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[TheOtherHelenMumsnet]

This thread is for all the Mumsnetters that having been trying out Quaker Oat So Simple Kids chocolate flavour porridge with their DCs. Below are some questions for you to answer but please feel free to add any other comments you may have too.

Everyone who adds their feedback will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win £250 of Amazon vouchers.

Questions

1. 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?

1. 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?

1. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

1. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw,
MNHQ

DS1 is still having it as his cereal of choice. Neither of the other two are bothered and it is displayed prominently on the cereal shelf.

Mine actually arrived yesterday. Thank you mumsnet.

The children have tried the porridge. Here are the results from my two:

1. 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?

They were very excited to try, the thought of chocolate porridge was very exciting to them. They commented on the fact that there wasn't any smell to the porridge. My little boy commented on the fact that the porridge wasn't very smooth and didn't taste of chocolate.

1. 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?

Encouraging the children to eat porridge is great and filling for them to start their day. I wouldn't buy this chocolate porridge again as my children didn't like it.

1. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

The packaging is very child focussed and the boxing is very colourful and interesting for the children.

1. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

Try putting some stronger flavours into their porridge. Strawberry porridge, fudge porridge, blueberry porridge.

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?

DD. is too young to comment but she she ate pretty much the whole bowl when she was ill and off her food last week, was quite relieved! She doesnt really have many sweet foods so was probably nice and different for her.

1. 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?

It was really quick to make and my husband quite liked it as a quick chocolatey supper while he's cutting out huge bags of maltesers a few times a week.

1. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

I quite like the individual satchets for convenience, although it's probably a bit too sloppy for me personally.

1. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

I think adding something with a bit of bite or additional texture would be a good idea.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw, MNHQ

Sorry I'm so late , we have been away over half-term.

1. 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?

Both my DCs loved it but DS wanted to add sugar to it . DD's comment was that it was nicer than your porridge Mummy.

1. 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?

Very quick and easy to make. I would buy it as a store cupboard standby.

1. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

Nice colours on the packaging. It looks sort of healthier than a brightly coloured box IYSWIM.

1. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

Make it a bit more chocolately!

Thanks for sending me it. I know we will be trying the other flavours.

1. 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 said "eeew" and refused to try it. DS2 pushed the spoon away - in fairness, he is not well just now.....

2. 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?

The only benefit I can see is the sachet system. Good to pack a few if we were going away for example.

3. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

Individual sachets are quite wasteful for every day use. A lot of packaging for a small amount of porridge. I thought the brown on the box should have been a bit darker to represent the choc flavour - it's more of a caramel flavour colour IMO.

4. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

Make it taste more like chocolate. I tried it and tbh would prefer plain porridge with a spoonful of Nutella stirred in.

Thanks for letting us try!

Questions

1. 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?

DS is 4, eats plain porridge most mornings and is very un-fussy about his food! He really liked this, "it's yummy, can we get it again?"

I tried a little bit and thought it was quite nice, not too sweet. It smelled more chocolately than it tasted, in my opinion

1. 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?

To be honest, I'd only really buy this if DS badgered me for it! It's nice enough but as I say, DS will happily eat porridge made with oats and milk and sweetened with fruit, which is cheaper, healthier and easier to prepare. If I had a fussy child who would not eat any breakfast, I'd probably buy this as I think it's a fairly healthy option.

1. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

The packaging was fine. DS did not have any views on it!

I'd prefer to buy a big box of this rather than individual sachets as firstly, it would cut down on packaging and secondly, I could make up a slightly smaller portion for DS. The portion in the sachet is a little large for him and he did not quite finish the bowl so I'd prefer to be able to measure it out myself to avoid waste.

Having said that, I can see where the sachets would be useful (camping, for example) and will probably put a couple away to take on holiday with us later in the year.

1. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

Nope, DS was as interested in it as he could be! I agree with someone who said a box of mixed flavours would be good - I might try that.

I found the preparation a total faff though.
Usually, I make a big bowl of porridge in the microwave and share it between me and DS. I add extra cold milk to DS's so he can eat is straight away.

This morning, I made DS's Oat So Simple first, but it bubbled over the edge of the bowl so I had to wipe the microwave down. Then it was too hot but also quite runny so I didn't want to add any more milk. Then I had to do my own bowl of porridge in the microwave. And DS ate his porridge more slowly than he usually would as it was too hot. Breakfast felt like a lot more work than it usually does! I think I'll keep the rest of these sachets for the weekend, or perhaps as a snack/supper if DS is eating by himself.

