Wednesday, September 22, 2010

K'NEX Building Sets {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Annie1!}

There are certain toys that lead to creativity right out of the box.

I love the kind that I can set in front of my daughters and there aren't strict instructions or that take a while to put together or set up in order for them to play. If it's ready for use immediately, that just keeps the interest and excitement going much longer than if they have to sit while I get out a screwdriver or explain where to put each and every piece.

And there's almost no better example of that than the endless imaginative options that come with the toys that children all over the world love: K'NEX.

The most innovative and fastest growing construction toy company, K'NEX products are sold (and enjoyed) across the globe. With the ability to provide fun and enjoyment for kids while mixing in the strong educational aspects of building, balance and critical thinking, these unique small connectors manage to accomplish big things.

Having heard of (and played with) K'NEX before, I had never really thought of them as something for younger children. Even though the K'NEX 1000 Piece Ultimate Value Tub is full of endless constructive possibilities, it's not exactly a bin that I would set down in front of Little Sister B unless I wanted to be picking K'NEX out of nooks and crannies for weeks.

However, the K'NEX Neighborhood Collection School Bus Building Set and the Neighborhood Collection Fire Truck Building Set are a completely different story. Designed for ages 2 - 5, the entire Neighborhood Collection brings the joy of K'NEX down to a simple, uncomplicated level.

And when both Big Sister E and Little Sister B caught a glimpse of the fact that they were going to be able to build with Elmo, they couldn't wait to begin.

Right away I appreciated the way the way these Building Sets were packaged together yet individually wrapped to keep them from getting damaged. The pieces are sturdy and solid and plenty large enough that small hands can grip and stack them together.

Both of my girls loved putting Elmo together and then the addition of being able to create a fire truck and school bus for him to ride on was a big hit. But as much fun as it was to turn the pictures into reality, we also had a great time just being creative with these pieces.

Just because Little Sister B's bus didn't look quite the same as the picture or Big Sister E's fire truck tower wasn't listed as a suggestion didn't mean that the process of creating them didn't include just as much laughter. When we wanted to, we went off of the great "Play & Learn" activity sheets (that show extra ideas and pictures) which were included with the Neighborhood Collection Sets and when we didn't, we didn't. If the point was to have fun, we achieved it!

Later on, while Little Sister B was napping, Big Sister E and I pulled out the remaining K'NEX boxes: the Construction Crew Building Set and the Flying Friends Building Set. More like the traditional K'NEX that I have seen before, these sets contain a variety of shapes and sizes of KID K'NEX rods, connectors and blocks that are easily used by ages 3 and up. New to me, however, were the movable and bendable K'NEX, giving way to even more building possibilities.

Big Sister E immediately loved being able to use her imagination to turn these piles of pieces into construction vehicle pals and flying friends by using the eyes, wheels and propeller. By looking at the pictures on the box, we were able to get inspired, but the real fun came from just stacking, snapping and plugging the K'NEX together to make them come to life.

Whether we played with the Building Sets or Neighborhood Collection Sets individually or combined them together it was easy to see the creativity and imagination that these brought to my girls. The interaction between them (as well as me), hand-eye coordination and the self-confidence they showed made me proud of them, no matter what their finished product looked like.

I loved that Little Sister B could participate and feel as though she was a part of the action with the Neighborhood Collection and seeing Big Sister E come up with more and more possibilities using the Building Sets was just plain fun. With so many levels and series of K'NEX available, these are definitely toys that can grow with your child and bring years of educational entertainment!

Thanks to the generosity of K'NEX, one person will get to enjoy seeing their child build and create as well, because...

One lucky person will win a KID K'NEX Construction Crew Building Set AND a Flying Friends Building Set! ARV $25.98!

To enter to win: Visit K'NEX and tell me one of their other great products that you or your child would enjoy.

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 if you Like K'NEX on Facebook. 1 more Extra Entry if you leave the following message on their wall: Kids love K'NEX! I just entered to win the Construction Crew and Flying Friends Sets at Thanks, Mail Carrier! http://bit.ly/cGoFGj
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!

WIN the K'NEX Construction Crew & Flying Friends Building Sets for endless creativity! @thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/cGoFGj #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.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and K'NEX. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on October 15th 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 residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to K'NEX for providing the aforementioned sets for me to review as well as the Construction Crew and Flying Friends Building Sets for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

1158 comments:

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Megan Earley said...

RSS subscriber 2
mearley1979 at gmail dot com

Megan Earley said...

FB fan 1
mearley1979 at gmail dot com

susan said...

My little one would also like the RESCUE COPTER.

susan said...

I follow and tweeted. http://twitter.com/susanlanai/status/25251341134

susan said...

