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Melissa and Doug Jumbo ABC Chunky Puzzle

This hand-painted, playfully styled Jumbo ABC Puzzle is sure to capture and keep the attention of curious young minds. The thick, chunky wooden puzzle pieces fit neatly into their spots on the colorful board and also stand up for additional pretend play. Puzzle features full-color images beneath each piece to guide little ones. Measures 16″H x 13.8″W x 1″D.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Great puzzle
This is a great puzzle but I wish the pieces where painted on all sides and not only on the top, that would make them more water resistant when drinks are spilled on them accidently. Also, the one we received is not completely flat so best if played on a carpet or rug insead of a solid surface.

My daughter is enjoying playing with it and is learning new words while playing. The letters are chunky enough that she can easily grab them and place them on the board.

2 Stars some details are different from manufacture description
Overall a good product for the price. We noticed that the manufacture says it’s hand painted, but acctually the letters are printed material glued on the wooden pieces, not painted on. The one we received had peeling edges that revealed this. Second, it is not real wood. The daddy probably knows the right term but to me, the mommy, its ‘presure treated wood byproduct’. You don’t see the beautiful rings of real wood on it. In addition, you need to wipe it clean before giving to your kids because of the fine samll dusts. I am not suprised about the quality being under $20, but at least the manufacture should not state ‘hand painted’ when it is not. These details may not bother you if you are ok with other Melissa and Doug products. However, I am concerned about the printed material and whatever they used to glue it on because my baby will chew on it and the chemical will end up in his tiny body. I am still in search for a puzzle painted with non-toxic paint.

5 Stars Great verbally and with motor skills
My son is 19 months old. Knew approx 10 letters. Introducing this item to him he now verbally knows 15 letter (3 weeks later)and 20 just by sight. He places every one in the slot it belongs. The slot allotted for the letters are printed the same as the block letter. It helps them located the letter by color and shape. It also helps motor skills. I praised him when he gets the correct letters in. He now praises himself by clapping his hands when he completes the puzzle.

5 Stars Great Puzzle!
We play with this puzzle every time we go to the library and love it!

4 Stars Challenge for a Toddler
My son is 18 months old and loves puzzles. He mastered all the basic ones with farm animals and shapes, so I bought this hoping it would be a challenge. It is definitely harder than the others and it takes patience to put in all the letters. He usually makes it through 7 or 8 before he gets bored and moves on to other activities. The negative on this toy is you will definitely find little wooden letters all over your home. The positive is – your child will start to learn the letters. We’ve had it since Easter and we’re up to “A B C” and we can do ‘M’ for Mommy, ‘D’ for Daddy and ‘G’ for John (my son’s name).

Buy/More Info

Kid Toys Puzzles Byproduct, Carpet, Color Images, Dusts, Glue, Great Puzzle, Insead, Little Ones, Melissa And Doug, Melissa And Doug Products, Mommy, Non Toxic Paint, Presure Treated Wood, Pretend Play, Puzzle Pieces, Solid Surface, Tiny Body, Water Resistant, Wooden Pieces, Wooden Puzzle

LeapFrog Learning Friendsand 8482 Phonics Bus Vehicle

Beep! Beep! When little ones hop aboard the Phonics Bus with their Learning Friends, they discover the entire alphabet through easy-press letters, 26 learning songs, and fun removable characters that encourage open-ended, imaginative play! Each easy-press letter says it’s name and sound, and plays a fun learning song. With three modes of play, the Learning Friends Phonics Bus from LeapFrog introduces toddlers to letter names, letter sounds, letter songs that combine letter names with sounds, and the ABC Song. They’re also treated to three versions of the song “The Wheels on the Bus.” With letters, characters and fun learning songs, the Leap Frog Learning Friends Phonics Bus will delight toddlers while encouraging development of key skills and behaviors, such as language development, creativity, curiosity and problem solving. For ages 12 mos. and up. Requires 3 “AA” alkaline batteries.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars After 6 months, still lots of fun
My son received this bus last Christmas. Ever since he simply MUST have it in his bed for the night and at nap time. This morning I heard him once again ’sing’ along and repeat quite a few letters. It is educational and fun… and up to now very durable (he often sits on it despite what Mommy says and the bus still looks as good as it did the first day). I definitely recommend this toy!

