Top Melissa & Doug Wooden Puzzles | Toy Review | Complete Guide
Melissa and Doug’s puzzles are a beloved staple of the toy industry, known for their quality and educational value. These puzzles come in a wide variety of styles and skill levels, from simple wooden jigsaws to complex 3D puzzles, making them an excellent tool for child development. Puzzles offer a range of benefits for children, from improving their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to enhancing their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Additionally, completing a puzzle can provide a sense of accomplishment and boost a child’s self-esteem. Melissa and Doug’s puzzles take this a step further by incorporating fun and engaging designs that can help children develop their imagination and creativity.
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or educator, adding a Melissa and Doug puzzle to your child’s toy collection can provide endless hours of entertainment and enrichment. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the many benefits of Melissa and Doug puzzles and why they are a must-have educational toy for any child. In this article, I am going to give you an honest look at top-selling Melissa & Doug Wooden Puzzles. I will give an in-depth Sustainable Toy Review.
But first, my name is Christina and I have had the opportunity to go hands-on with many toys while parenting five kids spanning 19 years. I always call it the good, the bad, and the ugly with the toys I have seen. Owning an e-commerce toy store alongside my parenting of 5 children has given me more toy experience than I have ever thought I would have. I have also had the pleasure of speaking with the President and CEO of major Toy manufacturers asking for my advice on different toys and have been featured on several podcasts.
I will bring all my experience and knowledge together to give you the most comprehensive toy review possible. A product description will be given and then my Sustainable Toy Review for Melissa & Doug Wooden Puzzles, Pros/Cons, and an FAQ featuring: Where do the Melissa & Doug Wooden Puzzles fit into the sustainable toy category? Who is Melissa & Doug? What are the blocks made of? Is it eco-friendly? Why Melissa & Doug puzzles? I will also provide some more sustainable options.
Intro:
Who is Melissa & Doug?
- From classic wooden toys to crafts, pretend play, and games, Melissa & Doug products provide a launch pad to ignite imagination and a sense of wonder in all children so they can discover themselves, their passions, and their purpose.
- They bring countless ways to play Play
- From classic wooden toys to realistic pretend play sets, Melissa & Doug products spark imagination and wonder through screen-free, open-ended play! We make well-crafted toys that are developed with care to be passed down from generation to generation or shared from family to family. When kids pretend with Melissa & Doug, anything is possible!
Why Melissa & Doug puzzles?
- 100% Screen-Free No screens, no apps, just good wholesome toys for hours of kid-powered fun! Each one of their products is designed to engage children in the joy of imaginative, hands-on play.
- They care about sustainability and use wood whenever they can because it’s renewable and durable. To ensure the world has healthy forests AND high-quality wooden toys, we’re committed to planting 10 million trees by 2030.
- With more than three decades of experience, they are a brand you can trust. Their safe and durable toys inspire imaginative play and are designed to stand the test of time and be passed down through generations.
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Melissa & Doug peg puzzles are made from high-quality materials and assembled with precision manufacturing standards. This peg puzzle set is a delightful and educational gift for kids ages 2 to 4 years. Add the Melissa & Doug Alphabet Sound Puzzle to round out the hands-on play experience and to give kids an engaging option for screen-free fun.
- For more than 30 years, Melissa & Doug has created beautifully designed imagination- and creativity-sparking products that NBC News called “the gold standard in early childhood play.” Today, Melissa & Doug is proudly partnering with the American Academy of Pediatrics to foster early brain development and help children build important life skills through play.
- Since the company’s founding more than 25 years ago, Melissa & Doug has consistently delivered innovative products that inspire open-ended thinking, encourage kids to see new possibilities, and offer Countless Ways to Play. It’s part of a bigger vision to Take Back Childhood. Because by giving children a true childhood with the space and freedom to explore their world, we give them a path to realizing their full potential!
