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.
The Elmo pet vet is adorable!! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeletemindy411 at hotmail dot com
I think the Turbo Moto Bot is adorable! I'd actually enjoy building that!
ReplyDeleteI've entered your Keurig giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteYour button is on my blog here- http://iaskedforscrambled.blogspot.com/p/blogging-besties.html (1 of 3 entries)
ReplyDeleteYour button is on my blog here- http://iaskedforscrambled.blogspot.com/p/blogging-besties.html (2 of 3 entries)
ReplyDeleteYour button is on my blog here- http://iaskedforscrambled.blogspot.com/p/blogging-besties.html (3 of 3 entries)
ReplyDeleteI love k'nex products. Would love the speed coaster
ReplyDelete--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com
Follow you via gfc (1)
ReplyDelete--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com
Follow you via gfc (2)
ReplyDelete--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com
Entered to win Keurig
ReplyDelete--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com
Entered to win Amazon GiftZip
ReplyDelete--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com
Entered to win Jiffy LUbe
ReplyDelete--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com
Entered to win pillsbury
ReplyDelete--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com
LINCOLN LOGS Rocky Mountain Ranch
ReplyDeleteGFC as The Jaded Mom
ReplyDeleteFollowing you on Twitter @jadesteva
ReplyDeleteNaturally lower in fat! That is always good.
ReplyDeleteEmail subscriber
ReplyDeleteFacebook "liked" this blog
ReplyDeleteFB "liked" LB
ReplyDeleteSigned up for LB newsletter
ReplyDeleteSubscriber via RSS
ReplyDeleteTwitter follow NW @jadesteva
ReplyDeleteEntered Cook in a Kitchen giveaway
ReplyDeleteI think my daughter would get a kick out of the Elmo's Sunny day Building set.
ReplyDeletestacie@supermommytotherescue.com
I liked K'nex on facebook and I left a message on the wall
ReplyDeletestacie@supermommytotherescue.com
I follow you on Google Friend Connect
ReplyDeletestacie@supermommytotherescue.com
I think my son would like to have the KICK IT! ELMO BUILDING SET.
ReplyDeletecloud10277@hotmail.com
I Like K'NEX on Facebook
ReplyDeleteTracy P
cloud10277@hotmail.com
I left a comment on K'NEX Facebook wall.
ReplyDeleteTracy P
cloud10277@hotmail.com
I entered the GiftZip giveaway.
ReplyDeletecloud10277@hotmail.com
I entered the Magneatos giveaway.
ReplyDeletecloud10277@hotmail.com
I entered the Pillsbury giveaway.
ReplyDeletecloud10277@hotmail.com
I entered the Kodak EasyShare giveaway.
ReplyDeletecloud10277@hotmail.com
I entered the Sock Grams giveaway.
ReplyDeletecloud10277@hotmail.com
I follow you on twitter
ReplyDelete@cloud10277
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/cloud10277/status/25223156032
cloud10277@hotmail.com
Entry #2
ReplyDeleteI follow with GFC
Tracy P
cloud10277@hotmail.com
Entry #1
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan on Facebook
Tracy P
cloud10277@hotmail.com
Entry #1
ReplyDeleteEmail subscriber
cloud10277@hotmail.com
Entry #2
ReplyDeleteEmail subscriber
cloud10277@hotmail.com
My son would love the RAILROAD PALS BUILDING SET.
ReplyDeleteitaliaangel80@gmail.com
I like KNEX on facebook
ReplyDelete(brooke comperchio)
italiaangel80@gmail.com
I left a comment on the KNEX wall
ReplyDelete(brooke comperchio)
italiaangel80@gmail.com
tweet
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/italiaangel80/status/25226428672
italiaangel80@gmail.com
i follow on gfc
ReplyDeleteentry 1
italiaangel80@gmail.com
i follow on gfc
ReplyDeleteentry 2
italiaangel80@gmail.com
i subscribe via email
ReplyDeleteentry 1
italiaangel80@gmail.com
i subscribe via email
ReplyDeleteentry 2
italiaangel80@gmail.com
i like you on facebook
ReplyDelete(brooke comperchiO)
entry 1
italiaangel80@gmail.com
i like you on facebook
ReplyDelete(brooke comperchiO)
entry 2
italiaangel80@gmail.com
My daughter and I would enjoy the Lincoln Logs Rocky Mountain Ranch!
