Showing posts with label Constructive Moms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Constructive Moms. Show all posts

Most 3G2S posts contain commission-yielding affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking a link, our family earns a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog.

Fun Adventure Playsets from CP Toys


Most recently, our two boys, ages 8-1/2 and 5-1/2, have been more creative and elaborate than usual in their pretend play scenarios.  It really is amazing to watch them.  They put such thought into the details of every aspect in the world they have created.  That is why I know that these two playsets from CP Toys would spark many new adventures for them.

The Everglade Patrol playset comes with a seaplane that is nearly a foot long, a swamp boat, a tent, a net, tons of gear, 5 animals, and 4 figures (3 male, 1 female) that are 4" tall.  This set is very realistic and came with so much gear, such as grappling hooks, a shovel, an SLR camera with a zoom lens, backpacks, and much much more.

(Click any photo to enlarge)

All the vehicles, the tent, and the storage crate bear the official-looking "Wild Quest" logo, which makes the set seem even more realistic.


There was some assembly required for the vehicles.  Most of it was quite easy, but the pontoons that needed to be attached to the bottom of the plane needed a lot of muscle to get them on.  There are also no instructions for the assembly, but it was easy to see which parts went where by looking at the image on the box.


One of the things that make this set so much fun is the set of wild animals that comes with it.  All, except for the turtle, were very toothy and ferocious looking.


One of the things that impressed me the most was the sturdy realistic-looking tent.  It is not collapsible and looks like it will hold up well against my two boys.


The second set I chose that I thought would compliment the first one well is the Adventure Camp-Out playset.  This set features father (4-1/2" tall) and son figures, a 12" long pickup truck, a canoe, a raft, a tent, cots, camping chairs, a campfire, a fishing pole and more.  This set even includes 2 fish that can actually grab onto the lure on the fishing pole.  The only assembly required for this set was putting the legs on the cots.


Though this set is slightly less detailed than the first playset, they still worked well together.  Both my sons were impressed with the rugged truck that has doors that open, as well as a removable cover and a truck bed that opens.


From watching my boys play, I could easily tell which parts of these sets combined together were their favorites . . .  the pickup truck, the figure with the green gloves and the oversized muscles, and the net, which they use to capture the wild animals.  They also loved that the figures could actually hold just about every accessory in their hands and could even grip the steering wheels in the vehicles.

I also chose these two sets because the figures are just about the size of standard action figures.  Not after too long, my youngest son asked if he could get his GI Joe figures to add to the fun.  They actually fit right in.  I was surprised he did not bring out Iron Man and the Green Lantern to play with these super-cool vehicles too.  The more the merrier, right?


To see more adventure playsets like these, visit www.cptoy.com, where you will find something fun, imaginative, and educational for every child on your Holiday list.


Thank you to CP Toys for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon and for providing a second product for our contest prize.

PLEASE NOTE:  Delivery of this prize cannot be guaranteed in time for Christmas.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good luck in the drawing!


Most 3G2S posts contain commission-yielding affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking a link, our family earns a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog.

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Magic Set from CP Toys


Believing in magic is something my husband and I have always maintained to be an important part of childhood.  That is why we go out of our way to help our children believe in pixies, Santa Claus, elves, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny for as long as possible.  When children believe in magic, I know that a small part of each of them wishes that they could do a little magic of their own.  That is why I chose this Deluxe Magic Set from CP Toys for our children.

This wooden battery-free toy, recommended for children 8 years and older, was the perfect toy for our inquisitive 8-1/2 year old son.  Even his curious 5-1/2 year old sister was enthralled with trying to figure out how some of the tricks worked.  She was actually able to learn the secret of a few tricks all on her own, so I would say this toy would be engaging to any child 4 years or older who enjoys problem solving.  Having said that, it takes an older child to perform the magic tricks smoothly.  Even our 8-1/2 year old could still use more practice with mastering the art of illusion.

(Click any image to enlarge)

There are 10 tricks in all included in this set, but you could certain come up with your own using the tools provided.  The tricks vary in difficulty, so not all will be understood by younger audiences, such as the ones involving numbers.  There is an illustrated manual that shows how to perform each trick step-by-step.


