3D Feel and Find World Icons {Guidecraft Mom Review}

We are loving Guidecrafts 3D Feel and Find Icons!

 

This has been a fun sensory toy that BOTH of my kids are enjoying. 

About 3D Feel and Find Icons

Guidecrafts 3D Feel and Find Icons canvas bag contains 20 different shapes with matching tiles.  The pieces are chunky, making it easy for little hand to pick them up.  Each piece is made out of eco-friendly rubberwood and stained with brightly colored dyes, which are child safe.  The product is recommended for ages 3 and up.

Our Experience

We started out talking about the different shapes and colors.  Then Aiden matched the pieces together.

We then selected a few tiles and put the matching pieces in the bag.  The kids took turns turning over a tile and trying to find the correct shapes.

Aiden found this a little challenging at first.  He kept trying to peak into the bag.

Emily had no problem find the correct pieces ~ without peaking.

My Thoughts

This is a toy that can grow with your kids.  You can start out using it as a simple puzzle, matching the shapes to the correct tiles.  Then talk about color matching, shapes and sizes.  My 4 year old found it challenging, when he had to find the correct shape in the bag.  My daughter, who is 8, had fun helping Aiden and picking tiles out of the bag.  That being said ~ I can see that it would be fun and educational for a wide age range.

Find Out More

The 3D Feel and Find World Icons can be purchased from Guidecraft or Amazon.

Win It!

Xenia @ Thanks Mail Carrier is hosting the giveaway!  Head over for a chance to win!!

As a Guidecraft Mom blogger, this product was given to me for review purposes. I do not have to return the product to the vendor and I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

~Cindy

Bead and Water Blocks {Guidecraft Mom Review}

There are a few toys that I consider “must-haves” and building blocks are one of them.  Guidecraft’s Crystal Bead Blocks and Shimmering Water Blocks add a fun twist to traditional building blocks.

  

Each set of blocks contains eight blocks ~ four rectangle blocks and four half circle blocks.   My kids loved trying to find new ways to balance the half circle blocks.

I personally loved the beauty of these blocks and the fun noise the bead blocks make when you shake them.  Yes, I will admit that I had just as much fun as the kids playing with these blocks!

The final verdict ~ we love these blocks!  They have been a great addition to our building block collection.

 

You can purchase the Crystal Bead Blocks and Shimmering Water Blocks on the Guidecraft site.  You can also purchase the Crystal Bead Blocks and Shimmering Water Blocks on Amazon.

Want to win a set? Jolanthe @ Homeschool Creations is hosting the giveaway this month!  Head on over and enter to win!!

As a Guidecraft Mom blogger, this product was given to me for review purposes. I do not have to return the product to the vendor and I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

~Cindy

Fraction Action Board and Fraction Cups {Guidecraft Mom Review}

  

This month we have been playing with two fun, brightly colored math toys that we received from Guidecraft ~ an Fraction Action Board and Fraction Cups.   

About the Fraction Action Board and Action Cups

The Fraction Action Board includes 18 pieces and a tray.  The Fraction Cups has 10 pieces and 4 cups.  The pieces all fit easily onto the board and into the cups and the pieces are big enough that they are easy for little hands to grip and pick up.  Both of the sets are made of eco-friendly rubberwood and stained with brightly colored low VOC aniline dyes ~ so they are safe for little ones!  The sets are recommended for ages 2 and up and included an activity guide with fun ideas to add to your math fun.

Our Thoughts

I love toys that naturally lead to educational learning!  We talked about shapes, colors and fractions {a little}.  Aiden had fun taking the pieces out and putting them back.

               

Of course there was lots of building and stacking going on!

My thoughts ~ this has been a fun math toy that I plan on using in our homeschooling for both my son and daughter.

Find Out More

The Fraction Action Board or Fraction Cups can be purchased from Amazon or Guidecraft.

Win It!

Mama Jenn is giving away a Fraction Action Board and Fraction Cups.  The giveaway ends Saturday, June 25th.

As a Guidecraft Mom blogger, I was provided this product to review. I was not paid for this post and all opinions expressed in this post are mine.

