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Product tests

Here's where users test and review products and give their feedback. If you'd like to run a product test please email [email protected].

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

See what the 300 Mumsnetters and their DCs thought of BEAR Paws - £300 voucher to be won for providing feedback! NOW CLOSED

321 replies

AngelieMumsnet · 29/07/2015 10:04

This is the thread for the 300 Mumsnetters who were testing BEAR Paws with their DCs.

Here’s what BEAR say: "Hello we’re BEAR and we make healthy snack for kids, with absolutely no nonsense whatsoever. Our Paws are made from pure fruit that is gently baked and pressed into tasty paw shapes with no added sugar or concentrates and every bag contains 1 of your 5 a day. Grrr. Available in four tasty recipes, they’re great for little and big paws alike, perfect for grumbly tummies when you’re out and about or as a tasty, healthy snack at home. We’d love to know what you and your DCs think of BEAR Paws as a handy, healthy snack."

BEAR would love to know:

  1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test?
  2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day?
  3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?
  4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not?
  5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?
  6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family?

All testers who post their feedback on this feedback thread will be entered into a prize draw where one lucky Mumsnetter will win a £300 John Lewis voucher.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

See what the 300 Mumsnetters and their DCs thought of BEAR Paws - £300 voucher to be won for providing feedback! NOW CLOSED
OP posts:
LuckyCornish13 · 29/07/2015 10:37

1) How old are the DCs who took part in this test? 3 and a half years old (helped by his two friends, 3&5)

2) Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? My DS will happily eat a variety of veg, but I struggle to get him to eat fruit (he eats it at nursery fine though)

3) What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? He was very excited when he saw the pack, especially the chart and stickers! He loved the animal pictures on them. So far he's had two packets and really enjoyed them, he said they're yummy! I don't think he'll eat the orange ones though as he always spits out anything orange (fruit, squash, sweets)

4) Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? I think the packs are a good size snack for him

5) Would you buy BEAR Paws again? Yes, especially the Dino paws

6) Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? Yes, my friends two DDs tried some and she asked where I got them from

fraggle84 · 29/07/2015 13:34
  1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test? 3 and a half years old

  2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? My DS loves fruit so not an issue, will eat vegetables but only if he helps chose his meals, if I just put it in front of him he's not so keen

  3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? He Seemed keen to try them and liked the bright packaging but struggled to open the packet himself

  4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? I think the packs are a good size snack but the paws inside were very small, I'd prefer bigger ones

  5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again? Yes, especially the Apple and black currant ones, a nice alternative to biscuits and can be left in a bag without going off

  6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? Yes

snowymum12 · 29/07/2015 14:03
  1. My daughter (almost 3) took part in the test. Her little sister (aged 1) was also happy to join in!
  2. I find it a huge challenge to get my daughter to eat fruit. She eats several portions of vegetables every day but I worry a lot that she isn't getting enough.
  3. My daughter loved the bright packaging and the cartoon animals. She was really excited to try them. She was able to rip open the packet herself, which made her feel grown up. She really liked the shape of the BEAR paws and the fact that there were 2 different colours in each pack. In terms of the taste, she found the Orange ones a little 'strong' (her words) but loved the apple and blackcurrant. My youngest seized the opportunity and had a handful of each flavour too. She thought they were wonderful and tucked into them with gusto!
  4. I thought that the pack size was a little big for a one-off shack for my daughter. There were too few to save for another time too. I think I'd prefer slightly more but with a resealable packet.
  5. I'll be looking out for the apple and blackcurrant paws as both the girls enjoyed them. I'm less inclined towards the other flavours as they didn't go down quite so well (but they tasted quite nice to me and my youngest!)
  6. I actually took some across to my sister the other day for her two to try as I know she worries about her two eating unhealthy snacks. They are a little older but still enjoyed them.
lyndseyh78 · 29/07/2015 16:52
  1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test?

My 2 year old daughter (with help from her brother and sister)

  1. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day?

Sometimes! I find it easier with my littlest one as she loves all fruit & veg

  1. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?

They all loved them and thought they tasted yummy

  1. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not?

I initially though by looking at the packets that they wouldn't have much in them but was really surprised by how many paws were in a packet! My 2 year old loved that they were paws she was truly amazed!!!

  1. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

Yes we already have as i have 3 children the 4 packets didn't last long so they have now been added to our shopping list

  1. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family?

