If you walked through my house and flipped over every wooden toy, I’d bet more than half of them say Melissa & Doug on the bottom.
Some we bought. A lot of them were gifts (thank you, grandparents). And some, like Blockables, I’ve gifted to friend after friend because I already know they’re a hit.
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Melissa and Doug toys show up on almost every list on this site. At last count, I recommend more than 70 of their toys across this site, so I figured it was time to put them all in one place.
This isn’t their full catalog. It’s the Melissa & Doug toys we’ve actually played with, gifted, or tested, sorted by the 11 play categories I use for our toy rotation.
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Why We Love Melissa & Doug
Three reasons, and they’re the same three I give friends who ask.
- They last. Our wooden puzzles, blocks, and play sets have been played with for years and still look great.
- They cover every category. Puzzles, pretend play, art, nurturing, travel.
- So many of them do double duty. A puzzle that’s also a fishing game. A shape sorter that’s also a dump truck. That’s my favorite kind of toy, because one toy covers two categories.
The Best Melissa and Doug Toys by Age
Every pick below lists its age, but here’s the quick version. Melissa & Doug ages are minimums, and most of their 2+ and 3+ toys stay in play for years.
| Age | What to look for | More toys for this age |
|---|---|---|
| Babies (0+) | Soft activity books and textured stuffies | Toys for 0 to 3 months |
| 1+ | First Bead Maze, jumbo peg puzzles, stacking parking garage, GO Tots | Toys for 12 to 17 months |
| 2+ | Blockables, magnetic puzzles, puppets, finger paint paper | Toys for 2 year olds |
| 3+ | Costumes, play sets, doctor and dentist kits, Water Wow, floor puzzles | Toys for 3 year olds |
| 4+ | Lacing beads, pattern maker, stamp sets, wooden construction set | Toys for 4 year olds |
| 6+ | No-sew fleece quilt, friendship bracelets, weaving loom | Toys for 6 year olds |
Melissa & Doug Puzzles and Close-Ended Toys
This is where Melissa & Doug really shines. Close-ended toys have one right answer, which is great practice for following steps and problem-solving (and yes, kids need that as much as they need open-ended play). If you’re new to the idea, here’s my guide to close-ended toys.
Wooden Magnetic Ice Cream Puzzle (ages 2+)
I could write a whole post on this one. It’s a magnetic puzzle, which kids love, and the pieces also stick together to build ice cream cones. So once the puzzle is done, it turns into an ice cream shop. My kids will play with this for hours, which is not something I can say about most puzzles.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Magnetic Ice Cream Puzzle
There is not enough room to write about all of the reasons why I love this toy so much. But let's start with the fact that it's a magnetic puzzle that kids love AND the pieces stick together to make icecream cones. My kids will play with this for hours!
- Build your own sweet treats! Piece together colorful ice cream sundaes, cones, and cups with this 16 piece interactive wooden puzzle and magnetic pretend play set
- Magnetic play meets puzzle fun u2013 Use the scooper to lift and stack magnetic ice cream scoops and toppings onto cones, cups, or a banana split sundae dish, helping kids build hand strength and coordination
- 2-in-1 Puzzle and Pretend Play u2013 This ice cream toy set blends the problem-solving of jigsaw puzzles with the hands-on fun of pretend food play, inspiring early learning and imaginative ice cream shop role play
Wooden Jumbo Peg Puzzles (ages 1+)
These look almost too easy, but even my 2-year-old struggled with turning the pieces the right way to fit. That’s the point. They can work on them for a long time before they master it, so you get a lot of play out of a simple toy. If your kid is a perfectionist (mine are), start here before the jigsaw puzzles.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Jumbo Peg Puzzle 2-Pack
These may seem super easy, but even my 2-year old struggled with orientation of the puzzle pieces. They can work on them for a long time before mastering the activity.
- Piece together early learning fun with a set of two Melissa & Doug 3-piece wooden jumbo peg puzzles
- House Pets features an adorable puppy, kitten, and bird in a house-shaped puzzle board
- Fish Bowl features a fish, turtle, and crab in a fishbowl-shaped puzzle board
- Pieces have easy-grip knobs, perfect for little hands just developing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, and matching pictures underneath for easy solving
More puzzles and close-ended favorites: the cube puzzle is tricky even for older kids (for my younger one, I turned all the blocks to the same picture so he could see how they fit). The floor puzzles double as a racetrack and a hidden-animal hunt. And every kid I know loves locks and latches.
Melissa & Doug Magnetic Wooden Fishing Game and Puzzle
I love a toy that can be both close-ended (puzzle) and open-ended (fishing toy). The magnets make kids engage with this puzzle longer than traditional puzzles.
- Includes 10 magnetic fish pieces and magnetic pole
- A creative way to encourage hand-eye coordination and fine motor development
Melissa & Doug Pets Wooden Cube Puzzle
Lay the blocks in the storage tray to reveal one of six puzzles. This can be tricky, even for older kids. For my younger ones, I would turn the blocks all to the same puzzle side so it was easier to see how the pieces fit together.
- Includes 16 cube-shaped puzzle pieces in a sturdy wooden tray.
- Six different puzzles to complete, featuring six adorable pets
- Border design gives visual hints to each puzzle!
Melissa & Doug Farm Animals Wooden Sound Peg Puzzle
A fun puzzle that makes the animal sound every time you put the piece in the right spot.
- Interactive Animal Puzzle Play u2013 8-piece wooden peg puzzle plays realistic farm animal sounds when pieces are lifted and replaced, encouraging hands-on exploration and sensory engagement
- Skill-Building Fun u2013 Encourages fine motor development, hand-eye coordination, auditory processing, and early problem-solving skills in a fun, screen-free format designed for independent play
Melissa & Doug Stack & Count Wooden Parking Garage
My second loved stacking. Anything that could stack was a winner in his book, so I knew this would be a hit and it was! You can stack the cars, or play with them.