ReplyDeleteanita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com
what a great giveaway thanks!!!! Kids LOVE using their imagination...these truly help!
ReplyDeleteCHEERS!
they would love the monster jam micro trucks
ReplyDeletesubscriber
ReplyDeletesubscriber 2
ReplyDeleteentered keurig giveaway
ReplyDeleteentered giftzip giveaway
ReplyDeleteentered i play giveaway
ReplyDeleteentered magneatos gvieaway
ReplyDeleteentered halo giveaway
ReplyDeleteentered pillsbury giveaway
ReplyDeleteentered citizenpip giveaway
ReplyDeleteentered sport-brella giveaway
ReplyDeleteMy little one would love the Light Up Ferris Wheel. :)
ReplyDeleteI like K'NEX on Facebook as Addison Kat
ReplyDeleteanita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com
I left the requested message on K'NEX fall
ReplyDeleteanita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com
entered your Guidecraft giveaway
ReplyDeleteanita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com
entered your HALO SleepSack giveaway
ReplyDeleteanita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com
entered your Play Doh giveaway
ReplyDeleteanita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com
entered your citizenpip giveaway
ReplyDeleteanita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com
entered your wind & weather giveaway
ReplyDeleteanita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com
entered magic cabin giveaway
ReplyDeleteanita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com
entered your keurig giveaway
ReplyDeleteanita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com
follow via GFC
ReplyDeleteanita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com
follow you via GFC
ReplyDeleteanita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com
subscriber to your RSS feed
ReplyDeleteanita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com
subscriber to your RSS feed
ReplyDeleteanita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com
i like you on FB as Addison Kat
ReplyDeleteanita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com
I like you on FB as Addison Kat #2
ReplyDeleteanita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com
my grandson would like the ELMO'S SPACE ADVENTURE BUILDING SET. He is a huge fan of elmos
ReplyDeletejmajor4870(at)aol(dot)com
My son would love GRAVE DIGGER® TRANSPORTER RIG BUILDING SET
ReplyDeleteozzykelley1 at yahoo dot com
The Monster Jam Micro Trucks would be apprediated at our house.
ReplyDeletegourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
1. I'm an email subscriber.
ReplyDeletegourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
2. I'm an email subscriber.
ReplyDeletegourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
I like Knex on FB as Traci Kelley
ReplyDeleteozzykelley1 at yahoo dot com
I wrote on Knex wall as Traci Kelley
ReplyDeleteozzykelley1 at yahoo dot com
I entered the Citizenpip giveaway.
ReplyDeletegourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
I entered the Play Doh Creations giveaway.
ReplyDeletegourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
I entered the Magneatos giveaway.
ReplyDeletegourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
I entered the $25 GiftZip Amazon GC giveaway.
ReplyDeletegourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
I entered the Wind & Weather Station giveaway.
ReplyDeletegourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
I entered the Halo Sleep Sack giveaway.
ReplyDeletegourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
I entered the Sock Gram giveaway.
ReplyDeletegourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
I follow you on twitter as TraciK66 and tweeted
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/TraciK66/status/25231874090
ozzykelley1{at}yahoo{dot}com
I entered the Spinning SeeSaw giveaway.
ReplyDeletegourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
#1 I am a follower via GFC
ReplyDeleteozzykelley1{at}yahoo{dot}com
I entered the Keurig Special Edition Brewer.
ReplyDeletegourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
#2 I am a follower via GFC
ReplyDeleteozzykelley1{at}yahoo{dot}com
My son would also like the 24 DUPONT PIT LANE BUILDING SET!
ReplyDeletemaryw1981 at yahoo dot com
#1 I am an email subscriber.
ReplyDeleteozzykelley1{at}yahoo{dot}com
#2 I am an email subscriber.
ReplyDeleteozzykelley1{at}yahoo{dot}com
I entered the Sport Brella giveaway
ReplyDeletemaryw1981 at yahoo dot com
I entered the Amazon gift card giveaway
ReplyDeletemaryw1981 at yahoo dot com
I follow you on twitter and tweeted
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/getinonthewins/status/25232384481
maryw1981 at yahoo dot com
#2
ReplyDeleteI follow you on GFC
maryw1981 at yahoo dot com
I subscribe to your emails
ReplyDeletemaryw1981 at yahoo dot com
I like the Lincoln Logs
ReplyDeleteI follow on google #1
ReplyDeleteI follow on google #2
ReplyDeleteIm an email subscriber at jagel888(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDelete#1
Im an email subscriber at jagel888(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDelete#2
Im a FB fan #1
ReplyDeleteIm a FB fan #2
ReplyDeleteI like the Sesame Street Collection
ReplyDeleteI like Knex on Facebook
ReplyDeleteI left message on Knex wall
ReplyDeleteI follow with a Feed
ReplyDeleteI subscribe via email
ReplyDeleteThe light up ferris wheel for sure!
ReplyDeleteLIked K'Nex on FB
ReplyDeletekathy persons
kathypersons@yahoo.com
Left message on their wall
ReplyDeletekathypersons@yahoo.com
http://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/25236255483
ReplyDeletekathypersons@yahoo.com
my son will go crazy with http://www.knex.com/building_toys/super_grover_building_set.php johannammartinez2010@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI like teh Big Ferris Wheel jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com
ReplyDeleteI follow via google friend connect #1 jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com
ReplyDeleteI subscribe via google reader #2 jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com
ReplyDeletewe'd love the ELMO'S COWBOY ADVENTURE BUILDING SET
ReplyDeletei entered the sport-brella giveaway
ReplyDeletei follow via email #1
ReplyDeletei follow via email #2
ReplyDeletei follow via google friends connect #1
ReplyDeletei follow via google friends connect #2
ReplyDeletei entered the Keurig Special Edition Brewer giveaway
ReplyDeletelike K'NEX on Facebook (johanna martinez2010@gmail.com
ReplyDeletewrote 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
ReplyDeleteenteres swintown giveaway johannammartinez2010@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is a Jeff Gordon fan so she would love K'nex NASCAR ® 24 DuPont / Pepsi Car Building Set
ReplyDeleteabfantom at yahoo dot com
entered keurig giveaway johannammartinez2010@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI follow via GFC: abfantom entry #1
ReplyDeleteabfantom at yahoo dot com
Love the HI-FLYERS 10 MODEL BUILDING SET; my nephew Tristan would go to town with that!
ReplyDeletety
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
Like Knex on fb
ReplyDeleteAnne Taylor or annectaylor1
ty
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
Commented on Knex fb wall
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/pages/KNEX/37841800170#!/pages/KNEX/37841800170?v=wall&story_fbid=10150281466510171&ref=mf
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
entered the Magic Cabin giveaway
ReplyDeletety
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
entered the Kodak EasyShare giveaway
ReplyDeletety
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
we like the Elmo's Sunny day Building set.
