This giveaway is now closed. The winners are Alison T. and Julie M. – congratulations!
Today’s final giveaway is from a beautifully sweet, family-owned store called Imagine Childhood. They believe that children should experience the world through their own eyes, ears, fingers, and toes – that direct interaction with nature is the best way to learn about the world, and that open-ended imaginative play is the best way to learn about what it could be.
Photo by Michael Filion
Imagination Childhood is part community, part storefront. When they choose items for their store, they ask five questions:
- Does the product promote exploration, creativity, and/or unstructured play?
- Is it fun and exciting?
- Is it Fair Trade and made of sustainable or eco-friendly materials?
- Can it be reused again and again, and in varying applications?, and
- Does it provide learning opportunities?
Love it. Everything about Imagine Childhood fosters open-ended, unstructured play.
Two Simple Mom readers will win a Nature Study Kit, valued at $25 – one is made of tin, one is glass. It includes one 3″ hand magnifier, one 10x rock and mineral magnifier, two small glass or tin jars, two large glass or tin jars, one tin box, three cotton specimen bags, and a small Moleskine field journal. Plus, the kit comes in a reusable cotton drawstring bag. Perfect for hours of exploration outdoors.
Here’s How To Win:
1. Leave a comment on this post, answering this question – What’s your preference – the mountains or the beach?
2. To get a second entry – and a second entry on all the giveaways this week – subscribe to the Simple Mom feed and email me the movie quote at the bottom of any post in your feed reader or email inbox (there is only one quote for all the giveaways). Send it to simplemomblog (at) gmail (dot) com, and put the quote directly in the subject line. The body of the email won’t be read. And you only need to email me the quote once in order to get a second entry for all the week’s giveaways.
3. Finally, to get a third entry, post or tweet about this giveaway – if you use the URL of this post, I’ll receive it – no need to email me.
This giveaway will end this Saturday, January 31 at noon EST. I hope you win!
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I moved from CA to CO and desperately miss the beach!! There’s very little water here! : (
I love both, but I guess mountains would have to win. I’ve only been once, to the Smokies, but I loved the hiking. The pushing your muscles just one more foot into the air…lovely.
The hot tub on the deck (when the air outside is 19 degrees) wasn’t too bad either!
MrsRefney´s last blog post…The Lily Ledbetter Act passed!! Woohoo!!!
I live in a place where I can enjoy both, but my preference would be the mountains…hiking, camping, snow skiing, what more could you ask for?!
Pamela´s last blog post…9 Months…well closer to 10 now!
Mountains.
Gah! Hard decision! I think I’ll go with the beach – but I have been a California girl for over half my life so that might be why
These nature study kits look fabulous!
Angie @ The Creative Mama´s last blog post…make your own green bags
Mountains or anywhere off the beaten path.
Mountains! It is what I know. :~)
Mountains! We love camping.
The mountains, hands down
Jenny´s last blog post…I wish I had a creative title for this. But I don’t.
Oh the mountains for sure. I lived in Japan for two years and I still miss the mountains.
Mountains, no contest. I love hiking and skiing and camping. I actively dislike just about everything about the beach (sun, sand, gross seawater, gulls, seaweed, sharp shells … ugh) and I’m the only person I know who does. Give me a cabin in the woods any time!!
i love the beach!
I vote for the beach, probably because I grew up in the mountains so they seem “normal” to me. Thanks for the chance to win!
BEACH!
I prefer the beach. Last year I lived one mile from a beach club. Now I live 8 hours from the closest beach!
Holli T.
Holli T.´s last blog post…Photos and More!
Definitely a mountain girl here. I spent the first four years of my life exploring the mountains of California with my mother and father, and I still yearn for them today.
Mist´s last blog post…Snow Day
I too love both but if I had to choose it would be the beach. So calming and serene.
Becky´s last blog post…This is what I found
No question, mountains are great, but for me it’s beach all the way!
The beach! Ever since I crawled headfirst into the waves as a baby, it’s been difficult to get me away from them.
I love the mountains. They bring back memories of extended family picnics and exploration. Unfortunately for me, my husband and boys are beach bums. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to take them up to the mountains with me so they can see what they’re missing!
This is a hard one! I live in the mountains and I love my home, but I really love the beach too! Right now, a warm beach sounds so nice, but in the end, I think I have to stick with my mountains.
Stephanie´s last blog post…Snow Day!
Beach.
But we went on a nature walk today.
