Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Guidecraft 3-D Feel & Find World Icons {Review & Giveaway}

Guidecraft Moms{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Lisa M!}

Oftentimes one of my daughters will be talking (nonstop, most likely) and I find myself getting a little bit entranced by their eyes.

There is something about the wonder and curiosity of children that comes through in the twinkle in their eyes and the excitement over the picture that they've found in a book or the bug they see crawling on the window.

For me, it has always been important to encourage that inquisitiveness and imagination, whether through a walk in nature, singing a song, playing with a sensory toy, and more. And I can't think of a company that has made that more possible than the one and only Guidecraft and, most recently, their 3-D Feel & Find World Icons.

sensory toyContaining 20 different shapes with matching tiles, the concept of this wooden toy is simple yet fun: match the tiles to the symbols. Whether for individual or group play, children reach into the bag (or, in our case, dump them all out into a pile) and find the multi-colored shape that matches the cutout on the tile.

Just from seeing the bright pictures on the box, Little Sister B was clamoring for a chance to try out the Feel & Find World Icons for herself. Although the recommended age is 3 and up, I knew that at 2½ she would have no problem manipulating the chunky pieces.

wooden toyMade from eco-friendly rubberwood and stained with low VOC aniline dyes, the mix of colors caught our eye right away and Little Sister B seemed almost mesmerized as she looked at them.

Guidecraft toyAs we began to talk about the easily recognizable icons (based on symbols found in cultures throughout the world) and how to find pieces with the same colors, she instantly went to work finding the tiles to match with the hippo, car, sun, apple, fish, rabbit, leaf, bird and more.

matching toyAs more and more matches were made, Little Sister B got increasingly faster as well as more excited about her accomplishments. I loved seeing her succeed at pointing out which color was which and figuring out if the piece needed to be turned over or rotated to fit into the indented space on the tile.

fine motor skillsAfter putting the final piece in place, we were both pretty happy about her feat!

winningWe have since played with the Feel & Find World Icons after that initial afternoon and they have proven to continue to entertain and educate both of my girls.

Little Sister B has improved on her time for matching up all of the shapes with the coordinating tiles and Big Sister E has gotten in on the fun in a variety of ways. Working individually or together, we have stacked the pieces into a tower and then stacked them again while talking about patterns...

teaching patterns...we have sorted the icons by color and then sorted them again into piles with categories like Animals or Outdoors...

sorting by colorWhat initially struck me as a very simple toy proved to be much more! Just by pulling out this canvas bag and loosening the drawstring (I love that Guidecraft has made it so easy to store these tiles!) it has led to discussions about colors, size, differences and similarities, shape, the world and more and has encouraged practice, fine-motor skills, imagination, critical thinking and more!

Yet again Guidecraft has managed to take something classic and give it a twist to make their 3-D Feel & Find World Icons into something unique and entertaining. Each time that we have taken these out, my kids have been excited to put their creativity to work... and do some learning at the same time!

Plus, as I know that everything Guidecraft creates is safe and made of only the highest quality, this is an item that could be given as gifts for either boys or girls and last for years to come. Available directly from Guidecraft for $30 each (also found on Amazon for a little less) the Feel & Find World Icons are a classic sensory toy with a modern, fun twist.

And, thanks to the generosity of Guidecraft, one person will get to enjoy this great toy as well, because...

One lucky person will win 3-D Feel & Find World Icons from Guidecraft!

Guidecraft giveawayTo enter to win: Visit Guidecraft and tell me another of their amazing products that you love.

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 (per method) if you follow Guidecraft on Twitter, subscribe to the RSS feed of the Guidecraft blog and/or Like them 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!

WIN Guidecraft's Feel & Find World Icons (ARV $30) - great wooden toy for all ages! http://bit.ly/n4PCh7 @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

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, become a fan on Facebook and/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 September 7th 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 Guidecraft for providing 3-D Feel & Find World Icons for me to review as part of my participation as a Guidecraft Mom and 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.

1023 comments:

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Unknown said...

Email Subscriber #2
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

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

Unknown said...

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

Kim said...

I love that art cart. It would be great not just for an art station, but for writing, puzzles, other activities.

