Subscribe: Play Smart – Three Clever Puzzles from PlanToys
A kid’s work is play. And toddlers and preschoolers learn primarily through exploring the world around them. A few high quality toys, like the gorgeous sustainable, fair-trade toys available from Plan Toys, are enough to spark their imaginations. The tactile feel of real wood, the non-toxic, bright colors, and the open-ended nature of these toys make them perfect for flexible, young minds.
Plan Toys sent us three items from their catalog of Developmental Toys for Preschoolers and they have quickly become favorites in our house: Animal Domino Memory Game, 30-Piece Construction Set, and Stacking Tree.
My personal top pick is the Animal Domino Memory Game, a perfect back-to-school brain booster. You can use these tiles as a classic memory game, taking turns flipping the blocks. The chunky, convex blocks are easy for little hands to grab and turn over. This game helps build logical thinking as children try to remember where they last saw an image.
And the fun does not stop there. Turn the blocks on their sides to practice balance, line them up, and knock them down like dominos. We show them to my one year-old to teach him animals and colors. And if he decides to chew on one, it will not disintegrate in his mouth like a cardboard tile. With my three yearl-old, we discuss the essential characteristics of each of the stylized animals. She also enjoys creating repeating patterns, an essential early childhood education task.
Another great puzzle is the Stacking Tree. This is perfect for curious preschoolers because they can make up their own puzzles.
Stack the tree in size order or reverse size order or discover the concept of symetry with a tree that tapers at either end. However your child balances the rods, he is building hand-eye coordination.
Three year olds are also ready to recognize subtle variations of colors and sequence these in shade order. Ask your child to compare the different greens to hues in nature–limes, grass, pine trees, emeralds, and more–and use the opportunity to introduce color vocabulary. Talk about the diversity of the natural world and then get out and find some real trees.
We’re also excited about the 30-Piece Construction Set, a great first vehicle construction set. The little wooden screwdriver allows children ages three, up, to design almost any vehicle they can imagine. If you have a younger baby around the house, just be careful with all of the small parts.
Children who enjoy building models will have fun trying to replicate the different pictured designs or creating their own.
Construction sets are perfect for advanced youngsters as they learn to create and resolve their own challenges. Encourage creative thinking by asking children to name their vehicle or build a vehicle to suit a specific “job.”
We love playing with these toys that will grow with our children and stretch their imaginations. Unplugged, open-ended, and highly interactive, these Plan Toys make me and my husband want to join in the fun.
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WANT IT: Purchase directly from Plan Toys or find the PlanToys Animal Domino, PlanToys 30 Construction Set, and PlanToys Stacking Tree on Amazon.
WIN IT – REQUIRED ENTRY: Check out PlanToys Developmental Toys for Preschoolers and tell us which toy (besides the three featured here) your child would like most and why and you will be entered to win a set of the three toys from this review (ARV $90 TOTAL).
Additional Entries (leave a separate comment for each additional entry):
- Become a fan of PlanToys on Facebook
- Link to our Back-to-School Guide (leave the URL where you link in your comment)
- Follow @Mamanista and @PlanToysInc and tweet about why you like PlanToys and include a link to this contest: http://bit.ly/plansweeps (leave your status URL in your comment)
Contest ends August 24, 11:59 PM EST. US Shipping Only. Winner chosen with Random.org.
Plan Toys are so wonderful! My sons have 1 set and we even got their day care center to buy some. One of their products that I would love to get is the Rescue Set. Thanks so much for offering these great prizes.
i like the farmhouse mverno@roadrunner.com
Tristan would like the Musical Band so that he could feel like he was playing Rock Band with the big guys.
The Build N Spin looks great – he likes to rearrange his train tracks before playing with them and I think this toy would be a great next step.
Plan toys are great, we just got the balancing cactus game. Build n Roll and Twisted Tossing would be some other toys I would get for my son! Thanks for the chance!
Musical Band is awesome!! My little boy can expend physical and mental energy, creating rhythms, and coodination. Very cool!
tvollowitz at aol dot com
The racing car looks like alot of fun
My son would love the build and roll toy. He really likes playing with the huge ones they have set up at a local toy store. Thanks for the chance to win!
The push along duck. Anything that can be pushed around the house is lots of fun.
