Saturday, November 6, 2010

Checking Our List #6: CitiBlocs Wooden Building Set {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Lloyd Family!}

It's amazing how quickly kids grow up, isn't it? It seems like yesterday I was out shopping for tiny onesies, burp cloths and swaddling blankets and today... well, let's just say that all of those things have since gone into a garage sale. Along with everything else that my girls have outgrown, outlasted or just plain got too old for.

Some items were easier to get rid of than others, but the ones that probably bothered me the most were the things that were hardly used. That didn't happen much with clothes (seeing as I have two girls so usually at least one of them wore it), but some of the toys had barely made it out of their boxes, if at all. It just seems like they were far too age-specific, items that were aimed just at infants or toddlers and couldn't be adapted for any older.

In the future I'd like to focus on just the opposite and try to only own toys that are the perfect thing to grow right along with children. Toys such as CitiBlocs. For all ages and skill levels, these innovative, award-winning, educational blocks are the kind of toy that can entertain toddlers to teenagers (and adults)... just add imagination.

A completely open-ended toy, we were first introduced to CitiBlocs last March... and I'm not sure if Big Sister E or I had more fun playing and constructing with them for that review. In the time since then, however, our all-natural, simple wood blocks have provided plenty of building, inventing, creative, successful play times.

Plus, as well as selling in packages containing a variety of the number of blocks (anywhere from 50 up to 1,000), CitiBlocs also now come in really great colors to enhance the fun: Hot or Cool. The Hot colors consist of red, orange, yellow, pink and natural wood and the Cool set is made up of blue, green, turquoise, dark green and natural. What great combinations!

Prior to these two color sets being released though, CitiBlocs first offered boxes that contained either red and blue or turquoise and green. And when Big Sister E and Little Sister B saw the possibility of creating with the same uniquely proportioned, easily stackable toy that they already enjoyed but now in the fun red and blue set, they couldn't wait to get their hands on them.

Still precisely cut from Grade A Radiata Pine from certified renewable forests in New Zealand and still with each piece exactly the same shape and size as the next, these vibrantly colored blocks grab your attention and don't let go. As the hues are made from certified safe non-toxic, water-based stains, there is never any issue of harmful paint or chemicals in those little hands.

And boy, do these blocks stay there. Just laying out the 4.5" x 1" x .25" blocks immediately inspires Big Sister E to build towers and houses and cars and boats and Little Sister B to build... piles. But the best part is that both of them love it. No matter if they work on their constructions alone, together or with my help (we have to try some of the neat design ideas in the included Building Guide, right?) there is no pressure or wrong way to do things.

Which means the results can sometimes bring really big smiles.

CitiBlocs truly are a simple concept that can inspire the construction of pretty much anything. I enjoy seeing the gears turning in my kids' minds and the logical thinking, problem solving and physics that they're using when they study each piece before stacking it on top.

Without needing any glue, snaps, connectors or magnets, all that is required to have a great time with CitiBlocs is a flat surface. From there, children of all ages can gain the feelings of accomplishment, discovery and confidence that comes from building with something that stacks up so easily. Because each time you open the box will be a new experience, there's never a wrong way to play... just more imaginative learning about gravity and balance.

An ideal educational toy for encouraging the strengths and interests of any child (whether individually or through group play), CitiBlocs are somehow modern while being inherently classic. Available at affordable prices right on their website, at retailers across the United States (and distributed internationally), this holiday season CitiBlocs would be a wonderful gift under the tree... and wouldn't require a single battery or minute of blinking lights or beeping sounds.

Thanks to the generosity of CitiBlocs, one person will have one great gift taken care of for the holidays in a colorful way, because...

One lucky person will win a CitiBlocs 100-Piece Wooden Building Set in their choice of Hot or Cool colors! ARV $22.99!

To enter to win: Visit CitiBlocs and tell me the name of a retailer near you that carries these great toys (hint: look under the Products tab).

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 head over to A Mom's Balancing Act and enter to win a CitiBlocs 100-pc Wooden Building Set in Hot or Cool colors there, too!
1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow CitiBlocs on Twitter and/or join their group on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the Holiday Gift Guide giveaways (Checking Our List giveaways ONLY) 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!

Checking Our List 6: WIN a CitiBlocs 100-pc Wooden Building Set in HOT or COOL colors! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/98i60N #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 have our Checking Our List {Holiday Gift Guide 2010} 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 CitiBlocs. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on November 26th 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 big thank you to CitiBlocs for providing CitiBlocs for me to review and a 100-piece Hot or Cool Wooden Building Set 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.

806 comments:

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Sassy said...

There is only one place that carries them where we are located. Creative Toy Express

sassysasha817 at gmail dot com

Sassy said...

I follow you via GFC
Sasha Lang

sassysasha817 at gmail dot com

Sassy said...

