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 our cousins to share Barny out in the sun, my 3 year old wasnt overly keen on Barny but her 1 year old cousin was.

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

yes it was.

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

Wipes and change of clothes

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

as long as there is something to eat thats all that matters

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

No

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

Any occasion

Attempting to post a picture from my phone:

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

We had a trip to the seaside last weekend, and this weekend plan to relax in the garden and enjoy the sunshine, whilst keeping an eye out for big cats (see picture above).

2. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

Yes, very easy.

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

Spare nappies, a change of clothes, baby wipes, water to drink and a snack if necessary.

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

Depends on how long you're planning to be out and how likely it will be to find a convenient pitstop.

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

Not sure. It's relatively expensive and consists of a lot of packaging, which, while keeping Barny fresh, doesn't prevent him from getting squashed. Also, while I'm sure the fact that he's a bear would fascinate other children, my daughter has developmental issues which mean she isn't interested (happy to eat him, but I suspect she'd prefer a kitkat).

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

Probably a day out at the seaside, as the extra packaging would stop the sand from getting everywhere.

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

We took them on a picnic to the park with friends

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

Yes, easy day out in the sunshine

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

Picnic, lots of drinks, spare clothes and in the weather, suncream

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

Useful but not essential

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

Not at the RRP, possibly when on offer

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

It's good for any day out as a snack although the wrapper was too fiddly for my 3 year old but sadly neither child was very keen on them. They both thought they were too sweet and the sponge somewhat dry.

Thanks for letting us try them tho :)

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

We all went on a bug hunt, it was great to see how many bugs we all could find.

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

Yes very easy.

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

Clean clothes, changing bag, WET WIPES lol for sticky hands and faces and our our eldest's diabetes kit.

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

Extremely important as having a diabetic child means you count every single carb they eat and this was clearly shown on the pack which made life so much easier for us.

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

Yes, because they were a huge hit in our house and even mummy had one with a cup of tea :) I have now found them in the local shop and have lots of them in our snack cupboard.

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

Barny is suitable for anywhere but is super handy on trips out and about as they are a great snack for when walking around and they dont make the mess chocolate or sweets would.

Thank You :)

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

We went butterfly watching in the garden. Our buddleia plants are flowering and have lots of butterflies around them. We sat on the grass to watch them flying around.

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

Very easy, we saw the ideas on the Barny packets and on the wrapper pictures and thought it would be fun to do something similar.

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

Making it fun, adapting it depending on their mood and imagination, having a drink and snack items to fill a hole until mealtimes. At this time of year, suncream and a hat too.

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

It makes it easier to just pop a few in your bag before you head out. Not messy as packaged individually - although this is more wasteful.

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

I would if they were on offer - I often see them for £1. The full RRP seems a touch on the high side. My DD liked that they were bear-shaped and liked the taste/flavours.

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

Occasional treat out and about - picnics, park visits, days out to theme parks or the seaside.

Forgot to add, best part of our adventure was spending time together. We also looked-up the butterflies we saw in a little eye-spy book, which was fun.

Thank you for the bears. We've all enjoyed them, they go very well with a cuppa!

1. Our adventure was a picnic on the beach. The best part was ( in my daughters own words) jumping in th big waves
2. Very easy to plan! We love the beach whatever the weather.
3. Most important things:suncream, toilet stops, and plenty of food and drink to snack on.
4. Very important! A hungry little one does not a fun day make.....
5. I wouldn't pay that for them, no. I would buy them for £1 for five as a spcial great.
6. Picnics, something to pop in my bag to offer whilst in the supermarket, park trip, etc. They are also fab for car journeys on account of the fact that they are quite a firm cake bar so cause a bit less mess!!

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

Ours was walking to school. The best part was talking about all the things we saw on the way.

2. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

Yes! We were going to school anyway

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

It all depends on where your adventure is. A pen and a notebook are always useful for writing about what you see, things to look up when you get home, drawing birds or plants. Essentials such as hats, water and of course, snacks!

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

It certainly helps and is convenient and time saving. Snackwise I'd say it's important as children can often over-indulge.

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

We've already bought more! We've tried out the other flavours that we didn't get free. My DD#2 loves them

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

Any day out would be good. Easy to pop into a pocket or a lunch box. I even have 2 in my handbag

Thanks for letting us try out Barny and sorry for lateness

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

We went to auchingarrich wildlife park, in the lovely Perthshire countryside.

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

Yes, we had a groupon deal.

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

A picnic / snacks / camera /

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

Very, means you can control what you are eating and saves money.