Kristi said...

Oh, wow - Guidecraft has some amazing things! I am completely in love with the play lofts! My kids would love to play on those!

Thank you for hosting such a great giveaway!

Kristi said...

I have "liked" Guidecraft on facebook! Thanks for the extra chance to win!

Lisa said...

I love their rainbow blocks!
schroepfer 7 (at) gmail (dot)com

Lori said...

I like the Animal Train Sort and Match from GuideCraft, but the question is... what product don't we like... we like them all

Lori said...

I follow GuideCraft on Twitter

Lori said...

I "like" GuideCraft on FaceBook

Lori said...

I followed you on Twitter and tweeted about the giveaway!

Genevieve V. said...

We have a couple of the guidecraft educational toys and would love to add this sensory toy to our homeschool shelves. I think our 2 and 4 year old would have a blast stacking and knocking the pieces down. Our 2 year old really enjoys playing with the sorting animal train. Thanks for the chance to win.

chickn.hawk7@yahoo.com

Lori said...

I subscribed to thanksmailcarrier via email

Lori said...

I am a fan of yours on FB

Anonymous said...

Shaunna: I love the magneatos...definitely NEAT!

Craig Chartier said...

I love the memory cap game!

Abbey said...

We would love the Magneatos.
thendrichards@hotmail.com

Jessica said...

Kids and I would love the Deluxe Art Center. We are learning a lot about art this year in our homeschooling curriculum!

Harvey said...

I love the sensory stepping stones!

Harvey said...

I like Guidecraft on fb.

Cheri said...

I like the fraction cups.

JenniferT said...

There are so many great items to choose from, but the balance board with marble maze base is terrific. Would love to win this game for my little guy, thanks for offering it!

JenniferT said...

I like Guidecraft on fb.

Brenbren said...

I really Love the market Loft. That is like a kids dream come true!

Brenbren said...

I follow you on google reader!

Anonymous said...

The Magneatos look like fun!

cherisek23@gmail.com

Krista said...

I like the victorian dollhouse by guidecraft

Krista said...

I follow Guidecraft on FB

Brenbren said...

I added your button to my blog. You can find it at http://therapeuticcrafting.blogspot.com/2011/01/link-parties.html

Brenbren said...

I blogged about the give away at http://therapeuticcrafting.blogspot.com/2011/08/lighting.html
(it's at the end of post)

Unknown said...

We would love the rainbow blocks

Unknown said...

I "liked" Guidecraft on facebook

Jamie said...

I think our boy would enjoy the Construction Truck Sort & Match.
(mrs_eaton@nwcorner.net)

orangefukurou said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/orangefukurou/status/106737943200280576
tomokofive at gmail dot com

apple blossom said...

Their storage units with doors and shelves are nice.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

I follow you on google friend connect comment 1

Unknown said...

I follow you on google friend connect 2

apple blossom said...

email subscriber
entry #1

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

apple blossom said...

email subscriber
entry #2

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

apple blossom said...

gfc follower
entry #1

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

apple blossom said...

RSS feed subscriber
entry #1

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

I subscribe to email thanks, mail carrier comment 1

apple blossom said...

RSS feed subscriber
entry #2

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

I subscribe to email thanks, mail carrier comment 2

Erin said...

I love the water blocks!

Erin said...

I like Guidecraft on FB

Heidi said...

I tweeted about the giveaway.
millerfordfammily@frontier.com

Kristina said...

I really like the Balance Beam. amace@cox.net

crystletellerday said...

little farmhouse rocking chair crystletellerday@yahoo.com

Christi said...

The furniture is awesome - esp the storage!

Christi said...

Following Guidecraft on Twitter

cc at craftymommy dot com

Christi said...

Liked guidecraft on fb

cc at craftymommy dot com

Aliclau said...

I really, really like their Deluxe Art Center! My kiddos would so enjoy that!
aliclau02 yahoo com

Christi said...

Tweeted!!

http://twitter.com/#!/ChristiColvin/status/106740863455072257

Jenna Millsap said...

I think my daughter would like the sand table. Looks like fun.

psagecreations@aol.com

Christi said...

Following on GFC

cc at craftymommy dot com

Christi said...

