Wednesday 13 August 2014

A Trunki Paddlepak picnic, review and giveaway!

I've always liked the Paddlepaks from Trunki, although as we don't currently go swimming regularly and don't live anywhere near the beach, I felt I couldn't really justify buying one - however as it turns out, they're far more useful than simply being a swim bag!

A Trunki Paddlepak picnic, review and giveaway!

Trunki sent us a Paddlepak to review - my boys were really happy with that - they were even happier when they discovered it was full of Ella's Kitchen snacks, and Trunki activity sheets! 

A Trunki Paddlepak picnic with Ella's Kitchen review and giveaway!
A picnic with a range of  Ella's Kitchen snacks review

Our job was to take our Paddlepak out on a picnic. It's a great rucksack, it holds loads, and what's more, it's waterproof - it's ideal. 

We picked our day, the sun was shining as we got everything ready and packed our Paddlepak, and we were ready to go.

A Paddlepak from Trunki - what does a Paddlepak look like on a 4 year old

Well, this is Manchester.....we'd barely got up the path when the rain started.....so in we went and waited 1/2 an hour. There were loads of black clouds building up, but instead of cancelling completely, we decided to brave the drizzle and picnic in the garden...

A Paddlepak from Trunki and Ella's Kitchen children's snacks picnic

The Ella's Kitchen snacks were met with a mixed response. The huge tub full of Row, Row, Row Raspberries and Bananas Multigrain Nibbles was a hit, as was The Yellow One Fruit Smoothie (which they fought over). Some of the other snacks were a little bit bland for my chilli-loving 4 and 5 year olds now, which is a shame as they did love them when they were younger, and the range is far more interesting and varied now. I really liked the 'ee i ee i oh' Raisin & Spelt Cookies.

A Paddlepak from Trunki and Ella's Kitchen children's snack range picnic
Ella's Kitchen children's snack range picnic banana and raspberry

After a few minutes the heavens really let loose, but it meant we could test the water-resistance of the Paddlepak
 
A Paddlepak from Trunki lying flat on blanket in rain
A Paddlepak from Trunki review - back cushioning padding and straps

Before trying the PaddlePak I thought they worked very much like an incredibly pretty carrier bag - I was wrong. Trunki say it is water-resistant, but it's actually virtually waterproof and I'm really impressed. You can even blow it up and fasten it, and the air doesn't squeeze out without massive pressure. Nothing is going to get wet in there....

A Paddlepak from Trunki review - watertight and blown up like a balloon
Empty of everything - except air!
A Paddlepak from Trunki review -details reflective tape straps pockets loops

The detail on the Paddlepak is great. There is reflective tape on the padded straps, soft padding against the child's back, side pockets and hanging loops, and a huge inside pocket that runs the full height of the bag. If you have wet AND dry items you need to transport, they can go separately. There's even a zip up pocket in the tail fin - perfect for bus or changing room locker money, tissues and keys etc.

A Paddlepak from Trunki free downloadable printables activity sheets travel gamesfor children

As it was raining and we were now indoors, the Trunki activity sheets were perfect....they have absolutely loads of activity sheets and games which you can download for free from the Trunki website. They kept my boys busy for a while....

range of Trunki free printables activitysheets and travel games

We've used our Paddlepak every day since we got it, and we even attempted another picnic when we went to see my children's Grandparents compete in a pony and carriage event - but guess what? Yep - it was rained off! Hurricane Bertha was on the way, and the ponies were back in the horse box before we even arrived!

A shark Paddlepak from Trunki on small 4 year old

I'n really impressed with the Paddlepak. It's genuinely a fantastic and pretty much waterproof rucksack that my 4 year old has taken great pride in, and is using to carry his treasure and snacks everywhere. It's obviously very comfortable, even when it's pretty full, and it's ideal for a picnic. The fact it's a shark is brilliant - both of my little boys love sharks.

There is a huge range of Paddlepaks costing £19.99- £24.99 - which I feel is on a par with any good quality children's rucksack, but Paddlepak is much more cool.  My son wants to wear it all the time, so he's helping carry what we need for our trips out each day and it gives him responsibility and importance. It is very light and with all the pockets and loops is perfect for a multitude of jobs - especially picnics! It's not in any way 'babyish', and he'll be using the Paddlepak for years to come.

We have enjoyed reviewing the Paddlepak this week, and we love it, so I'm delighted that Trunki have offered a Paddlepak of their choice as a prize for one of my readers.

Entry to the giveaway is by rafflecopter form below.  Each additional task completed will give additional entries into the giveaway. UK entries only please. The giveaway will end at midnight on Sunday September 7th when no more entries will be accepted. Please see additional terms and conditions at the bottom of the rafflecopter form.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

111 comments:

  1. I love the orange fish as it reminds me of Finding Nemo

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  2. I love the shark so cute. (@bexallum on twitter)

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  3. The orange fish, as it's bright

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  4. I love the clown fish as he is bright orange and stands out so I wouldn't lose my child!

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  5. LOVE the purple octopus!!! Super cool! x

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  6. Sarah Prightingale13 August 2014 at 17:46

    I love the killer whale, but my little boy would love the clown fish as he likes Finding Nemo. The fact that it's bright orange would be a bonus in a crowded park!

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  7. I love the clown fish it reminds me of memo :)

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  8. We love the Ribbit one as it is a gorgeous bright green

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  9. Love the shark as my son would like the fin and would enjoy wearing it.

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  10. I like the clown fish - we love finding nemo!

