Wednesday, September 22, 2010

K'NEX Building Sets {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Annie1!}

There are certain toys that lead to creativity right out of the box.

I love the kind that I can set in front of my daughters and there aren't strict instructions or that take a while to put together or set up in order for them to play. If it's ready for use immediately, that just keeps the interest and excitement going much longer than if they have to sit while I get out a screwdriver or explain where to put each and every piece.

And there's almost no better example of that than the endless imaginative options that come with the toys that children all over the world love: K'NEX.

The most innovative and fastest growing construction toy company, K'NEX products are sold (and enjoyed) across the globe. With the ability to provide fun and enjoyment for kids while mixing in the strong educational aspects of building, balance and critical thinking, these unique small connectors manage to accomplish big things.

Having heard of (and played with) K'NEX before, I had never really thought of them as something for younger children. Even though the K'NEX 1000 Piece Ultimate Value Tub is full of endless constructive possibilities, it's not exactly a bin that I would set down in front of Little Sister B unless I wanted to be picking K'NEX out of nooks and crannies for weeks.

However, the K'NEX Neighborhood Collection School Bus Building Set and the Neighborhood Collection Fire Truck Building Set are a completely different story. Designed for ages 2 - 5, the entire Neighborhood Collection brings the joy of K'NEX down to a simple, uncomplicated level.

And when both Big Sister E and Little Sister B caught a glimpse of the fact that they were going to be able to build with Elmo, they couldn't wait to begin.

Right away I appreciated the way the way these Building Sets were packaged together yet individually wrapped to keep them from getting damaged. The pieces are sturdy and solid and plenty large enough that small hands can grip and stack them together.

Both of my girls loved putting Elmo together and then the addition of being able to create a fire truck and school bus for him to ride on was a big hit. But as much fun as it was to turn the pictures into reality, we also had a great time just being creative with these pieces.

Just because Little Sister B's bus didn't look quite the same as the picture or Big Sister E's fire truck tower wasn't listed as a suggestion didn't mean that the process of creating them didn't include just as much laughter. When we wanted to, we went off of the great "Play & Learn" activity sheets (that show extra ideas and pictures) which were included with the Neighborhood Collection Sets and when we didn't, we didn't. If the point was to have fun, we achieved it!

Later on, while Little Sister B was napping, Big Sister E and I pulled out the remaining K'NEX boxes: the Construction Crew Building Set and the Flying Friends Building Set. More like the traditional K'NEX that I have seen before, these sets contain a variety of shapes and sizes of KID K'NEX rods, connectors and blocks that are easily used by ages 3 and up. New to me, however, were the movable and bendable K'NEX, giving way to even more building possibilities.

Big Sister E immediately loved being able to use her imagination to turn these piles of pieces into construction vehicle pals and flying friends by using the eyes, wheels and propeller. By looking at the pictures on the box, we were able to get inspired, but the real fun came from just stacking, snapping and plugging the K'NEX together to make them come to life.

Whether we played with the Building Sets or Neighborhood Collection Sets individually or combined them together it was easy to see the creativity and imagination that these brought to my girls. The interaction between them (as well as me), hand-eye coordination and the self-confidence they showed made me proud of them, no matter what their finished product looked like.

I loved that Little Sister B could participate and feel as though she was a part of the action with the Neighborhood Collection and seeing Big Sister E come up with more and more possibilities using the Building Sets was just plain fun. With so many levels and series of K'NEX available, these are definitely toys that can grow with your child and bring years of educational entertainment!

Thanks to the generosity of K'NEX, one person will get to enjoy seeing their child build and create as well, because...

One lucky person will win a KID K'NEX Construction Crew Building Set AND a Flying Friends Building Set! ARV $25.98!

To enter to win: Visit K'NEX and tell me one of their other great products that you or your child would enjoy.

