Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Melissa & Doug Wooden Railway Set {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Sippy Cup Mom!}

It's no secret that my kids are very lucky to have as many toys as they do. From small to large, innovative and unique to classic and traditional, they are extremely fortunate to be growing up with such a wonderful variety of items to enjoy.

But out of the hundreds of toys that we've played with, there have definitely been some that stood out above the rest in terms of quality, entertainment and all around fun. These are the ones that have grown with them and have provided hours and hours of open-ended creativity, imagination and inventiveness; ones that I would be happy to have in my home and proud to give as gifts to all of the kids that we know.

And, without a doubt, our favorite name in toys and educational products is the one and only Melissa & Doug.

One of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children's products, Melissa & Doug has been offering customers products of tremendous value, quality and design since they first started back in 1988. With nearly 1,000 unique toys that, in my opinion, really are superior to the rest, there is something for kids of all ages to love and enjoy.

I can't clearly remember our first Melissa & Doug purchase... although I wish I could. It might have been the beginning of our huge collection of play food or the first of many colorful and fun wooden puzzles that my girls now both adore. Or maybe it was one of the magnetic activities... because I know the Princess Elise Magnetic Dress-Up Set was an early selection. Either way, we have loved them all.

So when the Melissa & Doug Wooden Railway Set arrived, there was no doubt in my mind that it was going to be an instant favorite for years and years to come.

Now, I've seen trains before, of course, but I have never seen a Melissa & Doug Train Set to fully understand just what makes them so amazing. The pictures on the box did look pretty nice, but when I opened it up to see all that was included, suddenly the magnitude of this set just made sense.

We're talking over 130 top-of-the-line wooden pieces in every size and shape that you can think of... and, in fact, including many that I would never have thought of on my own.

First, there were dozens of the traditional train tracks, in both straight and curved options, of multiple lengths that were not only smooth and durable, but double-sided to ensure that you could place them in just about any direction and still have them fit.

But just being able to make a circle or a ramp is far from all that can be done with Melissa & Doug toy trains. The roundhouse engine shed and roundtable, magnetic cranes, suspension bridge... the possibilities are endless!

And actually, I looked at all of these innovative pieces for a minute and wondered if I had enough creativity to come up with a way to fully make use out of them. Thankfully, Melissa & Doug had thought of people like me who like a little help getting things going once in a while and included four full color and clearly labeled diagrams that were easy to follow so that anyone could have a complete train masterpiece.

As Big Sister E and Little Sister B admired the six-piece freight train with cargo, four-piece passenger train and three-piece flatbed truck with cargo, I set to work putting together a layout that they could enjoy.

I was so glad to see that the track pieces snapped snugly and easily into one another and that kids would have no problem doing any of the construction themselves. Whether I was laying things out flat, using the wooden braces to set up a raised level or connecting it all together in the middle with the movable roundtable, the construction process was definitely a big part of the fun.
Yes, I was proud. Very proud.

After sitting back to admire our accomplishment, Big Sister E and Little Sister B dove right in to start playing. With the huge variety of places and ways to play, it was all that they could do to decide where their train was going to go next. Who could blame them?

Retailing for $119.99, the Wooden Railway Set is actually a great value for the money. All of the tracks and trains are compatible with most other brands of wooden tracks, so there's no worry if you already own a different kind or gain others to your collection somewhere down the road. Each of these high quality tracks and accessories (did you see those cute trees and traffic signs?) will provide fun no matter what.

As there aren't any electrical parts, flashing lights or battery-operated motors, this train set is all about imaginative play for any young train engineer (and their siblings, friends and parents, too). Designed for children ages three and older, the easy-to-follow visual instructions can give ideas or kids can just let their creativity take over to design the configuration of their dreams.

The Wooden Railway Set has been far from disappointing and every time we have played with it has just furthered my devotion to all things Melissa & Doug. We have yet to find one of their toys that hasn't been an instant hit and I know that all I have to do is see this logo...

...and it means quality, safety (and thorough testing to prove it) and fun. If I had start over and pick all of my kids' toys again, there are some here that I would leave out. But all of the Melissa & Doug items? I'd definitely purchase them all over again.

