Customer Reviews

Melissa & Doug Beginner Pattern Blocks

5 star:		(74)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is a brightly-colored, sturdy pattern block set. I would give this set to a child between 20 months and 3 years. My 22-month old just loves it. As soon as he saw it (hidden away, intended as a Christmas gift) he kept at me to open it. I finally gave in, and I am so glad that I did. He is at the perfect developmental level for this toy! He tries to match up the shapes and colors, and is even starting to name the shapes on his own. This is such an exciting age!

I like how the solid wooden boards are double-sided and VERY sturdy. There are more than enough pieces to go around- even if a few are lost over the years. A few of the pictures arrived with some scratching, but I think this is more annoying for me than it is for my child.

Don't forget that these patterning blocks can also be used independantly of the boards. This enables your child to come up with more challenging creations as she or he developes greater skill in this area.

Nice bright, simple patterns for my 2½ yr old to follow, and the cutout of shape makes it easy to place the thick wooden pieces. We're teaching her shapes and color recognition and this is a great teaching tool, and she really feels proud when she finishes each one (there's a pattern on each side of the wood board.) She even helps clean up afterward, made easy with the wood storage box. Can't say enough about the educational value and great quality of this set. I think we have just about all of Melissa & Doug's products!

We bought this for our son as a Christmas present. As he was not quite two yet, I thought he might not totally get the concept and that this would be a toy I could put up for later. Boy was I wrong. He loves this puzzle set. I find he plays with it longer and gets less frustrated if I first let him pick out which picture he wants to "build" and then take the necessary shapes out and place them next to him. He is very proud of himself once he gets the pieces in then he'll give himself a big round of applause(which mommy and daddy do also). Great self-esteem builder and fun way to teach shapes!

Our two children (12 months and 23 months) just love this set. The boards and pieces are very sturdy. We like that the boards are two sided. Good variety and amount of shapes. This is a classic toy that will last for years- we see it as one that we will keep even after our children have grown out of it- great to keep around for visiting kids.

My daughter got this as a gift for her 2nd birthday. Not only does she love putting the puzzles together - and double the fun being two-sided - her 4 yr old sister also enjoys it. It is useful to teach more complex concepts to our 4 yr old, such as 2 triangles make a square, 4 triangles make a rectangle. Both girls really enjoy this toy, as with all Melissa and Doug toys, it is very well made and will withstand abuse. Just wish it was easier to fit the plastic cover on, we can't seem to fit the shapes neatly to close easily, especially in a hurry. A minute inconvenience. A great toy!

My soon to be 2 year old son is obsessed with shapes and had outgrown the basic shape puzzle (the large knob puzzle by melissa and doug) and I was looking for a puzzle that went beyond that but was not too difficult. I was thrilled to find this! It looks and feels great too. My son really enjoys it and I think it is conceptually very well put together. Not only are the puzzles well within his reach but he also enjoys free play with the shapes. He recently discovered that 2 triangles can make a square and two rectangles can make a square too :) That was only possible because the shapes are thoughtfully proportioned as such. I do agree with the other viewer who said that this puzzle is not for a 5 year old. My son is not yet 2 and he can do them. If it wasn't for the sharp edges of the shapes I would say its for 18+ months - 3 years.

This item is a must have! My two year old chooses it over just about anything else. I always seek out Melissa and Doug toys because of their quality and educational value and this one is one of mine and my daughter's favorites!

We loved this set. It is great for very young kids and they like it. However, the time between learning the principle and getting bored because it became too easy, was very short.
About 2 months ago we bought Snappers by Toysie - a pattern block puzzle. My children (with 3 years apart!) both still play with it.
It seems like my youngest child will be using it for the next 3 years. That is the lifespan for a toy!

we have had this toy for quite awhile now and my son (2 and 1/2 years) has loved playing with it. it helps with manual dexterity, shape and color recognition and creative thinking.....my son is now a bit bored with just putting the shapes in the correct spots (too easy now) BUT, the shapes are great to be used on their own to make an infinite number of shapes and creations. i really can't imagine a 4 or 5 year old finding the "puzzles" terribly difficult or interesting, but for a toddler it's wonderful!

My three years old son knows the names of the basic shapes--circle, triangle, square, oval, rectangle. However, he has difficulty in saying them out loud. This puzzle encourages/prompts him to name each shape as he place it in. The pieces are very colorful and sturdy. The wooden encasement keeps everything tidy. My son got tired of this puzzle within a few days. I would not recommend you buy this unless you're planning to pass it on.