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 if you Like K'NEX on Facebook. 1 more Extra Entry if you leave the following message on their wall: Kids love K'NEX! I just entered to win the Construction Crew and Flying Friends Sets at Thanks, Mail Carrier! http://bit.ly/cGoFGj
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 the K'NEX Construction Crew & Flying Friends Building Sets for endless creativity! @thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/cGoFGj #win #giveaway

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 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 K'NEX. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on October 15th 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 residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to K'NEX for providing the aforementioned sets for me to review as well as the Construction Crew and Flying Friends Building Sets 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.

1174 comments:

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Anonymous said...

The Elmo pet vet is adorable!! Thanks for the chance to win!


mindy411 at hotmail dot com

Cheryl said...

I think the Turbo Moto Bot is adorable! I'd actually enjoy building that!

Cheryl said...

I've entered your Keurig giveaway.

Cheryl said...

I'm a fan on Facebook.

Cheryl said...

Your button is on my blog here- http://iaskedforscrambled.blogspot.com/p/blogging-besties.html (1 of 3 entries)

Cheryl said...

Your button is on my blog here- http://iaskedforscrambled.blogspot.com/p/blogging-besties.html (2 of 3 entries)

Cheryl said...

Your button is on my blog here- http://iaskedforscrambled.blogspot.com/p/blogging-besties.html (3 of 3 entries)

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

I love k'nex products. Would love the speed coaster
--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

Follow you via gfc (1)
--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

Follow you via gfc (2)
--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

Entered to win Keurig
--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

Entered to win Amazon GiftZip
--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

Entered to win Jiffy LUbe
--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

B. Wilson @ Windy {City} Wilsons said...

Entered to win pillsbury
--Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com

The Jaded Mom said...

LINCOLN LOGS Rocky Mountain Ranch

The Jaded Mom said...

GFC as The Jaded Mom

The Jaded Mom said...

Following you on Twitter @jadesteva

The Jaded Mom said...

Naturally lower in fat! That is always good.

The Jaded Mom said...

Email subscriber

The Jaded Mom said...

Facebook "liked" this blog

The Jaded Mom said...

FB "liked" LB

The Jaded Mom said...

Signed up for LB newsletter

The Jaded Mom said...

Subscriber via RSS

The Jaded Mom said...

Twitter follow NW @jadesteva

The Jaded Mom said...

Entered Cook in a Kitchen giveaway

Stacie said...

I think my daughter would get a kick out of the Elmo's Sunny day Building set.

stacie@supermommytotherescue.com

Stacie said...

I liked K'nex on facebook and I left a message on the wall

stacie@supermommytotherescue.com

Stacie said...

I follow you on Google Friend Connect

stacie@supermommytotherescue.com

cloud10277 said...

I think my son would like to have the KICK IT! ELMO BUILDING SET.
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

I Like K'NEX on Facebook
Tracy P
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

I left a comment on K'NEX Facebook wall.
Tracy P
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

I entered the GiftZip giveaway.
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

I entered the Magneatos giveaway.
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

I entered the Pillsbury giveaway.
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

I entered the Kodak EasyShare giveaway.
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

I entered the Sock Grams giveaway.
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

I follow you on twitter
@cloud10277
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/cloud10277/status/25223156032
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

Entry #2
I follow with GFC
Tracy P
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

Entry #1
I'm a fan on Facebook
Tracy P
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

Entry #1
Email subscriber
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

Entry #2
Email subscriber
cloud10277@hotmail.com

Brooke C said...

My son would love the RAILROAD PALS BUILDING SET.

italiaangel80@gmail.com

Brooke C said...

I like KNEX on facebook
(brooke comperchio)

italiaangel80@gmail.com

Brooke C said...

I left a comment on the KNEX wall
(brooke comperchio)

italiaangel80@gmail.com

Brooke C said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/italiaangel80/status/25226428672

italiaangel80@gmail.com

Brooke C said...

i follow on gfc
entry 1
italiaangel80@gmail.com

Brooke C said...

i follow on gfc
entry 2
italiaangel80@gmail.com

Brooke C said...

i subscribe via email
entry 1
italiaangel80@gmail.com

Brooke C said...

i subscribe via email
entry 2
italiaangel80@gmail.com

Brooke C said...

i like you on facebook
(brooke comperchiO)
entry 1
italiaangel80@gmail.com

Brooke C said...

i like you on facebook
(brooke comperchiO)
entry 2
italiaangel80@gmail.com

Unknown said...

