Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Decorate that Playhouse!

When I as a little girl, I absolutely loved the large, brown cardboard box (typically previously filled with a new appliance) that I could turn into a fort.  My mom would help me cut in a door and windows, and I would get out the crayons and markers.  I would always jazz it up by drawing in flowers, rainbows and anything else that would strike my 6 year old little girl fancy.

Brown cardboard boxes are still pretty fun, but how cool is it that KidsCraft has gone a step further and come up with an easy solution that is less hassle and probably loads more fun.

KidsCraft Playhouses are made entirely from 100% recycled cardboard, come with already cut in windows and doors, and snap together in a breeze.  We got the "creation cottage" playhouse ($59.95) and it's been residing on our deck ever since.

I gave my girls all the crayons and markers they could handle; and they've really made it their own little place (the interior designer in me is so proud).

I love these cardboard playhouses for a few reasons.  First off, sometimes large boxes are hard to find!  And since it's already designed as a ready-to-go playhouse, the simple fold and flap system takes some of the hassle (and danger) out of cutting in the windows and doors.

Probably my favorite feature of the playhouse is that it's designed not just for one kid to crawl into, but 2-3 kids can easily fit in the cottage.  It's been a play date hit over here!

Got little guys over at your place than need something a little more "manly" than a cottage?  Check out how awesome the Shuttle Imagination ($69.95) is.
GET YOUR OWN!  You can purchase your own cardboard playhouse on-line from KidsCraft USA.  Prices range from around $60-70 with free shipping in the US.

WIN YOUR OWN!  KidsCraft USA would like to give one Simple reader either a Creation Cottage or Shuttle Imagination of their own!  To enter, simply visit KidsCraft USA, and take a look around.  Leave us a comment letting us know one interesting thing you learned about the company or their products!

For additional entries: (make one additional comment for each)
  •  Follow both @simplereviews and @kidscraftusa on twitter!
  • Tweet this giveaway: I just entered a #giveaway for a cardboard playhouse from @kidscraftusa over at @simplereviews :  http://tinyurl.com/29opsua
  • Become a fan of KidsCraftUSA on Facebook
  • Become a new follower of SIMPLE (join on our sidebar)
Winner will be selected randomly and announced 5/08/10. Good luck!  Contest is open to US shipping address only.

emilysignature

100 comments:

  1. I learned they were awarded the Seal of Approval from the National Parenting Center!!!
    mommy2skie at yahoo dot com

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  2. I think it's great that they are not only post-play recyclable, but also made from 100% recycled materials. You can't say that about most childhood playthings!

    mjbc07 at yahoo dot com

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  3. how neat! I love that they are committed to children and a portion of their proceeds goes to charity.

    jnieset@yahoo.com

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  4. I love that they are eco friendly. My girls would LOVE the cottage.

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  5. They planted trees on Earth Day!

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  6. How great is it that they've planted 1000 trees for Trees for the Future?!
    lkziegler[at]gmail[dot]com

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  7. How great that the donate a portion of all proceeds to childrens charities.

    aleshafm@hotmail.com

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  8. "by children, for children" Idea came from watching their children play.
    Wendyw329 at aol.com

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  9. I learned that they are using 100% recycled cardboard materials, and best of all they are 100% post-play recyclable as well.

    reallyareyouserious at gmail dot com

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  10. They planted trees for Earth Day. I love it!

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  11. LOVE that it is 100% recycled material!! My 2 boys would love the SHUTTLE imagination. LA tells me he wants to be an astronaut. His 4th birthday is coming up and this would be perfect!!!!!!

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  12. I learned these are made in the USA and you can completely recycle the toys when you are finished playing with them.

