Top 10 Melissa & Doug Toys
Toys from Melissa & Doug are well-known for their superior quality, construction, materials, and craftsmanship to be long-lasting, safe, and durable for little kids to use in play. The company was started by the owner couple who began crafting suitable toys for their own children because of the lack of quality items to buy. They have developed an extraordinary business that is trusted and admired by parents all over the world for the excellent products they make. The common age for these playthings is the range of three to six. There are plenty of physical and educational skills children will gain. They all have wonderful designs that will teach and entertain little ones for hours with positive play. We feature those choice selections that have the best ratings and the most reviews to help you with choosing a few for your child.
In a Hurry? The test winner after 26 hrs of research
Comes with a stand for organizing
Wooden construction that is sturdy
Dustpan will clip to all handles
Boosts self-esteem and teaches responsibility
Kid-friendly features and looks realistic
10 Best Melissa & Doug Toys Reviewed
1. Let's Play House! Dust! Sweep! Mop!
Comes with a stand for organizing
Wooden construction that is sturdy
Dustpan will clip to all handles
Boosts self-esteem and teaches responsibility
Kid-friendly features and looks realistic
Mop has a plastic piece on the inside that could scratch floors
The mop head comes off easily
This excellent Pretend Play Set has six pieces to the set, is kid-sized but looks real, and comes with a stand for organizing the pieces. It promotes imagination, independence, and motivation for well-balanced individual kids.
Read moreThis kid-friendly and the realistic product helps with motor skills and coordination plus promotes open-ended play that is hands-on and screen-free. The dustpan will clip to the handles of all the other pieces, and the brush and the broom have very soft bristles for surfaces. The fibers of the duster are reinforced to prevent them from falling out. Each piece has a hanging loop so it can be placed on the upright organizer. This great product will boost self-esteem and teach responsibility by mimicking the chores that kids see others do.
Educational value
Learning the common house tasks and the tools used to perform those tasks is a learning opportunity for children in the home. They should become familiar early on with the duties of the house and how to keep it clean.
Physical development
As we all know, house chores can be very exhilarating and tiring, so physically kids will get quite a workout just pretending to use these tools. Their gross motor abilities, balance, and coordination will improve with use.
Age range
Good for kids aged three to six, this incredible toy has plastic parts that are brightly colored to be interesting and exciting for play. Both boys and girls will want to play house with this terrific set.
Design
Included are a dustpan, brush, mop, broom, and duster that have a wooden construction that is sturdy. These all hang with the included loop on the upright organizer for neatness.
2. Toy Shopping Cart
Seat in the top for dolls to sit or toys
Front wheels are spring-loaded and pivot
Works outside or inside
Feels and looks like a real cart
Handles are easy to grip
Could have some sharp edges on the underside metal
Can be noisy on some floor types
Let’s go shopping! Including a metal frame that is long-lasting and sturdy, this cute shopping cart is realistic in its appearance of a real grocery basket.
Read moreThe steel construction is heavy-gauge and the perfect size and height for small kids to use. There is a seat in the top for dolls to sit that is red and a red handle too. This is a smooth-rolling toy with handles that are easy to grip for those aged three to six. The front safety wheels are spring-loaded and pivot completely around to roll easily on all types of floor surfaces. It feels and looks just like a real cart and works well both outside and inside.
Educational value
We all learn how to shop at some point in our lifetime, but kids that start this skill early have a head on the others. by practicing at home, children will be better able to handle this process in the real store.
Physical development
When kids load up the cart and then take things out, they will be using plenty of physical energy plus building on some important skill sets. Their gross motor abilities, balance, and coordination will be increased with this cute cart.
Age range
The small size and height are best for those in the three to six-year range. They can most comfortably use the cart for their toys, play foods, or for carting things outdoors.
Design
This replica shopping basket is a miniature version of the real thing you find in regular grocery stores. It even has the pivoting wheels and seat in the top for dolls and toys to sit.
