Barny's Little MN adventure: feedback thread NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

This thread is for the Mumsnetters who have been trying Barny – the delicious sponge bears with a hidden centre whilst on a little adventure with their DCs.

Here's what the team at Barny say:

“Barny wants to inspire kid's natural curiosity – whether it’s playing in the garden, exploring the local park or simply the little discoveries made whilst on an outing we'd love to hear about your little adventures with your family. Barny is a delicious sponge bear with a hidden centre that is available in four yummy flavours - chocolate, milk and now new apple or strawberry.

Barny contains no artificial colours or preservatives and is carefully baked with ingredients including wheat flour, milk, eggs and sugar. Individually wrapped for portion control and with a cardboard tray for convenience, Barny is a convenient tasty snack for little adventures! For allergies and ingredients please click here”

Thank you to all of you who are taking part.

Please add your photo(s) to this thread - we'd love to see what you got up to! Below are a few questions for you to answer but please feel free to add any other comments you have too.

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part?

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

1. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs?

1. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family?

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why?

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.)

Every tester who adds their feedback to this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MN tester will win a £150 leisure voucher which can be redeemed on a wide range of UK restaurants, hotels and holidays - including Haven, Bella Italia, Halfords and Legoland. Closing date for feedback - now extended to 18 July. T&CS here

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

PS please note, your photos may be used by MN and Barny in advertising on MN and possibly elsewhere

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part? We went to a summer fete at the local primary school. My little one and nieces had lots of fun going on bouncy castles, trampolines, stalls, and train rides. The best part was winning goldfish to take home (as well as numerous balls and balloons)!

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure? Yes, it was just round the corner but the rains were threatening so we had rain jackets.

1. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs? Water, snacks and wipes!

1. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family? Very important. Children need little snacks especially when out and about as they burn off so much energy. Before you know it they are hungry and in need of an energy boost. I always have a small drink and a snack in my bag when I'm out with my little boy.

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why? Yes I would for an occasional treat when they are on offer but probably not regularly. My little boy loved the look of them before he ate them as Barny is so cute :-) He really liked the soft sponge but not the centre as he generally prefers plain cakes so I kept taking the filling out (which mum would eat...). If there was a plain Barny as just a sponge cake with no hidden filling, that would be a winner for us! We're going to Chessington theme park later this month and I may buy them again for this trip as we will be at the park for a long time and we'd need lots of different snacks in our bag. They are individually wrapped so that is great when you're out and about.

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.) Definitely for long days out so perfect for the summer! That would include parks, picnics, days out.

Thanks to Mumsnet and Barny!

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part? We went to Wicksteed Park

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure? Yes. Not much planning required.

1. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs? Drinks, snacks, suncream, hats, money

1. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family? Its very useful.

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why?

Probably not.

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.) Days out and packed lunches

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part?

The Barnys have come on several adventures with me and the kids (3 and 5yrs). One went on a lunchbox adventure to school as my daughter's Friday treat. She gets a cake at the end of the week and fruit with her butties the rest of the days. She was impressed and really enjoyed it. Some of them came with me and my son to Newcastle Borough Museum for a lovely day out. After a look around the museum we went to the park and the Barny he had was 'delicious'! We also went on a trip out to our local park and had Barny cakes as an afternoon snack, the strawberry were the favourite but the chocolate went down very well too. I've worked all week duty managing a Beer festival at the museum I work out - I sneaked a Barny into my handbag and it was a lovely snack after last orders the other night to keep me going until we could lock up and go home!

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

Yes, we're lucky to have a lot of parks and free museums near us so when the sun is shining I can swerve the housework and head out somewhere. Taking a picnic is less hassle and fun and Barnys are ideal as a treat after sandwiches and fruit.

1. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs?

Drinks, especially if the weather is hot. I always have some kind of treat in my bag though for bribery/reward purposes.

1. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family?

Vital!

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why?

Yes, more so if they were on offer. They're handy to have in the cupboard.

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.)

All of the above and more, they can be slung in a bag and taken anywhere.

We really enjoyed testing these, they've met my kids high stanards and they're both fun and tasty.

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part?

We've had lots of little adventures! Barny has been to the park with, swimming, to visit grandma, to feed the ducks in the park and playing in the garden.

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

Yes, very easy! We're always going off on little adventuress :)

1. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs?

