As part of National Children's Food Festival Week 2014 a fun day out learning all about chocolate was planned for a group of children. The children excitedly climbed aboard the mini bus and sat patiently waiting to see if they could spot Cadbury World. During the journey children exchanged conversations with their friends about what their favourite chocolate was some said "Chocolate buttons", "Mint chocolate" and somehow "Haribo sweets" joined the conversation. As the children approached Cadbury World the conversations changed to "Will we be getting any chocolate" practitioners replied "You'll just have to wait and see".
The mini bus driver helped the children off the bus and practitioners gathered everyone for a group photo on the steps of the entrance. The children's faces came alive as they strolled the through door some children shouted "That's the chocolate my mummy and daddy eat". Tickets were collected from the ticket lady and then the journey through the Cadbury World began. The first stop was the collection of the first bag of chocolate, the children watched as the lady counted the chocolate bars and placed them in the bag.Children entered the tropical rainforest of Mexico home of the Mayan Indians, this told the story of how the cocoa tree was the centre of their culture and how Aztec Emperor Montezuma brought the cocoa beans back to our country, as chocolate was his favourite drink.At the end of the rainforest the children met a pirate he said "Aargh there"! the children found this very funny.The children were invited into the mini theatre to listen to the story of how the cocoa beans made its way back to our country. Children were very interested and listened with content however to their surprise the story came to life it became interactive, the seats were shaking noises were being heard and this made it even more exciting for the children.Along the way children were able to see exactly how chocolate looked many many years ago, they were able to fully understand that chocolate is made from milk and that milk comes from a cow. Practitioners showed the children the big machines and explained how they worked, one child spotted a dairy milk box and said "That's chocolate" Being up close to these machines enabled children to fully understand how the chocolate they see in the supermarket is made not only that but it's a fantastic first hand experience for the children.
A ride around the chocolate wonderland in a brightly coloured car was magical, children were able to see familiar characters and discover the wonderful world of Cadbury. Interactive characters brought magic to the journey, the children s sat very still and couldn't take their eyes of the magical characters.The favourite part of the journey around Cadbury World was the chocolate making demonstration area, the children dreams came alive they were able to choose their favourite treats to add to a pot of warm Cadbury milk. To end the fun packed day practitioners and children ventured off to play in the adventure park, children used their physical skills to climb up the steps and whiz down the slide.
This fun educational visit was enjoyed by everyone and the children got to take their chocolate home to share with their loved ones.