- Wooden vehicle stacker
- Includes 10 toy cars, sliding counter, and wooden frame
- Clever drop-down counter encourages early math skills
- Compact design
Melissa & Doug Race Around the World Floor Puzzle
This puzzle doubles as a racetrack when it's done! My only suggestion is to build it on a hard floor surface to be able to drive cars on it.
- Interactive Racing Adventure u2013 Includes 2 wind-up race cars that zoom through twists and turns; place them at the start lines to race and chase u201caround the worldu201d
- 48 puzzle pieces, 2 wind-up vehicles
Melissa & Doug Beneath the Waves Jumbo Floor Puzzle
Two close-ended activities in one: first, solve the high-quality floor puzzle, second, find the hidden animals.
- Interactive Underwater Fun: This 48-piece floor puzzle measures over 4 feet long when complete, and reveals a detailed underwater world full of colorful sea creatures and hidden objects to search, find & count
- Skill-Building Puzzle Play: Includes a seek-and-find picture guide, printed directly on the puzzle, to aid in assembly, sparking curiosity and imagination, with no reading required, for kids ages 3 and up
Melissa & Doug Latches Wooden Activity Board
My kids loved to play with this, and I think it's a commonality that all kids love locks, latches, and other mechanical parts.
- Discover Hidden Surprises This wooden busy board features six unique metal latches that hook, snap, click, and slide, revealing colorful animal illustrations behind each numbered door for engaging play
- Builds Essential Skills A core piece among montessori toys, this board helps develop dexterity, problem-solving skills, and hand-eye coordination as children figure out how each of the latches works
- Hands-On Sensory Learning The different textures of the smooth wood and cool metal latches make this an effective sensory activity board, providing tactile feedback that keeps preschoolers engaged in learning
Melissa & Doug Latches Barn Toy
This barn doubles as a locks and latches puzzle for curious little ones. It is self contained and not too big so it's easy to store.
- HELPS DEVELOP MULTIPLE SKILLS: The Melissa & Doug Latches Barn Toy helps teach children 3 years and up vital fine motor skills, counting skills, colors, and animal recognition.
- HELPS DEVELOP MULTIPLE SKILLS: The Melissa & Doug Latches Barn Toy helps teach children 3 years and up vital fine motor skills, counting skills, colors, and animal recognition.
Melissa & Doug Shape-Sorting Dump Truck
I love a multipurpose toy! This shape sorter is great for fine motor skills and closed-ended play, but also doubles as a dump truck that kids love for open-ended pretend play!
- Dual-Function Wooden Toy This sturdy wooden toy truck doubles as a shape sorter, featuring nine shaped holes that correspond to the colorful wooden blocks, offering a fun challenge for toddler toys
- Dump and Play Action The truck bed tilts to dump the blocks and the back door lifts, providing a satisfying and repeatable action that encourages fine motor skills and hours of engaging pretend play
Melissa & Doug Blocks and Building Sets
Remember, blocks are sneaky. Blockables, unit blocks, and construction sets are all blocks, so pick one for a rotation, not four. Our building toys guide covers every kind.
Wooden Construction Building Set (ages 4+)
We loved this so much we bought a second set just to have more pieces. The case comes with design ideas to copy, and my kids spent hours building their own creations too. It’s also a sneaky STEM toy: bolts, nuts, a screwdriver, and a lot of trial and error.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Construction Building Set
We loved these so much that we had to buy a second set (for more pieces!). I love that the case comes with design ideas, and my kids spent hours building their own creations.
- Includes 12 bolts, 8 nuts, 16 building boards, 6 blocks, screwdriver, and storage box; illustrated building guides show how to create a crane, motorcycle, airplane, and race car
- Storage box is predrilled so it can become part of a structure too;
- Promotes counting, sorting, and fine motor skills; encourages problem solving and constructive play
Blockables (ages 2+)
Blockables came out after my kids were at the right age for them, and I really wish they’d been around sooner. We’ve gifted a ton of them and every family comes back with nothing but good things to say. They snap together easily, and kids can build the scene on the box or mix up the pieces and make their own characters.
Melissa & Doug Blockables Dinosaur Wooden Building Block Toy Set
These are new toys since my kids were at the right age, but we've gifted tons of these to friends and the love them! The blocks are easy to snap together and they make great pretend play scenes or let you mix and match to create new characters.
- Dinosaur Play Set Includes 33 blocks, 29 connectors, 5 felt pieces with built-in connectors, 2 arm connectors, and illustrated instructions for putting together a T-rex, apatosaurus, pterodactyl, plesiosaurus, triceratops, stegosaurus, a volcano, and more
- Like all Melissa & Doug toys, Blockables are designed to promote and support important developmental benefits for kids: They encourage fine motor, problem-solving, and matching skills, introduce storytelling, and help build self-esteem as kids build and create their own toys again and again
Melissa & Doug Blockables Farm & Farm Friends 2-Pack Bundle Set
We've gifted tons of Melissa & Doug Blockables and our friends have nothing but glowing reviews! Create the scenes on the box, or use your own imagination!
- This 2-pack Blockables bundle includes the 57-piece Farm Play Set and the 16-piece Farm Friends Play Set, each with solid wood blocks, connectors, felt pieces, play figures, and illustrated instructions; build animals, equipment, unique creations
- Blockables are designed to promote and support important developmental benefits: They encourage fine motor, problem-solving, and matching skills, introduce storytelling, and help build self-esteem as kids build and create their own toys again and again
Melissa & Doug Blockables Rescue City Wooden Building Toy Set
I really wish these were around when my kids were smaller, I think they would have loved them! They are super interactive (moreso than traditional building blocks) and let you make the scenes on the box or create your own. Everyone we've gifted them to loves them!
- Blockables City Deluxe Play Set includes sturdy storage bin with reversible play lid, 51 wooden blocks, 58 connectors, felt traffic arm and felt car wash flaps with built-in connectors, 4 play figures, 12 wheels, recycle truck arm, fire engine ladder, and illustrated instructions for 9 builds
- Like all Melissa & Doug toys, Blockables are designed to promote and support important developmental benefits for kids: Fine motor, problem-solving, matching skills, storytelling, and self-esteem as kids build and create their own toys again and again
The classic unit blocks are the ones we play with at the library. They don’t stick together, which makes kids think about balance in a totally different way. The tool bench was a favorite at our house for playing carpenter.
