Guidecraft Hideaway Country Kitchen Review

A while back I was sent the awesome Guidecraft Hideaway Country Kitchen to review.  It sat in the box way too long because I was waiting for my husband to put it together.  Finally I decided I could do it.  I figured if Jolanthe could do it, so could I.  So, I did.  I won’t lie-it wasn’t terribly fun to put together but I did it. The kids, and the husband, were all pretty impressed with me.

This kitchen is a 2nd kitchen in our house, Ladybug has her own from last Christmas up in her room.  It’s the plastic kind-that my husband picked out.  This adorable wooden hideaway kitchen is located downstairs in our dining room, right off of our schoolroom.  I LOVE the way it looks so I let it stay in public view!  The kids cook for me quite often and it has been something they have all 3 enjoyed for months now.

  

I moved only our felt food and some dishes down here, to keep things simple and it has been wonderful.  I put a pink fabric basket underneath in one of the cabinets and it all stores away easily.  That’s one of the things I LOVE about this kitchen {especially versus the plastic one upstairs}-the storage underneath!  You can hide it all in the nice open space.

I was planning to give this kitchen away soon after the review, feeling bad owning 2 kitchens, BUT I think my kiddos would miss it for now so were hanging onto it for awhile longer!  They really like it!

If you are thinking of a kitchen as a gift this Christmas or anytime, I highly recommend this one.  It is VERY well made, sturdy {notice Krash sitting on it below!}, and adorable.

It has features that kids and parents love.  The clock and the sink are two child favorites in our home…

 

For those of you tight on space or who may be storing it for the next child, check out the hideaway feature {images from the Guidecraft website}…

 

I tested out the storage feature and it was easy to use.  I wouldn’t want to store it every day and take it out again, but for longer term storage this is such a great option! It compacts to only 6” in depth with a simple twist of an Allen wrench. Fully extended, it measures 30"W x 15.25"D x 38" H.

Thanks to Guidecraft for allowing us to review this wonderful play kitchen!

Get yours on Amazon here or on the Guidecraft website here!

Guidecraft ~ 3D Feel and Find World Icons Review & Giveaway

We were recently sent a really cool to review, 3-D Feel and Find World Icons. This sensory toy is part of the eco-friendly toy line that Guidecraft offers.

The Feel & Find World Icons come with 20 wooden disk and matching chunky puzzle-piece shape inserts as well as a cloth bag to store the pieces in. The pieces are made from rubberwood and then stained with a low VOC aniline dye.

We have played with this toy a LOT, you have probably seen it in my Tot School posts!

One day we got it out as a whole group and played the game together with our own special “rules”. Each child got 7 disks, and had to find any of their 7 icons when it was his/her turn.

I was on Ladybug’s team and found them mostly but she stacked them up for me…

This is one of those toys that can be used in SO many different ways and for so many different age levels. All 3 kids love it and I do too. The quality is wonderful!

BUY IT!

Feel and Find World Icons can be purchased directly from the Guidecraft website, via their NEW Facebook page, or from Amazon.

WIN IT!

Xenia is hosting the giveaway this month! Head on over to enter to win.

This product was given to me for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor. I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are mine.

Guidecraft Crystal Beads/Shimmering Water Blocks Review {& Giveaway}

We love Guidecraft’s Crystal Bead Blocks, and Shimmering Water Blocks.

 

Actually we love all of Guidecraft’s wooden blocks, including the wonderful Rainbow Blocks we reviewed a few months ago. The kids actually saw the photos of the “special” blocks on the rainbow blocks package and asked me if we would be getting those too.  Thankfully we did a few months later and they all LOVE these wooden blocks!

 

Both the water and the bead blocks are a hit and they all work well together with our Rainbow Blocks set.  Ladybug loves examining the special blocks…

 

Peeking through them is a favorite activity.  Here she is using the bead block, but she normally uses the water blocks as she tells me the color she sees. 

  

Of course stacking is always a popular use for any type of blocks!

She also enjoyed measuring her feet with the blocks!

I absolutely love these blocks and highly recommend adding any set of the special wooden blocks to your block collection.  I am very thankful that we had the opportunity to review these! They also have mirror blocks and sand blocks!

 

BUY IT!

You can purchase the Crystal Bead Blocks and Shimmering Water Blocks on the Guidecraft site.  They also sell them on Amazon: Crystal Bead Blocks, Shimmering Water Blocks

WIN IT!

Jolanthe is hosting the giveaway this month! Head on over to enter to win.

