Monday, May 10, 2010

Guidecraft Magneatos Review & Giveaway

125_GC-Logo I promised that I’d have another great review & giveaway this week – and here it is:

t354_x4_092ddb31aba4f1dd963f72df3a77fcc4My kids received this awesome set of Magneatos from Guidecraft 2 weeks ago.  Even though they are geared for ages 2 and up, I knew that even Gracie (almost 10) would enjoy these.  She loves the little cheapy sets of rods and magnetic balls that you can buy at the dollar store (you know the ones that little kids swallow and get very sick?)  Anyway, she can entertain herself for hours with a set of those, so I knew the Magneatos would be a big hit.

spring 111 I was right!  Both Gracie and Ian dug right in and had a blast with the Magneatos.   The set we received is the 144 piece Jumbo Magnetic Construction set.  As a mother, I was quite impressed with the packaging.  I expected to open the outer box and find the pieces just all throw in.  No!  They come packaged in the styrofoam that you see in the picture on the left. All the balls together and all the rods together.  The rods come in 2 sizes. With Legos and other construction sets that we have, I usually end up purchasing a large plastic container to dump everything in. However, with the Magneatos, my kids enjoy putting everything back together in the styrofoam container – so I’m hoping it will hold up for awhile.

spring 112 Again, the mom in me is much impressed with the educational factor of this toy.  You can see in the picture at the right that Gracie has received some of the perfectionistic qualities that I have – she was always organizing the parts and making sure they matched up. This is a great activity for Ian too – he already knows his colors, but matching up the small and large rods by color was a great activity for him and kept him busy for a long time.  That’s great for a busy boy who doesn’t often want to sit still!

spring 113

I expected that, much like a box of Legos, the Magneatos would come with a “how to build” booklet of some sort.  They didn’t.  So, while Gracie looked at the pictures on the box to figure out how to construct a few things, she quickly figured out that the possibilities were endless and that she was limited only by her own imagination.  We discovered “houses” for stuffed animals and other interesting structures!

spring 123

And, yes, I’ll confess, even I have had my fair share of fun with Magneatos!  It’s very difficult to walk past the box and not stop and play with them! 

These pieces are very well constructed and they have some powerful magnets in them! I have a 4-year-old boy who tends to be rather hard on things, and these Magneatos hold up quite well to his abuse. I believe they will look just as good after years of hard use as they do right now.

Magneatos come in various set sizes.  You can start small to see if your children will enjoy them, then add larger sets to expand your  collection.  I’d very much like to add the Jumbo Master Builder set because I know my kids would enjoy adding the panels, clips, and bendies to their Magneato creations!

Would you like to win this set of Magneatos?  I have a set just like mine to give away to one lucky reader!  Please visit Guidecraft and let me know your absolute favorite Guidecraft product (let’s pretend money is not an option!)

Would you like a few more chances to win?  If so, you may do any/all of the following for additional entries (please leave a separate comment for each one that you do):

  • Follow Guidecraft on Twitter
  • Like Guidecraft on Facebook
  • Follow the Guidecraft blog
  • Follow MY blog
  • Like Heidi’s Reviews & Reflections on Facebook
  • Follow HeidiSays on Twitter (even though I’m not a very good tweeter – yet!)
  • Put my (new!) button on your blog (2 entries)
  • Post about this contest with a link back (3 entries)
  • And for extra fun, tell me what you’d like to make with your Magneatos set!

This contest will remain open until 8am next Monday, May 17th. At that time, I will draw ONE random winner.  Good luck! Please note: Guidecraft will ship to U.S. addresses only.

I received this product for free from Guidecraft.
The thoughts expressed above are entirely my own.

150 comments:

My Blessings From Above said...

My boys would love these they are so cool.
I would have to say my favorite would be the all in one play kitchen. Kaden loves to play with his kitchen set and is always wanting a new one. He would flip for this one.

My Blessings From Above said...

I'm a follower of your blog :o)

My Blessings From Above said...

I Like your Reviews and Reflections fb page!

My Blessings From Above said...

I'm following Guidecraft on FB

April E. said...

I still love the double-sided bookshelf! We'd FIND room for it if we could afford it. LOL!!

April E.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/elcloud

My Blessings From Above said...

I'd make the Eiffel Tower!

April E. said...

