Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Guidecraft 3-D Feel & Find World Icons {Review & Giveaway}

Guidecraft Moms{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Lisa M!}

Oftentimes one of my daughters will be talking (nonstop, most likely) and I find myself getting a little bit entranced by their eyes.

There is something about the wonder and curiosity of children that comes through in the twinkle in their eyes and the excitement over the picture that they've found in a book or the bug they see crawling on the window.

For me, it has always been important to encourage that inquisitiveness and imagination, whether through a walk in nature, singing a song, playing with a sensory toy, and more. And I can't think of a company that has made that more possible than the one and only Guidecraft and, most recently, their 3-D Feel & Find World Icons.

sensory toyContaining 20 different shapes with matching tiles, the concept of this wooden toy is simple yet fun: match the tiles to the symbols. Whether for individual or group play, children reach into the bag (or, in our case, dump them all out into a pile) and find the multi-colored shape that matches the cutout on the tile.

Just from seeing the bright pictures on the box, Little Sister B was clamoring for a chance to try out the Feel & Find World Icons for herself. Although the recommended age is 3 and up, I knew that at 2½ she would have no problem manipulating the chunky pieces.

wooden toyMade from eco-friendly rubberwood and stained with low VOC aniline dyes, the mix of colors caught our eye right away and Little Sister B seemed almost mesmerized as she looked at them.

Guidecraft toyAs we began to talk about the easily recognizable icons (based on symbols found in cultures throughout the world) and how to find pieces with the same colors, she instantly went to work finding the tiles to match with the hippo, car, sun, apple, fish, rabbit, leaf, bird and more.

matching toyAs more and more matches were made, Little Sister B got increasingly faster as well as more excited about her accomplishments. I loved seeing her succeed at pointing out which color was which and figuring out if the piece needed to be turned over or rotated to fit into the indented space on the tile.

fine motor skillsAfter putting the final piece in place, we were both pretty happy about her feat!

winningWe have since played with the Feel & Find World Icons after that initial afternoon and they have proven to continue to entertain and educate both of my girls.

Little Sister B has improved on her time for matching up all of the shapes with the coordinating tiles and Big Sister E has gotten in on the fun in a variety of ways. Working individually or together, we have stacked the pieces into a tower and then stacked them again while talking about patterns...

teaching patterns...we have sorted the icons by color and then sorted them again into piles with categories like Animals or Outdoors...

sorting by colorWhat initially struck me as a very simple toy proved to be much more! Just by pulling out this canvas bag and loosening the drawstring (I love that Guidecraft has made it so easy to store these tiles!) it has led to discussions about colors, size, differences and similarities, shape, the world and more and has encouraged practice, fine-motor skills, imagination, critical thinking and more!

Yet again Guidecraft has managed to take something classic and give it a twist to make their 3-D Feel & Find World Icons into something unique and entertaining. Each time that we have taken these out, my kids have been excited to put their creativity to work... and do some learning at the same time!

Plus, as I know that everything Guidecraft creates is safe and made of only the highest quality, this is an item that could be given as gifts for either boys or girls and last for years to come. Available directly from Guidecraft for $30 each (also found on Amazon for a little less) the Feel & Find World Icons are a classic sensory toy with a modern, fun twist.

And, thanks to the generosity of Guidecraft, one person will get to enjoy this great toy as well, because...

One lucky person will win 3-D Feel & Find World Icons from Guidecraft!

Guidecraft giveawayTo enter to win: Visit Guidecraft and tell me another of their amazing products that you love.

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 Guidecraft on Twitter, subscribe to the RSS feed of the Guidecraft blog and/or Like them on Facebook.
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 Guidecraft's Feel & Find World Icons (ARV $30) - great wooden toy for all ages! http://bit.ly/n4PCh7 @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

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, become a fan on Facebook and/or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
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 this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on September 7th 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 Guidecraft for providing 3-D Feel & Find World Icons for me to review as part of my participation as a Guidecraft Mom and 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.

1023 comments:

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Emily said...

My kiddos would love their Magneatos, as well!

Emily said...

and I added your RSS to my Reader...

Emily said...

and I tried to "Like" Guidecraft on FB, but I guess you have to become friends with them...so I'm waiting for them to accept me! thanks!

