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I’m excited to share this best Melissa and Doug puzzles guide with you. Puzzles are a powerful learning tool that offers your young child the chance to learn hand dexterity, logical thinking, and concentration. If you have a kid under six years old, I’ve got 10 high-quality puzzles from the respected toy brand, Melissa and Doug, to show you today.
We’ll learn about why Melissa and Doug toys are considered the “Golden Standard” in childhood play, and what makes their puzzles special. Ready to see 10 amazing Melissa and Doug puzzles right away? Let’s get started!
Contents
Bottom Line Upfront
My kids loved floor puzzles. More so than regular ones. They could get down on the floor and move around, and interact with one another while assembling a cool picture. So, I highly recommend the Melissa and Doug Underwater Ocean Floor Puzzle.
Explore the wonders of the deep blue sea in this vibrantly illustrated cardboard puzzle. 2' x 3' when assembled, the 48 extra-thick pieces feature an Easy-Clean surface to keep this undersea puzzle scene looking like new. 
Top 3 Picks
Even though I’m going to discuss 10 Melissa and Doug puzzles later on, I’d like to show you these 3 first. These 3 puzzles stood out as the best of the best. Whether you want to buy a top-notch puzzle for a bargain, buy for your young tot, or buy the best puzzle of them all, these 3 are worth checking out right away!
This puzzle set offers your child 6 unique puzzles. They’ll learn about farm animals, pets, safari animals, numbers, letters, and vehicles.
- Best for Early Learners: Melissa and Doug Shapes Wooden Chunky Puzzle
Your kid will learn all about shapes with this puzzle! Below each shape is the shape’s name, so they can get a head start on knowing the basics.
- Best Bargain: Melissa and Doug Underwater Ocean Floor Puzzle
This puzzle may be the least expensive on the list, but it’s also huge! Made with large, easy-to-clean puzzle pieces, your child will love assembling the gorgeous ocean creatures featured on each piece.
About Melissa and Doug
The story of how Melissa and Doug started their iconic toy brand together is a heartwarming one. If you’re anything at all like me and you need to understand what a brand is all about before giving them money, here’s the rundown on Melissa and Doug.
How the Company Began
Let’s go back to 1988 when Melissa and Doug were making toys out of the garage at Doug’s parents’ house. Both were raised by parents in the education field, which inspired them to create meaningful, long-lasting kids’ toys with some old-fashioned flair.
They used to deliver their own toys all over the East Coast and listen to customer reviews by providing a phone number on the back of their products. Decades later, their hard work paid off in spades.
Where They are Today
Melissa and Doug are still happily married! Their HQ in Connecticut has grown exponentially since the company began. They’ve expanded their reach and now have factories overseas. Their current net worth? $500,000,000.
Benefits of Melissa and Doug Puzzles
Puzzles are both a fun toy and an educational tool for young kids. Curious to learn more about why puzzles are recommended? Read on!
Hand Dexterity
It’s important that toddlers learn how to properly grip things. They don’t have very much strength in their hands until they practice using them. Puzzles made with large, chunky wooden blocks like the ones offered by Melissa and Doug give them the chance to practice gripping objects that are easy for them to hold.
Problem Solving Skills
Puzzles take logical thinking to complete. Introducing your child to logical thinking now will not only help them in school but also in life. Puzzles allow your kid to solve a small problem on their own in a fun way.
Concentration
It’s important that children learn how to concentrate on doing one task all the way through to the end. This may be challenging for a very young toddler, but once they complete something they worked on, they’ll feel a sense of accomplishment.
Away from the Screens
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that even little kids between the ages of 2 and 6 are constantly exposed to screens like the rest of us. Your child may not have a smartphone, but hours and hours spent in front of the T.V., playing video games, and scrolling through an I-pad can condition them early on to form unhealthy attachments to electronics. Exposing them to toys and games off-screen lets them learn there’s more to life than the internet.
Types of Puzzles Melissa and Doug Make
Curious about which types of puzzles Melissa and Doug make for your tot? Take a look at these to get a better understanding of what Melissa and Doug are all about.
- Block Puzzles – These puzzles are perfect for toddlers and young elementary schoolers because they’re made with chunky wooden blocks. These blocks are easy to grasp and easy for little ones to put into place.
- Pegboard Puzzles – A pegboard puzzle has large wooden puzzle pieces attached to a peg. These pegs make it easier for your child to pick up the puzzle piece and put it into place on the wooden puzzle board.