    Ashleigh

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  11. My grandson would love Chuckles the clown fish as one of his favourite films is Finding Nemo

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  12. My granddaughter loves the Octopus - Inky

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  13. The Blowfish Spike - it has character.

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  14. The Turtle Sheldon - my little girl loves her little turtle teddy and is constantly saying 'durtle' her new favourite word.

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  15. I love Inky the Octopus, it's bright and colourful and my little girl would love it!

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  16. The orange fish

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  17. The orange fish as it's my little girls favourite

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  18. Inky the Octopus and the Clown Fish are both really cute!

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  19. I love the Clown fish one, it reminds me of Finding Nemo and the kids love that.

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  20. Love the octopus cos it's in purple my fave colour.

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  21. PaddlePak Octopus - Inky. a good colour will not have to wash too often.

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  22. Paddlepak octopus so cute :)

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  23. Pinch the lobster, I know my daughter would pick that one, it really stands out

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  24. I love Inky the octopus, very cool!

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  25. So many great designs. I love the Shark and Whale. They look so spacious too

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  26. I love the clown fish Chuckles because it is so bright and colourful

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  27. I'd go for the Killer Whale as although the others are cute this one would be suitable as your child grows, they wouldn't feel it was too young for them x

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  28. Killer whale as large enough to hold everything & wouldnt show the dirt

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  29. Allison sullivan14 August 2014 at 10:05

    I'd would love the very bright octopus as its so quirky and using it as a backpack would be even more fun

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  30. Sheldon the turtle cause my daughter likes that one best :)

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  31. The orange fishs fab, so bright and eyecatching

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  32. Inky the octopus as hes such an amazing creature

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  33. the purple octopus as my daughter loves octopus

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  34. i like the shark as children could pretend to be a shark with the fin so makes it more fun

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  35. laura jayne bates15 August 2014 at 15:59

    the octopus cos of its bright colour

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  36. PaddlePak Turtle - Sheldon, I've got a bit of a turtle obsession!

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  37. I love the chuckles the clown fish so cute and so cute of a name!

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  38. The PaddlePak Clown Fish - Chuckles as i know my son would love it x

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  39. Tobys proud mummy16 August 2014 at 12:14

    We love the Clown fish as my little one is mad about everything under the sea and would be perfect for our holidays

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  40. My daughter would love Chuckles the clown fish - she loves clown fish and has been drawing pictures of them today http://www.trunki.co.uk/paddlepak-clown-fish-chuckles

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  41. The Clown Fish because it reminds us of the film Finding Nemo.

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  42. the shark because sharks are cool!

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  43. What great choices! I think Sheldon the turtle is my favourite - he's so cute!

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  44. I like the clown fish, it's so cute

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  45. I'd choose the shark paddlepac for my son because ever since our trip to a sealife centre he loves sharks.

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  46. \the lobster - reminds me of the little mermaid

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  47. I love the look of the Paddlepak Octopus - Inky, it just looks so fab !

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  48. Chuckles the clownfish as it so cheery!

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  49. PaddlePak Clown Fish - Chuckles as I think Tigger would love it

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  50. Michael j jinks AKA FIRESCORPION 329 August 2014 at 19:15

    Would love the shark as my son swims for Stratford sharks . My prayers are with you. Blessings

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  51. Sheldon the turtle,simply because I love turtles!

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  52. I love the shark one, its just awesome! They are all fab though & just a great idea :) x

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  53. I like the Paddlepak blue Bob as a lovely blue design

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  54. i love inky and my son loves pinch x

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  55. The octopus is my fave because he's so cool! :)

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  56. Who could resist a purple octopus?

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  57. I would choose the clownfish my daughters favourite.

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  58. Michelle McCulloch3 September 2014 at 05:47

    PaddlePak Octopus - Inky
    Its a great colour, and looks so cool !

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  59. My little boy loves the Clown Fish or the Nemo one as he has just called it! :D

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  60. The clown fish as my little girl loves Nemo. Whenever we see fish we have to hunt for Nemo!

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  61. I love the octopus it matches my sons duvet set

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  62. purple octopus, looks very silly, we like silly :}

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  63. I love the shark as well, my little boy would have great fun being a shark with it on.

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  64. I like the clownfish, my daughters obsessed with nemo

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  65. I love the colour of inky, plus i love octopus :D

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  66. i love inky the octopus but think i would be outvoted by my little girl who would want the clown fish :)

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  67. I love the clown fish one as the colours are so bright

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  68. the frog


    angela

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  69. i know for a fact my grandson would just love the shark

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  70. I love the clownfish because it is so bright :)

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  71. I know my son would love the clown fish as he loves Finding Nemo the film

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  72. PaddlePak Killer Whale - Kaito

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  73. Inky the Octopus - just love the colour

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  74. I love the octopus - inky, because we had a story tonight about an octopus.

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  75. I love the Octopus - the colour is great and I love his tentacles.

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  76. I love the PaddlePak Turtle - Sheldon as it's colourful and fun

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  77. clown fish because it looks like Nemo

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  78. my daughter loves the clown fish one as its so bright and like nemo!!!

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  79. Love the PaddlePak Dolphin - Splash because my niece is obsessed by dolphins x

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  80. The Octopus - Inky as my son is obsessed with them!

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  81. Inky the octopus

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  82. The clown fish because its like Nemo

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  83. I would choose Inky the Octopus, because I love the colour, really bright and colourful x

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I read every one and try my best to reply!