Saturday, December 13, 2008

Plan Toys Giveaway







Plan Toys describe their company as “We create toys that inspire children’s imagination as well as promote their physical and intellectual development.” I find this company irrisistable and have long before having my daughter. One of the first toys I purchased when pregnant with Zhana was a bag of building blocks by Plan Toys. This was long before I understood the importance of natural toys, developed a love for wooden toys, or became a self declared “toy snob” (lol). I remember seeing a beautiful display of wooden building blocks looking so lonely among a shelf of toys with lights and sound. I was immediately drawn to the blocks and even moreso when I saw the cotton drawstring bag they came in. These blocks sat on my shelf for months just waiting for when she was old enough for her to play with them and once introduced it has been a favorite. So, from the beginning I’ve had a bit of a love affair with Plan Toys.


They are a green company devoted to recycling, reduction, and reusing. All of their toys are made from rubberwood. Normally, these trees are burned after they no longer produce latex and Plantoys is the first company to use this material for toys! No fertilzer is added to the soil for three years before the trees are cut and they use a chemical free kilm drying process. Their glue is nontoxic, they use a waterbased dye, and soy/water based ink. These folks are very committed to the environment.


Plan toys is involved in several community projects including a toy museum, Sarnsaeng-Arun foundation, restoring the Phu Luang Forest, school activities, Toys for the Communities project, To Kids With Love Project, Toy Donation to Shizuoka City, and Charity Project to Honor Princess Mother of Thailand. I think of all the companies I’ve done reviews for, this is the one that gives back the most.



They have won several awards including the very respected Reddot Design Award, the German Design Prize, and Best Toy of the Year in Parenting magazine.


Now to the toys! The company classifies their toys into the following categories: PlanPreschool, PlanActivity, PlanDollHouse,PlanCity. PlanPreschool is for ages 0-4+. PlanActivity toys are encourage social interaction, use hand/eye coordination, and improve skills in a variety of other areas such as balance and planning. PlanDollhouse are adorable little dolls, furniture, and dollhouses. PlanCity lets children build a city with the different parts. They have a really neat concept called PlanBuildImagination which are toys than can work with any blocks.

I have some outstanding toys that I have to review for you today. ..

The first is the assorted fruit and vegetable set.The set includes an apple, pear, lemon, orange, banana, cucumber, mushroom, and carrot. This is a most fantastic product. It is just beautiful to start with and makes a perfect addition to a play kitchen. The fruit and veggies stick together by velcro that your little one “cuts” through. Your child will love slicing through the wooden fruit and vegetables and hearing the velcro sound that mimics the sound made when mom cuts up an apple. Talk about working on fine motor skills! This is one of my daughter’s favorite items and mine as well. I believe this is a must have item for an little one. This beautiful toy is going to last for years to come. What a bargain too at $20.00.




Next up, we have a very cute lacing sheep. The different parts of the sheep separate and then the children put the sheep back together depending on the color. This helps the little ones learn their colors and sequencing. I think it is really cute sitting out too! Even after your little one grows up, I could see it having a cute place in the home on a shelf. This neat toy retails for $20.


Next up, we have the Plan Toys Percussion Set. It consists of a guiro, maracas, tambourine and castanet. Children will learn a variety of sounds from different instruments. I love that each item in the set produces its own unique sound. The set not only sounds good but Iis nice to look at as well. I gotta tell you that I usually can't stand the child music sets because they are so loud and obnoxious on the ears but this one is softer and more natural sounding. It's all wood, so it has a more authentic sound.
It sells for $35.00.



Next up, is the stacking tree. This stacking set is designed based on the concept of nature. Each wooden piece can be stacked to form different kinds of trees. Children can learn the color variation and size. It's another beautiful toy and has many more uses than just for stacking. It can be part of a nature table, a city, a gnome village, and much more. I just adore it! This sells for $22.00.


