Melissa And Doug Sand Toys Review And GIVEAWAY! 7/3

I have been a HUGE Melissa & Doug fan for years. Most parents are familiar with their amazing products. They seem to carry everything a little heart could desire! From classic wooden toys like puzzles and ring stackers to gorgeous and life-like dollhouses and play kitchens, Melissa & Doug have been making little people smile since 1988 with high quality, fun products for kids of all ages. They actually have over 1,000 products to choose from, so there is literally something for everyone! My personal favorites? The Deluxe Kitchen Play Center, since I LOVE to cook and would love to pass the Foodie Love on to my children, the Learn To Play Piano to help nurture a love for music, and the Deluxe Floor Standing Wooden Easel for those budding Picassos out there! Melissa & Doug's product line is nothing short of exceptional, so I was more than thrilled to receive the opportunity to review some of their fun sand toy sets! Perfect for summer, wouldn't you agree? I have not yet made my way to the beach this summer, but when I do, I will be sure to bring along all of these great sand toy sets. Not only will my children create wonderful memories while playing with these toys, it will give my 11 year old and my toddler something to do together as a team to help promote a strong sibling bond.

In the meantime, I allowed my children to "test" these products using topsoil outside. This mama's no fool! I thought about allowing them to use flour indoors, but quickly decided against it since I did not want to have to clean up the inevitable mess that would ensue! Here are the products I received, their descriptions, and my opinion of each of these sand toy sets!

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Seaside Sidekicks Sand Cupcake Set:
There IS something new under the sun; a 12-piece set to make cupcakes at the beach or in the sandbox! First, fill the unique , hinged cupcake molder with sand "dough", add cupcake toppers, put in tray and "bake". You can even use the icing tool to add more designs! For storage, you may keep the whole set in the included mesh bag.

My Opinion:
I LOVE this set! Cupcakes are quite the craze right now with shows like Cupcake Wars and various Food Network Challenges that feature these decadent little treats. So why not allow your littlest "bakers" to make their own fun cupcakes while having fun in the sun! No oven required! This set features cupcake molds as well as tops that have fun shapes like a Starfish, a Crab, A fish, and a Turtle! These sea-life inspired cupcakes are so fun and unique, even the "landlubbers" in your life will love "baking" with this great set of sand toys! It's never too early to introduce your little ones to the joys of cooking, and incorporating food into their play time is a fantastic way to do so without the risk of burning your house to the ground!

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Seaside Sidekicks Sand-Molding Set:
The turtle mold has lots of friends hiding under its shell: a fish, a crab, a starfish and a seahorse! This set provides hours of sand molding fun in the sandbox or at the beach and quick clean up, as all the molds store neatly in their turtle "shell".


My Opinion:
How fun is this?! This great set of sand-molds stays with the theme of ocean life seen in the last product. These molds are bright and colorful, and actually quite durable. They are also super-portable, as all of these fishy friends nestle perfectly together. I just love the sea turtle, fish, star-fish, crab, and seahorse shaped molds. Your kids can create their own virtual aquarium or ocean floor scene on the beach using these adorable molds. Just add some pebbles, seaweed and other aquatic plants for a truly realistic effect!

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Clicker Crab Pail And Shovel:
A crab-shaped scoop and a sunny red-orange, crab-face bucket make digging for treasures at the beach even more fun! Clicker Crab is always smiling and you will be too, with this sturdy plastic duo.

My Opinion:
 
Okay...How cute is that?! I am used to hearing the term "crabby" in reference to someone with a sour disposition, but THIS cute little crab is quite the cheerful little guy that just beckons little ones to come and play with him! This brightly colored pail is very durable and can carry a heavy load of sand. The handle makes it easy for little hands to transport. The coordinating Clicker Crab shovel is incredibly cute, as well! I love the detail in the claws and crab legs, as well as his happy smile. This is a fantastic toy that takes your typical pail and shovel to an imaginative new level!

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Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set:
Make fabulous mudpies and sandcakes with this sea-creature inspired "baking" set. Young chefs will love using the shell shaped measuring cups, octopus whisk and crab mixing spoon to "cook" up some great beach treats. The turtle lid on the "mixing" bowl doubles as a sifter!

My Opinion:

I love to cook, as any of my friends can tell you, and that alone makes this wonderful set my favorite of the bunch! This adorable baking set again features sea life with it's mixing bowl with sea-turtle lid which doubles as a sifter, and you can find a cute crab  adorning the heavy-duty mixing spoon. The whisk is friendly octopus and the measuring cups? They're shaped like sea-shells! My 11 year old is already expressing in interest in cooking, and I hope to help nurture this passion in my youngest children as well. For now, this sand baking set is a wonderful beginning to a lifelong love for the culinary arts.

BUY IT:

You can purchase Melissa & Doug toys on their website as well as at several other fine retailers.

You can also follow Melissa & Doug on Facebook and on twitter to stay on top of their newest products and promotions.

For even MORE Melissa & Doug fun, please join their Treasured Toy Club to receive special promotions and news sure to make your children smile!

WIN IT:

One lucky follower will be receiving ALL of the awesome sand toys featured in this review! You heard me right! ALL OF THEM! How cool is that?!

Please complete the mandatory entry FIRST. Also include a valid e-mail address in each comment so I can contact you if you win! Feel free to use the following format to prevent spammers from bugging you! yourname(at)aol(dot)com.

MANDATORY ENTRY:

• You MUST be a public GFC follower of this blog
• Visit Melissa & Doug and tell me another product you love or something you have learned!
  

EXTRA ENTRIES:

• +2 Like Melissa & Doug on Facebook. Leave user name. 
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       Feel free to use the following tweet:

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This giveaway will be open until 11:59PM EST on 7/3/2011. I will choose my winner using random.org. I will post the winner on this blog as well as tweet, share on Facebook, and contact them via e-mail. The winner will then have 48 hours to respond or I will be forced to redraw. Thanks for entering, and good luck!

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

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