- Overall, what did your DC(s) think of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids Porridge? Did they make any comments about the texture, smell, taste or appearance?
DS1 (age 3) really enjoyed his - which was a surprise as he's generally funny about texture and appearance of food, and it didn't look very appealing. He didn't think it was very chocolatey, but he enjoyed it and has asked for more. We did find that it was far, far too hot for him (even after standing for 20 minutes and developing a porridge skin of doom) so in the future I put in half the amount of milk in the microwave and then topped up with cold milk. He keeps asking for more, whereas he's not that fussed about
ready brek similar breakfast products - though this could be down to the novelty of it being "his to test"
- What would you say are the main benefits of Quaker Oat So Simple Kids porridge, for you and/or for your DCs? What would be the key reason for you to buy the product?
I wanted to try as I want to up my porridge intake - I am breastfeeding so it seemed a good opportunity to try. I also prefer traditional porridge to Ready Brek (which DH buys), and wanted to try to convince DH that it was superior in taste and satisfaction (leaving us fuller for longer). DS1 isn't very adventurous with breakfast cereal (shreddies!) and I wanted something to give him a bit of warmth for the walk to nursery.
- What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?
Both DS1 and I loved the box design. It's easy to spot on the shelves (he already nags when he sees it!) and it's small and convenient to store. Whilst the "pour milk into bag" style of measuring is a good idea in theory, we use the huge 6 pint bottles of milk, and it became an accident waiting to happen, so the jug was hastily reintroduced. It was easy and convenient to make, though, and didn't result in the mess that Ready Brek makes of the kitchen worktops.
- Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?
Increase the chocolate taste and work on the appearance! It really wasn't chocolatey enough - just very sweet (and tasted really artificial). I'd also hope that the texture could be adapted to that of more traditional porridge rather than the milky clag that I ended up with each time - as I said, I worried that the appearance would have put DS1 off even trying the porridge. I think there is more opportunity for child-centred flavours too - they seem to have developed a niche market with fudge, blueberry, etc. Packets of mixed flavours would give children the opportunity to try without parents worrying about a big box going unused if the children didn't like the flavours.
Thanks for letting us try, Quaker - on the back of this opportunity I will be buying PLAIN Quaker oats in the future once again for breakfast.