Mindware Teaching Talking Cash Register Review

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As a former third grade teacher, I am thrilled when the opportunity arises to review educational toys for my children. Emma and Ethan love to play with their play kitchen, food and grocery cart. So when MindWare.com offered to let us review a toy, I thought that a cash register would be a great addition to their set.

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ribbonParents’ Choice Approved Award

ribbonOppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award

ribbonDr. Toy 100 Best Children’s Products Award

 

 

Our Teaching Talking Cash Register identifies and counts coins, authorizes scanned credit cards and coupons and rewards transactions with lights, sounds and voice messages. Includes a scale, talking checkout scanner and life-size bills and coins. As they play, kids practice key skills like coin recognition, counting money, addition, subtraction and decimal usage; also includes 4 simple math games with different challenge levels. Auto shutoff. Uses three C batteries (not included).
Recommended Ages: Ages 3 to 9

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As you can see, Ethan could barely contain himself when I was setting up the register. It comes with several of each coin, a handful of bills (1’s, 5’s, 10’s and 20’s), a “coupon” card and a credit card. Ethan is checking out the the food scale in the photo above. Both kids love this particular feature and ask me “how big” things are often.

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The coins are accurately sized and stamped, making the learning process a bit easier. I have to say, though, that the tray hasn’t been this organized since I set it up. The kids don’t seem to mind and I’m sure they will get the hang of it as they get older.

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The buttons are nice and big and the print is easily readable. The register will allow your children to “shop” normally and push in prices ending with a total and the draw popping open. It also has a few learning modes like a coin quiz, an adding game, a subtraction game and a money match game.

The money match game uses the coin slot just to the left of the photo (can be seen in the first few photos). The coins slide down into the coin bank that opens up for easy collection. Ethan is only 3, but enjoys putting the coins into this slot. The register tells him what coin it is and he repeats it (can be seen in the video below). Repetition helps the learning process stick and at the age of 3 he is already learning the names of the coins!

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Here is the food scale. It is functional and measures in ounces. It also has pieces of fruit on it to compare where it should hit for that item. The kids don’t really understand the correlation, but enjoy this function and are often heard saying “it’s as big as an orange!”.

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The coupon card and credit card are both thick plastic pieces that won’t easily be destroyed. When using them, the children “swipe” them in the slot just under the food scale and the machine gives off a little “beep”.

My overall impression of this cash register is fabulous! I agree that it should have won all of the awards it has! Ethan, at 3, and Emma, at 5, are both getting different benefits from the toy and but both are learning. Emma is starting to put values to the coins and realizing that even though a $5 bill is only one piece of paper… it is worth 5 $1 bills.

Both the children play with this together and rarely fight over it (incredible!). Just last night I found the register and a stack of play food on Ethan’s bed with the grocery cart next to his bed. When I asked him what was going on he said they were paying for their food and beeping it. In the three weeks they have been playing with it they have used it every day! They love it so much that they decided to hide it when company came over because “We don’t want the money to break.” It’s an incredible product to teach math skills including money (names and values), addition and subtraction… all while having fun.

I have one small drawback that was easily fixed. The cash drawer tends to pop out quickly and the coins would end up all over the table and floor. My husband took the drawer out and stretched the spring a little to reduce the tension. The cash tray now slides out much slower and we no longer have a money mess when opened.

I caught Ethan playing in a box with the register…

see him repeat the coin names and enjoy his quiet time.

BUY IT:

You can purchase the Teaching Talking Cash Register for $59.95 at MindWare.com (requires 3 C batteries not included)

WIN IT:

ONE OurKidsMom reader is going to win a Teaching Talking Cash Register!40113_cropped_mwh08_M

This giveaway ended at 11:59 PM EST on May 4, 2012.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Your experience with the product may differ from mine. The sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment and will be shipping the winner(s) their prize(s). For more information read my disclosure policy.

About Heather

Heather, the mom behind OurKidsMom, is located in western Missouri. She is 3rd grade teacher turned stay at home mom with 4 children: Ethan (9), Emma (10), Joshua (20) and Kaytlin (25). She spends her "free time" at the gym, planning her next travel adventure, blogging, browsing Pinterest for her next craft and reviewing great products for her family and home.

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Comments

  1. Jenifer Lingenfelter says
    at

    My son Ethan would like the sea scope and my son Corbin would like the chef set. It is so cute!

  2. Lena says
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    I love Mindware’s website and all the educational toys they offer. The shop by age function makes it real easy to find new toys for the kids.