2 Stars Fun, educational but HAZARDOUS!!!
I got this toy for my son because I thought it has many educational features. After a week, the paint is chipped on one of the frogs. Grant it my son was probably chewing on the frog because he is teething. But that is what makers of kid toys should expect and prepare for. Since the paint on the frogs is not durable, I have to confiscate all the frogs and just allow my son to play with the bus. He still enjoys it but this is not the full potential for this toy. I am thinking of returning it because there is no toy educational enough that I should put my child’s health in danger. Paint chips are just NOT acceptable in children’s toys. Leapfrogs should know better and invest a little more in ensuring this toy is of health and safety standard. I am very disappointed.

5 Stars Sounds very clear
This is our first LeapFrog product. Grandma got it for our 1 year old and he has really enjoyed pushing the buttons. He is not old enough to us it fully but will be soon. We were really impressed with how clear the voice is. It makes the hard c sound, and so on, and you can really hear it. We were sad to see the stickers were peeling off after only a day (and he didn’t even suck on it) but a little glue seems to have done the trick. The bus roof is perfect for a little guy to carry it around with too.

1 Star Keep an eye on the paint
Our one year old received this as a Christmas gift and seemed to really like it-especially the three frogs whom she gnawed on (as one a teething toddler can). About two weeks after Christmas we discovered that the paint was chipping & peeling off of the frogs. After taking the toy away, we emailed Leapfrog & after no reply we phoned. We’ve had a rather protracted experience during which not one person has asked if our daughter is fine (she is according the lead test) and where there seems to be a rather blase attitude about this issue. Be very alert with regard to the paint on this toy.

5 Stars Very cute,educational tory
Like a few other reviewers I bought this for my just now turned 2 year old whom isn’t talking as much as I would hope. I was thrilled to get this…it was so cute! I couldn’t wait to get it out of the box to give it to her. She loves moves the bus across the floor and playing the ABC song. I think this is a great toy! I like that is says the letters and also makes the sounds of the letters. I would recommend this toy to anyone with a small child.

Buy/More Info

Kid Toys [Learning & Education] Aa Alkaline Batteries, Abc Song, Beep Beep, Educational Features, Encouraging Development, Frogs, Imaginative Play, Key Skills, Kid Toys, Language Development, Last Christmas, Leap Frog, Leapfrog, Letter Names, Letter Songs, Little Ones, Lots Of Fun, Mommy, Nap Time, Wheels On The Bus

Vtech Dial and Discover Phone

Baby can dial and discover a world of fun! This toy teaches numbers, colors, music, sounds and shapes. A favorite activity for babies is talking on the phone, and now they will learn while talking. With the press of a button, the light-up screen magically changes images activities. Realistic phone sounds and conversational phrases give baby a fun role-play experience. Automatic shut-off preserves battery life. Durable design for long-lasting play. Requires 2 “AA” batteries (not included).

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Play phone with lights and sounds
I bought this phone for the grandkids and they love it.(Age 1 and 6 months) They esp. love the flashing lights that go off when ever you push a buttom. Its not overbearingly loud, and has music and a phone that says “lets call mommy, or lets call daddy”. The nice thing also is it has a turn off button, it also seems very durable and strong. In this household, the kids love it!

1 Star Disappointed
I’m surprised this toy got so many positive reviews. The speaking voice that comes out drives me crazy! The inflections of individual words don’t match the sentence; for example, the voice says, “This is the RED triangle” and the word “red” has this excited, overly happy inflection. It just doesn’t fit in the sentence. It’s the same with most of the sentences and sounds unnatural – “Let’s call MOMMY!” It reminds me of a computer voice where the words are pieced together. We have other Vtech toys that we are very happy with. I wish we had a different brand of toy phone, though!