Top Melissa & Doug Wooden Puzzles:
Product Description:
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PEG PUZZLES SET: The Melissa & Doug Peg Puzzles Set is an entertaining and educational developmental toy for kids. It includes 3 peg puzzles, with 6 pegged wooden pieces in each.
- EASY TO GRASP: This wooden puzzle set is made for smaller hands to easily grasp. The pieces feature beautiful animal illustrations, with these same pictures located under each piece on the puzzle board.
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: Our Melissa & Doug peg puzzle set is made from high-quality materials and assembled with precision manufacturing standards, which maintains stability and safety.
- GREAT GIFT FOR KIDS 2 TO 4 YEARS: This puzzle set is an educational gift for kids ages 2 to 4 years. Add the Melissa & Doug Alphabet Sound Puzzle to round out the hands-on play experience and to give kids an engaging option for screen-free fun.
| Best Sellers Rank | #30,740 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games) #79 in Pegged Puzzles #408 in Preschool Puzzles |
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| Customer Reviews |
3,411 ratings
4.8 out of 5 stars |
2. Melissa & Doug Jigsaw Puzzle Bundle (Dinosaur, Safari, and Ocean) – Animal Puzzles, Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles For Kids Ages 3+
| Best Sellers Rank | #1,153 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games) #11 in Jigsaw Puzzles #11 in Preschool Puzzles |
|---|---|
| Customer Reviews |
9,123 ratings
4.8 out of 5 stars |
3. Melissa & Doug Farm Wooden Chunky Puzzle (8 pcs) – Farm Animal Toys For Kids, Wooden Puzzles For Toddlers Ages 2+
Product Description:
Have fun on the farm with this extra-thick wooden puzzle. It includes 7 easy-to-grasp chunky farm animals and a barn. Each piece has a full-color matching picture underneath. The barn and animal pieces stand upright for pretend play. This puzzle encourages the development of hand-eye, fine motor, and creative expression skills. The design of the chunky wooden pieces ensures kids can easily grasp and negotiate them, and they display full-color pictures beneath to offer visual clues. This Melissa & Doug kids’ learning puzzle is made with pieces that can stand up to use as manipulatives or play pieces. It also encourages hand-eye coordination and imaginative play. The Farm Chunky Puzzle makes an exceptional gift for kids from 2 to 4 years.
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8-PIECE WOODEN PUZZLE: The Melissa & Doug Farm Chunky Puzzle features 8 pieces of durable and easy-to-grasp wood that display full-color pictures of farm animals.
- CHUNKY WOODEN PIECES: The design of the chunky wooden pieces ensures kids can easily grasp and negotiate them, and they display full-color pictures beneath to offer visual clues.
- EASY TO MANIPULATE: This Melissa & Doug kids’ learning puzzle is made with pieces that can stand up to use as manipulatives or play pieces. It also encourages the development of hand-eye coordination and imaginative play.
- GIFT FOR AGES 2 TO 4 YEARS: The Farm Chunky Puzzle makes a great gift for kids from 2 to 4 years. Add the Melissa & Doug Colorful Fish Puzzle to round out the hands-on play experience and give kids another engaging option for screen-free fun.
| Best Sellers Rank | #7,056 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games) #27 in Puzzle Boxes #100 in Preschool Puzzles |
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| Customer Reviews |
6,577 ratings
4.9 out of 5 stars |
4. Melissa & Doug Animals Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzles Set – Fish and Pets
Grab on to these perfect first puzzles! Each extra-thick wooden puzzle has three pieces with easy-to-grasp wooden knobs that fit just right in small hands. Three favorite pets live in a cozy blue house puzzle board (Pets) and a fish, a turtle and a crab sit in a fishbowl-shaped puzzle board. Full-color, matching pictures appear underneath each piece. Jumbo knob puzzles are a great activity to encourage hand-eye coordination and visual perception skills.