The Balancing Coral is really beautiful and looks like it would be a lot of fun, too!
Holt would like the Wooden Trike because he loves to go and this would keep him busy. I like outdoor toys and going to the park is good for him.
The MODERN TABLE & CHAIRS (1 table & 2 chairs) set is awesome! My kids would love it because they have so much fun with their play kitchen and this would really complete the set.
my daugjtwe would love the farmhouse
5537
Build N Spin
because my girls love building with blocks but these will also spin
My kid would love the Build N Roll because he loves cause and effect type toys. Thanks for the chance!
The Musical Band from Plan Toys is such a classic toy. This is the type of thing you could pass on forever. My son would love this so he could have a drum set just like his dad, thanks!!
gomeggo[at]gmail[dot]com
My little one would love the PULL-ALONG SNAKE because he has figured out how to make things move along with him! I think he’d love to see this long thing slithering by.
I’m a fan of PlanToys on Facebook.
Tweeted ~ http://twitter.com/susanlanai/status/3241177931
My son would love the PlanCity Road & Rail set because he has been wanting a train set for a while and what better way to go than with wood. I know wood would last years longer than the plastic ones at the stores.
I want this for my boy: Dump Truck
I am a fan on FB
My kids would love the MIRACLE POUNDING, because they love to pound on things! :-)
The Road & Rail – Railway Station would be a good choice for the kids – you can use it to get them ready for a trip. It would be a good choice for moms because it stores everything in itself!
I also like that you can add other pieces for additional interaction.
My grandson would love the construction set. Digging in the sand is his favorite thing.
I’m a twitter follower of both and I tweeted
http://twitter.com/slmiresse/status/3244657419
The build and roll toy. My niece likes to build just about anything.
My daughter would also love the fruit and vegetable play set.
I love their dancing alligator!
i would love to get the Market Stall set up, that is awesome!
I love the mini garbage truck! My son is fascinated by garbage trucks for some reason. Whenever we see one in the street we have to stop and watch it pick up garbage cans.
i really like the green doll house with furniture from http://plantoysusa.com/catalog/preschool.php i know my daughter would get hours of imaginative play from this item.
thank you for a great giveaway. clallen at ntin dot net
fan of http://www.facebook.com/plantoys thanks clallen at ntin dot net
link to back to school guide posted http://twitter.com/clallen1971/status/3249000748 thanks clallen at ntin dot net
following both and tweeted http://twitter.com/clallen1971/status/3249061554
thanks clallen at ntin dot net
The musical band looks really loud, but really fun, too!
Plan toys are great, we just got the balancing cactus game. Thanks for the chance to win!
I think the Xylophone would be popular!
I would love to win these because I think they would be great toys for my cousin’s twins. One of them is a little delayed and I think these would be great toys to help with his coordination.
The activity clock looks like it would be a fun way for my children to learn about time.
I love the doll set because I can see my little girls imagination running wild with the little family.
my daughter would love the baking utensils.
The chef set would be perfect for my son since loves to help me cook and bake. Thanks for the chance.
My son loves cars so I think the ride on *Racing Car* would be really fun for him!
I would love to have the Wooden Trike for my son.
I’ve become a Fan on Facebook
The Wooden Trike is cool! Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
6319
Mini Garbage Truck would be one of my choices,I have 3 small grandsons who would love these toys,thanks
I am a fan of PlanToys on Facebook
I follow you both on twitter an tweeted; vickiecouturierI likePlan Toys the make great toys for children http://bit.ly/plansweeps
love the musical band!
Such cute toys! We visited my in-laws, who live on a ranch, in May. My daughter is still talking about the chickens, horses, and ‘baby cats’ she saw there. So, I think she would love the ‘Barn’ the best because it would feed her memory & she could pretend to play with those chickens again! thanks
I would totally get the Build N Roll! I have 4 kids and they tend to want to play together. Couple that with their love of the Rube Goldberg Machines, this item would be perfect!! I can totally imagine our 2 boys and 2 girls each playing with their marbles with the Build N Roll. Sounds like an excellent Christmas present!
became a fan of plan toys on facebook – I’m Idaho Jill, thanks
Our little one would LOVE the PlanToysGreen Dollhouse. She is at the age where she really likes playing with dolls and figures, and the furniture would be fun for her too.
