Melissa Doug Lace Trace Activity Reviews Summary

Quality and Durability

Pros:

• "The Animal cards themselves are very cute and sturdy. The laces are colorful and well made."
• "Very sturdy and hold up well to busy little hands."
• "The animals are durable and seem like they will withstand lots of wear and tear from little fingers."
• "These lace cards are durable and easy to use."
• "These wooden puzzles are well made."
• "They are made of a very durable material."
• "These are nice wooden cards they seem pretty sturdy."

Cons:

• "Melissa and Doug product need to include a lid to keep the cards and strings in the box."
• "The holes in these wood cards were not all fully punched out and they are VERY rough."
• "Holes we're poorly drilled, shards of plywood everywhere."
• "The holes cut into the wooden picture are so rough it shreds and strips the lace as it is being pulled through the hole."
• "The animals are NOT wood--they are some kind of flimsy fiberboard just a step up from cardboard, very easy to bend."
• "The holes that the laces go through tend to be rough and after just a few passes through, the strings are getting a little frayed."
• "The boards are made poorly and they didn't drill the holes clean."

Design and Functionality

Pros:

• "Cards have matching color shoelaces, wooden box to store everything."
• "The activity set is of great quality and would recommend it for what it is."
• "The animal shapes are wooden with holes around the outside to thread the laces through."
• "Maker of the set paid attention to detail and colorful pictures on both sides."
• "Like that it has the carrying case to put everything back into."
• "Great visuals - love that the graphic is on both sides making it reversible."
• "The borders are color-coded and have matching laces."

Cons:

• "Love these! Would have a five star if the wooden tray was actually useful for storing them."
• "I was also disappointed that the box it came in didn't have a lid. It makes it difficult to store."
• "However, I wish the packaging itself had some sort of top cover to store the pieces in my bag rather than throw away plastic."
• "Cute set, I just wish it came in something you could store it in. All Melissa and Doug stuff is always a win, but comes in trays with no top!"
• "The unit is sealed in the wood tray only by a Saran wrap type plastic so when play is done, there's no top to the unit for storage or stacking."
• "What I can't understand is why they are no longer including the plastic lid with the box."
• "The only negative is the box it comes in should really have a lid or the stuff just spills out."

Educational Value

Pros:

• "These sewing cards are perfect for a three or four year old."
• "This is definitely fantastic for kids learning how to trace PRE-K or Kindergarten."
• "Such a great fine motor skill to work on for little kids."
• "Developmentally appropriate, skill promoting play."
• "What a great way to help youngsters with dexterity, choosing colors and learn patience."
• "Trace and shape cards are great for developing fine motor skills."
• "Very helpful for my daughter who is working on hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills."

Cons:

• "Unless you have a really patient kit who’s really into arts and crafts, I’d find some other thing to help with fine motor skills."
• "Too frustrating for 2yr olds."
• "It was a lot smaller than I had hoped. She played with it for just a few minutes before she became bored."
• "She is 2 years old and it does state it is for 3+ yrs of age, it may take a little more time for her to have an interest in it."
• "Liked the idea but tip of shoestring came off first time using."
• "The holes are WAY too close together for a 2 or 3 year old to lace the right way causing frustration, at least with my kids."
• "I mistakenly thought this would catch my VERY active son's attention, but he doesn't have the patience or dexterity to really do this."