  3. Carla Garcia says
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    i like that it’s fun and educational

  4. julia campbell says
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    the handy dandy projects for dad and kids looks interesting.

  5. Tiffany S says
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    we could really use the RECON ROVER… program it to do the dishes… LOL!

  6. Kimberlie T says
    at

    My boys would love the ColorKu game – Suduku in color!

  7. Niki_Ray says
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    How cool is that!!

  8. Kathlyne says
    at

    I like the Imaginets.

  9. Laura says
    at

    I think my kids would love the “let’s play school” set because my oldest is getting ready for Kindergarten in the fall.

  10. Samantha D says
    at

    I love the Colorku puzzle! What a cool idea for kids!

    Samantha
    dull2000 at cox dot net

  11. Corey Bergsten says
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    I had never heard of Mindware before, I liked that they had so many educational toys.

  12. courtney b says
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    i like the dot to dot counting books

  13. joy says
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    I want their sunart paper!

  14. Crunchy Con Mommy says
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    Hot Dots Junior looks like a really fun set that would be super useful for helping my son learn pre-reading and pre-math skills

  15. Tabitha Evans says
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    i want the Imaginets

  16. Janet W. says
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    I also love the Connectagons !

  17. Christina Skinner says
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    Incredible Inflatables look awesome!! They have so many fun things I would have loved as a kid.

  18. KJ Skib says
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    i love the lets play school. i would have loved that as a child.

  19. Kat Emerick says
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    I like the Block buddies.

  20. Renee Bruno says
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    I also like Bucket Blast

  21. Sarh S says
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    I learned it has won THREE awards!

  22. Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
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    I think the Wobble Deck looks fun!

  23. Kimberly M. says
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    I love that they carry educational toys that are not only educational but fun for the kids.

  24. Jacque says
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    I like the Imaginets.

  25. kelly says
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    I like the Let’s Play School Set

  26. Jan Messali says
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    The Mindware Microscope Set is awesome!

  27. Gina H. says
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    I like Wobble Deck The Electronic Balance Challenge!

  28. Beth says
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    A very comprehensive review Heather. I think what I like about the teaching cash register is that it comes with coins and notes that accurately depict real life money. Too many of these childrens registers come with gimicky money that doesn’t help a child truely learn about the currency they’ll one day be using.

  29. Ann Fantom says
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    My daughter would love the Laser Pegs

  30. LeeAnn says
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    I like the Glow Rocks!

  31. Jennifer Rote says
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    My son keeps asking for a Talking Microscope .

  32. Carmen Van Deursen says
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    I would love the let’s play school set.

  33. christine jessamine says
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    i also love the contraptions toy

  34. Sandy VanHoey says
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    Love the incredible inflatables

  35. amy craft says
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    So many cute items!!! My favorite is the talking microscope

  36. Jaime says
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    I would love the Let’s Play School Set! My girls love to play school!

  37. Karen Gonyea says
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    LOVE the shop by age function….makes finding an appropriate gift fun again !!

  38. Linda G. says
    at

    I like the Rainbow Mosaic Pattern Puzzle

  39. Erika P. says
    at

    I’d like to have the Strawberry Hydro-Dome Garden.

  40. Kristi C says
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    I like the Let’s Play School Set.

  41. joanne major says
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    i like the all wooden games

  42. Jenny Lloyd says
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    i would love to have the get up and go game: puppy pursuit – sounds like tons of fun for my boys
    http://www.mindware.com/p/Get-Up-and-Go-Game-Puppy-Pursuit/44193

  43. natalia ellin says
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    i like how easy it is to find toys for age group i need

  44. Brenda C says
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    i would love the highlights hidden pictures books. i loved these when i was younger!

  45. Jaime says
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    I would also love to have the Let’s Play School Set.

  46. Kathy S says
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    I like the game Qwirkle.

  47. Holly S. says
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    I like the Let’s Play School Set

  48. lisa l says
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    I like the Hot Dots Jr.
    Do-It-Yourself School Readiness Activities

  49. christina moore says
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    my granddaughter would love the Imaginets

  50. Holly C says
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    The Sea Scope would be lots of fun!

  51. Ann B says
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    I think the Imaginets are cool..

  52. Erin Rok says
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    I would also like to have the imaginets for my daughter

  53. Andrea says
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    I also like the look of the
    Imaginets
    andrea.kruse at gmail dot com

  54. Fawn H says
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    I like the Qwirkle game

  55. Sylvia White says
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    I like the Bucket Blast game

  56. Lexigurl/ Alexandra H says
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    I like the extreme dot to dot

  57. Debbie jackson says
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    love the imaginets and want to get some

  58. Heather Augenstein says
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    Ooooh. We would LOVE the Colorku puzzle. Talk about a great selection!

