One of the things I love about summertime, is the opportunity I have to get out into nature with my son. I failed to realize until just recently, how closely Balian pays attention to the things I do. I love to garden, and work in my flower beds, and Balian is my little garden buddy, always right beside me, wanting to help me dig in the dirt, water the flowers and harvest the veggies. It's important to me, that Balian is surrounded with fun and interesting toys and games that will encourage imaginative play, and spark his creativity.

One of my very favorite places to shop for unique and interesting children's items, is Magic Cabin. Magic Cabin is part of Plow and Hearth (one of my favorite home and garden shops!), and opens up a wonderful world of whimsy to kids of all ages. I began to become familiar with Magic Cabin, after my grandmother purchased some toy trucks for Balian, as well as kiddie kites, and a play tent for his bedroom. When we received our first Magic Cabin order, I saw their catalog, and was drawn into a world where I was once again a child, excited to explore the world around me.

When I connected with Lakisha of Plow and Hearth, she offered an item for our family to review. Though I love so many of the home and garden items available from Plow and Hearth, my thoughts immediately turned to my son, and the fun he would have with something from Magic Cabin. With all of the wonderful children's play products available from Magic Cabin, it was hard to make a decision, but when I came across the Garden Fort, I knew it would be a big hit with my son.

 

Garden Fort from Magic Cabin

Lakisha kindly sent over the Garden Fort, and we couldn't wait to put it together! We just had out backyard fenced in, and I thought the Garden Fort would be a great place for Balian to play, but I didn't weigh the size of the Garden Fort against the size of our smallish yard. So, we decided to take the Garden Fort from Magic Cabin (still in the box), over to my mom and dad's house on the 4th of July. My mom has been dying to create a play area for Balian in her yard (my mom and dad have a huge yard), and was excited to finally have something fun to start a play area with.

We headed out to the yard, in super hot temperatures, to set up the Garden Fort. The Garden Fort is an easy to put together metal frame fort, measuring approximately 58"L x 58"W x 48"H. Of course, I had to have my husband help me put this together, or I should say, I helped him! We simply followed the instructions to set up the frame of the fort, and then placed it on top of the plastic sheet (which serves as a protective 'floor' between little feet and the ground). My husband then drove metal stakes into the ground, to hold the fort in place. A large net covers the frame of the garden fort, which allows vines to grow up over the garden fort, encasing it in natural walls, and a natural roof of lush greenery and flowers.

 Here's my handy husband, Sacha, opening the Garden Fort...

 All of the parts to the Garden Fort were easy to identify...

 Just trying to do my part and help put the fort together!

 The frame is up!

We found a partially sunny and partially shaded spot for the fort to live, and staked it down... 

Ta-da! Here's the Garden Fort, all set up and ready to be played in!

After we got the garden fort all set up, there was no keeping Balian out of it. He loves it so much, and very affectionately asks to play in his 'fort'. We spent the rest of the afternoon playing in the yard, watching Balian run in and out of the garden fort, kicking his balls into it, etc. My parents think the garden fort from Magic Cabin is a lot of fun, and so do I. I can't wait to see what it will look like once the vines start to grow over it. We received three packets of seeds with our Garden Fort- Black Eyed Susan Vine, Asparagus Bean, and Cypress Vine. My husband suggested a planting of ivy around it. My mom said she would gladly plant the seeds around the fort and nurture them, so that Balian will soon have his own shaded, magical place to call his very own in the backyard.

Check out this impromptu video we shot of Balian enjoying his new Garden Fort...

I can't wait to see how Balian plays in and enjoys his Magic Cabin garden fort as he grows. I can see him spending lots of time in there, playing with his cars and trucks, enjoying healthy snacks, reading stories, catching fireflies, and more. I know it will serve as an aid in making many family memories.

The Garden Fort from Magic Cabin would made such a unique, enchanting gift! There are some other wonderful items available from Magic Cabin that I would like to purchase, to add onto Balian's new play area...

 

Elfin Garden Accessories...

Mushroom Table and Stools...

Pine Sand and Water Cabana...

The list of things that I would love for Balian to have goes on and on! Needless to say, there are tons of magical toys, activities, and more waiting for you at Magic Cabin!


Want It? Buy It!

You can purchase the above featured items, and many more at Magic Cabin. Their website is so colorful, and easy to navigate! You can shop by category, interest or age. I love that I can easily find toys and other products that are targeted for Balian's age group! These aren't your everyday toys that you can just run out to the nearest superstore and pick up. These are toys that children will love for years and years, because they're so different and- well, magical! Be sure to like Magic Cabin on Facebook, as well as follow Magic Cabin on Twitter and Pinterest! They are always sharing lots of neat featured toys, ideas, and more. They've got summertime play covered! While you're browsing the Magic Cabin website, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the site to see all of Magic Cabin's sister stores!


Want It? Win It!

One lucky reader will win a $50.00 Gift Card to Magic Cabin! Just use the rafflecopter entry form below to enter for your chance to win!

Special thanks to Lakisha with Magic Cabin/Plow and Hearth for allowing us to have our own magical summer fun, and for offering this wonderful giveaway!

Good luck, and thanks!

Disclosure: Other than the above featured item, which I received directly from this company, free of charge, for review purposes, I was not compensated for facilitating this review. All opinions expressed are my own. Your experience with this product may differ. MBP is not responsible for prize fulfillment or shipment.

a Rafflecopter giveaway