Thursday, July 14, 2011

Anamalz Eco-Friendly Wooden Animals {Review & Giveaway}

anamalz logo{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Jenine!}

My kids love animals of all kinds. Big ones, small ones, cute, fuzzy ones, creepy, crawly ones... they are constantly pointing them out when we see them outside, in books, on television, and more. Whether it is something sweet like a puppy walking down the street or not-so-sweet like a snake crawling up your arm...

pet snake...they just seem to happily love them all. Shudder.

So when it comes to toys, my girls have had a wide variety of endless adventures pretending to ride animals, own animals, be animals, and more. Their new favorite animals, though? The kind that are eco-friendly, unique, able to be posed, and are altogether fun: anamalz.

anamalzDesigned in Australia, anamalz are a collection of award-winning, handcrafted wooden toys made from sustainable maple wood and textile products, giving them the ability to be bent into a variety of poses. Make them look up, make them look down or twist them into your own position - kids are engaged with them immediately!

Knowing that Big Sister E and Little Sister B were going to be excited to check out these eco-friendly figurines, when a Triceratops, Crocodile, Moose, Orange Tree, and Playmat arrived, it was all that I could do to not want to simply admire the cuteness of them and display them on a shelf.

Considering that the only thing these toys require is creativity, all that we needed to do was lay out the playmat to be ready to jump into the anamalz imaginary land.

Measuring approximately 32 x 24.5", the all-new Playmat is the perfect backdrop for the anamalz to have a place to roam and play. The plush, extremely soft green pasture takes up the majority of the space, while a river separates it from the dirt field in the distance. With multiple padded rocks to cross over the water and three push-along wooden fish that swim through, the simplicity of the playmat is what makes it just right for nearly any adventure.

It didn't take long at all for Big Sister E and Little Sister B to position the soft orange tree in place, bring the inhabitants in... and become completely entertained by them.

As cute and modern as the anamalz were to look at, once the girls had possession of them, they were pretty much irresistible. The combination of the smooth wood and the soft fabric and the bendable body parts allows them to be moved and posed into any number of ways and it only adds to the amount of fun that kids can invent.

It seemed that each time the girls realized that they could pose the anamalz in different ways, it was as though the stories just kept coming. They went for long walks...

...often met with friends...

...stopped to take plenty of drinks of water from the river and eat delicious oranges from the tree...

...and, when they were tired, the anamalz knew that it was time to lay down for a little rest.

As the kids traded the anamalz back and forth, I couldn't help but notice how much more they seemed to be enjoying them than traditional, static figures. The wood/fabric design stands out and each hand-painted (with child-friendly water-based paint) face is so endearing and sweet. How could they not feel as though these were more than just a toy, but were in fact new friends?

The addition of the playmat and the orange tree were just what was needed, as the bright orange fruit was included in many of the anamalz adventures and the playmat tied it all together. The girls loved helping the fish swim under the iridescent water...

...and, even better, at the end of our play sessions, the playmat easily turns inside out and becomes a handy bag for storage. Just reach into the opening at the end...

...and tuck the fabric into itself. Then store your anamalz and accessories right along inside and you're ready for travel or just to put these characters away until next time.

Design, quality, entertainment, and function? I love it!

There are four lines of anamalz (Prehistoric, Wild, Farm, and Australian) that retail between $8.95 and $12.95 each, three types of trees (Orange, Apple, and Wild) that have a price tag of $16.95, and the new Playmat that retails for $39.95, so you're able to pick and choose your favorite anamalz pieces for your collection.

Designed for children ages 3 and up (although at 2, Little Sister B has been perfectly fine with them), anamalz can be found online (Amazon has some great deals) and in stores at specialty shops, Barnes & Noble, and more across the United States and around the world.

As an added bonus, an anamalz purchase gives children access to the online experience on the company's website - allowing them to animate their pal, download wallpaper, play games, find tips on improving the environment, and more. What a great way to extend the play that these creatures already provide!

For a unique item that children (and adults) are sure to enjoy, anamalz don't require batteries or make noise or flash lights. Instead, their eco-friendly, simple attractiveness takes the classic wooden toy and gives it a fresh, modern twist. It seems as though each time we have taken these out, they spark a new, imaginative tale and we have had a blast over and over again!