Anonymous said...

I like the Block Mates Farm Animals!

Trudy
onlyjustine at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I entered the Gummy Lump giveaway.

Trudy
onlyjustine at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I entered the Gummy Lump giveaway.

Trudy
onlyjustine at yahoo dot com

Sandy S. said...

I think my son would love the CONSTRUCT-IT EARLY BUILDER 160 PCS

sandy@suddenlysandy.com

d schmidt said...

Visited their site and another item I love is the MLB sports furniture (Giants)

mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

Like Guidecraft on Facebook as D Schmidt

mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

Follow Guidecraft on twitter as mummytotwoboys1
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

Follow you and tweeted

http://twitter.com/#!/mummytotwoboys1/status/106411749380603905

mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

Feed subscriber via Google Reader
Comment 1 of 2
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

Feed subscriber via Google Reader
Comment 2 of 2
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

Email subscriber
Comment 1 of 2
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

Email subscriber
Comment 2 of 2
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

Like you on Facebook as D Schmidt
Comment 1 of 2
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

d schmidt said...

Like you on Facebook as D Schmidt
Comment 2 of 2
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

Kiana N said...

I love Magneatos!!

nafzikg at gmail dot com

Kiana N said...

I follow Guidecraft on Twitter!

nafzikg at gmail dot com

Kiana N said...

I like Guidecraft on Facebook!!

nafzikg at gmail dot com

Kiana N said...

I follow on GFC!!

nafzikg at gmail dot com

Kiana N said...

I subscribe to this blog via RSS feed!

nafzikg at gmail dot com

Lisa Weidknecht said...

That Deluxe Art Center is amazing!

Kiana N said...

I subscribe via to this blog via email!!

nafzikg at gmail dot com

Kiana N said...

I am a fan of Thanks, Mail Carrier on FB!!

nafzikg at gmail dot com

Lisa Weidknecht said...

I follow Guidecraft on Twitter.

Lisa Weidknecht said...

I follow Guidecraft on Facebook.

Lisa Weidknecht said...

I follow you via email.

Lisa Weidknecht said...

I follow you via email 2

Lisa Weidknecht said...

I follow you via GFC 2

Lisa Weidknecht said...

I follow you via RSS

Lisa Weidknecht said...

I follow you via RSS 2

Lisa Weidknecht said...

I like you on Facebook 2

HiHoRosie said...

love the magneatos or screw block - the puzzles look awesome too!

HiHoRosie said...

gfc -1

HiHoRosie said...

gfc -2

HiHoRosie said...

email -1

HiHoRosie said...

email -2

HiHoRosie said...

button on blog -1

HiHoRosie said...

button on blog -2

HiHoRosie said...

button on blog -3

HiHoRosie said...

liked you on fb (#6100!)

HiHoRosie said...

liked you on fb

Twyska said...

The puppet theater would be fun.

Anonymous said...

so fun

Anonymous said...

Like you on FB
natbelinsky@verizon.net

orangefukurou said...

I would love to have the Rainbow Blocks Set

tomokofive at gmail dot com

orangefukurou said...

subscribe to the RSS feed of the Guidecraft blog
tomokofive at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

My kids would love the wooden grocery products

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I like you on facebook

orangefukurou said...

follow you on twitter @orangefukurou
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/orangefukurou/status/106457204739162113
tomokofive at gmail dot com

orangefukurou said...

follow you via GFC (Tomoko d)
tomokofive at gmail dot com

orangefukurou said...

subscribe to your RSS feed
tomokofive at gmail dot com

orangefukurou said...

I have your button on my blog #1
http://orangefukurou.blogspot.com/
tomokofive at gmail dot com

orangefukurou said...

I have your button on my blog #2
http://orangefukurou.blogspot.com/
tomokofive at gmail dot com

orangefukurou said...

I have your button on my blog #3
http://orangefukurou.blogspot.com/
tomokofive at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I like you on facebook #2

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I entered Mabel's labels

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I entered IHOP

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Jaydensgrandma said...

