Find out what Mumsnet users have to say about Mindful Monsters’ family activity packs

[EllieMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the Mumsnet users who tried out the first 3 month’s worth of Mindful Monsters’ family activity packs which help promote mindfulness for children. This was open to all UK MNers who have at least one child aged 3-7.

Here’s some more information on Mindful Monsters and what they have to say: “Mindful Monsters is a series of fun, family activity cards, which come with all the benefits of mindfulness – helping children to be more resilient, focused, positive, creative and kind. Each month, you will receive seven exciting family activity cards inspired by mindfulness straight to your door. You’ll find activities that can create belly-busting laughter or diffuse tearful tantrums and turn potential meltdown triggers – like getting ready for school or going to bed – into magic moments together. And, best of all, each activity takes as little or as long as you like and can fit into the busiest of days.

On top of this, Mindful Monsters supports Scope. By subscribing to Mindful Monsters for just £7.50 a month you’ll be supporting parents to give their disabled children the best start in life – it’s a win/win. There are 84 cards to collect in total, over 12 months. And once your collection is complete, we hope you will continue to support disabled people and their families through your ongoing donation to Scope.”

Testers please answer the following questions:
- Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?
- What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?
- Is there anything you think could be improved?
- If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?
- Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?

Selected testers will be required to leave feedback on this thread and fill in a short survey. All testers that do will be entered into a prize draw where 3 MNers will win a £100 voucher each of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

Did the cards impact behaviour?
Initially no as he could’nt really grasp the concept however after a bit of use he seemed to like them

What did I like about the cards?
My son liked the monsters and the design of the cards was pitched at the right age range

What could be improved?
Maybe a bit more explanation about how to get the most out of them

What other products?
My younger son wanted ‘a cuddly monster like the ones on the cards’

Would I recommend ?
Yes I would

Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?
Yes, slightly. Although I did it with both my kids my 4 yr old lost interest pretty quickly, my 6 yr old enjoyed doing a lot of the activities and asked for particular cards to do (although I did change things a bit with how you should according to the card, eg the ninja card I got them to get from one end of the garden to the other using ninja actions and not being seen by the other person) My 6yr old has started learning more about mindfulness at school, and from her Dad so she seemed more interested in participating.

What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?
We liked the characters, the kids had a favourite one each, and the idea of the cards (being a quick little relaxation/distraction method to use as something different)

Is there anything you think could be improved?
There isn't really much to the packs, the cards have sown good ideas but I had to keep changing things and adding little bits to keep them interested. I wouldn't pay for what it is as a subscription, but I would buy it as a full pack of cards for a reasonable price. If there was a small soft toy available to buy of the characters I think they'd go down well with kids. Another thing could be a worry box/bag maybe with each different monster on (I've made a little box for my 6yr old to use as she can get very anxious and is a little bit sensitive. I've put a picture of her favourite monster in the box, she writes little notes of things bothering her, or that she's happy about and they go in her box ready for when she wants to talk to me about things.) I so would buy a better, ready made item along those lines.

If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?
As above, expand a bit on what you've got. Cards in a pack to buy at reasonable price, monster toys, monster worry/happy box or toy, maybe a monster game or books with the theme of each monster.

Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?
No not for what you would have to pay and then have to wait for "instalments". It could be really good if changed with some suggestions already mentioned. I think if parents really wanted a quick and easy 5 minutes to fill and do something positive they could think of lots of the examples on the cards (I was already doing some of the things) or look online for free.

• Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?

Yes a bit. They were really excited to receive them as they recognised them from tv advertising. Although I signed up for my middle daughter aged 7, the 10 year old was also really keen to get involved. They were keen to try some challenges and when they were worried/stressed I was able to suggest they did one of the activities.

• What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?

Nicely presented. Kids engaged well with them. Many are simple to do and don’t require any special equipment.

• Is there anything you think could be improved?

Some of the ideas were a bit random - like getting into the bath as slowly as you can - I was getting impatient as I wanted to get on with bath time! Although the kids were really keen initially the novelty did wear off a bit.