And, thanks to the generosity of anamalz, one person will be able to bring home new friends for the child in their life as well, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of any three anamalz!

To enter to win: Visit anamalz and tell me which adorable animal(s) you would most like to welcome into your home.

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 anamalz on Facebook.
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!

I want to WIN my choice of 3 Anamalz, the eco-friendly wooden animals kids LOVE! http://bit.ly/qE1NCD @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, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
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 this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on August 4th 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 anamalz for providing a playmat, orange tree, and three anamalz for me to review as well as three anamalz of choice 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.

381 comments:

  1. I love the panda :)
    tanyainjville at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. #2 i follow via gfc
    tanyainjville at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. i follow you on facebook (Tanya Riley)
    tanyainjville at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. i follow you on facebook (Tanya Riley)
    tanyainjville at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I like the monkey one.

    careym13 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like you on facebook #1

    careym13 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like you on facebook #2

    careym13 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I entered your bounty giveaway

    careym13 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I entered your Melissa & Doug giveaway

    careym13 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I entered your dream playhouse giveaway

    careym13 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I entered your little tikes giveaway

    careym13 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. i entered your walmart giveaway

    careym13 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I entered your children's place giveaway

    careym13 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I entered your edys giveaway

    careym13 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I entered your swimways giveaway.

    careym13 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. i would love to get the giraffe because my daughter seems to love them!
    itsmecristin1225@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. i like anamalz on fb
    itsmecristin1225@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love the lion!
    alwaysneedhim4evr@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I like anamalz on fb.
    alwaysneedhim4evr@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. We love to welcome the Llama, Elephant, and Moose into our home!

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Entered A Parent Company giveaway
    alwaysneedhim4evr@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I've liked Anamalz on FB as Jenine Herrell.

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Entered Edy's giveaway
    alwaysneedhim4evr@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. i follow via gfc
    itsmecristin1225@gmail.com
    entry 1

    ReplyDelete
  25. i follow via gfc
    itsmecristin1225@gmail.com
    entry 2

    ReplyDelete
  26. i subscribe via google rss
    itsmecristin1225@gmail.com
    entry 1

    ReplyDelete
  27. i subscribe via google rss
    itsmecristin1225@gmail.com
    entry 2

    ReplyDelete
  28. i subscribe via email
    itsmecristin1225@gmail.com
    entry 1

    ReplyDelete
  29. i subscribe via email
    itsmecristin1225@gmail.com
    entry 2

    ReplyDelete
  30. following on twitter-@GiadasMama
    7/14 tweet-http://twitter.com/#!/GiadasMama/status/91556214722404352

    ReplyDelete
  31. I follow you on Twitter and tweeted.

    http://twitter.com/#!/feralmoon/status/91556821474607104

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. We love the monkey!

    williamsmel88@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I follow with GFC as Jenine.

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    Entry #1

    ReplyDelete
  34. I follow with GFC as Jenine.

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    Entry #2

    ReplyDelete
  35. I follow your feed.

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    Entry #1

    ReplyDelete
  36. I follow your feed.

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    Entry #2

    ReplyDelete
  37. I'm an email subscriber.

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    Entry #1

    ReplyDelete
  38. I'm an email subscriber.

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    Entry #2

    ReplyDelete
  39. I'm your fan on FB (Jenine Herrell).

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    Entry #1

    ReplyDelete
  40. I'm your fan on FB (Jenine Herrell).

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    Entry #2

    ReplyDelete
  41. I have your button on my blog here.

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    Entry #1

    ReplyDelete
  42. I have your button on my blog here.

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    Entry #2

    ReplyDelete
  43. I have your button on my blog here.

