Playing by the book

Reviews of kids' books and the crazy, fun stuff they inspire us to do

Summer Holiday Life Savers

Posted on | July 5, 2011 | 114 Comments

***This giveaway is now closed***



With (UK) summer holidays just around the corner I’ve started thinking about how we’re going to make the most my extra time with my two young girls, having lots of fun AND staying sane. One magic resource I have prepared in my box of tricks is a stack of “activity books” for the girls.

To find out what I mean by activity books and why I think they can be so great, do head on over to Tasha’s blog, WAHM-BAM, where I’m reviewing a wide range of said books today, and explaining why they are indeed Summer Holiday Life Savers for me, M and J.

My post at WAHM-BAM is part of a week long celebration of books which Tasha is hosting – do be sure to check out all her great posts and guest posts that are part of her Book Week.

But before you go, leave me a comment about what you think of activity books. Doing so will give you a chance to win a fantastic Summer Holiday Life Saver Pack worth over £45…

Thanks to the incredibly generous folk at Derwent Pencils I have a gorgeous set of art materials to give away to one lucky reader. The set is made up of an Inktense Pencils 12 tin, an Inktense Block 12 tin, a small waterbrush and a pack of Grippers.

In addition to these fab materials, I’m throwing in a copy of Everybody’s Activity Book (which features in my article at WAHM-BAM).

If you would like to be in with a chance of winning this bundle of goodies simply leave a comment on this post :-)


If you want extra chances to win this Summer Holiday Life Saver set set you can:


  • Tweet about this giveaway. Please use this text or something similar: @playbythebook is giving away a fantastic set of @derwentpencils art materials & an activity book over at http://bit.ly/jZjLJt


  • Mention this giveaway on your blog


  • Link to this giveaway from your Facebook page



    • For any of the extra entries to count you must leave a separate comment here on this post saying what extra chance you’ve gone for (eg tweeted about the giveaway etc).

    This giveaway:

  • is open worldwide
  • is open until 6am (UK time) 12th July 2011



    • The winners will be selected randomly with the help of random.org, and announced here on Playing by the book sometime during the day on 12th July. Good Luck!



    ***This giveaway is now closed***

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    Category: Art, Boredom, Giveaways, Guest Posts

    Comments

    114 Responses to “Summer Holiday Life Savers”

    1. Katherine A
      July 5th, 2011 @ 10:08 am

      Ooooh. I would love to win these fabulous things. I love activity books. A life saver in the early hours of the evening, waiting in church, doctors, dentist. Please enter me.

    2. Katherine A
      July 5th, 2011 @ 10:10 am

      I tweeted about the giveaway. @mumoffunkids

    3. jo
      July 5th, 2011 @ 10:11 am

      what a lovely set – perferct to wile away the summer holidays :)

    4. melanie stirling
      July 5th, 2011 @ 10:11 am

      What a fantastic prize!My husband and sons are always drawing so this would be great for them!

    5. Katherine A
      July 5th, 2011 @ 10:11 am

      I shared on FB too.

    6. Julie Davies
      July 5th, 2011 @ 10:12 am

      fabulous giveaway, I’ve always loved pens, pencils etc and activity books and my children are just the same so this would really keep them occupied

    7. Julie Davies
      July 5th, 2011 @ 10:12 am

      have tweeted @juliedee4663

    8. melanie stirling
      July 5th, 2011 @ 10:12 am

      I have tweeted @mellysocks

    9. Linda
      July 5th, 2011 @ 10:14 am

      Lovely giveaway – have always encouraged my children in arts and crafts – makes a great change from schoolwork!

    10. yasmin coleman
      July 5th, 2011 @ 10:16 am

      My son is now 27 but my step children are 7 and 11 and I like to encourage them in all things. As an artist myself, this set would be wonderful to give them when they stay during the summer holidays.

    11. Crystal Mse
      July 5th, 2011 @ 10:18 am

      Heya !

      I’ve Tweeted you as @CRYSTALmse and I’ve shared your page with chums on Facebook as Crystal Mse

      Thanks and Loves !

      x

    12. nikola bilkova
      July 5th, 2011 @ 10:18 am

      I tweeted @nikibil !

