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Review: Melissa & Doug Lace and Trace Pet Activity Set (2023)

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Today, I’ll be sharing my experiences with the Melissa & Doug Lace and Trace Activity Set: Pets. This lacing toy is designed to help toddlers and preschoolers develop fine motor skills through lacing and tracing activities. I’ve had the opportunity to try it out with my kids, and I’m excited to tell you all about it!

Melissa & Doug Lace and Trace Activity Set: Pets

Pros and Cons

What We Liked

  • The adorable pet-themed designs on both sides of the wooden panels make lacing and tracing tasks more engaging and enjoyable for kids.
  • The set comes with 5 double-sided wooden animals and 5 color-coordinated laces, providing plenty of variety for play and learning.
  • It’s an excellent tool for practicing fine motor skills, helping children develop hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
  • As a screen-free activity, it offers a great way for kids to engage in hands-on play and learn without relying on electronic devices.
  • With its compact size of 1.25H x 7L x 8.25W, the set makes a convenient travel toy or can easily fit on a shelf for storage.

What Can Be Improved

  • The colors of the animals and laces could be more vibrant and attention-grabbing, especially for the interest of younger children.
  • The set lacks a lid or a means to secure the pieces in the box, making it necessary to find alternative storage solutions.

Quick Verdict

Overall, the Melissa & Doug Lace and Trace Activity Set: Pets is a fantastic toy for toddlers and preschoolers to develop fine motor skills and engage in hands-on play. The adorable pet designs, sturdy wooden panels, and color-coordinated laces provide a fun and interactive learning experience. While the set could benefit from more vibrant colors and improved packaging, it still offers great value for its educational benefits. I highly recommend it for children ages 3 and up who are eager to practice their motor skills and enjoy screen-free playtime.

You can find the Melissa & Doug Lace and Trace Activity Set: Pets here.

Unboxing – What’s Inside?

As an avid toy collector, I recently purchased the Melissa & Doug Lace and Trace Activity Set: Pets from Amazon. Being in the USA, I was thrilled to find that it was available for quick delivery, and it arrived at my doorstep in just a couple of days.

Inside the box, I found 5 wooden panels with various adorable pet designs, such as cats, dogs, and birds. Each panel had pre-punched holes around the edges for threading the laces. Speaking of laces, the set came with 5 matching laces in vibrant colors, which added an exciting touch to the activity. It was great to see the attention to detail in the craftsmanship of the wooden pieces and laces.

Specifications

Manufacturer: Melissa & Doug

Department: Women’s

Language: English

Release Date: January 1, 2014

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer: No

Customer Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars, 7,106 ratings

Country of Origin: China

International Shipping: This item can be shipped to select countries outside of the U.S. Learn More

Domestic Shipping: Item can be shipped within U.S.

Item Weight: 9.6 ounces

Product Dimensions: 1.6 x 6.7 x 8.2 inches

Documentations

The included user guide was incredibly helpful in guiding me and my toddler through the lace and trace activity. It provided step-by-step instructions on how to thread the laces through the holes, allowing us to enhance our fine motor skills and concentration. The user guide also offered suggestions for different ways to play and engage with the activity set, extending its versatility.

To access the user guide, please click here.

Features – What We Found

Adorable Pets Design

The Melissa & Doug Lace and Trace Activity Set features adorable pets on both sides, making it a fun and engaging way for children to practice lacing and tracing skills. The charming and colorful animal designs motivate kids to participate in the activity and enhance their fine motor skills.

Includes 5 Wooden Panels and 5 Matching Laces

This activity set includes five double-sided wooden animal panels and five color-coordinated laces. Each wooden panel displays a different pet, allowing kids to explore a variety of animals while practicing their lacing and tracing abilities. The matching laces are perfectly sized for little hands, making it easy for toddlers and preschoolers to thread through the panels.

Ideal for Fine Motor Skill Development

The Melissa & Doug Lace and Trace Activity Set is specifically designed to help children develop and improve their fine motor skills. As kids thread the laces through the holes in the wooden panels, they enhance their hand-eye coordination and dexterity. This activity also encourages focus and concentration, as children must carefully maneuver the laces through the designated paths.

Perfect Gift for Hands-on, Screen-free Play

This activity set makes an excellent gift for children aged 3 and above who enjoy hands-on, screen-free play. With the Melissa & Doug Lace and Trace Activity Set, kids can engage in a tactile and interactive activity that promotes creativity and problem-solving. This educational toy provides a break from digital devices and encourages children to use their imagination and physical skills.

Compact and Portable Design

The Lace and Trace Activity Set is compact, measuring approximately 1.25 inches in height, 7 inches in length, and 8.25 inches in width when assembled. Its small size makes it easy to transport and convenient for on-the-go entertainment. Whether it’s used at home, in the car, or while traveling, this activity set provides a portable and compact solution for fine motor skill development and engaging play.

Scores and Review

Our Score: 93.0

As a parent, I highly recommend the Melissa & Doug Lace and Trace Activity Set: Pets. This lacing toy has been a hit with my kids and provides a fun and engaging way to practice important skills. The wooden panels and matching laces are of excellent quality, and the adorable pet designs make it even more enjoyable for children.

One of the things I appreciate about this activity set is its focus on fine motor skills development. As my children lace and trace the animals, they are strengthening their hand-eye coordination and dexterity. It’s a fantastic toy for encouraging and enhancing their motor skills in a hands-on, screen-free way.

Additionally, the durability of the wooden panels is impressive. Unlike cardboard or paper options, these sturdy wood cut-outs will withstand daily use without bending or tearing. I love that this set is built to last, and I can see it being passed down to future generations. Overall, it’s an excellent investment for any child’s toy collection.

If you’re looking for a gift for a toddler or preschooler, the Melissa & Doug Lace and Trace Activity Set: Pets is a fantastic choice. It provides hours of entertainment while promoting the essential skills kids need to develop. You can find this great product here.

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