1. 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?

DD aged 3 didn't like the actual porridge. She was quite excited about eating 'chocolate porridge' until the plate of grey gloop was put in front off her. She said 'where is the chocolate bear? if should have chocolate bears in it.' DS aged 1 wasn't so fussy and fed himself happily. It did not look exciting or choclatey to me.

1. 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?

Um, I wouldn't. I tried some of the DCs porridge this morning and could barely taste the chocolate in it, just a slight after taste. Not at all what I would call yummy. I actually already buy these porridge sachets in the grown up version, and based on the chocolate version I would much rather just keep buying the plain ones, or apple etc in the adult version and give the kids some of this.

1. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

DD thought the packaging was very exciting. She was very excited about the bear, especially the face on the bottom of the pack. That was great. We made the porridge together, and she was excited about pouring the milk in the sachet and stirring it. But then she said, 'now do we put the chocolate in?' Oh dear. To be fair it really didn't look choclatey or exciting. So I had to reply 'The chocolate is already in there - wait and see what happpens when we cook it!' Based on this, I don't blame her for being disappointed. She couldn't detect the chocolate, and couldn't see any connection betweeen the bear on the packaging and the grey gloop in her bowl.

1. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

Work with the bear idea? I really did perservere when DD said that a bear needed to be involved. I found her teddy and he sat at the table too, telling her what yummy chocolate porridge it was. But she said it needed to be a scary bear.

ours arrived this morning and the dcs want to have some before football training tonight so will leave feedback later

mine has just arrived today....i didnt expect it but will be trying it and feeding back.

I answered all those questions before just wanted to ad that there is still 4 pack of porridge available and I read that some of testers added chocolate pieces>i decided to try because someone need to eat this porridge...There was 2 pieces left of black &green dark chocolate...I added them to my not so chocolate porridge and result was brilliant, so delicious,definitely not sweater then before but with so tasty chocolate flavour.

Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

Please add chocolate pieces and this porridge will be great success, it will smell like chocolate and taste like chocolate porridge too! :0

1. ds says it tastes better than normal porridge (which he's not mad keen on) and it smells "really nice". He likes that you can feel the texture of the oats; he's tried chocolate flavour Ready Brek and really didn't like it (too smooth I think). This is a pretty good result imo, considering that he'd have Krave every morning if he could.

1. For me, it seems a healthier option than ds's usual preference for Krave and so on, for all the usual reasons (slow release energy etc). I'm not overly fixated on "healthy" all the time - the rest of his diet is pretty spot on so I don't mind him having a crap less than ideal breakfast but if it can be healthier, then that's brilliant.

1. I like the design; it's not too in-yer-face, technicolour kidz-stylee. The sachets are good; I know it's not exactly difficult to measure cereals out yourself, but with regular ones portion control often goes out the window (and we run out because I've underestimated how much of a packet is left). I like being able to use the sachet to measure the milk, as it cuts down on washing up. I found it best made on the stove though; I think my microwave must be under powered because it took far too long to thicken, and by the time it did, it was super heated (which meant waiting an age for it to cool down - not good when you're in a bit of a rush).

1. Well I'm not sure about what Quaker could do, but ds particularly enjoyed his with squirty cream on top, and asked that I tell you as much

Just to add; I see people have suggested adding bits of chocolate. That would be lovely.

I found a good way to use up the left over packets that no one will eat. I have a biscuit type recipe that you roll the soft dough into rolled oats before baking so I used 2 sachets of oats so simple chocolate instead!

We are going to make flapjacks tomorrow with ours .... will report back if it turns out OK

Firstly, thank you for the opportunity to try this - we were all so disappointed that it hadn't turned up and cheering when it did!

Questions
1. 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?

I am afraid it was a big disappointment. My son is very anti-porridge but had been excited at the thought of trying one with chocolate. He said it smelt funny and didn't taste choclatey at all. He could only manage 3 mouthfuls and refused the rest.

My daughter happily has plain porridge pretty much every morning and couldn't believe she would be able to have a chocolate one instead. Again, she didn't think it tasted of chocolate at all but did say it was much too sweet compared to her normal oats. For her it was the worst of both worlds - a bad porridge and a bad chocolate cereal!

