We have acquire some farm animals.  OK  . . . wooden block farm animals.   They show up in random places.

They seem to like the fireplace the best.  I guess because it is warm.

And wherever the farm animals are, you are sure to find Gabe.

However, he often puts them into a time out, noses pressed to our school room fridge.

Or lines them up.

We have even tried feeding them.  Rather unsuccessfully.  They don’t like beans. I guess because I didn’t soak and sprout them?

What does Guidecraft has to say about their wooden blocks?

Block Mates are the all-new block play sensation that will revolutionize and revitalize the way that kids play with unit blocks. Slide the Block Mates onto a traditional-sized unit block to create fun play friends! Pieces slide on easily and fit snugly thanks to the patented "Slip-Grip" system! Match the colors to assemble familiar animals, or mix-and-match the pieces to create your very own! Block Mates create a whole new world of block play creativity and ignite the imagination while enhancing fine motor and color matching skills.

This unique version of a wooden block is geared towards ages 3+ (according to the website).  However, Gabe has enjoyed the farm animals the most, having received them at age 2 1/2.  (FYI)

Sir Honey Ezra (almost 5) randomly enjoys our farm animals . . . but typically only plays with them when Gabe is or in an attempt to stir up some strife with his younger brother.  Just sayin’.

What COULD you do with your farm animals?

• have your child take the animal “parts” on and off.  Great use of fine motor skills and coordination combined with some concentration.

• mix all the parts up on a box and have them separate according to head, feet, tail, etc.

• What’s wrong with this animal?  Have your child correct the three wrong pieces or simplify for younger children, and have one animal part in the wrong place.

• sort by color
• have a pretend animal race.  Using a dice, have your child roll the dice.  Whatever the number reveals, have the animal walk that many “steps” hops.  Winner animal receives some pretend food.
• have the child place the parts of each animal on separate wooden block as you relay the sound the animal makes.  So first, you would oink – on goes the head.  Then, you might neigh – on goes a horse body part on a different block and so on . . .
• study about each animal!  Read a book! 

Block Mate Wooden Farm Animals can be purchased at Guidecraft for $27 . . . but make sure you also order the set of 5 wooden blocks (an additional $15) or buy this fun set at Amazon starting at $20 (and it is an Amazon Mom product.)

And that’s my Guidecraft Mom review . . . but there’s more! 

Want to win a set of Block Mates Farm Animals?

(Mandatory) Tell me what your favorite animal is and why.

1. Become one of my fans through Google Connect if you aren’t already! (It’s over there on your right . . . see all of the little people?)
2. What other wooden block animals does Guidecraft produce?
3. Tweet about this giveaway:  Guidecraft Wooden Farm Animals: A Giveaway http://t.co/DvKqC4x @GranolaMom4God
4. What did you have for breakfast?
5. Put my button on your blog.
6. Subscribe to my blog (I have a few other kid-related giveaways coming up).

Remember, only #1 is mandatory. The rest of the entries are optional, but you MUST comment separately for each one.

The Fine Print: I will email you when you have won. You must respond within 48 hours.

Contest ends March 28, 2011 at Midnight (not that I will be awake)

This toy was sent to me by Guidecraft.  In exchange, I gave an honest an free opinion of our thoughts regarding the Block Mate Farm Animals.

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