In celebration of Father's Day this year, we’re asking the dads in the Melissa & Doug organization to share their favorite play and toy tips with you.
No corny dad jokes to be found here—just serious play suggestions from Melissa & Doug fathers who know what they’re talking about. If you sometimes struggle to shop for the right toys for your kids or others in your family, read on to get insightful toy and play recommendations directly from our experts.
Drew Metz, Senior Compliance Manager, two kids, ages 17 & 15
Favorite Melissa & Doug Birthday Gift:
“The Wooden Pizza Party Play Set is always a crowd pleaser. I also liked the DYO paint sets.”
Kids’ Favorite Melissa & Doug Toy:
“They liked the craft sets because they were self-contained—they didn't need outside materials to complete them.”
His Favorite Melissa & Doug Toy:
“Products that work well and are reliable are more enjoyable. Products that have storage are the best. When I have to fidget or finesse the product to keep the child's interest, I don't like it. I like to be able to put the toy away in its own container, so when it is taken out, it is ready to go.”
Favorite Melissa & Doug for Party Favors:
“Sticker WOW! It is [affordable], so we can get lots of them.”
Favorite Melissa & Doug Travel Toy:
“Water Wow! They are self-contained, reusable, and no mess. With the wide variety to choose from, there are many possibilities.”
Tips for Toy Storage:
“Each year, the kids have to take some of the toys they don't play with and donate or throw out before they can open new ones.”
Daniel Gaard, Senior Sales Analyst, one daughter
Favorite Melissa & Doug Birthday Gift:
“Dust Sweep Mop has been a big hit, and recently, Sticker WOW!”
Kids’ Favorite Melissa & Doug Toy:
“My little one loves the Match & Roll Shape Sorter. She really loves that she can spin it herself to fit the pieces in, and that she can also use it to stack!"
Favorite Melissa & Doug Skill-Building Toy:
"The Match & Roll Shape Sorter is great for problem solving and fine motor skills"
Mark Fellin, Chief Quality Officer; 2 kids, ages 8 & 4
Favorite Melissa & Doug Birthday Gift:
“Plush Giraffe, BBQ Set, and Scoop and Serve!”
Kids’ Favorite Melissa & Doug Toy:
“The Wooden Party Pizza Set is a constant hit. Coupled with the Scoop and Serve, we have a great Italian restaurant in our basement.”
His Favorite Melissa & Doug Toy:
“I love our puzzles. I always enjoy doing them with my boys, and they remain challenging each time!”
Favorite Skill-Building Melissa & Doug Toy:
“We continue to use puzzles as a way to push our kids.”
Favorite Melissa & Doug Travel Toy:
“Water Wows for days!”
Favorite Melissa & Doug Toy for a Baby Shower:
“The giraffe or the Wooden Shape Sorting Grocery Cart.”
Scott Dziura, Graphic Designer/Marketing; 1 child, age 6
Kid’s Favorite Melissa & Doug Toy:
“My daughter loves anything pretend play. And why not? It's fun to be anything you'd like to be!”
His Favorite Melissa & Doug Toy:
“I've always got time to grab an ice cream and a coffee from my daughter's ‘food court’—or the flipside, where I'm the proprietor greeting new customers.”
Favorite Melissa & Doug Travel Toys:
“Sticker WOW! and Water WOW! Easy to bring, minimal components, lots of entertainment.”
Tips for Toy Storage:
“Typically, if my daughter isn't playing with something after a month, it goes into a bin to bring back at a later date—voila, fresh again!”
Favorite Melissa & Doug Toy for Playdates:
“On playdates that require you to stick around, if possible, choose an activity you can join in as well...like bowling or painting pottery.”
Andrew Serwin, Freelance Copywriter/Marketing; 1 child, age 8
Favorite Melissa & Doug Toy to Gift:
“Lately, it’s been the National Park Collection Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Games. We’ve been gifting that to all the younger kids in our family, because it’s ridiculous fun to have everyone pretend to be bears and play silly games.”
My Kid’s Favorite Melissa & Doug Toy:
“The Super Smile Dentist Play Set. Our daughter had some initial anxiety when she first started going to the dentist, but we gifted her the dentist play set to practice what was going to happen, and it really helped ease her fears. She loves going to the dentist now, still plays with this regularly, and has mentioned dentistry as a possible career.”
My Favorite Melissa & Doug Toy:
“Anything arts & crafts related. And I always recommend the Wooden Lacing Shoe to other parents. My daughter learned how to tie shoes in a couple of days after playing with this. Of course, now she only wears slip-ons or velcro sneakers—but that toy did its job well!”
Favorite Melissa & Doug Toy for Party Favors:
“I like giving out Scratch Art pads for party favors. They’re affordable, kids love being creative, and it puts a fun spin on the usual drawing activity.”
Favorite Skill Building Melissa & Doug Toy:
“The VERY first Melissa & Doug toy I ever gifted my daughter was the Wooden ABC/123 Blocks, which she played with frequently during her baby and toddler years. It’s got early letters and early numbers for cognitive development, plus stacking and building for plenty of motor skill development.”
Favorite Melissa & Doug Travel Toys:
“The Flip to Win Hangman game came with us on many road trips when my daughter was younger, and she still enjoys activity books like the Secret Decoder Game Book. Can’t go wrong with any of the Melissa & Doug On-the-Go activities, either.”
Toy Organization Tips:
“We put second-hand retail shelves in our basement for toy storage, and we always use clear plastic bins with labels so we can see everything, and know exactly what’s in each bin. Things that don’t get played with after a while go in the bins, and we rotate things in and out to keep play fresh. Twice a year, we purge old stuff to donate and re-gift.”
Favorite Melissa & Doug Toys for Playdates:
“Depending on how old the kids are, play spaces like pretend kitchens are great because they allow plenty of room for multiple kids to play at the same time—but not always together when they need separation. I also like to give the kids a big table with plenty of crayons, paper and other arts & crafts materials, and see what kind of creative fun they can get up to.”
Best Melissa & Doug Gift for a Baby Shower:
“If you’re not gifting the new parents important everyday items such as diapers, onesies, wipes, etc., I go one of two ways: Plush toys, or books. Every kid needs some quality plush pals to cuddle and help soothe themselves, and they’re never too young to get them thinking about reading and books, in my opinion.”
Want more toy content from Melissa & Doug…click-thru the links below:
Shop Melissa & Doug Best Sellers
Shop All Melissa & Doug Pretend Play
