Sunday, December 27, 2009

Guidecraft “3-D Feel and Find” – Giveaway!!

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We recently received this toy from CSN Stores’ online toys site, and boy, was it a hit with both myself and M! It’s perfect for developing his sense of touch as well as a sense of size and space.
I have to be honest, there are not a lot of pictures to go with this post, which is a little disappointing because I’d love to share with you how much fun we had with this. However, it is something M needed assistance with, and it’s hard to hold a bag with a 3 year old’s crazy hand in it, and take a picture at the same time. :)
First of all, I love the look of the toy’s pieces – all the shapes are made from wood and painted in bright colors. There are 20 shapes in all and 20 wooden tiles to match them to. Everything seems to be very well constructed! The wooden tiles have the shapes cut into them and the recessed area (and backing for the wood) is textured hardboard. A cloth drawstring bag is included for playing “Feel and Find”.
However, I just knew at first look that there would be many great possibilities for playing with this toy.
First we set the tiles out in rows and M matched the shapes to them:blog pics 168 As you can see there are several animal shapes and several geometric shapes; there are also two people shapes (one is a bit more “robust” than the other) and two tree shapes (a narrow one and a wide one).
We talked about each shape and identified the animals and other shapes by name.
Then we began playing with the wooden shapes in the drawstring bag and the tiles in a stack. He picked a tile from the top, then reached into the bag to see if he could *feel* the correct shape. M was very, very excited about playing the game and eager to get everything perfect. However, with 20 fairly unfamiliar shapes in the bag, it was a pretty challenging game for him (which is a good thing, since it means we will get a lot of use out of this as his skills develop!). So, remembering to set him up for success, I decided to change things up a bit before any discouragement or frustration set in, by sorting the pieces into three groups of shapes and tiles.
We grouped all the animals together, the two people and two trees were grouped together, and the third group was all of the geometric shapes.
Then, beginning with the small group of trees and people, we took time to look at each one and note the different characteristics. Then we stacked the tiles, put the 4 shapes into the bag and proceeded to play “Feel and Find”. :) M did a fabulous job! And his confidence soared! We continued the same way with the other two groups and handed out high fives each time he found the right shape. We were laughing, M was excited, and we were having a great time. We spent about 45 minutes total with this our first time, and it felt like time flew by. We’ve played several fun games since then!
Once he is familiar with the toy and knows all the shapes, I want to play a game with him using just the tiles. Since they are textured, I’d like to have him close his eyes while I set a tile in front of him. Then, using just his fingers (eyes still closed or possibly blindfolded), I’ll have him feel the textured area and see if he can guess which shape it is. This is only one of my ideas for extension activities with this toy. :) It’s such a great way to get a good sensory workout.
And, the wooden shapes all stand up on their own, and would be fun for creative play time too – I’m thinking of building block play or adding them to sensory tub playtime. As his fine motor skills develop they’d also be great to use for tracing around and then drawing in details. (You knew I’d find something artsy to use them for, didn’t you?)
Oh my goodness, I have a feeling you’ll be seeing a lot of this toy in our Tot School posts! ;)
Ok, thanks for reading such a long post… but here’s what you are really waiting for… the GIVEAWAY portion. ;) CSN Stores is graciously giving away an award-winning Guidecraft “Feel and Find” toy to one of my readers!
This giveaway contest will begin now and end at midnight (CST) on Thursday, and is open only to US and Canadian readers. On New Year’s Day I’ll announce the winner! Be sure to check back here to see if it’s you! If I don’t hear from the winner within 24 hours of posting, I’ll pick someone else.
Rules for entries:
1. Mandatory first entry – go to CSN Stores’ online toys site and pick your favorite game, puzzle, or creative play toy, then come back here and let me know what it is in a comment.
2. For an extra entry, write a post on your blog about this giveaway and link to this post as well as to the online toys site (and leave another comment).
3. For another extra entry, if you are a follower or subscriber to Tired, Need Sleep, let me know (and leave another comment!). You can subscribe or follow now, but please only if you really like me, hee hee. I don’t want to buy any friends with a giveaway. :)
Good luck, everyone!!
Have a beautiful day! :)

63 comments:

  1. I just fell in love with the Educational Insights Crazy Creatures. I think Selena would get a kick out of that and it looks so funny!

