Toy Review - Grocery Store and Lemonade Stand Play Center by Melissa and Doug

This toy review is also a bit of a construction review for the Grocery Store and Lemonade Stand Play Center by Melissa and Doug.  You see, toys don't just make themselves.  Every once in a while, I get the Elf like task of building toys at Town Square Toys.  Don't get me wrong, I love it; especially since I don't have Ming Ming asking me how many Etch A Sketches I made.  So, since I have this inside scoop, I thought I would share it with you.

Building the Grocery Store and Lemonade Stand Play Center is fairly easy and not terribly time consuming.  I was able to complete construction in under an hour, easily.  I didn't try to rush.  The bolts that you need are all included in a sealed plastic container and clearly labeled.  The only tool you really need is a small hex wrench that is also included.  Instructions are clear and easy to follow.  Melissa and Doug includes extra nuts and bolts just in case you lose some. 

The Play Center is held together with the type of hidden nuts that fit into pre drilled holes.  The bolts connect themselves through other predrilled holes.  I found that the holes and nuts and bolts all lined up very well.  I have built a fair amount of Melissa and Doug toys and find that they do a great job of having parts pre drilled accurately.  The only part of construction that really slowed me down was sinking the nuts in the holes that are pre drilled into the dowels, which serve as the bucket holders and the primary support of the Play Center.  The nuts have to be pushed deep into the holes and it takes a little bit of extra effort.  Once sunk in to the correct depth, they hold just fine.

The Play Center itself is very nice and sturdy once it is all put together.  The surfaces are nice and smooth and the joints are tight.  I would recommend waiting until the whole thing is put together before snugging all the bolts down.  The awning is reversable by the way; the picture shows the Grocery Store side, but the Lemonade Stand sign is on the other side.  The bins are bright and fit well in the Play Center.  You can fit all kinds of stuff in those bins.  One slick idea, I think, is the addition of small, chalkboard signs that fit on little hooks that are built into each bin.  You can change and rearrange them however you want.  Kids can totally customize their stand.

Overall the stand is a great addition to the line of Melissa and Doug pretend play toys.  I enjoyed putting it together.  You may too.  If you have no desire whatsoever to build one of these, but think your little one would thoroughly enjoy having one, come by Town Square Toys and get this one, or let me know and I will build you one.  See you soon!



Getting Wedgits

We visit a lot of toy stores. We are always curious to see what others are selling and so we go on spy missions to check out the competition. One of our favorites is in Franklin, IN and its called Imagination Station. On one of our visits there, we discovered Wedgits. I had never heard of them but they had them out on a play table and my kids were instantly hooked. We were in the store for about 30 minutes and had to tear them away! We went home and I forgot about them and then after a market trip, we were given a sample. The rep said, "Take them home, give them to the kids and then you will order them!" So, like good buyers, we did just that. And enthusiastically, soon after, we ordered them - just as she had said we would. They are "blocks" in rhombus and octahedron shapes and the stacking, nesting and aligning is endless. I looked at them and just didn't get it. My kids looked at them and instantly loved them and jumped right in building and creating new buildings, towers and structures. There are instructions included but like with Lego sets, my kids move past them very quickly. There are wheels to add on to make vehicles and advanced design card sets for many more creation plans. If you own them, you too will "get" Wedgits.

-Steph