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?

4.5 and 2 (boys)

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

No, both are pretty good tbh and will eat most fruit and a decent selection of veg

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

Ds1 loved the idea of them - like little sweeties with animals on and lined the footprints up in a trail before eating
Ds2 was not so keen, think he found them a bit 'gummy'

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

Pack size was fine, good to throw in my handbag as bribery out and about or in a lunchbox

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

Maybe if on offer

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

Yes, nice little treat that isn't too terrible health wise

1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test? Almost 4
2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? Not really, my DD loves fruit and veg (I am very lucky)
3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? DD really enjoyed the BEAR Paws and would ask for them. She liked seeing which animal's footprint they were.
4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? I feel like these are more like a sweetie substitute and would give small amounts of the Paws to my DD. I didn't feel right giving her a whole bag, it seemed too big.
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? - 3 years old

2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? - no, she loves fruit and veg and will quite often request fruit or carrot sticks for her snack.

3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? - she liked the designs with the different animals on so she could pick a different one each time. She liked the taste and looked forward to being able to choose a pack for after her swimming lesson.

4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? - it is a good size, not so big that she wouldn't eat her lunch but big enough to keep her going after swimming or the park until lunchtime. The packs are a good size for her to hold.

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again? - yes, already have done.

6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? - yes, took some to a play date recently for dd to share with her friends. They all enjoyed them.

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

My son is 3

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

I find it hard to get him to eat vegetables, but not fruit. He loves most fruit, though can get stuck in his ways with it and sometimes refuse to try new types.

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

My son loves them - he has them as snack on the bus after nursery and his favourite thing is to match each paw to the picture of the paw on the back of the pack - he's getting really good at it. He also thinks he's getting a treat when the bag appears, perhaps because the bright packaging resembles sweet wrappers.

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 size - he sometimes doesn't finish all of them, so he could probably do with a few less in the pack if anything. They're on the higher end in terms of price, so i'd probably prefer a smaller bag as it feels wasteful if there are some left (though I guess they would keep for a while, but he's not overly interested in half opened bags.)

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

Yes I definitely will, they're a good, healthy and entertaining snack. Having said that, I might only buy them if they were on offer, as they're quite pricy.

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

Yes

1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test?
   My daughter who is 3 nearly 4 tested them

2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day?
   Making her eat fruits is easy, but vegetables car be a nightmare

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

She loved the animals on the packaging, especially the bear as it looked so fluffy according to her

She loved the taste of them and wouldn't share with me, she thinks they are sweets

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

I wish the bags where a little bit bigger as she wanted 2 bags as she was still hungry

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

Yes definitely, we saw them in the store and she begged me to buy them for her as they are her favouritest food ever (her words)

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

Yes I would

Thanks again bear and mumsnet

1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test?
   DDs 6 and 4

2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day?
   Sometimes but they are pretty good. DD2 would eat her body weight in blueberries, strawberries etc and DD1 eats loads of bananas. Getting a wider variety of veg can be more of a challenge!

3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them?
   They loved the concept, the shape of the snacks. Loved the sticker chart and that is fab for encouraging their 5 a day. They both had an extra fruit snack at the end of the day to hit the target.

The responses on the snacks were:

"yummy"
"love them"
"they are a bit hard and get stuck in my teeth"
"I don't like the green ones" she picked all the red ones out and left the green ones (but her sister ate these for her).

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

Yes defintiely and much better than sweets.

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

If they were the right price then yes.

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

Yes.

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

We had a sleepover in progress when they arrived so all the children joined in ages 11,10,8,6,3 and 9 months

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

No, I'm lucky that they are all happy to eat a range of fruit and veg.

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 shapes that they came in - even the older ones enjoyed looking for different shaped prints. None of them really liked the taste though - the apple and blackcurrant ones were deemed alright but the others weren't enjoyed very much.

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

Packet size was fine, and size of the paws were also fine.

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

No I won't buy them again as they didn't enjoy the flavours.

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

As none of the children liked them I can't really recommend them!

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?

No she loves fruit and vegetables

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

She loved the packaging and the animal links and was excited by the footprints. She didn't like the orang flavouring (and she eats loads of oranges) and after tasting it I can see why. It has a very sharply aftertaste, I certainly couldn't eat more than a couple.
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?

Probably not.
6) Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family?

No

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

My DD is 7

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

Nope, she devours any fruit and veg. Right now I can't keep her furnished in cucumbers!!

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

My DD liked them. I tried some too!! She loved the box, initially she was more interested in rummaging through the package. The sign has been stuck to the fridge and she fills it in with anything healthy she eats. When she finally managed to burst open the pack (they seem quite stiff to open, thinking of playtime at school or in a packed lunch where they're fending for themselves) she was disappointed with the look of the snacks. When she had eaten some, she said "I thought they were going to be horrible when I looked in the pack, but they're actually quite nice".