Do you have a train fan in your life? Even if you don't currently have one, one look at this train set could convert just about anyone to an engineer and, thanks to the generosity of Melissa & Doug, one person will find that out because...

One lucky person will win a Wooden Railway Set from Melissa & Doug*!

*If you've won any other Melissa & Doug Giveaways or Contests within the past 12 months you are not eligible to participate in this giveaway.

To enter to win:
Visit Melissa & Doug and tell me one of the many amazing toys that they sell that you (or your child) would love to own.

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 Melissa & Doug on Twitter, Like them on Facebook and/or join their Treasured Toy Club Email Newsletter.
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!

I want to #WIN a Melissa & Doug Wooden Railway Set (ARV $120)! @MelissaAndDoug is the best! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/edXoJM #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 Melissa & Doug. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on January 14th 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 Melissa & Doug for providing a Wooden Railway Set for me to review as well as 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.

1855 comments:

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Monica said...

My little girl would love the Cooks Corner Wooden Kitchen.

Thanks!

Monica said...

I follow Melissa and Doug on Twitter as franciedoll77

Thanks!

Monica said...

I am now following on GFC.

Thanks!

Yours Truly said...

I like the Stacking Construction Vehicles.

Trudy
onlyjustine at yahoo dot com

Yours Truly said...

I entered the Build-a-Bear giveaway.

Trudy
onlyjustine at yahoo dot com

ashleynichole said...

We would love the fold and go barn :)
ashleydangit(at)gmail(dot)com

ashleynichole said...

I follow GFC
ashleynichole
ashleydangit(at)gmail(dot)com

ashleynichole said...

I follow GFC #2
ashleynichole
ashleydangit(at)gmail(dot)com

Donna said...

I folloe you on facebook and I follow Melissa and Doug on Facebook. I would love to get any Melissa and Doug for my grandchildren. We especially like trains and cookin stuff.
Donna

Rebecca Orr said...

I also love the Take Along Tool Kit and the Cooks Corner Wooden Kitchen! Thanks for the chance.
bekki1820cb at gmail dot com

Rebecca Orr said...

Twitter follower: @bekki1820cb Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/bekki1820cb/status/17382221472079872

bekki1820cb at gmail dot com

Rebecca Orr said...

Melissa and Doug Twitter follower: @bekki1820cb
bekki1820cb at gmail dot com

Rebecca Orr said...

Melissa and Doug FB fan: Bekki Orr
bekki1820cb at gmail dot com

Rebecca Orr said...

I entered the COL #26 {Maukilo} giveaway.
bekki1820cb at gmail dot com

Rebecca Orr said...

I entered the COL #27 {UMI Shoes} giveaway.
bekki1820cb at gmail dot com

Rebecca Orr said...

I entered the amazon.com from bestcovery.com giveaway.
bekki1820cb at gmail dot com

Rebecca Orr said...

I entered the COL #34 {Giftzip} giveaway.
bekki1820cb at gmail dot com

Rebecca Orr said...

I entered the Spooful of Cheerios giveaway.
bekki1820cb at gmail dot com

Rebecca Orr said...

I entered the Keurig Apple Cider giveaway.
bekki1820cb at gmail dot com

Rebecca Orr said...

GFC follower. Rebecca O
bekki1820cb at gmail dot com
#1

Rebecca Orr said...

GFC follower. Rebecca O
bekki1820cb at gmail dot com
#2

Rebecca Orr said...

Rss feed subscriber.
bekki1820cb at gmail dot com
#1

Rebecca Orr said...

Rss feed subscriber.
bekki1820cb at gmail dot com
#2

Rebecca Orr said...

Email subscriber.
bekki1820cb at gmail dot com
#1

Rebecca Orr said...

Email subscriber.
bekki1820cb at gmail dot com
#2

Rebecca Orr said...

FB fan: bekki orr
bekki1820cb at gmail dot com
#1

Rebecca Orr said...

FB fan: bekki orr
bekki1820cb at gmail dot com
#2

MommyLovesStilettos said...

I love love love the dollhouses!

MommyLovesStilettos said...

I like them on FB :)

Michelle S.

MommyLovesStilettos said...

SIgned up for Treasured Toy Club :)

michellespann@macaronikid.com

MommyLovesStilettos said...