- Floor Puzzles – These large puzzles are made of big, easy-to-clean puzzle pieces. They’re called “floor puzzles” because they’re so large, they’re meant to be assembled on the floor instead of on a table.
What to Look for in a Melissa and Doug Puzzle
Not sure which Melissa and Doug puzzle is the right fit for your kid? Here’s a simple rundown of what to consider before buying your kid’s new favorite toy.
- Age Range – Make sure you buy a puzzle that’s meant for the age your child currently is or will be in the future
- Aligns with Your Kids’ Interests – Melissa and Doug make puzzles with vehicles, dinosaurs, farm animals, sea creatures, and much more. If your kid loves triceratops, there are tons of dinosaur puzzles from this company you could pick out for them.
- Price Range – Melissa and Doug puzzles are not inordinately expensive, but sometimes the puzzle sets with multiple puzzles can get pricier.
Best Melissa and Doug Puzzles
I won’t keep you in suspense any longer-these are the 10 best Melissa and Doug puzzles for toddlers and elementary schoolers 2-6 years old. 2-6 is such an important time in your child’s development that I believe it pays to go for quality, educational toys.
I chose these Melissa and Doug toys because they are created from high–quality materials for maximum durability, so you can pass these puzzles along to future children and grandchildren you may have, too.
Melissa and Doug Construction Vehicles 4-in-1 Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles
Best For: Vehicle Puzzles
I always opted for bulk items when my kids were teeny tiny. If something came with several items and more options for play or learning, then I couldn’t pass it up. Your little one will get to put together 4 different construction vehicle puzzles with this 4-in-1 set. All 4 puzzles fit together in an organized wooden box that will keep all the pieces from the 4 puzzles separate.
- Price Range: $7-$17
- Age Range: 3-6
- What’s Featured: 4 different construction vehicles
Each puzzle has 12 pieces, so it’s perfect for little ones who are just learning about problem-solving.
Set includes four wooden, 12-piece construction vehicle jigsaw puzzles-- a cement mixer, a bulldozer, a dump truck and an excavator-- each stored in a separate compartment of a sturdy wooden box. 
Pros
- 4 brightly colored construction vehicles
- Helps teach hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination
- 4 puzzles in 1 set
Cons
- Kids who don’t collect vehicle toys may not want this
Melissa and Doug Underwater Ocean Floor Puzzle
Best Bargain
Searching for the perfect floor puzzle? Melissa and Doug offer a beautiful 2 feet by 3 feet floor puzzle featuring your kid’s favorite underwater creatures.
- Price Range: $4-$14
- Age Range: 3-6
- What’s Featured: Sea creatures like stingrays, jellyfish, and sharks
They’ll feel inspired to learn more about marine life after assembling this puzzle with gorgeous artwork showcasing animals like whales and jellyfish. This puzzle has an easy-to-clean surface, so your tot won’t ruin it if they spill their juice while puzzling things out.
Explore the wonders of the deep blue sea in this vibrantly illustrated cardboard puzzle. 2' x 3' when assembled, the 48 extra-thick pieces feature an Easy-Clean surface to keep this undersea puzzle scene looking like new.
Pros
- Gorgeous seascape design
- Large 3 feet by 2 feet puzzle
- Made of durable, extra-thick cardboard that’s easy to clean
Cons
- Not ideal if your kids are scared of sharks
Melissa and Doug Animals Wooden Peg Puzzles Set – Farm, Pets, and Ocean
Best Animal Puzzle Set
If you’re searching for a puzzle set purely featuring animals, check this one out! Your tiny animal lover will adore how cute each animal’s design is in all 3 puzzles. My son adored all his animal-themed puzzles.
- Price Range: $14-$24
- Age Range: 3-5
- What’s Featured: Farm animals, pets, and sea creatures
This is a pegboard puzzle, so it’s easy for your child to grasp the pieces and put them into place. Melissa and Doug have been named the “Gold Standard of Childhood Play,” so you can rest assured these puzzles were made from high-quality materials.
Explore the farm and meet the animals who live there with this easy-grasp peg puzzle. The wooden board is decorated with a charming farmyard scene and the pictures under the puzzle pieces make it simple and lots of fun to place the barn and animals into shaped wells in the sturdy wooden puzzle board.
