KenyaBuzz Interviews: KidsCon2023: Mother-Daughter Cosplay Duo

KidsCon 2023 was a cosplay haven for kids and parents alike. We met a mother-daughter duo cosplaying as Morticia & Harley Quinn respectively. Daughter (Kalila Salima) and Mum (Ama Waithira) let us in on what they liked about KidsCon and their costume ideas

1) Can you explain how you settled on your costumes for Kidscon? What inspired your choices and how did you collaborate to bring them to life?

We watch a lot of shows and movies, so there's a long list in my Microsoft word that I keep adding to. It's really about the mood, my daughter was feeling bright and colourful so she preferred Harley Quinn. I did Morticia for the second time in my cos-life because she embodies a sweet Mom for Kidscon while still allowing me to feel fly and dark at the same time.

We shopped at Think Twice for her, I already had my pieces from before, made the bat by wrapping a fly whisk and painted her shirt to finish the look.

2) Do you regularly cosplay as a team?

We dress up as much as we can, even if it's for a birthday we try to make themes. So publicly it's been a while since the cons were limited in covid, I took Kalila to Naiccon when she was very little. Excited to do a lot more.We are organizing the Fandom Arena for a Halloween Festival with the Nairobi Design team and must cosplay from now till then. My daughter is very active on tiktok and does as much as she can, I do mine on Instagram mostly.

3) Cosplay can be a wonderful family activity. How would you suggest parents get their kids interested in cosplay? Any tips for starting this creative hobby as a family?

The best way to involve everyone is to have themes with your parties, decorate at Christmas, include your kids in planning, let them choose their birthday fits and google how to be crafty with it. A lot of this can be done just by adding to existing clothes and being creative with it

4) What did you love most about Kidscon 2023? Were there any standout moments or experiences that made the event special for you?

I loved the Kidscon 2023 because the ticket included almost everything, my daughter bounced her heart away in giant places that made us "adults" jealous honestly. We want a bounce house too next time! But it's so wonderful that they played more than they possibly ever have in their lil lives. Also, we got our pictures taken and printed immediately which is so beautiful because we barely have photo albums in this era but I make sure I print some myself

5) What could make KidsCon even better next year?

I plan to showcase my animation and Art there next time. I'd love to call more and more babies and parents to Kidscon so we all have a blast as well, I look forward to playing and getting messy honestly with more activities for the parents too. I can't wait for Naiccon in November because we do it all bigger and better with cash prizes, so that could be applied in gifts for Kidscon winners because cash is tricky with children.Overall, we were happy the venue was perfect and I hope they maintain it next year.