An invitation to Build & Imagine! Check out one of my favorites from the Top Toys Christmas 2015 List
Miss K just received a new set from Build & Imagine, Pet Portrait Studio, and she is delighted! She loves her other Build & Imagine set, Malia’s Beach House, and recognized the Build & Imagine packaging immediately. “Wow, pets!”, she exclaimed. Caring for her real cat, Petunia, and all of her stuffed animal friends is a play priority, so anything to do with animals is a hit for her.
I love the hassle free packaging and she loves popping out the magnet accessories from the grid. The Pet Portrait Studio comes with two dolls, 4 wooden pets, 10 dual-sided story wall building panels and more than 40 magnetic accessories. Story wall panels include a painter’s studio, photo studio, photo lab, pet lounge, adoption fair, grooming station, cozy couch, and several outdoor scenes.
Now let the building and creativity begin Ready, set, imagine! She first lined the square scenes into a single row, dispersed some accessories to the panels, dressed up the animals, and announced that “It’s Halloween! Time to get dressed up and trick-or-treat!” After rounds of pretend trick-or-treating, she decided that all of the animals needed baths “Let’s put these animals in the bath We needed lots of soap, they are so stinky!”. Next the pets had their pictures taken “say cheese!”, went to “have a little rest” in the lounge, and went outside for a picnic “Time for snack everyone. Here is a bone for you.”
After 30 minutes she was still creating and building! She redesigned the panels into a two-level sequence and decided that there was going to be a pet party. After the pet party, the animals enjoyed art by placing the magnetic paint brushes on the animals and placing them in the art studio. She carefully hung their art (magnetic art) on the drying line (located on art studio panel). It was time for the animals to take a potty break after art. She attached the leash magnet accessory to one of the dogs and they went for a pretend walk-potty break. There is actually a little magnet poop piece. For us, poop is a daily conversation as Miss K is toilet training. The fun had to pause when I called her to lunch. Once lunch was over, she quickly ran to resume constructing and playing with her pets. She loves dressing them up the most. There are numerous funny hats, sunglasses, and hair accessories.
The box is very sturdy can be used to store the Pet Portrait Studio pieces. You can use the sturdy mold as you see Kate doing, or just collect the pieces in the main box. Miss K likes to organize the pieces back into the mold. She may or may not have gotten this organization trait from me 😉 We toss the magnetic accessories into a plastic baggy. Easy (and organized) clean-up!
She loves the flexibility of Build & Imagine sets, that she can redesign and create new scenarios easily. She loves all of the magnetic accessories that serve as props in the pretend world she creates. I love that she is building and thus developing the early engineering skills of spatial reasoning, problem solving, and creativity. I also love that at time it takes perseverance to attach the triangle roof pieces and that she is proud of herself when she completes her roof. We both love that the Pet Portrait Studio easily connects to her other set, Malia’s Beach House. More endless creative engineering fun!
Are you ready to Build & Imagine?
Build & Imagine Toys on Amazon.com
Follow Build & Imagine on Facebook and Twitter
I received this complimentary toy for review as part of my feature for Top Toys Christmas 2015. All opinions are my own and reflect my personal thoughts on this product.
