Holiday Gift Idea: Zometool Building Kits Plus GIVEAWAY! 12/15

My soon-to-be 13 year old, Kyle, is really hard to shop for. Around Christmas time, I always panic when thinking about what to get for him. You see, he often says he's "too old" for most toys, and he seems to want things that are completely unrealistic like an iPad or laptop. (I tell him to start saving his money or get a job mowing lawns when he starts asking for high dollar items that Mommy doesn't even have!)

Kyle is also not into a lot of the things that most boys his age are. He doesn't really enjoy sports, and he isn't into a lot of video games. Sure, he will play them, but not with any regularity. I suppose I should be grateful for this, since my 35 year old husband can't seem to get enough of these things!

Kyle is a very hands-on, artistic, and creative kid. He loves drawing, painting, and building things. When he was only 4, he built a very precise replica of the Titanic, complete with decks, stairs, and even smoke-stacks, out of popsicle sticks. It was pretty amazing, actually! So now that he's older, I am always on the lookout for stimulating products that help to being out his creative side.

So naturally, when I discovered the great building kits from Zometool, I knew I had hit a home run! Zometool kits are wildly popular overseas in places like Germany and Japan, and they're rapidly gaining momentum here in the United States. What makes these kits so neat? Well, they combine art, science, and math to creative ingenious designs.In fact, many great scientists have already tinkered with these smart building kits.

For kids that may be intrigued by science, architecture, art or engineering, in fact, anyone on that holiday list who likes to ponder with hands-on engagement (without using a hand-held gadget), six friendly but profound Zometool kits are recommended. All sets are made to high quality standards in the company’s wind powered Longmont, CO factory.

The quality and addictive fun were noticed this year by several prestigious award organizations.  Dr. Toy named Creator 3 and Ice Crystals & Stars her 2012 Best Picks Winners. Creative Child Awards gave Creator 1 its 2012 Top Toy of the Year Award in the Build Construction Category and 2012 Kids Product of the Year Award in the Kids Educational Product Category. And since the kits are made in Colorado, they were inducted into the Made in the USA Hall of Fame by the Made in the USA Foundation.

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Recently, we received the Zometool Creator 1 Kit to review. This kit includes 246 parts including 186 struts, 60 nodes as well as a durable case to carry them in. There are also detailed instructions on how to build intricate models of many types. For the more adventurous kid, you can always encourage free-play as well. With this kit, the possibilities are virtually endless!

Zometool Creator 1 in it's case.

Everything is neatly organized and easy to find.

Kyle was eager to get to work building something super cool. He wanted to think outside of the box, and just started building. His exact words to me were: "Mom, I can do the models anytime. I want to make something crazy and fun!"

He spent a few minutes examining all of the pieces, and then got to work. He has spent hours totally engaged by his Zometool kit, and he never runs out of ideas!

Checking out the components and brainstorming.

Kyle's masterpiece in progress.

I am not entirely sure what this is supposed to be, but Kyle sure had fun making it!

Kyle absolutely loves his Zometool Creator 1 set! He and his friends really enjoy building different shapes and modules with it. Since there are no real rules, this kit is wonderful for kids of many ages. Younger kids can build simple shapes while older kids, teens, and adults can make much more complex models. Of course kids under 3 really shouldn't play with these, since it does contain small parts which may pose a choking hazard. But kids as young as Kindergarten age will have a blast building with Zometool!

And like I mentioned before, the possibilities are endless. These kits really do inspire creativity! My son, being the goofball that he is, even made a Zometool hat that fits his head perfectly!

Overall, we really love our Zometool Creator 1 building kit. It allows my son to explore many of his interests at once: Art, science, and even math, which he isn't too keen on. This is a great gift for all of those budding scientists, architects, and nuclear physicists out there! And with several awesome kits to choose from, your kids are sure to spend hours completely engaged. Who said science and math couldn't be fun?!

HOW TO CONNECT :

You can check out the awesomeness that is Zometool on their website.

You can also connect with them on Facebook and on twitter to stay on top of their latest products and promotions!

SPECIAL DISCOUNT!

Receive 15% off an order, plus free shipping, Simply use the code "Crunchy" at checkout! (This is case sensitive) Expires November 30, 2012.

WIN IT !

I am thrilled to announce that one lucky reader will receive their choice of the following Zometool Kits:

Pyramid Power-Click photo for more info.

Crazy Bubbles-Click photo for more info.

How cool is that?! And just in time for the Holidays!

Simply enter using the easy Rafflecopter form below!

This giveaway is open to US Residents 18+ until 11:59PM December 15, 2012. No PO Boxes. Winners will be drawn using Rafflecopter's Random Number Generator. All entries will be verified, so play fair! I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. Thanks for entering, and Good Luck!

***Disclosure: I received review copies to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

a Rafflecopter giveaway