Castle Blocks - A Lakeshore Product Review

When is the last time you witnessed 4 boys, ages 4, 6, 7 and 9, play with blocks for hours on end?  Today happened to be one of these occasions.  We got this really nifty set of Castle Blocks from Lakeshore Learning and the boys are in heaven.  The blocks are high-quality wooden blocks that are printed on every side with realistic details.  The doors can be laid down and flipped over to make a bridge. There are cubes and cylinders, pyramids and cones.  Certainly enough pieces to make the grandest castle.

Upon opening the package, EMan was immediately enthralled with the blocks.  He was excited about the possibilities and focused on how many different ideas there were presented on the back of the box.  CJ quickly returned with the neighbor boys and all four of them really dove into exploring the possibilities.  

 It was interesting to listen to the collaboration and sometimes dictatorship that was unfolding before me.  I was simply a spectator intrigued by what would happen with this group of boys and the castle blocks. There were strong opinions about how the blocks should and shouldn't be used.

  "This is looking so cool!" says EMan as he jumps with excitement onto the sofa.  Apparently their game has now included Minecraft characters. They have built a castle and a barn and are utilizing their Minecraft toys to make it into a full game.  Each boy is responsible to be one character from Minecraft.  I'd highly recommend either small dolls or characters such as these Minecraft ones to make the building of the blocks into a game of creativity.

 I love how they put "Steve" on top of the castle with a sword.  He is the defender after all. Oh, and the skeleton is trying to get in but can't.  You best still watch out for him though because he might just shoot you with his bow and arrow.

 We were down in the basement (the dungeon of amazing stuff that is disorganized and slightly overwhelming) when EMan noticed the Lakeshore Learning catalog next to my desk.  It featured the castle blocks on the front and he excitedly said, "MOM! Is this where you got the idea from?" It was so cute.  He and CJ then spent the next hour taking turns flipping through the catalog and deciding what we should save our money for next.

Thanks to Lakeshore Learning for making such a fantastic product and letting us test it out for you!  If you want to head on over to get your own castle blocks or find something handy for your classroom be sure to use our coupon! 20% off your purchase good through 3/31/2015

Lakeshore Giveaway

Have you heard the great news?  Lakeshore Learning has been a long time supporter of classrooms and they just launched a new line of products specifically for homeschoolers.  Yay!  Check out their home education products at http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/home



Need more great news?  Readers of Little Adventures Preschool also get a special coupon offer for 20% off any nonsale item!  Just head here to utilize the coupon: http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/7413 (Expires 10/31/13).

A few things I LOVE from the Lakeshore Learning at Home catalog:

Trace and Write Alphabet Center
Seriously, EMan hasn't put this activity down yet.  He keeps it in his Elmo backpack and LOVES playing with it.  For more details you can check out the full review here.

Add-It-Up! Archery Set
This in on the list of items to get CJ for Christmas.  He LOVES archery and broke his bow a few months ago.  This item will give him a target to shoot for as well as a great math activity that I'm sure he will love!

Telling Time Teaching Clock
We are rapidly approaching the telling time part of CJ's Kindergarten Math Curriculum and I can't wait.  He's been so interested in knowing what time it is and how long he has to wait for something to happen.  I love this little clock and look forward to how it will seamlessly enrich the curriculum we're already working on.

Count, Sort and Play Keys
My kids love keys.  Every set of baby keys I ever bought are still being played with.  They disappear into the baby box every once in a while, but when the box reappears the keys come right out and are played with all the time.  If we could also work on counting and sorting loose keys I'm sure they'd be a toy that would never have a chance to be put back away because they'd always be in use.

Bright Giant Washable Color Ink Pads
I use these every week in tot school, preschool and in our Kindergarten curriculum.  Unlike other brands that say they're washable but aren't really, the Lakeshore brand is completely washable, won't stain hands and are perfect for all giant ink pad needs.  I've owned mine for about a year and a half and only recently have I noticed they are starting to dry out and I need to get another set! You can't go wrong with these!

Washable Tempera Paint
We love the Lakeshore washable tempera paint and use it all the time.  The only thing I'd recommend is getting the pint size (not the 4 oz size) and also have a gallon back up of your favorite colors (we go through green really fast).

Last, but not least, the Arts and Crafts Supply Center
For all families who really like to have the arts and crafts supplies all in one spot and not over taking your house this is the perfect solution.  A box of drawers to hold everything you need close at hand.  The added bonus is that it comes already filled with hundreds of creative craft supplies.  There are 20 clear-view drawers that are overflowing with fuzzy pom-poms, colored wiggly eyes, sparkly pipe stems, craft glue and much more!  There is also an activity book with ideas to use all these awesome supplies.  The best part about it is that I HAVE ONE TO GIVE AWAY!

To enter the giveaway all you need to do is click on the green buttons on the Rafflecopter Giveaway below. There are a possible 35 entries per person: Like Little Adventures Preschool on Facebook, Like Lakeshore Learning on Facebook, Let us know what your favorite item from the Learning at Home catalog is, spread the word any way you like, and make Little Adventures Preschool Shop one of your favorites on Teacher's Notebook!  Best of luck to you all!  The giveaway ends 9/16/13 at 12AM.  The winner will be announced after that.

Don't forget that you can also utilize our special reader coupon at Lakeshore by clicking here: http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/7413.

a Rafflecopter giveaway