FOllowing with GFC :)

#1

MommyLovesStilettos said...

FOllowing with GFC :)

#2

MommyLovesStilettos said...

I'm a FB fan :)

Michelle S.

#1

MommyLovesStilettos said...

I'm a FB fan :)

Michelle S.

#2

Jenna said...

I love their Multi-Activity Table ...my kids would love it!

jenna@momsbalancingact.com

Jenna said...

I follow M&D on Twitter @mombalancingact
jenna@momsbalancingact.com

Jenna said...

I'm a fan of M&D on FB -

jenna@momsbalancingact.com

Jenna said...

I signed up for the newsletter

jenna@momsbalancingact.com

Jenna said...

I follow you on GFC

jenna@momsbalancingact.com

Jenna said...

I follow you on GFC

jenna@momsbalancingact.com

Jenna said...

I subscribe via email

jenna@momsbalancingact.com

Jenna said...

I subscribe via email

jenna@momsbalancingact.com

Jenna said...

I am your fan on FB

jenna@momsbalancingact.com

Leilani said...

I'd love the puppets. Thanks for the great giveaway!

leilanisauer at gmail dot com

Leilani said...

I'm a RSS subscriber.

leilanisauer at gmail dot com

Leilani said...

I entered your CSN stores giveaway.

leilanisauer at gmail dot com

The Tesdalls said...

I would love to have the Multi-Activity Table for my son!

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I like melissa and doug on facebook

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I follow melissa and doug on twitter

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I entered your floor puzzle giveaway

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I entered your amazon giveaway

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I entered your calendar giveaway

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I entered your CSN giveaway

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I entered your britax carseat giveaway

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I follow you on twitter and I tweeted http://twitter.com/kortniejo/status/17417910309883905

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I follow you thru google friend

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I follow you thru google friend

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I subscribe to your email

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I subscribe to your email

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I am your facebook fan

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

The Tesdalls said...

I am your facebook fan

kortnie.tesdall@gmail.com

eek031880@hotmail.com said...

My little girl would love the Cooks Corner Wooden Kitchen.

Aura said...

I liek the trunki and slice and bake cookies

Aura said...

melissa and doug facbeook fan

Aura said...

melissa and doug twitter follower

Brooke Anna @ Mommy Does... said...

I know my two would love the multi-activity table!
brookeannaroberts(at)yahoo(dot)com

Brooke Anna @ Mommy Does... said...

I follow GFC!
brookeannaroberts(at)yahoo(dot)com
1

Brooke Anna @ Mommy Does... said...

I follow GFC!
brookeannaroberts(at)yahoo(dot)com
2

Judy Whatilivefor said...

I think their Pizza Party set is adorable!

judywhatilivefor at gmail dot com

Judy Whatilivefor said...

I follow via google friend connect

entry 1

judywhatilivefor at gmail dot com

Judy Whatilivefor said...

I follow via google friend connect

entry 2

judywhatilivefor at gmail dot com

Judy Whatilivefor said...

I entered your jeep wrangler twin sport stroller giveaway

judywhatilivefor at gmail dot com

Judy Whatilivefor said...

I entered your giftzip giveaway

judywhatilivefor at gmail dot com

Judy Whatilivefor said...

I entered your Kix giveaway

judywhatilivefor at gmail dot com

Judy Whatilivefor said...

I entered your Cheerios giveaway

judywhatilivefor at gmail dot com

Judy Whatilivefor said...

I entered your CSN giveaway

judywhatilivefor at gmail dot com

Judy Whatilivefor said...

I entered your Britax giveaway

judywhatilivefor at gmail dot com

Judy Whatilivefor said...

I entered your Joeshopping giveaway

judywhatilivefor at gmail dot com

Sippy Cup Mom said...

The Pizza playfood!

sippycupmom@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I follow Melissa and Doug on Twitter!

sippycupmom@gmail.com

Sippy Cup Mom said...

I like Melissa and Doug on Facebook!

sippycupmom@gmail.com

Sippy Cup Mom said...

I subscribe to their newsletter!

sippycupmom@gmail.com

Sippy Cup Mom said...

I entered the BAB giveaway!

sippycupmom@gmail.com

Sippy Cup Mom said...

