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.

1,158 comments:

  1. The Elmo pet vet is adorable!! Thanks for the chance to win!


    mindy411 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think the Turbo Moto Bot is adorable! I'd actually enjoy building that!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've entered your Keurig giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your button is on my blog here- http://iaskedforscrambled.blogspot.com/p/blogging-besties.html (1 of 3 entries)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your button is on my blog here- http://iaskedforscrambled.blogspot.com/p/blogging-besties.html (2 of 3 entries)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your button is on my blog here- http://iaskedforscrambled.blogspot.com/p/blogging-besties.html (3 of 3 entries)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love k'nex products. Would love the speed coaster
    --Brandy
    fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Follow you via gfc (1)
    --Brandy
    fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Follow you via gfc (2)
    --Brandy
    fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Entered to win Keurig
    --Brandy
    fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Entered to win Amazon GiftZip
    --Brandy
    fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Entered to win Jiffy LUbe
    --Brandy
    fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Entered to win pillsbury
    --Brandy
    fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Naturally lower in fat! That is always good.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think my daughter would get a kick out of the Elmo's Sunny day Building set.

    stacie@supermommytotherescue.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I liked K'nex on facebook and I left a message on the wall

    stacie@supermommytotherescue.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I follow you on Google Friend Connect

    stacie@supermommytotherescue.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I think my son would like to have the KICK IT! ELMO BUILDING SET.
    cloud10277@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I Like K'NEX on Facebook
    Tracy P
    cloud10277@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I left a comment on K'NEX Facebook wall.
    Tracy P
    cloud10277@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I entered the GiftZip giveaway.
    cloud10277@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I entered the Magneatos giveaway.
    cloud10277@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I entered the Pillsbury giveaway.
    cloud10277@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I entered the Kodak EasyShare giveaway.
    cloud10277@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I entered the Sock Grams giveaway.
    cloud10277@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I follow you on twitter
    @cloud10277
    Tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/cloud10277/status/25223156032
    cloud10277@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Entry #2
    I follow with GFC
    Tracy P
    cloud10277@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Entry #1
    I'm a fan on Facebook
    Tracy P
    cloud10277@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Entry #1
    Email subscriber
    cloud10277@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Entry #2
    Email subscriber
    cloud10277@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. My son would love the RAILROAD PALS BUILDING SET.

    italiaangel80@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I like KNEX on facebook
    (brooke comperchio)

    italiaangel80@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I left a comment on the KNEX wall
    (brooke comperchio)

    italiaangel80@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. tweet
    http://twitter.com/italiaangel80/status/25226428672

    italiaangel80@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. i follow on gfc
    entry 1
    italiaangel80@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. i follow on gfc
    entry 2
    italiaangel80@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. i subscribe via email
    entry 1
    italiaangel80@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. i subscribe via email
    entry 2
    italiaangel80@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. i like you on facebook
    (brooke comperchiO)
    entry 1
    italiaangel80@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. i like you on facebook
    (brooke comperchiO)
    entry 2
    italiaangel80@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. My daughter and I would enjoy the Lincoln Logs Rocky Mountain Ranch!
    anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  42. what a great giveaway thanks!!!! Kids LOVE using their imagination...these truly help!

    CHEERS!

    ReplyDelete
  43. they would love the monster jam micro trucks

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  44. My little one would love the Light Up Ferris Wheel. :)

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  45. I like K'NEX on Facebook as Addison Kat
    anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I left the requested message on K'NEX fall
    anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  47. entered your Guidecraft giveaway
    anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  48. entered your HALO SleepSack giveaway
    anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  49. entered your Play Doh giveaway
    anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  50. entered your citizenpip giveaway
    anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  51. entered your wind & weather giveaway
    anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  52. entered magic cabin giveaway
    anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  53. entered your keurig giveaway
    anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  54. follow via GFC
    anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  55. follow you via GFC
    anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  56. subscriber to your RSS feed
    anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  57. subscriber to your RSS feed
    anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  58. i like you on FB as Addison Kat
    anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I like you on FB as Addison Kat #2
    anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  60. my grandson would like the ELMO'S SPACE ADVENTURE BUILDING SET. He is a huge fan of elmos
    jmajor4870(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  61. My son would love GRAVE DIGGER® TRANSPORTER RIG BUILDING SET
    ozzykelley1 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. The Monster Jam Micro Trucks would be apprediated at our house.
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  63. 1. I'm an email subscriber.
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  64. 2. I'm an email subscriber.
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  65. I like Knex on FB as Traci Kelley
    ozzykelley1 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I wrote on Knex wall as Traci Kelley
    ozzykelley1 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I entered the Citizenpip giveaway.
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I entered the Play Doh Creations giveaway.
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I entered the Magneatos giveaway.
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  70. I entered the $25 GiftZip Amazon GC giveaway.
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  71. I entered the Wind & Weather Station giveaway.
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  72. I entered the Halo Sleep Sack giveaway.
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  73. I entered the Sock Gram giveaway.
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  74. I follow you on twitter as TraciK66 and tweeted
    http://twitter.com/TraciK66/status/25231874090
    ozzykelley1{at}yahoo{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  75. I entered the Spinning SeeSaw giveaway.
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  76. #1 I am a follower via GFC
    ozzykelley1{at}yahoo{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  77. I entered the Keurig Special Edition Brewer.
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  78. #2 I am a follower via GFC
    ozzykelley1{at}yahoo{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  79. My son would also like the 24 DUPONT PIT LANE BUILDING SET!
    maryw1981 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  80. #1 I am an email subscriber.
    ozzykelley1{at}yahoo{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  81. #2 I am an email subscriber.
    ozzykelley1{at}yahoo{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  82. I entered the Sport Brella giveaway
    maryw1981 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  83. I entered the Amazon gift card giveaway
    maryw1981 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  84. I follow you on twitter and tweeted
    http://twitter.com/getinonthewins/status/25232384481
    maryw1981 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  85. #2
    I follow you on GFC
    maryw1981 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  86. I subscribe to your emails
    maryw1981 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  87. Im an email subscriber at jagel888(at)yahoo(dot)com
    #1

