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Good, but could be better
I enjoy having my children learn about the USA and we’ve got family in various parts of the country so we’ve traveled a bit for visits. I thought this would be nice for my preschooler to use to visualize where we’ve been. My 3.5 yr old can put this puzzle together on her own fairly well, but we do a lot of puzzles in our house. We’ve put it together 6-8 times now, and here is what I’ve noticed...1. It is a little tough in that the pieces don’t link like a normal jigsaw because they’re shaped like the various states. Essentially they just are flat sides that lay next to each other. Because of this, the pieces can shift around with a wiggly child and that can make it tough getting everything to fit smoothly if your child is impatient.2. The pieces are a cardboard material, like most puzzles. They’re thick enough to be pretty sturdy but because some of the pieces are so long or large I foresee some of these getting bent, particularly with smaller children. I know my daughter held one piece in her hand and pushed it into the couch while leaning on the couch and bent one. Still usable, but not perfect now.3. The size of the pieces and pictures are nice for any age to work with. The areas with smaller states all bunched together are one puzzle piece so you’re not trying to finagle a tiny piece in somewhere.4. The colors and pictures are holding up well so far, but I did notice one piece on the red sign that seems to have some specs of color coming off. See my picture.5. I like that they have a picture of something significant related to that state for most states - a talking point I can have with my child about various items. This picture also gives my child, who cannot read yet, some way of identifying the states without looking at the name. However, note that not all states have a picture. Where the state is too small, they’ve omitted a picture. This is understandable based on space, but a bit disappointing for me because I lose that teaching moment for some states. Overall, not a big deal.6. Being from Michigan, I’m frustrated on what MI looks like. That’s not a mitten! The other states mostly look pretty accurate to their shapes. See some of my pictures for a good view.Overall this is another quality Melissa and Doug product, but is it perfect? No. I’m glad I purchased this, and the kids seem to enjoy it which is what really matters.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2020
My toddler loves this puzzle and does it at least every other day, sometimes multiple times a day. He is really excited to show us the states and talk about the pictures on them. I really like it too because not only has it helped him learn his states, but also can lead to conversations about other learning topics (for instance, we were learning about habitats and Nevada has a snake on it and Arizona has a cactus - it leads to us talking about "desert habitat" when those states come up.
Some of the states are grouped together on one piece, which I don't love, but I do understand why its done with some of the smaller states. Because of this though, he can name most every state except CT, DE, NH, VT, RI.. all the small ones that appear in the NE and Mid-Atlantic grouped state pieces. I haven't seen any other puzzles that compare though, or do all the states separately for this age group.
The puzzle is BIG. He has puzzles of various sizes and enjoys the BIG ones the most, so that is a plus too.
This is a really great, fun puzzle for learning the states and sparking conversations about them. I strongly recommend. BTW my toddler got this some time in late spring/early summer when he was 2.5 years old. He is now 3 and a few months. This puzzle has gotten tons of use and love during that time and is holding up. Not low quality materials.
Some of the states are grouped together on one piece, which I don't love, but I do understand why its done with some of the smaller states. Because of this though, he can name most every state except CT, DE, NH, VT, RI.. all the small ones that appear in the NE and Mid-Atlantic grouped state pieces. I haven't seen any other puzzles that compare though, or do all the states separately for this age group.
The puzzle is BIG. He has puzzles of various sizes and enjoys the BIG ones the most, so that is a plus too.
This is a really great, fun puzzle for learning the states and sparking conversations about them. I strongly recommend. BTW my toddler got this some time in late spring/early summer when he was 2.5 years old. He is now 3 and a few months. This puzzle has gotten tons of use and love during that time and is holding up. Not low quality materials.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2018
Large Scale vibrant Imagery, interactive, & effective!
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2018
I homeschool my 4 year old daughter using the Montessori Method. We absolutely love this puzzle. My daughter loved the large scale imagery and vibrant pictures and colors. Each state also incorporates pictures/facts - especially great for visual learners. The first time my daughter completed it I had to help her a little bit, but after that she just referred to the picture on the box and completed it herself on her own! My daughter is effectively learning the orientation of different states and their location in relation to one another! The puzzle doesn’t “snap together” like other puzzles and at first I wasn’t too fond of that, but then I realized it made the puzzle more challenging as my daughter had to meticulously place the pieces together in order for them to fit together properly for a complete picture. This puzzle stimulates a child’s brain, enhances critical thinking, and promotes independence! I really like the fact that it is interactive which makes learning fun! My daughter often has a short attention span and this puzzle kept her entertained from start to finish and she felt so accomplished that she completed it alone! My goal is to have my daughter learn all the states and their location WITHOUT using the picture on the box as reference. I know it can be done ;-). We love Melissa and Doug’s products!
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2018
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Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2011
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2024
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MARIFER ESTIGOY
Different state, different puzzle piece
Reviewed in Canada on July 16, 2024
