2014 Holiday Gift Guide: A Mess Free Holiday with PomTree {Review and Giveaway}

Monday, October 27, 2014

Today is the 27th of October, that means Christmas is less than 2 months away! Not to start a panic, but it will be here before we know it. This holiday season, we have decided to really cut down on the gifts we get the kids and really focus on being together to celebrate the season. I have already started looking for high quality gifts that will be appreciated and not just tossed aside after one use.

We were lucky enough to get a chance to work with a company that creates "Make and Play" products that are geared towards kids of all ages. I'm sure hearing the word make, immediately gets your head thinking messes and cleanup, but with this company's products, they are virtually mess free. They also will make for hours of fun, even after the creating is done.

PomTree, founded in 2012 and distributed from Ohio, focuses on easy to assemble, mess free, make and play crafts. Using quality materials, these activities and crafts are easy enough for kids and moms alike, while being really fun and constructive. PomTree uses bright colors, interesting shapes, and problem solving skills to stimulate young minds, while offering each child the chance to customize their project to be their very own. PomTree is a division of Darice, Inc and includes product lines like Playtown and Playscape Creativity Kits, Sticker Tubs, and Sticker Storybooks.

The concept behind PomTree is craft and activity kits that are "stuck on fun". They use this term because their products all have sticky backing to unpeel and stick to create. This is a great activity for both young and older kids, while the younger can follow the included visual guides, older can create on their own.

Check out this video to see some more information about PomTree and sneak a peek at some of their products.

We were offered the chance to review some of the PomTree Kits for our MBP Holiday Gift Guide. We were sent these five choices that were being promoted to pick from:

Pom Jewelry: Pom Jewelry Kit • Ages 5+ • $10

A whopping 400+ pieces spills from this tub of engaging and creative parts. Kids can make bracelets, necklaces, keychains, hair bands, or whatever else their little imaginations can conjure up. This jewelry kit overflows with satin cord, foam charms, felt shapes, pom pom beads and pony beads. There’s enough to make a little sister or favorite classmate a pretty present.

Felt Pillow PuffTM Kit: Felt Puppy & Bone Pillow Puff • Ages 5+ • $13

There's no bones about it, some kids prefer a woof over a meow so PomTree offers a puppy pillow that will make grownups say, ahhhh! Without sewing or gluing, kids can happily assemble the bright colors cut into recognizable patterns from head to tail. Follow the visual on the box or create your own look for a collared puppy with a polyfill stuffed body that can follow kids from room to room without the need for a water bowl. The finished Puppy Pillow Puff barks in at 10 x 11.6 inches.

Felt Pillow PuffTM Kit: Felt Kitty & Mouse Pillow Puff • Ages 5+ • $13

How purr-fect is this? Create a soft kitty to hug without buying the litter box or cat food. This felt pillow needs little fingers to adhere the enclosed tail, cat nose, whiskers and pointy ears. Meow! Kids can make a cute and cuddly pillow pal without needing to sew. All materials have sticky backings that kids can peel away then press into place. There's even a blue felt mouse to join the chase of an afternoon or evening of fun. When all done, this polyfill stuffed cat measures a purr-fect 7 x 12 inches and arrives with 24 pieces to place in the purr-fect spot.

Pom Pals: Mommy & Baby Bird Kit • Ages 5+ • $13

Let these bluebirds bring happiness into any room. Start with Momma Bird's plush pom pom that needs a child's touch of embellishment. Kids simply peel the backings of giant wiggle eyes, beak, feet and feathers for a customized look. Then repeat with baby for a feathered family that stays with you on the bed, on the desk or in your arms. Pom Pom Mom measures 12.8 x 13.6. Baby stands 2.75 x 3.3 inches.

Pom Pals: Mommy & Baby Owl Kit • Ages 5+ • $13

She's cuddly soft, hot pink and oh-so-wise. It's Mommy Owl. She's brought along her adorable baby owl to cuddle, comfort and create something special. Kids embellish the faceless fluff

balls into sweet wiggly eyed-owls. Add nose, feet, wings, you decide -- because you're wise too. Mommy measures an armful 11.3 x 13.6 inches. Baby sprouts to 2.3 x 3.3 inches.

All five of these kits retail for $13 or less, what a great deal for something that is both a craft and a toy! We picked one from the Owl/Bird Kit and one from the Kitty/Puppy Kit, which offer two really different experiences, I was excited to get them and let S try them out. The jewelry kit, while looking really fun, was more open ended, and I wanted S to have some actual directions to follow. S is a huge arts and crafts fan, so these sets are right up her alley. I love that none of them require glue, batteries, electronic devices, just some quality materials, a few easy to follow instructions, and her creative little mind.

Our PomTree Box is here!

Carefully wrapped and safe with bubble wrap (my kids LOVED the bubble wrap)

This girl is excited to see what all is in the box from PomTree.

"I got 2 things!?!"

I selected the PomTree Felt Pillow Puff Kitty Kit and the PomTree Pom Pals Mommy and Baby Owl

The Felt Pillow Puff Kitty and Mouse Kit

Retails for $13 and is geared for kids 5+

This girl loves her pets, so a new pet cat was just what she wanted. This set was 24 pieces, includes everything you need to complete it (felt, foam, polyfill, google eyes), and makes a finished cat that is 7" x 12".

Laying out all our pieces to get building. All of the pieces had sticky back, so no glue or needles were required to complete it.

The instructions were very easy to understand, with easy to see pictures and 5 step-by-step directions.

S had an easy time taking the sticky back off of the pieces and putting them all together.

It was starting to look like a cat now, S was really excited that she had created this with very little help from mommy.

All done and now we have a new friend to play with!

The PomTree Pom Pals Mommy and Baby Owl Kit

Retails for $13 and is geared for kids 5+

This set is perfect because the girls have an owl themed bedroom. This will make a cute little accent in their room. This set was 21 pieces, includes everything you need to complete it (fabric plush ball, foam stickers, and google eyes), and makes 2 finished owls-Mommy is 11.3" x 13.6", Baby is 2.3" x 3.3".

We laid out all of our pieces and got to work.

S's loved, loved, loved these!

S had to have some help with removing the backing on most of the stickers for the owl, but still was able to complete most of the craft herself.

Look at this cute little baby!

Mom looks good too!

S with her owl creations.

These projects were just as PomTree said--mess free and fun for kids young and old. I love that they are affordable and offer more than just one opportunity to enjoy. They are first a craft and then a toy, double the fun. These projects are made of quality materials, include all that you need to create them, and require very little cleanup and most of all are absolutely adorable!

Want It? Buy It!

These great activity kits will make a great gift for your little loves. All of the PomTree kits can be purchased here or through PomTreeKids.com. You can also follow PomTree on all of their social media outlets- Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest .

Want It? Win It!

One lucky reader will win their choice of 1 of the activity kits listed above. Just use the Rafflecopter entry form below to enter to win. Remember- if the entry field appears in BOLD, it's mandatory. Giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and older.
Click 'Read More' to go to the giveaway.

Thanks to PomTree for some easy, quality, mess free fun!