I follow via Google Friend Connect 1.

susan said...

I follow via Google Friend Connect 2.

susan said...

I'm an RSS Feed subscriber 1.

susan said...

I'm an RSS Feed subscriber 2.

susan said...

I'm an email subscriber 1.

susan said...

I'm an email subscriber 2.

susan said...

I Like you on Facebook 1.

susan said...

I Like you on Facebook 2.

Jennifer said...

I follow you on Twitter (@jkgorcery) and I tweeted: http://twitter.com/jkgorcery/status/25255895994

jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com

katidyd said...

The person above me said exactly what I was going to say! I would love to have that light up ferris wheel, too!
katidyd at hotmail dot com

katidyd said...

google follower
katidyd at hotmail dot com

katidyd said...

google follower 2
katidyd at hotmail dot com

katidyd said...

email subscriber 1
katidyd at hotmail dot com

katidyd said...

email subscriber 2
katidyd at hotmail dot com

The Tesdalls said...

I think my son would like the Bert & Ernie with Elmo and his Piano Combo

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I like knex on facebook

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I left the message on their facebook wall


kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

i entered the amazon giveaway


kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

i entered the magneatos giveaway


kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

i entered the chic monkey boutique giveaway


kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

i entered the sleepsack giveaway


kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

Sarah said...

the little guy has picked out 4X Dragsters Red

The Tesdalls said...

i follow you on twitter and i tweeted http://twitter.com/kortniejo/status/25270513174

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

i follow u through google friend connect

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

i follow u through google friend connect

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

Sarah said...

i follow on twitter as sadiekate08 and i tweeted today! http://twitter.com/sadiekate08/status/25270551211

The Tesdalls said...

i subscribe to your emails

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

i subscribe to your emails

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

i am your facebook fan

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

i am your facebook fan

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

i have your cute button at thetesdalls.blogspot.com

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

Nebraska Hockey Mom said...

I would LOVE the light up ferris wheel! That looks fantastic!! What fun!
jtfilleman@cox.net

Jenn S. said...

My son would enjoy the DINOSAURS 20 MODEL BUILDING SET .

jas8929 at gmail dot com

Nebraska Hockey Mom said...

I am a follower!
jtfilleman@cox.net

Nebraska Hockey Mom said...

I am a follower #2!
jtfilleman@cox.net

Nebraska Hockey Mom said...

I subscribe to you!
jtfilleman@cox.net

Nebraska Hockey Mom said...

I subscribe to you!
jtfilleman@cox.net

Nebraska Hockey Mom said...

I like you on facebook!
jtfilleman@cox.net
tonya stutzman filleman

Nebraska Hockey Mom said...

I like you on facebook!
jtfilleman@cox.net
tonya stutzman filleman

Nebraska Hockey Mom said...

I have your button!
jtfilleman@cox.net
www.nebraskahockeymom.blogspot.com

Nebraska Hockey Mom said...

I have your button!
jtfilleman@cox.net
www.nebraskahockeymom.blogspot.com

Katie said...

The Spy Plane looks awesome!
katiekarr at gmail dot com

Stephanie said...

K'NEX Education: Amusement Park Experience
tvollowitz at aol dot com

Cory said...

i like the lincoln logs
mychancetowin at gmail dot com

Annie1 said...

http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/25280840469


nancyrobster at gmail dot com

Nadi said...

My kid would enjoy the Stunt Jet!

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Nadi said...

Public follower via GFC

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Nadi said...

Email subscriber

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Nadi said...

Public follower via GFC
entry 2

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Nadi said...

Email subscriber
entry 2

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Nadi said...

Entered the Keurig giveaway

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Nadi said...

Entered the Citizenpip giveaway

treflea4 at gmail dot com

lilpinksocks said...

My girls would love the Sesame Street neighborhood collection, I especially like the Elmo ice cream truck.
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I entered your $25 Amazon GC from Gift Zip giveaway
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I entered your Chic Monkey giveaway
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I follow you on twitter (lilpinksocks) and tweeted: http://twitter.com/lilpinksocks/status/25283535514
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I follow via GFC #1
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I follow via GFC #2
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

Email subscriber #1
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

Email subscriber #2
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

feed subscriber via google reader #1
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

feed subscriber via google reader #2
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I like you on facebook (lisa a davis) #1
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I like you on facebook (lisa a davis) #1
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I like Knex on facebook (lisa a davis)
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I left a message on their wall (lisa a davis)
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

the nascar building set would be great too!

