As you may already know, we were given our own allotment plot in January this year and after the soil had finally defrosted (mostly) and the snow had melted we started digging. We have now managed to dig up most of the beds, with only 1 and a half to finish digging over. Hopefully one more visit will complete the digging.
It’s very time consuming and hard to really involve the kids when you are constantly digging over the soil. We brought toy diggers to play with, but invariably they will want to play with them right beside me, which definitely does not help with the speed of digging!
We were recently asked to review Doddlebags, little 100ml plastic pouches with a very tight ziplock on one side and a screw top lid. The lids can also interchange with special spoons or brushes. I knew that these would be the perfect thing to help entertain the boys at the allotment.
I filled two pouches with yoghurt and two with paint and added them to our bag of ‘stuff’ to take to the allotment.
Mr O watched as I filled the pouches and as soon as we arrived at the allotment he asked for the yoghurt. We first tried using the spoons (you gently squeeze the pouch and yoghurt pools out onto the spoon), but neither my 2 or 4 year old could judge how hard to squeeze it and got a little messy, so we took them off and they found it easier to just suck the yoghurt out. This kept them busy for a little while why I dug! If you are putting yoghurt in them, it’s better to use yogurt without large pieces in it, they needed a little help to unblock the cherries in their yoghurt once or twice. The spoon would be great for older children and adults with more dexterity and definitely a great idea to feed babies when the adult is in control of the squeezing.
After their tummy’s were full we got stuck into the creative art project using the brush attachment on the paint filled Doddlebags. The paint squirts out through the centre of the brush. One brush worked really easily, but the other needed a lot of squeezing to get the paint out. I’m pretty sure it’s just the brush being a little temperamental.
After painting some paper, Mr O then went on to finding every rock on the allotment and and painting those too. As you can see he didn’t try to make any ‘proper’ paintings, but was just having fun squeezing and painting. You can make actual paintings, but it takes a little practice with holding the bag and brush head. We loved it for painting on the go and will be taking paint with us when we go camping in the Doddlebags.
I can see so many more uses for the bags, particular when we are camping. Filled with soap for handwashing, washing-up liquid for the dishes, shower gel, milk for tea, oil for frying, sauce for dinner, sensory bag for little ones to squeeze, the list is quite possibly endless. These little bags are perfect for all sorts of liquids and are so easy to fill with their zipped side. At only £9.99 for a set of 10 refillable bags (including coloured lids and stickers) they are definitely worth it. You can also buy the brush set (4 bags, stickers, lids and 4 brushes) for £8.99 and spoon set (4 bags, stickers, lids and 2 spoons) for £7.99, which will be available in late spring.
What would you use Doddlebags for?
J x
Disclaimer: I received the Doddlebags for the purpose of this post, all opinions are my own.
Karen says
All good uses for a doodlebag! I wondered if something like this existed now I know it does! I handed back my allotment this year. It was 30 minute drive away and what looks like double the size of yours. It just wasn’t going to be feasible with a newborn to deal with. Looks like you will have a lot of fun though!
Rob Taylor says
These doodlebags sound fantastic, but I think I would make a mistake between which is yogurt and which is paint. I wonder if these are available in the US? I would love those as reusable snack pouches.
Cheryl @ ReimerandRuby says
What a lovely way to keep the kids occupied while mum is busy…. Those doddle bags looks fab, so ideal for a lot of stuff especially my kids are very good in spilling almost anything. Sounds like you enjoyed your time in your allotment, hope weather permits though so you can carry on! #WhateverTheWeather
Hannah G, The 'Ordinary' Mum says
Wow these doodlebags look brilliant! I love the idea of filling with paint for a fun art project on the go. Your allotment looks fab, what a fun family project. Brilliant for the kiddies to learn about where their veggies come from 🙂 Thanks for hosting #whatevertheweather x
Mae says
I would use these on out hikes. I hate the applesauce pouches that you throw away.
Caroline (Becoming a SAHM) says
These do sound very handy and multipurpose… Though you definitely wouldn’t want to get them mixed up! Xx
Claire at Tin Box Traveller says
I like the idea of using these bags for camping. There’s so many things you could put in them to cut down the weight and awkward shapes of larger bottles. It looks like the kids has a lot of fun with the paint 🙂 #whatevertheweather
Chloe says
I love that your little allotment is coming to life. I can’t wait to see what you grow. It must be so lovely to go up there and prepare it all. Although I can imagine it must be hard work at times with two little ones in tow. These Doddlebags look great! I’m definitely get some for painting on the go. What a genius idea! Especially for camping or our adventures out to the meadow in summer. xx
Steph says
Ooh how fab do these look!! Especially the paintbrush ones!! Though I’m pleased you didn’t get the bags of paint and yoghurt mixed up!! Hehehe. Your allotment looks brilliant. How lovely to have so much space to grow everything you want. I bet you can’t wait for the warmer months!? Steph xxx
Sarah Stockley (@kipperscurtains) says
These are a great idea, especially for camping! I will have to look into getting some. Sarah #whatevertheweather
Lucy says
These look great – really useful. Our boy loves yoghurt but I never take it out with us because if the mess. But this would solve that. #whatevertheweather