Creativity is both nature and nuture. How can a tablet help support this, and bring the family together? And is this really possible?

Microsoft Surface Go Launch event in London - creativity is both nature and nuture! The Microsoft Surface Go is packed with the latest technology and doesn't disappoint! www.intolerantgourmand.com 

Last week, the children and I headed off to London to an event we were invited to with Microsoft and John Lewis. Callum has been to a few events with me, and was very excited to be able to come along. Chloe has never been to an event before and was intrigued by how things would pan out.

I had the classic feeling of ‘how am I going to manage 2 hyper children, whilst trying to work?’ throughout the train and tube journey there. But it turns out, I had absolutely nothing to worry about.

It’s true what they say about children and technology these days. For them, it’s almost instinctive, and an intuitive response.

We arrived at the event, where we signed in, had our photo taken, and then the kids were told they could test out the Microsoft Surface Go straight away. They immediately dropped their bags and got to it. Their eager little faces in awe that they had these cool pieces of kit to play with! In fact, all the kids ended up staying in a room, being shown how to make cool animations, medals and more. Exclamations of wonder and excitement of the creations being made filling the air and adding to the atmosphere. You knew you were about to see something pretty cool!

Meanwhile, I joined the adults, for a panel discussion featuring Ben Fogle, Gillian Binks (Microsoft), William Jones (Buyer for John Lewis), Jennifer Howles (Britmums Founder) and Kath Chris (Outdoor play expert)

Microsoft Surface Go Launch event in London - creativity is both nature and nuture! The Microsoft Surface Go is packed with the latest technology and doesn't disappoint! www.intolerantgourmand.com

What is creativity?

It’s fair to say that many homes now have a tablet, either for play or work. They are there to help answer questions, feed curiosity and enhance creativity on rainy days.

As Ben Fogle commented ‘creativity is THE most important part of children’s growth’ and I do agree.

Creativity brings ideas to life, and it’s the children that are the best creators in a family.

With this in mind, it’s fair to say that technology needs to be accessible for all the family, and with limitless possibilities. When I was growing up, technology didn’t exist in the way it does today. Now, at the touch of a button, children can do so much, and as a parent we can encourage and help their learning journey

Microsoft Surface Go Launch event in London - creativity is both nature and nuture! The Microsoft Surface Go is packed with the latest technology and doesn't disappoint! www.intolerantgourmand.com

How can a Microsoft Surface Go help?

At first it doesn’t seem like a tablet can help with pretty much anything, but when the expert panel broke it down into their individual specialities, we all realised there was so much more than we first thought!

From helping to build a camp fire successfully, to designing homework projects, to working out a route for walking or putting together an outdoor play project. The possibilities are quite literally endless.

Certainly with my 2, technology is being used to get new ideas and inspiring them to try something new. And I can say that with my work (creating free from recipes) it’s true as well as these recipes are inspiring those with allergies to create food for everyone to enjoy in spite of dietary requirements and realising they don’t have to miss out!

Microsoft Surface Go Launch event in London - creativity is both nature and nuture! The Microsoft Surface Go is packed with the latest technology and doesn't disappoint! www.intolerantgourmand.com

Will the battery life be long enough?

As all parents will tell you, the battery life of a tablet is crucial to its success, and the Microsoft Surface Go certainly doesn’t disappoint. With 2hrs fast charge, and 9hrs continuous video playback it’s fair to say that it’s a powerful piece of kit that will deliver.

The pen (stylus) that we were all using is an additional purchase, and this would be my only criticism as it would be nice to see this as part of the package.

Indeed, we were shown how to create an alebrije (fantastical creatures made up of various parts of other animals) using Paint 3D and the pen, cutting a head off a horse, legs off a frog, ears off a rabbit and then turning/ flipping/ and placing together to create a new creature.

Callum had much fun with this, and I barely got a look in. Meanwhile, Chloe decided to create a dog using the dog template (which she found by herself) and then shading it in using various techniques. All of this would drain battery life on a standard tablet, but it barely hit the battery percentage.

By this point, the children were teaching me how to do everything, and it blew my mind! I use technology all the time for running this blog, editing photos, writing articles and more, and yet here were my 2 children, aged 6 and 10, showing me what they had learned just 1 hour previously, and with confidence. And more importantly, buzzing with what they were achieving!

Microsoft Surface Go Launch event in London - creativity is both nature and nuture! The Microsoft Surface Go is packed with the latest technology and doesn't disappoint! www.intolerantgourmand.com

If that isn’t a positive advert for showing how a tablet can bring a family together, and enhance the learning journey of children, then I don’t know what will!

I asked them both for their thoughts on the event, and this is what they had to say:

Callum – It was great, the tablet was really good. The drawing and creative stuff on it was excellent, and I really want one now! It’s amazing!

Chloe – I loved it because it was fun. The coins, the penguins and the puppies I drew were really cool, I didn’t think I could do that on a tablet! It was great and I really recommend it!

Both children have been asking for one for the house, and I’m now seeing if perhaps we can get them a joint Christmas present and get them one! And, maybe I’ll be using it too!

Have you seen the new Microsoft Surface Go? What do you think?

For further details, where to buy, and more simply click here: Microsoft Surface Go

Microsoft Surface Go Launch event in London - creativity is both nature and nuture! The Microsoft Surface Go is packed with the latest technology and doesn't disappoint! www.intolerantgourmand.com 

(NB: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Microsoft)

Microsoft Surface Go Launch event in London - creativity is both nature and nuture! The Microsoft Surface Go is packed with the latest technology and doesn't disappoint! www.intolerantgourmand.com