Melissa & Doug Blog

Q. What’s a Twitter Party?
A. A Twitter Party is a virtual party where partygoers connect over Twitter. A host leads the discussion and partygoers tweet to join the conversation, using a special hashtag to categorize comments as belonging to the party. A party can be searched by its hashtag. (See also http://www.twitterpartyguide.com/what-is-a-twitter-party)

Q. What’s the hashtag for the Melissa & Doug Twitter Party?
A. #weteach

Q. What is a hashtag?
A. A word becomes a hashtag, or keyword, when it’s preceded by a # symbol. This signals Twitter to categorize a tweet according to that keyword so it will come up in search results. So, for instance, when you do a Twitter search for #MDparty, you’ll see what an amazing time we’re having Monday night! (Also see https://support.twitter.com/articles/49309-what-are-hashtags-symbols)

Q. Why do I have to RSVP?
A. We pick names from the RSVP list for our prize giveaways. So technically you don’t HAVE to RSVP–but you won’t win prizes if you don’t! (To be eligible for giveaways, you’ll need to RSVP attend the party and participate by answering our party questions.)

Q. How far in advance should I RSVP?
A. You can RSVP as late as right before the first question is asked. We refresh the RSVP list right before our first giveaway.

Q. How long does the party last?
A. Our Twitter parties usually last one to two hours. You can come for just a few minutes, stay the whole time or anything in between.

Q. Do I have to participate?
A. You may participate as little or as much as you’d like. You need only be present and participating to be eligible to win prizes and giveaways.

Q. What will we do at the Twitter party?
A. During the Twitter party the host (@MelissaAndDoug and/or @weteach) will ask questions about parenting, toys, winter activities, Valentine’s Day, telling kids jokes and more, and you can answer each question or comment on another person’s answer. Remember to use hashtag #MDparty so everyone can see your comments.

For example, @MelissaAndDoug might ask, “Q1: Do you do anything special for your child on Valentine’s Day? #MDparty” You could answer “@MelissaAndDoug Yes, I always put confetti hearts in with his lunch that day! #MDparty”

Each question is tied to a giveaway. Partiers are given a few minutes to answer each question. Once the question is closed we choose a winner for that question.

Throughout the party we also share information about our website, new products, upcoming events & promotions, tell jokes, get advice from other parents and more. Each party is different, but they are always fun!

JOIN US

Filed under: Twitter Party Tagged: mdparty, Twitter Party

Meet Our Very First Blog Ambassadors!

melissaanddoug — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:12:40 +0000

We are thrilled to announce our first ever Melissa & Doug Blog Ambassadors! We would like to congratulate these exceptional bloggers and welcome them to the Melissa & Doug family! We could not be more proud or excited to introduce to you, two incredible bloggers, Amy Mascott and Valerie Deneen! Please meet them…

MEET AMY:
Amy Mascott is a Reading Specialist, freelance writer, former high school English teacher, and mom to an 8, 6, and 4-year-old, Amy’s work has been featured on dozens of online and print publications. She is a contributor for Scholastic’s Parents Online, PBS Parents, and Mom’s Homeroom, and more. Amy is currently a parenting editor and contributor for The DC Moms. Amy has worked as a literacy consultant for DC-area charter schools, and she has shared many tools with educators and parents in both local and national speaking engagements. She has just completed work with MSDE creating English 12 online curriculum, and she’s currently working on her first book. On Twitter, she’s @teachmama, tweeting about education, literacy, play, books, dog-walking, and everything in between.

ABOUT AMY’s BLOG:
Amy is the creator of teachmama.com, where her focus is to share the tools and resources parents need to be the best teachers for their children. She’s not a full-fledged homeschooling mom; rather, she capitalizes on learning opportunities in the every day and uses games and play to get her own children prepared for school and excited about the world around them. Amy is paving the way for a more modern ‘lifestyle of learning’, empowering all parents to take a stronger role in supporting their children’s education. In February 2010, Amy created ‘we teach’ as a forum for parents and teachers to connect, share ideas, and grow into better educators—no matter the classroom. ‘we teach’ has grown quickly into one of the most successful and highly-trafficked educational forums on the web, recently partnering with the incredible educational toy company, Melissa & Doug.

