1-2-3! Textured Products was started by Linda Scanlan back in 2007. They provide textured craft kits for educational purposes.

92 Nubanusit Rd
Nelson, NH 03457

info@preschoolprojects.net
877-827-1230
http://www.preschoolprojects.net

Read my review of 1-2-3! Textured Products Craft Kits….

As you know, if you read my blog regularly, you know that my boys love to craft. It’s one of their favorite things to do, and frankly, if we’re having a rough day, especially a day in which my youngest just can’t behave, I’ve noticed that sitting down with a craft is the best medicine for him.

When I attended Toy Fair this past February, I met Linda Scanlan from 1-2-3! Textured Products. Linda has extensive education and background in early childhood education and has created 1-2-3! Textured Products, which provides a host of textured craft kits for young, preschool-aged children. From textured sticker kits to textured craft kits, you can find a host of affordable activities, whether you’re a teacher, a mom, or even a homeschool family.

We actually received two kits, including Rory the Bear and Tuggy the Tractor. Jacob chose to decorate the bear, while Jaden chose the tractor. Each kit comes with a cardstock-like cutout (the bear and tractor) on a cardstock background; also included were 3 textured products to decorate each cutout. Rory the Bear included a green fur, brown yarn bits, and thin, colored straw pieces; Tuggy the Tractor included a red fur, confetti-like squares, and white/pink paper strips. The boys used glue to spread over their cutouts, and then they applied the different textured decorations to each of their crafts. As a mom/homeschool teacher, I appreciate the fact that these kits keep little hands busy. The textures provide tactile stimulation and give practice in fine motor skills, as some of the decorations can be quite small and difficult to maneuver for chubby fingers. However, it provides that challenge and stimulation that kids need. I could definitely see using these in preschool classrooms, in younger elementary school classrooms, daycares, special ed classes, etc. They would also be easy to pick up and take with you, as they hardly take any room at all in a purse or carry-on. They’d provide a great activity for a long plane ride. The only issue I had with the products is that the packaging for the decorations was a bit harder to open….other than that, I would very much recommend these products to educators everywhere.You’ll find a variety of kits, ranging from transportation to farm animals to holidays to birthdays (perfect for birthday parties), forest animals, etc. You can purchase the Craft Kits for $1 apiece, or you can purchase a whole set for $4.99. I’m considering actually ordering some for our next school year, as Jaden will be doing some preschool work, and these would make for a great activity when I need to help Jacob with his work. Just one last note: Jaden was able to work pretty well independently on his tractor; while Jacob enjoyed it, he wasn’t quite as into it as Jaden was….being 9 years old now, he is getting harder to entertain.:) Do keep in mind, though, that these are geared toward younger ages, with adult supervision, of course.Be sure to follow @PreschoolProj on Twitter to stay up to date on all the happenings with 1-2-3! Textured Products. It’s also nice to know that Linda Scanlan also gives back through her business; she provides free educational activities to schools and orphanages in Haiti.

(Disclosure: I received two kits, free of charge, from 1-2-3! Textured Products, for the purposes of this review tour. All views/opinions remain solely my own.)