Amy Jones´s last blog post…Waste Free Wednesday
Which ever one I’m closer to! I’m not close to either!
Avlor´s last blog post…Tuna thinks he can hide from my camera…
Definitely the mountains.
Shannon´s last blog post…Prepare Your Home For A Day Of Rest: My List
The beach, the beach, the beach! My husband and I always have this struggle. I always want the beach, he always wants the mountains…
Darcy´s last blog post…Precarious Snack Spot
The mountains.
I think I would have to say the mountains would be my preference. Just the thought of sitting on the back porch of a cabin in the woods, looking over the mountaintops, sipping on a hot cup of tea, just brings a smile to my face:)
Lisha´s last blog post…dan dan noodles with pickled cucumbers – part deux
Oh wow, how perfect!
For a mom of 3 boys, this is right my/our alley. My youngest is SO immersed in this kind of stuff right now, he even calls himself a “scientist”.
Very cool!
I have never seen the mountains, so I guess I’ll have to say beach
Has to be the beach all the way!
what a cool kit.
Definitely the mountains. I moved to Iowa after living in Washington. It took years for me to feel grounded in the midwest- and not feel like I was going to fall off the earth at any moment!
I sound like total nutcase.
Definitely the mountains….that is where we live…and love life here!
Mountains. I grew up in eastern washington state, and the oregon and washington beaches are so cold that I never found them to be that much fun.
I love both, but I think I prefer the beaches.
The beach!
Gina´s last blog post…Safeway this week 1/28
I love the beach and my kids do too.
I LOVE the beach
It is by far my favorite destination.
Spookygirl´s last blog post…My kids love the Wii..
definitely the beach
Jen@OurDailyBigTop´s last blog post…The Bachelor: Barbie edition
The mountains! I always think I like the beach better (I am a very laid back person and SHOULD like to sit on the beach) but I grew up around mountains and don’t feel quite at home without them.
BOTH!!
going to the beach but miss the mountains!
Goodness- what a hard decision. I think that I love the mountains because of the seclusion and the peacefulness. I wouldn’t pass either up though:)!
oops, forgot!
i prefer the beach, hubby prefers the mountains. kids like both so we frequent both, as we are only about an hour away from each.
perfection!
That’s a tough one. I love both mountains and beach. Right now I’d have to say beach. It has been cold lately and I could use some warm sand under my feet.
Heather G´s last blog post…Do you remember
the beach for sure!
nancy´s last blog post…collecting
Mountains. I am originally from TN and I now live in FL. I miss the mountains terribly!
mountains – all the way. though lately i’m craving a little beach.
Micha B´s last blog post…so, i was facebook tagged
Mountains – especially the Adirondacks!
The beach! I don’t know how to swim and my husband’s favorite movie is Jaws, but we still like the beach!
Sandra´s last blog post…Snow Day
beach – but i’d take either!
emily´s last blog post…goodbye, Domino
THE BEACH! Hands down!
MommyAmy´s last blog post…Super Cookies
I adore the beach, mostly because that’s where I grew up going on nearly every family vacation. I don’t have enough experience with the mountains to give them the credit they probably deserve, but I’m open to trying new things too!
Anyway, this kit is adorable and would be perfect for my 3-year old son who is a budding scientist.
Briana´s last blog post…Toddlers and Tartlets
Wow! This is the hardest “Would You Rather Question” I’ve ever answered! The Beach wins by a little bit.
Beach. But from where we live, we have to drive through the mountains to get there, which I also love. Is that a fair answer?
Both are beautiful, but I prefer the mountains, especially the mountains in Alaska.
Beah! I live an hour from the mountains and an hour from the beach. I go to the beach even in the winter!
I emailed you the quote
I love the beach! Though…I’d take a trip to the mountains anytime, too!
I love the beach, the warm sand, cool breezes from the water.
Mountains are home, but I have great memories from the beach, too. Still, probably mountains.
I’m a mountain girl. There’s no beach (and I’ve seen my fair share) that compares to standing on a snow-covered mountain peak and looking at the view.
Aimee´s last blog post…Foodie Facebook: Michele
beach!
I love the mountains!! I also love the beach, but in the WINTER.
the mountains – probably because we live closer to them so I’m much more familiar and comfortable in them.
Alright, now *this* is awesome. My answer – it’s a hard choice, but I think I must prefer the mountains. I have family that lives near beautiful beaches, and I love to visit them. But we live close to the mountains and I wouldn’t trade them.
