This is a sponsored post
Fort Magic is an innovative and creative construction kit for kids, and as such, when they contacted me to see if we'd be interested in reviewing one, we absolutely jumped at the chance. One look at the possibilities for fun and learning this kit contained, and I was very eager to see what it was really like and if it could live up to it's potential. At $199 USD, it's the kind of item that you'd want to think was good quality, that your children would gain from and was going to last you for years to come. If you're interested in finding out what we thought and for a chance to win a set, keep reading.
When our kit arrived we were excited to start building. We got out our supply of play sheets, (a collection of old/odd sheets and material that I'd reserved for play and building forts) and opened up the box. I was really happy with what I found. The idea of managing 382 pieces with a 5 year old and a 2 year old was something that had been concerning me a little, but after pulling out all the pieces, I was pleasantly surprised. Everything seemed to be really good quality. The plastic rods were thicker and seemed more durable than I was expecting and everything was colour coded, separated and easy to sort out. There was an excellent quality storage bag included and I appreciated the little extra details, like the high quality of the thick, glossy 28 page colour manual and the handy grip stick remover.
Once we'd taken all the materials from their packaging and organised our smaller pieces and connectors into large plastic zip-lock bags (I like to keep things as manageable as possible with young kids), we were ready to build.
Before looking through the manual to learn basic constructions or to choose a model to build, Maddie (5) started putting parts together because she wanted to build a tee-pee. The shape of some of the connectors had inspired her to make a triangular shape and she could see a quick and easy way of doing it. It took a little bit of problem solving for her to get it to stand as the connectors available weren't on certain angles that she needed. It was great to watch her figuring it out and going through the parts, talking about lengths and angles as part of a natural conversation. No forced learning, just play.
With her tee-pee built, she settled in to read a book. It wasn't long though before the draw of the huge creations illustrated in the Fort Magic manual and on the side of the box prompted her to pull it apart and pour over the manual until she decided upon the (rather huge looking) Mansion design.
I figured if we could build this one, we could build anything. So we set to it.
At 5, Maddie was content with her Dad looking at the manual and then telling her which part she needed and where it would go. It was definitely a family effort with kids this age, but it wasn't difficult at all and it was part of the appeal of Fort Magic for me. Something that we could do together as a family and build memories together.
There was fun, laughter, fine and gross motor skills, language and colour skills.
We talked shapes, patterns, length, measurement and angles.
We counted, sorted, solved problems and worked together.
We were doing exactly what the blog promotes. We were learning with play at home. :)
Ta-daa! Pretty cool, huh? The kids found it so exciting, even without any material coverings.
Using our play sheets and the included material clips, we easily clipped the material around the mansion.
The second it was done, she was off to change into a princess gown and gather supplies.
I wanted to make more designs but the kids just didn't want us to take it down. As we'd built it in the middle of the living room, I wanted it moved that night so we were happy to find that we could shift it easily without having to dismantle it. The kids really loved it and did everything in it, from eating breakfast, to playing imaginary games, relaxing and reading.
It's still up but I'm planning on taking it down soon so that we can try out a new design next weekend. Overall, my entire family thinks this is a fabulous product and is something that will last us for many years. We'd happily recommend it to our friends and family. We can't wait for all the memories that we will build at the same time.
To read more about the educational benefits of Fort Magic or to order your own set, see the website. You can also check out what other customers have had to say here.
Giveaway
Thanks to the generous people at Fort Magic, you have the chance to win your own complete set, valued at $199 USD, for your home, center or school! The competition is open to residents of US and Canada and includes shipping. Enter easily via the rafflecopter below and Good Luck!!
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a Rafflecopter giveaway
Happy playing,
Debs :)
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