Melissa & Doug Standard Unit Solid Wood Building Blocks
We play with these at the library. Kids have to learn to build without blocks that stick together (like LEGO, Duplo, or Mega Bloks). It's a different building process and sparks a lot of creativity.
- Build, Stack & Imagine: Create towers, bridges, roads, and cozy u201chomesu201d for their favorite toddler toys, to practice balancing, sorting, and freestyle construction for open-ended, screen-free play
- Classic Montessori Toys: Includes 60 natural-finish unit blocks in multiple shapes & sizes, precisely cut from smooth hardwood & packed in a portable wooden toy storage tray for quick & easy cleanup
- Supports Developmental Learning: Strengthens fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination & shape recognition, with preschool learning activities that foster early math concepts like counting, sorting & comparing
Melissa & Doug Shape-Sorting Dump Truck
I love a multipurpose toy! This shape sorter is great for fine motor skills and closed-ended play, but also doubles as a dump truck that kids love for open-ended pretend play!
- Dual-Function Wooden Toy This sturdy wooden toy truck doubles as a shape sorter, featuring nine shaped holes that correspond to the colorful wooden blocks, offering a fun challenge for toddler toys
- Dump and Play Action The truck bed tilts to dump the blocks and the back door lifts, providing a satisfying and repeatable action that encourages fine motor skills and hours of engaging pretend play
Melissa & Doug Hammer and Saw Tool Bench
My boys came up with the coolest designs with the wooden blocks, and they loved playing carpenter with the tools.
- Learn to use a hammer, wrench, screw driver, and vice!
- Pieces actually connect together.
- Saw Velcro blocks with a pretend saw.
Melissa & Doug PAW Patrol Wooden ABC Block Truck (33 Pieces)
We love a multi-purpose toy! Kids can stack blocks, solve puzzles (close-ended), or just drive the truck around and "pick up deliveries."
- Art on blocks includes letters, numerals, PAW Patrol characters, and puzzle art with color-coded borders; 3 wooden play figures for extra pretend play options
- Wooden dowels on the trailer hold blocks with smooth hole drilled through top to bottom in place
Melissa & Doug K's Kids Match and Build Soft Blocks Set
These blocks are just as fun to squish and chew as they are to stack and build. As kids get older they can solve the puzzles to extend the life of the toy
- Soft block set for babies and toddlers
- Matching activities pair numerals and quantities, animal halves, and everyday shapes
- Soft, lightweight pieces (10 cubes and 4 triangles) are easy for young children to lift and manipulate
- Develops sensory, fine motor, and communication skills
Melissa & Doug Pretend Play Sets, Costumes, and Puppets
If there’s one category Melissa & Doug owns, it’s pretend play. My youngest would happily take every one of their costumes up to quiet time if I let him. More ideas are in our pretend play toys guide.
Wooden Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter (ages 3+)
This was the absolute showstopper at my son’s 3rd birthday. I have to admit, the scooper is super satisfying. It’s a whole shop in one box: taking orders, counting scoops, and making change, and the countertop doubles as storage when playtime is over.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Scoop & Serve Ice Cream Counter
This was the absolute show stopper at my son's 3rd birthday. I have to admit the scooper is super satisfying!
- Complete Ice Cream Shop: Kids love scooping & stacking bright wooden scoops & toppings, with a kid friendly ice cream toy scooper, & serving on a countertop with special ports to hold all their treats
- Skill-Building Pretend Play Toys: Kids will boost their memory, hand-eye coordination & counting skills by remembering orders, customizing meals & handling play money, just like a real ice cream shop
- Open-Ended, Screen-Free Play: This premium set of wooden toys features smooth finishes, vibrant toy kitchen accessories, & a sturdy countertopu2014which also doubles as a toy storage box, for easy cleanup
More play sets: the PAW Patrol dashboard gets a lot of use at our house and sneaks in fine motor practice. We have a whole PAW Patrol toys list, too.
The beauty salon is a favorite with my boys (and honestly, with me too).
Melissa & Doug PAW Patrol Rescue Mission Wooden Dashboard
We have gotten so much use out of this toy! And it practices a lot of important fine motor skills as well as imagination, problem-solving and pretend play.
- Interactive PAW Patrol Driving Dashboard: Realistic wooden steering wheel toy with lights, vehicle sounds, working controls, and a scrolling GPS screen for pretend play fun for kids ages 3 and up
- Lights, Sounds & Phrases: Buttons for character phrases in 3 language choices, on/off switch, record/playback voice messages, key start with engine rev sounds, gear shift, turn signals, horn, and siren
- Adventure Missions Included: Comes with 3 double-sided u201cwindshieldu201d mission cards that slide into clips on the dashboard and store neatly in the back, encouraging imaginative role play and storytelling
- Learn Through Play: Inspired by PAW Patrolu2019s teamwork and adventure, this preschool learning toy helps develop social, emotional, and motor skills; ideal birthday gift or screen-free playset for kids
Melissa & Doug Wooden Beauty Salon
Let your little one explore brushes, combs, mirrors, and even "lotion," and "makeup," in a safe and contained way. My boys love playing hair salon, or spa (and I love it too!)
- Imaginative Salon Play: Kids role play as stylists, using pretend tools to brush hair & apply u201cmakeupu201d for endless pretend play that sparks creativity & role-playing fun every day (Not real makeup)
- 18-Piece Set: Includes wooden toys like a vanity with child-safe mirror & storage drawer, plus hair dryer, straightener, comb, brush, flip-top lotion bottle, & pretend makeup like lipstick & nail polish
- Open-Ended, Screen-Free Play: Builds empathy, communication & problem-solving through preschool learning activities that encourage creativity, confidence & social interaction through pretend play
Melissa & Doug GO Tots Wooden Barnyard Tumble
My second child loves this barn. The disks roll, drop, and make noise in the barn. Hidden doors make each drop exciting.