I follow @Mamanista and @PlanToysInc ( cdziuba) and I tweeted http://twitter.com/cdziuba/status/3254200501
Became a fan of PlanToys on Facebook Carol P Dziuba
Back to School Guide link: http://ceeceeblogger.blogspot.com/2009/08/back-to-school-guide.html
My daughter would love the Breakfast Menu. She loves playing with fake food and we have the cut veggie set! Since they are made with water-based paint, I feel safe with her putting them into her mouth.
Fan of Plan Toys on FB :)
Following both on Twitter- Tweeted http://twitter.com/Mkokopelli/status/3256644388
I figured out how to copy the status today :) I’m happy
I would love the plan dollhouse for my daughter!
I love the
7156
Green Dollhouse with furniture
My daughter would love the green dollhouse and furniture. She loves to play with dolls and needs a home for them.
Trista would like the Dump Truck.
He is really into vehicles right now.
tweeted
http://twitter.com/palmersf/statuses/3259651565
my daughter loves doll houses. Their’s is cute with some cute little accessories
My son would love the woodpecker walker. He is getting ready to walk and the walker would be such a great tool for him! He loves to stand and I prefer to give him natural toys that will last for future kids/generations.
These are awesome toys.
I would like the Unit Block set because kids can build so many creations with it
my grandson would enjoy the OVAL XYLOPHONE because it makes noise
My son would love their TIE-UP SHOE because he’s been really trying to learn how to tie his shoes! (and maybe mommy would like it too ;) Great giveaway!
My kids would love the Unit Block Set. It would be perfect for both my 2 year old and my five year old because it’s the kind of toy that isn’t easily outgrown or that kids become bored with! Thanks for the chance to win.
My daughter would love the Refrigerator. She is always trying to peek inour fridge but mama won’t let her. :)
Thanks!
Monica
moni-777@hotmail.com
love the oval xylophone!
twitter follower of both – addeviant
http://twitter.com/addeviant/status/3287713039
I love the railway station. The way it folds up is ingenious!
The wooden trike looks like fun. My little one is starting to show an interest in bikes.
My older son would love the activity clock. We have been working on reading clocks and associating specific times with daily activities. This would be a great visual for him with the activity cards!
my kid would love a play table for his trains
JeansandTs@hotmail.com
The Musical Band would be the toy that the girls would love the best. They love to sing and dance and play music.
The 6220 Parking Garage is my favorite item because my son likes to play with toys that allow for some kind of order to take place…the ramps and parking availability would be right up his alley. Thank you.
I would love to have the Unit Block Set for my daughter because she loves to build things and figure out how they fit together.
I just became a fan of PlanToys Inc on Facebook
I’d love the Build N Roll for my daughter!
I became a fan of Plan toys on FB
Hard to choose just one, but I think my daughter would like the fruit and vegetable play set because she loves to watch me cut up her fruits and veggies for snacks and always wants to try to do it herself.
Became a fan on facebook. Thanks.
These are great!
I like the animal puzzle. I like the fact that the child can create their own game. I think this would be fun for my 2 yr old and my 4 yr old.
I have been wanting the animal domino game since I first saw it two Christmases ago. I would be so excited to win that alone, much less all three!
My son would also love the STACKING RING. These are such beautiful toys. Thanks for the giveaway.
I think my grandson would love the adorable dump truck because he enjoys playing with toy cars in the sand box.
smchester at gmail dot com
The Picnic Playmat would be perfect for our grandchildren because it is something they would enjoy.
My kids would love the MOTOR HOME since they love to go camping with their godparents in their motor home.
6219
Rescue Set
looks cool to me! Son would love it!
thanks for sponsoring this.
2kidsblogger(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a fan on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/2kidsblogger
I follow on Twitter (2kidsblogger) and tweeted:
http://twitter.com/2kidsblogger/status/3353580361
I would love the Terrace Dollhouse for my granddaughters. I wanted a Barbie Dollhouse when I was a child and never could afford one. Until recently I could afford one but now that they want one we have suffered from the economy. I love these toys because they are affordable.
Fan on Plantoys on Facebook
We love Plan Toys, though we mostly have experience with their baby items. My older son would love their preschool toys! I think he’d really like the Build N Roll set- it would be fun and challenging for him.
