Tuesday, June 15, 2010

KidsCraft {Review & Giveaway} Spacious, Eco-Friendly Cardboard Playhouses

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

It's no secret that we enjoy getting the mail around here. However, a large percentage of the times that we break into a new package, my girls' excitement lasts about... well, as long as long as it takes me to remove the bubble wrap. And then all they want is the empty cardboard box.

If it's large enough for both of them, they'll climb in... and out... and in... and out... until invariably one of them (Little Sister B) loses interest and walks away leaving the other one (Big Sister E) wailing for the game to continue. Or else one of them (Little Sister B) isn't so coordinated and will manage to fall out of the box, even though the sides are only 4 inches high. Or, my personal favorite, when someone (Big Sister E) manages to get a paper cut on the back of her ear from flapping the sides of the box around too much, even after she's been warned that she might hurt herself.

Right. So even though they have fun for a little while, more often than not I toss the box directly into our recycle container so that I don't have to deal with the aftermath.

And then one day the Shuttle Imagination from KidsCraft showed up and playing with cardboard took on an entirely new meaning around here.

Made in the USA out of 100% recycled material, the Shuttle Imagination has been blasting off for hours of creative play ever since the day we set it up - which didn't take long at all. Designed to be constructed without the need for any sort of tools, there were three main parts to putting this together (and then the three fin attachments to pop on at the end).

Following the instructions, a series of flaps and slots came together pretty quickly to hold each of the shuttle pieces solidly in place. And after only a moment or two of admiration ("a rocket, Mommy! A ROCKET!"), both Big Sister E and Little Sister B dove right inside. Happy that the double bay doors, cute cutouts and large portholes gave plenty of light as well as easy access in and out, I was able to sit back and enjoy watching their creativity come to life.

In fact, they were having so much playing both inside and outside the Shuttle Imagination that the idea to color on the wonderfully large (six feet tall!) white drawing surface hadn't struck yet. So, when I brought over the crayons, both girls' eyes lit up and Big Sister E asked, "We can color on it, too?" Suddenly a great thing had just become even more amazing.

Taking this new aspect very seriously, they both got right to work personalizing the shuttle exactly how they wanted it.

The Shuttle Imagination has been ready for takeoff in our living room for quite a while now and the interest level in it has yet to go down. Whether playing individually or together (there is more than enough room for both of my daughters to fit comfortably), each day seems to bring a new adventure and I never know where their imagination will take them next.

I love overhearing the conversations going on about where the girls will go next, as well as seeing how much fun they are still having decorating their shuttle. It took a little while before Big Sister E realized they could color on the inside walls as well, so it's not uncommon to see the two of them going in and out with crayons or reaching through the portholes to get to just the right spot.

KidsCraft has definitely found a way to focus on a toy that all children love -the cardboard box- and turn it into something almost magical. Using strong and durable 100% recycled materials their easy-to-assemble playhouses are sure to last for endless hours of entertainment and hold up perfectly even if you need to move them from one location to another. If your child isn't into flying to the moon in the Shuttle Imagination, KidsCraft also offers a wonderful Creation Cottage that is sure to be a hit as well.

Not only that, but due to KidsCraft's generosity, one person will get to surprise their child with a playhouse of their own to motivate and inspire their imagination, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of a Shuttle Imagination (ARV $69.95) or Creation Cottage (ARV $59.95) from KidsCraft!

To enter to win: Visit KidsCraft and tell me one interesting thing you learned about the company.

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 KidsCraft on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook. 1 more Extra Entry if you leave this message on their wall: KidsCraft inspires creativity! I just entered to win the Shuttle Imagination or Creation Cottage at Thanks, Mail Carrier! http://bit.ly/aI61jZ
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 a KidsCraft Shuttle Imagination ($70) or Creation Cottage ($60) from @kidscraftusa! @thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/aI61jZ #win #giveaway

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 or become a fan on Facebook.
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 Thanks, Mail Carrier and KidsCraft. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on July 8th 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 huge thank you to KidsCraft for providing a Shuttle Imagination for me to review as well as the choice of a Shuttle Imagination or Creation Cottage 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.

