Melissa & Doug Wooden Railway Set Review & Giveaway

Over the years we've accumulated a lot of toys...some of which are played with daily, and others that have not been taken off the shelf for months (maybe longer). It seems the ones my kids keep coming back to day after day to play with are those that grow with them and provide the opportunity for open-ended and creative play. It's toys like this that Kaelyn and Kaden play with for hours on end...the ones that stand out when it comes to quality, fun and educational value. As I search for toys like this, one name comes to mind instantly...Melissa & Doug!

Although the Melissa & Doug company has grown tremendously over the past 20 years, their philosophy remains the same. They are dedicated to making each and every customer a happy and permanent member of the Melissa & Doug family and offering products with great value, quality and design. A name parents have come to know and trust over the years, Melissa & Doug offers quality toys that are fun and educational. With everything from puzzles and puppets to play food, games, arts and crafts, and more...Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children's products.

We are big fans of Melissa & Doug in our household! From the time Kaelyn was very young we have purchased many of their products and are always impressed with the quality as well as the opportunity for creative, imaginative and open-ended play they provide. That's why I was excited to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review the Melissa & Doug Wooden Railway Set.
When the wooden railway set arrived, I was excited to check it out...so was Kaelyn!

Just from the size of the box, I had a feeling it was going to have a lot to offer...however, upon opening the box I was still amazed to see all that was included. WOW! With over 130 pieces, you not only get the expected track pieces in curves and straights, but also everything else you need for railway fun....multi-piece trains, trees, traffic signs, workers, roundhouse engine, and SO. MUCH. MORE!

As we took the pieces out, I appreciated the fact that many of them were wrapped separately in plastic to ensure that they would not get scratched within the box.

As I unwrapped the pieces and got everything laid out, I could tell each every piece was very durable and well-made. Once again, Melissa & Doug did not disappoint! I can tell this wooden railway train set will be one that provides hours of fun and years of play for my kids.

I have to admit, after seeing all the pieces laid out before me...I was a little concerned that I wouldn't know where to begin. Thankfully, Melissa & Doug included 4 easy to follow diagrams which gives users fun ideas on how to create amazing railways with the pieces provided. Fun for both children and adults!

Kaelyn picked out the one that resembled the picture on the front of the box...so we got started. She had a great time helping me and daddy fit all the pieces together....something I wasn't sure she'd be able to do. The pieces are not complicated at all...and as Kaelyn says "fit together like a puzzle" easily.

Once we had our railway put together, we all had a lot of fun setting up our traffic signs and trees. Of course, we also have had hours of fun moving our trains across the tracks!

What I love about this set, is that users are given ideas of how they can use the pieces...but the opportunity to be completely creative...making railways large and small, curved and straight, high and low...the sky is the limit! With so many pieces Kaelyn has had a blast creating her very own railways! It provides hours of open-ended imaginative play. As she gets older I can see this as being a railway set she still enjoys using, as she will not be limited as to what she can do. I look forward to watching as she comes up with new ways to set up the tracks and can't wait until Kaden is old enough to play with it as well.

We have been more than happy with the Melissa & Doug Wooden Railway Set. The quality is fantastic and the fun and creativity it provides is great! With endless possibilities, this train set is one I can see being a big hit around our house for many years to come. And...being compatible with other popular wooden railway systems, is one that I know we'll be able to easily use as we add to our collection.

Of course, this is just one of so many terrific Melissa & Doug Products. Be sure to check out their website to learn more about Melissa & Doug's large selection of safe, fun, and educational children's products.

Buy It: The Melissa & Doug Wooden Railway Set retails for $129.99.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a Melissa & Doug Wooden Railway Set like the one we received! (Please note - Any household that has won a Melissa & Doug giveaway in the past 12 months is not eligible for this giveaway)

Mandatory Entry - Visit Melissa & Doug and leave a comment letting me know another one of their products you love.

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

1. 1 extra entry - Like Melissa & Doug on Facebook

2. 1 extra entry - Follow Melissa & Doug on Twitter

3. 1 extra entry - Sign up to receive the Melissa & Doug Treasured Toy Club Newsletter

4. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Melissa & Doug) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

5. 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 @MelissaAndDoug Wooden Railway Set (ARV $129)! #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/eUQlSX Ends 2/18

6. 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)

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9. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

10. Enter any of my other current giveaways. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

11. 1 extra entry- Share about this giveaway on your Facebook status by including a link back to this giveaway.

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address (or make sure it's visible in your profile) so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end February 18th and is open to the US and Canada!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free by Melissa & Doug. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way*