My grandson would like the Construct It Early Building Set
joyerast at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I entered Pampers

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I entered Tea Collection

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I entered Ultimate Green

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I entered red baron

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I entered swiss colony

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I entered Melissa & Doug

careym13 at yahoo dot com

Jaydensgrandma said...

I entered IHOP GC giveaway
joyerast at hotmail dot com

Jaydensgrandma said...

I follow with GFC #1
joyerast at hotmail dot com

Jaydensgrandma said...

I follow with GFC #2
joyerast at hotmail dot com

Jaydensgrandma said...

I am a fan on facebook-Joye Rast #1
joyerast at hotmail dot com

orangefukurou said...

entered Mable's Labels giveaway
tomokofive at gmail dot com

orangefukurou said...

entered Tea Collection giveaway
tomokofive at gmail dot com

orangefukurou said...

follow you via GFC (Tomoko d) #2
tomokofive at gmail dot com

orangefukurou said...

subscribe to your RSS feed #2
tomokofive at gmail dot com

ebcangel said...

i like the sweetie pie chairs

Carrie Phelps said...

I love & wish I had the Deluxe Art Center.
carriedust@yahoo.com

Carrie Phelps said...

I follow Guidecraft on Twitter; @CarrieDust
CarrieDust@yahoo.com

Carrie Phelps said...

I follow Guidecraft on FB; Carrie Phelps
carriedust@yahoo.com

Carrie Phelps said...

I follow you on FB; Carrie Phelps
carriedust@yahoo.com
#1

Carrie Phelps said...

I follow you on FB; Carrie Phelps
carriedust@yahoo.com
#2

Carrie Phelps said...

I tweeted about this giveaway; @CarrieDust
CarrieDust@yahoo.com

http://twitter.com/#!/CarrieDust/status/106488956195049473

Carrie Phelps said...

I publicly follow you on GFC; Carriedust
carriedust@yahoo.com
#1

Carrie Phelps said...

I publicly follow you on GFC; Carriedust
carriedust@yahoo.com
#2

Carrie Phelps said...

I subscribe to your email; CarrieDust@yahoo.com
#1

Carrie Phelps said...

I subscribe to your email; CarrieDust@yahoo.com
#2

Sylvia said...

We would love the Fraction Cups
sylviawhit@gmail.com

Sylvia said...

I like Guidecraft on facebook
sylviawhit@gmail.com

Sylvia said...

I follow with GFC
sylviawhit@gmail.com

Sylvia said...

I subscribe by email
sylviawhit@gmail.com

Sylvia said...

I fan you on facebook
sylviawhit@gmail.com

Helen Keeler said...

I'd love to have the 36 inch Multipurpose Storage - Red. helenkeeler@comcast.net

Aimee said...

I'd love the mission toy box for my son's room. aimeeeldon at hotmail dot com

Aimee said...

I follow you via GFC. aimeeeldon at hotmail dot com

moonsword said...

We love the 4-1 Flipping Table Top Easel...thanks!

Unknown said...

I love the Noah's Ark Rocking Chair
Connie G
CGruning at aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

I follow Guidecraft on Facebook as CGruning
Connie G
CGruning at aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

I follow Guidecraft on Twitter as CGruning
Connie G
CGruning at aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/CGruning/status/106568551904714752
Connie G
CGruning at aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

I'm a google friend connect follower.
Connie G
CGruning at aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

I'm a google friend connect follower.
Connie G
CGruning at aol(dot)com
2

Unknown said...

I'm an email subscriber
Connie G
CGruning at aol(dot)com
1

Unknown said...

I'm an email subscriber
Connie G
CGruning at aol(dot)com
2

Unknown said...

I have your button on my blog:
www.peanutbutterandwhine.com
Connie G
CGruning at aol(dot)com
1

Unknown said...

I have your button on my blog:
www.peanutbutterandwhine.com
Connie G
CGruning at aol(dot)com
3

Anonymous said...

I like the Kitchen Helper.

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Follow Guidecraft on Twitter: rhoneygee

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Follow you on Twitter: rhoneygee
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/rhoneygee/status/106595882048303104

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

Christine said...

I'd love their forward book cover facing bookshelf. Been ogling that for well over a year. :)

Christine said...

Just subscribed to your RSS feed! :D

Christine said...