Yes we already have as my children had them for a snack at babygroup on Tuesday and as we all sit down together with our children we were all talking about them and how good they are. I think they might be added to several peoples shopping lists :-)

kierie · 29/07/2015 20:26
  1. 4 years
  2. No, he likes fruit and veg
  3. He loved the parcel, with the stickers and chart. He thought the packaging was bright and colourful and asked to eat one straight away. He liked that they were like sweets. He loved the taste.
  4. Yes, it was a suitable size.
  5. Maybe as a special snack.
  6. Yes. If they were looking for packaged fruit snacks.
Marthamother · 29/07/2015 21:58
  1. My daughters are 2, 4 and 7 years old who took part.
  1. They all love fruit and most vegetables, luckily!
  1. All of them loved the packaging and had fun deciding who got which colour. They were instantly attracted by the colours and the name. The older daughters were hooked with the sticker chart! My eldest who is seven did ask if she was too old for them but when I told her they were just a healthy snack she was happy to eat them. She is big on healthy eating from school! They all said they were very sweet which they liked and loved the shapes they came in.

4.Yes we had no problem with the size of packaging or product inside. The girls grabbed them easily, they fit inside my handbag no problem and the size almost makes them feel like a treat.

  1. Yes I would. I think they are really handy to have in the kitchen for times when the children want a snack whilst waiting for dinner and I don't want to just keep giving raisins (!) which is what I usually do. I think I would keep them for out and about snacking too as they aren't messy and its nice to know they are nothing but fruit.
  1. Yes absolutely. They are handy, not messy, look colourful, and pure fruit. great combination really! I think these would also be great for children who struggle to eat fruit normally so I would recommend them for that too.
Donatellalymanmoss · 29/07/2015 23:06

1) How old are the DCs who took part in this test?

2 & 4

2) Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day?

Fruit - no they both eat lots of it

Veg - 2 year old eats it, but the 4 year old is very fussy about it.

3) What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?

They both really liked them, my 4 year old wasn't as keen on the apple flavour but he really liked the others. The liked the different animals on the packets and the shape of the fruit inside. They were however very excited that someone had sent them 'sweets' in the post so this possibly a factor in how much they enjoyed them, although if they hadn't liked the taste they would still have said so.

4) Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not?

There was quite a lot in the packet so I would probably prefer that they shared between them. My four year old when given a packet to himself only ate half, which is quite usual for fruit snacks like this as I think he finds them overwhelming after a while. The two year old is quite happy to eat the lot and ask for another.

5) Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

Yes, they are very handy for an out and about snack.

6) Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family?

Yes

Donatellalymanmoss · 29/07/2015 23:08

Sorry just to add after reading the other feedback, my four year old was also able to open the packet himself which he loved and means that I can happily put them in his packed lunch knowing he'll be able to get into it to eat.

SaltySeaBird · 30/07/2015 00:16

1) How old are the DCs who took part in this test?
She is three in a months time

2) Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day?
Sometimes, she has become a bit fussier over the last couple of months and while she will virtually inhale fruit like melon, nectarines, peaches and blueberries she refuses to eat cheaper, more convenient fruit such as apples and bananas. She will eat vegetables with a bit of encouragement.

She would eat crisps and ice cream all day given the choice.

3) What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?
They were a huge, huge hit. When she opened the box she actually hugged the contents! It helps that she is a big fan of the YoYo bear range (avid super species card collector) and recognised the branding. If you ask her what her favourite food is, she always says "Bear sweets".

I think the design is great and really appealing to children. I asked her which she wanted first and she chose the raspberry and blueberry packet as she liked the look of that one best (the polar bear on the front), followed by the dinosaur. I asked her which she liked to eat the best and she said the raspberry and blueberry one, but I think that was as much the packaging as the flavour.

In particular I loved the detail of the different paw prints and it generated discussion about the different animals who live in the Arctic which she was very engaged with.

She liked the poster which is on our fridge and she gives it a high-five every time she goes past.

I had brought her some other fruit flake products aimed at children of a similar nature - she had one packet out the box and said they were yuk and we gave the rest away. I'm not sure of the difference but flavour wise, these were a huge hit so however they are produced - good job!

4) Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not?
Yes, there were about the right amount in a packet for her. Any less would feel a bit stingy and I think the calorie content (54) for a pack is fine.