    ReplyDelete
  88. Im an email subscriber at jagel888(at)yahoo(dot)com
    #2

    ReplyDelete
  89. I like the Sesame Street Collection

    ReplyDelete
  90. The light up ferris wheel for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  91. LIked K'Nex on FB
    kathy persons

    kathypersons@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  92. Left message on their wall
    kathypersons@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  93. http://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/25236255483
    kathypersons@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  94. my son will go crazy with http://www.knex.com/building_toys/super_grover_building_set.php johannammartinez2010@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  95. I like teh Big Ferris Wheel jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  96. I follow via google friend connect #1 jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  97. I subscribe via google reader #2 jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  98. we'd love the ELMO'S COWBOY ADVENTURE BUILDING SET

    ReplyDelete
  99. i entered the sport-brella giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  100. i follow via google friends connect #1

    ReplyDelete
  101. i follow via google friends connect #2

    ReplyDelete
  102. i entered the Keurig Special Edition Brewer giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  103. like K'NEX on Facebook (johanna martinez2010@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  104. wrote on their wall http://www.facebook.com/pages/KNEX/37841800170#!/pages/KNEX/37841800170?v=wall&story_fbid=10150281442300171&ref=mf (johanna martinez) johannammartinez2010@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  105. enteres swintown giveaway johannammartinez2010@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  106. My daughter is a Jeff Gordon fan so she would love K'nex NASCAR ® 24 DuPont / Pepsi Car Building Set

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  107. entered keurig giveaway johannammartinez2010@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  108. I follow via GFC: abfantom entry #1

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  109. Love the HI-FLYERS 10 MODEL BUILDING SET; my nephew Tristan would go to town with that!

    ty

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  110. Like Knex on fb

    Anne Taylor or annectaylor1


    ty

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  111. Commented on Knex fb wall


    http://www.facebook.com/pages/KNEX/37841800170#!/pages/KNEX/37841800170?v=wall&story_fbid=10150281466510171&ref=mf

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  112. entered the Magic Cabin giveaway


    ty

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  113. entered the Kodak EasyShare giveaway


    ty

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  114. we like the Elmo's Sunny day Building set.

    ReplyDelete
  115. entered the HALO giveaway


    ty

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  116. entered the Keurig giveaway


    ty

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  117. entered the Amazon $25 giveaway


    ty

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  118. Follow you on Twitter

    greeeneyedwhwom

    Tweet

    http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/25242205099

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  119. I think my grandson would love Turbo from the micro-bot series

    ReplyDelete
  120. Follow via GFC

    Annie1

    ty


    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  121. 2

    Follow via GFC

    Annie1

    ty


    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  122. google reader subscriber

    ty

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  123. 2

    google reader subscriber

    ty

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  124. Like you on fb

    Anne Taylor or annectaylor1


    ty

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  125. 2

    Like you on fb

    Anne Taylor or annectaylor1


    ty

    nancyrobster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  126. left comment on KNEX facebook wall
    jessica tang

    ReplyDelete
  127. tweet
    http://twitter.com/hongdoufantuan/status/25242601365

    ReplyDelete
  128. your RSS feed subscriber on google reader #1 - Jessica

    ReplyDelete
  129. your RSS feed subscriber on google reader #2 - Jessica

    ReplyDelete
  130. your email subscriber #2
    jessicatang90@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  131. entered your magic cabin giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  132. The FURRY FRIENDS BUILDING SET looks cute!

    Trudy
    onlyjustine at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  133. I entered the Keurig giveaway.

    Trudy
    onlyjustine at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  134. The light up ferris wheel looks awesome!

    sims.whitney at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  135. I get your emails!

    sims.whitney at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  136. I get your emails

    sims.whitney at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  137. I entered your play doh giveaway

    sims.whitney at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  138. I entered your Chic Monkey giveaway

    sims.whitney at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  139. actually, this would be gifted to my little niece as a treat...and SHE would LOOOOOOVE the Elmo (or anything Sesame St related) set!

    ourfam@bellsout.net

    ReplyDelete
  140. I left your message on the K'nex Fb wall....

    ReplyDelete
  141. I'm your fan on FB
    entry 1

    ourfam@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  142. I am a fan on FB
    entry 2

    ourfam@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  143. I get your emails
    entry 1

    ourfam@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  144. I get your emails
    entry 2


    ourfam@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  145. I follow on GFC
    entry 1

    ourfam@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  146. I follow on GFC
    entry2

    ourfam@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  147. I entered the Pear Tree giveaway

    ourfam@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  148. I entered the Kureig Coffee maker giveaway

    ourfam@bellsout.net

    ReplyDelete
  149. I like the lincoln logs rocky mountain ranch.
    ortizvelasquez at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  150. I'd like the Elmo's Treasure Hunt Adventure set.
    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  151. I like KNEX on FB
    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  152. commented on KNEX FB
    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  153. entered Pillsubry
    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  154. entered Gift Zip
    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  155. entered i play
    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  156. entered Guidecraft
    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  157. entered Jiffy Lube
    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  158. entered Play-doh
    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  159. entered Sock Grams
    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  160. GFC follower 2
    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete