Borders sells a huge selection of toys and games. You’re going to find your favorite educational brands, and lots of favorite characters and games in the expanded Borders Toys & Games section in over 500 stores. I was blown away by the huge selection, and spent several hours browsing all the toys and games trying to decide what to spend the $100 gift card on that Borders gave me as part of sponsoring this giveaway. Two lucky readers will win a $100 Borders Gift Card. You need to live close enough to a Borders store to be able to pick-up your gift card if you win!
What did I buy?
I was a little worried I might have a hard time spending $100 on toys and games at Borders. But the selection was so diverse and they featured some of my favorite toy brands (like Melissa & Doug, Battat, Creativity for Kids, Chicco and ALEX toys), so I had no problem finding great educational toys and games for my kids. I spent almost exactly $100 and I bought: Battat Take-A-Part Airplane, Melissa & Doug Responsibility Magnetic Chart, Melissa & Doug Magnetic Calendar, Frog & Toad Adventure Game, Thomas Making Tracks Game, Chimp and Zee Pesky Pirates Game and then a few small toys; diving toys, recorder plus a children’s book to donate to a local charity. You can buy a book to donate at your store in the nationwide Borders Charity Book Drive, just ask the cashier about it!
Key to Saving at Borders
I found that Borders prices on toys and games was similar to prices at other retailers. But Borders offers high-value coupons and promotions which give you huge savings! If I would have purchased these toys without the advantage of the Borders promotions and coupons, they would have cost me over $150. So by using a 30% off one item coupon, understanding that if I bought 2 toys I’d get the 3rd one for free, and buying two Melissa & Doug toys at “Buy 1 Get 1 Half-Off”, I got everything for about 33% off the sticker price. That’s a great sale on these toys and games, and hard to beat if you made the exact same purchase at another store. But that’s the other wonderful feature I noticed about the Borders toy and game selection – it’s not comparable to other stores I shop at. Sure I’d find a few of these products at other stores, but not all in the same place.
Melissa & Doug
Buy 1 Get 1 50% off
You’ve got until December 28 to walk into your local Borders and take advantage of the “Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off” sale on all Melissa & Doug wooden toys and puzzles. I love this toy brand, and I love this sale! You really have to check out the Melissa & Doug toy and puzzle selection, because at my Borders store it was really impressive. See that photo I took on the left? Multiply that by four and that’s how many different Melissa & Doug products they carry! I was so excited to get the Magnetic Responsibility Chart for my kids, and then I had to get the Magnetic Calendar too because my 4-yr old loves to play with calendars and sing the “7 Days of the Week” song.
Coupons & FreebiEvents
Sign-up for Borders Email for coupons and you’ll also find out about all the upcoming free kids events. This Saturday is the Polar Express Pajama Party with storytime and hot cocoa served! You’ve also got to sign-up for your free Borders Rewards card because you need it to use the exclusive member coupons. I actually forgot to put mine in my wallet, but the cashier was able to quickly look it up. And I can’t mention Borders without mentioning the free dessert on your birthday because this is a birthday freebie I use to celebrate my birthday with. You should also look at your receipts because they often put Borders Cafe coupons on them. See how easy it is to save money at Borders?
Buy $50 Borders Gift Cards, Get Bonus $10 Gift Card
Even if you aren’t going to give gift cards, you could always buy these for yourself to use! You get an extra $10 gift card when you buy two $25 gift cards. This special gift card offer is only available online, and thanks goes to John for telling me about it!
C
onnect with Borders
So many ways to connect with your favorite book (toy, and game) store! You can follow @Borders on Twitter. You can become a fan of Borders on Facebook. You can listen to the Book Club Podcasts. You can get updates to the Borders Blog (they host giveaways there too!).
Enter this Giveaway
This giveaway will close Tuesday, December 1 at midnight (CST). I’ll announce the first name of the winner in a new post after the giveaway closes and contact the winners by email. I will draw the names of the winners by using the random number generator at Random.org from the eligible entries received. If a winner does not contact me within 48 hours by email, I will draw a new winner. This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States who are 18 years of age or older. The winners will receive their prize directly from Borders, who will coordinate an in-store pickup at a Borders store near them.
You must complete this form to enter this giveaway. If you can’t view the entry form below click here. If you still can’t view the form, please email me with your name, zipcode, and what you’d spend $100 in the Borders Toys & Games section and the subject line “Borders Giveaway”. Please enter this giveaway only once per household.
Browse the Borders Toys & Games section online, and see what brands they carry in-store to help you answer the question below.
This giveaway has closed.
Good luck and remember that you need to complete the form to enter this giveaway. You are welcome and encouraged to post comments here, but any comments will not be considered as entries in this giveaway. Just for fun, please copy your answer to the question in my form above, and leave it as a comment. What toys & games would you buy with $100 at Borders? Be as specific or general as you want!
Thanks for entering and come back after Tuesday, December 1 to find out who won! If you’re also hosting this giveaway on your blog, please email me and I’ll add your link!