Finally, we have dress up animals, which is a very unique product. Your child can dress the 2 figure with the 2 sided fabrics using the rope or button function to form 4 different safari animals- leopard, deer, tiger and zebra. The head can move up-down and the neck can rotate. Your child works on fine motor skills while playing with this beautiful toy! It is another very well made product. This sells for $22.00.






I hope you all will consider buying more natural toys for your children this Christmas. I know it is tempting to buy the latest toy when walking through your neighborhood department store and to be drawn into all the lights and sound. The toys I've reviewed today amplify your child's imagination and creativity and their appeal last considerably longer than the plastic toy that is soon to be played with a couple of days and then stashed at the bottom of the toy bin. Children will keep playing with wooden toys for years to come, likely because they are so open ended with many more possibilities. As I mentioned earlier, the plastic toys are ENTERTAINING but most really PLAYING. Furthermore, wooden toys are usually beautiful with delightful designs and shapes. I also believe wooden toys create more respect in your child in that they are more likely to take care of the product. Ive said it before, but even itty bitty toddlers seem to appreciate and somehow know that a wooden toy has more art and quality therefore seem to treat them better. I let my daughter throw her plastic toys into a bin but her beautiful wooden toys are set out and displayed always in their proper place. When not in use, they are so pretty that they are a part of her room decoration. Really, they are cheaper than battery operated toys and will last not just your childs life but for generations to come. Remember the lead paint scare we all experienced last year? Ususally these companies are safe and good for the environment. This is one small way to make your individual contribution to the environment. Also, I once went to a hear a nationally recognized psychologist who hypothesized ADHD may somehow be linked to children having so many toys that make sounds and light up. Children now believe they must constantly be entertained, rather than using their own imaginaiton as their entertainment.




Want to win the lacing sheep and stacking tree reviewed above? I have a few options for you.


1. The first step is to visit http://www.plantoys.com/. 2. Look around the store and come back here and tell me your favorite product and why you like it. This will get you one entry. 3. If you want a second entry, visit the previous post to this one on Wild Dill and tell me your favorite product that store offers under that post. 4. Want a third entry? Either follow me or subscribe to my feed. Send a post letting me know you subscribe. If you are already a subscriber let me know. 5. For a fourth entry, send me a message about your favorite Christmas Eve tradition. Happy Holidays!

December 14,2008-through December 22,2008; Ends 11:59 Central Standard Time

92 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the 6409 Melody Xylophone because it is musical and it is a green toy. My nephew would love to make "noise" music with this.

Jenn S. said...

I like the Chalet Dollhouse With Furniture. My daughter has been wanting one and this reminds me of the one I had when I was younger.

Anonymous said...

I love the "Water Blocks". They are unique and colorful. They will help teach my grandchildren not only the shapes, but colors. They will use their dexterity building with them. Their mind imagination with what they can come up with. I am really impressed with these blocks!

Dumaurier said...

I love Plan City's line, especially the Garage and Airport

peg42 said...

My favorite is the Native American Set. Thanks so much for this giveaway.

Sandy said...

My girls would love the Percussion Set. I also like the Creative blocks. Everything looks great!

Sandy said...

My favorite Christmas Eve tradition is gathering with family! They are the most important thing in my life and I can't think of any thing else I would rather do on Christmas Eve.


I am also a follower:)

Anonymous said...

I love the fire engine. Woods toys are the best.
Thanks.

Bridget said...

I love the percussion set because we do a lot with rhythms and so this would be another great way to do that. I love the simple look of their products, it looks like a great company!

Bridget said...

p.s. I have subscribed to your feed and love all of your reviews of these fun kid products!

besosforpesos said...

The wooden trike is pretty adorable and my daughter is just starting to try out other kids' trikes at the park. Thanks for introducing me to the site!

besosforpesos said...

I subscribe!

besosforpesos said...

My favorite holiday tradition is simply being with family on Christmas morning -- watching my daughter open her little presents, having hot cocoa, recording the fun, everything!

