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

[AngelieMumsnet]

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

1) How old are the DCs who took part in this test?
4 y.o. tested them, and his siblings scrounged a few from the pack.
2) Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day?
Not especially
3) What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?
They were a hit. They loved the 5 a day chart with stickers. They were interested in them from the packaging, and liked the colour and pictue on each snack. The different colours meant they wanted to try one of each. They liked the taste and would happily have eaten more.
They also liked the sticker chart, and all the children have been happily outting a sticker on each time they eat fruit or veg, even asking for fruit as part of a pudding to put a sticker on the chart.
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?
If it was on offer, and if the children were with me asking for it.
6) Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family?
Maybe. Mainly for the sticker chart.

I tried one of these and I thought they were revolting. They tasted synthetic, and not like dried fruit to me. I also thought they looked too removed from fruit to look anywhere near natural, although I concede a bright purple/orange/pink fruit stick is equally unnatural.

If the children were being awkward about fruit or veg, or needed coaxing for a journey or trip this would be a good way to get them in.

I am very appreciative of the product test, but probably wouldn't get them again outwith these circumstances as they tasted and felt so unnatural.

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

Age 3 and 5 years

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

Yes, school dinners help though as do preschool snacks. It's the issue of getting enough fruit and veg rather than any if that makes sense.

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

DC really liked the colourful packets and also the nominated animal per flavour. They were very appealing and the DC opted to try them straightaway.

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

Yes, I think that it was suitable. DD3 (age 3) is still telling me she is hungry though!

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

I would but it would depend on price. I do often find these types of snacks overpriced for what they are in all honesty. If on offer I would. I find them helpful for snacks out and about.

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

I would, I like the ethos of the brand and also the snacks.

1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test? My 6 and 5 year old daughters with a little help from my 1 year old daughter as well.
2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? My eldest daughter is the worst and will do anything to avoid fruit and veg though my 5 yr old does alot better and eats fruit and some veg.
3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? My girls liked them especially the apple and blackcurrant ones. They also liked checking out which footprints they were eating on the back of the pack.
4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? I was surprised at how much was actually in the pack but with three kids I would love to be option to buy a family size pack.
5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again? Yes
6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? Yes

1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test? 9, 7 and 4
2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? 9yo and 7yo no, 4yo yes. But the poster has actually helped. The power of stickers!
3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? 9yo girl loved them, esp animal details, 7yo boy disliked taste, texture, but doesn't like yoyos either, 4yo girl loved them mainly cos big sis did.
4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? Yes, fine. Fiddly enough to be time consuming, sweet enough for a good hit.
5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again? If price was right, yes.
6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? Yes, love the detail.

4 and 2 year olds.
The 4 year old is pretty good with eating fruit and veg, the 2 year old is a nightmare at the moment.
They both thought the packaging and the product were great, no complaints at all.
The size is just right. I like the fact that there are lots of little paws rather than fewer but bigger pieces - it takes longer to eat when it's little bits!
Yes I'd buy them again and would recommend them to friends with young children.
Thank you for including us in the taste test!

1. my daughter is 2
2. She's not bad at eating fruit and veg but can be a little selective - so she's not super-keen on green veg but loves (expensive!) fruit like blueberries
3. My daughter clearly liked the taste - as she wolfed the lot. Even when she had finished the pack and put it in the bin she went back to check it was empty.. She was keen on the packaging too as she liked wandering round with it
4. It was a suitable size, but seemed quite a lot in one go, so a resealable pack or even a bumper pack you could then put some in a box (like raisins) might be an idea
5. yes, but as a treat
6. yes. My sister and I have been discussing them!