• If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?

Not sure really, hard to think of this! Maybe some kind of more permanent means of storing the cards like a display wallet or binder?

• Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?

Yes probably, though not sure about the price point. Think it’s a bit high.

Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?

Yes, it was encouraging to see my child being attentive. It also encouraged my daughter to look on the positive side of things which she struggles with.
- What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?

That it was fun, and encouraged mindfulness in a fun and creative but also age appropriate way
- Is there anything you think could be improved?

No
- If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?

A worry monster teddy- for the children to write down their worries and the monster eats it (you put the piece of paper in the monsters mouth)
- Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?

Yes absolutely, I've also recommended it at work (CAMHS) for the younger children we work with

• Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child’s behaviour. If so, how?

Not really. I struggled to engage both of my children with them (7 and 5). I couldn’t use them as tools to distract from a meltdown. They had to be calm to look at the cards and try an activity. It definitely took some effort on my part. My eldest wanted up open and sort through the first pack but didn’t pick them up of her own accord since then.

• What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?

I liked the variety of cards and activities. There are some fun ideas I wouldn’t have thought about. The relaxation cards I’m hoping will be particularly beneficial to my child with ASD who struggles to wind down. I like that that they are child led.

• is there anything you think could be improved?

I would have liked more instructions as a parent on how best to use this product and an introductory book for children to introduce the characters and mindfulness.

I think I’d prefer to buy packs in one go rather than as a subscription. £5 would be the most I’d pay for this as a subscription in its current format.

• If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?

A book as I mentioned above, an app to use on the go (although I do like having a tangible product) and possibly and anxiety / worry toy. Possibly add on packs in the areas the children most engaged with / I found helpful.

• Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member.

I have done to a friend whose child I think would benefit from it.

Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?
Some clearly did, others didn’t really work. We have them on the coffee table so DS can read them whenever he likes.

What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?
Simple card designs which were colourful and easy language for young children to understand

Is there anything you think could be improved?
Smaller cards as the pack is massive and not very discreet.

If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?
Separate ages as some of the ideas were things we have used successfully with DS when he was younger but not so much now.

Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?
Yes. I would

- Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?
My teenage daughter is the one who engaged most, and it definitely made her think about mindfulness more positively. I don’t think we did the activities as a family enough for it to impact her behaviour.

- What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?
It breaks the ideas down into a manageable chunks. When you look up advice, it gives you a long list of things to try, and then you don’t know where to start and feel daunted.
- Is there anything you think could be improved?
My three year old is not developmentally ready for a lot of the activities, so look at the age range it is suggested for

- If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?
Make tailored packs for younger kids, older kids, exam stress etc
- Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?
Yes, I will take them to our next family gathering and see how they go down.

Apologies for my late feedback, I only received the email a day before the feedback was required (Thursday) and we have been busy doing half-term stuff.

Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?
I was overjoyed to be chosen to participate in this but I don't feel that there's been any impact as such. I struggled to get DS to engage with them - maybe it was the mix of cards, we had a lot of relaxation cards and he wasn't keen on them (I often try and do relaxation stuff with him and he resists so I suspect he thought it was more of that). I left them on the table and he did dip into them a couple of times - we did the ninja tiptoe creeping, that helped us get upstairs to bed one evening. I think that in the longer term, the cards will get used (DS only engages with something when he wants to so getting him to do it on demand was tricky!) and I hope that they will become another positive strategy in my toolbox.

What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?
I really liked the characters, but didn't know all their names, it would have been good to have a card with all their names/attributes so I could talk to my DS about them.
I liked that they had their own little box and I liked the postal packaging. I wanted to keep some of the things from the packaging too but they don't fit in the box with the rest of the cards.

Is there anything you think could be improved?
More guidelines on how to use the cards. More 'meat' to the packs - as others have suggested maybe a board game, storybook, app, etc.