This product was given to me for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor. I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are mine.

Guidecraft Fraction Cups & Board ~ Review & Giveaway!

Guidecraft has amazing math toys! Wooden toys that introduce math in a fun playful way are ideal in my boat!  We love the Fraction Action Board and Fraction Cups!

These have been an awesome tool to use for introducing concepts and vocabulary to Krash and Ladybug.  Ladybug is especially drawn to these, they are the perfect challenge for her.

I use the proper terms with her while she plays, so down the road they won’t be as strange when she hears them and it’s actually time to really learn fractions!

 

I love seeing her try different combinations out and also perfecting her “try again” or “help please” skills!  This fraction board gives her more trouble and we have really worked on those 2 phrases a lot when working with it!

I love these math toys and know my kiddos will get years of play out of them!

 

BUY IT!

You can purchase the Fraction Action Board and Fraction Cups on the Guidecraft site.  They also sell them on Amazon: Fraction Action Board and Fraction Cups

WIN IT!

Mama Jenn is hosting the giveaway this month! Head on over to enter to win.

This product was given to me for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor. I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are mine.

Guidecraft Twisters & Twister Curves Review {giveaway closed}

CLOSED, Congratulations Kathy-#391 You Won!

Guidecraft has amazing open ended building toys. Recently we were sent a set of Twisters…

and Twister Curves, and all 3 of my kids love them!

I do believe this might be one of the top 3 Guidecraft toys we own now! I love seeing all 3 of my kiddos play together…

They have played with these almost every day since we opened them, this is just one play time! Krash made a square…which he turned into a picture frame!

We made tons of circles and made stairs…

We made words…

We even made names, which Ladybug LOVED, she was enthralled with her L…

Her favorite thing is pushing the little pegs into the holes. SUCH great fine motor work!!!

PacMan made a basket…

Krash worked on a tall tower for awhile!!

PacMan is showing the lizard he made using the guide that is included…

This is one of those toys you open and just stare at and wonder. Then you see your kids dive in and their imaginations run wild and you say to yourself…”I am so glad I got that!!”

WIN IT!

Guidecraft is giving away a set of Twisters and Twister Curves to one winner!

Mandatory Entry…

Visit Guidecraft to look at their awesome products. Come back and leave a comment with one of your favorites!

After you do that, you can gain some extra entries by any of the following, remember to leave an extra comment for each item so they will count as entries...

1. If you follow via Google Friend Connect 1+1+1=1 {main blog} AND 1+1+1=1 Reviews {where you are now}, give yourself an extra entry!
2. If you subscribe via RSS or email to 1+1+1=1 , give yourself an extra entry!
3. If you Follow or Subscribe to Totally Tots, give yourself an extra entry!
4. If you follow @1plus1plus1 on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway, give yourself an extra entry! Sample tweet: @1plus1plus1 is hosting a giveaway for @guidecraft Twisters & Twister Curves, enter here: http://bit.ly/kbdMj4

This Giveaway is open for USA only.

I will select a winner using Random.org, so be sure you leave a separate comment for each entry, I will also be moderating comments to check that your entries are valid-please be honest!

Contest ENDS May 22, 2011. Winner will be announced here, and emailed (your email MUST be in each comment/or enabled in blogger). Winner must reply to my email within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen.

Want it NOW? If you can’t wait to win, you can head over to purchase the Twisters and Twister Curves from the Guidecraft website OR through Amazon!

As a Guidecraft Mom blogger, this product was given to me for review purposes. I do not have to return the product to the vendor and I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Linking up with Giveaway Day on Hip Homeschool Moms!

Guidecraft ~ Interlox Review {and giveaway}

Guidecraft has amazing open ended building toys. Recently we were sent a set of Interlox, and all 3 of my kids love them!

They all enjoyed them, but Pac Man loved them the most!  He loves building toys, so these were right up his alley!

Here is the first motorcycle garage…

Which was then renovated to a MUCH fancier version as you can see!

The little ones enjoyed them also, making airplanes and butterflies. ;-)   

We also sorted by color, lined them up to make a long train and have played with them many times since this day!  The price is great for this set and they are a wonderful addition to any child’s building supplies!

BUY IT!

You can purchase the 96 piece Interlox on the Guidecraft site.  They also sell them on Amazon.

WIN IT!

Cindy from Along the Way  is hosting the giveaway this month! Head on over to enter to win.

This product was given to me for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor. I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are mine.