5 Stars Shocked at how much my toddler loves this!
I bought this used from a consignment shop, not from Amazon. It was a little scratched up from the previous owner but otherwise works like a champ. We’ve had it for a couple months and it’s been dropped all over the place and played with almost every day, and still going strong. So, full marks for durability!

This is actually the 3rd toy phone that we’ve bought, but the only one that has absorbed my toddler’s attention for more than a couple minutes. Yes, the songs and sounds are very annoying to me after a while, but he loves it so who am I to complain?

I don’t know what that other reviewer meant by a foreign voice. Ours sounds American and is perfectly coherent. She is maybe a little too enthusiastic about shapes and colors, but whatever.

This has an on/off switch but no volume control. The volume is an adequate level for the house or car, not too quiet, not too ear-damaging. If it’s too loud for you, you can put a piece of packing tape over the speaker to muffle, like we do with many of our other singing toys.

5 Stars BEST phone for your money
My daughter has had this phone for about 2 yrs. It has grown with her. At 1 – she liked the lights and sounds (and could chew on the antennae without worry). At 2 – she knew what sounds came from which button in all 3 modes. Now at 3 she is listening to the words and repeating them and thinking about what it all means. I leave this in the car and it’s her toy when we are on the road. I love that it has French and Spanish on it as well as English. It’s never too early to introduce other languages. We had tried a few other brands before we found this one and by far this one is the best. Batteries last forever in it. This would make a perfect gift to expecting parents.

5 Stars perfect christmas gift
I bought this for my 1 and a half year old niece and she hasn’t stopped thanking me. She played with this gift the most out of all the crap she got this year. I can hear it now as I type.

Buy/More Info

Kid Toys Electronics Aa Batteries, Amazon, Battery Life, Champ, Computer Voice, Consignment Shop, Conversational Phrases, Durability, Durable Design, Flashing Lights, Grandkids, Inflection, Inflections, Mommy, Music Sounds, Nice Thing, Role Play, Sentences, Vtech Toys, World Of Fun

VTech Preschool Learning Tote n Go Laptop Pink

Program your preschooler for early learning with the Tote ‘N Go Laptop Plus! It offers big style for little learners, and it’s just like the computer Mom and Dad use! This unique learning product comes complete with a colorful keyboard and detachable mouse that’s designed for both left-handed and right-handed users. Plus, the Tote ‘N Go Laptop Plus features 30 engaging activities that teach language, math, games and music. You’ll love the nifty handle for easy fold-up and go. Requires 3 “AA” batteries, not included.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Cute, Durable, Educational
I purchased this product for my daughter who is about to turn 2, and she already knows some of her letters! She loves it and packs it around with her everywhere!!! The only problem I had with it, and I guess it’s not really not a “problem”, probably just a parent thing!, but, even at it’s lowest volume setting it’s still pretty loud I don’t know maybe it’s just that monkey, oh that monkey! – I like how it goes off by itself so the battery doesn’t drain itself…very handy!!

5 Stars Very educational, best toy I’ve bought!
I bought this for my 3 1/2 year old daughter for Christmas 2008. I am homeschooling her and wanted a tool to help her recognize letters and numbers while having fun. So while she can’t yet use many of the games I have to just rave that this is the best product that I’ve used that allows her to interact AND learn her numbers and letters. It also lets her pretend to be just like mommy while she “works on her computer”.

Many people brought up the issue of the volume button and that isn’t a problem for us. She knows it gets taken away if she pushes that button and that only Mommy can change the volume.

We use many other things to help with letter recognition but this is by far the most effective and just today we had a blast playing on the laptop!

3 Stars Fun for kids learning letters and numbers, but….
This is a good product for the price, but little pre-schoolers that can’t read need assistance picking games. All the games are listed out on the screen and only a parent can help them pick a game. So, my daughter lost interest b/c she just can’t use it by herself. Once I pick a game and explain to her what to do, then she enjoys it. So, if you are looking for a learning tool that your kids can do by themselves, this isn’t the one.