Following on GFC

cc at craftymommy dot com

Aliclau said...

I follow Guidecraft on Twitter
aliclau02 yahoo com

Jenna Millsap said...

I just liked guidecraft on facebook.

psagecreations@aol.com

Savor The Days said...

My kids would love to play with Magneatos!
kim(at)kimberlychance(dot)com

Aliclau said...

I subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email (1). Thank you!
aliclau02 yahoo com

Aliclau said...

I subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email (2). Thank you! aliclau02 yahoo com

Anonymous said...

I think the food tray puzzles would be just right for my granddaughter who is just turning 2.

Savor The Days said...

I follow Guidecraft on Twitter
kim(at)kimberlychance(dot)com

Savor The Days said...

I like Guidecraft on FB
kim(at)kimberlychance(dot)com

Savor The Days said...

I subscribe to Thanks Mail Carrier by email, entry #1
kim(at)kimberlychance(dot)com

Savor The Days said...

I subscribe to Thanks Mail Carrier by email, entry #2
kim(at)kimberlychance(dot)com

Jenna Millsap said...

Just subscribed to your email.

psagecreations@aol.com

Jenny said...

My kids would love the balance base!

sunflowereyes157(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jenny said...

I liked you on facebook!

sunflowereyes157(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jenny said...

I liked Guidecraft on fb!

sunflowereyes157(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kristina said...

I entered the Tea Collection giveaway. Thanks. amace@cox.net

Sarah Wilson said...

I would love to have the Guidecrafy Kitchen Helper for my four year old daighter who loves to help me in the kitchen.

Caterina said...

I like the Fraction Cups and Rainbow Blocks.
Thanks so much,
Caterina

Sarah Wilson said...

I followed Guidecraft on Twitter.

Sarah Wilson said...

I "liked" Guidecraft on Facebook.

Caterina said...

I subscribe via email (1).
Thanks again,
Caterina

Caterina said...

I subscribe via email (2).
Thanks again,
Caterina

Sarah Wilson said...

I followed Thanks, Mail Carrier on Twitter and tweeted about this giveaway.

Sarah Wilson said...

I followed you via Google Friend Connect.

Sarah Wilson said...

I followed you using Google Friend Connect.

Sarah Wilson said...

I subscribed to your RSS feed.

Sarah Wilson said...

I subscribed to your RSS feed.

Sarah Wilson said...

I subscribed via e-mail.

Sarah Wilson said...

I subscribed via e-mail.

Sarah Wilson said...

I "liked" you on Facebook.

Sarah Wilson said...

I "liked" you on Facebook.

Sarah Wilson said...

I added you to my blog roll (www.Hearts-and-Home1st.blogspot.com)

Sarah Wilson said...

I added you to my blog roll (www.Hearts-and-Home1st.blogspot.com)

melissa martinez said...

Love the table top blocks.
browneyz01@msn.com

Anonymous said...

I think its a tie between Magneatos and the Construct It Early Builder set.

tdrost said...

I love the Magneatos and the Fraction Action Board.
tdrost@bresnan.net

pink and green mama MaryLea said...

My girls and I would have a great time with the little plywood pieces - we could have some serious art project fun with them!

fondly,
pink and green mama
MaryLea

Kristen said...

I love Guidecraft! My favorite is still the fraction puzzle. Thanks! rockit.fuel at gmail

Unknown said...

I would love to win this however I also like Magneatos they have!! kevinkaylaarrowood123 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I follow Guidecraft on twitter(thearrowoodzoo) kevinkaylaarrowood123 at yahoo dot com

My Barefoot Angel said...

Love the Deluxe Art Center though it's a bit pricey!

mybarefootangel (at) gmail (dot) com

Paula Cris said...

love the deluxe art center.... :)

Paula Cris said...

following guidecraft on twitter...

Paula Cris said...

following you and tweeted about this!

sharalyns said...

I adore the deluxe art center and the all in one kitchen. Now to get hubby on board.... :-)

Andrea said...

I love the Animal Train Sort & Match. Very cool!

Andrea said...

I am liking Guidebook on FB.

Andrea said...

I'm liking you on FB!

Andrea said...

