How to Shop at the Kid Connection

by Shannon Cameron

Kid Connection is found in select Walmarts around the United States. The Bemidji Walmart has been priveledged to be one of them.

Wal-Mart Supercenter Store
2025 Paul Bunyan Drive N.W.
Bemidji, MN 56601

Hours of Operation:
7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
7days a week

So, you're hungry for a little treat. The Kid Connection is the place to go, that is if you're not looking for something healthy. The main goal of the store is to draw kids in, but if you are a kid at heart, you are always welcome. Here are a few helpful steps to follow to find just what you're looking for.

Here's How it Works

1. Get out of the house
Drive to WalMart, and enter the Grocery doors where you will find the Kid Connection on your left. If you enter the other doors, however, you will have to walk past all the registers to find it. It will still be to the left.

2. Do you have the money?
It is advised not to carry a large amount of money before entering the store. There are many temptations that surround the shopper when entering. Purchasing a Wal-Mart Shopping Card may have its advantages at this point. You can add a specific amount of money on that card and only use what is on it.

3. Keep an eye on those kids
If you have small children with you, give them set limitations such as a price limit or sugar limit. They may beg for more but do not give in to such whining. You will thank yourself later when the dentist bills arrive.
If you are a small child, go ahead and grab all the candy you want.

If you are only looking to buy something from the snack bar area jump to step 9.

4. Look around
See what the store has to offer. Make sure to check out both walls filled with candy as well as the specialty racks. If at anytime you have questions, feel free to ask your helpful Kid Connection employees.

5. Candy vs. real food
Don't forget that there is more than just candy. Check behind the snack bar counter. (Food items listed below.)

6. Decisions, decisions
Decide which type of candy you are craving. It may be

• chocolate
• hard candy
• chewy candy
• sweet candy
• sour candy

and so on. You may also want a variety of candy to fulfill the cravings of every part of your taste buds.

7. How much do you want?
It is often helpful to follow the budget you set for yourself. But, if you find more than you were hoping, don't be afraid to go over your limit. It is never wrong to have candy around the house for future cravings.

8. Select the candy
Bring your candy to the counter to make your purchase. It is courteous to have your money out and ready for your purchase.

9. If you are really hungry
If you go to the snack bar register, be prepared to know what snack you would like. There is

• hot dogs/polish sausages
• gourmet pretzels
• ice cream
• popcorn
• pizza
• nachos
• Otis Spunkmeyer cookies
• chips
• icees
• coke products

10. Have patience
Wait for your cash back and receipt. Say 'Thank you' to the friendly worker behind the counter. If you would like, utilize the tables and chairs and stay a while. Either way, leave the store with a smile.

These are not steps you need to follow upon entering each time. If you become a regular you may enter the store, select your candy and make your purchase.

A Brief History

The Kid Connection hasn't always been a part of WalMart. It started out simply as a food court. This was not catching many customer's attention, so the idea of remodeling came to mind and the project was started. Construction began around spring of this year and took a few weeks. Candy was ordered as well as the new paint, shelving and decorations. When the store opened, eyes widened and kids began to beg. The Kid Connection has become a success.

Some of the treats you can find at the Kid Connection

• Rock candy
• Brach’s chocolate
• M & M’s (in a variety of colors)
• Jelly Belly’s
• Willy Wonka candy
• Collector’s Pez Dispensers
• Ceramic M & M mugs
• Whistle Pops
• Old Fashioned Taffy
• Pop Rocks
• Swirly Pops
• Candy Necklaces
• Longest Bubble Gum Stick
• Cotton Candy
• Gum Ball Dispensers
• Pop Corn
• Hershey's Kisses
• Jolly Ranchers
• Laffy Taffy
• Gourmet Pretzels
• Suckers

Movies Available to show:

• Little Rascals
• Jimmy Neutron
• Kim Possible
• Piglet's Big Movie
• Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
• The Muppet Movie
• Fairly Odd Parents
• Jungle Book 2
• Oliver and Company
  

To find out more, check out these interactive sites:

Wonka

Jelly Bellys

M&M's