Kinder Surprise Storymakers website feedback thread - £250 voucher prize draw for testers NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

This thread is for the 100 Mumsnetters who are trying out the Kinder Surprise Storymakers website.

Here’s what Kinder Surprise’s brand manager says: “We've designed a new website to give parents a fun and simple tool to create stories with their kids. Each story will be unique and personalised with your child’s name on it. You can share the story with friends & family online, download and print, and there are thousands of storybooks to be won - so lots of lucky families will have a hard copy of their personalised book sent to their door!”

Below are the questions we’d like testers to answer but please feel free to add any other comments which you may have.

Q1. What were your overall impressions of the Storymakers website?
Q2. Can you briefly tell us what the story was about which you wrote with your DC on the Storymakers website?
Q3. What did your DC think of the Storymakers website and the process of writing their own story?
Q4. Would you recommend your friends and/or family to visit the Storymakers website with their child(ren), or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

Everyone who adds their feedback below will be sent their own hard copy storybook of the story they created on the Storymakers website and also be entered into a prize draw to win a £250 Love2Shop voucher!

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

Q1. What were your overall impressions of the Storymakers website?

I thought it was very easy to navigate and we enjoyed creating the story. There were a good choice of options, so the story did feel unique to us.

Q2. Can you briefly tell us what the story was about which you wrote with your DC on the Storymakers website?

DD wrote about Lily the Mouse who went to space, the farm, the seaside among other places. Lily the Mouse met lots of people on her journey, including Carly the Cactus.

Q3. What did your DC think of the Storymakers website and the process of writing their own story?

DD loved it. She wanted to make more stories, so we will probably be back to it soon to make another.

Q4. Would you recommend your friends and/or family to visit the Storymakers website with their child(ren), or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes I would recommend the website. I think it was a fun activity which engaged my 6yo. She liked that she could write parts of the story herself, or just choose an option. It was nice to do an activity together.

Q1. What were your overall impressions of the Storymakers website?

Fun, very easy to use and child friendly. Both dc made one story with me then took it in turns to make their own story with minimal help. Ipad friendly too!

Q2. Can you briefly tell us what the story was about which you wrote with your DC on the Storymakers website?

A koala bear went on lots of adventures, to space, the jungle and under the sea before coming back home.

Q3. What did your DC think of the Storymakers website and the process of writing their own story?

They really enjoyed it. It kept them entertained for a long time and ds has asked when we can go back on the site to write another story.

Q4. Would you recommend your friends and/or family to visit the Storymakers website with their child(ren), or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes. Both dc enjoyed picking the characters and adventure. I will be recommending to my friends with dc.

My feedback is it is a shame that I have to create a log in to browse the website. It might be useful/interesting but I am not going to give away my details, create a password etc if I can't even have a browse first see what it is all about!! I don't know anything about Storymakers - a log in page isnt' enlightening.

Q1. What were your overall impressions of the Storymakers website?
Bright, colourful, really engaging for DD, 4 (nearly 5! she says indignantly). I would have preferred the ability to personalise the story a bit more, even to choose the same background as many times as you like so you can create a more detailed story arc. I was also a bit frustrated at the colouring / face expressions on the right... DD, who is a sensitive wee petal, wouldn't ever choose the red option as it 'looked angry' so that made our choices even more limited!

Q2. Can you briefly tell us what the story was about which you wrote with your DC on the Storymakers website?
DD had serendipitously had the whale in a Kinder Egg earlier this week, so immediately picked that. Twinkle the Whale then very much enjoyed his adventures.

Q3. What did your DC think of the Storymakers website and the process of writing their own story?
She really enjoyed it, was worried about the 'angry faces' as detailed above, but really enjoyed choosing the story and decorating it with the stickers. She spent about an hour doing it yesterday as asked to have another go as soon as she got up this morning.... We are creating quite the collection!

Q4. Would you recommend your friends and/or family to visit the Storymakers website with their child(ren), or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes, I would.... I think it's a really good activity and I'm hoping it will stimulate her interest in creating books / telling stories etc.

Q1. What were your overall impressions of the Storymakers website?

Easy and intuitive to use. Easy for DS, just 4, to navigate and he used it quite independently really. Bright and colourful. Not very obviously branded. We didn't try adding our own text, but this is a good way to differentiate for an older child perhaps.

Q2. Can you briefly tell us what the story was about which you wrote with your DC on the Storymakers website?

We did two. The first one was a parrot called Darcie, and the second a spring called Alex. Alex the spring went to the farm in a thunderstorm and met a cow and sheep, then went home before he got too wet.

Q3. What did your DC think of the Storymakers website and the process of writing their own story?

He enjoyed the process overall. He liked the pictures which surprised me a little as he usually prefers things to look like real life. He wanted to choose the same scenes more than once, and got quite cross he couldn't- he actually wanted to have a whale, but gave up when he realised the whale couldn't just stay in the sea and would have to go to places where it couldn't live (this actually resulted in tears, partly as he was very tired but he was very frustrated he couldn't make it do this). He liked choosing the replies and adding extra pictures to each scene.