Drinks and snacks are a must! I always have some raisins in my handbag for emergencies! Dd (4) gets hungry and tired so it's important we can stop for little snacks during the day to keep us all going. We also usually bring a little toy or some crayons if it's going to be a long journey.

1. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family?

It really helps. There's no mess and they're easy to pick up and go quickly. And there's no squabbling as we can all have our own little snack.

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why?

Yes definitely, they were very popular. I think they are a good price. One pack would probably last us a week.

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out ?

They are really handy to take to the park or for a snack after swimming.

Here's a photo of dd painting with her barny.

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part?

We went on a lovely picnic to a local park. Feeding and ducks and playing football with our friends was the best part.

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

Yes - we are lucky to have some lovely parks nearby and good weather makes it easy to get out and about.

1. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs?

A drink and some snacks are essential. A potette folding potty is really useful for us at the moment too.

1. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family?

Really important. DS goes from happy to starving in about 30 seconds.

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why?

No, unfortunately DS refused to touch them. As you can see from the photo, they were ousted by Mumsnet's other favourite bear-shaped snack.

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.)

In the park, at a theme park, in the car.

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part?

We went on a lovely picnic to a local park. Feeding and ducks and playing football with our friends was the best part.

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

Yes - we are lucky to have some lovely parks nearby and good weather makes it easy to get out and about.

1. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs?

A drink and some snacks are essential. A potette folding potty is really useful for us at the moment too.

1. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family?

Really important. DS goes from happy to starving in about 30 seconds.

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why?

No, unfortunately DS refused to touch them. As you can see from the photo, they were ousted by Mumsnet's other favourite bear-shaped snack.

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.)

In the park, at a theme park, in the car.

The photo didn't upload. Sorry for the multiple postings.

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part?
A trip to the park. DCs loved the whole adventure. We often go to the park, but taking Barny added an extra level of excitement for them! DC2 (2) treated Barny as a visitor, making sure he was seated comfortably, had a good view of the swings, had a go on the slide etc!

2. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?
Popped a couple of packets in my bag with their water bottles and off we went.

3. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs?
Suntan lotion, hats, water, snack (usually boxes of raisins), wipes, change of clothes

4. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family?
It's a good idea, so you don't have to carry around cutlery etc. Means you can make a quick getaway too if the sun pops out - you never know how long it'll ask!

5. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why?
Yes, but when they're on offer (I tend to only buy treats when they're reduced). I bought a box of milk ones in a pound shop the other day as they were so popular with DS1.

6. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.)
As a snack/pudding when out and about. Though my two kept wanting them when we were at home - they must be yummy!

1.We took Barny to Portugal

1. It was easy to plan and take Barny, especially cos he's in a wrapper
2. Sun cream, hats, drink and food
3. It's always good to have a little snack and especially good to have a tasty treat
4. I have already bought 2 extra packs of Barny, we really love them especially at the price of £1
5. Anytime, anywhere snack, especially out and about as the packaging is so convenient.

Here is a picture of me playing indoors on my baby sisters playmat!

1. We went on a dinosaur adventure in our back garden. I love how excited the wee man gets when his imagination runs wild making up stories as he plays, it can all get quite animated and thus snacks are essential to refuel the fun.

1. The wee man loves to go on adventures, this one was was decided quickly and so we grabbed our ready to go Barney snacks and some of the dino gang.

1. Water bottle, wipes, snack, toys/ books, sunscreen, hat and depending on how far/ long the adventure- potty and spare clothes.

1. Snacks are definitely essential to prevent meltdowns and to keep the fun times fun. I think convenience is great but I usually prepare snacks myself so always have wee tubs of something anyway after learning to manage outside the home with a little one who has certain food intolerances. I usually take way too much but if something is not finished, can always pop it into a tub for later if that is appropriate, he has grown wise to me 'helping by finishing things off'. I hate waste but there were no leftovers from Barney I hasten to add!

1. Yes at the right price, about £1 for a box of five is as much as I'd be willing to pay really. I have seen them on special in the supermarket previously, and would buy them at that price. Don't know what it says about my baking (other than I don't really do it at all often) but my little boy really liked them and my husband pinched a few of the chocolate ones in the evening to settle a sweet tooth.

1. Convenient individual portion fits into any bag or pocket to be taken anywhere really. Quite a sizable portion for little ones, but could be shared as there are two separate blobs of filling. More than likely we will have them in the future but would be more of a now and again treat, snack for when adventuring further afield or as a picnic sweet/ dessert option.

Thanks for letting us take part!