And here's my 2nd entry for the RSS thing. ;)

Linder said...

I'm loving the stacking rainbow pyramid! Thanks for a great giveaway!

BonnieE said...

How to choose!! I think it will have to be the Rainbow Blocks, love them!

Wendi said...

The sand tray would be so much fun.

BonnieE said...

Also follow on Facebook

Spiphibus said...

I'm in love with the Market Loft, but I'm not rich...YET! :)
spiphibus at gmail dot com

Spiphibus said...

I like guidecraft on fb. :)
VickiRae

Spiphibus said...

I tweeted about this giveaway. :)
http://twitter.com/#!/spiphibus/status/106633024485064704

maria g said...

I think the Fraction Cups are pretty awesome!

hookedonafeline999@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Will tweet! Thank you!
elli.chan at yahoo dott com

Unknown said...

My kids are huge Magneatos fans!! jenirvine at wowway dot com

Unknown said...

I like Guidecraft on FB
jenirvine at wowway dot com

Unknown said...

RSS Mail Carrier follower :)

Unknown said...

RSS Mail Carrier Follower :)
jenirvine at wowway dot com

Unknown said...

Have your cute button...http://weeexplorers.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Have your cute button...http://weeexplorers.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Have your cute button...http://weeexplorers.blogspot.com/

Tristan said...

One Guidecraft toy I know my boys would love are the Block Mates Vehicles!

Tristan said...

I also subscribe to the Guidecraft RSS Feed.

Montanna at J and M said...

My students love the screw blocks!

montlyn111@yahoo.com

Tristan said...

I entered your Gemmy giveaway too.

Anonymous said...

I like the gross motor stepping stones.

hardingcl @ yahoo.com

Serendipity Stitcher said...

I love the TABLE TOP GREEK BLOCKS. All of there blocks are wonderful.

Serendipity Stitcher said...

Follow Guidecraft on Twitter (Turtlekris79)

pkgbest at gmail dot com

Serendipity Stitcher said...

Liked Guidecraft on FB (Kristina Best)

pkgbest at gmail.com

Serendipity Stitcher said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cathy said...

I've been contemplating getting the regular feel and find. So hard to pull the trigger.

Cathy said...

I also follow you via email - 1.

marti said...

I love the Kitchen helper!
martibillington at gmail dot com

Cathy said...

Follow by email - 2.

Serendipity Stitcher said...

Follow you via GFC.

pkgbest at gmail dot com

Serendipity Stitcher said...

Subscribe via Email.

pkgbest at gmail dot com

Serendipity Stitcher said...

Fan of yours on FB (Kristina Best)

pkgbest at gmail dot com

Erika said...

they have so many wonderful products it's hard to choose just one. But I'll go with their Fraction Action Board.

Liz said...

I would love one of the kitchen helpers!
lyriclizard at yahoo dot com

Liz said...

I subscribe by email.
lyriclizard at yahoo dot com

Liz said...

I subscribe by email.
lyriclizard at yahoo dot com

Liz said...

I am a google friend follower.
lyriclizard at yahoo dot com

Liz said...

I am a google friend follower.
lyriclizard at yahoo dot com

Liz said...

I have your button on my blog.
http://penniesforarainyday.blogspot.com/
lyriclizard at yahoo dot com

Liz said...

I like Guidecraft on FB.
lyriclizard at yahoo dot com

Liz said...

I am a fan of your site on FB.
lyriclizard at yahoo dot com

SarahG said...

I like the Wooden Trucks Set.

Angela said...

We have the wooden doll cradle and love it!

macob2 at verizon dot net

Martianne said...

Your guidecraft link doesn't seem to work, but I went to their site through google and would love Magneatos!

Thx for the chance to win the icon feelie bag. It looks so cool!


mmstangerjunk (at) comcast (dot) net

Martianne said...

I like Guidecraft on FB.

Thx for the chance to win the icon feelie bag. It looks so cool!


mmstangerjunk (at) comcast (dot) net

Anonymous said...

I love the kitchen helper, I'm putting it on our wish list for Christmas! Thanks for the chance.

Martianne said...

I follow you Thx for the chance to win the icon feelie bag. It looks so cool!


mmstangerjunk (at) comcast (dot) net

Raising {& Teaching} Little Saints said...