I follow you via GFC
Sasha Lang

sassysasha817 at gmail dot com

Erika said...

The closest one to me is Imagination Village.
Thanks!

Erika said...

I entered the giveaway at A Mom's Balancing Act!

Brandi Elam said...

Homewood Toy & Hobby in Homewood, AL is the closest place to me that carries the blocks.

brandielam3 at gmail dot com

Brandi Elam said...

I follow Citiblocs on Twitter (@shakymommy)

brandielam3 at gmail dot com

Brandi Elam said...

I joined the Citiblocs on FB

brandielam3 at gmail dot com

Brandi Elam said...

I follow on GFC 1

brandielam3 at gmail dot com

Brandi Elam said...

I follow on GFC 2

brandielam3 at gmail dot com

Brandi Elam said...

I'm a fan on FB 1

brandielam3 at gmail dot com

Brandi Elam said...

I'm a fan on FB 2

brandielam3 at gmail dot com

Brandi Elam said...

I entered the Guidecraft giveaway

brandielam3 at gmail dot com

Brandi Elam said...

I entered the Trick or Tater giveaway

brandielam3 at gmail dot com

Brandi Elam said...

I entered the Hearthsong giveaway

brandielam3 at gmail dot com

Alison said...

Fat Brain in NE (alidear at hotmail dot com)

Alison said...

I like citiblocs on fb (alidear at hotmail dot com)

Alison said...

I like your page on fb (alidear at hotmail dot com)

Alison said...

I like your page on fb (alidear at hotmail dot com)

Alison said...

I subscribe to your blog via email (alidear at hotmail dot com)

Cory said...

UT Salt Lake City The Tutoring Toy
mychancetowin at gmail dot com

cloud10277 said...

The place that sells them near me is the AIA Bookstore in Philadelphia PA.
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

I entered to win a CitiBlocs 100-pc Wooden Building Set in Hot or Cool colors from A Mom's Balancing Act.
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

I belong to CitiBlocs Facebook group.
Tracy P
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

I entered the Checking our list Little Tikes giveaway.
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

I entered the Checking our list HearthSong giveaway.
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

I entered the RCA Camcorder giveaway.
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

I entered the Checking our list KidKraft giveaway.
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

I entered the Checking our list Xtrema giveaway.
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

I follow you on Twitter
@cloud10277
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/cloud10277/status/963483747225600
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

Entry #1
I follow with GFC
Tracy P
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

Entry #2
I'm a fan on Facebook
Tracy P
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

Entry #1
Email subscriber
cloud10277@hotmail.com

Domestic Diva said...

I can find them at PLayfair toys.

Domestic Diva said...

gfc follower #1

Domestic Diva said...

gfc follower #2

Kim said...

I can get some here- Puzzle Mania/Puzzle Zoo

Kim said...

follow blog 1

Kim said...

follow blog 2

Kim said...

email subscriber 1

Kim said...

email subscriber 2

Kim said...

feed subscriber 1

Kim said...

feed subscriber 2

Kim said...

twitter follow them -kgail11

Belinda said...

Mountain Top Toys near us sells them

mikebelindaconnor at hotmail dot com

Belinda said...

I entered the Liitle Tykes giveaway

mikebelindaconnor at hotmail dot com

Erika said...

I follow Citiblocs on Twitter

Belinda said...

I entered the camcorder giveaway

mikebelindaconnor at hotmail dot com

Belinda said...

I entered the kidcraft giveaway

mikebelindaconnor at hotmail dot com

Erika said...

I joined Citiblocks on FB

Belinda said...

I entered the xtrema giveaway

mikebelindaconnor at hotmail dot com

Erika said...

I follow you on Twitter / Tweet: http://twitter.com/Erika105/status/992243175391232

Belinda said...

email subscriber #1

mikebelindaconnor at hotmail dot com

Belinda said...

email subscriber #2

mikebelindaconnor at hotmail dot com

Erika said...

entered Little Tikes

Belinda said...

facebook fan #1

mikebelindaconnor at hotmail dot com

Erika said...

entered hearthsong

Belinda said...

facebook fan #2

mikebelindaconnor at hotmail dot com

Erika said...

entered RCA

Erika said...

entered kidkraft

tamiv said...

The closest to me is Chilren's World,in Sarasota Florida!

tamiv said...

Joined CitiBlocs on Facebook!

tamiv said...

Email Subscriber #1!

tamiv said...

Email Subscriber #2!

tamiv said...

Follow with GFC #1!

tamiv said...

Follow with GFC #2!

tamiv said...

Like ThanksMC on FB #1!

tamiv said...

Like ThanksMC On FB #2!

tamiv said...

Entered HearthSong!

tamiv said...

Entered Little Tikes Neighborhood!

Belinda said...