- 5-piece set includes 4 collectible double-sided GO Tots disks (8 animals and 2 farmers), colorful wooden barn with silo, haystack, sliding doors
- Compatible with other GO Tots play sets; kinetic play with GO Tots offers opportunities to explore cause-and-effect through delightful motion-driven moments
Costumes (ages 3+)
Melissa & Doug costumes are made to last, and the sizing is just right: not too big on toddlers, not so small they outgrow it in a month. Costumes are a big part of our independent play mornings.
They also come with a bunch of accessories, so it’s like getting a costume and a toy set in one. It doesn’t have to be the vet. Pick whatever your kid is into right now.
Notes from our house: the magician costume is more for dress-up than actual magic tricks, and I take the sword out of the pirate kit because we don’t do toy swords.
Melissa & Doug Chef Costume
We love that Melissa & Doug costume sets are high quality and come with lots of fun accessories.
- INSPIRES CREATIVITY & LEARNING:This chef role play costume inspires storytelling, creative expression, and pretend restaurant play as kids explore life as a chef through dress up and role play
- VERSATILE FOR ALL OCCASIONS : For pretend play, school performances, classroom dress up clothes, cooking theme parties, Halloween, Christmas, birthdays, and everyday adventures
Melissa & Doug Construction Costume
We love that Melissa & Doug costume sets are high quality and come with lots of fun accessories.
- CONSTRUCTION WORKER COSTUME PLAYSET u2013 Kids ages 3u20136 can dress up in a realistic vest, tool belt, hard hat, safety goggles, toy hammer, saw, and reusable name tag for hours of imaginative pretend play
- INSPIRES CREATIVITY & LEARNING u2013 Sparks storytelling, role play, and imaginative expression as kids explore life as a builder. Perfect for children who love construction and creative adventures!
Melissa & Doug Magician Costume
This costume is more for show and not a magician set. But until kids are old enough to tackle magic tricks, this costume is fun to role play and pretend to make magic.
- Magician dress-up outfit and accessories for amazing pretend play performances
- Includes cape with bow tie, vest with secret pocket, top hat with hidden compartment, wand, coin, rabbit, card with tricks
Melissa & Doug Doctor Costume
I personally love the full Melissa & Doug doctor's kit along with the Libery doctor's costume and real stethoscope because this combo provides the most complete doctor's kit. But, this costume is a great beginner doctor set because it has the costume as well as a few tools.
- DOCTOR COSTUME PLAYSET u2013 Kids ages 3u20136 can dress up in a realistic doctoru2019s coat, face mask, stethoscope with sound effects (batteries required), thermometer, syringe, reflex hammer, and reusable name tag
- INSPIRES CREATIVITY & LEARNING u2013 Encourages imaginative play, empathy, and problem-solving as kids explore life as a doctor through dress-up, pretend checkups, and caring medical adventures
Melissa & Doug Fire Chief Role Play Costume
We love Melissa & Doug costumes because they come with lots of fun accessories. It's like getting a costume and toy set in one.
- REALISTIC FIRE CHIEF PLAYSET – Kids ages 3-5 will love playing the part of a fire chief with this play set that includes a jacket, helmet, badge, fire extinguisher, bullhorn, and the reusable name tag
Melissa & Doug Policer Officer Costume
Just like all of the Melissa & Doug costume sets, this one is complete with everything you would need to play police officer or detective!
- REALISTIC POLICE COSTUME FOR KIDS u2013 Includes jacket, cap, badge, name tag, whistle, handcuffs, and sound-effect walkie-talkie (batteries required). Ideal for ages 3u20136 and imaginative role play fun!
- INSPIRES CREATIVITY & LEARNING u2013 Sparks imaginative storytelling, problem-solving, and heroic adventures as kids explore life in law enforcement through dress-up and pretend play
Melissa & Doug Scientist Costume
This costume comes with tools that you could actually use for science experiements (or just playing with water and bubbles).
Melissa & Doug Vet Costume
Kids love costumes and Melissa & Doug make costumes meant to last. The sizing is just right (not too big on toddlers, but not so small they grow out of it). It doesn't have to be *this* costume, there are so many to choose from!
- REALISTIC VETERINARIAN COSTUME PLAYSET: Kids ages 3u20136 suit up with a vet jacket, mask, cap, thermometer, syringe, bandage, plush dog, reusable name tag, and stethoscope with sound effects
- INSPIRES CREATIVE PRETEND PLAY: Veterinarian role play sparks storytelling, empathy, and hands-on fun as kids care for pets, examine patients, and act out animal doctor adventures
- DURABLE & EASY TO CLEAN: High-quality materials are built for repeat dress-up play and everyday use; tunic is machine washable and accessories wipe clean for quick, easy cleanup
- VERSATILE FOR ALL OCCASIONS: Ideal for pretend play, classroom dress-up, school performances, themed parties, birthdays, holidays, and everyday imaginative adventures at home
Melissa & Doud Waitress Costume
This waitress costume comes with fun props like an apron, order sheet, and carrying tray. It's a perfect match if you also have a play kitchen or some pretend food.
- Includes pink dress, cap, ready-to-personalize name tag, color-coordinated apron with oversize pockets, dry-erase order ticket and sturdy tray.
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Puppets (ages 2+)
Our library has the Safari Buddies set, and it is never sitting in the basket. Kids love having an audience, whether the show is rehearsed or totally made up on the spot, and grown-ups get a front row seat. Familiar characters like Mickey and PAW Patrol help little ones who are still figuring out how to make up a story.
Melissa & Doug Safari Buddies Hand Puppet Set
Our local library has this set and it's always in use. Kids love to have a live audience and put on a performance (whether it is practiced or impromptu) and grown ups can enjoy the show!
- Set includes 6 soft, washable safari hand puppets featuring elephant, tiger, parrot, giraffe, monkey, and zebra, perfect for imaginative play and storytelling.
- Sturdy wooden puppet theater with non-tip base, plush curtains, movable clock hands, and chalkboard panel for show information.
