Labyrinth Balance Boards (made in the U.S. with FSC certified wood): Review and Giveaway!

It's almost the beginning of stick season in Vermont. When the leaves fall, all the color drains from the landscape, and we see trees, sans leaves, for about six months. November, stick season, is the in between when the leaves fall and before the snow really flies.

November is known around here for cold rain, cold temperatures, and not much beauty. I've been trying to get the kids outside as much as possible, but in November, it is a real challenge.

So I find it very good fortune that I was sent a Labyrinth Balance Board to review, when we are indoors for more than I would like to be. You've got to love this board that promotes balance, coordination, motor skills, brain development and is just plain good fun.

Here's what it is: It is an oval board, with two outlines of feet, and a maze, or labyrinth in the middle. Three balls are placed in the middle, and the goal is to get the balls from the inside of the labyrinth, to the outside, by moving on the balance board. My 4 and a half year old jumped on it immediately, and started with one ball. She's since progressed to 2 and 3 balls. We were sent a Labyrinth Balance Board, for ages 5+. It is workable for my oldest, but too hard yet for my youngest, who is two. If I wanted one for her, I could buy the Labyrinth Balance Board junior, for kids ages 3-5, which is a little smaller but the same idea.

There are lots of variations of how you can use this toy. It is important to know that it has varying skill levels. When first trying out the game, it is easiest to start from the middle and work your way out. Once that has been mastered, try starting from the outside and working your way to the middle (more difficult). Adding another marble or two then adds additional challenge. Adding a time element can also make it interesting. Since my kids are younger, they are just exploring at this point but I am happy this toy has lots of years of use ahead of it.

These toys have won Creative Toy Awards from Creative Child Magazine in the year 2005. There are a great way for your child to get moving inside, building skills and coordination. And no guilt or safety worries: they are made in the U.S. (love that) with sustainably harvested wood that is FSC certified.

AND-- (you've been waiting for this) I have one Labyrinth Balance Board to giveaway one lucky Non-Toxic Kids reader. Just post a comment here, by October 27th. Add your email address (avoid spam, write at instead of @, and dot instead of .), and get extra entries for tweeting this post, following us on Twitter and Facebook, and linking to this post. The winner will be picked at random, and entries need to be from the continental U.S. Good luck!

You can buy Labyrinth Balance Boards at Museum Tour. These boards make a wonderful holiday or birthday present any child.