My daughter and I would enjoy the Lincoln Logs Rocky Mountain Ranch!
anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

BusyB said...

what a great giveaway thanks!!!! Kids LOVE using their imagination...these truly help!

CHEERS!

wigget said...

they would love the monster jam micro trucks

wigget said...

subscriber

wigget said...

subscriber 2

wigget said...

entered keurig giveaway

wigget said...

entered giftzip giveaway

wigget said...

entered i play giveaway

wigget said...

entered magneatos gvieaway

wigget said...

entered halo giveaway

wigget said...

entered pillsbury giveaway

wigget said...

entered citizenpip giveaway

wigget said...

entered sport-brella giveaway

crboyd said...

My little one would love the Light Up Ferris Wheel. :)

Unknown said...

I like K'NEX on Facebook as Addison Kat
anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

I left the requested message on K'NEX fall
anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

entered your Guidecraft giveaway
anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

entered your HALO SleepSack giveaway
anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

entered your Play Doh giveaway
anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

entered your citizenpip giveaway
anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

entered your wind & weather giveaway
anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

entered magic cabin giveaway
anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

entered your keurig giveaway
anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

follow via GFC
anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

follow you via GFC
anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

subscriber to your RSS feed
anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

subscriber to your RSS feed
anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

i like you on FB as Addison Kat
anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

I like you on FB as Addison Kat #2
anita[dot]truck[at]gmail[dot]com

jmajor4870 said...

my grandson would like the ELMO'S SPACE ADVENTURE BUILDING SET. He is a huge fan of elmos
jmajor4870(at)aol(dot)com

Traci66 said...

My son would love GRAVE DIGGER® TRANSPORTER RIG BUILDING SET
ozzykelley1 at yahoo dot com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

The Monster Jam Micro Trucks would be apprediated at our house.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

1. I'm an email subscriber.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

2. I'm an email subscriber.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Traci66 said...

I like Knex on FB as Traci Kelley
ozzykelley1 at yahoo dot com

Traci66 said...

I wrote on Knex wall as Traci Kelley
ozzykelley1 at yahoo dot com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

I entered the Citizenpip giveaway.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

I entered the Play Doh Creations giveaway.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

I entered the Magneatos giveaway.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

I entered the $25 GiftZip Amazon GC giveaway.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

I entered the Wind & Weather Station giveaway.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

I entered the Halo Sleep Sack giveaway.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

I entered the Sock Gram giveaway.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Traci66 said...

I follow you on twitter as TraciK66 and tweeted
http://twitter.com/TraciK66/status/25231874090
ozzykelley1{at}yahoo{dot}com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

I entered the Spinning SeeSaw giveaway.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Traci66 said...

#1 I am a follower via GFC
ozzykelley1{at}yahoo{dot}com

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

I entered the Keurig Special Edition Brewer.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Traci66 said...

#2 I am a follower via GFC
ozzykelley1{at}yahoo{dot}com

mommy2luke2008 said...

My son would also like the 24 DUPONT PIT LANE BUILDING SET!
maryw1981 at yahoo dot com

Traci66 said...

#1 I am an email subscriber.
ozzykelley1{at}yahoo{dot}com

Traci66 said...

#2 I am an email subscriber.
ozzykelley1{at}yahoo{dot}com

mommy2luke2008 said...

I entered the Sport Brella giveaway
maryw1981 at yahoo dot com

mommy2luke2008 said...

I entered the Amazon gift card giveaway
maryw1981 at yahoo dot com

mommy2luke2008 said...

I follow you on twitter and tweeted
http://twitter.com/getinonthewins/status/25232384481
maryw1981 at yahoo dot com

mommy2luke2008 said...