ReplyDeleteentered the HALO giveaway
ReplyDeletety
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
entered the Keurig giveaway
ReplyDeletety
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
entered the Amazon $25 giveaway
ReplyDeletety
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
Follow you on Twitter
ReplyDeletegreeeneyedwhwom
Tweet
http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/25242205099
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
I think my grandson would love Turbo from the micro-bot series
ReplyDeleteFollow via GFC
ReplyDeleteAnnie1
ty
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
2
ReplyDeleteFollow via GFC
Annie1
ty
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
google reader subscriber
ReplyDeletety
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
2
ReplyDeletegoogle reader subscriber
ty
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
Like you on fb
ReplyDeleteAnne Taylor or annectaylor1
ty
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
2
ReplyDeleteLike you on fb
Anne Taylor or annectaylor1
ty
nancyrobster at gmail dot com
The Elmo pet vet is adorable!!
ReplyDeleteKNEX facebook fan
ReplyDeleteKNEX facebook fan
ReplyDeletejessica tang
left comment on KNEX facebook wall
ReplyDeletejessica tang
tweet
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/hongdoufantuan/status/25242601365
followed you on GFC #1 - Jessica
ReplyDeletefollowed you on GFC #2 - Jessica
ReplyDeleteyour RSS feed subscriber on google reader #1 - Jessica
ReplyDeleteyour RSS feed subscriber on google reader #2 - Jessica
ReplyDeleteyour email subscriber #2
ReplyDeletejessicatang90@hotmail.com
your facebook fan #2
ReplyDeletejessica tang
entered your Keurig giveaway
ReplyDeleteentered your magic cabin giveaway
ReplyDeleteThe FURRY FRIENDS BUILDING SET looks cute!
ReplyDeleteTrudy
onlyjustine at yahoo dot com
I entered the Keurig giveaway.
ReplyDeleteTrudy
onlyjustine at yahoo dot com
The light up ferris wheel looks awesome!
ReplyDeletesims.whitney at gmail.com
I get your emails!
ReplyDeletesims.whitney at gmail.com
I get your emails
ReplyDeletesims.whitney at gmail.com
I entered your play doh giveaway
ReplyDeletesims.whitney at gmail.com
I entered your Chic Monkey giveaway
ReplyDeletesims.whitney at gmail.com
actually, this would be gifted to my little niece as a treat...and SHE would LOOOOOOVE the Elmo (or anything Sesame St related) set!
ReplyDeleteourfam@bellsout.net
I like K'nex on Fb
ReplyDeleteI left your message on the K'nex Fb wall....
ReplyDeleteI'm your fan on FB
ReplyDeleteentry 1
ourfam@bellsouth.net
I am a fan on FB
ReplyDeleteentry 2
ourfam@bellsouth.net
I get your emails
ReplyDeleteentry 1
ourfam@bellsouth.net
I get your emails
ReplyDeleteentry 2
ourfam@bellsouth.net
I follow on GFC
ReplyDeleteentry 1
ourfam@bellsouth.net
I follow on GFC
ReplyDeleteentry2
ourfam@bellsouth.net
I entered the Pear Tree giveaway
ReplyDeleteourfam@bellsouth.net
I entered the Kureig Coffee maker giveaway
ReplyDeleteourfam@bellsout.net
I like the lincoln logs rocky mountain ranch.
ReplyDeleteortizvelasquez at yahoo dot com
I'd like the Elmo's Treasure Hunt Adventure set.
ReplyDeletemearley1979 at gmail dot com
I like KNEX on FB
ReplyDeletemearley1979 at gmail dot com
commented on KNEX FB
ReplyDeletemearley1979 at gmail dot com
entered Pillsubry
ReplyDeletemearley1979 at gmail dot com
entered Gift Zip
ReplyDeletemearley1979 at gmail dot com
entered i play
ReplyDeletemearley1979 at gmail dot com
entered Guidecraft
ReplyDeletemearley1979 at gmail dot com
entered Jiffy Lube
ReplyDeletemearley1979 at gmail dot com
entered Play-doh
ReplyDeletemearley1979 at gmail dot com
entered Sock Grams
ReplyDeletemearley1979 at gmail dot com
GFC follower 2
ReplyDeletemearley1979 at gmail dot com