1) How old are the DCs who took part in this test?
Mine are 4 and 16 months. I know you only really wanted feedback for 2 years plus but the 16month old went at them like a fly to shit to be frank...
2) Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day?
I find it more challenging to get decent protein into her, but more fruit and veg is always a good thing!
3) What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?
Dd LOVED the sticker chart. The concept of the different paws and things went right over her head, and there were flavours that definitely didn't appeal. For instance the orange wasn't liked at all, yet the blueberry and raspberry were great successes
4) Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not?
I think the packet size was fine, but I would rather (and dd would rather) bigger/thicker paws and fewer of them
5) Would you buy BEAR Paws again?
Yes if I wanted a snack for dd
6) Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family?
I would definitely recommend trying them as a great alternative to raisins or biscuits when on a car journey etc

1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test? 2,6 and 8.

2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? Yes, I'm not entirely surely they do get five portions a day but then I probably don't either! I try but if I give them an apple as a snack they still say they're hungry after, I carry loads of snacks when I'm out.

3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? My youngest loved them it's an ideal size for her. My older two prefer the yoyo's but I suspect that's to do with the cards inside as much as anything.

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

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again? Yes I would.

6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? Yes I would recommend them and thank you for the trial.

1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test? dd is 10, ds is 7
2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? dd eats more than 5 portions of fruit and veg every day, fruit more than veg, but we are struggling to get ds to eat fruit or veg, he likes some smoothies and peeled apples, broccoli and green beans, everything else has to be hidden in some way.
3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? Both dc loved the BEAR paws, even ds. They liked the shapes, they enjoyed matching the paw prints to the animals and both liked the taste, some flavours more than others but they ate every last bit.
4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? Yes, it's a good pack size and I might get them for school snacks. It might be nice if the individual paws were a bit bigger.
5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again? Yes.
6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? Yes.

1. dd age 6 tried them as did ds2 age 3 and his friend, also 3.

2. no i don't find it difficult at all, i have 3 children age 8, 6 and 3 and all ready a wide variety of fruit and veg no problem.

3. the 3 year olds clearly liked the package. ds2 decided to take a pack up to his friend's house when he wanted to call on him to play out, he selected the dino ones and his friend spent quite a while looking at it and commenting on the dinosaur .

dd didn't like them at all (she has never liked dried fruit, i think they are too much like that for her, that strong slightly sickly taste) but both the 3 year olds did and ate them in the blink of an eye, they liked that they were in the shape of foot prints and compared the different ones.

4. yes the size is fine, not too many that you wouldn't want them to eat them all but not so small they feel cheated if they share.

5 and 6) they could come in handy with a toddler when you need a bit of bribery but they are not going to work as a snack when they are hungry, and given that i don't make a habit of giving food unless they are hungry i don't think i would buy them or recommend them. they'd be in party bags or as prizes in a toddler party of pfb children . I'm a bit at the health aspect given that it is known that there is a difference between eating fruit whole and eating it processed so I'd want to know more about that. plus dried fruit and snacks like this stick to the teeth in a way fruit doesn't so are worse in that way. so while i do low the practicality of chucking a pack in your handbag when you know you will want to keep a toddler quiet for a few min, I'm still more likely to throw an apple or a tupperware of grapes in my bag.

fun to try though and ds2 and his friend have enjoyed them so thank you.

1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test? 3 and 6yrs old
2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day?

Fruit no problem but veg is a bit trickier

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

They loved the packets and the different animals. They loved the shape of the snacks and they were a bit hit with taste too.

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

Suitable size for a snack treat.

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

Yes and we have done so both children could try each flavour!

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

Yes!

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

My DS who is 3. Also tried with DD who is 17 months.

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

My son is a very picky eater and it's a constant battle to encourage him to eat fruit. At the moment he eats limited veg.
My daughter currently eats really well, most fruit and wide variety of veg.

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

My son was drawn to the packaging. As soon as they arrived he was very keen to try them. Unfortunately he did not like the taste.
He loved the bear character and talked about them but unfortunately just didn't like them.
My daughter did not enjoy them.

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

Yes suitable size

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

No as my children are not keen on the taste. I thought the packaging was great and appealing. I think the all fruit ingredients are great and knowing it was nutritious made me excited to try them. I tried them also and whilst I didn't dislike them, I didn't overly like the taste.