3. Wooden Latches Board
Made of wood that is smooth sanded
Explores animals, numbers, and colors
Builds gross and fine motor talents
Surprises underneath the locks
Kids must determine how the latches work
Latches can be crooked and hard to open
A few had damaged boards – paint peeling
The Wooden Latches Board is for all the little Houdinis out there that love to open and close locks and door latches over and over. This item is made of wood that is smooth-sanded, and it builds gross and fine motor abilities.
Read moreIt is a challenging board that has six various latches on the doors and windows of the brightly painted houses. Best for three-year-olds and older, it gives the opportunity for exploring animals, numbers, and colors that are vibrant. There are delightful surprises underneath the locked windows and doors on the board. The object is for kids to determine how the different latches work exactly to be able to unlock them and see the surprises.
Educational value
Learning how locks and latches work is a trying experience that can take much work. Even little kids have the ability to figure these latches out and open them on their own just like miniature escape artists!
Physical development
This is the perfect toy for fine motor skills, dexterity of the fingers, and muscle development. Trying to get the latches open will take all of these in coordination to allow the child to succeed.
Age range
Children as young as three should be able to maneuver these devices to open the doors to see what is underneath. This age range is usually very curious about such things and will try and try to get them open.
Design
Locks and latches can be quite fascinating for a child that is young because they prevent entry to something. These latches are on a brightly colored board of doors and windows that need to be opened and discovered.
4. Let's Play House! Pots & Pans
Made of stainless steel that is hand-polished
Long-lasting for years of rugged play
Handles are riveted for safety and longevity
Just the right size for small kids
Makes a child feel professional in the kitchen
Too heavy for a few kids
Some were received with dents in them
We are really cooking now! Both girls and boys will love this adorable Pots and Pans Set that goes so well with other kitchen accessories you can buy.
Read moreMade of stainless steel that is hand-polished, the eight pieces of the set will last for many years of rugged play. It includes a rack, two utensils of wood, two pans, a lid and pot, and a colander that are just the right size for the small hands of children. The sturdy handles are riveted for safety and longevity on these incredibly realistic tools for the kitchen. Made for three to eight-year-olds, this fabulous product makes a child feel professional in the kitchen and provides a pretend play experience that is screen-free.
Educational value
Eventually, we all end up in the kitchen to learn how to cook or to try out hand at it when we are older. Kids start practicing early to develop those skills of learning the names of the kitchen items and how they work.
Physical development
Pretend play with kitchen accessories can be just as tiring and exhausting as the work in a real kitchen. Kids will at least increase their gross motor talents and coordination when playing at cooking and cleaning.
Age range
Children start to take an interest in the happenings of the kitchen when they are in the range of three to eight-years-old, so this set is perfect for that age group. They can use it when adults are cooking or by themselves in their own kitchen.
Design
There are plenty of other kitchen sets for various things in a child’s kitchen, but these are the best pots and pans that will find. They look just like real pots but are just miniature in size and very durable.
5. Slice-and-Bake Wooden Cookie
Comes with 28 pieces to the set
Encourages baking skills in toddlers
Made of materials safe for frequent use
Cookies stored in the sturdy dough tube
Frosting attaches with tabs to the cookies
Paint was peeling off the frosting on some cookies
Could have glue showing under the Velcro dots
The Slice-and-Bake Wooden Cookie Set is beautifully decorated and quite functional with the slicing of the cookies and the decorating activities that children can do over and over for skill development and enjoyment.
Read moreThey are made of wood and other materials that are safe for frequent use. The play duties are to slice the cookies with the play knife, bake them using the mitt, decorate them with the frostings, and then serve them on the included tray with the spatula. When not playing with the cookies they can be stored in the included sturdy dough tube. The frostings are either chocolate or vanilla that attach with Velcro sticky tabs to the cookies. These frosting pieces are decorated already with various patterns, candy pieces, and sprinkles on top.
Educational value
Concepts in numbers and fine motor talents will be exercised with this toy. Each of the tasks in making and serving the cookies gives kids the chance to work on these abilities and use the cookies for counting.
Physical development
Toddlers and small kids will love trying to cut the cookies and then bake and decorate them with the varied pieces. These exercises can be performed over and over to perfect the range of motion and precision of the duties.
