If you saw our last post you would know that we were invited on a mystery adventure for Dads and their children.
Dad’s play date was a daylong event held by Paladone who are one of Europe’s leading designer, creator, innovator and distributor of wholesale gifts. Over the last 22 years they’ve been supplying gifts, gadgets and toys to customers in 77 countries.
I had no idea what was in store apart from the few clues that we were given the weeks leading up to it and the address that we were heading to.
After an early start and a long (ish) car journey we arrived at Paladone's office. I have to admit that I was a little anxious for the day; William doesn't always do well in groups and has a level of social anxiety and James with his undiagnosed needs anything could have gone wrong and all in the hands of another organiser than myself.
The dad's started to arrive from bloggers, vloggers and press and after name tags were given out and we had a quick introduction, we were given a chance for breakfast and bacon and sausage rolls.
The boys were clearly wary and instead of going with other children and playing they decided to go and sit by themselves. I was more than happy to let them do this; whatever made them comfortable and happy.
Once everyone had eaten, and the dads had their tea's and coffee's, we jumped on a great yellow bus (one of our clues!) off to our first location.
Our first location was the Connaught Theatre. With drinks and popcorn at the ready we heard about the fact that the theatre, still running, has been in use for over 100 years and then had the opportunity to see the projector room.
Once seated, we watched a short film that captures all the many companies and brands that Paladone work with.
The boys loved this, they saw so many iconic scenes, characters and shows that they are fans of. As a Dad it set a good example to the people behind the event and put any worries aside to what the day was about; it was time to get excited.
Back on the bus and on to our next location!
We ended up down the sea front where there were rides and attractions and a quaint arcade with some fab 2p machines. Everything was organised and provided by the team so the boys and I, as well as the other dads, had nothing to worry about but having fun.
Fun had, 2p's spent and won and it was time to have some lunch.
This photo has to be one of my favourites of the day; dads being dads, sitting together and eating lunch with their children. So with other dad's enjoying their lunch with their children I was enjoying mine with Superman and Robin!
This VW Camper lunchbox was given to the boys to enjoy their lunch and future lunches with. How cool is this?
Back on the bus and we were heading back to Paladone offices for the rest of the day for even more fun.
Loved these cards although James scarily looks like my dad and William like myself; poor, poor children!
On the bus the children got a chance to make some paper aeroplanes and once we took a tour of the massive warehouse they had an opportunity to see how far they went!
We then explored the offices and shown each department and what each person would do. However, the next part was just unspeakably amazing! We were allowed to go into the office showroom but this wasn't just a look round, why would it be? We were dads with children, can you imagine showing them all these fantastic products and not allowing them to touch them or the restraint that the children would need?
Luckily, they were allowed to open everything up and play with whatever they wanted! I have to admit, I walked into the room and the inner geek in me almost uttered the words "I don't have children, I want to play".
So off we went to explore, touch and play. We were literally children in a sweetshop or more precise a toy shop!
I felt really cruel here, William wanted to see what this toy did but didn't tell him! Ha! was so funny to see his little reaction.
Playing, investigating and more playing done and we moved on to the boardroom.
The final activity for the day was upon us and now came the final clue; in Dragons Den style the children, and adults, had to create a new gadget of toy for the team to design. William absolutely adored this and had an idea already.
After seeing a USB R2-D2 he thought it would make a perfect egg cup but one with a difference. He wanted to but the top of the character on allowing it to cut the top of the egg off; stopping the use of knives and spoons on running eggs.
After going in a small group (We were paired with Darren and his girls) William created his design. He even suggested different characters heads, helmets or masks went on it would cut the top off; either manually or electric. Then it was back to the boardroom to pitch their ideas to a judging panel.
Each team won a specific category and with that a certificate. Our team won the "most likely to be made" which William was thrilled about.
James, on the other hand, by the designing point was getting a bit distracted. He had fallen in love with a giraffe tape measure; it was small but he could pull and play with it and to be honest kept him entertained. However, it broke! This meant that James had to find some entertainment and decided to sabotage his brothers presentation, which was funny to start but I could see that it was leading to one of his "moments". Luckily, I took him out, we got a drink and calmed down. It did strike me how tired he looked too; which was evident when he fell asleep in the car 5 minutes into the journey on the way home.
It was a fantastic day and one of the best events that I have been too. It gave me the opportunity to talk to other dads, the boys and other children were entertained and was a great mystery day out for us all.
The different activities brought us all together and gave us an opportunity to get to know each other more and have some fun in between. We also managed to get some goodie bags which were incredible; I could write a whole post just about them (but I wont!)
I think the testament to the day was down to the team and the organisation. There wasn't a moment that I didn't enjoy and I know the boys felt the same. The fact that once I dropped them back to their mum and they instantly started trying to tell her everything showed the worth of it.
It also suited me as a dad blogger. The fact that there were other dad bloggers there was an added bonus but on top of it the events fitted with my life and activities. We experienced history, geography, design and technology and even some business studies thrown in; it was a home school trip like no other.
On a personal level they accommodated me really well too. They checked for wheelchair accessibility to the venues we were going and allowed me to bring a family friend who knew my health, the boys and their individual needs. I know I don't talk about it often but it can be tough on some of our days out when I am struggling walking, entertaining the boys and trying to manage a worst case scenario; the fact they took this into consideration was great!
As a thank you to our family friend Liam I gave him one of the presents in our goodie bags!
So my first real dad play date was a resounding yes......my only question is when is the next one! ;)
You can have 15% off at IWOOT if you enter the code IWOOTDAD
Offer valid until 20/6/16
(Excludes: Technology, Lego, Experience days, Film merchandise and selected Home and Garden lines)
and
You can have 15% off Find Me a Gift if you enter the code 15%OFF4MARTYNSTHOUGHTS
Offer valid until 31/5/16
(Excludes products in the sale or already discounted)
No comments:
Post a Comment