I entered the Britax giveaway!

sippycupmom@gmail.com

Sippy Cup Mom said...

I follow you on GFC!

sippycupmom@gmail.com

Sippy Cup Mom said...

I follow you on GFC!

sippycupmom@gmail.com

Sippy Cup Mom said...

I like you on FB!

sippycupmom@gmail.com

Sippy Cup Mom said...

I like you on FB!

sippycupmom@gmail.com

Sippy Cup Mom said...

I subscribe via email!

sippycupmom@gmail.com

Sippy Cup Mom said...

I subscribe via email!

sippycupmom@gmail.com

Sippy Cup Mom said...

I subscribe via RSS!

sippycupmom@gmail.com

Sippy Cup Mom said...

I subscribe via RSS!

sippycupmom@gmail.com

Sippy Cup Mom said...

I tweeted!

http://twitter.com/#!/SippyCupMom/status/17451748406861824

Kristen said...

I like the Train Table.

Kristen said...

I follow on GFC (1)

Kristen said...

I follow on GFC (2)

Kristen said...

entered dbLogic

Kristen said...

entered CSN

Kristen said...

entered Hearts for Hearts

Kristen said...

entered Collections, etc.

Kristen said...

entered Cafe Press

Kristen said...

entered Maukilo

Kristen said...

entered 1-800-Flowers

Blogger Broadcast said...

I followed M&D on twitter.

Blogger Broadcast said...

We would love to have the easel board and the train set. Those are awesome!

Blogger Broadcast said...

I liked M&D on facebook.

Blogger Broadcast said...

I followed you on twitter.

Blogger Broadcast said...

I subscribed to thanks mail carrier via email.

Blogger Broadcast said...

I have your cute button on my blog:
http://www.bloggerbroadcast.com/p/blog-parties.html

Blogger Broadcast said...

I am a fan of thanks mail carrier on FAcebook.

Blogger Broadcast said...

this is the first time I enter any giveaway and at least try to win. Not sure if I did it right, looks like Miss Rebecca O knows what she is doing. :-) I lost track of the count of entries. smiles.

Tracey said...

Liz would like the Folding Princess Castl;e while Tristan would like the train set.
traymona[at]aol.com

Erika said...

I would love to get the Melissa & Doug Workbench for my boys!
Thanks!

Erika said...

Entered: Gourmet GIft Baskets

Erika said...

Entered: Curious Chef

Erika said...

Entered: 1-800 Flowers

Erika said...

Entered: Personal Creations

Anonymous said...

Tristan would love one of the train sets. Trains are his new fascination!

joycemlinek said...

I like the Victorian Dollhouse.
joycemlinek@yahoo.com

joycemlinek said...

I follow Melissa and Doug on twitter. joycemlinek@yahoo.com

joycemlinek said...

I like Melissa and Doug on fb.
joycemlinek@yahoo.com

joycemlinek said...

I entered your ATG $75 gift card giveaway. joycemlinek@yahoo.com

joycemlinek said...

I entered your Build-A-Bear giveaway. joycemlinek@yahoo.com

joycemlinek said...

I entered your CSN Store $75 giveaway. joycemlinek@yahoo.com

joycemlinek said...

I entered your Kolcraft Jeep Stroller giveaway.
joycemlinek@yahoo.com

joycemlinek said...

I entered you double Zooper stroller giveaway.
joycemlinek@yahoo.com

joycemlinek said...

I entered your $50 Amazon Gift Card giveaway.
joycemlinek@yahoo.com

joycemlinek said...

I entered your Hook on chair giveaway. joycemlinek@yahoo.com

joycemlinek said...

I entered your Superstructs giveaway. joycemlinek@yahoo.com

joycemlinek said...

I entered your Heart for Heart Girls Doll giveaway.
joycemlinek@yahoo.com

joycemlinek said...

I follow you on twitter and tweeted giveaway @joycemlinek.
joycemlinek@yahoo.com

joycemlinek said...

I follow you on Google Friend Connect. joycemlinek@yahoo.com

joycemlinek said...

I follow you on Google Friend Connect. joycemlinek@yahoo.com

joycemlinek said...

I get your e-mails.
joycemlinek@yahoo.com

joycemlinek said...

