UPDATE: The giveaway has ended and I have notified the winner by email. Once I receive a response, I will post the winner’s name. Thank you to everyone who entered–what a fantastic response!

I am so excited to be working with Melissa & Doug to give away some fun toys that are perfect for summer!

Melissa & Doug is one of my all-time favorite toy brands. We own a variety of their items, from play food sets, to my son’s favorite jigsaw puzzles, to pretend play costumes. What I love most about Melissa & Doug toys is that they are classic–they aren’t designed around fleeting fads or commercialized characters. The ideas behind the products and their craftsmanship stand the test of time. Their toys encourage children to use their imaginations and to learn while they play. Melissa & Doug products fit perfectly with my approach to purchasing toys: they are high quality, durable products that will last through several children, and they’re affordable too.

Melissa & Doug has recently introduced some cute sand play toys that are perfect for the beach, or just your backyard sandbox. I know my son would love the vibrant colors and cheerful animal faces on each piece.

Seaside Sidekicks Sand Cupcake Set

I used to spend hours outside pretending to cook (one of my earliest memories is of the graininess in my mouth after I sampled a mud pie). I think this set is the cutest! Kids can mold cupcake shapes from sand and pretend to bake them in the included cupcake tray. It comes with a mesh bag to store it all.

Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set

You can’t make cupcakes without preparing the batter, right? Don’t worry–they’ve got that covered, too! The Sand Baking Set includes a mixing bowl (with lid that doubles as a sifter), along with sea-themed measuring cups, whisk and mixing spoon.

Clicker Crab Pail and Shovel

A sturdy plastic bucket and shovel are must-haves in the sand. Cheerful crabs adorn each piece.

Seaside Sidekicks Sand Molding Set

Kids can use these fun sand molds to create a variety of sea creatures. Moms and dads will appreciate the way they all nest within the turtle shell for easy organization.

Win It!

Melissa & Doug has generously offered a prize pack of all four of the sand play sets shown above once they get 200 Facebook followers (or close to it) from this giveaway!

Mandatory Entry

To enter, go “Like” Melissa & Doug on Facebook, then come back here to leave a comment telling me that you did.

Extra Entries

Leave an additional comment for each of the following that you complete:

- Subscribe to Melissa & Doug’s e-mail list
- Follow Jen Spends on Facebook
- Follow Jen Spends on Twitter and tweet the following:

I entered to win a @MelissaAndDoug prize pack from @JenSpends! http://bit.ly/m8KxMB

Rules

This contest is open to residents of the U.S. only. Contest ends on Monday, June 6, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. ET. I will select a winner at random from all eligible entries and notify the winner by email before posting an announcement on my website. If the winner does not respond within 24 hrs of being notified, a new winner will be selected. The prize will be mailed directly to the winner by the contest sponsor.

Please note that if this is your first time commenting on my site, your comments will be held for moderation until I have a chance to approve them. Don’t worry–they will appear soon!

Good luck!

DISCLOSURE (what’s this?): This giveaway is sponsored by Melissa & Doug. I have not received any free products or compensation in exchange for this post, and the opinions expressed are my own. Facebook has no responsibility for this giveaway.