Melissa & Doug Disney Mickey Mouse & Friends Soft & Cuddly Hand Puppets
We play with puppets at our local library and our kids have lots of fun making up silly stories!
- Set of 4 Mickey Mouse Club-themed hand puppets
- Includes Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy
- Sized to fit kids and adults
- Helps build vocabulary, dexterity, creativity, and imagination
Melissa & Dog Paw Patrol Hand Puppets
Use familiar faces to put on a puppet show! Kids can act out their favorite episodes, or make up their own storylines.
- Tell stories, make connections, and build dexterity and vocabulary with this set of 4 PAW Patrol hand puppets (Rubble, Skye, Chase, Marshall)
- Each puppet has a Pup Pack pocket on back to hold a mission/story-starter card
- Soft plush heads, washable fabric; sized to fit children and most adults
Melissa & Doug Nurturing Toys
Nurturing toys teach kids to care for someone (or something) else. It’s my favorite category nobody talks about, and I wrote a whole nurturing toys guide on it.
Super Smile Dentist Play Set (ages 3+)
We bought this for our son when he was nervous about his first dentist visit. We wanted him to see every tool before he got there.
He brought the kit with him to the appointment, and to this day, the office calls him “doctor” when he walks in.
That’s what these toys are really for: taking a scary thing and making it something they can practice.
Melissa & Doug Super Smile Dentist Play Set
We bought this for our son who was apprehensive about his first dentist visit, and we wanted to show him all of the tools that he would see at the office. He brought the kit to the dentist with him, and too this day they call him "doctor," when he walks in 😂
- Complete Dentist Play Set: Featuring oversized teeth & big, chunky dental toolsu2014a vibrating drill & polisher, cavity stickers, floss, wiggly teeth, braces & moreu2014just like in a real dental office
- Skill-Building Pretend Play Toys: Kids can role play teeth cleaning, putting on braces & even tooth extractions, with premium-quality dentist toys, that will complement any doctor kit for preschoolers 3-5
- Open-Ended, Screen-Free Play: Teaches dental hygiene & preschool learning activitiesu2014counting, hand-eye coordination, memory & empathyu2014using kids' dress up & pretend play to keep them active & engaged
Get Well Doctor Kit (ages 3+)
Our kids have used this set for years. It’s complete enough that they use the same tools their doctor does at checkups, and it’s a great way to practice taking care of someone else. For the full doctor setup, we pair it with a costume and a working stethoscope.
Melissa & Doug Get Well Doctor Kit
Our kids have used this set for years. The set is complete, so your kids can use tools just like their doctors do at their checkups. It's great for pretend play, and learning to care for others.
- Imaginative Doctor Play: Kids check on patients, give pretend shots, and write prescriptions for endless imaginative medical play that sparks creativity and role-playing fun every day
- 25-Piece Doctor Kit: Includes stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, thermometer, syringe, hearing tester, and more, all stored in a handy tote for toy storage and on-the-go play
- Open-Ended, Screen-Free Play: Builds empathy, communication & problem-solving through preschool learning activities that encourage creativity, confidence & social interaction through pretend play
The Mine to Love doll accessories are my go-to for kids who love playing mommy or daddy. My kids love carrying their baby dolls around. The gardening tote gets them helping outside and learning to be gentle with plants.
Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Gargening Tote
Let your kids help in the garden and teach them about how to gently care for plants and trees.
- Brightly patterned tote, complete with child-sized garden tools
- Garden tools–shovel, rake, and spray bottle–made of easy-clean plastic
- Encourages outdoor exploration and an interest in the natural world
Melissa & Doug Mine to Love Doll
- Nurturing Pretend Play: Kids can cuddle, soothe, feed, dress, & care for their baby dollu2014creating daily routines and imaginative stories through nurturing play that builds both empathy & independence
- Realistic Features & Cute Doll Clothes: Features wipe-clean limbs, a removable romper & matching cap, loving eyes that open & close, & the ability to suck her thumb or pacifier, with realistic pretend play toys & activities
- Open-Ended, Screen-Free Play: Caring for this adorable baby doll supports social-emotional growth, language development, and fine motor practice as kids dress, undress, and care for their baby doll
Melissa & Doug Mine to Love Carrier
My kids love playing mommy and carrying their baby dolls around.
- Adjustable cloth baby carrier for stuffed animals and dolls up to 18 inches; sturdy high-quality construction with reinforced border bindings
- Includes butterfly rattle, baby bottle, stuffed toy bear, reusable double-sided activity card
- Mine to Love accessories encourage empathy and help kids express themselves as they explore grown-up roles and responsibilities
Melissa & Doug Mine to Love Bathtime Play Set
Teach your kids about how to bathe and the hygeine needs of others.
- 19-piece realistic diaper-changing and bathing accessories sized just right for dolls and stuffed animals
- Bathtime items include soap and dish, shampoo and bubble bath bottles, rubber duck, bath book, washcloth, hooded owl towel
- Mine to Love accessories encourage empathy and help kids express themselves as they explore grown-up roles and responsibilities
Melissa & Doug Wooden Play Cradle
Help your little ones soothe their dolls and stuffies, sing them lullabies, and put them in their crib for sleep.
Melissa & Doug Art Supplies and Craft Kits
Art doesn’t have to be a mess, but ours sometimes is, and that’s okay in our art room. Melissa & Doug fills in a lot of the gaps in our supply bin.
For the crayons and markers, we’re a Crayola family, and our art supplies guide sorts everything by mess level.
Spill-Proof Paint Cups (ages 2+)
Truth: ours came from the Dollar Tree. But these are a great option too, and spill-proof cups are a big part of how we keep paint manageable at our house. One tip from experience: the lids help, but unless you fill the paint almost to the rim, it will still dry out after a few days.
Melissa & Doug Spill-Proof Paint Cups
We found our cups at our local Dollar Tree, but these are a great option too! Paint (and water!) is safe from accidental spills. They do come with lids, but from experience you have to fill the paint almost to the rim otherwise they will still dry out after a few days, even with the lids on.