I'm a FB fan!

Andrea said...

I subscribe to your blog via email.

Andrea said...

I'm a subscriber to your blog! Thanks!

Valerie Thorp said...

My two young sons would love the fun and learning activities they can do with Magneatos!
valeriethorp@yahoo.com

Briggsy said...

I love the Fraction Cups.

Sandi said...

I love their fraction cups. Want to get some when I start to teach fractions.

Sandi said...

I liked Guidecraft on FB.

Keely said...

Hi, I'd love to win these. I also like their bead and water blocks.
I tried to follow your site with fb, but I'm not sure if it worked?

jennifer McAllister said...

My boy love almmost everything they see!


jennmcalli@att.net

Trina said...

Looks like some great fun to be had with these.

k balman said...

My kids would enjoy the Magneatos

Unknown said...

Love the sturdy construction of these products!! the colors and images remind me of my childhood.

Lisa C. said...

I love the Magneatos- they look cool!

Kerri said...

I love their kitchen helper. My two year old loves to help me in the kitchen but I'm always afraid she is going to fall.

Kerri said...

subscribed via bloglines

Kerri said...

Liked on facebook

gladiatormom said...

The construct it sets would be used in our home!!

Lorie said...

I like the flower match garden patch. Thanks for the chance to win.

Martha said...

I absolutely love their Butterfly collection...so very cute for a little girls room. If I had to pick one of those pieces it would be the table and chairs set. I know my two little girls would love it!

Martha said...

I "like" Guidecraft on FB.

Fierce Love said...

Deluxe Art Center is amazing!!

The Bess Family said...

Follow on Twitter as marcellabess

Mrs. Pear said...

We have their display book case and it is awesome. But I am drooling over their art storage cart because it would solve so many problems with storage and my girls are drooling over their kitchens!

Mrs.Pear (at) comcast (dot) net

Christina said...

I think my daughter would LOVE the Hide-away Playtime Kitchen, because it has great colors and lots of things to play with. She would be thrilled making us all plastic gourmet food! Thanks for the chance to get a fun gift!

Anonymous said...

I think my son would love the magneatos!

ellyonbell@yahoo.com

Christi B said...

I LOVE the "See and Store Dress Up Center"... would be perfect for all the little girl dress up stuff around here!

Anonymous said...

I followed @guidecraft on twitter

ellyonbell@yahoo.com

@ellyonbell

Christi B said...

I follow on GuideCraft on Twitter (@scrapcatb)

Christi B said...

I subscribe to the RSS feed on the GuideCraft blog

Anonymous said...

I'm an FB fan of Thanks Mail Carrier too!

ellyonbell@yahoo.com

Christi B said...

I "like" GuideCraft on FB (@scrapcatb)

Anonymous said...

laura4him@bellsouth.net
I like the magneatos

Anonymous said...

laura4him@bellsouth.net
I follow via gfc-1

Anonymous said...

laura4him@bellsouth.net
I follow via gfc-2

Anonymous said...

My little guys would love their Construct-It kits. They would also love the Feel-and-Find! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Whoops! I am the Anonymous comment from above about the Construct-It kits! I also liked them on Facebook.

Lauren
couponsaver23@yahoo.com

Marshan said...

Definitely the Magneatos!!!

Christine said...

I love their Kitchen Helper chair!!!!

christinemitchell03 at gmail dot com

Christine said...

I follow Guidecraft on Twitter
Chriscream26

christinemitchell03 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

My two kiddos (and I!) would LOVE these! I've also seen the blocks on Guidecraft - sand, crystal, water - and those look very cool.

Christine said...

I subscribe to their entries and comments rss feed

christinemitchell03 at gmail dot com

Laura said...

I think the CONSTRUCT-IT EARLY BUILDER would be great fine motor skill development for my boys.

Christine said...

I like Guidecraft on Facebook

christine mitchell

christinemitchell03 at gmail dot com

Christine said...

I follow you on Twitter
chriscream26

christinemitchell03 at gmail dot com

Christine said...