Q4. Would you recommend your friends and/or family to visit the Storymakers website with their child(ren), or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

I think so, nice to have something creative that we could do together. DS loves stories and reading, and this was just enough to set him thinking about making up your own stories. I imagine an older child would get more from it. We weren't overwhelmed but enjoyed what we did.

1. What were your overall impressions of the Storymakers website?

Impressed - liked the use of colours, friendly feel, attractive. Q2. Can you briefly tell us what the story was about which you wrote with your DC on the Storymakers website? It was a short story about Mickey Mouse Q3. What did your DC think of the Storymakers website and the process of writing their own story? My DC is getting to grips with it, but hasn't really taken to it Q4. Would you recommend your friends and/or family to visit the Storymakers website with their child(ren), or not? If so, why? If not, why not? Worth trying it to help your DC think creatively

Q1. What were your overall impressions of the Storymakers website? Colourful and really liked the ease of use especially with the big buttons and the choices they get. My 4 yr old DD loved the choices she got.

Q2. Can you briefly tell us what the story was about which you wrote with your DC on the Storymakers website? A seaside story with a dolphin called daisy meeting a seagull.

Q3. What did your DC think of the Story makers website and the process of writing their own story? She thought it was fun and allows her to be creative. She did use the pre worded story lines but im sure as she gets older she will want to add her own twist to the stories

Q4. Would you recommend your friends and/or family to visit the Storymakers website with their child(ren), or not? If so, why? If not, why not? Yes i probably will mention it as its a fun activity for them to do.

The website is fun, colourful and exciting although very slow to load

Q1 overall impressions
Colourful and appealing but slow to load on our broadband speed!

Q2. Can you briefly tell us what the story was about which you wrote with your DC on the Storymakers website?

Hop the rabbit(?) maybe another animal who went on adventures in various locations.

Q3. What did your DC think of the Storymakers website and the process of writing their own story?
He absolutely loved it. And is avidly watching the post desperate for his hard copy
Q4. Would you recommend your friends and/or family to visit the Storymakers website with their child(ren), or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
Maybe as a rainy day activity.

Q1. What were your overall impressions of the Storymakers website?
I was impressed it was very user friendly

Q2. Can you briefly tell us what the story was about which you wrote with your DC on the Storymakers website?
A spinner explored different scenarios.

Q3. What did your DC think of the Storymakers website and the process of writing their own story?
very imaginative

Q4. Would you recommend your friends and/or family to visit the Storymakers website with their child(ren), or not? If so, why? If not, why not
Yes I would, great idea to personalise and able to download, the kids feel part of the experience seeing their name.

Q1. What were your overall impressions of the Storymakers website?
I found it colourful and easy to use.

Q2. Can you briefly tell us what the story was about which you wrote with your DC on the Storymakers website?
A spinner who explored different scenarios, met various characters then went home.

Q3. What did your DC think of the Storymakers website and the process of writing their own story?
Loved it!

Q4. Would you recommend your friends and/or family to visit the Storymakers website with their child(ren), or not? If so, why? If not, why not
Yes.

Q1. What were your overall impressions of the Storymakers website?

It was bright colourful and easy to use. My 6 year old said "Wow, I can't wait to do this."

Q2. Can you briefly tell us what the story was about which you wrote with your DC on the Storymakers website?

My 6 year old wrote a story about Flappy the dolphin going exploring - he went under the sea and met a singing starfish who he sang into submission, to the jungle to meet a funny monkey and up to space to meet a nosey satellite.

Q3. What did your DC think of the Storymakers website and the process of writing their own story?

DS2 says it was great. He really enjoyed inputting into the story and decorating the pages.

Q4. Would you recommend your friends and/or family to visit the Storymakers website with their child(ren), or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes - DS2 says because it is really good fun. Its a great way to encourage kids to read and make up stories - and a good way to while away a few minutes on a rainy day.

Q1. What were your overall impressions of the Storymakers website?
I liked the format - it was very interactive and we loved the fact it involved personalisation and choice, as well as an opportunity at the beginning for your little one to type their name and age.

Q2. Can you briefly tell us what the story was about which you wrote with your DC on the Storymakers website?
Starfish the Spinner went under the sea only to meet 'another' starfish! She went on to see a squirrel in the forest, find a dogonaut in outer space, bump into a crab at the seaside, then return back home where a carrier pigeon had a message for my daughter from Starfish the Spinner.

Q3. What did your DC think of the Storymakers website and the process of writing their own story?
She loved it. She liked typing her name and choosing the various characters, scenes and lines. She was impressed by the vivid colours and sounds of each 'world', and was engrossed from start to finish.

Q4. Would you recommend your friends and/or family to visit the Storymakers website with their child(ren), or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes I would. It was different to any other programs or apps we've used, and it was fun. However, I'd warn them it sometimes takes a while for the scenes to load.

this is educational, interesting and makes learning fun

Oh yes - DS1 aged 8 also had a go which he really enjoyed (despite being older than the target audience).