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part? We turned our walk to pre-school into a mini adventure. The best part was taking a different route home and exploring the wildlife along the way.

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure? Yes! I've found young children can turn almost anything into an adventure, from a walk in a park to a big day out.

1. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs? A hat, suncream, a drink and a tasty snack (Barny is the perfect size!).

1. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family? It's very helpful, especially as they are individually wrapped and fit easily into even the smallest bag.

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why? Yes but only for my eldest child (youngest is dairy intolerant and isn't able to eat them, which is a shame). My eldest really enjoyed them and the pictures on the wrapper of each bear prompted her to ask about future adventures i.e. strawberry picking from the pictures on the strawberry bears.

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.) As a treat after a day of adventures or on a picnic to refuel.

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part? We have been away for a few days and we took Barny with us. We went to the beach and to the park.

2. Was it easy to plan a little adventure? Very easy as the weather was lovely

3. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs? Drink, sunhat, suncream, snacks

4. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family? It is very convenient and these Barny's are perfect for that

5. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why? I would buy Barny and have already. I think that they are a little expensive, but DD 6yo absolutely loves them. She likes the Strawberry ones and the Milk ones best. The teddy bear design is perfect and she loves the taste of them

6. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.) Barny is suitable for any time. In the car, in the house, days out, everywhere in fact :) They are perfect for school lunch box.

DD thinks that having a teddy bear shaped cake is sooo cute

(will upload pics later if I can, struggling to get them off phone at the moment)

1. We went to eureka the children's museum
2. Very easy, we have an annual pass and go often
3. Juice, snacks, change of clothes, sun cream, baby wipes. I have three children under the age of 5 so it's pretty much everything but the kitchen sink!
4. Very important, I'm already having to carry a lot of things so don't want unnecessary weight or things I won't use or have to take back home with me.
5. I wouldn't buy barney again because my dc's didn't like them. My dd thought they were both too sweet and only had one bite. Ds2 spat his out (he's 18mths) and ds1 had a whole chocolate barney but said he wouldn't have it again and couldn't finish a strawberry one because it was too sweet.
6. Packed lunches or a quick after school treat on the way to after school activities

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part?

A picnic at Ham House. The best bit? Being able to sit down and watch the girls run wild.

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

Yes, make a few sandwiches, pack a drink and go.

1. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs?

Water, sun hat and cream, travel potty, snacks

1. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family?

Very. Girls go crazy if they get too hungry.

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why?

Yes, convenient packaging, just the right size. But not a regular snack. A treat snack

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.)

Out and about, to slip into bag on a special day out.

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part? We went to watch Daddy in a Triathlon, Barny helped while waiting for him to come past on his bike, and was also included in the in car breakfast (early start at 6am!) and on another adventure went swimming

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure? Very easy

1. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs? snacks, a drink, paper and crayons/pencils for making notes, drawing pictures of what we see. Camera.

1. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family? Really handy to have something that wont disintegrate in my bag, isnt huge and you know what is in it.

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why? I will buy Barny snacks again as my boys enjoy them and they are reasonably priced for a little treat.

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.) Barney is great as a snack to have in the swimming bag, a trip to the park or further afield or even to have in the car for when you are stuck in traffic on a longer journey. I am sure we will take them on the plane for the boys first flight in the summer.

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part?

We went to the seaside - the boys loved throwing stones into the sea.

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

Yes although it rained!

1. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs?

Plenty of food, space to run about and sunhats/ coats.

1. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family?

It is handy.

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why?

Maybe if on offer - the boys like them.

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.)

Days out, for a treat

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part?

We had several little adventures - football practice, swimming lesson, farm trip, theme park, a "bear hunt" and just out for a walk.

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

Yes, we do this all the time anyway - DD is a great make-believer.

1. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs?

Snacks, water, picnic blanket, weather-appropriate clothing

1. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family?

The fact that these are individually wrapped was handy as it could just be shoved in a bag without worrying about it. I do wrap up things myself in portion sizes, but sometimes it is good to just have the convenience of having it done for you.

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why?

Yes I would, because DD really liked them, and they were good for a snack after swimming etc. However, I have tried to buy them in my online shop (Ocado) and they were not stocked there, so I have not been able to.

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.)

Great for days out at theme parks, after swimming etc.

Thanks for letting DD try these.

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part? We went on holiday to Mallorca, the photo is of DS1 posing with Barny.