~Cindy

Twister and Twister Curves {Guidecraft Mom Review}

Our latest construction toy from Guidecraft ~ Twisters and Twister Curves have been a hit in our household.

About Twister and Twister Curves

Each set includes 66 colored building pieces (blue, yellow, green and blue), 24 connecting rods, and a pair of pliers.

              

The sets are recommended for ages 3 and up.

What We Thought

Emily (and I) have had so much fun creating with these sets.   She made a mask, although I’m not sure what creature she was suppose to be,

a lizard,

and a rocket.

Aiden loved the set however he got frustrated that the pieces came apart fairly easily.   He did make a few structures and was very proud of his caterpillar ~ even though you can’t tell it by the picture.

Find Out More

Twisters and Twister Curves can be purchased directly from the Guidecraft or from Amazon.

Win It!

Carisa from 1+1+1=1 is giving away a set of Twisters and Twister Curves! The giveaway ends Sunday, May 22nd.

As a Guidecraft Mom blogger, I was provided this product to review. I was not paid for this post and all opinions expressed in this post are mine.

~Cindy

Hideaway Country Kitchen {Guidecraft Mom Review}

One of my favorite toys when I was growing up was a kitchen set.  I remember playing with it everyday ~ daydreaming about growing up and having a family of my own to fix meals for someday.   My kids and I were beyond excited when we received Guidecraft’s Hideaway Country Kitchen!

Pretty isn’t it! 

About the Hideaway Country Kitchen

This beautiful wooden kitchen measures 30"W x 15.25"D x 38"H once it is assembled.  What makes this kitchen so amazing is the ability to fold it it up.Once folded it measures a depth of  just 6”, allowing you to store it easily.

The kitchen, which has white bead board on the back wall and doors, also has an adjustable clock, hooks to hang hot pads or cups,

a wooden shelf, and knobs that make a clicking noise when you turn them.  The kitchen is recommended for ages 3 and up.

My Thoughts

I placed the kitchen on a small wall right beside our kitchen so the kids could “cook” while I am working in the kitchen.  The colors of the kitchen are neutral and go with any decor. 

We have a small house and I rotate our toys so the kids don’t have too much out at one time.  This kitchen is easy to fold up, just lift the locking bars and remove one bolt, then fold it and hide it away in a closet.

Both of my kids (Emily who is almost 8 and Aiden who is 4) have played with the kitchen everyday since I put it together. 

I will say that it took me about 1 1/2 hours to put the kitchen together.  The instructions were easy to read and my only problem was attaching the 7 knobs on the front.

Find Out More

The Hideaway Country Kitchen is available from both Amazon and the Guidecraft website.  If you are looking for a kitchen set with pink, blue and yellow, check out the Hideaway Playtime Kitchen instead. It features a pink, blue and yellow color scheme and is also available from Guidecraft. 

As a Guidecraft Mom blogger, I was provided this product to review. I was not paid for this post and all opinions expressed in this post are mine.

 ~Cindy

Interlox {Guidecraft Mom Review and GIVEAWAY}

Guidecraft has created another amazing building toy ~ Interlox 96 piece set.  This set has sparked creativity and imaginative play in my 7 year old daughter and my 4 year old boy.     

About Interlox 96-Piece Building Set

Interlox building set contains 96 brightly colored translucent pieces, in 6 different colors;  yellow, blue, purple, green, orange, and pink.  Each block has a design inset on it (heart, square, circle, diamond, star, octagon, or flower).  The building pieces slide and clip together ~ no tools or small pieces required.  The set is recommended for ages 3 and up.

What We Thought

Finding toys that my daughter and son can both use to create and build with is a struggle.  I often hear that something Aiden likes is babyish, and Aiden gets frustrated with small pieces that are hard to put together.  Not with this set, each of the kids used the building pieces to create things that interested them.  My daughter created things for her Polly Pockets, including a Mall,

sitting area bus stop

and bed.

My son had no problem sliding the pieces together.  He made an airplane

  and lots of tall towers.

Mommy was please because I could throw in some educational activities.  Aiden counted the pieces and Emily skip counted by 2’s,  3’s, 4’s, etc.

We worked on patterns and naming all the shapes.

