Fun in the Sun Finale: Little Tikes 2-in-1 Garden Cart & Wheelbarrow {Review & Giveaway}

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

When it comes to the outdoor toys that parents know for certain that their children will play with, chances are that Little Tikes will easily be one of the first names mentioned. There is just something about the high quality, durability, and innovation that can be depended on to withstand the weather as well as use over and over again.

From small, classic toys to large, unique, awe-striking ones, my family can easily be counted as big fans of Little Tikes. Without a doubt, they have the outdoor toys that are just right for an entire summer's worth of fun (and more)!

Found in playrooms, toy boxes, and backyards across the country, kids all over have enjoyed the fun and playtime that Little Tikes toys have been providing for more than 40 years. With a selection ranging from learning toys to kids' furniture to riding toys, I had no doubt that Little Tikes would once again get us up and active while having a great time playing.

And, when the 2-in-1 Garden Cart & Wheelbarrow arrived, I was clearly right in that assumption.

With the ability to be two toys in one, the 2-in-1 Garden Cart & Wheelbarrow can be quickly changed from one to the other with a simple removal or addition of the included items. With features like a removable fabric shade, real working water sprinkler, and a tray to carry the provided flower pots, the creative play will last for hours for novice or professional young gardeners alike.

Designed for ages 2 and up, right out of the box I had no doubt that the long list of accessories and accompaniments that come with this unique toy would provide my kids with hours of imaginative fun this summer.

Having had a small problem or two in the past with Little Tikes' manuals and assembly instructions, I was pleased to find that I had no issues in getting this cart easily constructed and ready for play. In less than 10 minutes, I was standing back to admire the colorful garden cart styling and all around cuteness that this toy includes.

As well as the main wheelbarrow and shade, the 2-in-1 Garden Cart & Wheelbarrow includes just enough fun extras to inspire young imaginations, yet the entire thing is clearly open-ended enough to allow creativity to take over.

Perfect for two children to share, I was happy to see that there were two garden hand tools, two pots, two plastic soil discs, and two plastic flowers that sit nicely on the removable blue tray. And, if those weren't enough, the portable water sprinkler (yes, it really works!) provides the additional laughter and giggling that is contagious out in the sun.

Measuring in at 24 x 14 x 24" and only weighing 10 pounds, this cart is a great size for kids and the fact that it can be utilized from both sides easily allows cooperative play... and twice the fun. Both Big Sister E and Little Sister B were thrilled to dive right in and start planting, cultivating, and gardening.

With plenty of room for both girls to play, they loved (and still do) to sit and plant their flowers over and over again. The way that the soil discs and the flowers can be removed and replaced makes them feel as though they really do have green thumbs and they continually get a kick out of seeing their mini garden grow.

When they're not using the gardening tools to show off their skills, the way that this cart converts to a wheelbarrow in less than a minute is a great way to get even more use out of an already-fun toy. Simply pop the fabric shade off of the top and remove the tray and tools...

...and you're left with a sturdy little wheelbarrow. Due to the light weight, it is easy for kids to move around, yet the strong wheels and high quality plastic mean that it really can be used for a little (or a lot) of transport.

My kids love pushing the wheelbarrow up and down our yard, stopping to collect sticks, leaves, or grass, and bringing it precisely to where they deem it needs to go. They've spent quite a bit of time taking turns doing this and I love that they have managed to work together so well in order to both have equal time with this toy.

When it comes time to clean up, it's no problem for the girls to quickly stick the accessories back into the cart and wheel it over onto our deck or into the garage. We've made sure to try to keep the fabric shade out of the rain, but otherwise the entire piece is perfectly fine being out in the elements and holding up to the weather.

With no batteries needed, the 2-in-1 Garden Cart & Wheelbarrow isn't going to have flashing lights or make noise. Instead, it is an example of Little Tikes once again creating a cute and fun product that kids of various ages can use and delight in all summer long.

Whether you are an avid gardener and have a child who will have fun imitating or you just want to help encourage a young imagination enjoy nature, this cart fits right in with Little Tikes' line of products that parents know and trust and that kids enjoy and love.

Retailing for $39.99, this would make a great gift that is sure to bring excitement to the yard as well as pretend play, cooperation, and fun. And, thanks to the generosity of Little Tikes, one person will be able to surprise their little gardener(s) as well, because...

One lucky person will win a 2-in-1 Garden Cart & Wheelbarrow
from Little Tikes!

To enter to win: Visit Little Tikes and tell me which other of their amazing toys you 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 if you head over to A Mom's Balancing Act and enter to win a Cozy Truck from Little Tikes!
1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Little Tikes on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the Fun in the Sun giveaways (Fun in the Sun giveaways ONLY) 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!

Fun in the Sun: WIN a Little Tikes 2-in-1 Garden Cart & Wheelbarrow for outdoor fun! http://bit.ly/lF9Akh #thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me 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 have our Fun in the Sun 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 this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on July 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 U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to Little Tikes for providing a 2-in-1 Garden Cart & Wheelbarrow 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.