Also, I struggled to get the colouring and the activity sheet printed, I don't have a working printer at home so had to sneak onto it at work to do it. (And after all that, DS hasn't looked at them...)

If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?
More content to accompany the cards. Games, info on the characters, an app,

Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?
No, to be honest. I had seriously considered subscribing to the cards as my son is autistic and I was looking for something to help with his behaviour and generate more positivity. But for the monthly cost I would have been very disappointed with what I got, which was basically 7 cards a month, especially given that my son didn't engage much with them. But I think the idea is a lovely one but the cost is just too great. For a one-off cost of £8-10 I could buy a book with many of these ideas in, so to pay ten times that for nothing extra is steep.

• Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?

No, he did enjoy some of the activities but none really changed his behaviour.

• What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?

That they were portable and easy to use.

• Is there anything you think could be improved?

More help for parents on how to implement the cards.

• If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?

A board game or colouring activities

• Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?

Sorry but no I wouldn't.

• Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?

No, not really as DD was all excited to open the 3 boxes and play with the cards on the moment.We did some activities together but very soon DD lose interest in them. I needed to take and open the boxes first for DD to come along and play with the cards. I didn't really see how the cards could've impacted on DD's behaviour as the interaction with the products was little.

• What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?

The idea that the money will be used to help parents with disabled children. Love the fun and bright colours of the boxes,monsters and cards.

• Is there anything you think could be improved?

A lot needs to be improve.I think this product is not finish yet. For example the cards need to be put in different age levels, maybe like 3-5 and 5-7. Also, an app would be fantastic for on the go.

• If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?

Adding little colourful monsters toys, stickers or gifts would be exciting for children to engage more with the product. And a lovely little monsters bag to pack all the cards in one place as the carton boxes the cards came in are easy to tear from lots of openings and closings and would be more easier to bring on the go. Also the downloading game,colourful chart & colouring sheets would be great if they're included inside the box as not everyone will be able to download them.

• Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?

Yes if the improvements are made. No, if the box stays how it is now. Because on the internet there're loads of free stuffs for kids to have fun. For a subscription box for children it must be more appealing for them and for the parents to have the want of buying them. The idea is good but you need to add more stuffs to the box to equalise the price. Its expensive for the cards on their own.

Mindful Monsters boxes x 3

Mindful Monsters downloading activities :

• Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?

I’m afraid my children weren’t really interested

• What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?

I like the packaging and the whole idea really, I think it would work for children younger than mine (8). I also liked that it benefits charity

• Is there anything you think could be improved?

I think that the activities need to be more age centred my daughter needed something much more interesting

• If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?

Maybe a chart so you could tick off what you’d done each day? Not sure

• Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?

Probably not

-Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?

Not really, I think he's still a bit young to fully understand the concept. He's 4, starting school in September.

• What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?

The activities were varied and interesting.

• Is there anything you think could be improved?

Activity 26 - lots of disabled households don't have baths, they have wet rooms could this card be worded differently?

• If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?

Could use a case like a collector case with the different sections as storage, even if it is something that you purchase from the online shop.

• Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?

Yes, for older children.

• Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?

We tried using it during a tantrum, but to no avail. I also used the "concentrating on the feeling of getting into a bath" with my eldest, who enjoyed that.

• What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?

The concept of mindfulness in children can be really helpful.

• Is there anything you think could be improved?

More actual activities about mindfulness - little kits they can go and do - e.g. a bug hunt in the garden (provide magnifying glass), blowing bubbles etc.

• If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?

Activity kits as per above

• Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?

It's very, very expensive for what it is. I couldn't work out if it was a monthly donation to SCOPE with a little "thank you" pack, or if this was actually a product they were trying to sell for £7.50. If the latter, it is way, way overpriced.

• Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?

Yes whilst we were playing with the cards. My 6 yo really enjoyed them and so it was easy to get him to concentrate on the activities. I wouldn't say they had a significant impact on his overall behaviour, outside of actively playing with the cards. I'm not sure how to maximise the activities so that they translate to overall improved behaviour. Perhaps this comes with repeated ongoing use with a wider variety of cards once you subscribe

• What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?