Following you and @Plantoysinc as stlyhu; tweeted here: http://twitter.com/stlyhu/status/3359155218
I think may daughter would love the twisted block set. The idea that things are not just square and can be shapped into many things is very appealing. Seh loves to build and I always want her to be using natural materials to help maintain that connection with our earth.
i love the PLAYGROUND looks so cute
Oh my! PlanToys have amazing toys! I want them all! But, if I let my inner kid speak for a minute, I would want to buy # 7155
Green Dollhouse! What an amazing toy to teach kids about green living… but of course, I’d have to buy the vegetable garden accessory too!
I like the Balancing Monkeys toy. We have the Plan Toys train set and my son really likes it.
my lil girl would love the terrace dollhouse
became a fan on facebook
tweeted
twitter.com/chubbydove
All the toys the are educational. Love the “Rail and Road” play station. Amazing!
I have a 1 year old and I’m always looking for toy ideas for him (i.e. toys that are non-toxic), and all three of these are great! I’m a particular fan of the dominoes and the car. I’m definitely bookmarking the site.
also became a fan on Facebook!
My fav toy is the CLICK CLACK. Thanks! thebubbledies(at)gmail(dot)com
My daughter would love the OVAL XYLOPHONE! She loves to pound on things to make music. She was born with music in her bones.
seeryusfam@msn.com
I’m a facebook fan!
seeryusfam@msn.com
Following on Twitter and tweeted!
http://twitter.com/SeeryusMama/status/3383013440
seeryusfam@msn.com
like the Musical Band
He loves airplanes, so I am sure he would love to play with the Turboprop Airplane with Pilot.
I love the Oval Xylophone! Every pre-schooler should have one. It’s such a simple toy and helps to show the cause/effect of using your body to make music!
I’m a PlanToys, Inc. facebook fan! (Annmarie DIPasqua Weeks)
I follow you & Plan Toys on twitter…and tweeted! http://twitter.com/amweeks/status/3395615684
the wooden trike
Construction toys would be great for my son. Being a one-income family right now, I’d love to win it for his Christmas! Thanks for the contest!
The Green Dollhouse with furniture, my daughter is really starting to get interested in pretend play and acting out daily life.
I like the SORTING BUS. It’s cute and creative, and it reminds them that school is coming (and is fun).
Blogged here:
http://www.seeryusmama.com/2009/08/link.html
seeryusfam@msn.com
I like the sorting bus
I’d want the musical band. My little guy is discovering how to make “music”. He would love that.
My grandson would like Mini Garbage Truck because he loves trucks.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Plan Toys Facebook Fan – Janet Fri
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I love the Walking Elephant
My son would love the racing car.
My kids both love cars so they’d love the Parking Garage!
I like the 60 piece construction set. My son loves to build. He enjoys playing with tools, too, so this would be perfect.
My daughter would love the musical band. She loves drums and keeping the rhythm.
We love board games so the Modern Table and Chairs would be awesome.
My kids would love the Plan Toys Road & Rail City Transportation Play Set
I am a fan of plan toys on facebook
My friend’s little girl would love the sorting bus because she loves buses in general.
the construction set
I like the DANCING ALLIGATOR by plan
My kids would love this!!!
The Market Stall looks wonderful. My nephew is three and I think he’d love this for counting and sorting and selecting and learning about good things to eat.
We love the dancing alligator! I love that it makes noise as it goes, although I may regret saying that after a few weeks playing with it!
Thanks for the great giveaway :)
i like the wooden tricycle. Thank you
I like the The Musical Band from Plan Toys.It looks like fun
I think that my niece would enjoy the STACKING RING, she likes to sort and build :)
fan of PlanToys on Facebook: http://profile.to/ktanjatk/
The musical band looks like fun! Thanks! senekers@comcast.net
My son would love the Build N Spin set, very cool. I am entering to win this because I am planning on homeschooling my pre-schooler this year and I think these toys would be great learning tools!
I became a fan of PlanToys on Facebook.
Musical Band looks fun!