  59. EMMA L HORTON says
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    WE LIKE THE DODGE TAG GAME

  60. Ashley Hatten says
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    I like all their educational toys they have! thanks!

  61. Debbie Markel says
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    i like the toy box also qwirkle all is nice

  62. rebeka deleon says
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    i like the imaginets.

  63. Misty Smith says
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    I would love to get the RootVue Farm

  64. D Schmidt says
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    Another great item is the Lets Play School Set

  65. Brenda F says
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    Love the coupon card! Cute!!

  66. crystle tellerday says
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    i like the microscope set

  67. Lindsey Aylward says
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    The let’s play school set looks like fun too.

  68. kris says
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    Talking Microscope

  69. Kathleen Downes says
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    Dodge Tag looks like a lot of fun.

  70. Michele Behlen says
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    I like the Let’s Play School Set.

  71. Christina says
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    Oh cool… I like the Forensic Science Detective’s Toolkit! I think hubby and son would like that!

  72. Carolyn Ann Colley (Griffith, Smith) says
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    I like the HoneyComb Tumbler
    thanks for the giveaway

  73. Catie says
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    I love Colorku!

  74. Sue Hull says
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    I’m a huge fan of Mindware. I’ve been ordering designs to color books for years. They have lots of cool learning things for kids. I’d love to win this for my neices.

  75. Lori Thomas says
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    My son would like The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game

  76. Heather H says
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    Let’s Play School Set

  77. Rosanne says
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    I like how it authorizes scanned credit cards. a cash register that is up to date

  78. Nikki Bergin says
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    I like that it’s educational

  79. Jessica says
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    I would also love the Ideal First Construction Sets

  80. Amanda Alvarado says
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    I want the Marble Run! Not sure dd has enough patience for it yet though! 🙂

  81. Jennifer Hedden says
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    I like the Let’s Play School Set.

  82. Kristy Babcock says
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    My son would love the Take A-Part Vehicle. Thank you.

  83. Joy F says
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    I like the Let’s Play School Set

  84. Brandi Elam says
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    I like the straws & connectors!

  85. Jude Skocki Kelly says
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    I really love how the coins in this look so real. This will really aid in teaching kids the difference in a dime and a quarter. I am really impressed

  86. Irene says
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    The dot to dot books are wonderful . Great selection

  87. Elizabeth Groves says
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    Design & Drill Activity Center looks really cool!

  88. Elizabeth Groves says
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    The Design & Drill Activity Center looks really cool!

  89. Barbara says
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    Wow! I’ve had my eye on this for a while. My three year old fighter has taken a keen interest in money lately, and since she already knows my two ‘C’ words (coupon ad clearance), this would be a fun tool to expand on her knowledge! 🙂

  90. Monique Rizzo says
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    The “Lets play school” set is so cool!!
    Thanks for the chance.
    mogrill12@gmail.com

  91. Mommas Bacon says
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    I love the Talking Microscope!

  92. Kerry says
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    my son and i would love the Marble Run

  93. Kelly D says
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    I like the Spell It game. It would help my son learn how to spell better.

  94. tamra childers says
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    i like the ColorKu game

  95. Allyson Bossie says
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    I love the take apart Vehicles! My son takes EVERYTHING apart! Might as well encourage his creative brain!

  96. K.Pugh says
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    I like the Perplexus Puzzles. Thanks for the chance.

  97. susan varney says
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    i like the glow rocks

  98. david basile says
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    Glow Rocks are very cool

  99. Rochel S says
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    I like their Marble Run

  100. SHANNA says
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    ALSO LOVE Marble Run and Add-on Set

  101. Angie m says
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    I liked the 100 Classic Storybooks DVD Treasury #1

  102. LaTanya says
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    Bright, Bold and Brain-bending!

  103. Amanda Starr says
    at

    They have a lot of cool products like the Space Age Crystals and Play & Freeze Ice Cream Maker are just two my family would enjoy

  104. lisa kay says
    at

    I like the
    Zingo game….

  105. lisa kay says
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    I really Love this cash register and the Love of learning that it
    can instill in our Children..
    Thanks for the Great Giveaway!!

