Green Town Toys Giveaway: There Is A Castle In Our Living Room, And Other Tales...

Momma Told Me: 3D will never beat Real Life and a Good Imagination.

Raise your hand if you were a 'Box Child'. I'm referring to those of us who eager awaited our paren't newest appliance upgrade simply so we could turn the packaging into a rocket ship, pirate's den, or other fascinating journey. I, personally, recall enduring countless hours, weekends, and nights spent shuttled from electronic to department store in search of our home's first 'big screen' TV. When I was a child this meant a television box that was in fact proportioned like a box, nearly as many feet deep as it was wide. I remember standing before the quite expensive, top of the line, televisions, head tilted to the side and mouth agap in wonder, clearly thinking, 'I bet the box this comes in is huge!' Up until that point my biggest 'score' had been our condo's upgraded microwave, suitable enough for mock drag races and a makeshift doll house. This was literally the biggest thing in my life since I'd graduated from a car seat- I was stoked.

The day that brand new TV arrived on our doorstep was not only my father's highlight of that year, but opening for unlimited journeys and imaginative scenarios. I couldn't care less that the box was a hideous shade of brown and stamped with 'Toshiba' on every side, it was a place I could call my own. There is something magical, as a child, about the recluse a simple box or blanket tent offers. While we are given our own personal space, in our bedrooms, for designated play it simply cannot top the independence of staking a claim of our own. No matter how many video game systems, electronic dolls, dirt bikes, social media networks, or collectible crazes 'they' market there will always be a spark in every children's heart for imaginative play. This is precisely why I find myself chuckling at the continued 'green' movement in relation to children's merchandise- after all, children have been playing 'green' for years!

Green Town Toys is one of the industry's leading eco-friendly corrugated (think cardboard) product brands. Because they produce the majority of their materials in house they can effectively innovate new designs and concepts quickly, while keeping consumer costs down. Their products cover everything from functional eco-friendly furniture to blank canvas cardboard ships and houses. I've been surprised, in browsing to note just how low their retail prices are, when comparison playhouses run 20-40% more on other eco-oriented toy sites. While the functional furniture is based on weight (and generally age restrictions), their innovative play structures are not only fun to assemble, and environmentally friendly, but encourage interaction across multiple age groups. Hold an impromptu play with Green Town's Jolly Roger, share a meaningful tea time outside the Moon Roof Funhouse, or create your own Family Crest for the structured Citadel!

We received the company's brand new Citadel for review here on Momma Told Me and I could tell it was going to be a hit immediately. Before our resident Damsel In Distress knew what was inside the box, she was already jumping up and down with excitement over the prospect of playing with the box itself. The Citadel arrived in a sleek package about 10 inched thick and 4' tall. The assembly is 28 pieces in total, complete with step by step visual ques and instructions. Honestly, once you've gotten through the first tower and wall it's the same thing all the way around. Johnea actually enjoyed the assembly process, though I always find the interlocking nubs tedious (but necessary). Apparently the bottom notches (they're all the same) are 'easier', and Johnea enjoyed sitting on the floor snapping them in. I wasn't anticipating just how large a footprint this 54.5" x 54.5" fort/castle would require, and was impressed with the sheer presence of it. Each corner features a tower with 2 tiers that function as shelves or 'rooms' for dolls/craft supplies/night lights- just about anything ends up in them. The corrugated material is classic brown on one side and white on the other to encourage drawing and decoration, which our citadel is now riddled in. Each day I spot a new doodle or phrase.

I cannot speak enough to the hours of play our household has found in this affordable, green, play structure. It is big enough to hold 2-3 kids at a time (toddlers to 9/10 year olds), and has held up impressively well. The dog has since turned into a dangerous 'dragon', trusty 'steed', yellow labrador, loch ness monster, and mean old witch, and the neighborhood kids think Johnea has the most awesome living room on the block. With a simple blanket/sheet draped across the top the citadel offers that treasured privacy many children 6-10 crave, tent fashion- with clear visibility via the windows on all angles, and arched entrance. What I love most, though, about this particular style of green playhouse is it's multi gender appeal. Boys will enjoy turning it into a fort, and girls will love playing with it as a castle, etc. I only wish it were easier to tear down for storage. The walls can be kept in tact with a corner each, but this still takes a little bit of careful disassembly- still very much worth it for hours of outdoor and indoor play! Use code "MAMMATOLDME" (with an 'A') to receive free shipping on your next Green Town Toys purchase!

What Daughter Says: Green Town Toys is keeping the spirit of Imaginative Play alive!

One lucky Momma Told Me follower will win a Citadel from Green Town Toys!

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Giveaway begins May 31, 2011 at 9:01 PM PST and ends at 9:01 PM PST on June 17, 2011. Winner will be notified via email, and posted here. Entries valid within the US. Winner has 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be drawn. Prize will be transferred via sponsor. Full Contest Rules and Entry Requirements can be viewed here.

As required by the FTC: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I received a product sample for the purpose of my review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.