4 Stars Great toy.
Very fun and well made except the battery hinge on the back.But they sell replacements for them.

5 Stars Small price for a great learning tool for preschoolers
I purchased two of these at $19 each for my two 3-year old granddaughters. A terrific value for an educational tool/toy that helps preschoolers with early learning through 30 interactive activities/games teaching ABCs, 123s, math games, music, etc. Truly an easy `tote and go’ item that keeps preschoolers occupied for hours. My 2-year old grandson is also an eager learner and uses it when his sister is at preschool!

Buy/More Info

Kid Toys Dolls Aa Batteries, Christmas, Fun For Kids, Fun Kids, Fun Learning, Handed Users, Having Fun, Keyboard, Laptop, Letter Recognition, Letters And Numbers, Little Learners, Math Games, Mom And Dad, Mommy, Monkey, Pink, Preschool Learning, Preschooler, Volume Button

Melissa and Doug Abby and Emma Deluxe Magnetic Dress Up

Abby and Emma love to play dress-up and exchange mix and match outfits. These two wooden, magnetic friends come with stands and hundreds of dress-up options for hours of fun!

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Best toy!
I bought this set for my little girls, 2 & 3 years old. They love it & play with it everyday! Good quality & very durable.

5 Stars Great Mommy & Me Toy!
I bought this for my 2 year old daughter. At first she played with it minimally, and wasn’t so interested, but children develop skills like these so quickly…just a few short months later she plays with it EVERY day…often more than once a day. It really is among her favorite activities.

Because of the choking hazard warning for kids under 3 I did remove the smaller shoes and hats. I also make sure she plays with it only when I’m with her. (She prefers it that way…she hands me one of the dolls and she dresses the other).

It’s so fun how she has favorite outfits she always goes back to, (memory development), has learned to place the items correctly lined up, (motor skills), and chooses various tops and bottoms, (color matching).

The magnets are strong enough to truly hold the clothing in place as dolls stand in their stands.

The choices are many, as far as outfits.

There’s no lid, but all the pieces fit easily into the various compartments. It’s less than 1″ tall laying flat, so it’s very easy to slide under a bed, bookcase, whatever to keep it out of the way w/o spilling.

Easily a five star item that will last long enough to keep for HER children to play with..we love Melissa and Doug pretend food for her play kitchen too!

5 Stars Appealing and Durable
Like many of the other Melissa and Doug toys, this is very durable with sharp colors and simple patterns. Reminiscent of paper dolls without the flimsy paper, these dolls and clothes keep my daughter content and amused and allow her to use her imagination. My pre-school daughter has happily spent a lot of time dressing the dolls and showing us the “pretty girls.” The outfits cling as magnets so they are easily put on and off. Don’t worry parents, these are not the super-strong magnets that have caused the recalls in many other children’s toys. I will warn parents of small children that you may consider removing the shoes and a few other small clothing items before giving the set to your pre-schooler because those pieces could be a choking hazard. But don’t hesitate to buy this set. it is wonderful for home or grandma’s house.

5 Stars Melissa Magnetic dress dolls
It was a great toy for in the car on our way to Florida. The dolls were dress and redressed. Thanks for making the passing time enjoyable.

5 Stars Dress up dolls I wish I’d had
My children have played with these magnetic dress up dolls since they were 2 years old. They are now 8 and 10 and still enjoy them. They are so durable and definitely beat the paper dolls I played with as a child! Made of wood and magnets so the clothes go on and off easily and don’t slide off like paper clothes do. Highly recommended!

Buy/More Info

Kid Toys Dolls 3 Years, Abby, Bookcase, Choices, Dolls Clothes, Emma, Five Star, Imagination, Little Girls, Magnetic Dress, Magnets, Melissa And Doug, Melissa And Doug Toys, Memory Development, Mix And Match, Mommy, Paper Dolls, Pretend Food, Shoes And Hats, Tops And Bottoms