Pros: Cute designs, lots of designs, doesn't take up too much space, high quality boards and pieces

Cons: Super difficult/nearly impossible to take a design template out of the box without flipping the whole container over and thus spilling out the pieces. We trashed the box and moved everything to a small plastic bin because of this.

Also to note, I bought this for my son who is 2.5yrs and the pieces slide a lot on the wood designs... I think he'll get more enjoyment out of it when he's a bit older but it certainly helps him practice fine motor skills in the meantime because of the slippery-ness!

I remember my grandmother having a set that I could make various designs with. They were on the larger size, so naturally I assumed these would be too. The grandkids have fun with them. I like the variety of pictures. Grandkids love the geometric shapes. You can use this to teach colors, shapes, counting, as well as finger dexterity.

I'd like to see a version that has a little lip/dip in the boards, to help keep the shapes in place for younger children just learning.

For what you get, the price is good.

I purchased these about a year ago now. All of the pieces are still going strong. And, even though my kids are getting older, they both still play with it! I can not complain at all on that front. HOWEVER, I will complain about the fact that there's no top for this... at least, I didn't get one. I always have to put this up when they are done because if it falls off the shelf, you are going to be cleaning up pieces for a while. Perhaps there's some secret way to slide a piece over so that it doesn't spill but I haven't found it!

I love the idea of this, but I can't believe this is a Melissa & Doug toy. Not anywhere close, in terms of quality, to any other M&D toy we own. The blocks look like they're 20+ years old and have been played with by dozens of children. There's no way to contain the pieces once it's been opened. Just an open box with a LOT of tiny pieces. Also, not sure why the image isn't recessed in the wood at all. My almost 5 year old loves to show us his work, and the second he moves the board, all the pieces move and slide off. Not what I was hoping for at all. Very disappointed.

What adult doesn't remember playing with these in school? These are great blocks to not only help with imagination, color and shape recognition, or pattern creation/recognition, but to have fun with mom or dad, or as they have gotten a little older by themselves. Our children (4yr old and 2yr old) love to play with these blocks and sort them into the different colors/shapes. The older child likes actually following the patterns on the cards and creating the design laid out before her. This is very high quality although the only complaint (not big enough to give it 4 stars though) would be the only "cover" to the box is the piece of plastic that comes with the packaging. Although this works okay to create a lid while on the shelf, it comes off easily and I would prefer some sort of better lid to actually keep the pieces in the box if it were say dropped by this(these) formerly discussed toddler(s). Overall though we got this product on sale before Christmas last year and have thoroughly enjoyed it since then. Although not as much of a novelty now, our kids still play with it and it has been a fun toy for our family. Would definitely recommend to others.