Anonymous said...

i like k'nex on fb

Anonymous said...

i left a message on k'nex's fb wall

Anonymous said...

i follow you on twitter and i tweeted http://twitter.com/godlyhomemaker/status/25284337454

Anonymous said...

i entered the playdough giveaway too

Anonymous said...

i entered the old navy gc giveaway too

Anonymous said...

email subber

Anonymous said...

button on blog

Anonymous said...

entered the Magneatos too

Anonymous said...

i entered to win giftzip amazon card too

Anonymous said...

entered pillsbury too

Anonymous said...

entered magic cabin too

mkjmc said...

http://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/25291390132
kathypersons@yahoo.com

Angie Bailey said...

I also like the 88 Amp Energy Garage Building Set. abailey_crace@yahoo.com

Angie Bailey said...

1. Subscribe via email. abailey_crace@yahoo.com

Angie Bailey said...

2. Subscribe via email. abailey_crace@yahoo.com

Tracey said...

Tristan would like the Lava Launch Coaster set.
traymona[at]aol.com

Kirsten said...

The Lava Launch Coaster looks like fun!
kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

Kirsten said...

Entered Spinning SeeSaw giveaway
kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

Kirsten said...

Entered Kodak/Energizer giveaway
kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

Kirsten said...

Entered Halo Sleepsack giveaway
kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

Kirsten said...

Entered Chic Monkey giveway
kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

Kirsten said...

Entered Keurig giveaway
kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

Kirsten said...

Follow you on twitter and tweet
http://twitter.com/LaydieAphrodite/status/25298503105
kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

Kirsten said...

GFC follower 1
kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

Kirsten said...

RSS subscriber 1
kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

Kirsten said...

RSS subscriber 2
kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

Kirsten said...

Email subscriber 1
kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

Kirsten said...

Email subscriber 2
kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

Kirsten said...

Like on facebook (Kirsten Thompson) 1
kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

Kirsten said...

Like on facebook (KIrsten Thompson) 2
kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

Michelle said...

So hard to decide! I bet we'd have a blast building a super Grover:).

mleveque at gmail dot com

Michelle said...

I entered the Pillsbury giveaway

mleveque at gmail dot com

Michelle said...

I entered the iplay sunsuit giveaway

mleveque at gmail dot com

Michelle said...

I entered the Magneatos giveaway

mleveque at gmail dot com

Michelle said...

I entered the Chic Monkey Boutique giveaway

mleveque at gmail dot com

Michelle said...

I entered the Halo sleep sack giveaway

mleveque at gmail dot com

Michelle said...

I entered the Kodak giveaway

mleveque at gmail dot com

Michelle said...

I entered the Play-Doh giveaway

mleveque at gmail dot com

Mike said...

I'm positive my kid would love the Motorized Madness Ball Machine. Thanks!
mike.karr at gmail.com

Michelle said...

I entered the Magic Cabin giveaway

mleveque at gmail dot com

Michelle said...

I entered the Keurig giveaway

mleveque at gmail dot com

Michelle said...

I entered the Swimtown Pools giveaway

mleveque at gmail dot com

Mary said...

I like the Elmo Vet Set. My grandson's mom is a vet and he would love to have this.

mommy2luke2008 said...

daily tweet
http://twitter.com/getinonthewins/status/25318785556
maryw1981 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

You know, until reading this review I had no clue that KNex did kits for tots. I'm now looking at the PANDA PALS BUILDING SET for my little girl.

littlelatina said...

we love the cookie monster set

Betty N said...

daily tweet
http://twitter.com/Grandma3710/status/25318159350

Brooke C said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/italiaangel80/status/25328778928

italiaangel80@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I like K'nex on facebook.

Deanna T.

moeandde@mnsi.net

Unknown said...

AND I left the suggest comment on K'nex facebook wall.

Deanna T.

moeandde@mnsi.net

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/MapleLeafMommy/status/25329470564

Tweet!

Unknown said...

I follow you on GFC.

moeandde@mnsi.net

Unknown said...

I follow you on GFC.
entry #2

moeandde@mnsi.net

Unknown said...

I'm an email subscriber.

moeandde@mnsi.net

Unknown said...

I'm an email subscriber.

moeandde@mnsi.net

entry#2

Unknown said...

I am a facebook fan.
Deanna T.
entry#1

Unknown said...

I am a facebook fan.
Deanna T.
entry#2

Unknown said...

I also entered your Magic Cabin giveaway.

Unknown said...

I'm also entering your Chic Monkey Boutique Giveaway.

Unknown said...

I'm also entering your
Kodak EasyShare Digital Picture Frame Giveaway

Unknown said...

I'm also entering your
GiftZip's Movement to Greener Gift Giving {$25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway}

Unknown said...

I'm also entering your
Keurig Special Edition Brewer Giveaway

Anonymous said...

I'd like to win

Unknown said...

