Lakeshore Learning is all about well you guessed it learning! When I first learned about this awesome store I thought it really was just for teachers. BUT we received some items to review and were able to visit their local store here for the 60th Birthday Celebration!
Lakeshore Learning has been around for 60 years and is getting ready to open it’s 60th store in New Mexico. “Lakeshore Learning Materials, a premier developer and retailer of children’s educational products, today announced the 60th anniversary of the company’s founding. In its six decades of service to teachers, parents and children, Lakeshore has revolutionized early childhood and elementary education, helping children reach developmental milestones and achieve their educational goals—while having fun.” (Lakeshore Learning Press Kit)
I first learned about Lakeshore Learning and their educational toys from one of my friends. We would go over to her house for a playdate or just to visit and she always had the coolest toys! She had set up a Post Office one day and had the boys deliver letters, she loved hands on learning, which I was so oblivious too. My girls always have so much fun when they went over there, so I asked her where she got her toys and ideas and it was Lakeshore Learning!
Lakeshore Learning is really all about hands on learning. We received a really cool Real Working Cash Register with pretend money and Leah and Charlotte were in Heaven! I decided to take some tips from my friend and instead of just letting them kinda play I helped them count out the money, put it away and then set up a little shop! Leah was the shop keeper and Charlotte was the customer. The girls played and played and loved it! Leah also is learning to count by 10’s and sort out money so this was a great toy to help her learn not only different ways of adding, subtracting but the value of money too!
“The company’s success over more than half a century can be traced back to the remarkable vision of Lakeshore’s founder. Family-owned and family-operated for three generations, Lakeshore was started in 1954 by Ethelyn Kaplan, a
single mother from Omaha who packed up her family and headed west to California to realize her dream of opening a toy store. But when local schools began calling her for supplies, Ethelyn discovered a greater calling—serving teachers in
the community. Soon, she sold the toy store and started Lakeshore Learning Materials. After years of steady growth, Ethelyn’s sons, Charles and Michael, joined the business, expanding Lakeshore into a multimillion-dollar company.
In 2007, Michael’s sons, Bo and Josh, began leading the company, with Bo now serving as president and CEO and Josh as executive vice president. “We’re extremely honored to be celebrating such a major milestone in our company’s history,” said Bo Kaplan. “It is a huge testament to our people, our products and the loyal customers who have wholeheartedly supported us over the years. And, we are beyond excited about the future. We look forward to delivering the highest-quality products and service for many years to come.” Today, Lakeshore produces hundreds of new products every year for infants & toddlers, preschoolers and elementary age children—covering all subject areas, from math and language to science, music and arts & crafts. To ensure products remain relevant and up-to-date, the company’s product developers—all former teachers—continually visit classrooms around the country to learn the best ways to help children succeed in today’s rapidly changing world.”
We also received a really fun Mailbox for hands on learning. The girls made their own letters with stickers and cards and loved playing with it! The mailbox has a little red flag that goes up and down and the girls had so much fun receiving and delivering letters! I love that each toy from Lakeshore Learning is meant for hands on!
What I loved about our Lakeshore Learning 60th Birthday experience was that there were 4 different stations set up for kids to make a craft, receive a prize and of course have fun and take everything home! The day that we went was on the 60th birthday and it was pouring buckets! The workers at Lakeshore Learning were so kid friendly and really engaging with my girls! The girls were able to visit each of the 4 stations and were able to make 60 glasses, Birthday Hat, Reading Book Mark and Gift Bag to take everything home!
I thought that this was a one time thing but Lakeshore Learning actually has activities in their store almost every month! The girls were both in heaven not only did they get to make crafts using paint, glue, markers and stickers but they were able to keep them and received some small prizes!
Lakeshore Learning isn’t just for teachers like I thought but for everyone! I was like a kid in a candy store. I loved every item that I saw in the store. The girls had a blast and the rainy day was turned into a very sunny one for my 2 kiddos.
Lakeshore Learning has a variety of items for learning. Please visit www.lakeshorelearning.com to purchase, learn more and find a store near you!
Lakeshore Learning gets Bragging Rights!
One lucky winner will have their choice of the Real-Working Cash Register or the Pretend & Play Mailbox
Please enter via the Giveaway widget below.