Teresa Young said...

I like the Creative Blocks - I like the different shapes like the stairs & castle turrets.

Stephanie said...

wow - the musical band (drums set) rocks. My little boy would have a blast playing them (and mummy would have a slight pounding in the head).
tvollowitz at aol dot com

kdkdkd said...

I love the Melody Xylophone. I had one just like that when I was a kid. So great to find one that is built with solid wood, built to last. I know my boys could play all day with it and not break it.

Unknown said...

i would love the Creative Blocks.

abc said...

I love it all, but my fave would have to be 5527 Creative Blocks. Plan Toys are great!

jenny said...

please enter me in for this and i think every thing is realy neet thanks the toy food is my fave

Jennifer Wilson said...

The school bus is really cute. Why is it my favorite? I had a toy school bus when I was a child and LOVED it, and I'm a sucker for school bus toys. :)

Jen lleras said...

you have to love a drum set, it's my favorite thing to give little kids!!!

muwahahahaaaaahahaaaa

jennifer.lleras@gmail.com

sweetsue said...

I love the 7415 Doll Family because it looks kind of like my daughter's little family!

tatertot374 said...

like the Noah's Ark set. very nice. Thank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

bethany said...

I really like the sorting bus-my son is really into sorting toys and I'm always looking for new ones!!

Anonymous said...

I like the "Terrace Doll House".

Linda said...

I really like the Pirate Ship, my grandson would have hours of fun playing with this

phxbne said...

My favorite is the Creative Blocks

phxbne said...

I subscribed to your reader

phxbne said...

Christmas Eve we go out to a restaurant

judybrittle said...

I really love the CHALET DOLLHOUSE WITH FURNITURE. Why? because it is an incredible dollhouse and would last through years of play. Thank you!

judybrittle said...

I subscribe through Google reader.

judybrittle said...

Our family tradition now is a week before Christmas I have all my kids and grandkids over to celebrate. That makes it less hectic for them and time to spend with other family members.

Sharon said...

LOVE 6408-the Musical Band...!!!
THANKS for entry

silverbele said...

The Melody Xylophone for my grandson

Sarah said...

My favorite is the 6310 Fire Engine

Marlene said...

I like the Animal Dominoes!! They are all great toys!

doodlegirl said...

MY DAUGHTER WOULD LOVE THE Terrace Dollhouse BECAUSE SHE'S ALWAYS WANTED ONE

CaseyDeuce said...

I love the breakfast menu and the tableware set!!

yellowlabs said...

I would love the Caterpillar toy for my daughter!

Stacy said...

All the vehicles look cute, especially the Activity Bus.

hetz-junk(at)hotmail(dot)com

Mommy 2 Monkeys said...

I like the sorting train; it has great vivid colors.

Christine said...

I love the construction sets because my son really enjoys pretending he is fixing things and playing with his tools.

janetfaye said...

I like PICKY THE PENGUIN because my grandson would love him, and he is a wind - up toy.

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

janetfaye said...

Wild Dill, I like Jasper Hearts Wren Rocket Tee.

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

rosannepm said...

I like the drum set and I like the earthy feel of wooden toys rather than plastics
rosans4@comcast.net

rosannepm said...

I'm a subscriber
rosans4@comcast.net

rosannepm said...

Favorite Christmas Eve tradition is to watch old movies of my sons as they were growing up
rosans4@comcast.net

ky2here said...

I really like the melody xylophone.

Steph said...

My favorite is the Crane Set because that is the same type of crane their dad works with. The City Station is pretty cool as well.

bison61 said...

I picked the Solid Drum, my grandson loves to pound on my cooking pots with a wooden spoon

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Princess Golden Hair said...

Chalet Dollhouse With Furniture would be the perfect gift for my little lily

Aisling said...

What a marvelous catalogue of toys! I really love the Lacing Sheep and Percussion Set that you reviewed and I also love the Musical Band. Every one of these toys would fascinate children.