- Pour paint in and keep it fresh for the next art session
- Lids snap on tightly for an air-tight seal
- Colorful lids help identify paint contents
- Dishwasher safe
- Fits in Deluxe Standing Easel
Stamp-a-Scene Sets (ages 4+)
I love stamps, but plain stamp sets get repetitive for my kids pretty fast. Stamp-a-Scene lets them build a whole picture instead of just covering a page in stamps, so the creativity lasts a lot longer. Pair it with the rainbow ink pad (it’s washable).
Melissa & Doug Stamp-a-Scene Set
I think stamps are so much fun, but can be a bit repetitive and short-lived for my kids. These stamp-a-scene sets let's them be more creative and make a full picture rather than just putting stamps on a page.
- Themed stamp set with everything needed to create and color detailed picture scenes
- Includes 20 stamps, 5 colored pencils, durable 2-color stamp pad and wooden storage tray.
- Exciting jungle theme
For older kids (6+), the no-sew fleece quilt is a mess-free project, the weaving loom can make a bunch of different things (it does take up some space), and the friendship bracelet book doubles as a workstation. Heads up: the knots may be tricky for some 6 year olds.
Melissa & Doug Rainbow Stamp Ink Pad
I love the sensory experience of wooden stamps on a stamp pad! The best part is this ink is washable!
- Multicolor inkpad for a rainbow of stamping fun
- Includes 6 bright ink colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
- Stamping encourages fine motor skills, creative expressions, and basic storytelling
- Bright colors and washable ink
Melissa & Doug Decorate-Your-Own Wooden Craft Kits Set – Plane, Train, and Race Car
Get messy with these fun painting crafts that double as toys once they are dry!
- Bundle of three Decorate-Your-Own wooden vehicle kits
- Includes Plane, Train, and Race Car all-inclusive kits with paints, brush, and stickers in each
- Attach axels and wheels to make working vehicles
- Decorate with four colored paints and stickers
Melissa & Doug Drawing Paper
Always good to have high quality paper around for arts and crafts projects.
- Create Without Limits: Kids draw, color, and paint on large pages that inspire creativity and provide endless opportunities for imaginative, hands-on art projects at home or on the go.
- Three Big Pads: Includes three 9 x 12-inch pads with 50 sheets each of premium heavyweight bond paper thatu2019s easy to tear out for sharing, framing, or displaying finished artwork.
- Made for All Mediums: Works with crayons, markers, pencils, chalk, poster paints, and watercolors while promoting hands-on, screen-free play that builds fine motor skills and creative confidence.
Melissa & Doug Created by Me! Butterfly Fleece Quilt No-Sew Craft Kit
A fun mess-free project with everything you need to make your own blanket.
- Knot-together no-sew fleece quilt craft kit with butterfly pattern and coordinating colors
- Includes 48 12-inch by 12-inch fleece squares with slotted fringe for easy tying
- Top quality, thick, fuzzy, and super-soft material
- Detailed illustrated instructions and lots of design ideas to spark creativity
Melissa & Doug Wooden Multi-Craft Weaving Loom
A little space-consuming but can be used to make multiple different projects or just to practice the weaving motion.
Melissa & Doug On The Go Friendship Bracelet
The book doubles as a workstation which is pretty cool. The knots and process may be too advanced for a 6 year old.
- Craft kit comes with everything to create 10+ friendship bracelets
- Includes 157.5 feet of colorful string, 9.8 feet of metallic string, 6 felt charms, double-sided foam mini loom, 8 beads, and instructions
- Features detailed full-color illustrations and handy tips and suggestions
- Easy to learn, easy to store, and easy to create impressive results
- Easy to learn, easy to store, and easy to create impressive results
- On the Go format makes it perfect for families on the move!
Melissa & Doug Travel Toys
These are our go-to toys for leaving the house. For road trips, flights, and waiting rooms, our travel toys guide has even more.
Water Wow! Books (ages 3+)
Water Wow books are my favorite travel art supply. We still take these to restaurants. All you need is water.
Kids can color, trace, and do mazes, and when the page dries, it goes back to white so they can do it again. No markers rolling under the booth.
Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Fairy Tale Coloring Book
We (still!) love to take these to restaurants with us. They are great travel activities because they only use water! Kids can color pictures, trace, follow mazes, and once the pages dry they go back to white to start again.
- Water WOW! Reveal Coloring Fun u2013 Use the chunky refillable water pen to bring 4 fairy tale-themed reusable pages to life with vibrant colorsu2014no ink, no paint, no mess, just water!
- Designed for Toddlers & Preschoolers: The easy-to-hold water pen encourages independent play and stores neatly inside the compact activity book; ideal for travel, restaurants, or quiet time at home
- Supports Early Learning: Helps build fine motor skills, color recognition, early writing and reading development, creativity, and storytelling through screen-free, hands-on play
Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Farm Coloring Book
We (still!) love to take these to restaurants with us. They are great travel activities because they only use water! Kids can color pictures, trace, follow mazes, and once the pages dry they go back to white to start again.
- Water WOW! Reveal Coloring Fun u2013 Use the chunky refillable water pen to bring 4 farm animal-themed reusable pages to life with vibrant colorsu2014no ink, no paint, no mess, just water!
- Designed for Toddlers & Preschoolers: The easy-to-hold water pen encourages independent play and stores neatly inside the compact activity book; ideal for travel, restaurants, or quiet time at home
- Supports Early Learning: Helps build fine motor skills, color recognition, early writing and reading development, creativity, and storytelling through screen-free, hands-on play
Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Under the Sea Coloring Book
We (still!) love to take these to restaurants with us. They are great travel activities because they only use water! Kids can color pictures, trace, follow mazes, and once the pages dry they go back to white to start again.
- Water WOW! Reveal Coloring Fun u2013 Use the chunky refillable water pen to bring 4 ocean-themed reusable pages to life with vibrant colorsu2014no ink, no paint, no mess, just water!