Follow you on GFC #1

mikebelindaconnor at hotmail dot com

tamiv said...

Entered Digital Camcorder!

Belinda said...

Follow you on GFC #2

mikebelindaconnor at hotmail dot com

Erika said...

entered Xtrema

Erika said...

I follow with GFC

tamiv said...

Entered Kidcraft Baking Set!

Erika said...

I follow with GFC

Erika said...

I subscribe to your RSS feed

tamiv said...

Entered Xtrema Skillet Set!

Erika said...

I subscribe to your RSS feed

Erika said...

I subscribe to your email

Erika said...

subscribe to your email

Erika said...

I'm a FB fan

Erika said...

FB fan

Erika said...

I have your Holiday button on my blog: http://erikajo.blogspot.com

Erika said...

I have your Holiday button on my blog: http://erikajo.blogspot.com

shirley said...

One place where I live-
School Squared Inc
supergrand2009@yahoo.com

shirley said...

Follow GFC #1
supergrand2009@yahoo.com

shirley said...

Follow GFC #2
supergrand2009@yahoo.com

shirley said...

RSS subscriber #1
supergrand2009@yahoo.com

shirley said...

RSS subscriber #2
supergrand2009@yahoo.com

shirley said...

Email subscriber#1
supergrand2009@yahoo.com

shirley said...

Like you on FB-shirley e
supergrand2009@yahoo.com

shirley said...

Like you on FB-shirley e #2
supergrand2009@yahoo.com

slb3334 said...

kidtopia in Okoboji, IA

susan said...

The only retailer we have is Thinker Toys, Thinker Things & Thinker Tots.

susan said...

I follow CitiBlocs on Twitter.

susan said...

I follow and tweeted.
http://twitter.com/susanlanai/status/1046453950615552

susan said...

I follow via Google Friend Connect 1.

susan said...

I follow via Google Friend Connect 2.

susan said...

I'm an RSS Feed subscriber 1.

susan said...

I'm an RSS Feed subscriber 2.

susan said...

I'm an email subscriber 1.

susan said...

I'm an email subscriber 2.

susan said...

I Like you on Facebook 1.

susan said...

I Like you on Facebook 2.

susan said...

I entered your Little Tikes Neighborhood Market giveaway.

susan said...

I entered your HearthSong giveaway.

susan said...

I entered your RCA Small Wonder High Definition Digital Camcorder giveaway.

susan said...

I entered your Kidkraft Wooden Baking Set giveaway.

susan said...

I entered your Xtrema giveaway.

abfantom said...

I can purchase CitiBlocs nearby at Tinker Toys in Woodstock, NY

abfantom at yahoo dot com

abfantom said...

I'm an email subscriber entry #1

abfantom at yahoo dot com

abfantom said...

I'm an email subscriber entry #2

abfantom at yahoo dot com

abfantom said...

I follow via GFC: abfantom entry #1

abfantom at yahoo dot com

abfantom said...

I follow via GFC: abfantom entry #2

abfantom at yahoo dot com

Lesli Peterson said...

The School Box in Kennesaw, GA carries them.

Lesli Peterson said...

Entered on A Mom's Balancing Act

Lesli Peterson said...

Following Citiblocs on FB

Lesli Peterson said...

Joined Citiblocs on FB

Anonymous said...

Well I guess I will be ordering these online, since the nearest retailer is hours away in Culpepper at a store called Just Funnin

girlforgotten81@aol.com

Lesli Peterson said...

Tweeted about Citibloc give away

Lesli Peterson said...

Subscribe to RSS

Lesli Peterson said...

Subscribe via Email

Lesli Peterson said...

I'm a FB fan

Anonymous said...

I believe I already entered at A Mom's Balancing Act last night!
girlforgotten81@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I like citiblocs on fb
brandy leigh nelson
girlforgotten81@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I follow on gfc
brandy nelson
girlforgotten81@aol.com

1

Anonymous said...

I follow on gfc
brandy nelson
girlforgotten81@aol.com

2

Lesli Peterson said...

Blogged about giveaway - http://thefarm.typepad.com/cooper/2010/11/citibloc-giveaway.html

Lesli Peterson said...

Blogged about giveaway - http://thefarm.typepad.com/cooper/2010/11/citibloc-giveaway.html

Anonymous said...

already a happy subscriber
girlforgotten81@aol.com

1

Anonymous said...

already a happy subscriber
girlforgotten81@aol.com

2

Anonymous said...

I like you on fb
brandy leigh nelson
girlforgotten81@aol.com

1

Anonymous said...

I like you on fb
brandy leigh nelson
girlforgotten81@aol.com

2

Lexiquin said...

Thinker Toys in Portland, OR (there are six locations in Portland that sell CitiBlocs--that is almost a two-hour drive for me. Only other location in Oregon is in Bend).
aleq13@gmail.com

Lexiquin said...