I'd love to give my daughter the Lincoln's Log Cabin Bicentennial Edition.
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Entered the i Play Giveaway
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Entered the Halo Sleep Sack Giveaway
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Entered the Keurig Special Edition Brewer Giveaway
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Entered the Energizer Photo Contest Giveaway
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Entered the Citizen Pip Giveaway
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Entered the PlayDoh Creations Caddy Giveaway
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Entered the Clouds & Stars Giveaway
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Follow you on Twitter & Tweet!
http://twitter.com/LilyBearLove/status/25341365642
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

nape said...

My sweetie-pie nephew, Max, would love the K'Nex ELMO'S SPACE ADVENTURE BUILDING SET. Anything Elmo is a hit with him.

Thanks for a fun giveaway!

Unknown said...

Follow via Google Friends Connect #1
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

nape said...

I also entered your Jiffy Lube giveaway.

Unknown said...

Follow via Google Friends Connect #2
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

nape said...

I also entered your GiftZip giveaway.

Unknown said...

subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email #1
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email #2
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Like Thank, Mail Carrier on Facebook #1
Rebecca Smith
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Like Thank, Mail Carrier on Facebook #2
Rebecca Smith
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

nape said...

Tweeted you here:
http://twitter.com/Ida_Sessions/status/25341624150

nape said...

I subscribe RSS.

nape said...

I'm an email subscriber, which is how I discovered this giveaway.

Anonymous said...

I like the NEIGHBORHOOD COLLECTION
1-2-3 BROWNSTONE BUILDING SET. JD

SamneneD@aol.com

Ruby said...

I didn't even get past the homepage before both my kids were in my lap going on about the pirate stuff!
great giveaway

Ruby said...

Rats I forgot to include my email address with the above comment :(

redchocolate77@hotmail.com

Samantha said...

That ferris wheel looks like something I want to play with!
samgirl3@hotmail.com

Samantha said...

knex fan on facebook

samgirl3@hotmail.com

Samantha said...

fan of thanks, mail carrier on FB
samgirl3@hotmail.com

mogrill said...

I like the Nascar set.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net

Unknown said...

Turbo Moto Bot looks fun --lots of goodies, thanks for the opp
kendraco22 at yahoo.com

Jessica said...

The Drop-N-Swing looks like lots of fun
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I like KNEX on facebook (Jessica Miller)
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I entered your message on KNEX's wall
http://www.facebook.com/pages/KNEX/37841800170#!/pages/KNEX/37841800170?v=wall&story_fbid=10150282401790171&ref=mf
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I follow you publicly through google friend connect 1
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I follow you publicly through google friend connect 2
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I subscribe to your RSS feed via google reader 1
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I subscribe to your RSS feed via google reader 2
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I subscribe to your blog via e-mail 1
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I subscribe to your blog via e-mail 2
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I like you on facebook (Jessica Miller)1
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I like you on facebook (Jessica Miller)2
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I follow through twiter and tweeted
http://twitter.com/jjak2003/statuses/25356715460
jjak2003 at gmail dot com

jagel888 said...

I entered the frecklbox giveaway

Unknown said...

I had no idea KNEX had products for toddlers. We will have to ask Santa for the Big Building Blocks Set for Xmas.

Amo said...

My son would love to have the Elmo's Space Adventure Building Set!
amoeidson@yahoo.com

Amo said...

I like K'Nex on FAcebook!

Amo said...

I follow you on GFC
#1

Amo said...

I follow you on GFC
#2

Amo said...

I follow via RSS feed
#1

Amo said...

I follow via RSS feed
#2

Amo said...

I subscribe by email
amoeidson@yahoo.com
#1

Amo said...

I subscribe via email
#2

Amo said...

I am your facebook fan
#1

Amo said...

I am your facebook fan
#2

Amo said...

I have your button on my blog
http://whereawomanshakeshertablecloth.blogspot.com
#3

Amo said...

I entered the Guidecraft giveaway

Amo said...

I entered the Kodak frame giveaway

Amo said...

I entered the Chic Monkey Boutique giveaway

Amo said...

I entered the Play-doh Caddy giveaway

Amo said...

I entered the Frecklebox giveaway

A Little Bit of Everything! said...

My son would like the GRAVE DIGGER® TRANSPORTER RIG.

Annie1 said...

http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/25377840972


nancyrobster at gmail dot com

mkjmc said...

http://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/25388853353
kathypersons@yahoo.com

lilpinksocks said...

DT http://twitter.com/lilpinksocks/status/25388923150
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(Dot)com

EmmaPeel said...

Dump Truck!

Betty N said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/Grandma3710/status/25398336457

Brooke C said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/italiaangel80/status/25403205417

italiaangel80@gmail.com

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