# Cereal Character Competitions Weetabix and Cartoon Network are Encouraging Play with Food By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2017-04-04 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/play-with-food References: [marketingweek](https://www.marketingweek.com/2016/01/20/brands-must-ensure-the-clarity-of-food-claims/) & [weetabuddiesrtoonnetwork](http://weetabuddies.cartoonnetwork.co.uk/) [Weetabix](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weetabix-have-you-had-yours) has been using its fun Weetabuddies characters to encourage kids to play with food for quite some time now, but it is now launching a competition with [Cartoon Network](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/redraw-your-world) to inspire even more creativity in children. The Weetabuddies now have their own dedicated microsite, which serves as a place for kids to upload the creative characters they make using [Weetabix cereal](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weetabix-crispy-minis-caramelised-biscuit-cereal) for a chance to see them telling jokes on Cartoon Network. Kids might be inspired to create Weetabuddies that resemble animals or people with expressive features made from wholesome fruits, nuts and other delicious parts of a well-rounded breakfast. As well as having their Weetabuddy shown on TV, the first prize winner will also receive a soft toy and a director's VIP experience in London. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 64% | Activity: 51% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Youth](https://www.trendhunter.com/youth) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Food Play Challenges:** Competitions like Weetabix's Weetabuddies inspire creative food play among children and can result in engaging user-generated content. - **Branded Character Campaigns:** Brands like Weetabix leverage beloved characters and TV networks to create fun, interactive campaigns that resonate with young audiences. - **Health-focused Kids' Snacks:** Brands like Weetabix can explore making snack time both fun and nutritious with products that incorporate wholesome ingredients and encourage creative food play. ### Where This Applies - **Food Manufacturing:** Food manufacturers can explore developing products that encourage creative food play among children, perhaps in partnership with fun brands or TV networks. - **Entertainment Media:** Entertainment media companies can partner with food brands to create fun, family-friendly campaigns and content that engage young audiences in innovative ways. - **Toys and Games:** Toy and game companies can create products that encourage creative food play among kids, incorporating sensory elements like texture, color, and scent into their designs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Text Message Cereal Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weetabix-have-you-had-yours.md) - [Football-Themed Cereal Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/onpack-promo.md) - [Nostalgic-Themed Cereal Commercials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weetabix.md) - [Encouraging Cartoon Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/redraw-your-world.md) - [Cartoon-Themed Cereals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kelpo.md) - [Cartoonish Canine Cereals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bluey-cereal.md) - [Branded Recipe Book Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weetabix-recipe-book.md) - [Nutty High-Fiber Breakfast Cereals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weetabix-oatibix-flakes-nutty-crunch.md) - [Limited-Edition Chocolate Cereals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weetos-chocolate-honeycomb.md)