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
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.
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!
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!
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)
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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!!
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I would love the Snack Shack for my grandchildren.
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I entered the giveaway at Thanks, Mail Carrier.
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I follow Build A Dream Playhouse on FB; Carrie Phelps
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#1
I follow Build A Dream Playhouse on FB; Carrie Phelps
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I follow Build A Dream Playhouse on FB; Carrie Phelps
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#2
I follow Build A Dream Playhouse on FB; Carrie Phelps
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i like the snack shack
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entered mellissa and doug
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I love the castle one.
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entered your babybjorn giveaway
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I would choose the Cosmic Cruiser
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i love the imagine wagon
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Well I'd give my son the final word, but I think he'd love the castle!
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Entered at Thanks, Mail Carrier!
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love love love the Imagine Wagon™!
Angie
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I am torn between the imagine wagon and the snack shack. My daughter has always loved pretending to sell ice cream, it is a game we have played for 3 years, but she has been begging to have a lemonade stand since January.
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I e-tered the safety first booster giveaway.
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My boys would like the pop n play castle
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I love the Imagine Wagon. Thanks for the chance to win! momsboysx3 at hotmail dot com
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I'd like the pop n play kitchen
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I think I'd have to pick the Pop N Play Castle -- though what a hard choice!
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I would choose the castle playhouse if I won.
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I would choose the Pop N' Play Castle. My boys could spend hours defending their fortress.
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We'd love to win the Ice Cream Truck! dana.dagman@gmail.com
I entered the Build a Dream Playhouses Giveaway at Thanks, Mail Carrier. dana.dagman@gmail.com
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I would choose the Pop and Play Castle.
Thanks,
Caterina
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Pop and play castle!
I entered Thanks, Mail Carrier's as well.
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The Imagine Wagon™ is pretty darned cute
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I entered for your Fun in the Sun Finale: Little Tikes Cozy Truck (ARV $80) Ends 7/15
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If I won I would pick the Pop N' Play Castle, my 4 year old daughter would love this.
I entered over at Thanks, Mail Carrier
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I'd pick the Pop n play castle--good for boys to play dragons and soldiers while the girls can play princess of the castle. ( I have a home day care so this would be super!)
Pop N' Play Kitchen.
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