Age range
The 28 pieces in this Wooden Cookie Play Food Set encourage baking skills in toddlers of the ages three to five. They will want to mimic the tasks they see adults do in the kitchen with their own baking set.
Design
Kids get twelve cookies that are sliceable, kitchen mitt, cookie sheet, spatula, knife, and twelve toppings for the cookies. Pretend play with this set can be enhanced with the addition of other kitchen sets for a fuller kitchen.
6. Pizza Party Wooden Set
Toppings attach with Velcro
Slicing noises when the pizza is “cut”
Toppings are pepperoni, olives, and mushrooms
Entire set is made of durable wood
Toppings can be sorted by name or color
Pizza cutter can break easily
Some buyers had damaged trays
Just shopping for some of these amazing toys will make you very hungry! The Pizza Party Wooden Play Food Set has 54 parts that include six pizza slices that kids can pretend to cut with the pizza wheel.
Read moreSlicing noises are made when the pizza is “cut” because of the Velcro that holds them together. The rest of the pieces are the colorful and delicious-looking toppings. These include pepperoni, mushrooms, and olives. Good for those three to five-years-old, this incredible plaything is very colorful, fun to look at, and quite educational. Toppings can be sorted according to name or color, and the toy develops the skills of counting, grouping, organizing, sorting, and recognition of objects and colors. Parents and older kids can have little ones make a pizza to order in pretend play.
Educational value
Learning the names and colors of the toppings and how to recognize them is a good exercise for children when playing with this pretend pizza. Listening abilities are developed too when they make pizzas to order.
Physical development
Fine motor abilities will most definitely get a workout with placing, organizing, and sorting the toppings on the slices, and gross motor talents will permit the slicing and serving of the pizza.
Age range
Pretend play is mostly done by toddlers who want to mimic what they see adults do in real life. The ages of three to five would appreciate this toy the most as it is well suited to their little hands and skill level.
Design
The yummy toppings attach to the pizza slices with Velcro also, and the entire set is made of wood. Included are the tray that is colored brightly, storage box, spatula, and pizza cutter.
7. Scoop & Stack Ice Cream Cone
Very colorful and bright pieces
Includes a storage box for the ice cream
Promotes fine motor and social talents
Kids will gain many mental abilities
Ice cream attaches with Velcro tabs
Only the scoops of ice cream fit in the storage box
The magnets that hold the ice cream on the cones are not strong
Developing social interaction and fine motor talents in playing with the Scoop & Stack Pretend Play Set, children aged three to five will delight in having this adorable toy. It has seven pieces in total that include four scoops of ice cream, two scoops, a storage box, and two cones.
Read moreVery colorful and bright, the ice cream is magnetic to hold to each other or on the cone, and the box made like an ice cream container holds them for storage. children will exercise the abilities of memory, counting, sorting, sequencing, communication, and coordination when they play with this cute toy. Making the cones to order with parents or older kids will help in developing these important talents. They will also learn how to take turns when speaking and listen to others when playing.
Educational value
Social skills are obtained by kids as they take ice cream orders for scoops and cones along with critical thinking talents. Organizing the scoops in the box and on the cones takes some basic sorting skills, especially when making double scoops!
Physical development
Being able to make the ice cream cones and use the scoops takes gross and fine motor abilities, hand-eye coordination, and dexterity of the fingers to do well. in playing with this lovely item, kids will build these talents quickly.
Age range
Pretend play with such toys is best enjoyed for those that are three to five in age. The pieces are just the right size for their fingers and hands to grasp well and manage them in play.
Design
Children can have their own small pretend ice cream shop with the parts of this plaything. They get the ice cream, cones, scoops, and box for storing to make special orders and delight their make-believe customers.
8. Stack and Sort Board
Introduces five shapes and five colors
Shapes are indicated on the edge of the board
Pieces are constructed of solid wood
Use for counting and playing games
Sparks creativity and the imagination
Purple and blue pieces can be similar in hue
Paint flaking could be a problem
The Stack and Sort Board uses the bright and basic colors of blue, green, red, yellow, and purple and also the varied shapes of triangles, hexagons, squares, rectangles, and circles.