I would love their Magneatos as my kids are totally in love with magnets right now! Thank you!

Raising {& Teaching} Little Saints said...

I liked them on Facebook

Raising {& Teaching} Little Saints said...

I follow them on Twitter

Flintfamily6 said...

I like the art activity cart!

Stoufer Family said...

The Flower Match Garden Patch also looks like fun.

Anonymous said...

The Deluxe Art Center looks awesome!

Cherihawthorne (at) yahoo (dot) com

A Faithful Journey said...

I really like the Sit 'n Read storage Center!!

amysbooksnyarn{at}gmail{dot}com

A Faithful Journey said...

I follow Guidecraft on Twitter! @AFthfulJrney

amysbooksnyarn{at}gmail{dot}com

Magela said...

My son would love all the puzzles. Thank you.

felipegonzalez1@comcast.net

Sara said...

I think the Magneatos are very cool!

ltschaepe said...

I love Guidecraft's Play Lofts!

Lillard Family said...

We LOVE the canopy reading center!

lillshuck (at) comcast (dot) net

Caleb T Ricks said...

I love the table building blocks

I liked you on facebook

katharine75@yahoo.com

Heidi said...

What is there not to love at Guidecraft?? If I had to another product, I really like their Rainbow Blocks.
millerfordfamily@frontier.com

Michelle T said...

I would love to win these! Another great Guidecraft toy would be their Magneatos!

Leo and Christy Marez said...

I love Guidecrafts Animal train sort and match! My boys love it too!

Leo and Christy Marez said...

I am a fan of Guidecraft on Facebook.

Bethany said...

What's not to love on the Guidecraft site? lol I'm definitely loving the Jr. Hollow Blocks and just know my 3.5 year-old son would love them, too. These are definitely on our Christmas & Birthday Wish Lists!

Julie said...

Would love to win. I have always wanted a book display...I like the red canvas one on their site.

Brenda Garner said...

Love the Blockmate Farm Animals

Sarah @ Ordinary Days said...

The Country Kitchen would be perfect for my almost 2yo daughter! I think I may have just found some prospective Christmas presents!

Leo and Christy Marez said...

I am a new Facebook follower :)

Leo and Christy Marez said...

I subscribed to your RSS feed.

Sarah @ Ordinary Days said...

I liked Guidecraft on facebook. :)

Sara said...

I follow you publicly with Google Friend Connect!

Maria said...

I love the fold up kitchen
tmhagerdon@comcast.net

Andrea said...

Me and my kiddos would love this giveaway! We also like the Fraction Action Board at Guidecraft.
cab98@att.net

Sharlene said...

I like the fraction action board. I remember playing with something like when I was very small. The World Icon Feel and Find look great too.

Sharlene
rshlight at spiceisle dot com

Andrea said...

I also added your cute button to my blog: www.myhomeschooltale.blogspot.com

cab98@att.net

Kamilah said...

I love your Deluxe Art Center. It looks like a great place to store think as well as a great place for my little ones to set and be creative! The Magneatos look like something my children would enjoy as well.

Tiff said...

Love the magneatos!
markntiff777@msn.com

Alison said...

We love the Blockmate farm animals. Subscribed to you on e-mail.

Thanks for a chance to win.
Alison

www.AtTheEndOfTheDrive@blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

This looks like a great opportunity for both of my girls to learn from!:)

Karen HC said...

I love the eco friendly fraction cups.

Tara said...

We love the Magneatos!

Heidi said...

I started following Guidecraft on Twitter. millerfordfamily@frontier.com

Tara said...

I follow Guidecraft on FB!

Unknown said...

I'd like to get the Butterfly Clothes Tree for my girls' play clothing.
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Entered your Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Giveaway
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Follow Guidecraft on Twitter
@lilybearlove
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Like Guidecraft on Facebook
Rebecca Smith
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

Charis said...

I'd love to win this. I also like the Magneatos from Guidecraft.

chariscook@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

Follow you on Twitter & Tweet
@lilybearlove
http://twitter.com/#!/LilyBearLove/status/106722511881895937
rasmith0506 at gmail dot com

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