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

Yes, easy to pack, a good price and my son loved them.

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

Days out where you will be having picnic

I have attached a photo of my son Harrison tucking in to his barny.

we went on a little picnic to our local park ,had a run around , the kids played on swings etc, then we all sat down had a sandwich, banana and a barny each,played agame where we ate head first then nibbled the rest they really enjoyed eating barny.2 easy to plan an adventure.3 most important item for an adventure is a pack of wet wipes. 4 good idea to be wrapped up in portion size, less messy, less crumbs.andless fighting who has biggest piece of cake etc when all wrapped and same size.5i would barney again ,in have done so already 6 barney ideal for a snack any where in car, park just about any where. so little mess

1. We went on a picnic to Sandwell Valley Adventure Park.
2. Yes, lots of open parks in the West Midlands and we've had a great summer so far this year.
3. Water bottle, the right shoes, snacks and sun cream.
4. Very important, esp snacks that don't go "off" quickly or melt in the sun.
5. Not sure. Was looking for a new snack to send my daughter with to school because she tends to have the same thing every week, but her teacher told her that Barny wasn't healthy so she can't take it to school.
6. Suitable for days out and picnics.

We went on a bike ride to the park. The best part was bumping into some friends also enjoying the great weather.

It was very easy to plan our little adventure. Bike, pads, drink and a snack.

Most important factor on this little adventure was safety. We always plan drink and a snack to take with us.

its very handy to have a portion controlled snack. I generally have fruit to hand, but sometimes I haven't been shopping, so its handy to have Barnys that I can just take out of the cupboard.

I might buy Barnys. I think they are good value and my DD loved them (both choc and strawberry). But my first choice would always be fruit or veg.

I'm not sure Barnys are very suited to big days out (legoland etc) because they will probably get squashed in the backpack. But they're perfect for local little adventures.

Here are some pics of my DD with snack/drink ready for a bike ride.

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

We had a picnic in the Wendy house one day with our dinosaurs, went to feed the ducks another, took a tea break from painting and DIY (kids had paint (water) and brushes copying us and happy as clams!)

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

Yes

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

Comforters. Liquid. Snack. Wipes. Nappies. Sling. House keys!

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

Very as it keeps them going, stems the tide of melt down and is fair for everyone!

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why? Yes, but I don't think the boxes are big enough. With 3 kids 5 are gone in the blink of an eye...

1. Where/when do you think Barny is most suitable for? (e.g. out at the park, days out etc.) they seemed to cope well in the bag on a hot day and didn't squish as much as I thought they might so seem great for all eventualities. Days out are probably what I would most use them for and at home as opposed to little trips like thej park

No photo sorry

1. What little adventure did you have with your family? What was the best part? We went to the local city farm to meet some friends and some new piglets.

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure? Yes - we do them loads.

1. What are the most important things to include when out on a little adventure with your DCs? Wetwipes, change of clothes, snacks, lots of drinks.

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

1. Would you buy Barny? (available in multipack 150g (5 x 30g) - RRP £1.69) If yes, why? Yes, both my children really liked them. They are a bit pricey for my usual budget though so they would probably only be for a treat.

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

I liked the fact they are foil wrapped and didn't seem to get crushed in my bag, so you can just chuck them in quickly.

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

Barny came with us on a big adventure, he helped us move home! The best part was taking a break from unpacking boxes and having an hour in the garden, enjoying the sunshine.

1. Was it easy to plan a little adventure?

Our adventure had already been planned for quite a few weeks!

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

Snacks as my growing boys always seem to be hungry, baby wipes for sticky hands, phone for taking pictures and a large bottle of water as adventures are thirsty work.

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

I think it is very important to have healthy, convenient snacks on outings as these are not always available at the places we visit. Also, if we end up stuck in traffic on our journey, it is good to have snacks at hand for the boys.

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

I have bought Barny mulitpacks when they have been on offer in our local supermarket (they are somtimes reduced to 1) however I think they are a little expensive at full price. Having 2 boys, they always fight over the last one therefore I usually end up having to buy 2 packs!

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

I think Barny is most suitable as a mid morning/afternoon snack or to take on a little adventure. I have also put them in my boys lunch boxes for school/nusery. Barny was great during our house move as he was something quick and easy I could give my boys to eat while we were busy moving boxes, furniture and lots and lots of toys!!

Hello - thanks for all the feedback and photos
Am pleased to say vj32 has been selected as the winner of the £150 voucher - well done!

Congrats vj32