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

It took a bit of planning to make sure we had everything we needed for 3 children.

1. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs?

Nappies, milk, baby wipes, snacks

1. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family?

Very, it's important to have snacks.

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why?

Yes, the children liked them, the individual packaging was convenient and meant they didn't go stale.

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.)

Days out, on planes, going to the beach

1. We went to cotswold wildlife park and took Barnys as part of our picnic. The best part was seeing the excitement on our little girls face as she talked to the animals and had a ride on the train.

2.it was very easy to plan our adventure all that was needed was the picnic.

1. The most important thing to include for our little girl was her favourite cuddly bunnies, drinks, food, money for ice cream, Sunderland, Sun hat and glasses.
2. It is very important to have portion controlled treats when out and about as snacks you purchase individually tend to be bigger and more than what is needed.

5.I will not be be buying Barney again as unfortunately my daughter didn't like them.

1. Barney is suitable for anywhere. They are handy and easy to transport. It was just a shame my daughter didn't like them.

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part?

A: We took Barny to the park, on a walk, to school and nursery, to Grandma & Grandad's, in the garden and to the shops. The best part was playing hide and seek in the garden!

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

A: It was easy enough as we just fit our adventures into our everyday life.

1. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs?

A: Drinks, a snack or two, baby wipes, tissues and lots of fun!

1. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family?

A: It's important as saves trips to shops whilst out and about when not particularly necessary. Barnys are the perfect size to curb little ones' appetites and carry in your bag too which I really like.

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why?

A: I hadn't bought Barny before this test but I have now bought the apple flavour to try as well and will regularly buy as snacks, particularly for my daughter's lunchbox at school!

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.)

A: Barny is most suited for lunch boxes and everyday trips/outings as they are the perfect size.

We had a great time testing Barny and taking him on our adventures. My daughter liked the strawberry flavour the most and my son couldn't choose a favourite as he loved both! Mummy also got to try a bite and also loved both! We've just bought the apple flavour while shopping earlier and have yet to try them out, but we are definitely looking forward to testing them as we love apple flavours!

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part?

A family picnic & woodland walk with the kids, cousins & their auntie. I loved watching them play together so happily! They didn't sit down once!

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

Yes, due to the weather we had to postpone out original date & decided to go on the day we did only the night before.

1. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs?

Variety! When they are really little if you stay in one place/do the same activity for too omg they get very bored!

1. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family?

Very! The kids would just run back to pick at food rather then sit down and eat slim ome go so having something they can grab & eat with their hands, that 'fills a hole' is very important

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why?

Not

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.)

Sorry! Hit send by accident....

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why?

Not every week but certainly for when we are off on days out, they are perfect

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.)

Being out and about & school lunch boxes. They are just the right size for little hands & easy to open for little ones

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part? We went to the park and the playground

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure? Yes as it isn't very far

1. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs? Water, snacks, coats/other appropriate clothing/sun screen

1. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family? Not very important but its nice as an occasional treat

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why? Yes but not every week

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.) Barny is suitable for anything! Even as a snack waiting in ths hospital car park to collect someone!

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part?

We went to my cousin's wedding in Wiltshire. The whole day was lovely

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

It took a bit of planning as it was a long day for the kids (car journey plus wedding).

1. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs?

nappy change bag, sun cream, plenty of snacks, hats, coats.

1. How important is it to have convenient, portion controlled snacks when on an outing with your family?

It is really helpful. Snacks really help to brighten up a long car journey and can ward off temper tantrums in my youngest!

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why?

Yes, because the kids really enjoyed them and they are quite filling. Normally I try and find cheaper/healthier snacks though

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.)

Long days out / special trips where children get tired and hungry and a little treat really helps.

1. We went to Alton Towers with Barny, cbeebies land was a massive hit.
2. It was very easy to plan.
3. Water, suncream, spare knickers, leggings and baby wipes.
4. It's not massively important, but nice to have. If I do take a snack, it tends to be either fruit or a bag of crisps.
5. Probably not, whilst it was novel for the DCs having cake come thru the post, they actually hounded me for fruit and cucumber sticks after having a Barny. DD1 found the strawberry ones a bit too sickly. They're rather expensive for what they are. DP said to let you know the chocolate ones need more filling! It was nice for them not to be covered in sticky things though!
6. I'd probably say a picnic or trip to the park, I popped one in my handbag for work one day and it was all squished by the time I got round to eating it. That was probably more down to the amount of crap in my bag though!