661 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   1 – 200 of 661   Newer›   Newest»
ShellyH said...

I learnt that their products are made from 100% recycleable materials and that they are 100% post play recyclable.

Ravish30 at aol dot com

ShellyH said...

following kidscraft on twitter @Ravish30

Ravish30 at aol dot com

ShellyH said...

entered scrubbing bubbles

Ravish30 at aol dot com

ShellyH said...

entered little pea clothing

Ravish30 at aol dot com

ShellyH said...

entered Zooshoo

Ravish30 at aol dot com

ShellyH said...

1. blog follower

Ravish30 at aol dot com

ShellyH said...

1. fan of yours on FB

Ravish30 at aol dot com

ShellyH said...

2. fan of yours on FB

Ravish30 at aol dot com

ShellyH said...

tweet-
http://twitter.com/Ravish30/status/16225068488
Ravish30 at aol dot com

Julia said...

I learned that they support children's charities and fund raising activities benefitting The Rainbow House and The Empty Stocking Foundations.

lovemygirls7702@yahoo.com

Julia said...

I follow KidsCraft on twitter @live2laugh_love

lovemygirls7702@yahoo.com

Julia said...

I follow you on twitter @live2laugh_love

lovemygirls7702@yahoo.com

Julia said...

Tweet

http://twitter.com/live2laugh_love/status/16227949055

lovemygirls7702@yahoo.com

Julia said...

Follow via GFC

lovemygirls7702@yahoo.com

Bethany said...

I learned that the company supports children's charities and fund raising activities benefitting The Rainbow House and The Empty Stocking Foundations.

logan 4301 at yahoo dot com

Snowflake07 said...

I learned their company has received the Top Fun Tillywig Toy Award and The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval for 2010.

hotpepper71 at bell south dot net

Snowflake07 said...

following KidsCraft on twitter as SnowflakeDay

Snowflake07 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Snowflake07 said...

following on twitter as SnowflakeDay & tweeted: http://twitter.com/SnowflakeDay/statuses/16228612569

Snowflake07 said...

google friend follower #1

Snowflake07 said...

google friend follower #2

Snowflake07 said...

RSS feed subscriber #1

Bethany said...

email subscriber

logan 4301 at yahoo dot com

Bethany said...

email subscriber
logan 4301 at yahoo dot com

Bethany said...

entered activeion

logan 4301 at yahoo dot com

Bethany said...

Entered Scrubbing Bubbles

logan 4301 at yahoo dot com

Bethany said...

entered lime ricki

logan 4301 at yahoo dot com

Bethany said...

entered little pea

logan 4301 at yahoo dot com

Bethany said...

entered corel

logan 4301 at yahoo dot com

Mrs. Kaminski said...

They're made in the USA-yeah!

Mrs. Kaminski said...

subscribe RSS

Mrs. Kaminski said...

subscribe RSS

Tara V. said...

I learned their playhouses are 100% recycled cardboard material.

Tara V. said...

http://twitter.com/FabGiveaways/status/16235949436

AlamoFood said...

The idea was inspired after seeing their children play with boxes.

AlamoFood said...

I am your fan on FB

one frugal lady said...

These houses are 100% recycled and are 100% recyclable!
onecheaplady@yahoo.com

one frugal lady said...

E-mail subscriber! #2
onecheaplady@yahoo.com

one frugal lady said...

I entered the sew cute creations giveaway!
onecheaplady@yahoo.com

one frugal lady said...

I entered the zooshoos sandals giveaway!
onecheaplady@yahoo.com

Quirky Mama said...

I learned that the company gives a percentage of all sales to charity.

Quirky Mama said...

I follow you with gfc #1

Quirky Mama said...