I already Like Guidecraft on Facebook


April E.

April E. said...

I already Follow the Guidecraft blog


April E.

April E. said...

I already Follow your blog

April E.

My Blessings From Above said...

I'm following Guidecraft on twitter!

April E. said...

I already Like Heidi’s Reviews & Reflections on Facebook

April E.

April E. said...

I'd try to build a ferris wheel. That would be fun.

April E.

Sigalit Chana said...

I have your button on my right sidebar :D

Sigalit Chana said...

button entry #2

Sigalit Chana said...

I dig the playhouse hideaway bookshelf ;D

Sigalit Chana said...

Following via google friend :D

Sigalit Chana said...

Following the guidecraft blog as well ;)

Sigalit Chana said...

my boys would like to build the golden gate bridge!

Laura O in AK said...

Definitely the double sided bookshelf for me! We don't have enough wall space in our LARGE school/rec room for enough shelves.

Laura O in AK said...

Following your blog already...

Sarah said...

I follow guidecraft on twitter!!

Sarah said...

I also follow guidecraft on facebook!!

Sarah said...

I follow guidecrafts blog!!

Sarah said...

I also follow your amazing blog!!!

Sarah said...

I follow you on Facebook!!

Sarah said...

I also follow you on twitter!! I'm not much of a tweeter either, I need to get used to how it works!!

Sarah said...

I know my daughter would love to make a castle with me for her dolls!!

Bethany said...

I'd love to have the kitchen helper


logan 4301 at yahoo dot com

Bethany said...

following guidecraft's blog


logan 4301 at yahoo dot com

Bethany said...

following your blog


logan 4301 at yahoo dot com

Bethany said...

My boys & I like to make "robots". That's what we'd make!


logan 4301 at yahoo dot com

Crystal said...

i love the butterfly tables and chairs!

cbrocious1984@gmail.com

Crystal said...

i follow guidecraft on twitter @lovemy21b

cbrocious1984@gmail.com

Crystal said...

i fan guidecraft on facebook


cbrocious1984@gmail.com

Crystal said...

i follow guidecrafts blog

cbrocious1984@gmail.com

Nicole {tired, need sleep} said...

I like the puppet theater, although my favorite is the library book shelf or the corner bookshelf.

Nicole {tired, need sleep} said...

I am your follower!

Crystal said...

follow your blog

cbrocious1984@gmail.com

Nicole {tired, need sleep} said...

I follow the guidecraft blog!

Crystal said...

your fan on facbook

cbrocious1984@gmail.com

Crystal said...

follow u on twitter @lovemy21b

cbrocious1984@gmail.com

Crystal said...

i would build a castle!

cbrocious1984@gmail.com

TerriG said...

I put your button on my blog.

TerriG said...

Button # 2

TerriG said...

I follow.

TerriG said...

I would build a sweater drying rack.

TerriG said...

My 12 year old and I would get the puppet theater.
http://www.guidecraft.com/product/0/G51060/_/Center_Stage_Puppet_Theater

TerriG said...

I am following Guidecraft. I would love to test anything for them!!!

Michelle said...

oh goodness! I love the art cart! that is awesome!!

jdeemarie said...

I think my son would really enjoy the Twist "N Sort.

jdeemarie @ gmail.com

jdeemarie said...

I follow Guidecraft on Twitter.

jdeemarie @ gmail.com

jdeemarie said...

I follow you on Twitter (@jdeemarie).

jdeemarie @ gmail.com

jdeemarie said...

I know that my husband and son would have a lot of fun with these - they'd probably build a rocketship, a truck, an airplane, and lots of items that will likely be unrecognizable!

jdeemarie @ gmail.com

anthy said...

My absolute favorite item is this Moon & Stars Media Carousel.

Thank you very much for the giveaway - my nephews would love these. :-)

anthy_stl [ATT] yahoo [DOTT] com

anthy said...

I follow Guidecraft on twitter, @my_twitraccount.
anthy_stl [ATT] yahoo [DOTT] com

anthy said...

I follow the Guidecraft blog.
anthy_stl [ATT] yahoo [DOTT] com

anthy said...

I follow you on twitter, @my_twitraccount.
anthy_stl [ATT] yahoo [DOTT] com

anthy said...