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    Entry #3

    ReplyDelete
  44. i like the wild animal set


    amhengstATverizonDOTnet

    ReplyDelete
  45. I like anamalz on facebook and left a comment

    amhengst

    ReplyDelete
  46. I follow by email


    amhengst@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  47. I subscribe by email



    amhengstATverizonDOTnet

    ReplyDelete
  48. I entered the bounty giveaway



    amhengstATverizonDOTnet

    ReplyDelete
  49. I entered Sun #21 giveaway to


    amhengstATverizonDOTnet

    ReplyDelete
  50. I entered the fun in the sun giveaway


    amhengstATverizonDOTnet

    ReplyDelete
  51. i entered the chex mix buddy mix giveaway


    amhengstATverizonDOTnet

    ReplyDelete
  52. Entered SwimWays giveaway
    alwaysneedhim4evr@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. Those are sooo darn cute! I'm visiting from the Thursday blog hop and I'm your newest follower. I'd love it if you followed me back at http://organicplanet.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  54. Giraffe, Elephant and Cow

    stonemedic76@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. GFC Follower #2
    stonemedic76@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I would like to welcome the giraffe, monkey and the elefant into our home.
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  57. 1. email subscriber
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  58. 2. email subscriber
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  59. entered Melissa & doug Sand Toys g/a
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  60. entered Prime Time Toys Dartstorm
    g/a
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  61. entered Little Tikes g/a
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  62. entered WhoNu Cookies g/a
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  63. entered JennLinn g/a
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  64. entered Clean It Supply g/a
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  65. entered the Childrens Place Camo Towel Bag g/a
    gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  66. love the panda. email subscriber walk9@att.net

    ReplyDelete
  67. I’m entered to win the Go-Go Babyz giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  68. I’m entered to win the Batteries/$10 Gas Card giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  69. I’m entered to win the Little Little Black Dress Shop giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  70. I’m entered to win the $25 Wal-Mart GC and WhoNu Cookies giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  71. I’m entered to win the Go Anywhere Booster Seat giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  72. I tweeted about this giveaway!

    http://twitter.com/#!/micahpe/status/91625625063927808

    ReplyDelete
  73. the prehistoric ones - especially the stegosaurus.
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  74. Like anamalz on Facebook. (sus)
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  75. gfc follower (sl)
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  76. gfc follower 2 (sl)
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  77. email subscriber
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  78. email subscriber2
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  79. like you on fb (sus)
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  80. like you on fb (sus)2
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  81. button on my blog #2
    http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  82. If I won I would choose the Llama if I had the choice.
    rebekahmercier@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  83. LIke anamalz on Facebook.
    rebekahandnick

    ReplyDelete
  84. Follow you on Facebook. Entry #1
    rebekahandnick

    ReplyDelete
  85. Follow you on Facebook. Entry #2
    rebekahandnick

    ReplyDelete
  86. Follow you on Twitter.
    @rebekahmercier

    ReplyDelete
  87. Follow you via Google Reader entry #1.
    rebekahmercier@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  88. Follow you via Google Reader entry #2.
    rebekahmercier@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  89. Follow you via email. entry #1
    rebekahmercier@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  90. Follow you via email. entry #2
    rebekahmercier@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  91. Follow you on Twitter
    @rebekahmercier
    and tweeted.
    http://twitter.com/#!/Rebekahmercier/status/91712493021429760
    posted that I follow you on twitter but forgot to put that I tweeted with it.

    ReplyDelete
  92. Any! But I really love the sheep
    alklong at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  93. I like Anamalz on Facebook
    alklong at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  94. gfc follower #1
    alklong at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  95. gfc follower #2
    alklong at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  96. Email subscriber #1
    alklong at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  97. email subscriber #2
    alklong at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  98. facebook fan #1
    alklong at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  99. facebook fan #2
    alklong at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  100. My kids would love the prehistoric anamalz

    ReplyDelete
  101. Follow TMC on Twitter @manthas24 and tweeted http://twitter.com/manthas24/status/91888137139273730

    ReplyDelete
  102. 2 Follow TMC with GFC – manthas24

    ReplyDelete
  103. 2 Like TMC on FB – user id manthas24

    ReplyDelete
  104. I entered for the Walmart GC & WhoNU

    ReplyDelete
  105. I entered for the Little Tikes Garden Cart

    ReplyDelete
  106. I entered for the Prime Time Toys

    ReplyDelete
  107. I entered for the choice of $25 worth of Melissa & Doug sand toys

