Guidecraft Bead and Water Blocks

You know I’m a snob for wood toys.  And the Guidecraft Bead and Water Blocks didn’t let me down.  They are keepers.  These wooden blocks are open-ended and easily ushered us into the world of imagination.

 

Combining balance with beauty.

 

Entertaining simplicity and structure.

 

 

Fortitude and collaboration.

 

Modeling architecture that rivals Frank Lloyd Wright.

 

And I haven’t even shown you all of the educational things you can use these blocks for . . . but you would have to visit Mama Jenn for that . . . .

Or just try and win a set of both the Guidecraft bead AND water blocks over on Jolanthe’s blog, Homeschool Creations until 8pm tonight (July 25th!)!

But if you don’t win. . . you can buy them through Guidecraft for $32 each.  The last I looked the Shimmer Water blocks were $24.97 plus free shipping on Amazon.  I found the Crystal Bead Blocks for $26.88 from a toy store who used Amazon to fulfill their orders . . . which means free shipping for you!

 

(I was provided with Crystal Bead Blocks and Shimmering Water Blocks as part of my participation as a Guidecraft Mom. I wasn’t paid for this post nor was I bribed with a vanilla latte.)

Guidecraft Wooden Farm Animals: A Giveaway

We have acquire some farm animals.  OK  . . . wooden block farm animals.   They show up in random places.

They seem to like the fireplace the best.  I guess because it is warm.

And wherever the farm animals are, you are sure to find Gabe.

However, he often puts them into a time out, noses pressed to our school room fridge.

Or lines them up.

We have even tried feeding them.  Rather unsuccessfully.  They don’t like beans. I guess because I didn’t soak and sprout them?

What does Guidecraft has to say about their wooden blocks?

Block Mates are the all-new block play sensation that will revolutionize and revitalize the way that kids play with unit blocks. Slide the Block Mates onto a traditional-sized unit block to create fun play friends! Pieces slide on easily and fit snugly thanks to the patented "Slip-Grip" system! Match the colors to assemble familiar animals, or mix-and-match the pieces to create your very own! Block Mates create a whole new world of block play creativity and ignite the imagination while enhancing fine motor and color matching skills.

This unique version of a wooden block is geared towards ages 3+ (according to the website).  However, Gabe has enjoyed the farm animals the most, having received them at age 2 1/2.  (FYI)

Sir Honey Ezra (almost 5) randomly enjoys our farm animals . . . but typically only plays with them when Gabe is or in an attempt to stir up some strife with his younger brother.  Just sayin’.

What COULD you do with your farm animals?

• have your child take the animal “parts” on and off.  Great use of fine motor skills and coordination combined with some concentration.

• mix all the parts up on a box and have them separate according to head, feet, tail, etc.

• What’s wrong with this animal?  Have your child correct the three wrong pieces or simplify for younger children, and have one animal part in the wrong place.

• sort by color
• have a pretend animal race.  Using a dice, have your child roll the dice.  Whatever the number reveals, have the animal walk that many “steps” hops.  Winner animal receives some pretend food.
• have the child place the parts of each animal on separate wooden block as you relay the sound the animal makes.  So first, you would oink – on goes the head.  Then, you might neigh – on goes a horse body part on a different block and so on . . .
• study about each animal!  Read a book! 

Block Mate Wooden Farm Animals can be purchased at Guidecraft for $27 . . . but make sure you also order the set of 5 wooden blocks (an additional $15) or buy this fun set at Amazon starting at $20 (and it is an Amazon Mom product.)

And that’s my Guidecraft Mom review . . . but there’s more! 

Want to win a set of Block Mates Farm Animals?

 

 

(Mandatory) Tell me what your favorite animal is and why.

1. Become one of my fans through Google Connect if you aren't already! (It’s over there on your right . . . see all of the little people?)
2. What other wooden block animals does Guidecraft produce?
3. Tweet about this giveaway:  Guidecraft Wooden Farm Animals: A Giveaway http://t.co/DvKqC4x @GranolaMom4God
4. What did you have for breakfast?
5. Put my button on your blog.
6. Subscribe to my blog (I have a few other kid-related giveaways coming up).

Remember, only #1 is mandatory. The rest of the entries are optional, but you MUST comment separately for each one.

The Fine Print: I will email you when you have won. You must respond within 48 hours.

Contest ends March 28, 2011 at Midnight (not that I will be awake)

This toy was sent to me by Guidecraft.  In exchange, I gave an honest an free opinion of our thoughts regarding the Block Mate Farm Animals.

Guidecraft Rainbow Blocks

We recently received a set of wooden blocks.  But not just any wooden blocks, mind you.  Rainbow blocks from Guidecraft.  They had actually been on my wish list for Mr. Smiley. 

His brothers have some wooden blocks that are fun . . . but they aren’t very exciting to a two-year old.  They lack color and well . . . size.

  

Now, Smiley doesn’t do all the creative castles and flowers that his brothers make, but he loves to line all of the rainbow blocks up vertically.

______________

And I’m happy to let him explore gravity, create order, and have elementary concepts introduced to him in a fun way (i.e. colors and shapes).

I love the concentration and creativity that he displays when just allowed to have free play.

Most often, though, you will find Mr. Smiley playing peek-a-boo with his new Rainbow Blocks.

Meanwhile, his brothers like to stack the blocks,

make flowers, 

and sort.

Toys like this (that are open-ended), I simply allow my children to play.  I don’t provide a structure for them or a specific learning “moment” per sea, though I could have.  I’ve had opportunity. 

We have so many structured learning times throughout the day that I try to give them breaks to allow them to learn and explore on their own. 

I’m sure that some of the other Guidecraft Mom Bloggers will have some great ideas to share with you of other ways to play with the Rainbow Blocks, not to mention a giveaway over at Confessions of a Homeschooler starting today! 

You can purchase a 30 piece set (or larger) of rainbow blocks that feature the hardwood frame with soft, rounded edges and colored plexi interiors at Guidecraft for $60.   This toy is recommended for ages 3 and up, but as you can see, my two year old loved it!

Once again, a big thanks goes out to Guidecraft for allowing me to be a part of their Mom Bloggers Review Team.  I was not paid for this post nor do I have to return this colorful toy!  (My kids would be so upset at the mailman if I did!)