Rachel´s last blog post…Blog Art
I live in the ocean state, but I have also lived near mountains, and much prefer them. In the mountains, there’s stuff to do year round.
Christina´s last blog post…Cheap and Family Friendly Cleaners
Both, but if I absolutely had to pick. . it would be beach. . . preferably a Pacific Northwest beach.
Carrie´s last blog post…Mundane Miracles ~ 10
Beach!
Amy Andrews´s last blog post…Are you a mystery?
the beach…
I am definitely a fan of the beach. Preferably white sand, crystal clear water, no waves. (not that I’m picky or anything)
Allison (Dog Mom)´s last blog post…Video!
the beach!
Mountains, hands down.
I moved from Colorado about a year ago and not a day goes by when I don’t think of it.
tara´s last blog post…newness
Mountains – you can find solitude in the mountains. It’s harder to find that at the beach.
Love both… but a hike in the mountains would be my first choice!
Well, I live smack in the middle of Alaska with mountains aplenty so I’m going to say beach just because. I really love both. For nature love, the mountains can’t be beat. But for relaxation and just pure joy, the beach is it.
Imagine childhood is a wonderful store. I love their philosophy. They have a wonderful blog, too.
liz (perspicacious.org)´s last blog post…some pics of my classroom
I love the beach.
The sound of the surf or the song of the wind in the trees? As a lover of all of God’s creation, I would have to choose the mountains for the pioneer in me.
The mountains. Strange though, because I was raised at the beach. I just like cold weather and beautiful green trees.
Bethany´s last blog post…I {heart} Giveaways!
I LOVE the mountains and the beach is almost my least favorite place in the world!
I would have to go with beach!
jodi´s last blog post…So Blessed
pre-kids: mountains, but now with 2 preschoolers we tend to hit the beach now (but i am looking forward to days when they are ready for a hike! they get tired just walking to school so i think it is a while off yet!)
Mountains for me!
mountains
Bryssy´s last blog post…Good Deals for Valentine’s Day
i live right by the by the beach, so i’m gonna say mountains!!
I don’t know if I can give a favorite. I grew up in the mountains so I love being there. There is something about spending time in there. But since I wasn’t near the beach, I love going. it’s soothing, it’s refreshing, it makes me think so much!!
Shalae´s last blog post…God the Father
Beach, hands down.
Stacey´s last blog post…Aiding the Digestion of Beans
I love being ANYWHERE! But of the two, wow, this is hard! Ummmm, the mountains.
How tough to choose. Grew up near the mountains and all our family vacations where camping…but now I’m near the beach and LOVE it…I’m going to choose beach.
Sweet Em´s last blog post…Nothing New
Both! That’s the toughest choice ever…if I could only pick one I guess I’d say both!
I completely agree!
I’ve got to say the mountains are my favorite. Beaches are crowded and involve bathing suits, two of my least favorite things. In the mountains you can go for a hike and be alone in nature. And it’s usually cooler, and I’m not a hot-weather gal.
Kati´s last blog post…Vegetable Seedling Update
Well, for vacation, I would say the beach for sure, but as a place to live I would say the mountains because I grew up there.
Clara S.´s last blog post…Finally, some new pics
I’m a mountain girl thru and thru.
Briana´s last blog post…Here’s what my boys are doing this snowy/icy day…
I enjoy the beach more. The gentle crashing waves and the blue water is relaxing to me.
Katherine´s last blog post…My Helpful Little One
The Beach and all it’s serenity…..the ocean calls me….sometimes I can submit, sometimes I have to stay and face reality…the ocean calls me….Pamie G.
Pamie g.´s last blog post…Color Outside The Lines
Mountains, I think? The beach is wonderful as well. I don’t live near either, so they both seem wonderful.
Mountains, by far. Skiing, hiking, camping, or just sitting and observing.
Meggie D´s last blog post…We’ll get there
beach!
Jessica´s last blog post…Everyday Okinawa
love, love, love your site. would italicize but i don’t know how to do that in the comments box. so i’ll say it a couple more times…love, love, love, love, love =)
i hope i win, too. carly would ADORE this prize
Liz´s last blog post…My Granny’s Cooler Than Your Granny
The mountains, definitely.
Mrs. Sprinkles´s last blog post…Things I Love:
oops, not cheating, just forgetful
mountains =)
Liz´s last blog post…My Granny’s Cooler Than Your Granny
The BEACH!!
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