Melissa and Doug Toys for Your Children

Have you noticed that some of the Melissa & Doug wooden puzzles your child enjoys are very similar to ones that you had as a child? That's because children love to solve puzzles.

It's actually a normal developmental task that sharpens their problem solving skills. So the puzzle your toddler drags across the floor today builds a foundation for the skills she will need to solve calculus problems in high school.

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Table & Chairs Set

Jigsaw puzzles are fantastic for training eye-hand coordination. Toddlers are more comfortable with the larger wooden puzzles. The wood pieces are easier to manipulate and more sturdy. Have at least 4 wooden puzzles and rotate them one at a time.

That way your toddler does not get bored with the same item as each puzzle seems new when traded for the former one. Fun with puzzles starts at preschool but continues through elementary school children get excited about cardboard puzzles.

Start with the 30 and 60 piece puzzles than work up to puzzles with hundreds of pieces. A great way to entertain children and involve the whole family is to keep a 500 piece puzzle on a board in the family room so everyone can add to it.

Your teenager may joke about it but when he doesn't know you are looking, he'll be trying to fit in the most complicated pieces. Melissa & Doug puzzles are educational and inexpensive entertainment for the whole family. Don't be surprised if you are drawn into finding that elusive middle piece too.

You might be tempted to say, "Stop playing around" to your co-worker in the next cubicle but for Melissa and Doug, playing around is the heart of their business. This creative couple discovered their mutual interest for toys by starting a business together.

They said, "Let's design" even before they said, "I do!" For over twenty years, their marriage has been founding on playing around, with toys that is. And the result is an incredible selection of sturdy, creative and educational toys from toddlers and children.

Melissa and Doug 60-Piece Standard Unit Blocks

Who knew that a fuzzy pink pig would be the launch of a toy business that finally moved out of Doug's parents' basement and into a manufacturing center with a dedicated staff? Well that's what happened and they are still adding new toys to the line.

Good thing too, as there are plenty of parents who eagerly await the newest Melissa & Doug toy. Discerning grandparents wouldn't think of buying those cheap foreign imports with questionable lead paint and poor testing.

No way!

They want the quality and safety that's part of every Melissa & Doug toy. Children find unusual ways to pull apart toys that can be harmful. You can bet that Doug and his devoted staff of "players" will thoroughly play test every toy before it's included for sale.

Doug calls that "advanced product testing." Melissa laughs, knowing that no matter what excuse Doug makes to play with the toys, the result is a safer product for your child. Or buy the toy for yourself, we won't tell on you!