A few weeks ago, we tackled the issue every bride goes through, kids at weddings. How do you keep them entertained for the evening? Kids need to be somehow entertained constantly and there is no short way around that on a wedding day. After a bit of extra research, we found Tom Byrnes, the genius behind Fun Packs. Brides and hotels and airlines everywhere have been thanking this man for keeping young tikes entertained so we were delighted when we got the chance to catch up with him for a quick chat on everything Fun Packs!
Hi Tom, thanks for taking the time out to talk to us about Fun Packs! Tell us, what exactly does Fun Packs do?
Fun Packs are a publishing company who create our own unique format activity packs called Fun Packs. We supply Fun Packs in various forms for the hospitality, charity, weddings and travel sectors in the UK and Ireland. We have Wedding Fun Packs, Travel Fun packs and regular fun packs.
Where did you come up with the idea for Fun Packs?
In 2004 I was working as a supplier to the hospitality industry when the smoking ban came into action. I noticed how more and more pubs and restaurants were now embracing the family environment especially since the smoking ban came into force.
Hotel Managers were asking if there was anything to keep kids entertained and quiet. The only options were cheap colouring pages, broken crayons or perhaps activity bags from China which were bulky and costly.
Being a parent myself I knew there was surely a solution to this problem so started to sketch out something that wasn’t a bag but came as a complete product with everything included within itself. After many designs eventually the Fun Pack was born and I believed in the product so much that I left my job in management to design and produce the Fun Pack here in Ireland. Hotels, restaurants and pubs were quick to pick up on this unique and cost effective activity pack for kids that really did keep the children occupied and busy while mum and dad could relax and enjoy themselves.
What makes Fun Packs so different from other companies?
The unique non book or bag format which is less than the size of a CD case means that Fun Packs are compact and convenient when compared to other activity packs.
All the packs are constantly updated and tested on children’s focus groups to ensure that it indeed lives up to the billing of entertaining them.
What is usually included in a Fun Pack?
Fun Packs are a multi part set of activities, games, jokes, puzzles, and colouring crayons designed to keep children aged from 4 upwards occupied and entertained.
We have lots of different packs with various themes based on our focus groups feedback. Fun Packs can also be branded as well which has been a massive hit in the hospitality industry where brand awareness and retention is key.
Lastly, any advice for people attending a wedding with kids?
Well make sure the kids wedding table has enough fun packs obviously! Speak to the wedding co-ordination team to perhaps set up a room which maybe has dvd’s or games inside for the kids to go to.
Also feed them well with lots of kiddy treats and snacks as we all know kids can be a little grumpy like all of us if they are hungry….not too many sweets and sugar though.
Lastly I would say to make sure that if you want kids at your wedding then include them by giving them sufficient time on the dance floor and even perhaps hire a kids entertainer.
Check out Tom’s radio interview with Business Matters for more info on Fun Packs!