I follow you with gfc #2

Quirky Mama said...

I subscribe by email #1

Quirky Mama said...

I subscribe by email #2

Quirky Mama said...

I follow via google reader #1

Quirky Mama said...

I follow via google reader #2

Quirky Mama said...

I'm a mail carrier fb fan!

Unknown said...

they planted 1000 trees on earth day:)
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I follow KidsCraft on twitter and I like them on facebool
lamatthews is my facebook name and my twitter id is
@LynnAnnMatthews
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I entered the HOM giveaway
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

i entered the morning madness giveaway
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

i entered the burn cream giveaway
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

i entered the choclate giveaway

Unknown said...

i entered the yummy dough giveaway
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

i entered the yummy dough giveaway
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

i entered the sew cute giveaway
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

i entered the lime ricki giveaway
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

i entered the speck giveaway
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

i entered the little pea giveaway
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

i entered the corel giveaway
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

i entered the zooshoo giveaway
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

i entered the zoobi giveaway
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I follow you on twitter and i tweeted
http://twitter.com/LynnAnnMatthews/status/16240452949
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

i follow via friend connect
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com
entery #1

Unknown said...

i follow via friend connect
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com
entery #2

Unknown said...

I subscribe to the google feed
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com
entery 1

Unknown said...

I subscribe to the google feed
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com
entery 2

Unknown said...

email subscriber
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com
1

Unknown said...

email subscriber
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com
2

Unknown said...

facebook fan
lamatthews
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com
entery #1

Unknown said...

facebook fan
lamatthews
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com
entery #2

Unknown said...

facebook fan
lamatthews
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com
entery #2

Unknown said...

your button is here
http://mommyofalittleblond.blogspot.com
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com
entery #1

Unknown said...

your button is here
http://mommyofalittleblond.blogspot.com
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com
entery #2

Unknown said...

your button is here
http://mommyofalittleblond.blogspot.com
lynnnjoe(at)hotmail(dot)com
entery #3

Rachel C said...

I learned that they are 100% post-play recyclable! Looks like fun :)
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

gfc follower
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

gfc follower 2
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

email subscriber
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

email subscriber 2
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered ZooShoo
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered Speck
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered Lime Ricki
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered Sew Cute
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered Yummy Dough
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered Equal Exchange
rach62803@yahoo.com

Rachel C said...

entered ionator
rach62803@yahoo.com

wigget said...

i learned the cardboard playhouses are made in the U.S.A. using 100% recycled cardboard materials

wigget said...

entered activeion giveaway

wigget said...

entered yummy dough giveaway

wigget said...

entered lime ricki giveaway

sodahoney said...

I learned that they support children's charities and fund raising activities benefitting The Rainbow House and The Empty Stocking Foundations.

sodahoney said...

I like kidscraft on FB @sodahoney

sodahoney said...

Posted on FB Wall http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=266986121130&share_id=116010381777659&comments=1#s116010381777659

sodahoney said...

I follow kidscraft on twitter

sodahoney said...

tweet http://twitter.com/sodahoney/status/16246636102

sodahoney said...

I fllow you on twitter

sodahoney said...

I follow u on GFC @sodahoney #1

sodahoney said...

I follow u on GFC @sodahoney #2

sodahoney said...

I am a fan on FB @sodahoney

sodahoney said...

I am a fan on FB #2

sodahoney said...

I have ur button www.sodahoney.blogspot.com #1

sodahoney said...

I have ur button www.sodahoney.blogspot.com #3

sodahoney said...

Blogged http://sodahoney.blogspot.com/2010/06/july-3-to-july-10.html #2

sodahoney said...

Blogged http://sodahoney.blogspot.com/2010/06/july-3-to-july-10.html #3

sodahoney said...

i entered Activeion ionator

sodahoney said...

Entered Xoo soo

Jennifer said...