Entered at A Mom's Balancing Act also

txterrisweeps said...

School Squared Inc in Bentonville, AR (txterrisweeps at gmail dot com)

Lexiquin said...

Natalie J Vandenberghe "Joined" CitiBlocs on Facebook

txterrisweeps said...

Entered at www.momsbalancingact.com

txterrisweeps said...

Following @citiblocs as @txterrisweeps

Lexiquin said...

@Lexiquin follows you on Twitter
Tweet! http://twitter.com/#!/lexiquin/status/1074695118004224

txterrisweeps said...

Joined CitiBlocs on FB as TxTerri Sweeps

Lexiquin said...

email subscriber (aleq13@gmail.com)

Lexiquin said...

email subscriber (second entry)

Lexiquin said...

Feed subscriber

txterrisweeps said...

Following you on twitter @txterrisweeps

Lexiquin said...

Feed subscriber (second entry)

txterrisweeps said...

11/6 Tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/TxTerriSweeps/status/1075158777339904

Lexiquin said...

Natalie J Vandenberghe "Likes" you on Facebook

txterrisweeps said...

Email subscriber (entry 1)

txterrisweeps said...

Email subscriber (entry 2)

txterrisweeps said...

Email subscriber (entry 2)

Lexiquin said...

FB fan (second entry)

txterrisweeps said...

FB fan of Thanks, Mail Carrier
TxTerri Sweeps (entry 1)

txterrisweeps said...

FB fan of Thanks, Mail Carrier
TxTerri Sweeps (entry 2)

txterrisweeps said...

Following on GFC as Terri B (entry 1)

txterrisweeps said...

following on GFC as Terri B (entry 2)

Stephanie said...

CA Santa Monica Toy Crazy
tvollowitz at aol dot com

Rachel said...

The Reading Tree in GR, MI is the closest retailer to me!

racheldawn24 at yahoo dot com

Rachel said...

I entered the giveaway at A Mom's Balancing Act.

racheldawn24 at yahoo dot com

Rachel said...

I follow you with Google Friend Connect (#1)

racheldawn24 at yahoo dot com

Rachel said...

I follow you with Google Friend Connect (#2)

racheldawn24 at yahoo dot com

Rachel said...

I have your cute button on my blog (#1)

http://farleyfunhouse.blogspot.com

racheldawn24 at yahoo dot com

Rachel said...

I have your cute button on my blog (#2)

http://farleyfunhouse.blogspot.com

racheldawn24 at yahoo dot com

Rachel said...

I have your cute button on my blog (#3)

http://farleyfunhouse.blogspot.com

racheldawn24 at yahoo dot com

Rachel said...

I have your Checking Our List button on my blog (#1)

http://farleyfunhouse.blogspot.com

racheldawn24 at yahoo dot com

Rachel said...

I have your cute button on my blog (#2)

http://farleyfunhouse.blogspot.com

racheldawn24 at yahoo dot com

Rachel said...

I have your Checking Our List button on my blog (#3)

http://farleyfunhouse.blogspot.com

racheldawn24 at yahoo dot com

Jessica said...

They sell these at "the tutoring toy"

jessicaannewilde at gmail dot com

HiHoRosie said...

I could find them at Toys That Teach

HiHoRosie said...

entered hearthsong

HiHoRosie said...

entered little tikes

HiHoRosie said...

entered rca/audiovox

HiHoRosie said...

entered xtrema

HiHoRosie said...

gfc

HiHoRosie said...

gfc

HiHoRosie said...

email

HiHoRosie said...

email

chelsei said...

The closest to us is Imagination Toys in St. Louis MO
pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

chelsei said...

Entered at A Mom's Balancing Act
pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

chelsei said...

Joined CitiBlocs on FB
Chelsei Ryan
pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

chelsei said...

Entered Little Tikes Marketplace Giveaway
pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

chelsei said...

Entered Hearthsong Giveaway
pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

chelsei said...

Entered Audiovox/RCA Giveaway
pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

chelsei said...

Entered Kidkraft Baking Set Giveaway
pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

chelsei said...

Entered Xtrema Giveaway
pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

chelsei said...

1-Follow via GFC
pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

chelsei said...

2-Follow via GFC
pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

chelsei said...

1-Subscribe to email
pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

chelsei said...

2-Subscribe to email
pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

chelsei said...

1-Like you on FB
Chelsei Ryan
pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

chelsei said...

2-Like you on FB
Chelsei Ryan
pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

You can get them at Toy Zone in Rochester, MN
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

#1 - GFC
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

#2 - GFC
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

#1 - RSS FEED
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

#2 - RSS FEED
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

#1 FB FAN - Addison Kat
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

#2 - FB fan - Addison Kat
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

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