macaroni Kid South Birmingham decided to become a sponsor for their next fundraising event, Hoops for Hope, which will take place on August 12th. Our goal is to raise $500 or more to aid in the efforts of Blanket Fort Hope. Watch for details on how you can help in the coming weeks!
At Magic City Con, Blanket Fort Hope is the recipient of a clever method of fundraising. Con-goers can "hire" bounty hunters from Star Wars, members of the Alabama chapter of the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club, the Haaranovor Clan. These bounty hunters will then "arrest" persons of interest and take them to jail. To get out, the person must pay a dollar per minute, and the donation goes to supporting Blanket Fort Hope's prevention education and housing for victims. According to Blanket Fort Hope, the Mandolorian Mercs conduct "jail and bail" fundraising efforts at con events all over the world. Blanket Fort Hope has been their chosen charity at Magic City Con for the past three years.
People Watching Costume Fun
Honestly, I could have spent the entire day people watching at Magic City Con. We had so much fun seeing everyone's costumes and some were remarkably creative! Many kids, especially the younger ones, were visibly star struck and enjoyed having their pictures taken with so many "celebrities!" Cole was ecstatic to meet "the REAL Kylo Ren," and hear his spooky voice.
If I had been given the power to judge costumes, I would've awarded "most-creative-kid-costume" to Kylorina, pictured here with her steampunk aunt. The convention was chock full of amazing costumed con-goers.
Other Things to Do at KidCon
There was so much to do at KidCon, that we didn't make it to all the events. Mini Kylo Ren was simply worn out from all that fun, so we decided to save some for next year! Other kids in attendance enjoyed Scary Tales Noir, a Super Hero meet and greet, a bubble show, costume parade, Ghost Busters slime making and ghost hunt, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry or a Pokemon Go Poke Hunt.
Facebook Photo Album - we got so many great pictures and video of KidCon, we couldn't fit it all in this article! Visit our facebook page to see more!
Disclosure: thank you to Magic City Con for hosting Cole and I so we could report to our readers on this great event!
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