  106. Edith says
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    I like take-a-part vehicles

  107. Michelle Macaluso says
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    I like the Rainbow Mosaic Pattern Puzzles

  108. Tina M says
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    I like the talking microscope

  109. Paul T / Pauline T says
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    I like the Glow Rocks and Incredible Inflatables

  110. Angela says
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    I like how it authorizes scanned credit cards

  111. Shannon M Gallagher says
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    I would love to get the Extreme Dot to Dot book for my nephew! He loves dot to dot puzzles!

  112. Karen Joyce says
    at

    I LOVE the Extreme Dot to Dot Books! SO much fun!

  113. Kelly L. says
    at

    They have a 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! policy

  114. Mayla M says
    at

    I could see my boys playing with Contraptions for hours! Thanks for the giveaway.!

  115. Tammy R. says
    at

    Love the Tangoes Jr. It is great for hand/eye coordination.

  116. Heidi Daily says
    at

    I like the bucket blast game I think it would be a fun way to get kids moving

  117. Carolsue says
    at

    I’d love to get the Recon Rover for my son!

  118. Lauren says
    at

    I like that it is fun and educational!

  119. Kristen says
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    I like the Rainbow Mosaic Pattern Puzzles.

  120. Charlee Hall says
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    I want the pizza mania math game

  121. Rebecca Orr says
    at

    I also like the Imaginets set. It looks like an intriguing game. bekki1820cb at gmail dot com

  122. Dwayne Berry says
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    I like the Rainbow Mosaic Pattern Puzzles.

  123. Kathy Davis says
    at

    I like the Archiquest Building Blocks .

  124. Irma Hernandez says
    at

    My son would like the Maze craze sampler and the design & drill activity center.

  125. Irma Hernandez says
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    I had never heard of Mindware, I like that they have alot of fun educational games. Thanks for the giveaway…

  126. Azslyn Cole says
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    I like the MindWare Colored Pencils

  127. Jessica E Ledford says
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    My daughter would love the Let’s Play School Set!

  128. tess says
    at

    i like the incredible inflatables
    tcogbill at live dot com

  129. tamra childers says
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    My son would love the ColorKu game, Suduku in color

  130. Thuy Vu says
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    My son is in Kindergarten and they are just learning how to count money. This would be perfect for him.

  131. kelly g says
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    the inflatable ball

  132. Chevelle Sopkin says
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    I think my son would love the Let’s Play School Set 🙂
    Thank you!

  133. Trasina McGahey says
    at

    I also like the Get Up and Go Games
    A Play-Anywhere Puppy Scaventure Hunt

  134. holly says
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    i like the number and alphabet squeeze blocks

  135. Anne Nack says
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    I like the Contraptions toy.

  136. Jennifer M. says
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    The Design and drill activity center.

  137. Gladys Parker says
    at

    The 6-in-1 Solar Education Kit
    Gladys P
    sps1113 at yahoo dot com

  138. Francine Anchondo says
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    I like Pattern Play

  139. Jennifer says
    at

    My 2 year old son would love the LEGO® DUPLO Deluxe Brick Box!

  140. Sam Eagle(Stephanie Mago-Eagle) says
    at

    I like & want the 100 Classic Storybooks DVD Treasury #1

  141. Danielle Papsis says
    at

    I would like to have the Topanimo Stacking Circus

  142. Hoa Le says
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    I also like the Wobble Deck .

  143. Seyma Shabbir says
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    Love how the website has games and toys categorized by age!

  144. johnny-amy lynn says
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    Mindware Microscope Set

  145. Christine says
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    I want the Perplexus Puzzles

  146. Lisa Williams says
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    I like the Imaginets.

  147. mframe says
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    I would love to have the Imaginets

  148. Jodi Kershuk says
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    I like the ideal First Construction Sets

  149. heather eg kaufmanh says
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    Perplexus puzzle looks interesting.

  150. gina says
    at

    SmartMax Basic: 36 piecesA Magnetic Introduction to Building

  151. cynthia layton says
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    i want the my chocolate workshop

  152. clynsg says
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    I also like the puzzles–would start with the 4D Animal Puzzles for my grandson.

  153. Brittany C says
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    I really like their Let’s Play School Set! Thanks for the giveaway!

  154. julie willingham says
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    I love mindware, the conectagons are favorites in our house

  155. sarah says
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    I like the 100 Classic Storybooks DVD Treasury #2

  156. Shirley Hicks says
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    I like the Microscope Set

  157. Paula Tavernie says
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    I like The Get Up And Go Game!
    ptavernie at yahoo dot com

  158. Jessica Hays says
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    My child would love the chef set!!

    jessicaahays at hotmaild dot com

  159. Tara Liebing says
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    I would like to get the connectagons for my son

  160. Allison says
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    I think the Sun Art Paper looks fun!

  161. Tiffany Hearn says
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    My kids would also love the Microscope Kit and Book!