Freebies 4 Mom Giveaway Disclosure: Borders sponsored this giveaway by providing a $100 Borders gift card for me to keep and two $100 gift cards to give away to randomly selected winners. I did not receive any other compensation from Borders for reviewing their store or products. My review is my honest opinion based on my own experience shopping at Borders, and is not reviewed or edited by Borders. For more information about how reviews and giveaways are conducted on Freebies 4 Mom, please read my Disclosure Policy.
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I would buy brain puzzles for my niece and nephew. And some nice new travel books for my wife and for my father. I would also buy my daughter some fun stuffed toys for her one year birthday.zayin_451@hotmail.com
I really like Melissa and Doug stuff as well as all the thoughtful, interactive games they sell for adults. I would probably pick up a few Christmas gifts for my little brothers and in-laws.Borders is our favorite "Date" place though. We like to wander through holding hands and use our email coupons. :)
I would use it to buy as many toys and gifts as I possibly can.I would take advantage at the same time of any deals they have able to combine too. Books are great and so are games.thank youamanda_dillen@yahoo.com
Ruby and the Booker Boys series; Olu's Big Dream; and make your own toys or jewelry sets for my kids. They love to read and put together things!
I always thought my son would enjoy the Rush Hour games andthe science kits look great!
I would buy lots of American Girl stuff ! http://www.icoulduseadeal.blogspot.com
Definitely the magnetic calender, then any bord games with trains or trucks, and science projects. We just made our first borax crystals ornaments and the boys were thrilled. Anita
If I had a $100 Borders gift card then I would begin in The Best For Babies Through Toddlers section is where I would start first. I like the See Through World build a story set and the Mix stack and splash set. Oh and we would have to throw in Beckett the Bear. Then we would move on to the Best for 4 Years and Up and add The Dino Dig. Then moving on up to the Best for 6 Years and Up section for the older children we find Disgusting Science. That one is sure to please the twins. Crossing my fingers.Happy Holidays to all!
What fun for you. I love the Melissa and Doug stuff. My kids adore all of the items. Love your site too. Great stuff.
I would buy my son a few new board books to add to his burgeoning library, as well as treat him to a couple of new Melissa and Doug puzzles. He adores the large peg puzzles, as well as the ones that make noises when you put the piece in the right slot!
I would get a couple of Melissa and Doug puzzles for my daughter, Legos for my youngest son and some CD's for my oldest son.nhmummab@comcast.net
I'd buy my kids (four year old triplets) Melissa and Doug puzzles, as they love those. I'd get my daughter the Fancy Nancy books and myself the new Dan Ryan book. My husband loves books on CD, so with the coupons I receive from Borders all the time, I'm certain I could squeak one of those into the mix also.
I would buy educational games and books for my 5 & 8 yr. old granddaughters!
puzzles, puzzles, puzzles!
Anything that will be educational and fun for my 6 month old son for Christmas! He also loves books so we would definitely be stocking up on those.
I would buy Melissa & Doug products for my boys.
I would like to purchase many different toys for my 3 little ones.
Christmas is going to be tight this year so I would buy some books for my 16 year old – mainly history and science. Since my son also draws a name for one of his cousins to buy a Christmas present, I'll also use it to buy books or games, depending on which cousin he gets!
Not just this time of year but all year has been difficult just to get the basic necessities and am on a very TIGHT budget! Both my children love to read so I would to get them some books, maybe allow them to pick out what interest them but I did see something other then books that they would like…….. My boy would love Bakugan and Legos and for my princess she would absolutely love all the American girl mini-dolls. With this large amount, I could possibly sneak in something for me right? :) Thanks for the entry!
Money games would be great to donate to our elementary school that has just started a math mentor program! Magnetic puzzles would be great for the car for travels over the holidays. And with 4 kids, we can never have enough books!
I would buy as many Melissa and Doug toys that I could buy and then donate them all to the local holiday toy drive. Those toys are so well made and they last forever.WDWGRANDFLO@aol.com
I would love to get toys and games geared towards my 2 y/o son as well as my 11 and 15 y/o daughters. Some of the items on my list for my son would be: Rainbow color cones! Farm finger crayons! Sorting shapes cupcakes! Place a face! Mix, Stack, & Splash! And for my daughters: Scene IT: Twilight Edition (of course!)! Games and Fun w/Playing Cards! CosmoGirl Games: Cryptograms!
i'm not sure. But something that good for little boys:)
I would love to buy my daughter some puzzles, and the magnetic responsibility chart and magnetic calendar. I also like the finger crayons, the alphabet flash cards, and their matching games. I hope I win… what a great opportunity toget some great toys for my kids!
I would buy anything I could get my hands on ^_^ My husband and I *love* Borders and I would use it to buy Christmas stuff for us and for my daughter! She loves it when we go there to buy the next book in a series cause she can go run and be free in the childrens area LOL
-eric carle touch & feel stroller cards-mix, stack & farm/splash/beep blocks-sorting shapes cupcakes-all the american girl mini-dolls!