- Designed for Toddlers & Preschoolers: The easy-to-hold water pen encourages independent play and stores neatly inside the compact activity book; ideal for travel, restaurants, or quiet time at home
- Supports Early Learning: Helps build fine motor skills, color recognition, early writing and reading development, creativity, and storytelling through screen-free, hands-on play
Paint with Water Books (ages 3+)
Each page has a strip of paint that activates with water, so they get a real painting experience without a real paint set. My tip: use Q-tips instead of the brush, and there’s nothing to clean up. Even my oldest still pulls these out sometimes.
Melissa & Doug My First Paint with Water Animals Books
These pages are pre-filled with pigment that just need a little water to blend together. Even my oldest still enjoys these pages from time to time.
- 24 painting pages, each featuring kid-favorite animals like a horse, elephant, cat, dog, dolphin, bear, and hippo
- Simply wet the paintbrush, use it to blend a patterned area, and watch the colors combine
- Perforated pages tear out cleanly for painting and display
- Helps teach color recognition and promotes fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination
Melissa & Doug Paint With Water Princess Book
We love these books for on-the-go and rainy day activities. Each page has a strip of water-activated paint that you can use to color the page. It's relatively mess-free. Pro Tip: Use Q-Tips for zero cleanup.
- An ideal introduction to painting!
- Simply wet the paintbrush, moisten the paint palette and fill in the pictures!
- 20 painting pages, each with its own paint palette
- Perforated pages tear out cleanly for painting and display.
- Helps teach color recognition and promotes the use of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.; This product is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Please note that FSC certification applies to new inventory only (FSC C156584)
- Simply wet the paintbrush, moisten the paint palette and fill in the pictures
Melissa & Doug Paint With Water Ocean Book
We love these books for on-the-go and rainy day activities. Each page has a strip of water-activated paint that you can use to color the page. It's relatively mess-free. Pro Tip: Use Q-Tips for zero cleanup.
- An ideal introduction to painting!
- Simply wet the paintbrush, moisten the paint palette and fill in the pictures!
- 20 painting pages, each with its own paint pallete
- Perforated pages tear out cleanly for painting and display.
- Helps teach color recognition and promotes the use of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
- Simply wet the paintbrush, moisten the paint palette and fill in the pictures!
Melissa & Doug Sticker Wow! Disney Buzz Lightyear
These sticker activity pages are a lot of fun for kids. You can also print additional pages from the Melissa & Doug website. The last page is always space to make your own creation.
- A Whole New Way to Play with Stickers – Collectible toy stamper dispenses Disney Toy Story-themed stickers on the 24-page Disney Buzz Lightyear activity pad and other creative art projects, no peeling required!
- 300 Stickers Included u2013 Features Disney Buzz Lightyear collectible sticker stamper, 300 easy-to-remove stickers (100 unique Disney-themed designs), providing hours of creative play, ideal for toddlersu2019 small hands and solo play.
Melissa & Doug Fine Motor Toys
Lacing, tracing, and poking all build the hand strength kids need for writing later. Here’s more in our fine motor toys guide.
Lacing Beads (ages 4+)
What I love about Melissa & Doug lacing sets is that the beads aren’t just for lacing. Kids stack them, sort them, and follow the pattern cards.
That means the toy grows with them instead of getting boring once they figure out the string. The rainbow cord pattern maker is another one that covers a lot of ground, and it packs up into its own case (we love it in the car).
Melissa & Doug Lace and Trace
These are fun to learn to lace and sew. My kids likes to sew part of the animal and use the rest of the cord as a "leash" and walk them around.
- HELPS DEVELOP MULTIPLE SKILLS: Kids will learn the ins and outs of matching and sorting while honing attention skills and developing hand-eye coordination with this great activity.
- WOODEN STORAGE BOX: For easy cleanup and convenient storage, this Lace & Trace Farm set can be stored in the included wooden storage box.
Melissa & Doug Blue’s Clues & You! Wooden Lacing Beads
What I love about the Melissa & Doug lacing sets is that the blocks can be used in lots of different ways (stacking, sorting, and lacing). And they come with pattern cards to follow the pattern while lacing.
- Includes 25 1-inch wooden beads with shapes, numbers, colors, Blueu2019s Clues & You! characters, and more, 4 lacing cords, 4 double-sided activity cards, wooden storage crate for easy cleanup
- An engaging and creative way to learn shapes, colors, and counting; helps develop fine motor and problem-solving skills
- Wooden Blue's Clues & You! beads to lace on colorful cords; match to patterns on double-sided activity cards or create unique patterns and designs
The First Bead Maze is a classic for the littlest hands. Poke-a-Dot books surprised me: I thought they were a gimmick, but the popping is actually part of the story.
Melissa & Doug First Bead Maze
Little ones love to slide the bobbles from one side of the track to another.
- Classic Bead Maze Play: Babies explore four looping wires with 18 beads and 3 rings that slide & spin, encouraging pushing, pulling, & grasping motions while on the floor, at a table, or in a high chair
- Montessori-Inspired Learning Toy: Sliding & spinning actions strengthen fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving while introducing shapes, colors, and cause-and-effect learning through play
Melissa & Doug Rainbow Cord Picture and Pattern Maker
This toy covers a lot of ground. It's sensory with the velcro-like board and cables, it's a pattern to trace, and everything fits nicely inside the box as a carrying case. We love this in the car!
- Draw pictures and patterns with a rainbow of colored cords again and again — mess-free, portable, and reusable art activity
- Includes 21 12-inch cords in 7 colors, 18 6-inch cords in 6 colors, 6 double-sided cards to trace, drawing tool, take-along storage case
- Cords stick to a hook-and-loop surface and are then easily removed to draw again and again
- Thread cords into drawing tool to trace pictures or create your own
Melissa & Doug Poke-a-Dot! Who’s in the Ocean?
We have many Poke-a-Dot books. They get kids engaged and interested in books. They are also surprisingly more educational than you would think (it's not just a gimmick to pop all the buttons in each page).
