Customer Reviews

Melissa & Doug Sea Life Wooden Chunky Puzzle

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I tried to edit the number of stars I had originally given this product. I had ordered previously the "Farm" chunky puzzle... I loved it. Each piece was hand painted, completely, and has exceptional quality. SO, for Christmas I ordered her 3 more... BUT, they aren't made the same. These puzzles (Sea Life, Safari, and Pets) are NOT painted. They simply have stickers slapped on the front. The sides and underneath are completely unfinished. As a result, after my toddler playing with them for only 6 weeks, they are starting to peel apart. The first PAINTED puzzle is 2 years old, and still in GREAT shape. I am really disappointed that these 3 were made so much more cheaply.

I love the concept behind Melissa and Doug toys. Non-toxic paints. Wood products. A little more natural and a little better for the environment. We have the fish bowl that my 16 month old son absolutely loves. The fish bowl has been great and holds up well to his 16 month actions. This puzzle was a real disappointment. The pieces are covered in stickers,not painted and I keep pulling wet sticker paper from his mouth. It's really colorful and I love the concept behind teaching him about sea creatures but this puzzle is just too poor of quality.

Although Amazon shipped this much quicker than I expected, it is not what was pictured nor what Melissa & Doug used to sale. I have a number of Melissa & Doug puzzles that are painted on ALL sides. The older puzzles are made of real wood and feel much nicer than this pressed board crap. They are also cut to the image where the newer puzzles are mere outlines, haphazardly thrown together. I would have promptly returned this puzzle, but my 19 month old son really loves puzzles and saw this and the other 2 puzzles as they were coming out of the box. I cannot believe that these cost the same amount or more than the other puzzles we own, yet they are of such an inferior quality that I cannot believe the are trying to pawn it off as the same thing they used to sale. Shame on you Melissa & Doug.

My 22-month-old has loved doing puzzles for 1/2 year now. He received several Melissa and Doug's chunky puzzles for Christmas and loves to play with them. My only complaint on this particular puzzle is the starfish is difficult to get in. He sometimes whines when he can't get it to fit. There is only one correct way to put it in despite the appearance that it would fit in many ways. Several other moms have commented on how they don't like that starfish piece when they have helped me clean up after playgroup.

My 16 month old son recieved this toy for Christmas from his Grandmother. As soon as we took the wrapping off he began playing with it which we took to be a good sign. Unfortunately, as soon as he started dropping pieces on the floor the paint began chipping. By the end of the first day we had this toy at least half the pieces have rather large chunks of paint missing. Even if it isn't toxic I still don't want him exposed to chipping paint.

In general, we have had this problem with every Melissa and Doug toy we own. Our son loves them but the paint chips very easily. I love the concept of these toys but they have some serious quality issues that need to be addressed. I will be contacting the manufacturer directing about replacing this puzzle.

My daughter is 16 months and loves this! We name the sea creatures and althought the sea star is tricky, the rest go right into place. She has a chance to feel accomplished and proud, a great way to mix it up if you need more activity for your child that is not TV!!

My daughter loves this puzzle when we're at the library. I wanted to get one for home, but was so disappointed to see that they're no longer solid paint, but stickers. Children chew on puzzle pieces. It's going to happen, and when it does, the sticker comes off. Such a shame...

This was an excellent choice. My girls are 21 months old and while they try to place the animals in their speces, what's really fun is picking up the board and spilling all the animals on the floor. Also, they tend to walk on them and they don't break.

I have purchased nine of these puzzles the first three that I purchased were hand painted (barn, pets, and safari) and wonderful quality. I purchased an additional puzzle (transportation) at a Marshall's where presumably they were getting rid of older models and the tops of the puzzles were NOT hand painted it is merely a sticker on top of the shape. The sticker or paper coating has come off and it is not nearly as durable as the hand painted puzzles I purchased from a store more than a year ago. I think they are continuing to sell them as HAND PAINTED which they are not! I think this is a manufacturing decision to cut costs but sadly they have cut quality substantially as well. I kept the more recently ordered puzzles (Dino's, construction vehicles, sea life and insects) for their educational value as we live abroad and trading them out and getting new ones would not be possible by Christmas--and I don't know if I could get painted ones. I have heard that others have ordered the three packs and gotten the hand painted ones however all the single ones that I have purchased since last summer have been the sticker variety. We are game planning a solution to increase the durability which will probably involve poly or acrylic topping. In the end if you see them hand painted in the store get them if you order them its anyone's guess. My daughter does love these puzzles as you can play with them as action figures or for there intended purpose hence why I continue to purchase them. I am just concerned that they are not going to make it to another kid. Oh and the Dino's were a little hard to tell what a couple of them were supposed to be.

I adore anything by melissa and doug, and they were delivered very fast and in great condition!, these are definitly a must have for every child.