Pros
- 3 adorable puzzles in 1 set
- Variety of different animals on each puzzle
- Large wooden pieces are easy for small hands to hold onto
Cons
- Some elementary school kids may think the puzzle is too easy
Melissa and Doug Safari Wooden Chunky Puzzle
Best For: Adorable Designs
It’s time for your child to pull out their binoculars and get ready to go on a safari! I loved chunky puzzles for my littles because the pieces are so robust which is great because they’re so freakishly strong at that age.
- Price Range: $5-$15
- Age Range: 2-4
- What’s Featured: Safari animals like a giraffe, lion, rhino, crocodile, and more
Puzzles like this one help your child develop logical thinking skills and get them interested in learning about the world around them. Since this puzzle is brightly colored and eye-catching, using this is a great way to get even small children away from screens. The colors used are there to draw your kid’s attention to the puzzle.
African animal favorites are featured on this extra-thick wooden puzzle. Eight easy-grasp, chunky wild animal pieces have full-color, matching pictures underneath. 
Pros
- Perfect for teaching toddlers problem-solving skills and dexterity
- 8 cute safari animal pieces
- Chunky pieces are simple for little hands to grasp
Cons
- Only 8 puzzle pieces
Melissa and Doug Wooden Peg Puzzle 6 Pack Numbers, Letters, Animals, Vehicles
Best Overall
Get ready for your little one to have a puzzle-a-thon! There are 6 different puzzles within this set, each with its own unique animals, numbers, letters, and vehicles. Like I said before, buy in bulk whenever you can. The more puzzles, the better.
- Price Range: $29-$39
- Age Range: 2-3
- What’s Featured: Numbers, letters, pets, farm animals, safari animals, and vehicles
Showing toddlers parts of the world through cute learning activities like this puzzle will get them curious to learn more. The pegs are incredibly sturdy, so you won’t have to worry about them breaking off.
Grab on to this exciting assortment of early-learning, Super fun wooden peg puzzles. The set of six includes See-Inside numbers, See-Inside alphabet, farm, pets, safari, and vehicles. 
Pros
- 6 educational puzzles in 1 set
- Chunky wooden pieces are easy for toddlers to grasp
- Number and letter puzzles can help teach kids math and English
Cons
- Too easy for elementary school kids
Melissa and Doug Farm Animals Sound Puzzle – Wooden Peg Puzzle With Sound Effects
Best For: Sound Effects
This 8-piece puzzle featuring adorable farm animals has sound effects! I know, I know. You’re like, “A toy with SOUND, Candace?” But, trust me, this puzzle is super cute and not as annoying for parents as you might think. When your kid places the puzzle pieces in the correct spot, they’ll hear an animal sound.
- Price Range: $5-$15
- Age Range: 2+
- What’s Featured: 8 farm animals with sound, such as a sheep, cow, pig, and more
The animals included in this puzzle are a horse, chicken, goose, cow, dog, cat, pig, and sheep. This pegboard puzzle has chunky pieces that are easy to hold onto, so this helps teach your child how to grip things easily, too.
Your child will enjoy hearing all eight sounds and looking at the full-color, matching pictures under the pieces, while developing matching and listening skills with this captivating multisensory puzzle.
Pros
- Features 8 cute farm animals
- Only puzzle on the list with sound effects
- Eye-catching colors
Cons
- Eventually, the sound effects could malfunction
Melissa and Doug Farm Wooden Cube Puzzle with Storage Tray – 6 Puzzles in 1
Best For: 6 Puzzles in 1
This puzzle is a lot like a Rubix cube if the Rubix cube had cute animals on each side of each block instead of solid colors. I think it’s a great brain teaser toy for toddlers and even older kids.
- Price Range: $6-$16
- Age Range: 3-6
- What’s Featured: Farm animals like ducks, cows, chickens, and more
Since each side of each block is a puzzle piece, your little one can have fun constructing 6 different farm animals. The large, chunky blocks are easy for small hands to pick up and put into place.
This beautifully crafted wooden 16-piece cube puzzle can be put together in multiple ways to create six different scenes with six friendly farm animals (cow, sheep, pig, chicken, ducks, and horse). 
Pros
- Unique block puzzle
- 6 puzzles in 1
- Blocks are easy for toddlers to grasp
Cons
- Small toddlers may find this confusing
Melissa and Doug USA Map Floor Puzzle
Best For: Elementary school kids
What a fun way to teach your kid about geography! If you want your child to get a head start on knowing all the states in the U.S., this puzzle is a fun way to do that. I wish they had one for Canada lol.