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

I might mention that we tried them and that they are healthy snack but that my kids didn't like them but others seem to do.

1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test? 5.8 and 3.11
2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? Not at all, they love most fruits and a lot of vegetables, I never have any problem getting them to the 5 recommended pieces a day.
3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? They loved the packaging and had seen the advert, so had been hassling me to buy them already. 3yr old ate them and was quite keen, she loves food and eating. The 5yr old claimed to like them, but took a long time to finish them and didn't seem enthusiastic about them once he tried them, so I suspect he didn't.
4. 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 portion size.
5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again? No. One of my children didn't like them. I tried them and didn't like the way they stuck to teeth, so I imagine they are not good for dental health, so I will stick to normal fruit in the future.
6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? No, for the reasons above, and also the texture of them was quite strange.

My children are 2 (3 next week) and 7.
Dd1 is a fruit and veg monster but dd2 is more fussy, although she is getting better. I would still encourage fresh fruit over dried products but she will eat a wider variety of flavours of products such as humzingers or yoyos (eg. She wouldn't even contemplate eating raspberries but will eat raspberry flavoured yoyos ) so I do offer them occasionally.
They liked the packaging and shapes. I prefer them to yoyos - easier to eat and no cards to get abandoned all over the house. They liked the taste - I found them quite chewy when I tried one but dd1 said she didn't. They disappeared quickly!
They are a suitable size, and easy to carry around as snacks in my bag.
I would consider buying them, but I find them fairly expensive compared to buying fresh fruit so not weekly or anything.
I would recommend them if it came up in conversation.

1. Three and a half year old

2. Not at all, it was actually quite enlightening to use the reward chart and document exactly how much he is having in a day.

3. He liked the packaging and the animals were great for him being able to identify which packet he wanted to try. He did however think the dino one was a crocodile.

He wasn't keen on the orange flavour ones and having tried them all myself I could see why they were his least favourite.

He couldn't decide between the polar bear and monkey as to which he liked best.

4)Yes they are a good size.

5. I would but then again, they are useful for long journeys or days out.

6. Yes I would recommend them, definitely healthier than some other snacks out there.

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

She is 3 years old (with a little help from a 1 year old!)

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

Not really, they both love their fruit and veg but it's always good to find interesting ways to serve them.

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

Both children loved them and DD would have eaten all the packets at once given half a chance. The packets were very appealing with their nice bright colours and this is how she chose the ones she wanted. Both children enjoyed the flavours and DD and I both liked the animal paw prints. I had expected them to be a bit fuller rather than so flat. DS has some food intolerances so it's good to find things he can enjoy too that are healthy treats.

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

This snack was a good size and my 2 children happily shared them.

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

Yes. They are good for days out.

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

Yes I would.

1 - 4 and a half and 2 and a half.
2 - they happily eat any and all types of fruit but can be less keen on a variety of veg.
3 - packaging was perfect. They loved the colours and the animals and we're happy to try all flavours.
4 - package was a good size but I tended to share them between my kids and still save some for later. I wouldn't put this size packet on their lunch box but more likely to mix a smaller portion with some nuts. This is mainly for the concern of sticking to teeth etc.
5- yes. A multipack containing all flavours would live in our cupboard nicely but I wouldn't give them every day.
6 - yes as fun and very portable is can have in my gandbag/rucksack for emergencies without any chance of getting squashed/going off.
Thank you - really nice package to receive in the post.
Xx

1) How old are the DCs who took part in this test?
DD is 7 DS is 5

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

DD loves fruit and veg, DS is the opposite. I hide lots of his portions in other things. He used to be good but I think it's just a phase.

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

DD loved them. She liked the different colour paws. The bags were a perfect snack size. DD commented that the bags always split down the sides when opening.

DS liked the chart that came with the box. We used that up to encourage him to eat more.

