Melissa & Doug USA Map Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle
by Melissa and Doug
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Our Price: $18.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Toy See more product details |
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Toys and Games Reviews of Melissa & Doug USA Map Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle
Customer Review: Not so deluxe
Summary: 3 Stars
The only thing deluxe about this puzzle is the fact that it's made of heavy duty wood, so it's very durable. My son has had this puzzle since he was 3, and he is still enjoying it at age 5. He likes it very much and has learned a lot about states from using it. However, I think any states puzzle would be educational and fun. A person should rate the puzzle against other similar toys, and this one could use a lot of improvement.
As other reviewers have mentioned, the shape of Michigan (and Maryland) is cut wrong, many New England states are bunched together into big clumps, all I'm assuming so that the puzzle is easier for little tykes. The capitals are only shown under the pieces. They chose to put the nicknames of the states on the front of the pieces instead, and only some of the states merited a picture of something associated with that state. Many have no picture at all, or in the case of Hawaii, the picture actually obscures the shape of the islands that make up that state. The bold black outlines of each state just make for ambiguous or even inaccurate borders and no way to see which borders are actually natural boundaries like rivers. I find myself wishing I still had my little cardboard puzzle from my childhood, which had more accurate rendering of all the political boundaries, each state cut out separately, and all capitals located on the front of each piece with its star in the right location. I'm looking forward to when my son will graduate to a big boy states puzzle.
Customer Review: Sparks interest in geography
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this for my daughter two years ago, when she turned 5-years-old. Within a week, she knew her states and capitols. What a great learning tool. She was the only student in her Kindergarten class who knew her capitols - not because we drilled her with them, but because she couldn't get enough of this puzzle! She is the oldest of my 3 children, and her siblings, ages 5 and 3, are both learning states, too. It is a good, solid, learning piece, that doesn't rely on a bunch of bells and whistles to keep kids interested. Best of all, it may be the only puzzle my kids have loved enough to make sure they never lose a piece!!! It's probably the best toy I've ever bought my children, and has withstood the test of time. I highly recommend it.Customer Review: Love, Love, Love it
Summary: 5 Stars
My 3 year old daughters LOVE this puzzle, although it wasn't intended for them! It drove me crazy for the first several days because I had to stop what I was doing to help them. After just a week, both of them know MANY of the state names enough to say "It's by Florida" and they can find the state. The outline on the wood board is perfect for comparing, yet still makes it challenging because the pieces can still move around... so little fingers have to learn to be careful! Seriously a great "toy". And I am thrilled with many of Melissa and Doug things. They are always top quality, especially the puzzles!Customer Review: A puzzle for both young and old!
Summary: 5 Stars
Our 4-year-old loves puzzles, and we were looking for something fun and educational that would challenge her but intrigue her at the same time. This is what we were looking for! Not only will this puzzle last through our daughter, but it should last through her brother and any siblings who come along in the future. She loves the pictures on the pieces and is very proud when she gets done. As a homeschooling family, we are glad to find toys like this that are of good educational value but are also fun, durable, and classic. You can't go wrong with this puzzle!Customer Review: Kid-approved "sneaky education"
Summary: 5 Stars
This puzzle is my 2 1/2 year old son's absolute favorite. He does it on his own, and is starting to know the state names. He will do it over and over and over again, and thinks it's great fun. I think it's a great way to help him learn! It's kind of nice when a learning tool has to be pried out of my child's hands....If I had one complaint, it would be that Alaska is on the bottom left corner of the puzzle; it would have been nice if they'd made the puzzle larger so they could stick Alaska in roughly the right place. Not a big deal, though.