- Price Range: $4-$14
- Age Range: 6+
- What’s Featured: A map of the United States
Memorizing a map isn’t very fun but putting together a puzzle with the family is! The puzzle pieces for each state are brightly colored and have pictures on them, which makes for an eye-catching design.
Geography comes to life with this cardboard floor puzzle, featuring 51 pieces cut to the shape of the state or region. 2' x 3' when assembled, the extra-thick pieces feature an Easy-Clean surface to keep them looking like new. 
Pros
- An educational toy that teaches kids about the geography of the U.S.
- Brightly colored pieces with pictures to represent iconic facts about each state
- Perfect for elementary school kids
Cons
- Too complicated for toddlers
Melissa and Doug Search and Find Beneath the Waves Floor Puzzle
Best Search and Find Puzzle
This puzzle lets your kid play 2 games with 1 toy. This floor puzzle will first need to be constructed. Then, your child can play seek-and-find once the picture is together to find the sea creatures hidden within the design.
- Price Range: $6-$16
- Age Range: 4-7
- What’s Featured: Underwater creatures like dolphins, octopi, sea turtles, and more
The painted design of this puzzle is absolutely gorgeous, which is another reason I had to recommend it.
The 48 sturdy cardboard pieces assemble to reveal a stunning underwater scene filled with animals to spot and count. A visual picture list is printed right on the puzzle, encouraging counting games and picture-search activities with no reading required.
Pros
- Beautiful design
- Helps kids learn hand-eye coordination and logical thinking
- Sea creatures are very popular with little kids
Cons
- Can only be constructed in a large space
Melissa and Doug Shapes Wooden Chunky Puzzle
Best For: Early Learners
Your little one will learn about shapes by putting together this brightly colored wooden puzzle with chunky puzzle pieces. Below where each shape fits into place is the name of the shape, like “rectangle” and “circle.”
- Price Range: $7-$17
- Age Range: 2-4
- What’s Featured: Shapes
Not only will they learn what each shape is by name, but you can also teach them about different colors given how many colors are used in the puzzle.
Eight familiar shapes are featured in this extra-thick wooden puzzle with easy-grasp, chunky pieces. Each piece has a matching picture underneath and the shape name is printed on the puzzle board.
Pros
- Helps teach kids about different shapes and colors
- Easy-to-grip wooden puzzle pieces
- Highly durable wood
Cons
- Too easy once kids reach 5 years old
FAQs
Answer: It’s recommended that 4-year-olds complete puzzles that have between 20 and 40 pieces. Fewer puzzle pieces can feel too easy for them, but more might be too frustrating. You can increase the puzzle piece amount while they’re little as they age by the year.
Answer: Yes, 1,000-piece puzzles are good for your brain! That being said, I wouldn’t recommend a 1,000-piece puzzle for a child between the ages of 2 and 6. Buying a 1,000-piece puzzle for them is going to agitate them because 1,000-piece puzzles are meant for older kids and adults. If you’d like to try out a puzzle for yourself, 1,000-piece puzzles are a great place to start!
Answer: That depends on which Melissa and Doug puzzle you buy. Melissa and Doug have made several puzzles that feature dinosaurs. Some feature familiar favorites like t-rexes, stegosauruses, and triceratops. If you’ve got a tiny paleontologist on your hands, be sure to pick up one of these puzzles for them!
Answer: A floor puzzle is a puzzle that’s meant to be assembled on the floor. Unlike other puzzles, floor puzzles are typically large and made with big pieces. The puzzle should be a few feet long and a few feet wide.
All the Pieces Come Together
The final piece is in place because now you know all about the best Melissa and Doug puzzles out there! Did you learn something new about Melissa and Doug today? Is there a puzzle you plan on buying for your child, niece, or nephew?
I highly recommend the Melissa and Doug Underwater Ocean Floor Puzzle. Let me know in the comments below! If you’d like to read even more helpful buying guides about kids’ toys, have a look at our list of the best Melissa and Doug dollhouses!
Explore the wonders of the deep blue sea in this vibrantly illustrated cardboard puzzle. 2' x 3' when assembled, the 48 extra-thick pieces feature an Easy-Clean surface to keep this undersea puzzle scene looking like new.