Melissa & Doug Deluxe First Bead Maze

by Melissa & Doug

• Superior craftsmanship make this item a top seller and childhood favorite
• Brightly colored, smooth-sanded pieces
• Helps build early shape, color and size differentiation skills
• Suction cup base
• Exceptional quality and value

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 7 x 8.6 inches ; 1.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Origin: USA
• ASIN: B000SONEQA
• Item model number: 3042
• Manufacturer recommended age: 1 - 2 years
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #862 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #5 in Toys & Games > Learning & Education > Early Development Toys > Shapes & Colors
  • #8 in Toys & Games > Baby & Toddler Toys > Shape Sorters
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (144 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Incredible value and superior craftsmanship make this item a top seller and childhood favorite! Brightly colored, smooth-sanded pieces help build early shape, color and size differentiation skills. Suction cup base. Ages 1+ 7.75 x 7 x 3.75

Product Description

Melissa & Doug Deluxe First Bead Maze

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good toy January 7, 2008

By R. K

Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 4.0 out of 5 stars   

I bought this toy originally thinking I would leave it at out-of-town grandma's. However, it was small enough that I decided to bring it home. It has suction cups on the bottom, which allow you to use it on a high chair or other place. My 8 month old likes to spin the pieces and is growing more interested in moving them around. Very well made. Would highly recommend. Only reason it's 4 stars instead of 5 is b/c it's a liked toy, but not a loved toy.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for price December 31, 2008

By 2 boys' Mom

Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 4.0 out of 5 stars   

We got this toy for our 9 month old since he loves the bead mazes. It is small and portable, which is nice for traveling. The wood is smooth with no rough edges. The only minor inconvenience is that the suction cups don't work that well. Our 9 month old and 3 year old love this toy.

58 of 73 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Arsenic Issue May 5, 2011

By tkandisjones

Durability: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

I have not bought this toy yet, but am interested in one of the other Melissa & Doug bead mazes. I called them because of the review referring to arsenic. They assured me there isn't any, and they have safety certificates. Just wanted to inform everyone.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't wait until 1 year! September 28, 2011

By missbonedoc

Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 4.0 out of 5 stars   

I bought this for my 4 1/2 month old because she seemed to concentrate on part of her Baby Einstein Musical Motion Activity Jumper, Blue that was a similar activity (moving the blue and yellow musical notes on the purple bar if you have it at home). The indications were for 1 year +, so I figured worst case scenario we would just put it away if she wasn't ready for it yet. Boy, am I glad we got the bead maze early! At 4 1/2 months, she would stick her tongue out while she focused on moving the beads. It took her a couple weeks before she could shift them from one side to the other, but she definitely hasn't mastered it yet (we've had it for 6 weeks) which makes me feel like this toy will maintain her interest for a while. The paint doesn't seem like it would chip, despite her scratching at it with her razor-like fingernails and the beads constantly banging against the wires. The colors are vibrant, and it's lightweight. It's the perfect size to attach to her Fisher-Price Healthy Care Deluxe Booster Seat - Blue/Green/Gray before or after meals, or when she's joining us at the dinner table.

I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because of the suction cups... they are great 90% of the time, but it sometimes they don't stick where I want (the plastic tray of the booster) and I can't get it off of the surface where I don't want it (the dining table)! Not a big deal, and I don't think it can be improved, but it is noticeable. Would still recommend it and getting it earlier than later!

Addendum 2/19/12: Daughter is now 10 1/2 months old.... We put the bead maze away a couple months ago because she started gnawing on the wooden beads, enough that the wood and paint were being compromised. I know it's non-toxic paint, but we took it away (just like we did her other wooden puzzles and books that she chews). I read an idea from a parenting magazine where a dad said he put suction-cupped toys on the window. We put this and 2 other toys with suction cups on a window in her play room now that she's standing and walking... she loves them! She stands at the window and moves the beads on this toy, then goes to the next toy like she's on an assembly line... and doesn't chew on it anymore, even though she still tries to eat her books. So glad I read this (and wished I had come up with it myself...) so had to share! Read more ›

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Paint chipping off! January 7, 2011

By tlgtrs

Amazon Verified Purchase

I got this for my son for Christmas and not even two days of him playing with it there were little tiny paint chips all over his high chair and hands! I was VERY upset, I know they say the paint is non-toxic but I still don't want my son ingesting paint chips! I really like the idea of having a bead maze on his high chair but not this one!! I would not buy again!!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My Secret Weapon for Dining Out! June 6, 2010

By Jennifer Carter

Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

This toy is my secret weapon for dining out with baby. We take this maze with us when we go out for dinner, stick it on the table top and our 8 month old entertains himself with it the whole time! A must have for your going-out diaper bag!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Interested Until We Stuck It To The Window December 24, 2010

By Ryan E. Duncan

Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 3.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 4.0 out of 5 stars   

My twins had no real interest in this toy until we stuck it to the window in the playroom, now they are always playing with the beads and going over to it. It actually helped get them motivated to stand up on their own being on the window (the window is a large nearly floor to ceiling type) about 1 1/2 feet from the ground. I am sure you could stick it to the side of the bath tub or even the wall if it were a smooth enough surface.

Overall quality is great as with all M&D products we have tried so far and I think this toy will continue to grow with the kids as they get older and learn to have fun with it in different ways.

86 of 121 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars contains harmful chemicals May 11, 2009

By K8s mom

Durability: 3.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 4.0 out of 5 stars   

This toy was reviewed by safetoys.org and has small amounts of arsenic in the red wire. No amount is okay to me. You can be sure the little ones will chew on this. I am disappointed that Melissa and Doug. I expected better from them.