    13. yasmin coleman
      July 5th, 2011 @ 10:24 am

      This is the first time I’ve found your site..it’s really great. I’ve bookmarked you now!
      yasmin coleman recently posted..Drawn on the 4th July…

    14. sharon griffin
      July 5th, 2011 @ 10:34 am

      have liked and shared on Facebook too.
      Thankyou for a great competition, perfect for the summer holidays ahead x

    15. Michelle
      July 5th, 2011 @ 10:56 am

      What a fab giveaway! I find activity books to be a complete lifesaver and my wee one’s only 2… great for train/tram journey’s and fab for distraction when out for a meal.
      I’ve posted on Facebook and twitter too.
      have a great day
      hugs
      Michelle
      xx
      Michelle recently posted..Ellephantastic Birthday Blog Hop & Celebrations Challenge!

    16. Karen
      July 5th, 2011 @ 10:58 am

      Have also tweeted @Pebblepip :-)

    17. fossfor
      July 5th, 2011 @ 10:58 am

      Yummy prize! Have tweeted about this. I love Derwent stuff but I’ve never tried these Inktense pencils.
      fossfor recently posted..Surface Detail illustration

    18. Diana Cotter
      July 5th, 2011 @ 11:01 am

      Activity books have been absolute life savers with my boys. They’ve kept them occupied on rainy days, long journeys and they’ve sometimes just asked for them because they like them :)

      @happyfox

    19. Diana Cotter
      July 5th, 2011 @ 11:02 am

      Tweeted @happyfox

    20. Diana Cotter
      July 5th, 2011 @ 11:02 am

      Shared on Facebook

    21. Mom and Kiddo
      July 5th, 2011 @ 11:06 am

      Hooray! Open worldwide. My son would love these pencils for his extreme dot to dot activity books.
      Mom and Kiddo recently posted..Nature Journal Beginnings

    22. Mom and Kiddo
      July 5th, 2011 @ 11:07 am

      Just tweeted.
      Mom and Kiddo recently posted..Nature Journal Beginnings

    23. Crystal Webb
      July 5th, 2011 @ 11:18 am

      This is an amazing prize pack! I am crossing my fingers, but if I don’t win, I know that the winner will be very happy indeed!

      I posted this on my art page and personal page on Facebook. I plan on posting this to my blog when it isn’t 3am!

    24. Matt
      July 5th, 2011 @ 11:18 am

      Yay! Those look fab! Dreaming about all the pretty things I would draw now; )

    25. Matt
      July 5th, 2011 @ 11:19 am

      Retweeted too! ;)

    26. David ROBERTS
      July 5th, 2011 @ 11:22 am

      Still remember endless supplies of books, pencils and crayons when I was pre-school.

      Tweeted as @RobertsDavidJ

    27. Shianne
      July 5th, 2011 @ 11:36 am

      Ever since I bought my Derwent pencils, my son has wanted his own. I really hope I win these for him.

      I’ve also shared on Facebook for a much needed extra entry!

      Thank you.

    28. Charlotte Hall
      July 5th, 2011 @ 11:38 am

      Even as an adult I find the different activity books inspirational.

    29. Damyanti
      July 5th, 2011 @ 11:43 am

      Love activity books especially when needing some inspiration

    30. DelphB
      July 5th, 2011 @ 11:59 am

      Wah, great giveaway! Thanks for the suggestions, we love the doodle series!

    31. Beverley
      July 5th, 2011 @ 12:03 pm

      Hi I have tweeted about it @artandyarn and also put up a link on my Facebook page Beverley McKenzie. I would love to be in with a chance to win this wonderful prize, both me and my daughter love to draw. Beverley

    32. Carolyn Bragg
      July 5th, 2011 @ 12:39 pm

      Nice ideas & giveaway! I will post on FB :)

    33. Janelle
      July 5th, 2011 @ 12:45 pm

      Gladly shared on Facebook…

    34. sue jacobs
      July 5th, 2011 @ 12:45 pm

      The books look great. I’m always looking for things to do with my grandkids!
      sue jacobs recently posted..4th of July

    35. coco
      July 5th, 2011 @ 12:55 pm

      count me in! this give away looks fabulous

    36. dawn jobling
      July 5th, 2011 @ 1:47 pm

      Kids, books + the best art materials+ Adults and children+ quality time x imagination = heaven

    37. Sidone Burton
      July 5th, 2011 @ 1:47 pm

      …thanks for the great give-away opportunity… we have some special needs foster kiddos that would feel pretty darned special to be receiving this in the mail ;o)

      I linked to you on my FB also…

    38. Library Mice
      July 5th, 2011 @ 1:55 pm

      Fab! My two will need entertaining while on holiday so thanks for the fab suggestions, and yes please for the giveaway!

    39. Library Mice
      July 5th, 2011 @ 1:55 pm

      I have tweeted about it too :0)

    40. Pamela Poole
      July 5th, 2011 @ 1:58 pm

      Oooooh, I’d love to have the book and the Inktense sets! Activity books always excited me as a girl, then when home educating our son, and even as I get older I love them for idea starters and projects I wouldn’t have thought of! I also love using Inktense, but don’t have the blocks yet to try. Please count me in the give-away!

    41. Pamela Poole
      July 5th, 2011 @ 2:00 pm

      I am sharing this fun give-away opportunity with my facebook friends today!

    42. Bill Muck
      July 5th, 2011 @ 2:01 pm

      As a wildlife artist, I really appreciate your inktense products. As a dad, I REALLY, REALLY appreciate your summertime activity tips! Thank you! -Bill Muck-

    43. Bill Muck
      July 5th, 2011 @ 2:03 pm

      I tweeted about this giveaway!
      Bill Muck recently posted..→ Pencil Museum:

    44. Bill Muck
      July 5th, 2011 @ 2:05 pm

      I Linked to this page from my Facebook page (Wildlife Paintings by Bill Muck)
      Bill Muck recently posted..Check out the amazing fiveaway that Derwent Pencils is offering…almost $50 in Inktense products!

    45. Bill Muck
      July 5th, 2011 @ 2:07 pm

      I mentioned this giveaway in my Blog!
      Bill Muck recently posted..Check out the amazing fiveaway that Derwent Pencils is offering…almost $50 in Inktense products!

    46. Bill Muck
      July 5th, 2011 @ 2:09 pm

      Found a typo, so I re-posted to my Facebook Page (Wildlife Paintings by Bill Muck)
      Bill Muck recently posted..Check Out the Amazing giveaway that Derwent Pencils is offering….nearly $50 in Inktense products and a great summer activity book for you and your young ones!

    47. Sheila Cain-Sample
      July 5th, 2011 @ 2:14 pm

      Activity books a wonderful, I always loved them. To win would be fabulous. I also shared this on my FB page. Thanks.

    48. Maria
      July 5th, 2011 @ 2:22 pm

      Wow! Great giveaway! Thank you! I love activity ideas for summer fun!!
      Maria recently posted..Suminagashi

    49. lucy
      July 5th, 2011 @ 2:27 pm

      great giveaway!! Always good to see some new activity books – they’re massively popular in this house, too :) Have you seen the ‘anti-colouring book’? – that’s my oldest daughter’s favourite at the moment.

    50. Lee-Ann Sleegers
      July 5th, 2011 @ 2:29 pm

      Activity books are fantastic especially when travelling with DD4. Seem to keep her occupied in the backseat and we don’t need to worry about a piece of electronics landing on the floor.

    51. Laura
      July 5th, 2011 @ 2:34 pm

      brilliant giveaway, my fingers are itching for those lovely pencils! please enter me in your draw – and thanks for all those great activity book ideas :)
      Laura recently posted..Portrait gallery

    52. Even in Australia
      July 5th, 2011 @ 2:39 pm

      We love activity books and my artistic 6yo would be in heaven with the art supplies!
      Even in Australia recently posted..Act It Out!