Facebook fan entry 1
christine mitchell

christinemitchell03 at gmail dot com

Christine said...

facebook fan entry 2
christine mitchell
christinemitchell03 at gmail dot com

Christine said...

email subscriber entry 1

christinemitchell03 at gmail dot com

Christine said...

email subscriber entry 2
christine mitchell

christinemitchell03 at gmail dot com

Christine said...

rss feed subscriber (via google reader)
entry 1
christinemitchell03 at gmail dot com

Christine said...

rss feed via google reader
entry 2

christinemitchell03 at gmail dot com

Chrissy said...

love magneatos

April said...

I love their magneatos!

Craig and Julie said...

Wow! This is a great site! There are too many great products to choose one-but I like the Construction set or the Kitchen Helper Step ladder.

Angela said...

We Love the Magneatos!!
Micklefive@gmail.com
Angela

Tara said...

I really like teir nesting cubes and clinders! But I would LOVE to win these puzzles!!!

Tara said...

I subscribe to Guidecraft RSS feed.

Tara said...

I "like" Guidecraft of FB

Anonymous said...

I like the Kitchen Helper!
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Tara said...

I "like" you on FB (1 of 2)

Tara said...

I "like" you on FB (2 of 2)

Tara said...

I follow you Google Friend connect(1 of 2)

cheryl said...

These are so neat! I know I won't have much of a chance with one comment, but I'm going to try my luck. :o)

Tara said...

I follow you goggle friend connect(2 of 2)

Anonymous said...

I love the Magneatos.

kbalza513@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I like GC on FB.

kbalza513@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I follow you via email.

1of2

kbalza513@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I follow you via email.

2of2.

kbalza513@yahoo.com

mommachi said...

My son would love the magneatos and I think I would too ;)
thesanderson5@verizon.net

mommachi said...

I LIKE Guidecraft on Facebook.
thesanderson5@verizon.net

mommachi said...

I LIKE Thanks, Mail carrier on Facebook.
thesanderson5@verizon.net

mommachi said...

I LIKE Thanks, Mail carrier on Facebook.
thesanderson5@verizon.net

Jennifer said...

What's not to love about Guidecraft's products. They are great. I am drawn to the geometric counting cylinders. Like these blocks featured here, I think there are so many things I could do with them.

Tracey said...

My son would love the Magneatos

johnson1032 at netzero dot com

Jane said...

The Magneatos look great for my toddler!

Jane said...

I entered the Ultimate Green Store giveaway!

Lisa M. (aka. Lisa @ Farm Fresh) said...

Oh I love their blocks! My son would love the city blocks!

Jane said...

I entered the Tea Collection giveaway.

Lisa M. (aka. Lisa @ Farm Fresh) said...

I'm now a Google Friend Connect follower!

Lisa M. (aka. Lisa @ Farm Fresh) said...

Following you on Facebook!

Lisa M. (aka. Lisa @ Farm Fresh) said...

following Guidecraft on Facebook!

Wendy said...

My boys would LOVE their construction sets, but as a math teacher, I love the fraction cups.

tiffanyjohnson74 said...

I really like the ring counter. I have a Daughter that is begining Kindergarten and a 3 year old that would really enjoy playing with it.

tiffanyjohnson74 said...

I like guidecraft on FB

tiffanyjohnson74 said...

I like you on FB.

Josh and Melissa said...

My Daughter would love this!

Tami said...

I would love to get their magneatos!
tamihuberty at gmail dot com

Tami said...

I follow Guidecraft on twitter
tamihuberty at gmail dot com

Tami said...

I like Guidecraft on FB
tamihuberty at gmail dot com

Tami said...

I follow you on twitter and tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/hlthhngpshppnss/status/106832403481374721
tamihuberty at gmail dot com

Tami said...

I follow publicly via GFC #1
tamihuberty at gmail dot com

Tami said...

I follow publicly via GFC #2
tamihuberty at gmail dot com

Tami said...

I subscribe to RSS feeds #1
tamihuberty at gmail dot com

Tami said...

I subscribe to RSS feeds #2
tamihuberty at gmail dot com

Tami said...

I subscribe via email #1
tamihuberty at gmail dot com

Tami said...

I subscribe via email #1
tamihuberty at gmail dot com

Tami said...

I subscribe via email #2
tamihuberty at gmail dot com

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