MEET VALERIE:
Valerie Deneen is the author of Frugal Family Fun Blog, where she hopes to inspire parents to spend more quality time with their children and less money doing it. She lives with her husband Mark, and two daughters (ages 7 and 3). Valerie’s blog features over 1,000 inexpensive kid-friendly art projects, crafts, and activities – perfect for at-home or in the classroom. She is a frequent guest on various television talk shows to demo easy and frugal crafts to do with the kids. For more information, or to contact Valerie, visit her blog at www.FrugalFamilyFunBlog.com, or say hi to her on Twitter @FamFunBlog

ABOUT VALERIE’s BLOG:
Frugal Family Fun Blog is frequently updated with kid-friendly crafts and activities that won’t break the bank — many of which are made using items most households already have on-hand. The blog’s mission is to encourage readers to discover the joy that comes from simple pleasures, and to provide budget-friendly ways to foster creative play in kids. Over one million people from around the world have visited Frugal Family Fun Blog, and several projects have been featured on television, in magazines, or other websites!

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At Melissa & Doug we strive to produce the highest quality educational toys for children. From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children’s products. Started in 1988 in their garage, Melissa & Doug has something for everyone, with over 1000 unique and exciting products for children of all ages.

If you are interested in becoming a Melissa & Doug Blog Ambassador please write us at Bloggers@MelissaAndDoug.com

Filed under: Blog Ambassadors, For Bloggers Tagged: For Bloggers, Melissa & Doug, Special Announcements. Blog Ambassadors

Save 20% on Food Play: Get Your Kids Excited About Food & Nutrition

melissaanddoug — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:11:14 +0000

TEXT VERSION:

Food Groups

$19.99 ($15.99 when you use *promo code NFOOD20 at checkout)

Planning a well-balanced meal is child’s play with this wooden set. Items from the five food groups–including watermelon, milk, cheese, fish, eggs, and much more–are crafted of solid wood and come with four wooden baskets for sorting and storage.

Extension Activities: More Ways to Play and Learn:

Ask the child to identify each food item (other than condiments) and to categorize it by basic food group: meat, dairy, grain, or fruits and vegetables. Ask the child to place each food group in a different crate.
Have the child identify the colors of each food item, and sort the items by color among the four crates.
Help the child to assemble a balanced meal in each basket. Explain that each meal must have one item from each food group.
Visual memory skills: Place 3-4 ingredients in front of the child. Let the child study them before asking the child to close their eyes while you remove one piece. Ask the child which piece was removed. Gradually increase the number of ingredients.

Cutting Fruit

$19.99 ($15.99 when you use *promo code NFOOD20 at checkout)

Wooden set features a wooden knife and seven pieces of sliceable fruit that can be cut into a total of seventeen pieces. Food makes a fun “CRUNCH” sound when sliced. With so many pieces, it’s also a great way to introduce the concepts of part, whole and fractions!

Extension Activities: More Ways to Play and Learn:

Ask the child to identify each piece of fruit. Place the pieces of fruit in a row. Count the pieces. Repeat the activity until the child is able to count the independently.
Ask the child to use the wooden knife and cut the pear into two pieces. Explain that the pear has been cut into two equally sized pieces or halves. Ask the child to find other fruits that can be cut into halves (the orange, strawberry, lemon and kiwi).
Ask the child to use the wooden knife to cut the banana into three pieces. Explain that the banana has been cut into thirds.
Ask the child to use the wooden knife to cut the melon slice into four pieces. Explain the the melon slice has been cut into fourths.
Ask the child to mix different pieces of fruit together to create new fruits and name them. For example: a strawberry and a kiwi might make a “kiberry.”
Place four or more pieces of fruit in front of the child. Let him/her study them before asking the child to close his/her eyes while you remove one piece. Ask the child to identify which piece was removed.

Stir Fry Slicing Set

$19.99 ($15.99 when you use *promo code NFOOD20 at checkout)

Your chef can use the wooden knife to cut up lots of meat, red pepper and bok choi and then add it to the shrimp, mushrooms, and snow peas, stir-frying in the non-stick wooden wok. Loop and hook chopsticks are handy for stirring and serving!

Extension Activities: More Ways to Play and Learn:

Ask the child to identify each food, and the colors on each food.
Ask the child to count the shrimp, snow peas and mushrooms.
Ask the child to cut up the pepper with the wooden knife, and to count the pieces. Repeat with the bok choy and meat.
Set food pieces in front of the child. Ask the child to memorize the food, then to cover his/her eyes. Remove one food piece and hide it underneath the wok. Explain that you removed an item, and ask the child to identify the missing piece.
Play “restaurant,” asking the child to make stir fry to order. For example, “I would like one mushroom, two shrimp and two pepper pieces, please.” Allow the child to request meals from you.
Ask the child to place one food at a time into the wok using the chopsticks. Count each piece aloud. Ask the child to remove pieces from the wok, counting each piece removed.
Cut up the pepper, the bok choy and the meat. Mix the pieces together in front of the child. Ask the child to sort the pieces and put the foods back together.