- Two 3-piece wooden jumbo knob puzzles
- House Pets features adorable puppies, kittens, and birds in a house-shaped puzzle board
- Fish Bowl features a fish, turtle, and crab in a fishbowl-shaped puzzle board
- Pieces have easy-grip knobs and matching pictures underneath
| Best Sellers Rank | #501 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games) #2 in Pegged Puzzles #295 in Preschool Toys |
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| Customer Reviews |
14,732 ratings
4.8 out of 5 stars |
5. Melissa & Doug Classic Wooden Peg Puzzles (Set of 3) – Numbers, Alphabet, and Colors
Product Description:
Calling all kids aged 3 and up for a playdate with a trio of appealing, vibrant, and eye-opening wooden peg puzzles! All three puzzles are made with durable wood construction and topped off with easy-grasp pegs. They are delightfully and colorfully illustrated, including graphics below each puzzle piece. Themes include A-B-C, 1-2-3, and “what color do you see”? Young kids will play and learn the alphabet, numbers, and colors without even realizing it! Puzzle play promotes hand-eye, fine motor, and problem-solving skills. The colorful graphics under each puzzle piece transform these into great matching activities for young kids.
The color puzzle, for example, features ten adorable fish with a spectrum of enticing colors. In this puzzle, each piece can fit into each space, so kids need to actually perceive and match the colors to place the pieces correctly. The number puzzle helps promote number recognition and even basic counting skills. Below each numbered peg is a bright illustration showing the same number of items as the numeral on the piece, making this puzzle great for matching the numeral to the actual quantity, but also for telling stories, playing guessing games, and more. The alphabet puzzle helps develop letter recognition and even pre-reading skills. It features 26 wooden pieces, under each of which is a charming illustration of a word that begins with the same letter, teaching kids to associate the letter with the sound it makes.
- THREE EDUCATIONAL PUZZLES: The Melissa & Doug Classic Wooden Peg Puzzles 3-Pack features appealing, vibrant, and engaging wooden peg puzzles. The set includes (2) See-Inside Alphabet and Numbers puzzles and a Fish Mix & Match Colors puzzle.
- HELPS DEVELOP VITAL SKILLS: Puzzle play promotes hand-eye, fine motor, and problem-solving skills. The colorful graphics under each of our wooden puzzle pieces transform these into matching activities.
- STURDY WOODEN CONSTRUCTION: Each of these wooden puzzles for kids is made from high-quality wood, sanded smooth.
- GREAT GIFT FOR AGES 3 TO 5: This 3-pack of Classic Wooden Peg Puzzles makes an ideal gift for children ages 3 to 5 years. Adding the Melissa & Doug Vehicles Chunky Puzzle will provide your kids with hours of screen-free play and entertainment.
| Best Sellers Rank | #4,654 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games) #17 in Pegged Puzzles #62 in Preschool Puzzles |
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| Customer Reviews |
7,096 ratings
4.8 out of 5 stars |
6. Melissa & Doug Construction Vehicles 4-in-1 Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles in a Box (48 pcs)
- ENTERTAINING 4-IN-ONE CONSTRUCTION PUZZLE SET: The Melissa & Doug Construction Vehicles 4-in-1 Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles set includes four 12-piece puzzles. Each puzzle is contained in a separate compartment in a sturdy wooden box.
- BEAUTIFUL ARTWORK: Our 12-piece jigsaw puzzles for kids feature beautiful original artwork that displays construction vehicles including a cement mixer, a bulldozer, a dump truck, and an excavator.
- PROBLEM-SOLVING PUZZLE PLAY: Putting puzzles together helps kids build confidence and problem-solving skills.