- Engaging Sensory Play: 20-page children's book features built-in buttons that make satisfying u201cpopu201d sounds with every press, turning reading into a sensory-rich, hands-on, interactive adventure for toddlers and preschoolers
Melissa & Doug Poke-a-Dot Old MacDonald's Farm Book
I will admit I was skeptical about this book series. At a first glace it seemed like just adding a "pop-it" to a book page (I didn't see the value). But after reading, I realized the popping is an interactive part of the story (sometimes finding pictures or words on the page, sometimes "crossing off" items, etc.). Now we are the proud owners of 4 of these books and counting! My kids love them!
Melissa & Doug PAW Patrol Wooden 4-in-1 Magnetic Wand Maze Board
There is something very satisfying about feeling the little magnetic balls click with the pen!
- Sturdy wooden maze board with attached magnetic wand for moving pieces through 4 self-contained PAW Patrol-themed mazes
- Mazes include Construction Counting, Adventure Bay Racetrack, Firehouse Fun, and Recycling Pick-Up
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Melissa & Doug Baby Toys
Melissa & Doug’s K’s Kids line is soft, textured, and made to be chewed. These are all great for sensory play in the first year.
Flip Fish Soft Toy (ages 0+)
Babies can feel the different textures with their fingers (and gums), flip the scales, and squeak the tail. It’s a lot of little discoveries packed into one stuffy.
Melissa & Doug K’s Kids, Flip Fish Stuffed Animal
Babies can feel different textures with their fingers and teeth, flip the scales, and squeak the squeaker.
- Engaging Sensory Play: This cuddly fish friend is a squeaking & crinkling, multi-textured baby toy, with hidden pictures under brightly colored peek-a-boo scales, inviting exploration & early learning
- Soft, Safe & Easy to Clean: This lovable playmate for baby comes with a squeaker tail, shatterproof baby mirror, and multiple textures, crafted from surface washable fabrics for everyday use
The activity book is a busy board you can toss in the diaper bag, and the soft book has hidden pictures to find.
Melissa & Doug K’s Kids My First Activity Book
A cute book to take and toss in your bag. Has lots of sensory input like a busy board, just for babies!
- Play, Learn & Explore: Turn soft pages, lift peekaboo flaps, button & buckle, move clock hands, & role-play with puppets during tummy time, stroller rides and travel, for screen-free learning activities
- Whatu2019s Inside: 8-page cloth book with removable hand puppet, 2 finger puppets, crinkling surprise panel, movable-hand clock, button and buckle activities, built-in handles, and a clear tote for easy storage
Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Book
This is a cute book that doubles as a sensory toy. It teaches kids about stories and has hidden pictures to reveal.
- 5+ peek-a-boo animals in every scene
- Multi-texture crinkly flaps
- Charming scenes to explore and discuss
- Machine washable
Melissa & Doug Musical Toys
Melissa & Doug isn’t our go-to for music (that’s a mix of Yoto players and Dollar Tree instruments at my house; see our musical toys guide), but this set has tons of instruments to get you started.
Band-in-a-Box (ages 3+)
We slowly collected our instruments one at a time, mostly from Target and the Dollar Tree. If you’d rather get a good set in one shot (or you need a gift), this box has sturdy instruments that will survive a toddler jam session.
Melissa & Doug Band-in-a-Box
We slowly collected these instruments over time (mostly from Target and the Dollar Tree!) but this is a great set for a gift with high-quality instruments all in one set.
- DIVERSE 10-PIECE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SET: The Melissa & Doug Band-in-a-Box Clap! Clang! Tap! is a 10-piece musical instrument set with a variety of instruments that get kids moving, grooving, and feeling the beat.
- EXPOSES CHILDREN TO MULTIPLE TONES: Melissa & Doug musical instruments help children develop a musical ear. This set exposes your mini-musician to different tones, volumes, and rhythms.
- HANDY WOODEN CRATE: To keep this band set for kids organized, weu2019ve included a durable wooden crate that has plenty of space to store each of the 10 instruments.
Melissa & Doug Gross Motor Toys
This isn’t the category Melissa & Doug is known for. For climbing, riding, and jumping, I lean on Little Tikes and our gross motor toys guide. But the shopping cart earns a spot.
Toy Shopping Cart (ages 3+)
A kids’ center near us has a dozen of these with pretend food, and they are always in use. They’re realistic and sturdy, and the legs on the bottom keep them stable. My little one loves to push his doll around in the front seat and play “daddy at the store.” That’s walking, pretend play, and nurturing all in one.
Melissa & Doug Toy Shopping Cart
A kids center near us has a dozen of these shopping carts along with pretend food that the kids can pretend to shop with. They are very realistic. The bottom legs give the cart more stability. My little one loves to push his doll in the front seat and pretend to play "daddy at the store."
- Built Like the Real Thing: Features a sturdy metal frame, pivoting front wheels for smooth rolling, and a fold-open seat for a doll or stuffed animal passenger (sold separately) to join the trip
- Skills on the Move: Builds fine motor skills, coordination, and social play while encouraging hands-on, screen-free fun that inspires creativity and imaginative role-playing every single day
Want to see how these fit with everything else? Our toy guides page has every age and category, and our Fisher-Price roundup is the next brand I’d look at for babies and toddlers.
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Get StartedFAQ
At our house, the Magnetic Ice Cream Puzzle, the wooden construction set, Water Wow books, and the doctor and dentist kits get the most use. For babies and young toddlers, start with the jumbo peg puzzles and the First Bead Maze.
Most of their toys are for 1 to 6 years, and the age on the box is a minimum. Lots of their 2+ and 3+ toys stay in play well past that.
For us, yes. Our wooden toys have lasted through two kids. Look for sets that do double duty (a puzzle that’s also a game), because those get used the longest.
Yes. The sizing works for little kids without being so small they outgrow it right away, and most come with accessories that make them feel like a full play set.
This page has 70+ of the Melissa & Doug toys we recommend across the site (yup we’re big fans!) You definitely don’t need all of them. Pick one or two per category and rotate.
The best Melissa and Doug toys for 2 year olds are the chunky puzzles and Poke-a-Dot books.
For 3 year olds, go for the costumes and the play food.
4 thoughts on “73 Best Melissa and Doug Toys We Love”