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

Yes, the actual pieces were big enough individually, and the pack size is good for a play piece or in a lunch box.

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

Yes, but would like to buy the packs individually as there were some flavours that went down better than others. She wasnt keen on the orange ones in particular.

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

Yes, probably to those with old kids as i think the piece size might be a little large for small children. I'd more likely think of mentioning it to other school mums as a good lunchbox snack.

1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test? 2 year and 8 months.
2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? Not usually - she's very keen on fruit and will eat most vegetables. She'll at least try them!
3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? She loves them! They come in a crinkly packet though, so that's always going to go down well. She said they were yummy while she was eating them, and she liked the pictures on the packet. The polar bear was particularly popular! However, she hasn't been actively asking to have them unless I offer them so I'm not convinced she loved them.
4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? I do actually - there was enough in the packet to feel like a little treat snack, but not so many that it would ruin a meal.
5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again? Depending on the price, I probably would buy them again. Especially if there were some veggies hidden in there somehow!
6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? I think so; I'd certainly mention to some of my mummy friends.

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

Just turned 6.

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

Sometimes, he'll like something one day and then absolutely refuse to eat it another day. Fussy eater!!

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

He loved the packaging, thought they looked like sweets, but kept telling me "these are healthy sweeties, no added sugar Mum!" ????
He loved the taste, and was thrilled with them. I tried one and thought they were a bit of a strange texture, but he seems to enjoy them

4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not?
   Yes, he polished off a packet quite quickly.

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

Only if they were on special offer, they are a bit too pricey to have on a regular basis

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

Yes, my son loved them.

1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test? 2 and 4
2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? Fruit is relatively easier, veg not quite so straightforward but manageable.
3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? Both really enjoyed them. Youngest found them a lot easier to eat that the rolls that we have bought in the past
4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? Both managed to easily finish a packet and would prob eat more if allowed!
5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again? I would buy them again, I do think for the speed they manage to eat them they seem a little expensive as they always want something else after the laws.
6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? Yes.

1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test? 7 (yesterday!) and 2.
2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? Not usually. They both like most fruits, DS1 likes more veg than DS2 but they both like enough to get a decent variety. Both like most salad veg too.
3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? Both of them liked the bright colours of the packaging, and the cartoon animals. They were both very eager to taste the paws when we opened the packets. DS1 liked the Raspberry and Blueberry best, but enjoyed them all. DS2 ranked them as Apple & Blackcurrant and Strawberry & Apple joint favourite, then Orange and Strawberry and Raspberry & Blueberry last.
4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? The packs were just the right size for my two. I would give them as part of a mid morning or mid afternoon snack, after they had eaten something savoury (or with DS2's milk), so they feel like they've had a 'sweet' treat and I wouldn't want them to be so filling that they interfere with meals.
5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again? Yes definitely - they went down a storm in my house!
6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? Yes, I would.

I haven't received mine to test yet - anyone else still waiting?

Not got mine still either.

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

18 months and 3.5

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

No they pretty much only want to eat fruit and veg, and I struggle to get carbs and protein in, especially protein.

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

My 3 yo loved them. He said he particularly likes the fact that they are paw shaped and come in a cute packet

1 year old not so bothered. Aye a couple and posted the rest around the house.

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

Yes I like this kind of thing in my bag to be used as bribes on journeys or when the dc are hungry or need to wait quietly somewhere. I don't use them as part of meals or instead of real fruit and veg.

5) Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

Yes!

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

Yes!

Received ours this morning... two packs have been consumed already, it's been one of those days.

1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test? My eldest son, he has just turned 3
2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? Fruit, no, he loves it. Veg is a little tricker, I can get him to eat quite a lot but only certain types.
3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? He loves them! At his age he's not really looking at the packaging that much but he loved the footprints... all dinosaurs according to him.
4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? Yes, pretty spot on.
5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again? Yes, I think it's the healthiest of it's type.
6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? Absolutely.

Kids are 2 and 5. All 4 packets disappeared in one afternoon. They really enjoyed them and thought they were normal sweeties! The packers are a good size and didn't spoil their dinner. Would definitely buy them again and recommend to family.

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

3 years old (a little help from 1 year old sister)

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

Fruit is generally not an issue, she loves most fruits and will usually help herself to fruit throughout the day.

Vegetables are a whole different issue. She is not a big fan of veg. She will eat potatoes in many formats and will eat peas/corn on occasion and likes to eat carrots. However she will refuse all other vg and will spit it out if you give it to her.

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

She loved the colourful packaging, very child friendly an inviting. Having different animals on the front helped her enjoy them as she went through the different packs based on what animal she liked the look of. The sticker chart and stickers made it quite a unique novelty, she enjoyed adding stickers as she ate a ‘Paw’. However this novelty I fear would wear off quickly, nobody wants a quick snack that then takes up time playing with stickers. But I can see how I would encourage children to get their 5 a day by making sure they have attained all colours.

