Anniversary Bash #11: Melissa & Doug Wooden Workbench from Gummy Lump {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

I often worry about what my house is going to be like in about 12 years. Considering how... passionate my daughters are now, what is going to happen when we have two teenage girls?

Until that time comes, however, I look for ways to focus their interests and harness that passion in creative, captivating ways. I want activities and toys that challenge them to think and will test their abilities, ones that can be played with in multiple ways for years to come. Not to mention that they need to be safe, fun and worth every penny that they cost.

And there is no better place to visit for toys that fit that exact description than the amazing selection found at Gummy Lump. The home to an incredible variety of top-of-the-line toys since 1996, Gummy Lump provides high quality, award-winning products for all ages and abilities that the whole family can enjoy. Really, is there a child around that wouldn't be delighted to experience the endless possibilities of this:
Right down to the nuts and bolts, the Melissa & Doug Wooden Workbench has all of the features and details of a real tool bench in a scaled-down, just-right-for-kids size. No noise, no batteries, no electronic gadgetry, just pure imaginative fun in a durable, 26" x 24" x 18.5" package for any child who enjoys dramatic play.

Even though the sheer number of pieces involved in putting together this workbench concerned me, seeing that there were clear instructions and extremely well-labeled parts was definitely a plus. Each wooden slat or nut or bolt had a sticker or number so that matching it up to the instructions was simple to do.

I did have a bit of difficulty with some of the assembly (I found one type of nut and bolt hard to match up correctly) but in under an hour, the workbench was finished. All that was left was to accessorize it with all of the realistic tools, nuts, bolts, washers, screws, functioning vise and more.

As soon as my little engineers got a glimpse, they couldn't wait to get to work sawing, hammering and building. Due to the small parts and pieces, this is recommended for ages 3 and up. However, there was no keeping Little Sister B away from constructing right alongside her sister.

I couldn't blame them, I was pretty entertained by this workbench myself. As well as all of the great tools and hardware, it came with a handy Wooden Model Instruction Booklet that clearly illustrated how to make six different projects, from a helicopter to a robot.

In just four easy steps I created a dune buggy and even though I may have been more excited about it than my girls, I really liked the way the idea booklet was just that: ideas. Either follow along and make the model pictured or use the images as inspiration to turn constructions from your imagination into reality.

Overall, we have had a great time with the Wooden Workbench by Melissa & Doug - how could we not? The tool rack and storage shelf help keep everything contained and organized and the handcrafted, high quality construction is far more durable and safe than any other tool bench that I have seen. Forget the flimsy plastic, this piece is solid wood and one that will last for generations to come.

Plus, there's the educational value and the way that this isn't only a fun toy, it is secretly teaching my daughters at the same time - what parent doesn't appreciate that? In fact, the wide selection of toys that Gummy Lump offers have this great ability, whether for infants or big kids. And when you're visiting their site, it is easy to browse by brand, age or category and find just what you're looking for at a great price. From the full lines of Melissa & Doug, Guidecraft and KidKraft to great outdoor toys for kids or toys under $10, Gummy Lump has it all.

Not only that, they have a wonderful section filled with information for parents. Find out about toy safety, developmental milestones for kids, toys for children with special needs and much more. Or, if you're not interested in that, why not find out how to get a free Melissa & Doug Play Food Set when you purchase three others? It's a deal not to be missed!

Also, thanks to the generosity of Gummy Lump, one person will get to foster their child's creativity and building skills, because...

One lucky person will win a Melissa & Doug Wooden Workbench from Gummy Lump! ARV $79.99!

To enter to win: Visit Gummy Lump and tell me one of their other incredible toys that you (or your child) would love to own.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Gummy Lump on Twitter, sign up for their e-newsletter (found at the bottom of their homepage) and/or Like them on Facebook. 1 more Extra Entry if you leave the following message on their wall: Gummy Lump has amazing high quality toys! I just entered to win a Melissa & Doug Wooden Workbench at Thanks, Mail Carrier! http://bit.ly/aHnPDq
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Anniversary Bash #11: WIN a Melissa & Doug Wooden Workbench ($80) from @GummyLump! @thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/aHnPDq #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
1 Extra Entry if you put my Anniversary Bash button up on your blog. And, for the people who put it up BEFORE the event started (I have a list), 3 more extra entries on top of that.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Gummy Lump. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on August 26th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to Gummy Lump for providing a Wooden Workbench by Melissa & Doug for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.