Spending Easter with my Holibob Bear // Review

*A collaborative review

Just before the Easter holidays, we had a little guest arrive in the post to join us and I couldn’t wait to introduce Olly to him. Olly is a big fan of cuddly toys so I knew he would love him straight away. We were sent the very loveable Holibob Bear to stay with us for the Easter holidays and he has been a big hit.

Holibob Bear isn’t just your average cuddly bear. He’s a bear that has been designed to help Parents overcome the holiday boredom that little ones get when they’re on their school holidays. Children love routine and Holibob Bear can help Parents set up the day ahead with the help of a very cute and cuddly friend. Holibob Bear can help little ones look forward to the day ahead and think about what activities they’ll be doing throughout the day.

We were sent the Holibob Bear deluxe pack which includes the Holibob Bear (HBB), Suitcase, Summary cards, Activity Cards, Pawsport and Stickers as well as HBB Journey Book and HBB Mini Blackboard and chalk.

I had a few days off over the Easter break (sadly I have to work throughout the school holidays) and wanted to make sure we got the most out of our holiday time together. I planned to introduce Holibob Bear to Olly on the afternoon that he broke up from school and I couldn’t wait to see his little face. As I said earlier, Olly is a huge cuddly toy fan, he’s got lots of friends and they always end up in bed with him at night. I knew that Holibob Bear would make the cut amongst the top 3 bears and I was right. He loved him.

I set up Holibob Bear on the table so that he saw him as he walked in from school. He ran straight to him and gave him the biggest cuddle once I said he was his to keep. I explained what the cards were for and the mini blackboard and chalk and Olly was really excited. It was lovely to see his little face light up when I told him we were going to be taking Holibob Bear with us.

Holibob Bear’s first adventure with Olly and the family was a train trip to Coventry to watch the Rugby. Olly was really excited that Holibob Bear could accompany us on the train (we usually say no to teddies coming with us anywhere in fear of us losing them and them being unreplaceable) and Olly took really good care of him. It was lovely for Olly to take ownership of him and look after him. We think Holibob Bear enjoyed his day out too!

Each day of the holidays, you can introduce the days planned activities to little ones with the use of Holibob Bear and his activity cards. Each pack comes with Activity cards which can give ideas and indicate to little ones what kind of activity they’re going to be getting up to with their Holibob Bear; Going Places, Quiet Time, Creative, High Energy to name just a few. We only used Holibob Bear and the activity cards when Olly was with us all day as I didn’t think it was fair to lay that kind of pressure on to his Grandparents.

Throughout the Easter holidays, Holibob Bear went on various days out, stayed in two different hotels, got up close and personal with nature on an Easter nature trail and has been completely showered with love and attention. Olly renamed our Holibob Bear to Big Bear and he has been taken to bed with Olly and Little Ted every single night since he arrived with us. Olly is inseparable with him and he’s here to stay now, not just for the school holidays.

We really love his little suitcase and his Pawsport which Olly has enjoyed sticking the different coloured stickers into once the days activities are over. To be honest, I’ve enjoyed setting up his little chalkboard and writing on it for Olly to find the next day. It’s a nice little bit of fun and something that I’ve enjoyed doing for him.

My Holibob Bear (standard pack) is priced at £19.99 with the deluxe pack being priced at £24.99. The Holibob Bear is a really lovely bear that is well made and all his accessories are good value for money.

Disclosure: We were sent the deluxe pack to review in exchange for this post. All words and images are my own.