Connecting with K'NEX

One of our favorite pastimes around here is building things with the boys building blocks. Until recently we have only used Lego's and Lincoln Logs but we are now fans of another building set.

There is a funny story to how K'NEX came into my life. I babysit for a friend regularly and a couple of weeks ago her son asked me to help him build. I thought "no problem". I had never used K'NEX before but they looked similar to the other blocks we use at home so I happily volunteered to help him build. Well 2 hours later I was so frustrated I had to quit. I said that day that I would never get my kids the K'NEX blocks. I just did not like the way they held together, well to be more accurate the way they don't hold together.
We built this

It wasn't hard to get together but it wouldn't stay together. I found that I had to make some modifications to keep it together. I have since built several other things with him and have had to make minor changes from the instructions on almost each thing. So after saying how much I didn't like K'NEX and that I wouldn't get them for my children I was offered a set to review. I about died laughing when I got the offer but I decided to give them a second chance and I am glad I did. We got this set:

Here are a few things you can build with this set.

The set comes with a book that includes directions for 10 different creations and then you also get a code to enter online to get directions for 10 additional creations. If you have friends with a different set you can share your online codes and come up with all sorts of creations.
I really enjoyed this set. It has more connectors and sticks than blocks in it and they seemed to hold together rather well, as a matter of fact some were hard to take apart. I did have to make an adjustment on the directions with the hot air balloon. In the finished picture you can see how the connectors should attach but the directions tell you to connect them a different way and it didn't work. It was an easy fix but I feel that the K'NEX company could use improvement in the directions department. They are somewhat hard to follow. I think my 7 year old will do ok with this set but will probably need my help a little more often. The K'NEX also have lots of small pieces so beware of little ones being near them. Because of the amount of small and different parts I did find that it is easier to divide these into snack bags for easier use than to just dump them back in the storage box. Another great idea would be to divide them into a tackle box or similar craft type organizer. I did notice that the box says that K'NEX is compatible with other blocks and I think that is great. The building blocks are the weakest link in this system so being able to combine them with other blocks is wonderful. It also opens up a lot of building opportunities as you can mix them with your existing collection. Overall I am glad that I gave K'NEX a second chance. I have even gone out and purchased this

for Oldest for Christmas. I am looking forward to connecting with my boys even more after Christmas with all the K'NEX they are getting. Another great way that K'NEX has come into my life is that shortly after receiving my review set I learned that the home school Co-op we are a part of is going to be offering a K'NEX class where the kids will learn about cranes and pulleys and levers. So a little less than a month ago I said NEVER but then God showed me that I should never say never or I may really be missing out.

Now for the fun part. If you think K'NEX would be great for your family you can enter for the chance to win over $1,000 worth of K’NEX Toys and be featured on the KNEX.com web site. How? Make a video and include select K’NEX products. The possibilities are endless. Construct your own story or showcase your child’s K’NEX building skills - use your imagination!

The 10 best videos will be featured on KNEX.com and the winning video will receive $1,000 worth of K’NEX Toys. Details and rules can be found at KNEX.com"



***DISCLAIMER*** This post was written while participating in a campaign for K'NEX through Team Mom. K'NEX provided me with a free product, product information and a chance to win more product. All opinions are my own and are not support or influenced by K'NEX or Team Mom.

Clorox Clean-Up & Grant

We as Moms find it so valuable for our kids to participate in extracurriculars. But with scale backs and cuts due to the economy, our kids' sports, music lessons, clubs, and youth groups often fight to stay afloat, struggling to find the budget, volunteers, and space to hold activities. Clorox Clean-Up, the only all purpose cleaner powered by Clorox Bleach, can help. This winter, the Clorox Clean-Up team will award five grants of $10,000 each to applicable kids programs in the hopes of enriching kids' lives across the country.

Moms can easily nominate programs for a chance to win a Power A Bright Future grant by submitting a photo and a short essay about the project for consideration until November 29, 2009 at www.facebook.com/cloroxcleanup. A panel of influential children's advocates will select finalists based on impact of the program on kids, the quality of the entry sent in, and most promise for the grant to help the program grow. Then, the public will have the chance to vote on Facebook between December 7th and January 17th, 2010 with everyone receiving a Clorox Clean-Up coupon as a thank-you for voting.



This opportunity was provided by Mom Central. I was offered a chance to win a coupon for Clorox Clean-up for doing this post.