Melissa & Doug Terrific Twenty List and Giveaway

We're big Melissa & Doug fans around these parts. Nico has play food, blocks, and puzzles from their collection of colorful, durable wooden toys, and I already have two of their nice wooden trucks and the giant fire truck puzzle stashed away for Nico for Christmas and his birthday. When the chance came up to host a giveaway relating to their new Terrific Twenty list, I was thrilled to participate.

There's something in it for you, too, just for reading this. First, you can enter every day on the Melissa and Doug facebook page to win a gift from the list.

Second, you can leave a comment on this post by midnight on Saturday, November 24 for a chance to win your very own Big Rig Building Truck from the Terrific Twenty, just in time for Christmas. A winner will be chosen using random.org and the winner will be notified via email, so please make sure your comment includes a valid email address. Winner must be willing to provide his or her contact info to Melissa & Doug.

Winner!

DISCLOSURE: I will receive a free toy to keep and one to give away from the Terrific Twenty list in exchange for writing a blog post containing a photo and links selected by Melissa & Doug. All other opinions and words included are my own.

Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon When You Take the North "Poll"

We are big fans of Melissa & Doug here in the velocibadger household. I have happily ogled their toys for years, starting back at one of my college jobs at a store that sold their products. I love that the toys are high quality, attractive, interactive and educational. In a world full of cheap plastic stuff, it's so nice to find affordable kids' toys that I can count on to last not only through Nico's childhood, but probably through any other kids we might have as well.

Nico is already the proud owner of their mini bead maze, animal magnets, and alphabet magnets. He'll be receiving a chunky construction puzzle for Christmas this year, and has a set of play food and a nice set of blocks in his closet for a day that calls for something special. When I saw a post on Melissa & Doug's facebook page offering special blogging opportunities, it should be no surprise that I jumped at the chance. And guess what…you get something, too!

Melissa & Doug want you to tell them which of their educational toys you think is the best! Just click on the image below to place your vote in the North "Poll!" You'll Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon** to use at MelissaAndDoug.com just for voting!



DISCLOSURE: I will receive a $25 coupon in exchange for writing a blog post containing the bolded copy and a photo selected by Melissa & Doug. All other opinions and words included are my own.

Review: Melissa & Doug mini bead maze

I had $70 to spend on any of CSN Stores' sites as long as I used it all on one order, so after picking a few kitchen things that we needed (pizza pan, rolling pin, steak knife set), I had a bit of money left. I decided to spend it on a Melissa & Doug mini bead maze for Nico. He's just recently developed the dexterity for toys with smaller parts, and I thought he'd like it. The bead maze arrived just in time for his half-birthday, which was a nice coincidence. The packaging said it was for ages 1 and up, but with supervision I don't see any reason why a younger baby can't safely enjoy it. The maze is up to the standards of quality and durability that can be expected from Melissa & Doug toys, with bright colors and fun shapes to attract a baby's interest. The beads slide easily on the coated wires and are just the right size for little fingers.



One of the reviewers on the product page mentioned that he took the maze out to restaurants for his kid, since the suction cups on the bottom allow it to stick to the table. I thought that was a pretty brilliant idea, so we took the maze along yesterday when we went out for a late lunch. We sat Nico in the restaurant high chair and stuck the maze on the table in front of him. He played with it happily, and the suction cups were strong enough that even when he yanked on it, they held tight. The maze is compact enough that I can toss it in his diaper bag, but big enough to keep him entertained. I think Nico gives it five stars!





DISCLOSURE: I received this product for free in exchange for a teaser post on my main blog containing a linked keyword selected by CSN Stores. The words and opinions in this review are my own.