Perhaps you’ve noticed that I don’t do many product reviews here on the blog. That’s mainly because KFDC focuses on events, activities, and places to enjoy with kids around the DC area. Also, I simply don’t have the time. So, if I am reviewing a product, you likely can assume it’s for something good. And Nene Imagination Puzzles are good, really good, in my opinion.
Pretty penguins, birds, and butterflies
I was intrigued from the first email I received from the puzzle creators. For starters, I love hearing about parents who re-routed their careers or created something novel with the new insight and lifestyle that comes from having children — it’s inspiring and something I can relate to. This was the case with local parents Ade Luque and CJ Krizan, both economists who became interested in toys and games for their twins and decided to develop their own. What really drew me in, however, were the puzzles themselves — or the descriptions of them, anyway, when Ade first reached out to me:
We currently make two kinds of puzzles: Puzzles Without Borders (‘Animal & Friends’ series) and Tiles of Infinity. Each puzzle contains 2 or 3 shapes that can be used to create an extensive variety of patterns. Each of the shapes fits together in a certain way, but nearly each time you put the shapes together, a different pattern emerges. You can choose to put the pieces together randomly and watch a pattern emerge effortlessly, or create a planned pattern.
A team effort
Sounds pretty awesome, right? Watching the puzzles being demo-ed on the website sealed the deal, and I asked them to send some samples for my kids to try for themselves. When they arrived and Sasha gave them the first test-run, my initial reaction was to the aesthetics, the pretty, complementary colors and super cute animal designs coming together so pleasantly. And seeing every single piece fit together in some way to form interesting, whimsical, and beautiful designs is kind of riveting. On top of that, it’s fun, like free-style puzzle playing (I guarantee that parents will want to try them, too).
Sasha designs with turtles, squid, and ray
The verdict: They are a hit! Both of my kids really dig the puzzles, Sasha (5) mainly plays with the Puzzles Without Borders, while Owen (8) enjoys creating designs using the Tiles of Infinity. And I love seeing their minds, particularly their imaginations, at work.
Owen and friend create a fireball breathing dragon
Taking a turn with the Tiles of Infinity
Nene Imagination Puzzles are available for purchase online for $21.99 or you can find them at local retailers. You can also enter the giveaway for a chance to win one.
Giveaway: Three winners will be selected, as I have one of each of Penguins & Friends, Turtles & Friends, and Tiles of Infinity to give away. To enter, simply leave a comment below telling me one item on your child’s holiday gift wish list. To be eligible, you need to subscribe to KidFriendly DC (see the sign-up on the upper left hand side of the blog) and “like” KFDC on Facebook. This giveaway will run through the weekend, and a winner will be drawn at random and notified shortly thereafter. Good Luck!
A “boy shaver” (toy razor)
My 3 girls want a sewing machine with all the goodies.
My son wants legos and I have no idea what to get my daughter — tiles of infinity, hopefully!
Wish list item on my 4-yr old son’s list is the beach house lego set
Hape doll house
Wish list item for my 3 year old son includes play-doh and art supplies, and for my 1 1/2 year old daughter, doll accessories.
My daughter wants games for family time. I love her.
My son is wishing for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle lair.
Something with the DC flag on it, new fleece pajamas, and robot-building stuff.
My son wants some Magna Tiles with wheels so he can build cars and trucks.
Hot wheels !
Thankfully my two kids only have 1 item each on their Hanukah gift list. Either they are really naive or we have been doing a half decent job with realistic expectations…either way I’ll take it. These puzzles look great so would love to give them one bonus present!
My son really wants a sled for Hanukkah!
My daughter wants everything frozen.
my son loves Dusty Crophopper the plane.
my daughter loves books and games so I’m sure she’ll find some in her stocking! These puzzles look great and I’m excited to learn more about them.
My daughter has recently discovered Nancy Clancy chapter books and wants them all!
My son wants the DVD Walking With Dinosaurs and anything else to do with dinosaurs
Sorry — I like you on Facebook as JenniferAnne Keefer
“Something that I would like, but don’t know about it yet” 🙂
My soon to be five year old daughter Cleo has asked for very little for her birthday and Xmas so far except a jewelry box that plays music and has a ballerina that twirls when the lid opens.
Both of my boys want Olaf to come and visit. I think they will have to settle for a stuffed Olaf.
My kids have magna tiles on their wish list as well as a trampoline
These puzzles look great! My son just learned how to write the word “puzzle” in his wish-list:) He would also like anything related to “How to Train your Dragon” movies and I have to start coming up with ideas soon.
My twin boys have been ready for bikes for a while – so we’re set to get them some balance bikes for Christmas (or the grandparents!), but haven’t chosen the brand yet. I like the wooden ones… Great puzzles!
My daughter only asked for one thing for Christmas–jelly beans 🙂 but these puzzles are amazing! May have to add these to Santa’s list.
An Elsa hat and more Legos.
And thanks for the review. Unless we win them in your giveaway, I’ll be buying at least one set of these for Christmas. They look awesome and the creators are my coworkers.
My son is obsessed with marble runs. Trying to find one with a small footprint. Sigh.
My 3 yo son wants an umbrella and a pair of gloves… to match his big sisters!
These puzzles seem awesome! My 3-year-old daughter seems a little daunted by the possibilities – she doesn’t yet know what she wants for Xmas!
My three-year-old wants “glass slippers”.
My toddler, who is usually all into pink and princesses, has requested a lion! I am very excited.
ride on luggage!
She asked for a piano
My son wants a pirate ship and my daughter wants a felting kit.
My son wants a telescope for young kids and my daughter wants a pink interactive computer for toddlers that teaches letters, counting, shapes, songs and picture matching.
Well, the latest thing is a ‘grow to pro’ pogo stick. We’ll see, they’re a bit pricy. I had no idea there’s an extreme sports pogo edition. Very hair raising. 🙂
Books, books, and more books! Totally ok with that.
Little sparkly purses!
A bike – with pedals, and a basket for a babydoll, and a bell, and purple, with sparkles, and stickers, and princesses. Yes, my daughter is 3 1/2…
Fun giveaway! I was just looking at those popular magnetic tiles but this looks like a fun alternative since I’m not sure if my nieces already have the other ones. Anyway, as far as wish list, my 8 year old daughter wants action figures. I’m not really sure what she means by that so I’ll have to do a little digging!!
Getting my 2 girls scooters from Micro Kickboard, inc. They’ll be able to use them for quite a while.
Playmobil fairies is on the list this year!
This is a great puzzle concept! I should know, since I’ve been producing for many years the puzzles that these are a knock-off of. My puzzles include “Kites & Darts” (which “Tiles of Infinity” copies) and “In the Ocean”, which has squids, rays, and sea turtles (which just happens to be the same motifs in “Turtle and Friends”). They even used the same material I use, magnet-backed foam.