#2
I follow you on GFC
maryw1981 at yahoo dot com

mommy2luke2008 said...

I subscribe to your emails
maryw1981 at yahoo dot com

jagel888 said...

I like the Lincoln Logs

jagel888 said...

I follow on google #1

jagel888 said...

I follow on google #2

jagel888 said...

Im an email subscriber at jagel888(at)yahoo(dot)com
#1

jagel888 said...

Im an email subscriber at jagel888(at)yahoo(dot)com
#2

jagel888 said...

Im a FB fan #1

jagel888 said...

Im a FB fan #2

Elaine said...

I like the Sesame Street Collection

Elaine said...

I like Knex on Facebook

Elaine said...

I left message on Knex wall

Elaine said...

I follow with a Feed

Elaine said...

I subscribe via email

mkjmc said...

The light up ferris wheel for sure!

mkjmc said...

LIked K'Nex on FB
kathy persons

kathypersons@yahoo.com

mkjmc said...

Left message on their wall
kathypersons@yahoo.com

mkjmc said...

http://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/25236255483
kathypersons@yahoo.com

JM said...

my son will go crazy with http://www.knex.com/building_toys/super_grover_building_set.php johannammartinez2010@gmail.com

Jennifer said...

I like teh Big Ferris Wheel jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com

Jennifer said...

I follow via google friend connect #1 jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com

Jennifer said...

I subscribe via google reader #2 jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com

Kathleen said...

we'd love the ELMO'S COWBOY ADVENTURE BUILDING SET

Kathleen said...

i entered the sport-brella giveaway

Kathleen said...

i follow via email #1

Kathleen said...

i follow via email #2

Kathleen said...

i follow via google friends connect #1

Kathleen said...

i follow via google friends connect #2

Kathleen said...

i entered the Keurig Special Edition Brewer giveaway

JM said...

like K'NEX on Facebook (johanna martinez2010@gmail.com

JM said...

wrote on their wall http://www.facebook.com/pages/KNEX/37841800170#!/pages/KNEX/37841800170?v=wall&story_fbid=10150281442300171&ref=mf (johanna martinez) johannammartinez2010@gmail.com

JM said...

enteres swintown giveaway johannammartinez2010@gmail.com

abfantom said...

My daughter is a Jeff Gordon fan so she would love K'nex NASCAR ® 24 DuPont / Pepsi Car Building Set

abfantom at yahoo dot com

JM said...

entered keurig giveaway johannammartinez2010@gmail.com

abfantom said...

I follow via GFC: abfantom entry #1

abfantom at yahoo dot com

Annie1 said...

Love the HI-FLYERS 10 MODEL BUILDING SET; my nephew Tristan would go to town with that!

ty

nancyrobster at gmail dot com

Annie1 said...

Like Knex on fb

Anne Taylor or annectaylor1


ty

nancyrobster at gmail dot com

Annie1 said...

Commented on Knex fb wall


http://www.facebook.com/pages/KNEX/37841800170#!/pages/KNEX/37841800170?v=wall&story_fbid=10150281466510171&ref=mf

nancyrobster at gmail dot com

Annie1 said...

entered the Magic Cabin giveaway


ty

nancyrobster at gmail dot com

Annie1 said...

entered the Kodak EasyShare giveaway


ty

nancyrobster at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

we like the Elmo's Sunny day Building set.

Annie1 said...

entered the HALO giveaway


ty

nancyrobster at gmail dot com

Annie1 said...

entered the Keurig giveaway


ty

nancyrobster at gmail dot com

Annie1 said...

entered the Amazon $25 giveaway


ty

nancyrobster at gmail dot com

Annie1 said...

Follow you on Twitter

greeeneyedwhwom

Tweet

http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/25242205099

nancyrobster at gmail dot com

Betty N said...

I think my grandson would love Turbo from the micro-bot series

Annie1 said...

