We got the chance to review this LEGO DUPLO Read & Build set this week, and what a fun toy it is! It’s designed to help children engage with books by building with the DUPLO blocks as they go through the story. This deeper level of engagement with the story will theoretically help the kids learn to read.
I was excited about reviewing this because Anneliese already LOVES books, but her patience with blocks wears thin relatively quickly. So I hoped it would help her engage more with the building/bricks aspect.
I love that the packaging was EASY TO OPEN. I saw the plastic box and thought I might have to get out the scissors… but I was pleasantly surprised. I ripped through two sticker tabs, and the whole box popped open easily. Fuss-free packaging is a huge plus, especially when your toddler is SUPER EXCITED about the new toy, and is dancing around, waiting for you to free it from its plastic clutches.
Please excuse the potty… yes, she wanted to play with it on the potty. I think it’s because we often read her new books while she potties. ANYway…here she is, signing “thank you” because… well… it’s a BOOK. And she LOVES books. So she was already way into it. We read through the story once without using the blocks, then again, while I showed her how to build the animals on each page.
After the introduction, I read it to her again, and she tried to build the animals. She came fairly close on some of them, but I’m sure with practice she’ll get better at it. She was very excited when she made the blocks click together, and held up her creations excitedly to show me. “FROG!” she announced, when she clicked the green and yellow pieces together. Really? The DUPLO “animals” hardly look like the real-life animals they represent, but because of the storyline, she knew what they were supposed to be.
Throughout the afternoon, Anneliese played with the animals and looked through the book. The snail sat on the dining room table and watched her eat dinner, while the book actually ended up in bed with her tonight. I’m excited to see her build more, and to see where her imagination leads her with the LEGOs.
Would you like to win a $100 LEGO Gift Card? Answer in the comments, “How do you think LEGO DUPLO Read & Build will help your child learn to read?” Leave a comment below and you will be entered into a sweepstakes to win a $100 LEGO gift card!
Visit LEGO.com to see other Read & Build sets and order online. Check out BlogHer.com to find other reviews and more ways you can enter to win.
Sweepstakes Rules:
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You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
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d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
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This sweepstakes runs from 7/11 – 8/19/12.
Hi! I'm Emily. I'm a Navy wife and stay at home mom of two beautiful children. I cook simple, delicious, grain-free recipes, do crafts, decorate my home on a budget, and keep a happy household. I tandem breastfeed, babywear, cloth diaper, practice elimination communication, homebirth, and co-sleep, but I'm not a hippie.
What a great product! I’m going to have to get one for my almost-two-year-old. He would love this. And my five year old would put that Lego gift card to good use!
My tweet is not showing up so going to post again. Sorry if its a duplicate.
https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/237212098189467648
By using story-telling mixed with play-time it makes reading fun and not boring or school-like.
tweeted here: https://twitter.com/anashct3/status/237124887951577088
it helps them to learn that building on what they already know is the best way to learn!
Thanks for a super giveaway!
My email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/236949984522678275
This would make reading fun and interactive
The book and the Legos work together to encourage the “I can do it myself” that children are developing.
tweet
https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/236141483198144512
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
With the interactive picture book showing how to build with legos
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
The kids already love legos so this will be very exciting to see them having fun and learning at the same time.
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/235814698166140928
my nephew who turn 5 this week would love this because he loves hands on stuff.
My daughter is absolutely obsessed with Legos – we are hoping to go to Legoland later this fall with her. jenniferlynnhansen at yahoo dot com
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/234447066338828288
Both my boys love Legos. I saved my sets from when I was younger and they play with those also. Lego Duplo Read and Build is an excellent idea for kids that are interested and reading and definitely for those that aren’t. My oldest has fun putting together Lego sets using the instructions and making things off the top of his head. Legos in general are a great learning tool.
I think having a book he can interact with will definitely encourage my 3 year old to read!
tweet–https://twitter.com/CrazyItalian0/status/233950489883049984
gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com
I think it will help my son with reading because he will be able to connect the pictures and what he can build with what the book is talking about.
Thanks for the chance to win!
gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com
https://twitter.com/karinaroselee/status/233320850017890306
this makes it fun to learn to read
The interactivity will encourage reading.
What a great idea to combine books and blocks. I think having any type of small toy that coordinates with a book (we have some with puppets and stuffed animals) makes it more interactive and fun…and the blocks are great motor skill toys for toddlers. I think the blocks would definitely draw my kids into the books!