My girls would love the unit block set. Blocks are one of their favorite toys. I love them too because they can be anything their imaginations want them to be. One day they are making amazing cities (well maybe very tiny towns, we don’t have very many blocks about 30 only. not enough) and another day they are using the blocks as food items in their kitchen
My son would love the Plan Toys musical band. He enjoys rhythm and making music.
My daughter would love the Unit Block Set. I’d like to win these toys because they look fun as well as educational. Thanks!
My son has the sorting train and he loves it! The click clack looks like it’ would be alot of fun. I love Plan Toys and their Green Initiative not only are they toys my son can learn and play with but I don’t have to worry about lead content. One less thing to worry about with a 1 year old is great!
All my kids would spend hours playing with the dollhouse, I like the Victorian.
Ian would love the Musical Band especially now that he’s living with his Gigi! Anything loud and noisy is fun.
Actually we LOVE the Plan Construction toys for him, they are fabulous and esp Auntie Dev loves to get down and build with him.
Facbeooked Plan Toys- Sherry Conrad
My son would love all the little trucks, especially the Mini Excavator.
iluvchrisnlevi@aol.com
I would love to get my daughter the Green Dollhouse with furniture. I think these toys are just wonderful. I wish all toys were wooden.
Follow you both on Twitter- dddiva
http://twitter.com/dddiva/status/3512262309
I love the alligator wooden pull toy, too cute! Thanks!
I like the pirate ship for my oldest,everything is about pirates!!
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
the modern table and chairs for my neices, They are always playing house
My son loves things that make noises, the louder the better =D So I think he’d love the oval xylophone!
My boys would love any of the little trucks…the garbage truck, mini excavator, etc. Because they love any and all trucks!
My son would love the Musical Band set. It looks so well made, and I love the fact that these toys stimulate the imagination.
My budding engineer would love the Build N ROll ( item 5532)
I love the entire dollhouse collection and the
GEOMETRIC SORTING BOARD! They are great!
I am a fan on facebook!
My son would love the Rescue Set (6219).
Tweet: http://twitter.com/iloveagiveaway/status/3520338169
looks great
I really liked the 6218
Road & Rail – Railway Station thanks for the chance to win my kids would love these especially my son jack thanks again eaglesforjack@gmail.com
im a fan of yours on facebook thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com my id is lepaige
im following both and i tweeted too thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com
http://twitter.com/eaglesforjack/status/3523343608
The Musical Band from Plan Toys would be great because it is musical and all kids like music.
fb fan/gloria mckellar
http://twitter.com/kngmckellar/status/3523749565
tweeted
My kids would really enjoy the fruit and vegetable play set, looks like such fun!
I like the Chef Set.
I like the cute mini Baking Utensils! Now my little girl can help me when I bake goodies!
The PlanToys item my daughter would like the most, besides the giveaway items, is the Doll Family. I found a couple of bags of brand new PlanToys doll house furniture at the Salvation Army store, and she has a doll house, but no wooden doll people that fit the furniture. Thanks!
I’m a fan of PlanToys on Facebook, I’m facebook.com/elizabeth.edwards1
I posted the link to the back to school guide on facebook; http://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.edwards1
My tweet about the contest: http://twitter.com/Table4Five/status/3525398135
My son likes music, so he would like the Musical Band.
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/donnak4/status/3526283437
I like the Musical Band – anything that encourages a love of music!
I like the Eco Train Station because it looks fun and well-made
The fruits and vegetables play set for playing “store” :)
My daughter would like the creative block the most. She loves blocks!
luvtosave at gmail.com
fan of plan toy on facebook as ethel o.
twitter follower as luv_to_save and tweeted
http://twitter.com/Luv_to_Save/status/3526808810
My kids would love the racing car because it could be scooted or pedaled.
My son loves to make music with drums so he would have a great time with the Musical Band.
I like the MODERN TABLE & CHAIRS
Plan Toys make wonderful gifts for my grandson. I think the Balancing Cactus is beautiful and would be great for eye-hand coordination.
I am a Facebook fan of Plan Toys, Inc.
build and roll toy ty
The Parking Garage would work here
Fan of PlanToys on Facebook
My nephew would absolutely love the Shooting Ball toy. He would get such a kick out of it!
oooo i love everything… but especially the click clack tree!
fan on facebook
My daughter would love the woodpecker walker because she loves pushing walkers, and loves animals. Great toys!
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