    ReplyDelete
  108. i like the bear.
    knockedupandnursing at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  109. i like anamalz in fb
    sarah brown
    knockedupandnursing at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  110. i follow you on twitter and tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/#!/knockedupnursin/status/91900673456746496
    knockedupandnursing at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  111. blog follower via gfc #1
    sarah brown
    knockedupandnursing at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  112. blog follower via gfc #2
    sarah brown
    knockedupandnursing at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  113. i get your emails #1 as sarah.robot
    knockedupandnursing at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  114. i get your emails #2 as sarah.robot
    knockedupandnursing at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  115. fb fan #!
    sarah brown
    knockedupandnursing at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  116. fb fan #2
    sarah brown
    knockedupandnursing at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  117. i entered the little tykes giveaway.
    knockedupandnursing at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  118. Retweeted today.

    http://twitter.com/#!/feralmoon/status/91918293975318528

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  119. I love them all! I guess I would choose the cow, the horse, and the pig. Since we live on a farm. The grandkids will know these animals.
    theblackat at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  120. I like Anamalz on Facebook. ('Crismon' Philips)
    theblackat at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  121. I follow you on Twitter and Tweeted.
    https://twitter.com/#!/klcmaher/status/92299135671222272
    theblackat at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  122. I follow you on GFC. klcmaher
    theblackat at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  123. I follow you on GFC. klcmaher
    theblackat at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  124. I follow you on GFC. klcmaher #2
    theblackat at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  125. I subscribe via email. #2
    theblackat at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  126. I like the T-Rex!

    slbastin at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  127. I like the pig
    lexigurl_17 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  128. I like on FB: Alexandra Herring

    ReplyDelete
  129. I follow via gfc

    ReplyDelete
  130. I follow via gfc 2
    lexigurl_17 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  131. I follow on FB: Alexandra Herring

    ReplyDelete
  132. I follow on FB 2 : Alexandra Herring

    ReplyDelete
  133. I subscribe via email
    lexigurl_17 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  134. I subscribe via email 2
    lexigurl_17 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  135. ADORE the Panda :)

    Karen Gonyea
    ktgonyea at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  136. FB Fan 1

    Karen Gonyea
    ktgonyea at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  137. FB Fan 2

    Karen Gonyea
    ktgonyea at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  138. GFC 2

    Karen Gonyea
    ktgonyea at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  139. RT 7/17/11

    http://twitter.com/#!/feralmoon/status/92750188233498625

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  140. Toothy peg would be cute! Or cow...the lion (king of the jungle) or rhino...Fun!

    ReplyDelete
  141. button on blog hihorosie.blogspot.com -1

    ReplyDelete
  142. button on blog hihorosie.blogspot.com -2

    ReplyDelete
  143. button on blog hihorosie.blogspot.com -3

    ReplyDelete
  144. the rhino the hippo and the giraffe :)

    ReplyDelete
  145. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/skpowers3/status/92974350344531968

    ReplyDelete
  146. button 1
    http://www.contestsandmore.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  147. Retweeted 7/18/11

    http://twitter.com/#!/feralmoon/status/93007904118026240

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  148. My daughter would love the stegosaurus, t-rex, and triceratops!

    Allibird1 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  149. I like animalz on fb (Allison Lewis.)

    Allibird1 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  150. I like you on fb (Allison Lewis.)#1

    Allibird1 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  151. I like you on fb (Allison Lewis.)#2

    Allibird1 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  152. Email subscriber. #1

    Allibird1 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  153. Email subscriber. #2

    Allibird1 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  154. Follow you via GFC. #1

    Allibird1 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  155. Follow you via GFC. #2

    Allibird1 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  156. I subscribe to your RSS feed. #1

    Allibird1 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  157. I subscribe to your RSS feed. #2

    Allibird1 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  158. I blogged about your giveaway here.

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    Entry #1

    ReplyDelete
  159. I blogged about your giveaway here.

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    Entry #2

    ReplyDelete
  160. I blogged about your giveaway here.

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    Entry #3

    ReplyDelete
  161. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  162. I have you on my blogroll page here.

    feralmoon at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  163. I'd love the kangaroo or the emu
    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  164. like anamalz on fb
    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  165. entered who nu
    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete