Bilibo Play Shell Review

Have you seen the Bilibo Play Shell?  It's a cool little toy that doesn't do anything. This award winning toy is designed to inspire creativity and active play.

It's supposed to the the toy that gets played with instead of the box.

I think my kids fall into the category of 'playing with the box more than the toy' so I was excited to see what they thought of the Play Shell.

We took it to the park, the fountains, and the pool. . .

. . .  and they found lots of uses for it around the house.

They have used it to:

• sit in
• balance
• rock and spin
• fill and pour
• carry treasures
• and more

Malachi uses it as a part of the army bases that he builds for his army guys.  Eliana can use it as a cradle for her baby.  I can imagine the use it will get when it snows!

It is designed for ages 2-7, but my 9 year old loved it to spin in. It is made of durable high-density polyethylene, is shock resistant, non-toxic, is 100% recyclable and comes in 6 colors. It is designed to be used on soft surfaces (Elli easily tipped over in it).

I love that it encourages hand-eye coordination and balance. But, mostly I love it because my children have to decide how to play with it.

But, that is not why I wanted it originally. I thought it would be a great tool to help little ones sit through a chapter book. I was worried they wouldn't want to sit through a longer book (I have one child that has to be moving to pay attention!) and I am just beginning to read longer books to my 3 and 5 year old together.  I envisioned them quietly rocking, balancing or spinning while I read. But, it wasn't necessary - they wanted to sit on my lap instead.  =)

You might recall that CSN has 200+ stores. You can buy the Bilibo Play Shell from their Toys and Games Online store for $25.99 with free shipping. I looked around and that is the best price I could find (not considering the free shipping!).

So, that is what I bought for this review. What would you buy if you had a chance to spend $30 at CSN Stores? Leave me a comment letting me know for a chance to win a $30 gift certificate from CSN!  This is the only required entry.

~ This giveaway is now closed ~  Congrats to Onefrugalgirl!


For additional entries:

• Do you have a favorite CSN Store? Tell me what it is for an extra entry. I think mine must be Toys and Games Online, but I'd like to check out their other stores as I will be needing some baby furniture soon (since I gave all mine away after Elli).
• Tell me how many kids beds are available to browse at CSN's bedroom furniture store. 
• If you subscribe to or follow my blog give yourself an extra entry. 
• Tweet about this giveaway for 2 extra entries. Leave me a link to your status! 
• Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post for 4 extra entries.  Leave me a link to your post!
• Enter my Tropical Traditions Powdered Laundry Detergent giveaway for another entry, or let me know you already did. 

Your comment is your entry, so please leave me a comment for each entry. This giveaway is open for U.S. shipping only and will be open until 8:00 pm MST on July 15, 2010. I will contact the winner by email, so be sure to leave your email address. You will then have 48 hours to contact me or another winner will be chosen.

Thanks to CSN Stores for sponsoring this review and giveaway!

Disclosure: I was given a one time use $30 gift certificate to use for this review and I offer my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any other way.