are there any wooden puzzles for kids out there?

[muffyn]

its been 30 years since I bought a wooden puzzle. they were playskool, with curved edges to fit next to each other together. now I am trying to find them again for a gift. but a search on amazon only shows a gazillion puzzles by someone named melissa & doug.. & they are like regular puzzles (for adults) that snap together.. plus the reviews aren't that great as it seems it has a paper top to them that can come undone.

am I searching wrongly? are there simple puzzles for the pre kindergarten that are painted & not a press board paper top wood type out there?

 

[4HppyCamprs]

I buy Melissa and Doug puzzles

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[4HppyCamprs]

Adding they also make various wood puzzles

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[littlezar]

Probably 3-4 years ago I bought some wooden puzzles (9pieces) at Target for my youngest for $4-5 each. I want to say they were Playskool brand but I'm not positive. They were located on the bottom shelf by the boxes of puzzles. I have no idea if they still have them.

 

[cinmouse]

Melissa & Doug are the top In wooden ones,but toys r us also has a few no name ones

 

[muffyn]

but do melissa & doug have puzzles that don't snap together? (like the old playschool ones I was mentioning)

I saw a few puzzles at walmart today, but they were like 4 or 5 items that just sit IN the background ( I think rated for 18 months)
I'd like something for a 3 year old.

 

[jillily]

Melissa and Doug have great products including their puzzles. But I know which ones you are talking about. My mom saved mine from when I was a kid. We had seseme street ones from playskool. I think they had about 7 or 8 pieces each and each piece just sat next to each other instead of interlocking. My kids love playing with them. Maybe try somewhere online, like Amazon. Or even on ebay you can sometimes find older toys that are still new.

 

[Mel522]

but do melissa & doug have puzzles that don't snap together? (like the old playschool ones I was mentioning)

I saw a few puzzles at walmart today, but they were like 4 or 5 items that just sit IN the background ( I think rated for 18 months)
I'd like something for a 3 year old.

Could you post a picture of what you are looking for?

 

[chellt]

If you have a Tuesday Morning, they sell Melissa & Doug. Ross carries them to.
Or you can by Melissa & Doug online.

 

[msmama]

I found a bunch on Ebay, lol.

My library has a bunch, too, so maybe some kind of educational website might have them?

FWIW, my son had a really hard time with the puzzles at the library like you are describing. He's always been much better with the jigsaw kind (that snap together) - and Melissa and Doug is a really good brand if you decide to go that way.

 

[XYSRUS]

I buy Melissa and Doug puzzles

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These. I was just searching online for the ones my kids have and found their cool alphabet one but the numbers one seems to not be made now. Their puzzles are neat. I'm going to get a few for my neice's baby.

 

[LJSquishy]

Melissa & Doug puzzles are some of the only wooden puzzles around anymore. They have some that are indeed wood, and others that are pressboard/paper-like.

The cube puzzles would be perfect for a 3-year old: http://www.melissaanddoug.com/wooden-cube-puzzles

Also, the self-correcting Alphabet or Number puzzle would be good for them to grow into: http://www.melissaanddoug.com/self-correcting-alphabet-letters-puzzles ...each letter or number & picture only has one correct fit so the pieces won't go together if they aren't matched up correctly.

There are also the standard wooden jigsaw puzzles that come in different piece counts (the 24pc says ages 3+ and looks to be the right skill level): http://www.melissaanddoug.com/24-piece-wooden-jigsaw-puzzles

 

[LJSquishy]

Is this the type of puzzle you are talking about?

http://www.lechatnoirboutique.com/proddetail.php?prod=ToysPuzzleSesameStreetBigBird

I think this is what you are talking about with the edges that touch. I used to love those puzzles. I don't think they really make that style anymore. If you don't need brand new ones, I'm sure you could find them on Etsy and Ebay.

Here are a couple on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/1147070...puzzle&ga_original_query=2&ga_search_type=all and I'm sure there are tons more!

Give the block puzzles a try also...I had this exact one growing up: http://www.etsy.com/listing/1096223...puzzle&ga_original_query=2&ga_search_type=all and played with it for years!

 

[cel_disney]

We have several of the Melissa and Doug wooden puzzles - 12 and 24? Piece - maybe even a 48 piece. They are jigsaw style. ,y kids start with the 12 piece ones at around age 2 and really enjoy them! They have access to the non-interlocking wooden puzzles at their daycare and really don't care for them. The jigsaw interlock seems to really help them do them alone instead of requiring help. Anyway - we are pretty rough on ours and they have held up great the past 4 years with fairly regular use!

 

[NotUrsula]

Age-appropriate wooden puzzles are easy to find at teacher supply stores such as Bradburn's. You can also find a whole lot of them at decent prices online at www.fatbraintoys.com. They have a nice cyberMonday sale today.

The other places that you can very often find them, though the stock is kind of catch as catch can, are TJMaxx or Tuesday Morning, where you can often find whole sets for as little as $4 at this time of year.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Melissa & Doug puzzles are some of the only wooden puzzles around anymore. They have some that are indeed wood, and others that are pressboard/paper-like.

The cube puzzles would be perfect for a 3-year old: http://www.melissaanddoug.com/wooden-cube-puzzles

Also, the self-correcting Alphabet or Number puzzle would be good for them to grow into: http://www.melissaanddoug.com/self-correcting-alphabet-letters-puzzles ...each letter or number & picture only has one correct fit so the pieces won't go together if they aren't matched up correctly.

There are also the standard wooden jigsaw puzzles that come in different piece counts (the 24pc says ages 3+ and looks to be the right skill level): http://www.melissaanddoug.com/24-piece-wooden-jigsaw-puzzles

My 3 year old has a couple of the cube ones and some of the giant jigsaw puzzles. The dinosaur one he has is 3ft by 4ft (or so) and he has no trouble with either type. The jigsaw are large so that probably helps

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[Shelly F - Ohio]

I saw wooden ones at JCPenney this weekend

 

[4HppyCamprs]

The big ones for the floor my three year likes are called 48 piece floor puzzles and they are 2 ft by 3 ft. Nice and sturdy.

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[torinsmom]

Try this site. I believe a lot of these puzzles are the kind you mentioned.
http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/product/productDet.jsp?productItemID=1%2C689%2C949%2C371%2C917%2C310&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181113&bmUID=1354018660690

Search for wooden puzzle on teacher sites and you will find them.