Building toys are pretty awesome. Toys that appeal to younger preschoolers and toddlers and are made so that they can play independently are even better. The Mega Bloks First Builders line is targeted to ages 1 to 5, and they are fun, age-appropriate, and inspire imaginative play.
I don’t have preschoolers anymore, but I knew that my sister-in-law had the perfect test-group for these toys. My nieces are 1 1/2, 3 1/2, and 7 years old. Her two younger daughters loved these toys from the first time they opened the boxes, and three weeks later they are still providing lots of entertainment.
In fact, her daughters fight over who gets to play with what. No one likes all that sibling bickering, but when they are fighting over a toy, it’s actually a pretty cool thing, because there’s nothing worse than toys that immediately become brightly colored clutter.
A lot of building toys are trying to reach the girl market. You’ve seen them with the pinks and purples. The Mega Bloks Lil’ Princess line does that. These don’t have as many pieces to build, but do have a lot of creative play options. Shortly after being introduced to the Mega Bloks Lil’ Princess 3-Story Enchanted Castle, my 3-year-old niece moved all her princesses in.
I think it’s great that more “girly” colors can possibly open the door to building activities, but don’t think that just because it’s pink, your girl won’t play with it. The most coveted toy is Sonny School Bus. My first thought is that it’s perfectly priced for all those birthday parties!
Speaking of imagination and cross-play value, did you know that Sonny the bus driver doubles as a prince? Yep, he does.
I’m so glad my nieces have gotten to enjoy these toys, and I’m thrilled to offer this fantastic prize pack (pictured above) to one of you, U.S. shipping addresses only. It’s provided by Mega Bloks and is valued at $100.
Just follow the instructions below to enter. Confused? Watch this 45-second videoon how to enter! The giveaway will close on September 28.
Jennifer Donovan misses her children’s preschool years, but is happy to have nieces and nephews she can watch grow up. She was happy to be able to pass her review samples along to them to enjoy and thanks Mega Bloks for them. She manages 5 Minutes for Books and blogs at Snapshot.
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{ 127 comments… read them below or add one }
How long will it capture their attention
I look for toys that won’t easily be broken.
I look for things that are educational and teach them something.
Durability and easy to clean
I would want them to be fun for them but not annoying to me
Crissa Robertson recently posted..Oh My Maxi!
I look for toys that will develop their concentration and hand/eye coordination!
I look for durable toys that are age appropriate.
I like colorful toys which are easy to grip. Thanks for the chance.
Age appropriate and educational!
durable, safety and what can they learn with them
Durable, educational, and fun.
durability and fun
Price, safety, versatility, and fun-potential!
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durability, educational and appealing… If they don’t think it’s cool, it’s a waste of money
Ones that sharpen their skills, and imagination.
I look for things that are durable and will hold their attention.
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For safety and age appropriate
I look for the toy to be durable, easy to use, no small parts, bright colors, fun!
i look to see if they are educational!!
safety and durability
I look for toys that are safe and durable
Toys that help them use their imagination!
how educational and fun the toy will be
bright colors and durability also if it will keep their interest longer than a day
vmkids3 at msn dot com
Something that uses their imagination as well as can be played with in lots of different ways.
Durability is one of the biggest things I look for. I don’t want to buy something that will break easily. And I also look for things that aren’t really messy. Play dough and crayons and markers are my worst enemy at the moment! UGH THE MESSES!
colorful, safe (no small pieces), easy to hold, something that is fun
I look for toys that are safe and durable.
colorful and informative
Educational and fun!
Something that helps them to learn and something interactive is great too – using their imagination is a plus with preschool toys
safe,sturdy an easily cleaned
I’ve given up and just look for toys that aren’t going to kill me when I trip over them.
fun, safe and durable
i look for things that actually help teach and improve motor skills.
I look for durability, easy clean (peanut butter always ends up on my kiddos toys!) and something that is educational/interactive.
I ensure they’re durable, and will be entertaining.
I look to see that the toys won’t break easily and if more than one of my kids will enjoy playing with them.
Safety is always my first thought!
Things that don’t have small parts
Safety, durablility and allows them to be creative.
Twitter: longwait4bella
September 15, 2012 at 12:39 am
Safe, educational, fun.
LaVonne recently posted..Yahoo! Women Who Shine
I like bright colors.
BusyWorkingMama recently posted..Progresso Light Soups #Giveaway
Safety is number 1….and then things that will keep him busy and let him use his imagination!
Easy to use and store.
Toys that allow my little guy to use his imagination (because then he’ll play with it for more than 5 minutes)
We love mega bloks at our house & they are especially great because baby brother can play too!
i look for educational toys
I look for toys that are easy to grasp and have bright colors.