None of us were impressed by the colour or the texture. It was just like grey wallpaper paste and a bit slimy.

2. 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 am unsure about the natural ingredients claim but if there was something more convincing about that then I would like the idea of something that the kids thought of as a treat but that I knew was going to fill them up and keep them going all morning.

I need to get more milk in to them and porridge is a great way to do that.

3. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

The kids loved the box but didn't believe that it was chocolate porridge because they couldn't see the word 'porridge'. They liked the bear but thought he looked a bit scary. My daughter wanted to know if he was Daddy Bear and, if he was, where were Mummy Bear and Baby Bear?

The sachets themselves were fine but the filling up with milk was a lot more fiddly than I thought it would be. I tend to decant a big box of oats in to a tupperware pourer and find that much easier to deal with. It also helps portion control.

Oh, and I found it spattered the top of my microwave which is really annoying. I usually cover my cooking porridge with cling film.

4. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

I understand that this has 50% less sugar than other chocolate cereals but upping the cocoa content would automatically make it LOOK chocolatey and taste more like chocolate. It really doesn't have to be melted dairy milk to make kids (or adults) happy - just more of a hint of a flavour that comes from actual cocoa.

My kids aren't bothered by cut outs and package games but are always attracted to promotions. Vouchers for schools, book tokens etc always go down very well.

Thanks again for the chance to test this!

1. Overall - It was a mixed review in this house. ?The dc's were quite excited as I usually ban chocolate breakfast cereals. DC1 loved it and has asked for it since. DC2 ate half a bowl, despite saying he liked it. DC3 didnt touch it, but is not a big porridge eater anyway.

2. Main benefits - it is simple and quick. But then all porridge is :)

3. Likes/Dislikes - The dcs liked the bear. I found it tasted a little artificial, but the dcs liked it so thats me happy. I did think that, whilst convenient for a washing up perspective, the fill to the line milk instruction is a little odd. If you hold one corner, it uses a certain amount of milk. If you hold the packet size, it will use a little more milk. So the measurements might be a little off sometimes. I do feel that to avoid the 'sloppiness' issue, an exact amount in a measuring jug should be used. That said, I am usually skint so make porridge with water, so using milk made it nice and creamy as a treat.

4. Ideas - I think you have it bang on. Chocolate and a cute bear. What more could a kid want ? :)

Thanks for the chance to test this - much appreciated :)

1. I tend to give the golden syrup version to my 13mth DS (not everyday, just as a treat) for his breakfast, I usually give him plain ready brek/weetabix. So I was quite interested to see his reaction to this choccie version. I found the smell a little artificial and like cheap hot choc. The taste was Ok, a bit bland and again slightly artifical.I thought the colour was just right, not too dark!As a comparison, the colour of the chocolate ready brek is too deep and also too sweet. I would say DS quite liked it, but probably because it is sweeter than the usual breakfasts I give him. I liked the texture but I always add a bit more milk (or heat up a little longer) to get it to be runnier/thicker.

Main benefits is that it is easy to prepare and relatively healthy. The choc makes it a little more enticing for DS. I prefer the golden syrup version and I think DS does too, but he does seem to like the choc one well enough.

1. As I said before, this is a treat for those days where he's a bit fed up of ready brek with banana/weetabix. I like the convenience, no need to measure and I love the fill up to this line feature of the sachet. I liked the graphics on the box, DS indifferent!

1. As DS gets older, I second the other posters suggestions about choc/dried fruit sprinkles to add to the porridge.

1. 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?

ds thought the taste was ok but didn't like the texture, appearance and smell were exactly as expected for a choc porridge

1. 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?

my ds is not a good eater at breakfast and if I could get him to eat porridge it would be good as he would not suddenly get hungry an hour or so after everyone else has eaten.

1. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

We both liked the outer packaging, it looks friendly. The sachets were ok till you poured milk in them and I then found it very difficult to tell if I had put in too much/ little.

1. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

If ds could learn to accept the texture of porridge they'd be a good buy!

1. 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?

DS was eager to try it but when I had made it and offered it to him, despite his initial keenness, he took a tiny taste and declined anymore. He said that he did not like it. DH (a big porridge fan) manfully stepped into the breach as a tester. Personally, I didn't think the porridge looked very appetising - the colour was not great and, despite using the correct amount of milk, it was very sloppy. DH thought the taste was ok - not artificial like some other chocolate breakfast cereals but the oats very large, particularly for a product aimed at children

2. 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?