What would I like to make, huh? Hm... I think I'd really like to attempt the Parthenon! I have no idea if it'd work, but if it did, it would be really neat. :-) Failing that, I'd make a castle.

anthy_stl [ATT] yahoo [DOTT] com

Penny said...

The magneatos are my favorite - the bookshelves are second favorite. My kid w/ autism would enjoy the megneatos!

cooperkelly4 said...

I follow! =0)

cooperkelly4 said...

my kids are really into knights and princesses right now, so maybe some sort of castle. =0)

cooperkelly4 said...

I love the double-sided bookshelf! I am such a sucker for any thing to do with books. =0)

Soggy Cereal Mom said...

If money wasn't an option, I would LOVE to have the Market Loft. What a great idea for a playroom!

azmarry1 at yahoo dot com

Soggy Cereal Mom said...

I follow Guidecraft on twitter.

azmarry

azmarry1 at yahoo dot com

Soggy Cereal Mom said...

Friend (no like available) of Guidecraft on facebook.

Mary-Frances C.

azmarry1 at yahoo dot com

Soggy Cereal Mom said...

I'm a follower of the Guidecraft blog.

(arana)

azmarry1 at yahoo dot com

Soggy Cereal Mom said...

I follow HeidiSays on twitter.
(azmarry)

I'm not to good at twitter either. Haha.
azmarry1 at yahoo dot com

Soggy Cereal Mom said...

I think my daughters would build a house or barn. lol.

azmarry1 at yahoo dot com

Sara @ Embracing Destiny said...

I could really use the art supply cart to organize our stuff!

http://www.guidecraft.com/product/134216/G98202/_/Art_Activity_Cart

Sara @ Embracing Destiny said...

I follow your blog, of course! ;0)

Sara @ Embracing Destiny said...

I follow the Guidecraft blog, too.

Sara @ Embracing Destiny said...

I've got your blog button. #1

Sara @ Embracing Destiny said...

I've got your blog button. #2

Sara @ Embracing Destiny said...

My girls would work together to build the tallest tower they could with the Magneatos. I know they would love it!

Jolanthe said...

Did i mention in my last post how cool the rolling cart was? I also LOVE the 4 sided bookcase that turns.

sigh

Jolanthe said...

I'm a facebook follower

Jolanthe said...

And I like them on Facebook too.

Jolanthe said...

I follow their blog

Jolanthe said...

I follow your blog!

Jolanthe said...

follow you on twitter too

Jolanthe said...

your new button is up!

Jolanthe said...

new button comment #2

Jolanthe said...

knowing my boys, I'm sure it would look something suspiciously like a gun.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure I'll be making a lot of discoveries in the near future, but your blog is one for today. Good review of the Magneatos. We have 6 or 7 pieces that I picked up at a yard sale because my son was fascinated by them. They honestly had fun with that amount so I can imagine the open creativity with the whole set.
No doubt, I'll be following your blog from now on. Blessings...
Penny [pkszoo@aol.com]

Penny said...

Wish list...Art Activity Cart. We have great art supplies, but little organized space for them.
Thanks for asking.
Penny

Penny said...

Heidi - I like your Reviews & Reflections page on fb. You are a busy young woman! =)

Penny said...

Now following Guidecraft blog...great products.
Thanks, Penny

Penny said...

What would I build? Hmmm...a quiet spot. Do you think they're sound proof? lol

Penny said...

Heidi, I am now 1 of 74 people that "like" Guidecraft on facebook...
Penny

Penny said...

...and finally...I posted about this contest (w/the link back) @www.mamascoffeeshop.info

Thanks, again for passing this on from Guidecraft. You could have given both sets to your kids and think of what they might have built!

Penny

Debbie said...

I like the double-sided bookcase.

Amanda said...

I have to say my favorites would be a toss up between the Magneatos and the sports furniture. The Magneatos are cool because they are bigger so little hands can use them but not swallow them. The sports furniture made me drool just a little because we are die hard Cardinals baseball fans. LOL

Amanda :)

michelle said...

I am in the process of setting up our bonus room as a playroom for our toddler. I would love to have the all-in-one kitchen for him. Thanks so much for the giveaway.

michelle(at)northofthe49(dot)com

Paul and DeeDee said...

I like the double sided book shelf!!

Paul and DeeDee said...