My husband, who assisted me with making the demo video below, was very impressed with all these tricks.  He did find that the Great Escape (pictured above) worked more smoothly for magicians with smaller hands.  His favorite was the Money Maker, while our oldest son's favorite trick was the Secret Silks.



Below you will find a demonstration of several of the Deluxe Magic Set tricks . . . 


I must say that it was wonderful to see the pleased look on our son's face when he was able to master a trick.  He had so much fun performing for his little brother and sister.  The only thing that could have made this magic set more perfect was for it to come with a top hat and cape.


The Melissa & Doug Deluxe Magic Set retails for $37.99.  To learn more about this and other educational toys and playsets, visit www.cptoy.com.


Thank you to CP Toys for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon and for providing a second product for our contest prize.

A NOTE TO 3G2S READERS: As an effort to give back a little, I will be adding an extra optional entry in some of my giveaways to "Like" the Facebook page of various small businesses that I have identified as needing a little love.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck in the drawing!


Most 3G2S posts contain commission-yielding affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking a link, our family earns a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog.

Girl's Easy-to-Install Princess Carriage Bed Tent


Our 5 year old daughter has been quite a nervous sleeper the past few months.  I think it started with the increase in the number of insects and spiders that visit her room since winter turned into Spring.  Nobody knows why her room seems to be the favorite for creepy crawlies out of all the rooms in the house, but it is.  This has been causing her some anxiety and she often has difficulty falling asleep right away or falling back to sleep if she wakes up in the middle of the night.  If there happens to be a spider, even if it is way up tucked into the corner on the ceiling across the room, she will not likely fall asleep until her Dad removes the spider. This is why I thought it would be a great idea to try using this bed tent from CP Toys in our daughter's room.

Of course the Pop-Up Princess Carriage Bed Tent is not really going to protect our daughter from insects and spiders, but it does create a haven for her, in which she feels feels safer.  The tent only has one opening at the foot of the bed, which has a Velcro closure at the center and at the bottom corners of the two flaps.  Since we put this tent up on her bed, she has not had any problems falling asleep.

(Click any photo to enlarge)

This bed tent is a CP Toys Exclusive.  It was very easy to set-up since it is a pop-up tent.  After removing it from its zippered nylon storage case, the tent just pops up into the shape of a carriage.  The only assembly required is to put the three pieces of the flag together and to slide it into place on the roof of the tent.


The bed tent is secured onto the twin size mattress by elastics that go under the four corners and by a strap that goes around the belly of the mattress and Velcros to the tent underneath the tent's skirt.  The tent fits right around the existing bed sheet and bedskirt, so if you ever need to remove the tent, the bed is still made.


It is in the middle of summer currently, so my main concern was about the possibility that our daughter would be too hot sleeping in a tent all night.  It turns out that the mesh allowed for plenty of ventilation and she could still feel the air circulating from her ceiling fan.


Our daughter also has plenty of room to sit up in bed and she should be able to use this tent for a few years if she wishes.  The only thing she needs to get used to is not being able to reach her nightstand for a book or a sip of water.  Maybe for the next one, the product designer can add a little flap or a window on each side of the tent?

I also want to point out that our two sons have also been getting in the tent every chance they get.  It's the closest thing they have to a fort and is perfect for various pretend play scenarios.  If you happen to have cats, then you may be interested to know that one of our cats has decided that our daughter's pillow inside the bed tent is her new favorite spot . . .


The Pop-Up Princess Carriage Bed Tent retails for $69.99, but is currently on sale for $39.99.  It really is a quality item and is both designed and constructed very well.  You can find this and other imaginative and educational toys at www.CPToy.com.


Thank you to CP Toys for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon and for providing a second product for our contest prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck in the drawing!


Most 3G2S posts contain commission-yielding affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking a link, our family earns a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog.

Giveaway & Review: CP Toys Baby Tender Touch 12" Doll (ARV $40)


Since our daughter was a toddler, she has owned several baby dolls.  Although she played with them occasionally, she never did play with them regularly.  Perhaps it was because she has two brothers who always wanted to play something else?  Well, now that our daughter is turning 5, her instincts to nurture seemed to have finally kicked in.  Aside from the times when she is attending preschool, this Baby Tender Touch Doll from CP Toys has not left her side.