- GIFT FOR KIDS 3 AND UP: These puzzles are an exceptional gift for kids ages 3 and up. Add the Melissa & Doug Rainforest Floor Puzzle to round out the puzzle play experience and to give kids an engaging option for screen-free fun.
| Best Sellers Rank | #130 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games) #1 in Jigsaw Puzzles #2 in Puzzle Boxes #2 in Preschool Puzzles |
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| Customer Reviews |
21,800 ratings
4.7 out of 5 stars |
7. Melissa & Doug Solar System Floor Puzzle (48 pcs, 2 x 3 feet)
Product Description:
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Beautiful solar system puzzle: The Melissa & Doug solar system floor puzzle includes 48 extra thick cardboard pieces that are easy for children to put together; the finished puzzle displays beautiful original artwork
- Easy to clean: This solar system puzzle features an easy-to-clean surface that keeps your puzzle looking new, making cleanup simple after accidental spills
- Promotes hand-eye coordination: Their kid’s space puzzle is designed to help children develop strong problem-solving skills, assisting them in the development of hand-eye coordination
- Great gift for kids 3 to 6: This Solar System Floor Puzzle makes an ideal gift for kids ages 3 to 6 years; Add the Melissa & Doug Farm Cube Puzzle set to round out the puzzle play experience and give kids another engaging option for screen-free fun.
| Best Sellers Rank | #56 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games) #1 in Floor Puzzles #1 in Preschool Puzzles |
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| Customer Reviews |
29,415 ratings
4.9 out of 5 stars |
8. Melissa & Doug Farm 4-in-1 Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles in a Storage Box (48 pcs total)
Product Description:
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BEAUTIFUL FARM-THEMED JIGSAW PUZZLES: The Melissa & Doug Farm Jigsaw Puzzles in a Box features 4 wooden puzzles: a Horse, Chicken, Pig, and Cow.
- IDEAL FOR TRAVEL: Our farm puzzles for kids are stored in a sturdy wooden storage box that doubles as a puzzle board. It’s easy to carry and inspires kids to take the puzzles with them to family or friends’ homes.
- EDUCATIONAL & ENTERTAINING: This set of farm puzzles for kids is made up of four 12-piece puzzles that display colorful artwork. Puzzle play promotes the development of fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and hand-eye coordination.
- GIFT FOR KIDS 3 TO 6 YEARS: Our puzzle set makes a great gift for kids ages 3 to 6 years. Add the Melissa & Doug Vehicles 4-in-1 Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle to round out the puzzle play experience and give kids another engaging option for screen-free fun.
| Best Sellers Rank | #140 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games) #1 in Jigsaw Puzzles #2 in Preschool Puzzles #3 in Puzzle Boxes |
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| Customer Reviews |
21,800 ratings
4.7 out of 5 stars |
Product Description:
Piece together problem-solving fun and bring puzzle play anywhere with this Natural Play Animal Patterns Wooden Puzzle Match thick and sturdy wooden pieces to the patterns in the wooden puzzle board to create four four-piece friendly animal puzzles (fish, giraffe, zebra, and cheetah). The board and pieces are stored in a handy, take-along case with woven rope handles. Natural Play puzzles use recycled materials and soy-based inks. They’re a hands-on way for kids to discover the world around them.
- Natural Play farm-themed Play, Draw, Create reusable drawing and magnet activity kit
- Includes 45 magnets, 5 dry-erase markers with an eraser, a built-in magnetic dry-erase board, a 13-page spiral-bound dry-erase activity book
- Pieces stored in the take-along case made with recycled materials and soy-based inks, with rope handles; open to use as a play surface
- Promotes fine motor skills, creative expression, narrative thinking
- Makes a great gift for preschoolers to school-age kids, ages 3 to 8, for hands-on, screen-free play
| Manufacturer recommended age | 3 years and up |
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| Customer Reviews |
4.4 out of 5 stars |
10. Melissa & Doug Underwater Ocean Floor Puzzle (48 pcs, 2 x 3 feet)
This Melissa & Doug Underwater Floor Puzzle is an exceptional gift for kids ages 3 to 6 years. Add the Melissa & Doug Rainforest Floor Puzzle to round out the creative play experience and give kid
- Fun & educational floor puzzle: The Melissa & Doug underwater floor puzzle is a 48-piece floor puzzle that measures 2′ × 3′ when assembled
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Beautiful artwork: Our 48-piece floor puzzle for kids features beautiful original artwork that replicates a realistic ocean floor with stingrays, sharks, colorful fish, dolphins, and orcas
- Easy clean surface: This giant floor puzzle for kids is made of durable, extra thick cardboard pieces with an easy clean surface that keeps the puzzle looking new
- Gift for kids 3 to 6: This puzzle is an exceptional gift for kids ages 3 to 6 years. Add the Melissa & Doug Rainforest Floor Puzzle to round out the creative play experience and give kids an engaging option for screen-free funs an engaging option for screen-free fun.
