Checking Our List #22: Magic Cabin ~ 1-2-3 Grow With Me Toy Review & Giveaway

If I could, I'd love to sit back and observe my kids playing for hours on end. Childhood is such a special time and their imaginations and creativity truly never cease to amaze me. It's incredible what they learn through play, and as their mom, I want nothing more than to encourage that for as long as I possibly can. That's why I'm always on the lookout for high quality toys that will last and grow with them. Thanks to Magic Cabin, that couldn't be easier!

Magic Cabin began in 1989 as a small doll company and has since grown to include a large selection of kid-powered, simple toys that are sturdy, safe and fun. It is their belief that children's lives are enriched by ample time for open-ended, creative, imaginative play and have been guided by that notion since the beginning.

Offering everything from doll toys to games and crafts...Magic Cabin is a site I could browse for hours on end if I had the time. Their selection of high quality toys is absolutely amazing, which is why I was thrilled to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review one. Although it was not easy deciding on just one (there are so many toys I know my kids would adore)...I decided to go with the 1-2-3 Grow With Me toy and am so happy I did!

Features/Benefits:

• Made from solid wood
• Durable
• 3 different uses - Walker/Cart/Scooter
• or ages 9 months and up

When the 1-2-3 Grow With Me toy arrived on our doorstep, I couldn't wait to get it put together. Having three different uses (as a walker, cart or scooter), I knew it would be a toy that both kids would really enjoy and be able to use.

As I opened the box I was a little intimidated by all the pieces. Thankfully though, there were easy to follow instructions included. My husband was home to help me, and overall we found assembly to be pretty simple. The only challenging part was putting together the bucket, as it requires that a thin sheet of plywood be bent and placed into groves just so. Although it did take us sometime, it was definitely worth the effort!

I knew it was made of solid wood, but had no idea how sturdy it would be. It is very well made and something I know will last us for many years to come. I absolutely love the beautiful colors and the natural look of it. The kids were drawn to it right away.

When we first received the 1-2-3 Grow With Me toy, Kaden was around 10 months old. He had been walking along furniture for a while, and I knew a walker would be a great way to encourage him and help him become more confident in doing so.

We set it up as a walker first and he pulled himself right up to it and to my surprise...took off walking across our family room. He was laughing and smiling from ear to ear. Just look at how excited he was!!
Over the years we've had several walkers that end up going unused. The problem is...many of them are plastic and very lightweight. The minute our kids would pull themselves up to them, they'd topple over which kind of defeats the purpose. However, that is not the case with this durable, sturdy walker though! Kaden could comfortably pull himself up to it and begin walking. It's light enough for him to push easily, but heavy enough that he doesn't push it forward too fast where he loses balance. It's perfect! I wish that we had a walker like this when Kaelyn was at this stage, and am so happy we have it for future children.

When it was set up like a walker I really didn't think Kaelyn would show a lot of interest. Surprisingly though, she loved it! She enjoyed pushing it around with her dolls in it like a little buggy and even used it like it was a small shopping cart. She was even more excited when she learned it could actually be transformed into a taller shopping cart that suited her size better!

Following the simple instructions, it took my hubby no time at all to convert it from a walker to a shopping cart....and best of all...she loves it!! I can't tell you how many times she has grabbed it and told me 'I'm going shopping, see you later mommy'.


Of course, we also couldn't resist setting it up like a scooter too.

Once again, making the switch from a shopping cart to a scooter was a piece of cake. I think this was probably the biggest transformation...I mean, how cute is this?! It's perfect for Kaelyn to sit on and scoot along. She loves the little wagon on the back too. She often carries around her dolls or blankey with her, so this is the perfect place to keep them all while on the move. As Kaden gets a little older, I can see him really enjoying the scooter as well.

Over the past couple of months it's been fun to see Kaelyn and Kaden come up with new ways of using the 1-2-3 Grow With Me. Whether it be a shopping cart, a doll buggy, or something else...it's encourages open-ended, creative play where the use for it is only limited to their imaginations.

I have been extremely happy with the versatility and the fact that it is a toy made to grow with kids. It's not often I find a toy that both of them (at 1 year old and 3 years old) are able to use and enjoy, so this is something I really appreciate.

Overall we've been very happy with the 1-2-3 Grow With Me toy and have already recommended it to many parents we know. Given its exceptional quality, I know it's something that will bring us many more years of enjoyment.

Of course, the 1-2-3 Grow With Me is just one of many high quality toys offered at Magic Cabin. As you shop for the children on your list this Christmas, I would highly recommend checking them out.

Buy It: You can Purchase the 1-2-3 Grow With Me for $120 at MagicCabin.com.

Win It: Thanks to Magic Cabin, one very lucky reader is going to win a 1-2-3 Grow With Me of their own!!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Magic Cabin and leave a comment letting me know another product you like.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Enter the Rody Horse Giveaway at Thanks, Mail Carrier

2. 1 extra entry- Sign up to receive Magic Cabin Emails

3. 1 extra entry- Request the Magic Cabin Catalog

4. 3 extra entries- Grab our Checking Our List Holiday Gift Guide Button and leave a comment with the URL where it can be found.

5. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Magic Cabin) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

6. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a 1-2-3 Grow With Me toy (walker, shopping cart & scooter all in one) from Magic Cabin! ARV $120! http://bit.ly/eIMU66 Ends 12/17

7. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

8. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

9. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

10. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

11. Enter any of my other Holiday Gift Guide giveaways running now. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete. Be sure to leave your email address with your comments or make sure it's visible in your profile so that I have a way to contact you if you win!

This giveaway will end December 17th and is open to US and Canada!

**The products for this review & giveaway were provided for free by Magic Cabin. All opinions found here are 100% mine and were not influenced in any way. The opinions of others may differ from my own**