    53. Diandra Mae
      July 5th, 2011 @ 2:40 pm

      This is a fab post! I agree about activity books, they are a dream for a slow summer day and a curious 4 year old. :)

      I’ve tweeted and linked on FB for this contest.

    54. Sandra Strait
      July 5th, 2011 @ 2:56 pm

      I’ve tweeted about the giveaway. http://twitter.com/#!/molossus1/statuses/88240972802179072

    55. Sandra Strait
      July 5th, 2011 @ 2:56 pm

      I’ve blogged about the giveaway. http://lifeimitatesdoodles.blogspot.com/2011/07/win-derwent-inktense-pencils-blocks.html

    56. Sandra Strait
      July 5th, 2011 @ 3:00 pm

      I’ve shared the giveaway on Facebook.https://www.facebook.com/sandra.strait/posts/244408282237810
      Sandra Strait recently posted..Win Derwent inktense pencils, blocks & an activity book

    57. Patti Duresky
      July 5th, 2011 @ 3:08 pm

      I LOVE drawing with new toys, thanks for thinking of this opportunity!

    58. Julie (O-kami)
      July 5th, 2011 @ 3:10 pm

      would love to try out the inktense blocks
      Julie (O-kami) recently posted..It’s summertime and the living is easy….

    59. Ersi Marina
      July 5th, 2011 @ 3:15 pm

      Oh, dear! I’d be very surprised if I won but I’d also be hopping with joy! I’ll be leading a short ‘pastime’ workshop with the children in the village where I live and it would be so great to have the book and everything. I’d keep the pencils for my own work, of course, selfish me!
      Ersi Marina recently posted..Original Artwork, Mixted-Media on Quality Handmade Paper – Call my Number

    60. Ersi Marina
      July 5th, 2011 @ 3:15 pm

      Oh, dear! I’d be very surprised if I won but I’d also be hopping with joy! I’ll be leading a short ‘pastime’ workshop with the children in the village where I live and it would be so great to have the book and everything. I’d keep the pencils for my own work, of course, selfish me!
      Ersi Marina recently posted..Original Artwork, Mixted-Media on Quality Handmade Paper – Call my Number

    61. Ersi Marina
      July 5th, 2011 @ 3:18 pm

      I just tweeted about it! @ersimarina
      Ersi Marina recently posted..Original Artwork, Mixted-Media on Quality Handmade Paper – Call my Number

    62. Jess
      July 5th, 2011 @ 3:24 pm

      Being an artist I would love to win this giveaway!

    63. Genevieve Crabe
      July 5th, 2011 @ 3:25 pm

      I have a 6-year old granddaughter who loves activities books.
      Genevieve Crabe recently posted..Zentangle workshop on June 18th

    64. Genevieve Crabe
      July 5th, 2011 @ 3:26 pm

      I tweeted the giveway (@amaryllis99).
      Genevieve Crabe recently posted..Zentangle workshop on June 18th

    65. Janette DeVois
      July 5th, 2011 @ 4:15 pm

      I love Derwent Inktense pencils! This is a wonderful giveaway!

    66. Karen
      July 5th, 2011 @ 4:38 pm

      Fantastic give away & fun blog!

    67. sophie
      July 5th, 2011 @ 5:09 pm

      cool ! Let’s try this…..

    68. Rita A.
      July 5th, 2011 @ 5:28 pm

      I love activity books. I use them in my writing group as fun prompts for writing. Even though the group is all adults the kids activities gets them to thinking in a “new’ way.
      I have some Inktense pencils which I love and didn’ tknow they had the blocks and such. What a wonderful prize.
      Rita A. recently posted..Tuesdays With Rita

    69. Cath H
      July 5th, 2011 @ 5:47 pm

      I run a chatterbooks reading group for children and these resources would be great! Love the site, I will be visiting again.

    70. Emma Davis
      July 5th, 2011 @ 5:58 pm

      I would love to win this set please. My children would be over the moon and it would provide many happy hours for all of us :-)

    71. Emma Davis
      July 5th, 2011 @ 5:59 pm

      I have also tweeted about it! Emmad77!