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  13. I tweeted http://twitter.com/cstironkat/status/13028542522

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  14. I learned they are 100 % recyclable!!
    Thanks for the chance.
    mogrill@comcast.net

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  15. Great giveaway. I love that they are from recycled products.

    rbfoxy@gmail.com

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  16. they were awarded the seal of approval from the national parenting center
    nannypanpan@sbcglobal.net

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  17. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  18. They have more than 20 positive product reviews

    plur268 at yahoo dot com

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  19. i learned that their products are good for the environment.

    abile27(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  20. I learned that not only are the items from recycled material, they are also 100% post-play recyclable.

    Neat.

    msurosey@yahoo.com

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  21. I follow you both on Twitter (mail4rosey).

    msurosey@yahoo.com

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  22. Tweet: http://twitter.com/mail4rosey/status/13157100483

    msurosey@yahoo.com

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  23. give a portion of all proceeds to benefit children's charities
    tvollowitz at aol dot com

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  24. I learned that a portion of their proceeds goes to charity which is wonderful!

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  25. I learned they use 100% recycled materials.
    janow at yahoo dot com

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  26. I like this statement from the Kidscraft web site. KidsCraft Playhouses was founded with a few basic goals in mind, to provide a high quality outlet for play to our children that will stimulate their imagination and foster creativity while maintaining a strict, eco-friendly awareness.

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  27. I follow both Simple Reviews and Kidscraft on Twitter (Grandma3710)

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  28. tweet here
    http://twitter.com/Grandma3710/status/13218634287

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  29. I am a fan of Kidscraft on facebook (Betty N)

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am a new follower of SIMPLE through Google Friend Connect
    (higrandma)

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  31. I like that they also sell art supplies on their website, like natural Clementine Art soy crayons, natural markers & paint. Good idea; that way you can get everything you need in one place.

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  32. tweeted: http://twitter.com/SnowflakeDay/statuses/13229013218

    ReplyDelete
  33. following you both on twitter as SnowflakeDay

    ReplyDelete
  34. I like that they are made in USA!
    mintstatesportswear(at)juno(dot)com

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  35. I like that when you are done using them their playhouses can be recycled.

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

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  36. I follow both on twitter as kmayans

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

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  37. i learned that to complete the spirit behind their "by children, for children" message, they give a portion of all proceeds to benefit children's charities.

    thanks for the chance!

    enchantedtree(at)hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. i follow you both on twitter!!

    http://twitter.com/patchouligirl91

    enchantedtree(at)hotmail.com

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  39. tweeted!!

    http://twitter.com/patchouligirl91/status/13365054780

    enchantedtree(at)hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. i'm a fan of KidsCraftUSA on Facebook! tree tiemeyer

    enchantedtree(at)hotmail.com

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  41. They use recycled materials for their products

    monson 525 at gmail dot com

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  42. I learned that the soy crayons they sell are made with paraffin wax.

    samsakara@twcny.rr.com

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  43. I learned that they give a portion of their proceeds to children's charities. How wonderful!

    melissamcnicol at yahoo dot com

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  44. i learned that playhouses are made in the U.S.A. using 100% recycled cardboard materials, and best of all they are 100% post-play recyclable as well.
    stracey2010@live.com

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  45. All of their products are eco-friendly! Thanks!

    lrlucky7@hotmail.com

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  46. I learned they're in Atlanta GA I found that interesting I also thought it was great that they had a page that said; Read about us! And the links were to blogs. Mom blogs are really becoming an important part of advertising culture

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  47. I think it's interesting that they are made of recycled materials and can be recycled after the child is done with them. It's a win-win situation.

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  48. The creation cottage looks great!

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  49. I learned that their markers and paints are natural too.
    Jennifer, jennem22 at yahoo dot com

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  50. I just became a new follower as jennem.
    Jennifer, jennem22 at yahoo dot com

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  51. I think it is awesome that its all made from 100% recycled materials! This is an awesome invention considering how many hours on end I used to play in boxes as a kid!

    ReplyDelete
  52. they give a portion of all proceeds to benefit children's charities

    bemiss2@gmail.com

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  53. Not only are they made from recycled products ... they can be recycled AGAIN.