I am following guidecraft on twitter

Paul and DeeDee said...

I am following you on Twitter

Paul and DeeDee said...

I am a fan on facebook.

Paul and DeeDee said...

my kids would probably make a really long rod to use as airplane wings to fly around the house!!

The Irwins said...

I love their Kitchen Helper and have always wanted it for my little chef!

Cathy
ecspedteacher@gmail.com

Jon & Amanda said...

My favorite right now would be the art cart!

Jon & Amanda said...

We would build a train first! Then a castle!

Jon & Amanda said...

i follow your blog!

Megan said...

I love their "All-in-One" wooden play kitchen. It's so cute! But I also really love the Magneatos.

Megan said...

I liked Guidecraft on Facebook.

Megan said...

I would like to build a pyramid and see how high it would go, but since this toy would be for my daughter, I'm sure she'd like to knock down whatever I make!

Christine said...

I would love to be entered. I would pick the book tower from Guidecraft because we have so many books!

Christine said...

I follow your blog.
scrapnmom22@gmail.com

Tiff said...

These would make a great gift for my daughter!
I love the kitchen, too.
markntiff777@msn.com

Heather said...

I like them on facebook

Heather said...

I would love the library cart!

Heather said...

I follow your blog on google reader

Heather said...

I like you on facebook! :)

Heather said...

I put your button on my blog

Heather said...

Second entry--I put your button on my blog!

care-in said...

Guidecraft has some awesome stuff but I'd love a set of those magneatos. My girls love their legos so I know they would enjoy these too.

care-in said...

I just "liked" guidecraft on facebook!

care-in said...

I am following the guidecraft blog!

care-in said...

I just "liked" you on facebook!

care-in said...

I am now following your blog!

care-in said...

I just put your button on my blog!

care-in said...

Button entry #2

care-in said...

I just posted about this giveaway on my blog!

care-in said...

blog post entry #2

care-in said...

blog post entry #3

care-in said...

What to make...hmmm...my first thought was a tower only because I rely to heavily on idea books.

What a great giveaway...thanks for the chance to win!

TwinMint said...

The all in one play kitchen looks pretty cool!

Rebeca said...

We would love the ART ACTIVITY DESK my little girl likes to paint. Ravon2004@aol.com

Rebeca said...

My 10 years old boy and my 2 1/2 years old girl would build buildings. Ravon2004@aol.com

Rebeca said...

We visit your blog.
Ravon2004@aol.com

Donnetta said...

I love the kitchen helper! They can get up high but they won't fall off!

pong7@comcast.net

Donnetta said...

I Follow Guidecraft on Twitter as coffeebreakmom

pong7@comcast.net

Donnetta said...

I Like Guidecraft on Facebook (Donnetta D)

pong7@comcast.net

Donnetta said...

I follow your blog.

pong7@comcast.net

Donnetta said...

I Like Heidi’s Reviews & Reflections on Facebook (Donnetta D)

pong7@comcast.net

Donnetta said...

I follow you on twitter as coffebreakmom.

pong7@comcast.net

Donnetta said...

We would probably make a castle for our Backyardigans figures to live in!

pong7@comcast.net

~Amanda said...

My boys would like the sand tray & accessories :)
& we've been wanting magneatos for a long time!

thanks
~amanda

Mel said...

Mommy wants the Market Loft (why not dream big?), but my daughters want a puppet theater! :o)

Mel said...

I follow your blog. :o)

Mel said...

I just "friended" you on FB! :o)

Mel said...

I just "friended" Guidecraft on FB! :o)

Mel said...

I follow the Guidecraft blog.

Mel said...

I like Heidi's Reviews & Reflections on FB! :o)

Mel said...

My daughters would want to build a castle with their Magneatos! :o)

Shannon said...

I'm an organization freak, so I'd like the Art Activity Cart.

totschool@shannons.org

Ben & Melissa said...

I love the kitchen helper from Guidecrafts website. My SON would love that, as he loves to help us cook all the time!

Ben & Melissa said...

My son would want to build a tower or a castle with his Magneatos set for sure.

Ben & Melissa said...

I like Guidecraft on facebook.

Ben & Melissa said...

I also like Heidi's reviews and reflections on facebook.

The girl who painted trees said...

I love Guidecraft kitchens!
juliecerdas at gmail dot com

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