Renee G said...

I love the Chalet Doll House with furniture (#7141). When I was little I had a doll house that was made out of tin, that I just loved in spite of the fact that it kept falling apart. This chalet is a hundred times better, yet would provide the same creative fun.

rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

My favorite is the Native American Set. Because it is part of my kids's culture. Thanks for the chance to win.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

AmandaK said...

I love the Fire Station because my little girl loves firefighters and I just think this would be good for her!

orchestratenoise0726[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

My little boy would have fun with the 60 construction set

ardy22 at earthlink.net

Henry said...

The Modern Doll family would be great for my daughter!

quitecontrary1977@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I love their musical toys, especially the drum set. My toddler would love any of these great toys.

Amy said...

The pirate ship looks fun, I think my son would like that. Of course, I also like the kitchen things for him - he likes to help me in the kitchen. I think this grooms them to be helpful husbands later in life.

K Wray said...

I too, think the modern doll family is adorable!
blackbird0615@yahoo.com

Jinxy and Me said...

My favorite is the Melody Xylophone. I like musical toys and this one looks like such high quality!

Jinxy and Me said...

I'm subscribed to your RSS feed.

Lindsey said...

We love the pull along crocodile

Kathy S said...

I adore the Victorian Dollhouse! It looks like something that could be passed from generation to generation and would be so much fun to decorate and buy furniture for!

mrk928 said...

my girls would love the fire station, since both my husband and I are volunteers at the local fire house

Harli said...

I like the parking garage set because I remember playing with one like this when I was little!
harlifantham@yahoo.com

Harli said...

From your last post I like the Imagination Box Cottage, is that the one you paint yourself?
harlifantham@yahoo.com

grillandchiller@gmail.com said...

i like the xylophone.

justicecw said...

I know my son would love the wooden fire engine. thanks, justicecw@hotmail.com

John Deal said...

I like the sports car that a child can ride. AztcFeller@aol.com

Valancia said...

The Creative Blocks for me and thank u kindly! skyxsky27(at)gmail.com

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

My girls would love the Chalet Dollhouse With Furniture!

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

I subscribe!

Tammy said...

I love the Tableware set, so much better than the plastic toys made in China since tableware often gets put in the mouth, even during play!

Greg R said...

The native american set is very nice

Unknown said...

These toys are exactly what the therapists want us to buy for my autistic grandson. He likes music and I would pick the Plan Toys Percussion set for him. His parents cannot buy any of these things for him as the disease has made them poor as church mice. I am going to try harder to buy some of these for him as the prices seem very reasonable.

Candie L said...

I like the Balancing Coral set

candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com

klp1965 said...

i love the 7142
Modern Doll Family they are just soooooooo adorable :)

Donna said...

My daughter would like the percussion set.
donna444444@yahoo.com

Donna said...

I subscribed.
donna444444@yahoo.com

Helen said...

I like the Animal Dominoes.

37 Questions said...

I love the Sports Car. But we love plan toys - the kids are getting a nice Plan Toys drum this year! Thanks for a super giveaway!
jjdragonfly [at] gmail [dot] com

artmarcia said...

I love the Animal Puzzle because it is beautiful and open ended.

Bakersdozen said...

I like the WoodPecker Walker. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

masonsgranny59 said...

I heart the Pirate Ship:)ty 4 the awesome giveaway and the entry:)

phyllisg said...

Noah's Ark is an all time favorite.

cman said...

I love the noah's ark toys because our son is named after him:)

lilyk said...

I love the Vegetable Set because it's so cute!

lilyk said...

I love the ImagiPLAY Elephant Family Puzzle from Wild Dill!

lilyk said...

My Christmas Eve tradition is going out to dinner with my family.

Super Fun Mama said...

Bethany won! Sorry for the late post.

Unknown said...

The Percussion set would be wonderful for my "Aspie" grandson. Things that are musical please him and increase his learning.