My son really took to the characters and the activities were really engaging and simple to follow. The language was clear too, so good for reading practice. I also like the charity support which would be a key factor in me deciding to subscribe.

• Is there anything you think could be improved?

I'm not sure how the activities are meant to work at a wider level to improve overall behaviour. Could more of the theory behind this be explained as part of the package?

• If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?

A child oriented mindfulness app?

• Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?

Yes

• Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?

No but we really enjoyed doing the activities and it gave us a focus when having 1:1 time together.

• What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?

Attractive characters, simple activities with no resources.

• Is there anything you think could be improved?

I think the characters could be introduced with a book or booklet . Then a litttle more structure/ guidance about using the cards would be great.

• If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?

A book, soft toys:

• Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?

Yes, it’s a goodbye idea.

• Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?

I don't think it noticably changed behaviour, but over a period of time spending the time together and doing the activities together there is certainly the potential to.

• What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?

It is simple there is enough to the pack to grasp interest but nothing over complicated that requires too much reading/preparation. My eldest liked the card size and the little storage box.

• Is there anything you think could be improved?

We thought maybe an extra activity, or a special activity card each month.

• If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?

Activity packs/work books with activity sheets, stickers etc.

• Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?

Yes more so if they had a child with worry issues. I felt this product was most relevant to my middle one who is my worry child, but I can see the benefits for all.

• Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?

Excitement and enjoyment around anticipation of using cards was great

• What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?

I just thought they were a really lovely idea and my son and partner had seen them advertised

• Is there anything you think could be improved?

No

• If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?

Something digital

• Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?

Already have!

• Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?

On occasion. My 5yr old liked the Snug activities which helped him calm down after school and before bed.
My 7yr old enjoyed a few Sparky and Thinky activities but it was more difficult to get them both to engage with some of the Giggles activities.

• What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?

Cards were easy to carry about and the idea of encouraging kids be mindful and resilient is fantastic.

• Is there anything you think could be improved?

A wider range of activities for an older child maybe.

• If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?

My Daughter suggested an app and soft toys

• Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?

Yes.

• Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?

Not in a completely positive way, I’m afraid. We took the packs on our family holiday this week and (it might have been because my daughter was tired and the weather was hot) my daughter got agitated with some of the cards.

• What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product? We will introduce some of the ideas into our daily routine eg waking up excercise
• Is there anything you think could be improved?

More variety, more detail...

• If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?

A touchy feely/scents book and tactile/textured soft toys

• Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?

Possibly

Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?
Not really to be honest, I struggled to keep his attention (he has ADHD)

What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?
The design is cute and I like the concept of mindfulness and using it more in every day life

Is there anything you think could be improved?
A bit more clarity over the best way to use them.

If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?
Maybe an app for cat journeys

Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?
Maybe

Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? If so, how?

Not particularly, they enjoyed the activities but I didn't see much effect on their general behaviour after the activities were over.

What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product?

The colours and characters were very engaging, and the activities were generally very easy to do. I like that you could easily take them in the car or on the plane as a distraction.

Is there anything you think could be improved?

Just the price. It's a bit expensive for what you get.

If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be?

A board game would work well.

Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member?

Yes, probably.

Do you think Mindful Monsters activities positively impacted your child's behaviour? Yes, my daughter really loved spending one to one time with me whilst doing the activities. If so, how? At mealtimes, we did thinking's we are grateful for and told silly stories one word at a time, when they'd usually read or go off again.

• What did you like most about the Mindful Monsters product? I liked the design of the characters and the boxes. I liked that it was none screen time!
• Is there anything you think could be improved? The spine of the box should have the mindful monster info on so that it can be stored in bookshelf ( we just added our own...)
• If Mindful Monsters was to create an additional product, what would you like it to be? Reward chart for completing various tasks a day....with stickers.
• Would you recommend Mindful Monsters to a friend or family member? Yes

Just wondering when the prize draw will be? Thanks :)