    72. lucy
      July 5th, 2011 @ 7:07 pm

      shared it on my facebook :)

    73. Emily
      July 5th, 2011 @ 7:10 pm

      OMG my sister and I love activity books! We have gone through a few :) I would love to win the Derwent as I am a mega mini DERWENT fan and have been for 4 years :)

    74. Karen Mwins
      July 5th, 2011 @ 7:41 pm

      Please count me in the drawing!
      thanks!

    75. Tracy W
      July 5th, 2011 @ 7:45 pm

      Lovely set of goodies, perfect for dabbling with over the summer.

    76. Mary Christensen
      July 5th, 2011 @ 9:53 pm

      I just read about this on Facebook! My artistic children would spend hours away from their computer games with these great art supplies!

    77. jojoebi
      July 6th, 2011 @ 12:12 am

      I know a certain little boy who would love these!
      jojoebi recently posted..matsuri videos

    78. Mary Beth Kerr
      July 6th, 2011 @ 1:23 am

      I teach at Head Start …… we could sure use these …….my spare dollars for supplies are scant …..I will be buying one book for my kids I teach at Smile. Peace . MB

    79. Sishya
      July 6th, 2011 @ 1:26 am

      My girls will definitely love this activity book.:):)

    80. Wendy M
      July 6th, 2011 @ 1:36 am

      I love Activity Books! They are great to use on long trips, or to just provide some variety to our summer days. I have a little boy who would love this. I love your blog, and all the wonderful books and places that you highlight.
      wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

    81. choxbox
      July 6th, 2011 @ 6:27 am

      awesome possum!

    82. deborah
      July 6th, 2011 @ 9:56 am

      my kids would live these – perfect for all the holiday drawing time!!

    83. sophie
      July 6th, 2011 @ 10:36 am

      Shared on Facebook….

    84. Vlad
      July 6th, 2011 @ 10:37 am

      Zoe,

      Fabulous post. Thanks for the effort, I’m off to read your detailed review on Tasha’s blog.

      Thanks

    85. Vlad
      July 6th, 2011 @ 10:50 am

      Hi,

      I also tweeted from my Twitter account:

      http://ow.ly/5xFqt

    86. Stacey
      July 7th, 2011 @ 2:17 am

      What a great giveaway! We’d love to win :)
      Stacey recently posted..Our New Favorite Book

    87. Alice
      July 7th, 2011 @ 8:38 am

      My son would love this, especially as his little sister is just started to take an interest in drawing and is forever trying to “borrow” his pencils to chew on!!

    88. coco
      July 7th, 2011 @ 11:23 am

      hello again,
      also shared on facebook

    89. Diane Buck
      July 7th, 2011 @ 3:04 pm

      These would be a great addition to my art supplies. Love learning how to use new products.

    90. Florence Gillespie
      July 7th, 2011 @ 11:24 pm

      I am just starting to do a little summer ‘doodling’….

      The art materials would be lovely to have, but I would really like to see the book!

      Happy Summer!

      I LOVE this site – especially the visuals (particularly the pic of the sunflower garden).

    91. maggy, red ted art
      July 8th, 2011 @ 10:38 am

      Oooh I did love your Summer Life Saver guest post and now a giveaway? Hooray!!

      Have tweeted it for you!

      Maggy

    92. Lucinda Barton
      July 8th, 2011 @ 10:41 am

      Lovely giveaway!!!

    93. Lucinda Barton
      July 8th, 2011 @ 10:41 am

      have tweeted! @ljbarton

    94. Jane Lambert
      July 8th, 2011 @ 2:24 pm

      Lovely giveaway!
      Jane Lambert recently posted..Jane loves links

    95. Marta
      July 9th, 2011 @ 10:01 am

      Hi! I’m an email subscriber of your blog. I’d love to win this pack for my son! Best regards from Barna,
      Marta
      Marta recently posted..Hurry: Giveaway/ Date prisa: ¡Sorteo!

