My children have always thought that dinosaurs were . . . okay. They hardly played with the few dinosaur toys we have owned in the past, even the battery-operated ones. So I was a little hesitant to review the Dinosaur Park Play Set from Constructive Playthings. Although it looked like it would be a cool toy for any dinosaur fan, I wondered what my children's reaction would be.
It turns out the way this toy is designed makes it interesting to my children. The wooden structure creates a 3-dimensional terrain that is unlike anything they currently own. I believe it really sparked their imaginations because they are now not limited to acting out stories on a flat surface.
(Click any image to enlarge)
The Dinosaur Park Play Set comes with a laminated cardboard mat, which serves as the ground. Also in the box were wooden pieces, some printed on one side only and some on both, that were carefully packed to protect the images. There were also 12 individually wrapped plastic dinosaurs of various types and sizes and printed instructions for assembling the structure.
This toy is recommended for children ages 3 and up, but an adult or an older child would need to assemble the wooden structure, especially if you would like it to appear exactly as pictured on the box. The assembly itself was not difficult, but you do have to be able to match the many pieces up with the printed instructions. What I like about this toy is that the structure completely disassembles and can be stored away in the box it came in. This would not be true if this structure had been built of molded plastic. If you do have the space to leave this play set out all the time, then you may want to consider permanently gluing the pieces together to avoid any of them getting lost. The pieces can be slid apart somewhat easily by a child.
Ultimately, my children enjoy playing with this toy. It does raise their interest in dinosaurs slightly, but I do believe that soon, there will be little green army men and Star Wars action figures joining these dinosaurs in their adventures.
You can purchase the Dinosaur Park Play Set and many more imaginative toys on CPToy.com . Currently as a 3G2S reader, you can save 15% off your entire Constructive Playthings purchase by clicking on the animated button on my sidebar.
Thank you to Constructive Playthings for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon and for providing a second product as our contest prize.
What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a Dinosaur Park Play Set (ARV $60).
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. & Canadian entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.
This giveaway is open to U.S. & Canadian entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.
How to Gain Entries:
Browse the selection of toys offered by CPToy.com by clicking the button below. Then leave a comment telling me the name of a toy your child would love to receive (aside from the toy reviewed in this article). You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.
Extra Entries:
1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.
2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.
2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.
3) For 10 extra entries, sign up to receive the Constructive Playthings e-Newsletter. Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments telling me you did.
4) For 1 extra entry each, if you are a Friend of mine on Facebook and/or if you have "liked" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.
5) For 1 extra entry each, follow Constructive Mom on Twitter and/or "Like" Constructive Playthings on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment for each with the link to your Twitter or Facebook profile.
6) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.
7) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.
8) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.
9) Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.
10) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.
(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)
Random Drawing:
Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Monday, February 7th, 2011 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.
Good luck in the drawing!