Good portion control. Would possibly buy it for a self-catering holiday for example, given the individual sachets make it easy to transport and I could just take the amount we needed.

3. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

DS thought the bear was cute. I found the box hard to open - adding one of those 'tear here' strips would solve this. Whilst it is useful to have the milk measure as part of the sachet, actually using this when trying to pour milk out from a full 4/6pt bottle of milk is not entirely practical. Perhaps a giveaway of a branded milk measure in the correct size would be useful.

4. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

Perhaps an activity or story about the bear on the inside of the box.

Thank you for the opportunity to test this.

DD has continued to enjoy the chocolate oats, and this week we bought the fudge ones to try. She is currently trying her first packet which she says is nice, although doesn't really taste that much of fudge. She has eaten it all though. She says she prefers the chocolate. I haven't managed to find the other flavours in this range yet though.

Firstly thank you for letting us try this product, when it finally arrived the children loved it. Heres their responses to the questions they are 6 and nearly 8 years old.

1. 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?

son (6) It was really really really nice the taste was choclaty like the smell.
daughter (7 3/4) It smelled like choclate and it looked like the chocolate was melted into the porridge.

2. 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?

Son (6) i want mummy to buy it again as we love it.
daughter (7 3/4) I want it again as you can't taste the oats just choclate.
Personally the benefits for me are the fact that my children will finally eat a hot breakfast in the mornings.

3. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

son (6) I didn't like that their wasn't much porridge in the packets. I liked the porridge spilling out of the bowls on the front of the box its funny.
daughter (7 3/4) I liked the box being the same colour as the porridge and the bear on the front.
Personally i liked the design of the box its very eye catching. the indvidual sachets area good idea. i didn't use the packets for pouring the milk as we don't have a microwave so i made it in a saucepan. All though i think the sachets for measuring are a good idea i should imagine they are fidily. Its just a shame that the portions are so small my children had 2 sachets each at once and were still hungry.

4. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

Son (6) I would like a little toy in the box.
daughter (7 3/4) I would like more choclate in it.
Personally I would like to see boxes with mixed flavours in them so the children don't get bored eating the same thing every day.

Going totally against the grain on here.Overall my children and myself were very happy with the product so much so they got me to buy soem when we were shopping. Thank you for allowing us to try it and we will definatly be buying again and would recommend it ,.

So at last, Ds asked to try them. I asked him what he thought and he said 'didgusting!!!' so he wasn't impressed at all. Wont be eating the rest, so will donate them elsewhere.

We finally tried them this morning, both DCs were keen to try. DD is 7, DS is 4.
1. 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?
First of all, it came out of the microwave very runny, I had to stir it and let it stand and it did thicken up a bit. It was still a bit too sloppy.
DD wasn't keen at all.At first she would only lick a bit off the spoon. She said it smelt nice, and she liked the chocolatey taste. I persuaded her to try a proper mouthful, but she didn't like the texture of the oats at all.
DS said he liked it, and started enthusiastically, but he gave up after eating about a quarter of a bowl - I think the portion size over-faced him.

2. 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?
A more filling breakfast, with the slow release of energy that oats give, plus the nutritional benefits. I'd be concerned about the added sugar though - I know the label says 50% less than the average chocolate cereal, but I noticed on the leaflet that there was a disclaimer that the 50% less sugar claim only applied to the chocolate flavour.
However, I don't think I'd be buying it, as DS who said he liked it couldn't manage half a bowl, and it would be too wasteful.

3. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?
They liked the packaging with the bear. I found it too awkward to use the sachet to measure milk. I found the portion size too large for my children - it seemed to be the same size as the normal Oatso Simple portions.

4. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?
I asked my DD, and she said 'less oats'! Otherwise the usual stuff that you have on children's cereals - activities, gifts, tokens to collect to get a book or something.

1.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?
They liked that it looked and smelt chocolately

1. 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?

Quick and easy to prepare, defined portion size

1. What did you and your DC(s) like/dislike about the packaging (including the box and the individual sachets)? Why?

Awkward to measure the milk

1. Do you have any ideas about how Quaker could make the Oat So Simple Kids Porridge more interesting for your DC(s)?

More appeal to older children too