Customer Reviews

Melissa & Doug Under the Sea Jigsaw (24 pc)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

We purchased 4 of these puzzles for our kids and relatives. The graphics are great and are great fun for all the kids. However, the first time they were pulled apart, multiple pieces were delaminating. The graphic on the "nub" of multiple pieces bent back and there were even a couple of pieces that separated completely from the back couple of layers of plywood. I will probably give these the Elmers treatment and see how long they last. We own a number of M&D toys and have been unusually disappointed with these.

These type of puzzles are nice because the pieces do not get all bent up and ruined after multiple uses. Perfect for my almost 2 year old because it still offers a challenge, but isn't so challenging that she loses interest.

I was excited to find wood jigsaw puzzles, but this one started falling apart from day one. Just as other reviewers have mentioned, the laminate started to peel and chip immediately. I have tried gluing the laminate back on, but it didn't last. I also agree that the pieces fit very tightly. My 3yo son is able to put it together, but cannot separate the pieces. He will sometimes get frustrated when he's trying pieces together, they don't match, but then he can't get them apart. That isn't very much fun for him and greatly diminishes his interest in the puzzle. I also have trouble with the thin wood base of this puzzle drying out and warping. We live in Arizona and I know our humidity is very low. This happens to all our thin wood puzzles, so if anyone knows if there is some kind of nontoxic oil or other product that would help repair/fix this problem, I would be super appreciative. We have a few other Melissa & Doug wood puzzles that are thicker (fire engine w/sound, hands, and feet), and we don't have a problem with these because the base is thicker. We will probably have to stick to these thicker puzzles.

Isn't Melissa & Doug supposed to make high quality toys

The wood used for this puzzle is very cheap. The wood chipped off at the bottom of several jigsaw pieces as soon as I separated them.

I can't help but wonder if Melissa and doug is no longer making their puzzles with the same quality that they used to. I can't imagine anyone would be happy with the quality of construction. Just trying to get the puzzle apart for the first time caused damage on the front and back of several of the peices. The laminate is coming off the puzzle in several areas from taking it apart one time. There is no way this puzzle will hold like other puzzles I have been using over the years.

Also, the cut out design of the peices allows beginner puzzle makers to beable to put some of the peices in the wrong place, The picture doesn't match, but you can put wrong peices together, causing the laminate to come off even more. BEcause they kind of fit, but not quite right and when you go to take them apart laminate peels up.

I was going to order several of these for gifts for my day care children, but after pretesting one puzzle there is no way I will be buying any of these. It is a shame the pictures are cute.


updated: 1 month later: Called the 1-800 number, and they sent me a new puzzle of my choice. I went with a precchool set with numbers, letters, called Beginning skills floor puzzles( 4 puzles in box) Very well made. Kids love it and great for 3 and 4 year olds learning to put multiple peice puzzles together. They also told me if I wanted to try wooden board puzzles again, they would stand behind them and replace them if I had more problems with them.

FAntastic service. Thanks Melissa and Doug.

Great puzzle for the little ones. Will last a long time being wood . Good price also.

We just got this puzzle for our 2 1/2 year old. The graphics are beautiful and 24 piece size with wooden tray is great. My daughter loves this puzzle and has put it together at least 25 times in just a few days of owning it! However, the pieces stick together pretty badly, making it hard for her to get apart or put together. Plus, the lamination is peeling off of a few pieces already. In less than a week of owning the puzzle, I've already glued 2 pieces and I'm not sure that is even going to work. I don't see this puzzle lasting past the next few months. I definitely don't think this puzzle will be a "hand me down". This is in contrast to wooden puzzles I had as a child that are still going strong.

My 3 year old LOVES this puzzle. She will put it together a dozen times in a row. The pieces are thin wood and pretty durable...one piece has the picture coming up on one edge after only having the puzzle for a month but I believe that is because of my only real complaint about the puzzle. The pieces fit together really really tightly. My daughter can muscle the pieces together but requires my assistance to take them apart so that she can do them again. If not for that, this would be a 5 star puzzle all the way.

Its a nice upgrade from the ones where there is an image on the board to help children complete the puzzle. This one does not have it. A picture of the completed puzzle is on the back of the board in case you need to confirm and it certainly gets the little brains working. She loves it !

I am a fan of wooden puzzles in trays. They are durable and since we put them away all put together, we can keep track of the pieces better. I like the quality of Melissa and Doug products, and this product is no exception. My son just turned three. Since there is no picture of the scene beneath the puzzle, he requires some assistance. It is an activity we do together.