Choose Your Offer:Save 20% on all food play with *promo code NFOOD20OR
Save 15% on your entire purchase with *promo code NSAVE15OR

Get Free Shipping Over $50 with *promo code FREESHIPFIFTY3

*Only one promo code accepted per order. Click for shipping details and offer limitations. Expires midnight EST 1/31/12. Valid only at www.MelissaAndDoug.com

Filed under: Coupons & Promos, Food Play, For Bloggers, Pretend Play Tagged: basic food group, Coupons & Promos, Food Play, For Bloggers, fruits and vegetables, Pretend Play

Everyone Wins When We Reach 100,000 Facebook Fans

melissaanddoug — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:06:12 +0000

Help Us Reach 100,000 Facebook Fans! At 100,000 Facebook Fans Every Facebook Fan Will Receive a Special Offer from MelissaAndDoug.com to Start the New Year Off Right!

At 100,000 Fans Our Celebration Will Include:

1 Winner of the Deluxe Play Kitchen

2 Winners of the Multi-Activity Train Table

3 Winners of the Deluxe Art Easel

5 Winners of the Giraffe Giant Stuffed Animal

Just LIKE Melissa & Doug on facebook today and share the excitement with a friend!

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Over 1,000 Unique and Exciting Educational Toys for Children of All Ages!

Filed under: Facebook Fan Page, Facebook Sweepstakes, For Bloggers, Giveaways & Contests Tagged: Facebook, Facebook Fan Page, Giveaways, Melissa & Doug, Sweepstakes

VOTE: Grand Finalists of Our Ultimate Melissa & Doug Display Contest

melissaanddoug — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:36:04 +0000

We are pleased to present the Five Grand Finalists from our Ultimate Melissa & Doug Display Contest!

Please VOTE for Your Favorite Here!

: Toy Zone – Burnsville, MN

The Toy Center - Richmond VA

Julies Corner Store - Lacon IL

Christian's Kinder Laden - Batesville IN

Boutique Foubrac - Baie-Comeau, QC, Canada

Please VOTE for Your Favorite Here!

Filed under: Awards, Facebook Fan Page, Fan Photos, Holiday/Christmas Shopping Tagged: Awards, contest, Facebook, Facebook Fan Page, Fan Photos, for Retailers, Giveaways & Contests, promotion

8 Ways to Keep the Happy in Your Holidays by Melissa

melissaanddoug — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:33:44 +0000

8 Ways to Keep the Happy in Your Holidays

by Melissa for grandparents.com

No one can deny that the meaning of the holidays can easily get lost during this frenetic time of year. All year, it feels as if we are moving ever faster to keep pace with technology and the daily changes in the world around us. Yet that pace only becomes magnified at the holidays. Parents are increasingly worried about “delivering the goods” by bringing home that must-have toy and not disappointing their children. Black Friday sales begin ever earlier (10 pm on the once-sacred Thanksgiving Day), with many deals leaked to generate mass consumerism.

I have to ask, “Isn’t there something missing?”

Thankfully, children’s joy emanates from the simplest pleasures, which is the antithesis of the commercial aspects of the season. The holidays are meant to be full of miracles, hope, and tradition. Those were the principles on which they began, and are the basis of the stories told generation after generation. Yet in the minds of many, the season has become more synonymous with traffic jams, endless searches for parking, and hordes of pushing and shoving shoppers. Saddest of all, parents are not feeling joy, but tremendous stress at the thought of disappointing children on that special day. This makes what should be a magical time into a competitive, aggravating experience. And that is NOT what the holidays are supposed to be about!

More from Melissa:
The best thing you can do for your grandkids

For the children’s sake, it is imperative that we parents and grandparents set a good example and instill in them the meaning of the season. Done correctly, this WILL bring cheer to all! And the best news is that implementing these traditions costs little, and is a cinch to execute. All it takes is targeting the basics, and focusing on the simple aspects of celebrations that are most meaningful.Here are a few of my favorite holiday activities to do with children:

Play holiday-themed music in the car and at home. Print out lyrics and get EVERYONE to sing along! This always puts us in the holiday spirit.
Fill the house with homemade decorations. All children love to do arts and crafts, and what better theme than the holidays? Paper snowflakes, seasonal cutouts, and paper chains are a few of our favorites and make the house look festive and special.
Make holiday-themed food. Kids LOVE baking, and devouring their concoctions. And sugar cookies have no religious denomination! They can be cut in any shape and size, and decorated in various colors to be enjoyed by all.
Make homemade gifts. Request that everyone in the family give one gift that is handmade and truly from the heart. This can include a drawing, a photo in a hand-decorated frame, a poem or story, a scrapbook, or any other homemade creation or inspiration.
Make holiday cards. Share suggestions as a group, and create a special family message, poem, joke, or quote for the season. Then decorate each card with personal flair. Cards are the perfect way to spread joy to family and friends — especially those who live far away!
Create an evening focused on your family’s culture. Eat traditional holiday foods, read holiday stories, and play traditional games. This will become something children look forward to year after year.
Turn off the lights, and enjoy the glow of candles or tree lights. Go around the group and ask everyone to detail what they like most about the holiday, and to state their wish for the season.
Give the gift of giving! Have the children go through their entire toy inventory and designate a pile to give away to those in need. Plus: Ask each child to choose one NEW gift to give to a less-fortunate family. Go with the children yourself to help drop off their gifts, and then volunteer with them, wrapping gifts or serving at a soup kitchen. The more children give to others, the less focused they will be on what they receive.

The holiday memories children will carry with them longest will be those of family togetherness, tradition, and giving to others. The holidays should be a reminder to us all that family matters and that we care about each other — with that group extending to all of humanity and those who are less fortunate. That human connection is much more powerful than material gifts, and will endure well past the season.

Filed under: Articles for Parents & Grandparents, For Bloggers, Grandparents.com, Holiday/Christmas Shopping, Melissa Tagged: Articles for Parents & Grandparents, Melissa, Melissa & Doug

3 Great Holiday Offers Including a Special Puzzle Promotion

melissaanddoug — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:38:15 +0000

3 Great Holiday Offers to Choose from Including 25% off Puzzles!

Use *promo code NPUZZLES25 for 25% off all Melissa & Doug Puzzles thru midnight 12/6/11

Use *promo code NSAVE15 for 15% off your entire MelissaAndDoug.com purchase.

Use *promo code FREESHIPZERO for Free Shipping with no minimum purchase necessary.

GIVEAWAY:
Enter to Win 1 of 5 Train Table & Wooden Railway Set Prize Packs! Sponsored by Melissa & Doug and Raining Hot Coupons! 1 entry allowed between 12/5/11 and midnight EST 12/9/11.

*Promo codes good thru midnight 12/6/11 only at MelissaAndDoug.com. Free Shipping offer applies to orders shipping via ground shipping to the 50 United States excluding AK, HI, PR and other non-contiguous US locations. Only 1 promo code can be used per transaction.

Filed under: Baby & Toddler Toys, Coupons & Promos, Facebook Fan Page, Facebook Sweepstakes, For Bloggers, Giveaways & Contests, Holiday/Christmas Shopping, Puzzles Tagged: Coupons & Promos, Facebook, FREE Shipping Offer, giveaway, Giveaways, Giveaways & Contests, Melissa & Doug, promotion, Super Savings!, Sweepstakes, wooden puzzles

Our Giant Giraffe Stuffed Animal Wows Hollywood at Awards Show

melissaanddoug — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 22:34:46 +0000

Robert Downey Jr. attended the 2011 Britannia Awards in Los Angeles this week. He brought a friend with him… the Melissa & Doug Giant Giraffe Stuffed Animal! He gave Ben Stiller an award (and our giraffe as a Birthday Gift).

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Giant Giraffe Stuffed Animal

Over four feet tall, this gentle giant brings a touch of the exotic into any environment. The perfect accessory in a nursery, this eye-catching giraffe is a great addition to any décor! Attention to authentic details and excellent quality construction make this stuffed animal giraffe easy to love!

$99.99

Filed under: Celebrities, Stuffed Animals/Plush Tagged: Celebrities, Stuffed Animals

Don’t Miss Our Cyber Tuesday Deals!

melissaanddoug — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:31:07 +0000

Don’t Miss Melissa & Doug’s Cyber Tuesday Deals!

Great educational toys with great savings just for you!

15% off any purchase
Use *promo code NSAVE15

FREE Shipping with no Minimum Purchase Required!
Use *promo code FREESHIPZERO

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER TODAY FOR SOME FUN GIVEAWAYS TOO!

promo codes expire midnight 11/29/11. Only valid at MelissaAndDoug.com. Only one promo code allowed per purchase. Free shipping is only for ground shipping within the continental United States.

Filed under: Coupons & Promos, Facebook Fan Page, For Bloggers, Giveaways & Contests, Holiday/Christmas Shopping Tagged: chunky puzzles, coupon, Coupons & Promos, Facebook, Facebook Fan Page, FREE Shipping Offer, giveaway, Giveaways, Giveaways & Contests