Fun in the Sun 22: Build a Dream Playhouses Review & Giveaway (Winner's Choice!)

When I was young, I remember my grandparents having a big cardboard playhouse full of toys for the grandkids to play with. You'd think that we would all be excited about the toys, but what usually ended up happening is us pulling out all of the toys so we could play inside the playhouse. Whether it was a tent, a house, or even a car....it provided hours of creative, open-ended play.

I am finding that my kids love the same types of simple, creative things to play with. In fact, I often say that they both could have a room full of toys and get bored in no time, but with one cardboard box they are entertained for days (if not weeks on end). I love to see their imaginations at work, which is why I'm always looking for toys and products that promote that kind of play. Thankfully, I need look no further than Build a Dream Playhouses!

Founded by a Cleveland father, Build a Dream Playhouses is committed to delivering safe, affordable, eco-friendly products that stimulate and encourage the imaginations of all children. They believe that imaginative play is critical to the development of young minds which is why their line offers a great selection of products that provide a blank canvas for children to paint their dreams. With such high standards and great dedication, it's no wonder they believe these are the most innovative, fresh, and fun playhouses on the market.

As I browsed Build a Dream Playhouses for the first time, I was impressed with their incredible selection. With everything from a Pop N' Play Kitchen and Dream Machine to a Snack Shack, Cosmic Cruiser and more...there's sure to be something that suits everyone little one's interests and dreams.

With summer here, the Imagine Wagon Ice Cream Truck stood out to me right away and I was excited to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review it!

Features/Benefits:

• Spacious interior
• Rear entry double doors
• Fold down dashboard
• Side view cardboard mirrors
• Includes luggage rack, ice cream signs and light bar
• Assembled Dimensions: 52” x 26.5” x 34”
• Made in the USA
• Manufactured out of recycled materials

When the Imagine Wagon arrived, I was really looking forward to getting it put together and showing the kids.

As I pulled the cardboard pieces out of the box, I was hoping it wouldn't be too difficult or time-consuming to put together...especially since both kids were eagerly waiting for me to finish. Thankfully, it really didn't take long at all. In 10-15 minutes, I had it completely assembled!

The user-friendly instructions helped a lot. There were pictures along with descriptions of what to do next. I loved that there were only 5 cardboard sections to put together and the fact that there is no adhesives or fasteners to construct the final products is pretty amazing. This means it's just as easy to take down and store when needed as it was to put together. I love it!

Once I saw it put together, I was really happy with how sturdy it is. Corrugated cardboard is extremely durable and safe for children, and this is something that was evident the moment I saw the Imagine Wagon. It's something I can see lasting us a very long time which is great! I was also really happy with the size, measuring 52” x 26.5” x 34”. It's small enough that it can easily fit in any room the kids want to play, but large enough that they both easily fit inside.

The 100% recyclable cardboard provides a great blank canvas for children to paint their dreams. With a surface like this to work on, children can easily color, paint, decorate, and customize it to their liking. Both Kaelyn and Kaden really enjoy coloring, and were excited that they were going to have the opportunity to decorate their cardboard playhouse any way they wanted to.

Kaelyn was especially excited, and spent a long time coloring the details on the Ice Cream Truck. She and Kaden both added their own personal touches and really customized it to make it their own.


There is still more that they can do, but that's another thing that I love about these playhouses! The kids can easily come back daily if they wish and add new "art" to their Imagine Wagon. Whether it be with paint, stickers or even crayons...the sky is the limit to how it can be decorated.
Although decorating it was a definitely highlight, playing in it has been an absolute blast for both of them.

Pretending to drive the Ice Cream Truck :)

Pure excitement!

They immediately grabbed their play food ice cream cones and went inside the truck.

Going in and out of the back doors is Kaden's favorite part! And Kaelyn enjoys sitting at the window asking anyone if they'd like to buy ice cream. It's so neat and fun to see their creativity and imaginations at work!


There's even a luggage rack for the top that can transform it into a different type of vehicle if they want. The uses for this playhouse are really limitless! Kaelyn and Kaden even like covering it with blankets and making it a fun fort or tent!

One of many forts they've made already

Overall we've been really happy with the Imagine Wagon from Build a Dream Playhouses! It's something the kids have already enjoyed playing with a lot, and I know with it being such great quality...will be a favorite around our house for a very long time. Best of all though, it encourages the kids to use their imaginations and be creative. They continually add to their artwork and find new uses for it!

If you have young children and are looking activities and toys to spark their imaginations and encourage open-ended play this summer (or any time of the year for that matter), I would definitely recommend checking out Build a Dream Playhouses!

Buy It: You can purchase the Imagine Wagon for $54.95 at BuildaDreamPlayhouses.com.

Win It: One very lucky reader will win their choice of playhouse from Build a Dream Playhouses!

Mandatory Entry - Visit BuildaDreamPlayhouses.com and let me know which playhouse you would choose if you won!

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

1. 1 extra entry - Enter the Build a Dream Playhouses Giveaway at Thanks, Mail Carrier

2. 3 extra entries - Like Build a Dream Playhouses on Facebook

3. 1 extra entry- Follow Build a Dream Playhouses on Twitter

4. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Build a Dream Playhouses) 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 22: #WIN the playhouse of your choice from Build a Dream Playhouses! http://bit.ly/lUyhFa 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 continental U.S. only!

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