| Best Sellers Rank | #66 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games) #1 in Floor Puzzles #1 in Preschool Puzzles |
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| Customer Reviews |
4.9 out of 5 stars |
Christina’s Melissa & Doug Toy Review consists of 5 standardized criteria categories:
1. Sustainability:
A. Product: Made of wood for tray and puzzle pieces, (the top of pieces has a paper-sealed picture and does not have paint). For a recent review of the Melissa and Doug Block Set and how it stacks up against the competition, make sure you visit my post “The Best Toy Wooden Block Sets.”
B. Packaging: Minimal packaging, only wrapped in plastic and contains no package.
C. Origin/Company: Melissa & Doug implement all the industry and regulatory best practices for materials including wood. They are manufactured in China. To learn more about their mission check out their website HERE. Only their stationary line of products is FSC certified.
2. Playability:
A. Open-ended: Puzzles promote brain building through problem-solving. Puzzles are open-ended because the pictures spark imaginative thought and storytelling.
B. Active Parent Engagement: Promotes quiet time activity. Learning opportunity to discuss colors, shapes, fit, and size.Conversation opportunity to discuss animal identification and sounds.
C. Playtime: Both different puzzles will make up 15-20 min of playtime. Learning opportunities for math skills such as estimation, and sizing. Promotes fine motor skills, concentration, and persistence.
3. Durability:
A. Craftmanship: Lightweight crafted wood, puzzle pieces fit tightly together but loosen over time. Paper laminated top instead of painted finish can scratch easier or pull up at corners of pieces.
B. Quality: Wood quality of lightweight with no sharp edges. The puzzle would be of better quality if painted or stained on top and if the base had a finishing coat.
C. Price/Value: $19.99 for 2 packs or $9.99 for each is a fair price for the value. These puzzles are easy to find online and at big box stores for great prices. The value is in the ease of purchase. A similar 24-piece. Maple Landmark puzzle is $25, however, it is handmade, beautifully crafted in the USA, and painted. A similar 29-piece Quokka puzzle is $24.99 for 2 smaller puzzles but is stained beautifully and made in Europe.
4. Longevity:
A. Landfill or Heirloom: The Melissa & Doug puzzles are somewhere in between Heirloom and Landfill. They are heirlooms if you don’t mind a bit of scratching on top which doesn’t change function.
B. Lifespan of Toy (Age Range): These are rated for ages 3+ years due to difficulty. However, A 2-year-old could navigate these puzzles with help. A 2-4yr old will enjoy these. The lifespan of the toy is approximately 2 years.
C. Multi-age Families: Good for multi-aged families if everyone is 2+ years old because you do not want a baby or toddler putting these pieces in their mouths. Older siblings may play with assisting younger siblings.
5. Versatility:
A. Combinable with other toys: The puzzle is its own toy or game. Not combinable with other toys.
B. Creativity Function: Puzzles are creative in the sense that they promote storytelling. Puzzles help build imagination when kids look at the picture or scene that they created.
C. Storage: These puzzles are great for a toy shelf because they contain their own storage tray. Stack well and promote clean-up by finishing the puzzle.
Thoughts & Alternatives:
I spent countless hours researching which are the Top Sustainable Toy Companies out there. My findings are published HERE, please let me know what you think!
Why are China toys bad? There is a price for everything. Melissa & Doug cannot sell their toys at their price point without someone paying the price. Whether it’s cheap labor or cheap materials or environmentally unfriendly practices, a price is paid. Review my article on China Toys here. It’s pretty shocking when you learn more about the toy industry.