Here’s How To Win:

MANDATORY first entry:

• Visit the Guidecraft Website, then come back and leave a comment here telling me which is your favorite product.

Optional additional entries:

• Become a fan of Guidecraft on Facebook.
• Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway; @cindymomto2 is giving away an Interlox set from @guidecraft ~ http://bit.ly/fCtdiD. Giveaway ends 4/25.
• Become a follower of Along The Way, unless of course you already are. :) Just let me know!
• Blog about this giveaway and share the link here.

Giveaway Information:

• The give-away will be open until midnight Monday, April 25, 2011. The winner will be notified by Wednesday, April 27, 2011.
• Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry, winner will be chosen at random!
• Please leave a way for me to contact you in your entry otherwise another winner will be chosen.
• NOTE: This giveaway is offered to US residents only.

Want it NOW? If you can’t wait to win, you can head over to purchase the Interlox 96 piece set from Guidecraft’s website or Amazon!

As a Guidecraft Mom blogger, I was provided this product to review. I was not paid for this post and all opinions expressed in this post are mine.

~Cindy

Farm Animal Block Mates {Guidecraft Mom Review}

Wooden blocks are played with daily in our house.  They can be used for so many different things.   Our block play has been extended with the addition of Guidecraft’s Farm Animal Blocks Mates, which can be used to transform basic blocks into fun farm animals.

What are Farm Animal Block Mates

Farm Animal Block Mates includes 20 pieces (4 parts for each animal), to make a goat, horse, sheep, cow and pig. 

The pieces slide onto standard wooden blocks and fit snugly into place with a patented "slip-grip" system.

Guidecraft has a great 5-piece block set that works perfectly with the Block Mates.

Our Thoughts

The Block Mates have been a hit in our house.  Aiden immediately starting putting the animals together

and stacking them.

 

It wasn’t long before he started creating unusual animals and saying “Mommy, what do you think this is called?” 

I have to say that I am completely smitten with the cow who has udders ~ so cute!

Find Out More

The Farm Animal Block Mates and the 5 Piece Unit Blocks can be purchased directly from Guidecraft’s website or from Amazon.

Be sure to check out the Dinosaurs and Safari Animals Block Mates.

 

Two new sets are coming soon:  Construction Vehicles and Community Vehicles.

Giveaway!!

Jodi @ Granola Mom 4 God is giving away a set of Farm Animal Block Mates along with a set of 5 Unit blocks (ends 3/28/11).

As a Guidecraft Mom blogger, I was provided this product to review. I was not paid for this post and all opinions expressed in this post are mine.

~Cindy

Cylinders & Cubes {Guidecraft Mom Review}

There is just something about good quality wooden toys that I love ~  the feel, the durability, and the open ended play that most wooden toys provide!  We received brightly colored, wooden nesting Cylinders and Cubes from Guidecraft for the kids to play with. 

                     

About the Cylinders and Cubes

Both the Cylinders and Cubes come painted with brightly colored non-toxic paint and have a fun pattern painted on the edge.  The pieces graduate from primary (red, blue and green) to pastel colors.  You can use the bright yellow base to stack and sort the pieces. 

Our Thoughts

We really had fun with the Cylinders and Cubes!  We took turns seeing who could stack the most pieces before they would came tumbling down.

We hide a gem under one of the Cylinders and guessed where it was.  To make it a bit more educational we talked about ordinal numbers. I would give Aiden a hint like it is under the 2nd Cylinder.

We did some color matching with colored pencils ~ talking about the variations in the colors and

Aiden made a dinosaur pet shop using the Cubes.

These are not your ordinary stacking containers!  The pieces are recommended for ages 3 and up however, since they are painted with non-toxic paint I would feel comfortable giving them to younger children.

Find Out More

You can purchase the Cylinders and Cubes directly from Guidecraft.  The Cylinders and Cubes are also available from Amazon.

Giveaway!!!

Xenia from Thanks Mail Carrier is hosting the giveaway this month! Head on over to enter, now through 3/11/11.

As a Guidecraft Mom blogger, I was provided this product to review. I was not paid for this post and all opinions expressed in this post are mine.

~Cindy