Q1. What were your overall impressions of the Storymakers website?
Bright, colourful and easy to navigate.
Q2. Can you briefly tell us what the story was about which you wrote with your DC on the Storymakers website? About Barry the car meeting 'people' under the sea, outser space etc.
Q3. What did your DC think of the Storymakers website and the process of writing their own story?
She really loved it.
Q4. Would you recommend your friends and/or family to visit the Storymakers website with their child(ren), or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes, but it was very slow.

Love it :)

Q1. What were your overall impressions of the Storymakers website?
A: It was very kid-friendly and my son was drawn to it straight away. He really enjoyed choosing what to put on the pages, though I think he would've liked a bit more choice.
Q2. Can you briefly tell us what the story was about which you wrote with your DC on the Storymakers website?
A: It was about EEkie the dinosaur who visited the forest then the farm and under the sea, etc. It's a bit random.
Q3. What did your DC think of the Storymakers website and the process of writing their own story?
A: My three year-old son really enjoyed writing his own story and reading it after. He wanted to make another right after he finished the first one! The first thing he asked to do this morning upon waking up was if he could write another story.
Q4. Would you recommend your friends and/or family to visit the Storymakers website with their child(ren), or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
A: Yes, I will definitely tell my friends and family about it. Whether they visit it is another thing. I'll definitely be using it again with my son.

i loved the website. It was so bright and engaging

Q1. I thought the overall impression was it was very colourful and easy to use.
Q2. The story my DS wrote was about Rusty the dog that visited different places and met different creatures/animals.
Q3. My son loved being able to chose who the dog met and to chose the ending. He got quite bored between each page as it took quite awhile to load each time.
Q4. I would recommend the site to parents with younger children, My son is 7 and got easily distracted and bored. I think it would be great for younger children as it would get them readin and using their imagination and creativity

Q1. What were your overall impressions of the Storymakers website?

It was easy to use, and quite intuitive for DS - he didn't need any help once I had logged him on to the site. There were some bits that were slightly clunky/ a few glitches - text that overran into the background, objects that became instantly 'fixed' and couldn't be moved etc , but I imagine these would be fixed before the site goes live.

Q2. Can you briefly tell us what the story was about which you wrote with your DC on the Storymakers website?

DS wrote about 5 stories, with different toys starring each time. He chose to use the endings provided rather than make up his own. He really liked the sound effects with each background - he would have liked more!

Q3. What did your DC think of the Storymakers website and the process of writing their own story?

DS really enjoyed it - but he would have liked to be able to rotate the characters so that there was a better fit with the background. He also would have liked it if there were different 'levels' i.e. there were longer and more complex story formats available. He also would have liked to be able to go back and edit his story once he had finished his first draft - we couldn't work out a way of doing this so I don't know if it is possible?
He also suggested this format would be a good way of making mini-cartoons. We love books but if there was a way of expanding this idea and developing it into a cartoon-making process it would be amazing! Using the existing 'drag and drop' method, but having the capability to animate would really extend the format into the older age range. DS thought that having a range of 'real' backdrops that cartoon characters could be added into would be fun. I think that he would really enjoy the process of making a cartoon and it would be fabulous way to boost creativity. DS says he would love to help design it if you decide to go forward!!!

Q4. Would you recommend your friends and/or family to visit the Storymakers website with their child(ren), or not? If so, why? If not, why not?

I would recommend the site - but think it is currently best suited to younger children, maybe age 3-5? I think the idea is great however, and would love to see the range extended so that it is more suited to slightly older children.

Q1. What were your overall impressions of the Storymakers website?
Bright and colourful - looked age appropriate for DD who is 4. It wasn't that easy to navigate backwards though - once she had picked her character and we had started the story we couldn't work out how to get back and change it. Also, we didn't initially realise the range of characters to choose from, we though the scroll button at the bottom was showing how far through the process we were so only looked at the characters on the front page

Q2. Can you briefly tell us what the story was about which you wrote with your DC on the Storymakers website?
My DD wrote about Jack the Whale who didn't have adventures anywhere near the sea!

Q3. What did your DC think of the Storymakers website and the process of writing their own story?
She loved it BUT Jack the Whale went to the farm and we couldn't get the chapter ending she had written to load which she was disappointed by. She then would make up the chapter ending to all the other pages but didn't want to load them as she thought you weren't supposed to as it hadn't worked the first time.
She loved decorating the pages and it was really amazing to see quite how random her choices were and the explanations behind them.
She didn't like the email at the end because it said that he couldn't wait to go home and have a rest and he was already at home - 4 year olds are v logical

Q4. Would you recommend your friends and/or family to visit the Storymakers website with their child(ren), or not? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes, I think so - DD really enjoyed it. I think it is ideally suited for her age group (4) but I can imagine my older children wanting to do it too.

Thanks for the opportunity - it was a nice 20 mins together

One other thing - we couldn't work out how to go back and edit pages we had already done.