Monday, November 21, 2022

Wooden Latches Board, By Melissa & Doug - REVIEW


Nature/ Type:          Wooden board with 6 types of latches 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  3 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Perfect for kids who love playing with latches and locks / And parents who are looking for a unique busy board with interesting latches  

My two-year-old loves this Wooden Latches Board by Melissa & Doug , and it’s easy to see why. Imagine doors of opportunity waiting to be unlocked, multiple puzzles pending to be unraveled, and tons of excitements ready to be discovered. This  board is one impressive toy full of non-stop surprises. 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) 6 Different Latches - The wooden board comes with 6 different types of latches; First, the kids are invited to tackle a classic toggle latch, lifting the fastener at the right angle and removing the loop from the base plate. The next challenge is a rarely-seen round latch which requires some strength to slide the specially-designed hook out of the attached plate. The third unlocking test is probably the easiest - a cabin hook that we commonly used for gates or cupboard doors. Moving downwards to the bottom row, it’s the barrel bolt obstacle, where some serious concentration is needed to lift and slide the bolt out of the cylindrical socket. Next, it’s the door chain challenge, followed by the hasp and staple with an easy lift. It’s series of lively dexterity activities for kids who love latches and unlocking fun. 

(2) Hidden Objects Behind Windows & Doors - Once the kids have successful navigated the latches, there are numerous hidden objects to be uncovered. The first window revealed a purple pony, second door has 2 blue dogs beneath, followed by 3 yellow cats, 4 red rabbits, 5 green frogs and 6 orange fish. I love the familiar animal theme combined with number counting and colours recognition. 

(3) Wooden Material - The toy is generally well-made. The wooden board is solid and sturdy, the hinges are cleverly designed to avoid little fingers being jammed, and the board is smoothly-sanded. This is one durable toy that would last for a good many years, ready to be passed down to the next deserving family. 

The doors / windows are built within close proximity, so an opened door or latch component can easily get into the way of the adjacent door. This can be “resolved” by encouraging kids to unlock each door following the sequential direction from left to right. The board is also kind of heavy, another thing for parents to bear in mind if you have little kid at home. 

[This review was first written and published in Instagram on 2 November 2021] 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.melissaanddoug.com/products/wooden-latches-board (Website) 

Enjoy the video! 

No comments:

Post a Comment