Step2 Deluxe Workshop Review & Giveaway

I recently received the opportunity to work with a great company called Step2.  For those of you who have never heard of Step2 think durable, high quality toys that will last for a lifetime.  We have several Step2 toys at our home and every single product has always exceeded my highest expectations.

The Step2® Company is a family company with brands including Step2®, Infantino®, and Thinkativity® that foster learning and development through creative play in children from birth to school-age years. Step2, based in Streetsboro, Ohio, is the largest American manufacturer of preschool and toddler toys and the world’s largest rotational molder of children’s and home products, including children’s play kitchens, playhouses, outdoor toys and ride on toys, as well as home products such as mailboxes, gardening aids and trash cans.

We reviewed the Deluxe Workshop:

Unlimited building fun just like the pros! Made in USA of US and imported parts. Durafoam™ made in Taiwan and some accessories made in China.

• Large work surface includes screw holes, recesses for nut, and screw storage
• Realistic Durafoam™ “wood” allows for easy building
• Features tool chest looking cabinet, slide in/out drawer, parts bin, hanging jars, and pretend shop vac
• Electronic features: drill and overhead shop light (requires 2 “AA” and 3 “AAA” batteries, not included)
• 50-piece accessory set included (includes drill bits, screws, nuts, saw, hammer, vise, and much more)
• Minimal adult assembly required

Retails for $139.99.

My take:  With 2 young active boys (2 and 4) the Deluxe Workshop immediately captured my interest for several reasons.  My father-in-law is a retired carpenter and my boys follow him around “helping” him to fix things whenever possible.   Every single accessory is so realistic the boys believe they can now truly help Granddad fix whatever breaks.  I love the wood and the “kits” the boys can make.   They can’t get over that their workshop actually had a real working light and I swear the 2 year old spends most of his time turning it on/off.  The 50 piece accessory set has more pieces than any set I have ever seen and the fact that it is included makes this Deluxe Workshop that more appealing to me.

I am also a physical therapist and love the hand-eye coordination that is involved with the activites found within the Deluxe Workshop.   I like watching them build their plane or birdhouse (instructions included) and see their fine motor skills improve with each step and the concentration used when pounding a nail or loosening/tightening a screw.

Imagination runs wild with so many limitless opportunities with this Deluxe Workshop.  I really like how multiple children can play at one time.  One can build while another cleans up with the shop vac or there is enough room at the front so two children can play side by side.  The mommy in me loves the ample storage space found within the workshop.  When I first saw all of the accessories I closed my eyes and imagined parts and pieces everywhere throughout my house but no worries with the bins, jars, drawer and cabinet.

Most importantly, I can attest to the durability and high quality of Step 2 products due to the fact that my boys have used several Step2 products and they have all withstood the daily abuse my boys give.  When looking to purchase an toy this expensive I make sure it is well made and will last for several years.  I am thrilled to report that the Deluxe Workshop fits my requirements exactly!

The assembly wasn’t too bad- illustrations were easy to follow.  Would definitely recommend using a power drill….I tried to put it together while my husband was at the YMCA with the kids and ended up getting a blister from the regular screwdriver.

The only thing I would have changed would be to offer at least one more additional tool in addition to the drill which “works” and has sound since my boys fight over that constantly.

Step2 has some great holiday initiatives this holiday season: the Step2 Wish Book website where children can write letters to Santa and make a wish-list of their favorite toys and a “Sweet Treat” national sweepstakes, which will award gift certificates and a grand prize winner a $1,000.00 shopping spree on Step2.com

Little Ones Can Write Letters to Santa

In spirit of holiday wishes, adults can encourage their kids to write letters to Santa via the Step2 Wish Book website (http://contest.step2.com/WishBook/) and make a wish-list for their favorite toys. Grown-ups can print out the list, email it to share with other family members, and kid can send directly to Santa’s workshop.

Sweepstakes for Santa’s Helpers

To help harried families with holiday shopping, Step2 is hosting a “Sweet Treat” national sweepstakes, which will award randomly selected consumers with gift certificates to be redeemed at Step2.com in the amounts of $1,000.00 for the grand prize winner, $500.00 for second place and $250.00 for third. For official rules and to enter, visit Step2wishbook.com from November 1 through December 10, 2010. Winners will be randomly selected and notified by December 15.

Step2 is generously offering 1 very lucky MommyPR reader their very own Deluxe Workshop!

Win It

Mandatory Entry:

Visit  Step2  and tell me another product you would like to have besides the one I mentioned in my post!

Extra Entries:

Blog about this giveaway with a link back here & Step2

Earn an extra entry for already liking Step2  on Facebook

Sign up for Step2′s newsletter

Follow Step2 on  Twitter

Enter any other of our Holiday Showcase Giveaways

See the Contest Rules for even more Entries!

Open to US

Contest ends 11:59 pm Pacific Time on 12/3

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Disclaimer:

I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.

I did receive product or services to keep for my testing purposes.

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Some information may have been used from the sponsors website, PR, or other provided material. (Giveaways- Odds of winning depend on the number of entries vs prizes. No purchase is ever needed or endorsed for an entry) The views and opinions expressed in this blog are purely my own and any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified by the above mentioned store, PR,or product designer. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to twitter, facebook or any other network. This post is solely the property of Mommy PR and/or its above sponsor.