This doll is a CP Toys Exclusive and is available in four different ethnicities . . . Caucasian, African, Latino, and Asian.  Since our daughter is half Chinese, we chose the Asian baby doll.  She had yet to own an Asian-American doll and I thought she should have at least one.  This 12" doll has soft satiny skin and is safe for children as young as a newborn to play with.  The doll comes with a double-sided blankie and four footed sleepers . . . two short-sleeved and two long-sleeved.  The sleepers are not packaged in the box with the doll, but rather come in a separate plastic bag.  They were very child-friendly.  All the sleepers have a Velcro closure on the back and are not tight-fitting, so our daughter was able to learn how to put them on the doll fairly easily.


Depending on the doll you choose, the face will vary slightly.  This doll has the sweet face of an alert and content infant.  Our daughter loves to play with the doll's soft feeling pudgy hands and feet.


We have owned dolls in a variety of sizes and this 12" doll seems to be the perfect size for a preschooler.  It is the right size for her to carry, whether cradled in her arms or propped against her chest and shoulder.

The blankie is a good size for a security blanket, but I ended up giving my daughter a real receiving blanket to use for swaddling her doll.  I think our daughter would have liked for the doll's eyes to close when laid on her back.  Other than that, this doll is perfect for her.  They have been inseparable since we opened the box.


To learn more about the Baby Tender Touch doll and their vast selection of kids' toys, including educational toys, visit www.CPToy.com.


Thank you to CP Toys for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon and for providing a second product for our contest prize.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck in the drawing!


Most 3G2S posts contain commission-yielding affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking a link, our family earns a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog.

CP Toys 6 Die-cast Classic Convertibles & Car Carrier Play Set


If you have one or more children who love playing with cars, this 18" Classic Car Transport (a CP Toys Exclusive) would be a super-cool battery-free toy for them.  Since I became a Constructive Mom last year, our oldest son has been eyeing this toy car carrier.  Now, over a year later, he is thrilled to be able to play with this toy.



(Click any photo to enlarge)

The CP Toys Classic Car Transport comes in a ready-to-wrap box.  Included in this set are six die-cast convertibles, which are stamped on the bottoms with the various makes and models.  The cab of the transporter is also die-cast metal.  The actual part that carries the cars is constructed of plastic.


Although the car transporter is cool, it is the six classic convertibles that really make this toy special.  These 1:43 scale cars are about 4" each and are made of die-cast metal with plastic bottoms.  The interiors of the cars and the windshields are also made of plastic.  Their tires are rubber and are stretched around the rims.


From left to right:  1966 Oldsmobile 4-4-2, 1966 Pontiac GTO, 1957 Corvette, and 1956 Ford Thunderbird

From left to right:  1967 Corvette and 1955 Cadillac Eldorado

Overall, this set is very kid-friendly to use even though there are no instructions included.  There is no assembly required.  It does not take long for a child to discover how to hitch and unhitch the carriers, how to extend the ramps, and how to tilt down the second tier in order for the cars to drive on.  The carrier is made of a plastic that flexes a bit.  We have not had any problems with any parts breaking between our 3 children playing with this toy, but I am not sure how well it will hold up against a child who is particularly hard on his or her toys.  One other improvement that could be made would be to add a lip or stoppers on the carrier to keep the cars from rolling backwards when the transporter is driving forward.  Although it does not really bother my children when the cars shift, it does interrupt their play.


The Classic Car Transport retails for $32.99 and is recommended for children ages 5 years and older.  To learn more about this toy, visit CPToy.com.  Remember that you can shop through the red button on our sidebar to receive an exclusive Constructive Moms 15% off discount.

Thank you to CP Toys for providing a product sample for us to base this review upon and for providing a second product for our contest prize.


What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive the Classic Car Transport.



Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. & Canadian entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.


How to Gain Entries:
Click the button below to browse the selection of toys offered by CP Toys. Then leave a comment telling me the name of one toy a child in your life would love to own. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.


Constructive Playthings CP Toys

(Remember by clicking on the button above, you will receive 15% off your entire purchase.)


Extra Entries:
1)  For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.


2)  For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.


3)  For 10 extra entries, sign up to receive CP Toys Email Specials. Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments telling me you did.


4)  For 1 extra entry, "Like" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.