5) Would you buy BEAR Paws again?
Yes, without a doubt. I probably would stick to the YoYo Bears primarily as she likes the cards inside them, but I actually think the Paws product is nicer and more suited to her.

I'd love to buy them by the box (as with the YoYo Bears) but have multiple flavours in a packet rather than a box of the same flavour.

I do get concerned about the sugar content of fruit products (as a diabetic it is something I watch out for on a personal level) but these didn't seem too bad. Far better than a lot of similar products.

6) Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family?
Yes, I've already suggested my sister buys some. She was very impressed with the packaging.

SaltySeaBird · 30/07/2015 00:22

I will just add that it is a shame these are in the baby aisle and not with the other fruit based snacks - I know they are aimed at a younger market but I'm not sure, due to the small size of the paws and quantity in the packet, that I would have given them to DD before she was about 18 months old, by which time I'd stopped going down that aisle. I'm glad you said where to look for them or I would have missed them. I think a lot of my friends with 2-3 year old's would buy this product but probably wouldn't look in that aisle.

Also to add, she liked being able to open the packet easily herself.

hebrideanprincess · 30/07/2015 07:57
  1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test? 4 year old and 1 year old

  2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? They both love all kinds of fruit but are more picky in the vegetables they will eat

  3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? My eldest was very excited to see them! He has had them before and liked them but was especially happy about the stickers! He also liked the pictures of the animals on them. My youngest was not that keen and didn't want to eat any more after trying them once

  4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? I think the packs are a good size snack for my eldest, my youngest is not so keen.

  5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again? Yes, I have previously bought them and would buy them again but only for my eldest

  6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? Yes, I have suggested them to my friend for her son.

JessGG · 30/07/2015 08:59
  1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test?

My three sons took part, aged 1, 3 and 4.

  1. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day?

They are very good with fruit but my two younger sons aren't so great with their veggies.

  1. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?

My 3 and 4 year olds loved the packaging and were really excited about trying them. My 4 year old didn't like the taste of them but my two younger sons loved them, and finished the packs up between them very easily! I love the concept as they felt like they were getting a treat and I knew they were eating good stuff :)

  1. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not?

Yes, definitely the right size. They could have eaten more but as a snack and treat it's perfect - wouldn't want a larger pack.

  1. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

Yes definitely, for my younger children.

  1. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family?

Absolutely would recommend and already have done - my sister has bought some based on my feedback. I love the branding and packaging, it feels like a really quality, special product.

PinPon · 30/07/2015 09:01
  1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test? 3 and 4
  2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? Not really, but it's much easier to get them to eat fruit than veggies.
  3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? They liked the packaging and the concept. The fact that the pieces were paw shaped was of mild interest, but not really appreciated. All 4 packs were eaten in record time! The orange flavour was not much liked. I think it tasted too zesty.
  4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? Yes.
  5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again? Yes, if the price was right.
  6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? Yes.
ButterflyOfFreedom · 30/07/2015 09:03
  1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test?Â
    2 (3 in September)

  2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day?Â
    Not really. DS loves fruit, especially blueberries, strawberries, raspberries etc. He also has raisins and fruit pots / pouches. Vegetable wise I give him a portion with every lunch & dinner. He likes carrot sticks, peas, broccoli & beans best.

  3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?
    He got very excited when he saw them! The packaging is bright & colourful. He loves animals so anything linked to that is always a winner! He enjoyed eating them too. He said they were fruity & yummy! He liked the jungle ones best.

  4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not?
    Yes, the pack size seemed about right.

  5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?Â
    Yes, if the price was right!

  6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family?Â
    Yes I would.

Smcgettigan79 · 30/07/2015 09:05

) How old are the DCs who took part in this test? 4 and 2
2) Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? They will eat fruit with no problem, vegetables are more of a struggle, will eat them in things (Fajita's, spag bol etc) but I struggle to get them to eat them on their own and they won't touch salad...
3) What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? They loved the packages, immediatley deciding which animal they wanted to try and they liked the snacks as well. they reminded me of fruit pastilles (without all the sugar obvs) Also I was surprised but my 4 year old related them back to the advert on tv; he recognised the polar bear.
4) Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? Yes fine - they both polished the pack off no problem...
5) Would you buy BEAR Paws again? Yes probably
6) Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? Yes

TinyTear · 30/07/2015 09:06
  1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test?