I look for educational value and/or if it they will play with it more than a week.
I look for toys that are sturdy and are of interest to my boys.
something that I think will keep him interested.
I look for something that will lead them to exercise their imagination, something that doesn’t have just ONE way to play with it.
i look for toys that require imagination and dont do the thinking for you
safety so that they don’t choke on items etc
No annoying noises! Kids are good at making their own sound effects.
Educational or limitless possibilities, like legos, megablocks
I look for a lot of educational things to help them learn to read.
something fun and educational
items with lots of colors
Learning, Durable, Fun, And Price
unique and multiple uses!
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Toys that are quiet (and educational)
I look for toys that are easy to handle and encourage using the imagination.
Usually something that really engages my son’s interest. A toy that also involves creativity or imagination is always a plus!
Safety first, the size of the parts.
Something she can do by herself with out much help.
I love Mega Blox. They keep the kids busy for hours
I make sure that’s it safe and fulfills its purpose(s)/
I check to make sure they are age appropriate (ie small parts) and choose something that I think she’ll enjoy playing with for a longer time period.
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Fun,but educational too
Toys with bright colors and simple assembly
Durable and educational
I look for the classics. I like toys that have stood the test of time. Thanks for the giveaway!
I check to make sure they’re age-appropriate, made of good material, and will not cause safety hazards. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
I look for toys that can withstand the beating of a very active toddler!
I awnt toys that will help develop their mind!
I look for things they will enjoy for a long time..not easily broken or small pieces
Colorful, durable, fun, and hopefully not loud!!
I look for durability, safety and functionality
Definitely durability. My little guy is destructive!
I like toys that are interactive and not something you play with once and throw to the side. It’s nice if there isn’t a ton of sound to EVERY toy as well.
Toys that are durable and good for imaginations
I look for toys that are educational.
Thanks for the chance!
I look for durability, bright colors, fun factor and price
I look for toys that engage creativity/imagination.
durable, simple, easy to clean
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Strong, safe and colorful.
Durability and something that I know will keep him interested for a while!
easy to build and not breakable very sturdy and a trusted brand and something with big pieces
Safety and educational status.
I look for toys that are durable and let kids use their imagination.
Safe and fun toys!
Something colorful and something that will keep their attention!
I look for something open-ended and not too big, since we have a small space!
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I like toys that encourage use of his imagination.
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safety and durablility
debbie jackson
djackson1958 at hotmail dot com
I love for durability and size
I choose toys that are safe and also educational.
I’d love to choose some durable and educational toys for my kids
Educational and age appropriate.And FUN!
I look for the toys to be durable, easy to use, no small parts, bright colors, fun
I look for toys that are stimulating and made out of quality, easy to clean materials
I look for toys that help with concentration and hand and eye coordination and that are safe and durable.
The main thing I look for when buying toys for my preschooler are ones that will still be of use as he gets a little older.
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educational and colorful
I look for things that are easy for her little hands that should be safe
I look for toys that help with learning.
that its educational and fun
thanks
*kelly
kelly-tillotson@hotmail.com
educational and fun
safety and durability
toys that will withstand the use and abuse for more than a week. so many toys are buy now and get a new one later. thank you for the giveaway.
I look for good quality and safety.
keep their interest and engage their brain
Im always looking for toys that will capture their imagination.
I look for safety and health hazzards 1st, then age appropriateness and interest.
i like toys that have minimal small pieces and if they have alot of pieces that they come with storage for them, a bag, container or something,
I strive to find toys without dangerous chemicals and that are well made. Also, bright colors can’t hurt!!
Durability ,how long will they play with it, is it safe
I look for toys that will keep them interested and teach at the same time.
I actually got to do a review of this product as well. Our kids still play with them to this day and we’ve had it for almost a month now. It teaches Zeva (who is 9 months old) how to build things which she’s doing little by little which teaches her hand and eye coordination. It is a toy that is designated for 1-5 year olds. My five year old son loves them too even though they are for girls.
You can check out my complete review of them on http://www.tidbitsofexperience.com/2012/09/96-days-until-christmasgift-suggestion_21.html .
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educational and fun
jmatek AT wi DOT rr DOT com
sturdy and purpose… educational, skill building, imaginative
I looked for well constructed toys that invite imaginative play, my fb is Michelle Trump and my email is tracietrump@yahoo.com
i look for something thats both interactive and helps my daughter learn
I look for toys that are fun but also have a learning element.
Toys they would enjoy that are safe and durable.
cjnedrow at gmail dot com
ones good for self teaching and that won’t hurt them if not supervised all the time.