Hi, I am following you from Follow me Back Tuesday :)

Jennifer @ http://coplingshobbithole.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

How the company started: Months ago during a move to a new office we were left with an abundance of empty, broken down cardboard boxes. Kids being kids, they were naturally drawn to the boxes and wanted to rebuild and play in them. They also took out markers and crayons, drawing on them for what seemed to be hours on end....

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I follow KidsCraft on Twitter as 2Cats2See and I "like" them on facebook and commented on their wall: KidsCraft inspires creativity! I just entered to win the Shuttle Imagination or Creation Cottage at Thanks, Mail Carrier! http://bit.ly/aI61jZ


Donna Hufman Warrington
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I follow you on Twitter as 2Cats2See and tweeted the following: WIN a KidsCraft Shuttle Imagination ($70) or Creation Cottage ($60) from @kidscraftusa! @thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/aI61jZ #win #giveaway

see http://twitter.com/2Cats2See

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I subscribe through e-mail

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I subscribe through e-mail

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I subscribe to your feed

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I subscribe to your feed.

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I'm a facebook fan.

Donna Hufman Warrington
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I'm a facebook fan.

Donna Hufman Warrington
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I've entered your HOM giveaway

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I've entered your Scrubbing Bubbles giveaway

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I've entered your Sew Cute Creations giveaway

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I've entered your Little Pea giveaway

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I've entered your ZooShoo giveaway

Donna
dwarrington1@gmail.com

Rebecca W said...

The company won The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval for 2010.
rebeccaw2005(at)hotmail.com

Rebecca W said...

I entered the FlaSmart giveaway
rebeccaw2005(at)hotmail.com

Rebecca W said...

I entered the Lime Ricki swimwear
rebeccaw2005(at)hotmail.com

Rebecca W said...

I entered to win the ZooShoo giveaway
rebeccaw2005(at)hotmail.com

Rebecca W said...

I entered to win the stroller caddy and tote bag
rebeccaw2005(at)hotmail.com

Rebecca W said...

http://twitter.com/beccaann38/status/16260971994
I"m following and I tweeted
rebeccaw2005(at)hotmail.com

mverno said...

encourage creative play in children mverno@roadrunner.com

Rebecca W said...

I"m an email subscriber
rebeccaw2005(at)hotmail.com
#2

Rebecca W said...

I follow gfc-rebecca williams
rebeccaw2005(at)hotmail.com
#1

Rebecca W said...

I follow gfc-rebecca williams
rebeccaw2005(at)hotmail.com
#2

Jennifer said...

KidsCraft is partners with Trees for the Future!

Jennifer said...

I follow via google friend connect!

Jennifer said...

I follow 2!

Jennifer said...

I subscribe via email!

Jennifer said...

I subscribe 2!

Crystal said...

They planted 1000 trees for earth day
crystalnjoe1105@aol.com

Crystal said...

I follow Kidcraft on Twitter
crystalnjoe1105@aol.com

Crystal said...

I follow and tweeted
http://twitter.com/crystalnjoe1105/status/16271179979
crystalnjoe1105@aol.com

Crystal said...

I follow via GFC
crystalnjoe1105@aol.com

Crystal said...

I follow via GFC
crystalnjoe1105@aol.com

Crystal said...

I subscribe via email

crystalnjoe1105@aol.com

Crystal said...

I subscribe via email

crystalnjoe1105@aol.com

Debbie said...

I learned they are made from 100 % recycled material.

d.hassman at gmail dot com

Debbie said...

Following kidcraft on twitter.

d.hassman at gmail dot com

Debbie said...

Follow on GFC 1

d.hassman at gmail dot com

Debbie said...

Gfc follower 2

d.hassman at gmail dot com

Cari said...

I learned that they are made out of 100% recycled cardboard!

carissa.sutton(at)gmail.com

Cari said...

I'm following KidsCraft on FB - Cari S. and I commented!

carissa.sutton(at)gmail.com

Cari said...