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

5) Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

Definitely. I like the greater flavour choices they had.

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

My MIL is going to buy them for herself. She was impressed that there is fruit and vegetables in them.

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

3yo DS1 and 19mo DS2

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

DS1 is a bit more challenging - likes most fruit but is picky with veg. DS2 will eat everything (literally everything) except scampi flavour crisps!

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

DS1 loved the packets, and immediately went for the dinosaur ones. He also liked the paw prints on them and spent a while sorting them prior to eating. All the flavours went down well, but he said he liked the dinosaur ones best - probably just because it was dinosaurs. He asked for them when I collected him from nursery the other day, which makes a change from him asking for cake/biscuits/popcorn and other assorted rubbish.
DS2 merrily shovelled handfuls in like he'd never been fed in a week, which is pretty standard for him!

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

Both DC would happily polish off an entire packet to themselves no problem.

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

Yes. In fact DS1 has informed me that we NEED to buy them when we go shopping later

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

I would, and in fact already have.

1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test?
   Just turned six.

2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day?
   No, she'd live off fruit and salad if she could!

3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?
   She really liked the packaging, the polar bear was the favourite package. She said that the Bear Paws pack was quite hard to open by herself and needed some help at first. She liked the different shapes and said they were fruity and had a lot of taste. She liked all the flavours, she thought the orange was different and "zingy" but still liked them. Strawberry were the favourite overall I think.

4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not?
   Yes, they were a good size, she didn't eat a pack all at once but came back to them.

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?
   Yes, we buy Bear products already, she really loves the pineapple flavour and enjoys the factual cards. I like that they don't have artificial colours in them. To be honest, I think I'll buy Bear Paws for me to snack on too when I want a sweet treat!

6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family?
   Yes, the Bear Paws would make a good pack to have handy in your bag etc, especially for some friends that have under 2.

Hi, my daughter is 6. She and her older sister are quite good eaters and enjoy most fruit and veg voluntarily. My daughter liked the bear paws but prefers fruit strings as a shape. The flavours were nice although she didn't like all of the combinations. The packaging is attractive and the bags are about the right size for a snack. I would buy bear paws but the kids seem to prefer the strings or fruit sticks like school bars. I would recommend bear paws as they are healthy and seem like a sweet so act as a good alternative.

1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test? 3 and 18 months
2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? Yes ???? My 3 year old is fussy and not keen on many fruit or veg. 18 month old is a lot better.
3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? 3 year old loved the colours, design and thought they were sweets when he first saw them. He particularly loved the dinosaur pack and couldn't wait to open them. Both children obviously likes the taste as they demolished a pack very quickly between them. We had to open another. My friends children also enjoyed them (3 and 13 months). They were stomping about holding the shapes.

I like the concept - fun and links with my children's interests (animals). They are also very handy if out and about.

We've bought yoyos before which mine also love but they can be a bit sticky. The paws were less sticky therefore better. Paws are also easier to share with a group.

4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? Slightly too big for 1 child but too small for 2 was my feeling. (But it meant I could help out with 2 packs).

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again? Yes, depending on the price.

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

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

1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test?
   My little boy is 15 months but I couldn't keep them away from him when I had his 3 year old cousin to stay this weekend.

2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day?
   Not really at this stage. His cousin will eat fruit and veg ok too.

3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)?
   My little boy loved the packet design, although likes packets full stop as associates them with snacks on the run. His cousin liked the colours and chose blue!
   What did they like or dislike about them?
   They didn't appear to dislike anything.

4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not?
   My 15 months old ate a whole bag! I guess for an older child more would be good in a pack, however not sure how healthy more would be?

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?
   Yes I would. I wouldn't pay more than 40p a bag though. Compared to say an organix flapjack bar which is more filling, this would make bear paws expensive.

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

DC enjoying them at 15 months despite guidelines saying from 2. His 3 year old cousin enjoyed them just as much!