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

Definitly a suitable size. We were able to share one bag between our daughter and her suster. Both kept asking for more and it felt good that they were eating something healthy rather than snacking on biscuits or crisps.

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

I would buy them again, but it would depend on price. Unfortuantely fruit is probably going to be cheaper and so it would feel a waste of money to buy fruit snacks when DC’s enjoy eating fruit anyway. If the price was right or they were on offer then I would consider buying.

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

We have recommended to friends when they have seen DC eating them, and let them try the snacks. All feedback is good.

1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test? two boy ages 1 and 5

2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? not with my 1 year he'll eat most things, but 5 year old very picky on eating vegetables but does eat a variety of fruit.

3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? Both liked them, would be better if they didn't stick together so much for my 1 year old as could quite easily put lots in his mouth at the same time if not being supervised closely. very handy sized bags for snack on the go

4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? Yes good for both but as I mentioned previously just concerned when they stuck together about 1 year old putting too many in mouth.

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again? Yes probably, but do prefer children to have proper fruit ie whole apple, banana, blueberries etc.

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

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

They are 6 and 7

2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? No they love fruit and veg and we usually have a good range throughout the day
3. What did your DCs think of BEAR Paws (taste, packaging, concept)? What did they like or dislike about them? They liked them. My youngest thought they were sweets but both struggled a little with the concept
4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? No, they both thought that the equivalent serving of fruit would be more filling
5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again? Yes, if they were on offer or if we were going on a long journey where it would be more convenient to eat this type of fruit than fresh fruit
6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? Yes if someone was struggling to get their child to eat fruit or for a younger child where the serving size is more appropriate

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

6 and 3

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

Both DC love fruit, all different kinds. Some days I have to stop them eating too much. Veg other than cucumber and tomatoes (I know it is technically a fruit) is more of a challenge to get into them on a daily basis, but it is happening slowly.

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

DC1 was keen to try the product - he recognised them as something a friend had had in a packed lunch. Unfortunately he was not too keen on the product itself - I think it was too different from anything he has eaten before. DC2 munched through about half a packet but when offered the other half on a different occasion barely touched them.

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

I think the size is appropriate, but I would split it rather than just hand over the entire bag.

5) Would you buy BEAR Paws again?

Probably not, purely due to the DC not really liking them.

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

I would certainly say that we have tried them and the concept is good but that my DC were not keen for various reasons.

1. How old are the DCs who took part in this test?
   5 and 8 years old.

2. Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day?
   My children love fruit but vegetables not so much. It can be a challenge to get them to eat 5 portions 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 Bear Paws. They liked the different animals on the packets, the different flavours and the different paw print shapes.

4. Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not?
   Yes I was pleased with the pack size as it was good for a snack.

5. Would you buy BEAR Paws again?
   Yes they were yummy! and healthy too.

6. Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family?
   Yes I would recommend them as as a healthy tasty snack.

1. Two and six

2. They are both quite good at eating fruit and vegetables. They prefer fruit to vegetables but are quite open to trying most new vegetables

3. The two year loved the packaging and the design but didn't really eat them. It might be due to the texture of the product. He didn't like the blueberry and raspberry one, maybe because it isn't as sweet as the others. The six year old loved them the design. The different paw prints and the flavours. She also loved how they arrived in the box.

4. I think the snack is a suitable size but I'm not sure about giving them separate from a meal it may not be so great for their teeth.

5. Buying them again is something I'm not sure about as my kids are quite good eaters and a less processed snack ie fruit in its own form might be better

6. I would recommend them. They were healthy and great tasting

BEAR would love to know:

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

2) Do you find it a challenge to get your DCs to eat fruit and veg/get their five a day? DD will eat lots of grapes and strawberries and likes apple and banana, but not much other fruit. She eats most vegetables but I don't cook on a daily basis.

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

I left them in her snack drawer and she came running in excitedly saying what are these Mummy?! She loved the cute packet, she thought it was colourful. She easily identified the flavours from the words and pictures. She tucked into a packet and I asked what she thought and she said "yummy" so high praise indeed! She also liked the chart and stickers, a fun way to record 5 a day.

4) Do you think this snack was a suitable size for your child/ren? If so why, if not, why not? Yes as tasty and a handy size to pop in a lunch box

5) Would you buy BEAR Paws again? I have bought some more already as they were on offer, but the price would put me off, as it does with other snacks of this type, but if it counts towards 5 a day then that is good. I bought individual packets as they were on offer 4 for £2 I think.

6) Would you recommend BEAR Paws to friends and family? yes, if you can get them when they are on offer. DD loved them