I get your e-mails.
joycemlinek@yahoo.com

joycemlinek said...

I like you on fb.
joycemlinek@yahoo.com

joycemlinek said...

I like you on fb.
joycemlinek@yahoo.com

Colleen Maurina said...

I also like their City Ramp Racing Set!

colljerr at comcast dot net

Colleen Maurina said...

I like Melissa & Doug on Facebook. (Colleen Maurina)

colljerr at comcast dot net

Colleen Maurina said...

I joined their Treasured Toy Club Newsletter.

colljerr at comcast dot net

Colleen Maurina said...

I entered your Britax Frontier 85 giveaway.

colljerr at comcast dot net

Colleen Maurina said...

I follow you with GFC (ColleenM). Entry #1

colljerr at comcast dot net

Colleen Maurina said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Colleen Maurina said...

I subscribe to you by email. Entry #1

colljerr at comcast dot net

Colleen Maurina said...

I subscribe to you by email. Entry #2

colljerr at comcast dot net

Colleen Maurina said...

I follow you with GFC (ColleenM). Entry #2

colljerr at comcast dot net

Colleen Maurina said...

I am a Facebook fan. (Colleen Maurina) Entry #1

colljerr at comcast dot net

Colleen Maurina said...

I am a Facebook fan. (Colleen Maurina) Entry #2

colljerr at comcast dot net

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

I like their wooden puzzles
chayateitle@yahoo dot com

Chaya said...

I entered the Bissel giveaway

Chaya said...

I entered the amazon giveaway from giftzip
chayateitle@yahoo dot com

Chaya said...

I entered the zooper giveaway
chayateitle@yahoo dot com

Chaya said...

I entered the amazon giveaway from joeshopping
chayateitle@yahoo dot com

Chaya said...

I entered the CSN giveaway
chayateitle@yahoo dot com

Chaya said...

I suscribe to your emails 1
chayateitle@yahoo dot com

Chaya said...

I get your emails 2
chayateitle@yahoo dot com

Chaya said...

i follow you on gfc 1
chayateitle@yahoo dot com

Chaya said...

gfc 2
chayateitle@yahoo dot com

wigget said...

i would love to have the Bake & Decorate Cupcake Set

wigget said...

subscriber

wigget said...

subscriber 2

wigget said...

entered Crafty Kids giveaway

wigget said...

entered GourmetGiftBaskets.com giveaway

wigget said...

entered randomline giveaway

wigget said...

entered personal creations giveaway

wigget said...

entered 1-800-FLOWERS giveaway

wigget said...

entered bestcovery giveaway

wigget said...

entered kolcraft giveaway

wigget said...

entered carson-dellosa puzzle giveaway

wigget said...

entered dinosaur train giveaway

wigget said...

entered Cuisipro giveaway

wigget said...

entered giftzip giveaway

wigget said...

entered kix giveaway

wigget said...

entered cheerios giveaway

wigget said...

entered superstructs giveaway

wigget said...

entered collections etc. giveaway

wigget said...

entered Build-A-Bear Workshop giveaway

wigget said...

entered Britax Frontier 85 giveaway

wigget said...

entered JoeShopping giveaway

Deanna said...

fave: trunki
deannalw47 @ hotmail.com
xoxoxo

Deanna said...

button on blog #1
www.deannalw.blogspot.com
deannalw47 @ hotmail.com
xoxoxo

Deanna said...

email subscribed #1
deannalw47 @ hotmail.com
xoxoxo

Deanna said...

RSS subscribed #1
deannalw47 @ hotmail.com
xoxoxo

Deanna said...

entered curious george giveaway
deannalw47 @ hotmail.com
xoxoxo

Unknown said...

I'd like the Trunki for my daughter but I think she would enjoy the Multi-Level Solid Wood Dollhouse
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

entered umi shoes
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

entered kolcraft stroller
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

entered dinosaur train
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

entered bestcovery

Unknown said...

entered bissell
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

entered carson-dellosa
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

entered giftzip
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

entered cheerios
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

entered hearts for hearts
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

entered build-a-bear
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

entered csn
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

entered db logic
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

entered britax
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

Unknown said...

entered joe shopping
anita [dot] truck [at] gmail [dot] com

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