Read morePieces are matched by both shape and color to develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor talents, and dexterity. There are sixteen pieces in the set that along with the pegboard are constructed completely of long-lasting and durable wood. Little ones aged two and up can use this simple toy for counting and playing games too. It sparks creativity and imagination with new ideas and ways to play. Designs can be made using the blocks without the pegboard such as faces, buildings, stacking towers, and more.
Educational value
Children learn these shapes and colors by repetitive play on the peg board. The symbol for each is indicated on the edge of the board in front of the peg to help children with organizing and sorting the pieces.
Physical development
Gross and fine motor skills along with dexterity of the fingers will be enhanced with the play of this toy. When used regularly the child will develop these talents quickly and move on to more difficult playthings.
Age range
Toddlers as young as two years of age can successfully play with these colorful blocks and pegboard and match them up on the pages correctly. It is never too early to introduce such learning items to active kids.
Design
Using five simple shapes and five basic colors, this wonderful little pegboard will teach the young child how to sort, match, and organize the included pieces well. they can be used off the board too for games and creative designs.
9. Service Station Parking Garage
Simple to carry with the handle
Made entirely of durable wood
Elevator is functional; gate moves
A platform makes the car wash move
Comes with the play vehicles
Elevator can be hard to operate
The cord on the gas pump can break easily
The Service Station Parking Garage is simple to carry for kids aged three to six-years-old and contain just six pieces. It is a parking garage and service station made entirely of durable wood with the handle as the service sign on the rooftop of the building.
Read moreYou get colorful cars too that work so well with this building. The elevator is functional to move cars to the higher floor, and the parking gate moves up and down too. A platform makes the car wash move the cars for this outstanding toy that promotes imaginative play and role-playing. It also encourages problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor talents with regular use.
Educational value
Children will have to know a little about cars to be able to appreciate the several activities included in this item. They can learn about the car wash, parking, garage, and gas pump as parents help them discover these things.
Physical development
Moving the car around the garage and parking area takes some motor skills, coordination, and dexterity to do well. these talents can be obtained with regular play of such toys as this one by the child.
Age range
When toddlers see this functional garage and parking level with the little cars, they will be delighted and thrilled. It is best for the ages of three to six because of the small size and simple basic skills it promotes.
Design
Parking is on the top of the two levels, and the service station is on the first level. There is a car wash, numbered spaces for parking, an elevator, a garage that has working doors, and a gas pump.
10. Examine & Treat Pet Vet
Promotes empathy and caring for animals
Bright and cheery colors of light blue, red, and white
Comes with a plush cat and dog
Tote bag that holds all the supplies
Comes with plenty of accessories to care for pets
Overall quality is lacking according to a few parents
A couple of buyers were missing pieces
All children love animals and caring for them too. This Pretend Pet Vet Play Set will promote empathy and caring for animals in kids that are aged three and older.
Read moreThe play kit includes 24 pieces in the medical assortment that comes with a checklist, ointments, treatments, bandages, cast, clamp, tweezers, ear scope, syringe, thermometer, and a stethoscope. It is bright and cheery in the colors of light blue, red, and white and has its own animals to care for with a plush cat and dog. Included is a tote bag that holds all the accessories and medical equipment for children to take their toy on-the-go or traveling in the car.
Educational value
It is interesting and beneficial for little ones to see and learn of the different supplies and pieces of equipment needed to care for animals properly. They will gain an enhanced respect for them and treat them with empathy.
Physical development
Caring for animals can be exerting, especially for a busy vet. Children will exercise their motor skills, dexterity, and coordination or hands and eyes in using the many accessories of this toy.
Age range
All small children will be attracted to the cute fluffy pets that are included with this toy, but the accessories are best used by those that are three and older. They are not as likely to chew on the smaller pieces of this set.
Design
Created to give kids plenty of accessories for caring for pets, this adorable vet kit seems to have it all from bandages to medical equipment that fits neatly in the storage bag. There are even two friendly pets that want some care.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Educational Value
The varied themes of these playthings will give kids the opportunity to expand their knowledge and gain the skills needed for further development. Recognition of colors, shapes, objects, and numbers is exercised with these toys, as well as cognitive thinking, imagination, creativity, and role-playing. To use such items as the pretend play items for the kitchen, kids will develop storylines and scenes to play and act out the stories they know or makeup. This type of play can keep them busy for long periods as they improve their own educational abilities.
