Melissa & Doug Toys
If I’m being honest, when I first became a parent, Melissa & Doug toys didn’t really speak to me. I assumed that kids would gravitate to the toys that lit up and made sounds, which are not the type of toys Melissa & Doug make. I was wrong. Yes, the light up toys are great, but so are the less flashy ones. My daughter loves the Slice and Bake Cookie Set, while my son enjoys the Brew and Serve Coffee Set. Melissa & Doug have a wide range of toys that are both educational and inspire creative thinking. This review explores some of the great attributes of Melissa & Doug toys. While they aren’t flawless, I’d certainly argue that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
They encourage healthy play skills
Melissa & Doug toys encourage pretend play, which is a developmental milestone for toddlers. From play centres to pretend food to dress up clothes, these toys allow children to think outside the box and to create a fun and imaginative world of play.
The toys also provide the opportunity to take turns, another important play skill. When my kids play with the Pizza Party set, they take turns adding toppings and cutting slices. They’re less likely to argue over the toy or become possessive of it because they know there are many chances for them to take a turn.
As the parent of a speech delayed child, I have noticed that Melissa & Doug toys can also be used to encourage speech development. Using the Pizza Party set as an example, a parent can encourage speech by first labelling all the ingredients: “mushroom,” “olives,” etc. Parents can then point to the ingredient and encourage the child to repeat the word. Parents can also encourage children to use simple sentences: “I like mushrooms” or “I choose olives.” Adding adjectives to a simple sentence will elevate the language: “yummy pizza!” or “hot pizza!”
Wooden toys are durable
My kids can be a bit rough with their toys, but so far, Melissa & Doug toys have stood the test of time. Because they’re wooden, they’re more durable than the average plastic toy. Yes, this means that they’re a bit more expensive. However, I see these toys as an investment. There are also a lot of secondhand Melissa & Doug toys online and in thrift stores.
A minor qualm about the longevity of the toys is that the velcro loses its grip overtime. For example, the segments of the pretend banana in our Cutting Fruit Set no longer stick together. However, the kids still play with it, and that’s what matters most.
The toys are as educational as they are fun
From learning numbers to the alphabet and everything in between, Melissa & Doug offer a range of educational toys. The Shape Sorting Clock is both a puzzle and a method for teaching numbers, shapes, colours and time. Lacing toys and building blocks promote the development of fine motor skills. Melissa & Doug also offer picture boards and puzzles that help encourage the spelling of simple words. My daughter loves the Magnetic Daily Calendar, which is a fun way to get your child to learn the days of the week, months of the year, weather and more.
Minor flaw: Storage
In addition to the velcro issue mentioned earlier, one problem with Melissa & Doug toys is that they don’t usually come in a useful storage container. For example, the magnetic dress-up doll set comes in a wooden box with no lid. So, it’s pretty easy for all the little pieces, like the toy shoes and hats, to become lost. I own other Melissa & Doug products, such as the Pizza Party and the Cutting Fruit Set that have the same issue. I end up having to store the pieces in ziploc bags. It would be better if the boxes the toys came in included a simple lid.
Overall Rating: 4/5
Minor issues aside, I love Melissa & Doug toys and have purchased quite a few overtime. I love the way they encourage my kids to play nicely together and the way they make learning fun. I’d recommend these toys to anyone. They make a perfect gift and a welcome addition to any play area.