Fun in the Sun #20: Melissa & Doug Outdoor Fun & Games Review & Giveaway (Winner's Choice!)

Although we get outside to play during the winter months, there's nothing better than running around in shorts and a t-shirt, enjoying the warm weather. The kids and I have so enjoyed our time outdoors so far, and look forward to many more weeks of summertime fun! Now that both kids are getting older, I keep an eye out for toys that keep them active and encourage them to play together. Thankfully, when it comes to finding high quality toys like this..I know I can count on 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, Outdoor Fun and Games, arts and crafts, and more...Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children's products.

Even before I had children, I was a huge Melissa & Doug fan! As a preschool teacher at the time, I was introduced to many of their wonderful products and since then have never been disappointed with the quality or educational value. They're fun and provide creative, imaginative and open-ended play for children.

With so many great toys for summer, I was excited we were going to have the opportunity to review a couple. Melissa & Doug sent us their Mollie Bath and Ball Set, Bollie Kickball, and Bollie Flying Disk to review.

Now that we've been able to spend more time outdoors, I had a feeling the kids would be really excited when they saw these toys. I was right! Upon opening the box all of us couldn't wait to start playing with them!

I absolutely love the bright colors and the ladybug design. It's very cute and especially appealing to children! The quality of each of the items is also top notch and something I know will hold up to the wear and tear of daily play. Once again, Melissa & Doug did not disappoint!

Both my kids love playing with balls, so the Bollie Kickball definitely stood out right away. Kaelyn commented on the fun ladybug design. Kaden grabbed it right away and ran to the door so we could go out and play in the backyard.

It's made of durable rubber, making it great for backyard fun and playing games in the park. Kaelyn and Kaden have really enjoyed kicking it to one another and chasing after it. Hearing them laugh and seeing the excitement on their face to play with this ball, which adds so much fun to classic early catching and kicking games, is great. With so many uses, it has provided the opportunity for creative and open-ended play every time they play with it. And best of all, recommended for ages 2+, it's been the perfect thing for both Kaelyn and Kaden to do together! We love it!


The Bollie Ladybug Flying Disk has been perfect for Kaelyn!

Recommended for ages 3+, it's a great toy that encourages her to work on throwing and catching. Of course, the bright colors and fun ladybug theme has made it even more fun for her! I love that it's incredibly lightweight and easy to use for children and adults of all ages. Kaden is still a bit young to play, but he still enjoys trying to throw it to us. I know as the years go on, this will provide hours of fun and is becoming a new family favorite among the activities we do outdoors together.

Another classic game to play outside is baseball. Although Kaelyn is still young, she enjoys taking part in activities like this and was tickled to see the Mollie Bat and Ball Set from Melissa & Doug!

Again, the fun design and bright colors are what really caught her interest. Not only that, but the quality is amazing! I love that both the bat and ball are padded...making them very safe for children of all ages to use. They are lightweight and age-appropriate for 3 years+. The lightweight ball was especially nice, as it makes it easy for Kaelyn to pitch as well as hit.

Overall we've been thrilled with all three outdoor toys from Melissa & Doug. The quality is great, and each one provides the opportunity for the kids to be creative and play with them in so many different ways. I love that each one is age appropriate and easy for little ones to use. They're all a very nice size and lightweight, making them perfect for on the go. Whether we're going to the park, Grandma's house or simply the backyard...these are the perfect toys to bring with us. They don't take a lot of space and provide hours of fun for the whole family! I know we'll be getting a lot more use out of them as the summer continues.

For high quality toys that provide fun and educational value...I would recommend Melissa & Doug time and time again. Be sure to check out all of their great toys, perfect for summertime fun!

Buy It: You can purchase the Melissa & Doug Mollie Bath and Ball Set $9.99, Melissa & Doug Bollie Kickball for $9.99. and Melissa & Doug Bollie Flying Disk for $6.99.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win their choice of $25 in outdoor fun & games toys from Melissa & Doug!!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Melissa & Doug and let me know another product you'd love to have!

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

1. 1 extra entry - Enter the $25 worth of Melissa & Doug Sand Toys Giveaway at Thanks, Mail Carrier

2. 1 extra entry - Like Melissa & Doug on Facebook

3. 1 extra entry- Follow Melissa & Doug on Twitter

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. 3 extra entries- Grab our Fun in the Sun Button and leave a comment with the URL where it can be found.

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:

Fun in the Sun 2o: #WIN your choice of $25 worth of @MelissaAndDoug Outdoor Fun & Games Toys! http://bit.ly/iFGO4I Ends 7/15
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 Fun in the Sun 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 July 15th and is open to the US and Canada!

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