Physical Development
Gross and fine motor skills are so important for kids to gain early because, without them, the hands will not function as they should for picking up objects, sorting, organizing, and moving items. Finger dexterity and hand-eye coordination both are also along the same lines as motor abilities to ensure the child in physically progressing as they should. Muscle development is gained with these products too, even with the toys that are not physically exerting to the kid. It takes repetitive play with toys to hone these talents and encourage them to go even further.
Age Range
Toddlers get the most benefit from playing with Melissa & Doug toys because of their size and skill level. Items such as the kitchen supplies featured here are the perfect size for these children’s hands and ability to carry them when playing. The talents that they promote are also important for basic learning with this age group. Younger kids will not advanced enough to work well with these items, and older children will be too advanced to even want to use them. It is vital that parents always select the toys that are for the correct age level of the child.
Design
We noticed in creating this buying guide that a good number of this company’s toys have to do with the kitchen or food items. These beautiful playthings can make you hungry by just looking at them. it is possibly because children want to imitate adults in the kitchen, so by having their own play food items and supplies, kids can work too. The best part about Melissa & Doug products is their strong construction, which is usually wood. They will last a long time and probably be handed down to younger kids in the family.
The best way for kids to learn the important concepts and abilities that will carry them through life is through positive and developmental play. Purchasing toys is an investment in their enjoyment, exploration, development, education, and skill level in many different areas.
Some of the best toys are those with which the kid must do the majority of the work to use it. They learn more if they must use their own body or mind to work the item. Examples of these playthings are blocks and balls, pull-toys, wagons, scooter, and activity sets.
Other Factors to Consider
Durability
As we stated above, you can expect these playthings to last for many years and still look great enough to pass along to other children. The wood construction that is used for most of their items ensures that even with rough play, children can count on having the toys for several years. Parents do not mind spending their money on these items that demand a higher than normal price because of the high quality that they possess. All you have to do is say the company name to parents and they know what to expect for product quality.
Entertainment Value
You will discover that Melissa & Doug toys will keep kids involved in activities longer than some of the other brands. This is because the designs are well executed with the materials, colors, shapes, and objects that make up the toys. Kids like to handle the pieces that are specially shaped for their smaller hands and look at the rainbow of colors that decorate the parts they use. each one of these is good for independent playing or for group play with friends or family.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: Are any of these items portable to be good for play in a vehicle?
The Wooden Latches Board and the Ice Cream Cone Play Set do not have many parts to them and would be good for use when traveling or away from home. The others have plenty of pieces or are too big for playing within a vehicle.
q: What is a usual negative quality of these highlighted toys that parents stated?
Surprisingly, for Melissa & Doug’s usual high-quality of materials and construction, there were many comments about the overall quality of the toys. Parents discovered paint chipping off or parts that do not fit right when opening the packages upon receiving. This brand is typically known as high-quality and some of the best and safest toys for kids to have.
q: What is the age range of these items?
It is mostly those kids in the age range of three to six-years-old that will most appreciate and use these toys as they should be. Younger children will not understand them fully, and older kids will be bored with them.
q: Are some of these better suited for either boys or girls?
No. In general, both sexes love all sorts of toys and pretend play.
q: What are some of the things that kids will gain from playing with these items?
Many physical and mental capabilities will be exercised, introduced, and developed with these products. Examples are hand-eye coordination, finger dexterity, balance, gross and fine motor skills, imagination, storytelling, role-playing, problem-solving, and cognitive thinking. Toys are very important to building the life lessons we all depend on later in life.
q: Are any of these products good for more than one child to enjoy together?
Yes, they all are good for multiple kids or for older kids and adults to join in the fun. They all have many pieces, except the Latches Board, that can entertain more than one person.
Sources
- 5 Tips for Pretend Play with Toddlers, Online Article ,
- 8 Ideas to Encourage Pretend Play, Online Article ,
- Melissa and Doug Toys, Amazon ,