Melissa & Doug Take-Along Tool Kit Wooden Construction Toy (24 pcs), Multicolor, 10.0 x 5.55 x 4.75

Melissa and Doug nailed it again (pun intended) with this classic workbench toy. The quality is exactly what you’d expect from the brand—sturdy, well-designed, and built to withstand toddler enthusiasm.That said, owning this toy has introduced a new household game: “What Can I Bang On Today?” We now have regular conversations that go something like, “The hammer is for banging on the workbench, the hammer is for banging on nails, the hammer is not for banging on the walls.” (Pro tip: Check out the Best Behavior book series for tools to handle those fun chats—especially Hands Are Not for Hitting.)The screws are still a little challenging for my toddler, but he’s just under the recommended age, so I’m confident he’ll get there. In the meantime, I love how this toy encourages independent and creative play, all without requiring batteries or screens. It’s also a win for our goal to stick with less plastic in our toy collection.All in all, this is a fantastic, reasonably priced toy that keeps little hands busy (even if it means a few extra "hammer talks" along the way). Highly recommend for budding builders!

Great!

My son loves it

I recently purchased the Melissa & Doug Toolbox for my little one, and it has quickly become a favorite in our household.The craftsmanship of the toolbox is outstanding – sturdy wooden construction and attention to detail showcase the brand's commitment to quality. The realistic design adds an extra layer of excitement for young ones who love to mimic real-world scenarios.The variety of tools included is impressive, providing a well-rounded play experience. From a functional screwdriver to colorful nuts and bolts, it sparks creativity and imaginative play.What stands out the most is the educational aspect – my child is not only having fun but also developing essential fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities.Melissa & Doug Toolbox is not just a toy; it's a tool for learning and exploration. I appreciate the durability and the educational value it brings to playtime.Highly recommended for parents seeking a well-made, engaging, and educational toy that fosters creativity and skill development. A fantastic addition to any child's playroom!

Got this tool set, on sale, primarily for the hammer and tool box. 2 y.o. Grandson is a bit young to actually use the tools for construction, but loves using the hammer to bang golf tees into styrofoam blocks. Also enjoys counting and sorting the colorful nails, screws and wood pieces that come with it. I’m sure he will be able to use the tools for more complex tasks as he grows. Only negative is the finish on the wood which is rough and not well sanded in some spots leading to a couple of pokes and potential splinters.

My LO is 20mnths and he really likes this toy. The hammer is his favorite piece! I expect he'll like it for a long time since he it will remain a challenge for a long time. It can be used in a variety of ways: hammering the nails to the box, screwing pieces together, screwing pieces to the box, removing nails with prying end of hammer, twisting washers by hand or with wrench/driver.Pros:1. Educational a) improves dexterity b) requires problem solving c) encourages imagination2. Fun esp. since they can mimic mom and dad using tools3. Bold primary (unisex) colors.4. Made of durable wood.5. Easy to take with you since everything fits in the tool box6. Great price for the qualityCons:1. Does not have any other sets you can purchase to enhance this set2. Grooves in screws extend for edge to edge, so it is tricky to keep screwdriver in place esp. when using in combination with wrench3. Made in China even though it is an American owned company.In response to common complaints from other critics.1. Nails are hard to get out once hammered in. True, but my guy can do it by himself using the prying part of the hammer.2. Chemical paint smell. Not true at all in the set we got and I am very sensitive to chemical smells.3. Paint chipping. You do get paint transfer on the hammer if you hammer the painted parts (nails are not painted). But otherwise no chipping.4. Splinters. My dog chewed on a couple of pieces and they splintered. However, my LO doesn't chew on them, and I doubt they would splinter if he did. They do not splinter when used in normal play.5. Not realistic looking. The hammer is thick like a mallet but that is good for toddlers. They look as pictured. I would recommend real tools if your child has the dexterity, but for toddlers/preschoolers this set works.

Purchased this for my 2 1/2 y/o as an Easter gift as he’s been expressing interest in construction tools lately. I wanted something on the chunkier side since he’s still developing his fine motor skills but something that was still realistic enough to be usable and so that it would age well — this totally fit the bill! I’m always frustrated by toys that end up being too small for my kiddo, but this one is perfect, they don’t even feel too small in my hands. The screws/bolts are fully usable with both the screwdriver and the wrench, and all the pieces feel durable and work well. My only complaint is that the nails seem to be a little bit bigger than the screws so that they don’t fully fit through the holes, but I think that might be part of the design so that the toddlers are motivated to learn how to use the hammer to take the nails out? Either way, my little guy loves it and I’m looking forward to buying the tool bench in a year or so if his interest continues.