My daughter is 3yo

  1. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day?

Veg is more of a challenge but she likes her fruit, carrots and cucumber...

  1. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?

She liked the taste and concept. She loved to identify which paw she was eating and asked me to check the packaging. I think a packaging that was easier to open would be better.

  1. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not?

Yes, it was a good size

  1. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

Yes

  1. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family?

Yes

countingdown · 30/07/2015 09:06
  1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test?
    5 and 6 years old.

  2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day?
    No, both children are very good eaters and enjoy a wide variety of fruit and vegetables every day.

  3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?

They loved them. As soon as they opened the box they were thrilled to discover the treasure inside. They are both huge Bear Yoyo fans so were over the moon to try Bear Paws. They have already asked me to buy some more!

  1. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not?
    Yes, just the right amount inside.

  2. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?
    Yes. I tend to give the Bear Yoyos once a week for their fruit snack at school, so will probably send Bear Paws instead on occasion.

  3. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family?
    Yes, there's something nicer about these compared to Bear Yoyos!

confusedofengland · 30/07/2015 09:06
  1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test? DS1 is 6, DS2 is 4 & DS3 is 17 months.
  2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? We normally manage 5 or more fruit & veg, but I find it challenging to keep thinking of different ways of introducing fruit & veg that are tasty, not too expensive & long-lasting (don't go off)
  3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? DS1 was very excited by the whole thing & really bought into the idea that these are special sweeties. DS3 was happy to eat them. DS2, however, was not at all convinced. He was after 'proper' sweeties & refused to try the Bear Paws Hmm Blush I think that if they'd had a more sweetie-like appearance (perhaps a bit fuller & gummier & shinier) he would have eaten them more readily. DS1 also loves the sticker chart that comes with them.
  4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? The packet was a good size to share between all 3 DC, I wouldn't give a packet that size to just 1 DC. We like to have snacks that have a couple of components eg crackers & fruit, plain biscuit & fruit/veg so 1 packet is too big for that. I do think the packets are good for travelling or days out.
  5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again? I would buy them again, especially if on special offer.
  6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? I would recommend them, especially to some friends I know whose DC will not eat fruit (seeing them tomorrow so will test the Bear Paws on her Grin)
purplepandas · 30/07/2015 09:07

Has anyone else not received theirs yet?

PinPon · 30/07/2015 09:09

Forgot to mention that my two children ignored the stickers and just focused on the snacks.

mapmyface · 30/07/2015 09:10

Not received anything yet!

KittyKat88 · 30/07/2015 09:11
  1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test? 3 & 5
  2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? DD1 age 5 eats a good range of fruit and veg to regularly meets her 5-1-day, but DD2 age 3 eats mostly fruit as getting her to eat veg is a struggle and it's more of a challenge to meet the 5-a-day requirements
  3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? Both thought the packaging was brilliant, and DD1 was keen to 'eat healthily'. However DD1 was not so keen on the flavours, and despite trying each of the flavours, didn't want to eat many. DD2 was far keener (maybe because she's the fruit lover and used to those 'tangs' and she loved the Monkey packet the best!
  4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? Yes, they are a suitable size - there was plenty for one snack, but in my DD's case it was spread over a few snack times as they only had a few at a time
  5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again? Yes, for DD2
  6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? I would recommend BEAR Paws because they are a fun snack and healthy too.
Dolallytats · 30/07/2015 09:12

I haven't got mine yet purplepandas. The email from MNHQ said to wait until Friday and if we haven't got it yet we should contact them.

RatOnnaStick · 30/07/2015 09:13

Not got mine yet either. I assume they sent them out in staggered batches rather than 300 at once. (I hope)

SuzeT154 · 30/07/2015 09:13
  1. My little girl is 3 and a half
  2. She eats fruit and most veg quite happily
  3. My daughter loved the concept. The animals on the front were a big hit as were the paw prints. Every print had to be identified before it was eaten which was fun to start with but then got a bit much. I would question whether there needs to be five different paws in each pack... but then my daughter is at the younger end of the target audience. The flavour was good and all packets thoroughly enjoyed.
  4. Good pack size, none wasted!
  5. We are regular purchasers of yoyos but now I think we'll be buying paws as well. My daughter is keen to get all the flavours again...she's already spotted them in sainsburys.
  6. Yes I would recomend Paws to mum friends.