  162. Rebecca Peters says
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    I also like the tornado maker

  163. Eileen says
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    I like their contraption catapult!

  164. shawna says
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    I love the imaginets.

  165. Brandi says
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    I like the Coloku puzzle!

  166. Debra Hall says
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    Classic Tangram Puzzles for Beginners

  167. mike s. says
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    My son isn’t quite ready for money math yet, but he will be by his birthday in a few months. I’d love to give this to him as a gift then. Thanks.

  168. Renee Richardson says
    at

    I love the Recon Rover. Thanks for the awesome giveaway 🙂

    Renee
    fattybumpkins at yahoo dot com

  169. Kelly Falcone says
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    I want the quirkle game : )

  170. Roxann Clark says
    at

    I like the Block buddies.

  171. Larissa brunken says
    at

    I think the learning school looks like fun

  172. Penny B W says
    at

    Boochie looks like a lot of fun!

  173. jessica schueler says
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    i like the lets play school set

  174. Valerie Taylor Mabrey says
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    Imaginets
    vmkids3 at msn dot com

  175. Dawn Reid says
    at

    I like the Recon Rover
    mightynaynay(at)cs.com

  176. Caryn S says
    at

    I like the Tornado Maker

  177. Lindsey says
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    I like that they have Highlights Hidden Pictures books, great product even 30 years later!!!

  178. amy c. says
    at

    would love to check out pizza mania

  179. Robin Blankenship says
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    My kids would love Contraptions Catapult

  180. Amber Carter says
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    I like the pattern play set

  181. amy deeter says
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    like the extreme dot to dot
    amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com

  182. Kendal Barriere says
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    the play register also has math games on it

  183. Barbara Hunt says
    at

    I will be ordering my next child’s present from them!

  184. Heather R says
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    I also like the Perplexus Puzzles

  185. Virginia Rowell says
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    My kids would love the glow rocks.

  186. Whitney Jordan says
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    We have the Original Perplexus but would love to try this one, too: http://www.mindware.com/p/Rookie-Perplexus/52031

  187. Victoria R. says
    at

    This is an awesome site! I’m loving their Imaginets, too!

  188. Angela Cisco says
    at

    My kids would have a lot of fun with Connectagons

  189. christina moore says
    at

    I would like the Lady Bug pillow racer for my granddaughter

  190. Solange says
    at

    I like it! I have seen others kids play with it and they love it!

  191. Lisa S/Lisa's Free Stuff says
    at

    I love the Extreme Dot to Dot

  192. McKim says
    at

    I like the Take-A-Part Vehicles

  193. Lisa Garner says
    at

    I like the Get Up and Go Games
    A Play-Anywhere Puppy Scaventure Hunt

  194. Corey Olomon says
    at

    ColorKu looks like fun

  195. Carrie M says
    at

    I think my daughter would like the Take-A-Part Airplane

  196. huston smith says
    at

    I like the handy dandy projects for dad

  197. Michelle H. says
    at

    I like Let’s Play School.

  198. Reejen says
    at

    I also think my children would enjoy the Contraptions 200 Plank Set.
    reejen at comcast dot net

  199. Lisa says
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    I absolutely love this cash register, my daughter loves trying to count with money! I think this would be perfect for her!

  200. C.P. says
    at

    I learned that Mindware is accredited with the BBB. That is a huge plus in my book! I also fell in love with the “Let’s Play School” kit!

  201. Gianna says
    at

    Contraptions Catapult.

  202. Michelle says
    at

    My son would LOVE the Design & Drill Activity Center. Thanks for the giveaway!

  203. Kim Reid says
    at

    I like the Where In The World? Game !
    Thanks 🙂

  204. Christie Kammerer says
    at

    I love the Colorku puzzle, it looks pretty cool.

  205. Gina Ferrell says
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    I like the Imaginets set.

  206. Karine Traverse says
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    The Contraptions 200 Plank Set looks really cool

  207. Sand says
    at

    I would like to have the Qwirkle game.

  208. DanV says
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    I like the Q-bitz game

  209. Lisa L says
    at

    The Cat in the Hat I Can Do That! Game looks like fun

  210. Lily Kwan says
    at

    I learned that Jeanne Voigt started MindWare in 1990 with a small retail store in the Uptown area of Minneapolis.