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  2. I follow your blog, and yes I love it! hehe

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  3. I love this Step 2 train table, and so does everyone who comes over to play. Great for hotwheels cars!
    http://www.toysandgamesonline.com/Step2-754700-STP1073.html

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  4. I subscribe - love your blog. :)

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  5. I actually bought this for Bear for all the reasons you list loving it. It is waiting for her when we go to the States in three weeks. (She's going to be getting a second Christmas then!) If I win, I'll send it to my niece.

    I love the Kidcraft Pastel Play Kitchen. Or the Plasmart car.

    http://theadventuresofbear.blogspot.com

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  6. I would love to try the Learning Resources Snap 'n' Learn Number Bugs with my littles! :-)

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  7. I follow (and I love your blog :-)

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  8. I have always wanted to get an easel for my son, the Step 2 Flip and Doodle Easel Desk with Stool would be perfect!

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  9. I am a follower of your blog (I love your sense of humor when you write! )

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  10. I love the Twist and Sort in addition to the Seek and Find that you reviewed - what fantastic toys for little one! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. I am also a follower and have found so much inspiration! Thanks for everything!

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  12. I like (and think B would like) the magneatos building set! I have a thing for magnets I think. =)

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  13. I would love this tricycle for my little guy:

    http://www.toysandgamesonline.com/Radio-Flyer-34-FLY1016.html

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  14. That looks like a great activity set. I saw many things on the website that would be nice to own. I think my boys would like the Gears, Gears, Gears set.

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  15. I also am a follower of your blog.

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  16. I think my kids would like the
    Playhut Big Red Fire Engine Pop Up Play Tent.
    homesickforheaven2(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  17. I follow.
    homesickforheaven2(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  18. At a quick glance I want the puzzle caddy. We just got a bunch of new puzzles for Christmas.
    Now, if I was picking for me that 1000 piece Butterfly puzzle......

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  19. And as you already know, I follow your blog.

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  20. cloud b twilight turtle is so cute:0
    amalgrover @hotmail.com

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  21. Cool store, I like the Melissa and Doug Magnetic Calender.


    arewethereyetla5[at]verizon[dot]net

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  22. I love the Kidcraft Cook Together Kitchen! And I think my son would, too! ;-)

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  23. I really enjoy your blog and subscribe in google reader. Thanks for all the inspiration!

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  24. Love the giant blocks set! Very colorful!

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  25. My little girl would love the Pots and Pans set.
    Thanks!

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  26. I really like the John Deere Plastic Pedal-Powered Tractor~Too Cute!!


    deb55106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. I also follow you with Google

    deb55106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  28. The Playhut School Bus Pop Up Play Tent looks like a lot of fun!

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  29. I follow on Google Connect! Love this giveaway!

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  30. I like the Wildlife Tee-Pee Play House.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  31. I am a new follower. I love the little snowflakes falling down!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  32. I like the Melissa and Doug Pasture Pals Play Set for my horse loving 5 year old and the 3-D Feel and Find for my 3 year old.

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  33. I think the edushape Fish N Fun Bath Toy is super cute. A must have for any little one with a Daddy that likes to fish. What better way to get Daddy to help out with bath time! :-)

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  34. I like the Learning Resources ABC Chalk Talk Electronic Learning Chalkboard. Thanks for the great giveaway!

    gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

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  35. Following your blog

    gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

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  36. I love all the Thames & Kosmos kits especially the wind power science kit. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  37. I subscribe to your blog. Thanks.

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  38. I fell in love with the train table. How dute!

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  39. I'm now following your blog jacksond@nhr3.net

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  40. The Edushape 4" sensory balls set silenttributary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  41. blog follower silenttributary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  42. The step 2 train table would be great for my kids!
    onecheaplady@yahoo.com

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  43. I think my little guy would really enjoy the Guidecraft Screw Block. So many fun toys, though--hard to choose just one!

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  44. I also subscribe to your blog. Thanks for the great ideas and inspiration!

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  45. I like the edushape floating toy blocks. They have really good prices on some things!

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  46. I would really like the Learning Resources Goodie Games™ Counting Bears for Izzie...looks like a lot of fun!

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  47. I like the gears gears gears set
    zachsgran1 at yahoo dot com

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  48. I'm a follower
    zachsgran1 at yahoo dot com

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  49. Too much to love! I'm picking RoomMate HippieTipi Play Tent in Red / Pink - R12100 for right now...

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

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  50. I'm a follower!

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

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  51. I like the fish and fun bath toy
    tmc480 at yahoo dot com

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment; I love reading them! If you ask a question and don't receive a personal reply, check back here for the answer. Often I reply via comment to something that might be of interest to others.

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