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  54. Tweet! http://twitter.com/slmiresse/status/13564384337

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  55. I'm following both @simplereviews and @kidscraftusa on twitter! (slmiresse)

    ReplyDelete
  56. I'm a fb fan of KidsCraft USA (sandy miresse)

    ReplyDelete
  57. I'm a new follower ...
    Congratulations, joahsgrandma
    You are now following simple

    ReplyDelete
  58. I learned they give a portion of all proceeds to benefit children's charities. tylerpants(at)gmail.com

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  59. I learned that they planted trees for earth day.. that is great!

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  60. Kids Craft Playhouses facebook fan

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  61. cardboard playhouses are made in the U.S.A. using 100% recycled cardboard materials, and best of all they are 100% post-play recyclable as well

    leganoj@gmail.com

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  62. It's made of recycled material and can be recycled again.

    ReplyDelete
  63. I learned the playhouses are made of 100% recycled cardboard materials and 100% post play recyclable

    ReplyDelete
  64. I learned that they are based in Black Earth, WI! Thanks!
    fineinsanity at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  65. I follow you both on twitter (FineInsanity)

    fineinsanity at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I tweeted.
    http://twitter.com/FineInsanity/status/13585949149

    fineinsanity at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I'm a fan of theirs on facebook Sheila Newton.


    fineinsanity at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I'm a new follower of your blog (Fine Insanity)

    fineinsanity at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I learned that they take great pride in producing an eco-friendly product that will encourage creative play in any child.

    Jeanette Huston
    chewysmum79@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  70. Following you both on twitter

    http://twitter.com/josephvh1982

    Jeanette Huston
    chewysmum79@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  71. Tweeted

    http://twitter.com/josephvh1982/status/13586377909

    Jeanette Huston
    chewysmum79@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  72. Following you on google connect

    Jeanette Huston
    chewysmum79@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  73. Faned kids kraft on fb

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kids-Craft-Playhouses/266986121130?v=info&ref=ts#!/jeanette.huston?ref=profile

    Jeanette Huston
    chewysmum79@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  74. I like the fact that the cardboard playhouses are made in the U.S.A. using 100% recycled cardboard materials, and best of all they are 100% post-play recyclable as well.

    Ellen
    eering99@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. I love the Shuttle and that it is made from 100% recycled material :)

    ReplyDelete
  76. made of recycled material and recyclable

    girlyscientistATgmail

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  77. our product is made of 100% recycled cardboard materials and 100% post play recyclable. We have also aligned ourselves with other eco-friendly companies for our components. And, to complete the spirit behind our "by children, for children" message, we give a portion of all proceeds to benefit children's charities.

    ReplyDelete
  78. http://twitter.com/klp1965/status/13607833513

    klp1965@myfairpoint.net

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  79. fan on facebook Kathy L Pease

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  80. I learned that they sell natural paints and markers! Awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  81. I learned that the playhouses are made in the U.S.A. using 100% recycled cardboard materials, and best of all they are 100% post-play recyclable as well.

    ReplyDelete
  82. I learned that they Trees for the Future presented Kidscraft with a certificate and planted 1000 trees in their honor.


    summer.tidmore(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  83. I follow both on twitter @summer2mommy

    summer.tidmore(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  84. They were awarded the seal of approval from the national parenting center.

    ReplyDelete
  85. follow both you and kidscraft on twitter - debijot

    ReplyDelete
  86. I tweeted.
    http://twitter.com/summer2mommy/status/13626538205

    summer.tidmore(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  87. I am a fan on facebook.

    summer.tidmore(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  88. I am a new follower.

    summer.tidmore(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  89. I learned they use recycled materials!

    ReplyDelete
  90. I'm following you both on Twitter (I'm @ThriftyJinxy).

    ReplyDelete
  91. I learned that the company is located in Atlanta, Georgia.

    ReplyDelete
  92. I became a fan of KidsCraftUSA on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete

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