Customer Reviews

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden USA Map Puzzle

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Like most puzzles of this type, you don't really get 50 pieces -- some of the New England states get lumped together on one piece so you won't be losing Rhode Island as soon as you open the thing. And the cutting lines sometimes fudge the geographical boundaries a bit. So what? The kids won't care. A puzzle is hands-down the best way to teach a grade-schooler his state capitols, and this particular one is as sturdy & well-made as some I've seen for three times the price.

My husband bought this puzzle for our 2 year old daughter. He and I had similar puzzles when we were children. She loves puzzles and this is her absolute favorite. She plays with it at least 3 times every day (for the past 3 months). She knows all the states and the little factoid pictures on each state. She even has fun telling us what state her food looks like (i.e. a bitten piece of cheese becomes Utah, etc.) I highly recommend this puzzle for all ages. The only downside to the puzzle is that the little Northeastern states are lumped together - so I have to review those with her each time. BUt now she knows them! If you want your child to excel at US Geography, invest in this puzzle! If my 2 year old can learn all 50 states, anyone can!!

It's been hard to find puzzles that keep my 2 year olds attention and challenges her. After one week, she mastered this puzzle. It's rated for 5 and up, but if you have a very inquisitive younger toddler, don't let the age it's rated for steer you away. Now, we can challenge her in different ways. She's learning which states relatives live in and the state capitals. Such a good quality puzzle, too.

Many years ago,I learned so much from my wooden US puzzle. I wanted my grandson to have this experience. He just turned 4 and he can't put it together by himself, but it is a wonderful opportunity for his grandparents to teach him not only information about geography, but basic problem-solving strategies as well. It is a wonderful toy best used in a multi-generational setting.

Fast delivery and a fantastic product! My kids absolutely love it! Very durable and easy to read and puzzle pieces fit perfectly! Highly recommended!

This is a wooden puzzle which, I preferred in the beginning before I purchased it. My child is 2 and 9 mos old so all he cares is where the piece of puzzle goes. However, I myself is much more enjoying filling the puzzle up because I am interested in knowing all the states and where the states are located. One disadvantage is, when I put the puzzle away, I need something to cover them up! They easily fall! I guess I wanted a magnetic puzzle after all. And some of the states on the corner side particularly are not defined on the piece. Just a picture on it but no name of the state. I thought the space is very little on the corner that is why they did that design. Overall I am just okay with the item.

Overall, this puzzle is sturdy and my children are enjoying it. However, I rate this only 3 stars due to poor workmanship and sliding pieces. I expected the pieces to lock together but found that they only slide next to each other. My 5 and 7 year olds are able to piece the puzzle together anyway, but they do have to fix the pieces frequently after they've already been placed. Also, each piece is not cut exactly along state lines. For example, Oklahoma and Texas overlap such that part of Texas is on the Oklahoma piece. This is also true for Kentucky and Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina, and Nevada and Arizona. This just seems like poor workmanship, which surprises me for a Melissa and Doug product. I will not be returning this puzzle as my kids are enjoying it, but I would not purchase it again.

my 20 month old is really enjoying this puzzle. we've only had it for a week but he can recognize and place 7 of the states and understands that the puzzle pieces have to fit into the outlines of the states. the pictures on the front of the pieces are fun for labeling as are the pictures on the back of the board. the states in new england and the mid-atlantic are a little small, but other than that, great investment.

My daughter got this puzzle for her second birthday. It was her first introduction to a map of any kind. She was very interested and loves to ask where the pieces go and what the states are called. It was defintely sparked her interested, which was my goal. For the price it's definilty a great value!

Nice colorful map puzzle with sturdy wooden peices. Each piece has a couple of images that are associated with each state which is helpful for kids to learn little factoids about each state.