33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
good team project, September 28, 2004
= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Melissa & Doug Under The Sea 100 - Piece Floor Puzzle (Toy)
My two girls (aged 4.5 and 3) love puzzles. They have different likes and dislikes so we have in our house "my puzzles" and "your puzzles." But this one is the first "our puzzle." It is challenging enough that both girls have to work together -- one on the tropical fish and the other on the dolphins, for example -- and what a joy when the patches would come together. The different areas on the puzzle would take on a different hue of blue (as the ocean goes deeper the color darkens, of course), so that the girls can sort out the pieces and start different "foci" on the floor. Therefore this puzzle really helps them learn multi-tasking, organization, and team work. It is definitely a step forward from the 24-piece or 50-piece sets, while still remaining manageable for preschoolers. My only minor, minor complaint is that one stretch of the puzzle (the sperm whale area) is dark, a bit simplistic in design, and somehow not preferred by either of the girls -- so I would always be assigned to complete that portion; just a little warning that you may find yourself putting together a giant sperm whale a couple of times a day. The bonus -- a chart that teaches the children names of all the sea creatures on the puzzle!
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another quality Melissa & Doug product, September 24, 2005
This review is from: Melissa & Doug Under The Sea 100 - Piece Floor Puzzle (Toy)
I purchased this puzzle, along with the similar Rain Forest puzzle, for my 4-year old daughter's birthday.
My purchase was based on other favorable reviews and my previous experience with Melissa & Doug products. I was not disappointed, and neither was my daughter.
The pieces are large, bright and not terribly complex. My daughter needed quite a bit of help due to the complex image, but that's not a bad thing. I got to teach her patience, plus watch her work a complex problem and learn spatial thinking skills. And, since since she loves animals, I can tell she won't get tired of the puzzle(s) for quite some time. Even after she can do it herself, the chance remains to teach about the interesting/uncommon animals depicted.
One small issue -- probably just for me -- is what I expected the pieces to be made of. All my other M&D purchases have been solid wood items for my 2-year old. For some reason, I assumed these would be too. Instead, they are cardboard, albeit good solid material. I made the mistake of starting out on the floor, and then worrying about pieces getting stepped on and snapped.
All in all, this and the aforementioned Rain Forest puzzle, are of the same high caliber as I've come to trust from Melissa & Doug. I'll be buying their remaining similar puzzles.
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14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enchanting learning toy!, October 8, 2004
This review is from: Melissa & Doug Under The Sea 100 - Piece Floor Puzzle (Toy)
Our daughter received this puzzle for her 3rd birthday. She's a puzzle nut! This became an instant favorite and had to be left together for all to see. The picture sheet in it labels all the sea creatures and it becomes a great way to discuss the different levels of life in the ocean. The coloring is beautiful - Mom and Dad enjoy it as well. It is extrememly well built, sturdy and can really be wiped off with a damp cloth.
The only negative, as another viewer pointed out, is the darker bottom pictures. Harder for young ones to distinguish designs and not as visually appealing.
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