I would definitely be picking up some of those Melissa & Doug toys! We love this brand in my house. I would also look for the calendar and the responsibility chart. My 8 1/2 year son and 2 1/2 year old daughter would love these things. They both act much older for their ages and play great together and love to sing about everything! Thanks for this opportunity, I love your blog and visit daily!!!
I love the melissa and Doug toys! Also, my 1yr. old loves books so we love Borders for their great children's section. Great Giveaway!
I would use my $100 gift card for CHRISTMAS SHOPPING – children's books (Usborne, Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, The Hungry Hungry Caterpillar, etc.), stocking stuffers galore, and some books on sewing and knitting for me. :o)
I would buy a couple Melissa and Doug toys for my girls and use the remainder of the card for gifts (books, CDs and DVDs) for our local library. We LOVE our library system!! I am on the library website a few times a week ordering books, CDs, and DVDs for the whole family (my 3 year old daughter especially). It's a great resource and a few times a year we make a donation of money or new book, CDs and DVDs to give back a little to the library and the whole community really. Thanks for the chance to win!
I would def buy some Melissa and Doug puzzles and probably some books for my little guy. I love Borders by the way!! My fav bookstore.
My kids all love books! For my oldest son, I would purchase the Harry Potter series. For my younger son, I would purchase some easy reader books as well as some maze books. ( He loves doing mazes!) For my daughter, I would purchase some girlie books. She is the youngest and is stuck with lots of 'boy' books. I know I would also purchase some Thomas trains (my kids love playing with these in the store) and some games. I would also have each of my kids pick out a book or toy to donate to Toys for Tots.
Probably something for my Granddaughter. I'd have to look and see what calls out to me :) I'd also have to get 2, More time moms family organizer 2010 calendars. One for me and one for my daughter. We LOVE that calendar!
Money is really tight this year, I would love to buy my daughter new holiday books.
I would def buy Melissa and doug items and books. My boys love all books and games I get them but I have been eyeing the charts.
It's a hard choice! We like to read books before bed, and my 4 year old is into all sorts of adventure stories like pirates and knights. I love the creativity behind many of the Melissa & Doug products. We recently bought a "princess mirror" that could be decorated for my son's favorite playmate. I"m always looking to expand the games at our house too!
I have 9 children ages 4 months up to 16 years old. I think I could find things for any age! But since we homeschool I would probably go first educational games.
Melissa & Doug puzzles! My 2-yr-old twins can't get enough of them :)
Since I am a home school mom on a very TIGHT budget, this would come in so handy for school related items and maybe a few Christmas presents for some of my neices and nephews!!We love science, so the science kits would be wonderful–I will have a hard time deciding which to pick!I think my 4 yr. old daughter would love the Hello Kitty Bingo.My twin nephews would like Pirates of the Tub. :)
Sorry, I didn't copy it. Was too busy entering my name. :). But I did write that I would definitely get the Melissa & Dougs puzzles. My son love puzzles. Also I would have to look to see what other toy they have. I'm sure my son would love every toy there
I would buy the Now and Then books about towns in Arizona, and then give them to my dad or father-in-law, I would still get to read them and I would also get credit for a great gift.
I absolutely love Melissa and Doug!! No doubt that's what I'd spend my $100 on – anything Melissa and Doug!
I love children's books as much as my son, so I would go crazy on books.
You can also combine the Mellissa and Doug Buy one get one 50% off with the buy 2 get one free deal.So you pay full price for one toy, 50% for the second and the third is free!I got my son 2 puzzles and a tool set for just over $16 this way!
I would buy Melissa and Doug games and also some new puzzles and games for gifts!
I would buy pregnancy and baby books for our family and books for my fourth grade classroom : )
I have 5 children ages 5 to 19 so any of the toy's in there they would love.
$100 at Boarders would be wonderful! Part would probably go to helping my husband by the books he needs for school, definitely some would go to buying books for my daughter who loves to read. New books can be so expensive…That magnetic responsibility chart looks so cool!
I would buy Bakugan and Legos for my son while for my daughter I would buy the book "Pinkalicious" plus the Melissa & Doug Magnetic Dress Up dolls.
I didn't copy this word for word… so I'll paraphrase. :) My 2-year-old would LOVE the Melissa & Doug magnetic puzzles and travel sets. They're so well made and convenient. My 5-year-old has been asking lots of questions about money, and I noticed some "money" and counting games. Perfect! Finally, my 7-year-old has been begging for a science kit. There are MANY to choose from at Borders. Thanks!!
Amy Carter said: I would use to to buy toys/books for my friend who is raising her 1 1/2 yr. old grandson while her daughter gets "on her feet". My friends husband lost his job several months ago, so I know it would be a HUGE blessing and surprise to her.
My two year old is really into dinosaurs right now. So, I would get a few dino books,My First Dino Digging Kit, Dino matching game, and a few craft items. Toom many great items!