We have had our fair share of Melissa & Doug toys over the years with 5 kids in the house. Almost all of the Melissa & Doug toys that we owned were not in good enough condition to be handed down after much use. They have not been made to be heirloom quality. We have had to throw out many Melissa & Doug parts due to them being unsafe with light usage. I am not saying that all Melissa & Doug toys have terrible quality, as there are a few notable toys that they produce of good quality.
I do wish that more people could witness firsthand the difference between subpar Melissa & Doug and heirloom quality sustainable wooden toys. If you have the choice to do the sustainable swap and choose a better company over Melissa & Doug it is worth it.
Parents sometimes complain about the higher cost of sustainable toys however in my opinion it is definitely worth the cost difference. Giving your child a safer, better-made toy from a reputable company, that is made in an environmentally responsible way is worth every penny. Some of the sustainable swaps that I have listed below are only a 5 to 10-dollar difference which is nominal for peace of mind. To learn more about our favorite sustainable companies, Click HERE. In this article, I have included 4 sustainable toy brands including Plan Toys, Maple Landmark Toys, Tender Leaf Toys, and Janod.
PlanToys Brand Puzzles-
PlanToys puzzles are unique because they are a combination of PlanWood and regular wood. All of their puzzles are made with organic dyes and pigments incorporated within the piece and not just painted on. Their PlanWood puzzles are water-resistant and stand-alone for figure play. All of Plan Toys puzzles are made with non-formaldehyde glue and water-based colors making them one of the safest toy brands out there. All of their puzzles are sanded to a smooth finish and are beautifully crafted. Best of all, most of their puzzles are for ages 12 months plus which is sometimes hard to find. Many of their puzzles are multifunctional and can be played with in a different way other than just a puzzle.
Maple Landmark Brand Puzzles-
Maple Landmark Toys are Made in Vermont, USA. Many of their puzzles are award-winning! They are my favorite manufacturer of wooden puzzles for kids as well as adults. They have many more puzzles than the ones listed below. Their puzzles are made with safe pigments and glues. Maple Landmark puzzles are of heirloom quality. You have to see these puzzles in person as the photos don’t show how well made they are. All of their frameless puzzles come with a drawstring storage bag. The framed puzzles are of a really nice size and stack easily for storage. Unique to Maple Landmark is its religious puzzles. Their newest nativity puzzle is chunky and each piece stands up alone for play. Maple Landmark also makes personalized name puzzles which are beautiful for room decor and for learning.
The wood quality and craftsmanship are superb.
Tender Leaf Brand Puzzles-
Tender Leaf makes a few nice educational puzzles for toddlers. They are simple, elegant, and crafted well with a modern feel. Their puzzles are made with water-based dyes and paints and non-formaldehyde glues. Their puzzles are of a compact size great for small spaces.
Janod Brand Puzzles-
Janod Brand has teamed up with the environmental organization WWF (World Wildlife Federation) to make environmentally friendly puzzles that are animal themed. Their designs are modern with beautiful colors and themes. Janod makes a unique suitcase style of paper puzzles that they are known for. The only con of their puzzles is that they are made in China.
Final Review for Melissa & Doug Wooden Puzzles:
Overall, I recommend The Melissa & Doug wooden puzzle sets. These are a really great economical option for any parent on a budget. All of their puzzles are easily accessible to purchase online or in stores. The bright colors, and fun animal themes such as farm, backyard, dinosaurs, and pirates make them inspiring for kids. The beautiful pictures promote storytelling, learning, and conversation with parents. For the price, these are a good value as your family will get a lot of use out of these puzzles. Unfortunately, they are not built to be heirloom toys. I prefer the more sustainable alternatives listed above.
Wood is better than plastic so you can’t really go wrong either way. I always choose quality over value with a less is more mentality. Either way, your child will gain confidence from completing a puzzle on their own or sharing quiet time with you while building together. Puzzles are also great ways to keep the little ones engaged.
