HABA's New Website Brings German Toys To The USA {Review & Giveaway}

When my kids get new toys, they want to rip the boxes open and get to playing. Now that we are in the electronic age, though, it isn't always that simple. Instead, we have to read instructions, put a gazillion different tiny parts together, and install batteries. By the time the parents are done figuring everything out, kids have lost their interest and moved on to something else. I tend to choose simpler toys for my preschoolers in order to avoid that hassle and let them get down to what they do best - playing!

Long before the computer age, HABA was founded in Germany to bring natural wooden toys to children. Today, HABA is still owned by the same family and is famous around the world for it's high-quality baby and children's toys. HABA's award-winning toys make it easy for children to get right to playing and keep their imaginations alive for hours.

You can find these great HABA toys in well-stocked specialty stores around the globe. If you prefer to shop from home, though, you can now take a trip to this German toy shop with just a click of your mouse at HABA's American website, http://www.HABAusa.com.

The German-based toy company opened its virtual doors to more than 1,000 items from a $2.79 wooden play food baguette to a $349.99 Rose Fairy Play Tent. Not only will you find these toys on the new website, you can find out more about their products and awards, and a link to the HABA Blog. This website is for more than just shopping, though. You can also learn about safety issues, product development and corporate philosophy.

Not sure exactly what you're looking for? No problem! The HABA website is easy to navigate. You can shop by age, price or descriptive category, and then narrow your search even further by sub-category. You even have the option of making a wish list right from their site for your child. This is a great feature to give others ideas when your child has a birthday coming up. With so many toy choices for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, it is easy to spend a long time browsing the new HABAusa website!

We received one of HABA's latest wooden toys to review - the Building Blocks Starter Pack Domino. At least that is the American translation of this fun set. I was surprised when I received the box to see that it was mostly in German, even though I knew it was made by a German toy manufacturer. It was cool to give my kids a toy from a different country!

The Building Blocks Starter Pack Domino set contains 61 domino blocks, 6 naturally colored wooden blocks, 1 block clamp, 2 wheel clamps, 1 arched clamp with little bell, and 1 wooden ball. Kids can set them up any way they like and watch them fall.

Rylie and Bryce wanted Daddy to build them a track that they could knock down, so Brian got busy replicating the track that was shown on the box. It was great not having to follow any complicated instructions!

As soon as the track was ready, Bryce was excited to set the red starter tile in motion and watch as the rest of the dominoes fell. My kids had never played with dominoes before and weren't sure what was going to happen, but the minute we told them they get to knock something over, they were eager to find out.

As soon as the dominoes were in their final resting places, Rylie and Bryce asked Brian to hurry and build them another track. They loved watching the dominoes fall! They ate snacks while Brian stacked them all back up, and then Bryce quickly hit that red tile to knock them all down again.

Rylie was up next and she couldn't wait to have a shot at that red tile! She waited as patiently as a four year old could for Brian to set them back up again and then was ready to get those dominoes moving.

One slight touch of the red tile, and away they went!

Rylie and Bryce both had so much fun knocking their dad's domino tracks over. As soon as he put them up, they came right back down. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. After a while, Rylie decided that she could build her own tracks and let her dad get up off of the floor. She set the tracks up in different configurations each time, and learned very quickly that if she touched one just slightly, the rest would come crashing down before she could finish. She thought that was hilarious!

I am honestly amazed at how much my kids (especially Rylie) enjoyed playing with this simple wooden domino set. There were no bells and whistles (OK, there was actually a bell), and no electronic feedback, and that didn't matter. This fun domino set provided hours of creative (and destructive) play and I'm sure it will be taken out and played with often.

You can find this set at HABA's new American website along with many other great wooden toys, melamine dishes, games, room decor, and outdoor sand and water toys. The Building Blocks - Starter Pack Domino set retails for $43.99 directly from HABA. If you prefer to see these great toys in person, just click on store locator to find a store near you.

Are you a social media junkie? HABA makes it easy to connect to their social media profiles right from their new website. Links to Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Google + and more are displayed along the top bar of each HABA web page. Visit www.HABAusa.com today to find out more!

~*~Giveaway~*~

~*~HABA Building Blocks - Starter Pack Domino~*~

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the Building Blocks - Starter Pack Domino set at no cost in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. A big Thank You to HABA for providing the giveaway prize!