    96. Michelle Willow
      July 10th, 2011 @ 7:26 pm

      This would come very handy! :) My almost 4 year old is starting to work on some mazes and coloring (and it even looks nice!) ;)

      besttoddlertoys at yahoo dot com
      Michelle Willow recently posted..Summer Play Inspiration – Play with Shells

    97. Michelle Willow
      July 10th, 2011 @ 7:43 pm

      tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/BestToddlerToys/status/90128924352331776
      Michelle Willow recently posted..Summer Play Inspiration – Play with Shells

    98. Michelle Willow
      July 10th, 2011 @ 7:45 pm

      posted on FB: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=236811966348640&id=1344865880
      Michelle Willow recently posted..Summer Play Inspiration – Play with Shells

    99. Lisa B
      July 11th, 2011 @ 12:34 am

      Thank you for the great article as well as the giveaway!

    100. Theresa N
      July 11th, 2011 @ 12:40 pm

      We’re always using activity books they’re great for the kids and grandmother likes them too.

    101. Raghav Modi
      July 11th, 2011 @ 12:44 pm

      Hi, great article and a lovely giveaway. My daughter who is almost 4 has just started making drawings and paintings and it’s so much fun working with her on those. Cheers!

    102. Fayre
      July 11th, 2011 @ 12:47 pm

      What a fabulous giveaway!

      I love activity books, especially in the summer. My favourite are books where there are a variety of activities – some colouring, some wordsearches, number puzzles – that way they really do help to keep youngsters engaged for plenty of time!

      Best summer use for activity books: after a long walk, we all enjoy a picnic, and afterwards we all relax quietly in the shade of a tree with the children occupied with their activity books (and some of the adults too!)

      Thanks for the article and giveaway!

    103. Fayre
      July 11th, 2011 @ 12:50 pm

      Have tweeted (stormfayre) about this article and giveaway:

      “You should know @playbythebook is giving away a fantastic set of @derwentpencils art materials& an activity book over at “

    104. coco
      July 11th, 2011 @ 12:51 pm

      mentioned this wonderful giveaway on my blog
      http://montessoriglobetrotters.blogspot.com/2011/07/art-materials-giveaway.html

    105. Julie (O-kami)
      July 11th, 2011 @ 1:06 pm

      Tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/FPNOkami/status/90391093769801728

    106. Julie (O-kami)
      July 11th, 2011 @ 1:08 pm

      I also linked to the giveaway on Facebook.
      Julie (O-kami) recently posted..Sketchbook 7-10-11

    107. Sara Anderson
      July 11th, 2011 @ 1:15 pm

      I love activity books and coloring. XD I’ll never completely grow up and I think they help me find islands of sanity in the chaos of life.
      Thank you for the chance ^^
      Sara Anderson recently posted..My first pen show

    108. Sara Anderson
      July 11th, 2011 @ 1:16 pm

      I tweeted: http://twitter.com/DIYSara/status/90393810873483264
      Sara Anderson recently posted..My first pen show

    109. Sara Anderson
      July 11th, 2011 @ 1:18 pm

      I’ve linked to the giveaway on Facebook .
      Thank you!
      Sara Anderson recently posted..My first pen show

    110. Palimpsest
      July 11th, 2011 @ 1:20 pm

      Derwent pencils! I feel very inktensely about them.
      Palimpsest recently posted..Inklinks

    111. Palimpsest
      July 11th, 2011 @ 1:26 pm

      I posted a link on FB as well. Good luck everyone! http://www.facebook.com/Inklinks

    112. Melanie
      July 11th, 2011 @ 6:22 pm

      We love the doodle activity books, great for the imagination! Love any craft projects like this. Thanks
      Melanie

    113. Veronike
      July 11th, 2011 @ 10:59 pm

      Activity books are an excellent occupation of one’s time. It reaches out to ones playful side, while maintaining the artist inside of you. So, in one word, activity books are whimsical. Please pick me.

    114. Bek
      July 11th, 2011 @ 11:25 pm

      I think activity books are great, so much to do packed into something compact and tidy, a great way to entertain kids on the move.

      I tweeted @BekKitandCake

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