5)  For 1 extra entry each, follow Constructive Playthings on Twitter and/or "Like" Constructive Playthings on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment for each with the link to your Twitter or Facebook profile.


6)  Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.


7)  Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.


8)  Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.


9)  Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.


(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Monday, October 3rd, 2011 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!



Most 3G2S posts contain commission-yielding affiliate links. When you make a purchase after clicking a link, our family earns a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog.

Play To Learn Diner: Learning Fractions & A Secret Sauce Recipe


Since our 7 year old son seems to have a good grasp on basic fractions, I thought it would be a good idea to show him how fractions can be applied in real life situations, such as cooking.  I have created a free printable activity using cooking conversions.  In this activity, your child will figure out the recipe for the Secret Sauce using what they have learned about how measurements in cups, tablespoons, and teaspoons relate to each other.  With the help of these Action Fun Appliances from CP Toys, we have also made a cooking video to demonstrate how to make the Play To Learn Diner's Secret Sauce.


To use the worksheet below, go over the conversion chart provided on the left side of the sheet with your child.  It would be helpful to provide a measuring cup and set of measuring spoons to help demonstrate your explanation.  If need be, use sugar or water to prove to your child that the left sides of the equal signs really are the same quantity as the right.

TO PRINT:  Click on image to enlarge.  Then right click and choose print.  Use your browser's back button to return to this page.

When you feel confident that your child understands the general concept of cooking conversions, ask him or her to fill in the right side of the worksheet, which will reveal the Secret Sauce Recipe.



The video below will reveal the answers to the Secret Sauce Recipe activity worksheet . . . 




These toy kitchen appliances were the perfect thing to use in our video because they look so real.  We have owned some that were fun bright colors in the past, but our three children (ages 4.5, 4.5, and 7.5) really seem to enjoy playing with these far more.


Both the Action Fun blender and mixer run on AA batteries.  The blender has a plastic graduated handled pitcher and working plastic blades inside.  The pitcher can be removed from the base.  The blender has two speed settings for add realism.  The top of the mixer lifts up just like a real countertop mixer.  There are two settings . . . Self and Auto.  Your child can choose to have the mixer run with their finger holding down the button at the top or have the mixer run with just a push of the button.  There are also two different attachments that come with the mixer and both are equally as fun to watch as they spin inside the clear mixing bowl.

Since both of these toys have spinning parts, I have instructed my children not to put there hands near the moving parts.  I have also suggested that they do not put toy food inside the blender or the mixing bowl if they intend to turn the motors on.


This set also comes with a 2-slice toaster and a coffeemaker.  The toaster does not need batteries, but rather is a friction-based toy.  Your child just needs to turn the knob to the desired toaster setting and when the knob ticks back to zero, the toast pops up.  The knob takes quite a bit of strength to turn and even our 7 year old son has trouble turning it all the way to the darkest setting.

The coffeemaker does run on AA batteries.  It has two buttons . . . one for brewing and one for dispensing.  Both functions are accompanied by realistic sounds, which pleased our children very much.


These Action Fun Appliances can be purchased by the pair or as a set of 4 on CPToy.com.  Remember that you can shop through the red button on our sidebar to receive an exclusive Constructive Moms 15% off discount.

Thank you to CP Toys for providing a product sample for us to base this review upon and for providing a second product for our contest prize.


What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive the Action Fun Appliances Combo Set (includes the blender, mixer, toaster, and coffeemaker).



Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. & Canadian entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.


How to Gain Entries:
Click the button below to browse the selection of toys offered by CP Toys. Then leave a comment telling me the name of one toy a child in your life would love to own. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.


Constructive Playthings CP Toys

(Remember by clicking on the button above, you will receive 15% off your entire purchase.)


Extra Entries:
1)  For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.


2)  For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.


3)  For 10 extra entries, sign up to receive CP Toys Email Specials. Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments telling me you did.


4)  For 1 extra entry each, Friend me on Facebook and/or "Like" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.


5)  For 1 extra entry each, follow Constructive Playthings on Twitter and/or "Like" Constructive Playthings on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment for each with the link to your Twitter or Facebook profile.


6)  Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.


7)  Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.


8)  Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.


9)  Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.


(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Monday, August 8th, 2011 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!