I entered the Corel Paint It giveaway.

carissa.sutton(at)gmail.com

Cari said...

I entered the Sew Cute Creations giveaway.

carissa.sutton(at)gmail.com

Cari said...

I follow you on Twitter @ThisLittleFam

I tweeted.

http://twitter.com/ThisLittleFam/status/16283551170
carissa.sutton(at)gmail.com

Cari said...

I follow w/ GFC

carissa.sutton(at)gmail.com #1

Cari said...

I follow w/ GFC

carissa.sutton(at)gmail.com #2

lilpinksocks said...

I learned that the playhouses are made in the U.S.A. using 100% recycled cardboard materials
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

Stephanie said...

they are dedicated the simple idea of supporting our future through our children first and secondly by our continuous efforts to be socially and environmentally conscious
tvollowitz at aol dot com

lilpinksocks said...

I follow KidsCraft on twitter (lilpinksocks)
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I follow you on twitter (lilpinksocks) and tweeted: http://twitter.com/lilpinksocks/statuses/16283928027
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I follow with Google Friend Connect #1
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I follow with Google Friend Connect #2
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

RSS feed subscriber via google reader #1
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

RSS feed subscriber via google reader #2
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

Email subscriber #1
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

Email subscriber #2
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I'm a fan on facebook (lisa araujo davis) #1
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I'm a fan on facebook (lisa araujo davis) #2
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I have your button #1
http://lilpinksocks.blogspot.com/
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I have your button #2
http://lilpinksocks.blogspot.com/
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I have your button #3
http://lilpinksocks.blogspot.com/
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

Blog #1
http://lilpinksocks.blogspot.com/2010/06/win-your-choice-of-shuttle-imagination.html
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

Blog #2
http://lilpinksocks.blogspot.com/2010/06/win-your-choice-of-shuttle-imagination.html
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

Blog #2
http://lilpinksocks.blogspot.com/2010/06/win-your-choice-of-shuttle-imagination.html
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

Blog #3
http://lilpinksocks.blogspot.com/2010/06/win-your-choice-of-shuttle-imagination.html
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I entered the ionator giveaway
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I entered the Yummy Dough giveaway
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

lilpinksocks said...

I entered the ZooShoo giveaway
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

CathyH said...

I learned that they recognize the importance of encouraging creativity and imagination
cathyhorner at embarqmail dot com

CathyH said...

email subscriber 1
cathyhorner at embarqmail dot com

CathyH said...

email subscriber 2
cathyhorner at embarqmail dot com

CathyH said...

follow with GFC 1
cathyhorner at embarqmail dot com

CathyH said...

follow with gfc 2
cathyhorner at embarqmail dot com

CathyH said...

follow you with facebook 1
cathyhorner at embarqmail dot com

CathyH said...

follow you on facebook 2
cathyhorner at embarqmail dot com

CathyH said...

entered scrubbing bubbles
cathyhorner at embarqmail dot com

CathyH said...

entered burn cream md
cathyhorner at embarqmail dot com

CathyH said...

entered equal exchange
cathyhorner at embarqmail dot com

CathyH said...

entered corel paint it
cathyhorner at embarqmail dot com

CathyH said...

entered zooshoo
cathyhorner at embarqmail dot com

Tracey said...

Their products are made from 100% recycleable materials and that they are 100% post play recyclable.
traymona[at]aol.com

ShellyH said...

dt-
http://twitter.com/Ravish30/status/16304311906
Ravish30 at aol dot com

Jennifer said...

I learned A percentage of all sales of KidsCraft Playhouses have been devoted to a variety of worthy like-minded groups

Jennifer said...

I follow KidsCraft on Twitter (@jkgorcery)

Jennifer said...

I follow via google friend connect #2

Jennifer said...

I subscribe via google reader #1

Jennifer said...

I subscribe via google reader #2

Jennifer said...

entered scrubbing bubbles

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