Follow via GFC

Annie1

ty


nancyrobster at gmail dot com

Annie1 said...

2

Follow via GFC

Annie1

ty


nancyrobster at gmail dot com

Annie1 said...

google reader subscriber

ty

nancyrobster at gmail dot com

Annie1 said...

2

google reader subscriber

ty

nancyrobster at gmail dot com

Annie1 said...

Like you on fb

Anne Taylor or annectaylor1


ty

nancyrobster at gmail dot com

Annie1 said...

2

Like you on fb

Anne Taylor or annectaylor1


ty

nancyrobster at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

The Elmo pet vet is adorable!!

Jessica said...

KNEX facebook fan

Jessica said...

KNEX facebook fan
jessica tang

Jessica said...

left comment on KNEX facebook wall
jessica tang

Jessica said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/hongdoufantuan/status/25242601365

Jessica said...

followed you on GFC #1 - Jessica

Jessica said...

followed you on GFC #2 - Jessica

Jessica said...

your RSS feed subscriber on google reader #1 - Jessica

Jessica said...

your RSS feed subscriber on google reader #2 - Jessica

Jessica said...

your email subscriber #2
jessicatang90@hotmail.com

Jessica said...

your facebook fan #2
jessica tang

Jessica said...

entered your Keurig giveaway

Jessica said...

entered your magic cabin giveaway

Yours Truly said...

The FURRY FRIENDS BUILDING SET looks cute!

Trudy
onlyjustine at yahoo dot com

Yours Truly said...

I entered the Keurig giveaway.

Trudy
onlyjustine at yahoo dot com

Sims Family said...

The light up ferris wheel looks awesome!

sims.whitney at gmail.com

Sims Family said...

I get your emails!

sims.whitney at gmail.com

Sims Family said...

I get your emails

sims.whitney at gmail.com

Sims Family said...

I entered your play doh giveaway

sims.whitney at gmail.com

Sims Family said...

I entered your Chic Monkey giveaway

sims.whitney at gmail.com

Cathi said...

actually, this would be gifted to my little niece as a treat...and SHE would LOOOOOOVE the Elmo (or anything Sesame St related) set!

ourfam@bellsout.net

Cathi said...

I like K'nex on Fb

Cathi said...

I left your message on the K'nex Fb wall....

Cathi said...

I'm your fan on FB
entry 1

ourfam@bellsouth.net

Cathi said...

I am a fan on FB
entry 2

ourfam@bellsouth.net

Cathi said...

I get your emails
entry 1

ourfam@bellsouth.net

Cathi said...

I get your emails
entry 2


ourfam@bellsouth.net

Cathi said...

I follow on GFC
entry 1

ourfam@bellsouth.net

Cathi said...

I follow on GFC
entry2

ourfam@bellsouth.net

Cathi said...

I entered the Pear Tree giveaway

ourfam@bellsouth.net

Cathi said...

I entered the Kureig Coffee maker giveaway

ourfam@bellsout.net

twinmomoftwins said...

I like the lincoln logs rocky mountain ranch.
ortizvelasquez at yahoo dot com

Megan Earley said...

I'd like the Elmo's Treasure Hunt Adventure set.
mearley1979 at gmail dot com

Megan Earley said...

I like KNEX on FB
mearley1979 at gmail dot com

Megan Earley said...

commented on KNEX FB
mearley1979 at gmail dot com

Megan Earley said...

entered Pillsubry
mearley1979 at gmail dot com

Megan Earley said...

entered Gift Zip
mearley1979 at gmail dot com

Megan Earley said...

entered i play
mearley1979 at gmail dot com

Megan Earley said...

entered Guidecraft
mearley1979 at gmail dot com

Megan Earley said...

entered Jiffy Lube
mearley1979 at gmail dot com

Megan Earley said...

entered Play-doh
mearley1979 at gmail dot com

Megan Earley said...

entered Sock Grams
mearley1979 at gmail dot com

Megan Earley said...

GFC follower 2
mearley1979 at gmail dot com

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